Dobson, Dennard, Kelly, Easley, Slater, and 3 others to start training camp on PUP/NFI

The Patriots have announced that the following players will start training camp on the PUP or NFI list –

- Aaron Dobson
- Alfonzo Dennard
- Dominique Easley (NFI)
- Tommy Kelly
- Matthew Slater
- Jeremy Gallon
- Deontae Skinner (NFI)
- Roy Finch (NFI)
- Chris Martin (NFI)

Looks like Wilfork, Gronkowski, Mayo, and Vollmer are full go.

http://www.patspulpit.com/2014/7/21/5924249/gnotd-patriots-camp-pup-list-taking-form

Can't say that I'm happy to see Dennard on the list. I really like him and feel he is getting lost in a now crowded defensive backfield. How serious is/was the shoulder? I was revving up to see Easley too, but I guess I'll have to wait a tiny bit longer.

I expected that Dobson would be there. It's surprising somewhat to see that Gronk will "play" this early. They'll probably limit his contact somewhat, I think. Vollmer and Mayo are good to go. That's always good news. I really feel Mayo needs a big year. He's been at the doorstep of "elite" for some for many years now. Can he build on the momentum he was gaining before the injury last season? I think he can. Let's roll!!!

PatsBoy12 said:

Can't say that I'm happy to see Dennard on the list. I really like him and feel he is getting lost in a now crowded defensive backfield. How serious is/was the shoulder? I was revving up to see Easley too, but I guess I'll have to wait a tiny bit longer.

I expected that Dobson would be there. It's surprising somewhat to see that Gronk will "play" this early. They'll probably limit his contact somewhat, I think. Vollmer and Mayo are good to go. That's always good news. I really feel Mayo needs a big year. He's been at the doorstep of "elite" for some for many years now. Can he build on the momentum he was gaining before the injury last season? I think he can. Let's roll!!!

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He played through it during the season but it needed to be fixed. Shouldn't be too serious. Don't look too much in to PUP now..they can come off of it at any time

Brady_to_Moss said:

He played through it during the season but it needed to be fixed. Shouldn't be too serious. Don't look too much in to PUP now..they can come off of it at any time

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Yeah, you're right. I've been on his bandwagon since the beginning and think he is a very good #2 CB in the NFL. What he lacks in top speed he makes up for in physicality and tenacity. He usually plays the ball very well and he'll mix it up with bigger receivers.

Mayo is on the door step of being elite? He has been elite since his rookie year!

Go compare his stats to Willis season on season and you'll find they're very close in everything but pass defenses.

One of a few very under rated players on this board.

Big-T said:

Mayo is on the door step of being elite? He has been elite since his rookie year!

Go compare his stats to Willis season on season and you'll find they're very close in everything but pass defenses.

One of a few very under rated players on this board.

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Okay, relax man. I should know better than to not clarify. Most of the outside world does not talk of Mayo in the same breadth as Patrick Willis, Keuchly, and the like. You know it and I know it. That's what I meant. Elite is subjective anyway. Notice in my original post where I clearly indicated "for some."

Only names on that list I'm worried bout are Kelly,Easley,Dobson,Dennard. Dobson I'm happy they are letting fully heal. He will be ready to go by week one. If not early in the season. When he does hit the field I'm confident he will be a playmaker. He showed legit ability to get open and a second gear deep similar to Josh Gordon. I just hope he gets stronger. It gives Kenbrell time to show he can be a consistent weapon for us. He will look faster and sharper than last year and prove he can be a playmaker at the Z WR spot next to Dobson at X. And give us explosiveness and consistent playmaking ability intermediate,deep,and outside the hash along the sideline we haven't had in a while. I would rather Dobson get 100 percent so by mid season he and KT can be the dynamic duo.

Dennard I'm sure Wii be fine by week one and becomes a very respected CB in any situation this year. Kelly I'm concerned about. His age and injuries are likely related. I'm worried if he has anything left to make an impact. Last season we hoped he could squeeze one more very good season from him. Its a year later and he is coming off an injury. I doubt he has any impact ability. We may need a replacement, a respectable replacement. Not a has been or bubble journeyman.

Easley I would prefer focus on rehab/training and regaining movement burst and flexibility/and catch up on growing into his DT frame. He is slightly behind growth and development due to not being able to do his squats or whatever DTs do to develop thickness and power in the legs and hips because of his 2 injuries. Just another terrifying point of Easleys sick immense raw talent. He still has some developing left to do because of injuries. I would rather see him develop his DT frame and and regain his full explosiveness/flexibility and movement skills during preseason and first 4-6 games and start playing more and more and regain confidence in his acl and legs to hold up during his violent intense play style. So that by week 17 he has forgotten any injury ever happened and id terrorizing QBs and whomever gets in his way. In simple terms I'm happy if he becomes a difference maker heading into the playoffs.

