THE OFFICIAL 2014 New England Patriots training camp thread

RayClay · Aug 19, 2014

AzPatsFan said:
The League was different then. There was not a great number of big WRs. There were lots of small quick studs, Holt, Bruce, Glenn, Harrison etc, so the need for a BIG Press CB was not as needed. The rules to control Mel Blount were still hurting big CBs.

Petey may have been before his time.

I think he was, but never got to fully implement what he had in mind in his short time here. Of course, I can't read minds.

RayClay · Aug 19, 2014

PatsFan2 said:
Brians Tymms first player on the practice field Today geez...what a kiss-up.

Butler would have been earlier, but he had to rescue a puppy from a burning building and help an old lady cross the street.

pencilneckgeek · Aug 19, 2014

Ross12 said:
I just mean to make the point that Finch isn't necessarily just the "5th RB", he is also a more than capable reserve slot receiver and of course the starting KR. I've come to view him to be battling Boyce more than he is battling his fellow backs, simply because Boyce would only be seeing the field in a reserve role too, but at least Finch can also run the ball effectively as a change pace. More bang for your buck.

I agree, although when looking at the 5th RB and 6th WR, they are also competing with the 10th DB, 6th LB, and 9th DL, who may be needed to cover kicks or provide extra depth at an injury affected position.

goheels22002 · Aug 19, 2014

ALP said:
Is it just me or is Brady throwing a bunch of int's this preseason so far, including practice?

It's just you.

goheels22002 · Aug 19, 2014

Joker said:
I was starving and I had that nagging thought I left somebody out. Thanks, Supa. Yes, Kenbrell is there with LaFell and Dobson. They look and practice like they know it.Pick a number. Boyce will stick the first four games I think but Tyms has shown more production this camp, plus Finch is fielding all the punts. Boyce may find himself on the street in October unless he blows up early in the season.There is no doubt that Dobson and Hawkins bring size to the WR corps that we haven't seen in seasons.

Thank you, too, for the excellent update. How did Mayo look? Was he out for personal reasons or was there an injury last week?

jefmblrd · Aug 19, 2014

Ross12 said:
I just mean to make the point that Finch isn't necessarily just the "5th RB", he is also a more than capable reserve slot receiver and of course the starting KR. I've come to view him to be battling Boyce more than he is battling his fellow backs, simply because Boyce would only be seeing the field in a reserve role too, but at least Finch can also run the ball effectively as a change pace. More bang for your buck.

I really liked Boyce coming out of college, but it looks like he's not putting full effort into the games which I'm sure is an incorrect perception on my part but he's not showing much at all for a guy who must know he's on the bubble. I wouldn't be surprised to see Finch make this team; he's an exciting player who can cut on a dime and has that extra gear.

Ivan · Aug 19, 2014

mcmurtry86 said:
If it's anything like their regular season grades, they're probably just pulling names out of a hat and picking grades off a random number generator.

What is really a concern is that the national media is now citing them as if they have credibility when in truth they have absolutely no credibility whatsoever. PFF is a fantasy site, nothing more, they have no relevance to real football.

Ivan · Aug 19, 2014

Joker said:
Just got back from practice...

- Gronk is a go...all the hysterics should just check into their little whine caves now and wait for something else to worry about.

- Hooman practiced today...

- Dobson practiced, looked good. He and LaFell are close,hang with each other on the sideline and look impressive physically...their reps were many and Dobson is moving fluidly.

- Brady is fun to watch up close.You have to be an ignorant submongoloidal moron to ever question this man's desire, drive,and will to win combined with that intangible of leadership. I don't think a lot of this fanbase really appreciates how great a player and a man that Tom really is.He's human. He missed a couple throws today and there's bits and pieces of sky all over this board.I'm close to giving up on all this anal retentive, whiny bullcrap. That's all it really is.

- Roy Finch....saw a lot of him today. He's not tiny, he's Faulk sized. He possesses some shake and has a nice burst. He handled kicks and passes pretty flawlessly and I saw every rep. I'm beginning to think he makes this roster.

- Stork practiced in 7's and 11's...didn't stick out just did his work. I didn't see any gaffes that stuck out.

- Justin Jones makes Gronk look short...sorta. I don't know what it is but he just seems like he's lackadaisical, blase blase going through the motions and reps. I expected some fire, some grit, like Develin brings every single rep but this guy has a dog collar around his neck I think.

