Surprises that may be seen

[Ring 6]

Not really predctions here, but what type of surprises do you think are not that far-fetched. Here are a few to start with.

Ventrone as a capable WR. I don't know why you cannot convert a S to WR and have no chance of it working. With the firepower we have on offense, I could easily see taking the narrowest levels of skills he has and only using him in those roles, and getting production (i.e. limited to the routes he most excels at on 3rd downs). Entirely possible he may not catch a pass all year either, but neither end of the spectrum would shock me.

Pierre Woods getting a lot of PT and contributing.
We consistiently use OLBs as DEs in nickel and dime. One of those DEs, Thomas can also be effective in a coverage spot in those situations, and both OLBs could use some breathers from being 3 and sometimes 4 down players.
Woods has an awful lot of opportunity to get on the field a lot. The question is how does the coaching staff fell about using him consistently as a 3rd down DE, and/or subbing in the base to keep AD and Vrabel fresh.

Those are 2 to get the topic started.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Not really predctions here, but what type of surprises do you think are not that far-fetched. Here are a few to start with.

Ventrone as a capable WR. I don't know why you cannot convert a S to WR and have no chance of it working. With the firepower we have on offense, I could easily see taking the narrowest levels of skills he has and only using him in those roles, and getting production (i.e. limited to the routes he most excels at on 3rd downs). Entirely possible he may not catch a pass all year either, but neither end of the spectrum would shock me.
Pierre Woods getting a lot of PT and contributing.
We consistiently use OLBs as DEs in nickel and dime. One of those DEs, Thomas can also be effective in a coverage spot in those situations, and both OLBs could use some breathers from being 3 and sometimes 4 down players.
Woods has an awful lot of opportunity to get on the field a lot. The question is how does the coaching staff fell about using him consistently as a 3rd down DE, and/or subbing in the base to keep AD and Vrabel fresh.

Those are 2 to get the topic started.

He made the roster over Jackson and CJ Jones is a ST's body until Faulk is activated. Ventrone could be that WR/FB hybrid that catches and blocks too.

I think he holds his own.

 

[Ring 6]

He made the roster over Jackson and CJ Jones is a ST's body until Faulk is activated. Ventrone could be that WR/FB hybrid that catches and blocks too.

I think he holds his own.

I think its more likely that he barely plays on offense, and is a special teamer---like Washington last year. Thats why I'd call him producing a surprise, but not one that would shock me.

 

[Gunnails]

I think L Jordan will Make more of an impact with the Pats then a lot of people might be thinking. I could see him taking a lot snaps away from Faulk. Of course if the O line does not get healthy?

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Not really predctions here, but what type of surprises do you think are not that far-fetched. Here are a few to start with.

Ventrone as a capable WR. I don't know why you cannot convert a S to WR and have no chance of it working. With the firepower we have on offense, I could easily see taking the narrowest levels of skills he has and only using him in those roles, and getting production (i.e. limited to the routes he most excels at on 3rd downs). Entirely possible he may not catch a pass all year either, but neither end of the spectrum would shock me.

Pierre Woods getting a lot of PT and contributing.
We consistiently use OLBs as DEs in nickel and dime. One of those DEs, Thomas can also be effective in a coverage spot in those situations, and both OLBs could use some breathers from being 3 and sometimes 4 down players.
Woods has an awful lot of opportunity to get on the field a lot. The question is how does the coaching staff fell about using him consistently as a 3rd down DE, and/or subbing in the base to keep AD and Vrabel fresh.

Those are 2 to get the topic started.

I too, think Woods will get a lot of playing time. And his production will surprise many......

 

[Ring 6]

I think L Jordan will Make more of an impact with the Pats then a lot of people might be thinking. I could see him taking a lot snaps away from Faulk. Of course if the O line does not get healthy?

I could easily see Faulk getting phased out, because I think this may be his last year here, due to his contract status.
That said, Faulk has been so effective and reliable in the 2 minute offense, that it would be hard to exclude him too.

 

[Gunnails]

I could easily see Faulk getting phased out, because I think this may be his last year here, due to his contract status.
That said, Faulk has been so effective and reliable in the 2 minute offense, that it would be hard to exclude him too.

==================================================

Jordan can block, but I think faulk beats him there. I am not saying Faulk is going anywhere, Faulk has been money for ever.
I have always liked Jordan as a RB, given the right situation he could be a nasty change of pace/short yardage guy. IMHO

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Not really predctions here, but what type of surprises do you think are not that far-fetched. Here are a few to start with.

Ventrone as a capable WR. I don't know why you cannot convert a S to WR and have no chance of it working. With the firepower we have on offense, I could easily see taking the narrowest levels of skills he has and only using him in those roles, and getting production (i.e. limited to the routes he most excels at on 3rd downs). Entirely possible he may not catch a pass all year either, but neither end of the spectrum would shock me.