I'm all for getting our top talent healthy and in their best shape heading into the playoffs. Even if that means resting and rehab/training to get there while missing some games. I would much prefer going 10-6 and go into the playoffs with all our impact players developed, healthy and in their best condition playing their best football than 13-3 or 14-2 and our best talent aching and sore and not at their best while hoping the bye week is. Enough time to get everybody back to health and speed and get our butts kicked by a healthy 9-7 up and coming team with coached up young game changers experienced, healthy and playing their best football entering the playoffs..

Just an FYI for all those who are extremely concerned, Julian Edelman started last season on PUP, he went on to have triple his previous best season. As long as it does not last longer than a week or week and half it is not a major concern.

I'm happy with the team if we develop any potential difference maker we may have on this team,and we enter the playoffs with everybody healthy and playing their best even if it with a 9-7 fecord. The first round bye isn't important to me. Making the playoffs and everybody healthy and at their best is what counts.

"Most of the outside world does not talk of Mayo in the same breadth as Patrick Willis, Keuchly, and the like."

make that the ENTIRE outside world except for ONE particular individual.The distance or measurement from side to side of something has NOTHING to do with Mayo, Willis, Keuchly or just about any other of the 6 billion + humans on the planet.

Ankle, Knee, Leg, Shoulder injuries in first 2 seasons = Dennard is obviously made of glass

In all seriousness though, let's hope that he can stay healthy. He seems to have a nice ceiling, talent-wise.

Cut them all.

supafly said:

Ankle, Knee, Leg, Shoulder injuries in first 2 seasons = Dennard is obviously made of glass

In all seriousness though, let's hope that he can stay healthy. He seems to have a nice ceiling, talent-wise.

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I agree. Dennard is a talent and I was disappointed that his name was on the list. I guess I was really hoping he'd be ready by now. I hope he doesn't get lost in the mix after starting late.

I do not read all that much into this, it seems to happen every year.. there are no indicators that it is self imposed, just recovery from injuries... would like to see Easley, Dobson and Dennard on the field sooner rather than later though.

PatsBoy12 said:

Okay, relax man. I should know better than to not clarify. Most of the outside world does not talk of Mayo in the same breadth as Patrick Willis, Keuchly, and the like. You know it and I know it. That's what I meant. Elite is subjective anyway. Notice in my original post where I clearly indicated "for some."

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This is a decent article on the ILB and their rank. I do not necessarily agree with the ranking order but the players are on point.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...uke-kuechly-paces-nfls-top-inside-linebackers

No real surprises or disappointments on who is ON the PUP, but I would suggest there are a few who are NOT. Having Gronk, Volmer, Vince and Mayo NOT on the list is a huge plus.

BTW- I agree with those who feel that Mayo is vastly under rated by many on this board. However I don't think he's as good as Willis or Kuchely, and he doesn't need to be. You can be a great player in this league and still be a notch below the truly elite one or two players.

Brady6 said:

This is a decent article on the ILB and their rank. I do not necessarily agree with the ranking order but the players are on point.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...uke-kuechly-paces-nfls-top-inside-linebackers

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6, 5, 4 or any other number... the difference is small, each LB has a different role dependent on the needs of the team.. I like Mayo, not much to dislike about him.

Shame about Dobson. He could really use the extra reps with Brady. But it is what it is. The team needs him to be healthy. Not surprised about Easley, though I wonder what the NFI is. Fantastic news about Gronk, if they're not rushing him back. I would still expect his workload to be limited and wouldn't be surprised if he didn't see a single snap during the preseason, but that's nothing but good news as far as I'm concerned.

Questions:
1. Is it true as mentioned here that Dobs just took off the boot last week? If true, I'm pessimistic.
2. Is the NFI Easely injury new information? Was NFI expected?

KontradictioN said:

Shame about Dobson. He could really use the extra reps with Brady. But it is what it is. The team needs him to be healthy. Not surprised about Easley, though I wonder what the NFI is. Fantastic news about Gronk, if they're not rushing him back. I would still expect his workload to be limited and wouldn't be surprised if he didn't see a single snap during the preseason, but that's nothing but good news as far as I'm concerned.

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On Easley's NFI, there's a note in the article that states NFI accounts for any injury that occurs before a player's NFL career. So since his injury happened in college, it's classified as such.