***THE OFFICIAL 2014 New England Patriots training camp thread***

AndyJohnson said:

I thought we had him last year

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He was not as bulked up last season. Strength was an issue for him against physical receivers.

patsinthesnow said:

Does anyone think Butler could challenge Dennard. for the 2nd outside CB spot the first four weeks?

CB1: Revis
CB2:
Nickle: Ryan/Arrington
Dime: Ryan/Arrington

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No there is no chance.

What! are people already saying Logan Ryan is already in the dreaded Rutgers 2nd year CB slump? Well he has good company.

Marinlik said:

But unfortunately people tend to put way too much value in stats.

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What % of people do this?

Mike Reiss @MikeReiss · 1m
Via @LeeSchechter, WR Aaron Dobson & DL Dominique Easley are present for practice, wearing uniforms. Bill Belichick says they r progressing.

Logan Ryan showed very well for a rookie at CB. He made some plays (they weren't all just tips to him), and he made some mistakes, as all rookies do. There was plenty to be encouraged by from his rookie season.

That said, there are MANY rookies (CB and otherwise) who show a lot of promise in their rookie season and don't take that next step. For every Chandler Jones there's a Jermaine Cunningham. For every Jerod Mayo there's a Brandon Spikes. For every Devin McCourty there's a Darius Butler.

Ryan, Harmon, and Collins all showed they had some ability last year. It's okay to be hopeful about their abilities going forward. It's just not guaranteed, nothing is.

Sicilian said:

Logan Ryan showed very well for a rookie at CB. He made some plays (they weren't all just tips to him), and he made some mistakes, as all rookies do. There was plenty to be encouraged by from his rookie season.

That said, there are MANY rookies (CB and otherwise) who show a lot of promise in their rookie season and don't take that next step. For every Chandler Jones there's a Jermaine Cunningham. For every Jerod Mayo there's a Brandon Spikes. For every Devin McCourty there's a Darius Butler.

Ryan, Harmon, and Collins all showed they had some ability last year. It's okay to be hopeful about their abilities going forward. It's just not guaranteed, nothing is.

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CB fares pretty badly though on this team the past few drafts.

@cpriceNFL
Brady tosses a ball that is tipped off Josh Boyce's hands. Ebner comes away with nifty pick.

@cpriceNFL
Jemea Thomas just picked off Jimmy Garoppolo. #Patriots

Gronk participating in the 7-on-7 drills with a non-contact jersey on.

That Josh Boyce have a real good pair of bricks...sure we want him as our returner?

@cpriceNFL: Beautiful ball and beautiful catch on a sideline pass from Brady for KT in 7-on-7s. Big cheer. #Patriots

Brady6 said:

He was not as bulked up last season. Strength was an issue for him against physical receivers.

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What do you base this bulking up on? You are essentially calling him a different player. Based on what?
I did not see strength issues affecting his game last year, in fact, as WRs go, he was closer to physical than finesse.

PatsFan2 said:

That Josh Boyce have a real good pair of bricks...sure we want him as our returner?

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I see the grin. I get it. But receivers drop passes. Especially 2nd year 4th round picks who barely played last year.

Not to mention it has nothing to do with holding onto kickoffs.

Again I get it. But the Negative Nancies that show up every time a WR drops a pass get really old.

Butler with a pick on TB12. Butler cracks me up, small scool, average size, below average athleticism (as measured) - he just makes plays.

@MikeReiss: Undrafted CB Malcolm Butler intercepts Tom Brady on pass intended for Kenbrell Thompkins on sideline. BB said earlier that Butler improving

patsinthesnow said:

@MikeReiss: Undrafted CB Malcolm Butler intercepts Tom Brady on pass intended for Kenbrell Thompkins on sideline. BB said earlier that Butler improving

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The best part, from Butler's perspective: that means he's getting the chance to go up against TB12. And, of course, "improving" is BB's highest praise for a rookie. Good stuff.

Good signs for CB depth...

If Butler really comes on strong, that might make them more willing to try Ryan at safety with McCourty.

BelichickFan said:

I see the grin. I get it. But receivers drop passes. Especially 2nd year 4th round picks who barely played last year.

Not to mention it has nothing to do with holding onto kickoffs.

Again I get it. But the Negative Nancies that show up every time a WR drops a pass get really old.

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About as old as the Defenders of the Faith coming to the rescue of every player who's struggling, I'd venture to guess.

Where is Swanson

@DougKyedNESN: Brady was 10-19, INT in 11v11s, 13-16 in 7v7s. Garoppolo was 16-24 in 11v11s and 9-14, INT (off Boyce's hands) in 7v7s.

@DougKyedNESN: Jimmy Garoppolo had a nice practice for the second day in a row with Ryan Mallett absent.

Did it take a game for Jimmy G to learn how to practice?