Pierre Woods getting a lot of PT and contributing.
We consistiently use OLBs as DEs in nickel and dime. One of those DEs, Thomas can also be effective in a coverage spot in those situations, and both OLBs could use some breathers from being 3 and sometimes 4 down players.
Woods has an awful lot of opportunity to get on the field a lot. The question is how does the coaching staff fell about using him consistently as a 3rd down DE, and/or subbing in the base to keep AD and Vrabel fresh.

Those are 2 to get the topic started.

vetrone is a game. he is extremely quick for 6 ft.

i don't share the same love for pierre. seems like a nice guy. i think he'll be functional and can help with the qb pressure(which he should have done in 4th quarter of the SB) but i won't be shocked when crable surpasses him.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

He made the roster over Jackson and CJ Jones is a ST's body until Faulk is activated. Ventrone could be that WR/FB hybrid that catches and blocks too.

I think he holds his own.

how is he going to play fb at 200 pounds? that's an injury waiting to happen. he's a slot rcvr if anything

 

[RoughingthePasser]

We go undefeated and win the Super Bowl.

 

[PatsDeb]

How about these two not-so-far-fetched predictions?:

Our secondary holds up well the first few games of the season, despite all the hand-wringing around here.

Tom Brady comes out smokin' even though he hasn't taken one pre-season (game) snap.

GO PATS!!

 

[JSn]

I think its more likely that he barely plays on offense, and is a special teamer---like Washington last year. Thats why I'd call him producing a surprise, but not one that would shock me.

I think Ventrone and Slater will go screaming up the depth chart in their respective positions and seriously liven up special teams.

I think also we may look back on this year as the year we rebuilt our defensive core for the future and got in to position to make some tough cuts next year to sign a couple of high-stat vets.

 

[JSn]

How about these two not-so-far-fetched predictions?:

Our secondary holds up well the first few games of the season, despite all the hand-wringing around here.

Tom Brady comes out smokin' even though he hasn't taken one pre-season (game) snap.

GO PATS!!

I agree. Think there will be a mass "sigh" on Sunday as the D looks crazy good.
Wouldn't happen if started with a bigger challenge, but I think it will give those guys the juice to go out and make Favre seriously question his decision making in week #2.

 

[mgteich]

Woods is our #5 LB. I expect him to get lots of reps. And yes, I understand that he is a backup to AT and Vrabel. It is likely that at some point one of them will need to play inside, with Woods needed to start outside.

 

[Ring 6]

How about these two not-so-far-fetched predictions?:

Our secondary holds up well the first few games of the season, despite all the hand-wringing around here.

Tom Brady comes out smokin' even though he hasn't taken one pre-season (game) snap.

GO PATS!!

I said surprises, not evidence contrary to the Chicken Little Crew.

 

[Ring 6]

Woods is our #5 LB. I expect him to get lots of reps. And yes, I understand that he is a backup to AT and Vrabel. It is likely that at some point one of them will need to play inside, with Woods needed to start outside.

I'm thinking more of his role in sub packages being larger.

 

[Gwedd]

Well,

I can see Ventrone being used on offense in the same manner as Vrabel, inside the 10 or on goal line plays. He could do well there.

Respects,

 

[jeffbiologist]

I think with that S from...StL that Martz converted(Curry,Flurry??)I think this a natural shift for a guy trying to find a place. Ventrone will have a fan club this year! If one of our WR goes down I think it more likely that Ventrone would be the every down guy over Washington....
Now I have to disagree with Woods' analysis. I think BB puts his best pass rushers in on passing downs.....and I could see a D line consisting of Seymour, Green and Crable. I think Woods can have a long term role if he can wrest the ST capt role from Izzo, maybe for next year. He has the athleticism but not the playmaking ability to thrive as a BB LB(in my opinion)and has already lost some time to Crable.
I also think that the SS/ILB formation is just a hoax. I think its just something fun that they threw against the wall and hope it sticks. Its just one more thing for the other team to have to practice for...
Junior gets the itch next week and calls BB, look for him to come back after the bye week.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I would hope we never call Seau as it would indicate that the youngsters aren't up to the task or that a Bruschi or Mayo was injured. Love Seau but like Andre Tippett his day has passed.

 

[Metaphors]

Big plays from special teams. Both on return and coverage teams. Belichick kept a boatload of special teams guys (Izzo, Slater, Alexander, Aiken, Guyton) as well as depth that excels on special teams (Woods, Washington, Evans, Wright). Hopefully that translates into big positive changes in field position and the opposing returners putting the ball on the turf.