Pats Training Camp on SiriusXM NFL Radio -- Monday 7/28

One overall comment. It is such a contrast to have the bulk of my football talk radio be Sirius NFL with some really knowledgeable people (Kirwin, Polian, Phil Savage) put things in a bigger picture context and then compare that to the grousing bellyaching about the Pats from Boston media. It's easy to lose track of just how good we have it.

Last year is the perfect example. Any other team would have been 8-8 with those injuries on top of the Hernandez nightmare (which would have destroyed most teams). There's a lot of behind the scenes stuff that the Pats did to help the team survive having a teammate arrested and charged as a serial killer. Not to mention continuing to be competitive while eating his cap hit.

So, I just roll my eyes when I hear the complaining that Belichick didn't fill this need or that need and won't trade a #1 draft pick for a marquee right guard.

In my opinion, the absolute best you can hope for in the NFL is that your team is competitive and at least has a shot at the big prize. To actually get to and win the Superbowl requires being really good and really lucky. The more times you have a shot, the more times you might get struck by lightening and actually win a Lombardi trophy. It takes a lot of miracles over the course of a season.

Patriots.com posted some exerpts:

http://www.patriots.com/media-cente...SiriusXM/133fc4e7-29eb-4d6d-86fe-83e8c4e2cc3a

hwc said:

Closing out the four hours:

Miller: Based on what I've seen here at Patriots camp and knowing what the division schedule looks like, I'd say that this team can sleepwalk to 12-4.

Kirwin: Yep. I'll go 12-4, too.

They both agreed this team has a legitimate shot to be one of the teams in final game of the year.

Click to expand...

What I thought I heard was Miller saying that this team could go 11-5 with Mallett. So what does that say about Brady if they feel we're a 12-4 team???

PatsWickedPissah said:

What I thought I heard was Miller saying that this team could go 11-5 with Mallett. So what does that say about Brady if they feel we're a 12-4 team???

Click to expand...

If the hammah can take us to 11-5, then we are going 19-0 all the way

PatsWickedPissah said:

What I thought I heard was Miller saying that this team could go 11-5 with Mallett. So what does that say about Brady if they feel we're a 12-4 team???

Click to expand...

What it says it that Miller's not to be taken seriously when it comes to QBs.

Kirwin's definition of a solid back up QB is someone who can come in off the bench and go 2-2 for a four game stretch while the starter is injured. He thinks the Pats have that base covered.

Sounds like Mallett had a very strong day throwing the ball on Sunday when Kirwin and Miller were there watching. I think the negativity towards Mallett is limited to the sky-is-falling local fans and pundits.

Or maybe Kirwin and Miller are just doing their buddy Belichick a solid and pimping Mallett to generate some trade value. People around the league pay attention to Kirwin.

In any case, I agree with Belichick when he says that the Pats have a very solid situation at QB right now, something that many NFL teams cannot say. I think I'd rather have Brady, Mallett, and Jimmy G in camp that, oh, for example, Geno and Vick.

As for Miller, he lasted 8 years at QB in the NFL including a Superbowl ring as Tom Brady's backup under Bill Belichick. I don't know about the rest of ya'll, but he certainly is better equiped to evaluate NFL QBs than I am. And, better than most of the so-called pundits. For example, he knows the difference between an X and a Z receiver.

Thanks for your input on the thread hwc a lifeline for those of us that couldn't listen today.

hwc said:

As for Miller, he lasted 8 years at QB in the NFL including a Superbowl ring as Tom Brady's backup under Bill Belichick. I don't know about the rest of ya'll, but he certainly is better equiped to evaluate NFL QBs than I am. And, better than most of the so-called pundits. For example, he knows the difference between an X and a Z receiver.

Click to expand...

Playing a position doesn't mean you can evaluate a position. And saying that Brady is only 1 game better than Mallett (the 12 games v. 11 games scenario) is evidence that Miller can't evaluate the position.

Deus Irae said:

Playing a position doesn't mean you can evaluate a position. And saying that Brady is only 1 game better than Mallett (the 12 games v. 11 games scenario) is evidence that Miller can't evaluate the position.

Click to expand...

Lets not get too anal. Miller said the Pats could win 11-5 with Mallet and said that with Brady that would easily be 12-4. Not only is there a one game difference but there is also the easily vs could that makes his opinion fairer. IMO 11-5 is probably a little high for Mallet and 12-4 a little low but I think it's a fair enough assessment.

Here is Kirwan's write up on visiting Patriots camp: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...om-brady-and-the-offense-show-off-versatility

I enjoyed these two nuggets:

Ridley sees himself as a team leader and told me he expects his fumbling issues to be resolved.

• Chandler Jones showed his growth in this comment: "I used to have a preconceived plan on each pass rush, but now I can react to a tackle's set and counter after the snap." I saw that in action in one-on-one pass rush drills, when he switched from an outside speed rush to a counter inside and came clean on the quarterback against one of the club's better tackles. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jones top his 11.5 sacks from last year.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I honestly did not hear a comparison of Mallett's and Brady's W-L record to be a major theme of Kirwin and Miller's analysis. They were simply saying that Ryan Mallett was impressive in the drills they saw.