- Mayo is back. Easley is full speed contact. CJ looks heavier by about 10 pounds. Didn't see a lot of the D drills as they were on the far field but I saw all the O reps. I'll state what I THINK and let others that were there agree or disagree. Off what I saw of the offense, I believe it's Dobson and LaFell, Amendola and Edelman as the locks, with Tyms then Boyce as the top six.

I took some pics.I'll upload them after I eat dinner. Beautiful day out there for the last viewable practice and the place was jammed as usual. I saw a whole lot more than just this brief synopsis, feel free to ask.

Mrs. B, is that you?

Thanks for the update.........

BobDigital · Aug 19, 2014

So just a quick question. So now camp is closed to the public. Does that include reporters and now can we expect no more updates on how players in practice?

AzorianPats · Aug 19, 2014

Ivan said:
Mrs. B, is that you?

Thanks for the update.........

OT. What ever happened to Mrs. B?

Uncle Rico · Aug 19, 2014

BobDigital said:
So just a quick question. So now camp is closed to the public. Does that include reporters and now can we expect no more updates on how players in practice?

I came here to post the same question. Reports seem a bit less complete today.

Mack Herron · Aug 19, 2014

Uncle Rico said:
I came here to post the same question. Reports seem a bit less complete today.

Yeah, at least they get into the locker room for a period so can presumably see who's practicing and who isn't, but I don't think they're allowed into the inner sanctum.

Brady_to_Moss · Aug 19, 2014

Uncle Rico said:
I came here to post the same question. Reports seem a bit less complete today.

Maybe BB cooked them a cake today..he just loves the media!

captain stone · Aug 19, 2014

Joker said:
another action shot with the 1's...Revis is obscured by the WR in the yellow shirt

Looks like one of the DBs has a hold of the back of the jersey of one of the WRs...

supafly · Aug 19, 2014

AzorianPats said:
OT. What ever happened to Mrs. B?

Rumor has it that she stopped giving updates due to the development of instant social media sites that were already keeping us updated by the minute.

supafly · Aug 19, 2014

Ross12 said:
I just mean to make the point that Finch isn't necessarily just the "5th RB", he is also a more than capable reserve slot receiver and of course the starting KR. I've come to view him to be battling Boyce more than he is battling his fellow backs, simply because Boyce would only be seeing the field in a reserve role too, but at least Finch can also run the ball effectively as a change pace. More bang for your buck.

I would agree that he has helped himself by returning kickoffs. I'm not quite as sure that I'd consider him a "more than capable reserve slot receiver" myself, but I get where you're coming from. Hopefully, he can add something to the RB screens/flat passes.

He definitely needs to improve on his pass protection though, as poor pass protection will be a sure way to get off the field in Belichick's eyes. This is why I'm not 100% sold on him definitely making the 53 man roster quite yet. I still think it's about 50/50, although I think we all hope that if he doesn't make it, he'll clear waivers and move to the practice squad.

BradyFTW! · Aug 19, 2014

supafly said:
I would agree that he has helped himself by returning kickoffs. I'm not quite as sure that I'd consider him a "more than capable reserve slot receiver" myself, but I get where you're coming from. Hopefully, he can add something to the RB screens/flat passes.

He definitely needs to improve on his pass protection though, as poor pass protection will be a sure way to get off the field in Belichick's eyes. This is why I'm not 100% sold on him definitely making the 53 man roster quite yet. I still think it's about 50/50, although I think we all hope that if he doesn't make it, he'll clear waivers and move to the practice squad.

I think a lot of people falsely equate being a capable receiver out of the backfield (which Finch was at Oklahoma) with being a capable slot receiver. I agree with your take: it's possible that he might be, but I'm inclined to doubt it until/unless he starts getting practice reps there. Those are two very different positions, and it's a pretty rare player who's good at both.

BTTA · Aug 19, 2014

Did this get posted yet? Great little article on the line work in practice.

idhttp://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2014/08/what_happened_in_1-on-1_pass-rush_drills_throughou.html?camp=misc

atriots&SREF=Optin&dlvrit=834384

strngplyr · Aug 19, 2014

I put very very little stock into those results, especially with the author admitting and untrained eye and referencing a transition to the 3-4 which makes absolutely ZERO sense to do at this point.

I'm sure most will remember 2010-11 with all the talk about moving to a 4-3 base because they practiced it in TC and used it about ...no times, during the season.

It's in practice to keep everyone refreshed, just as it has been in every year in the past along with the 4-3 being practiced while we were a 3-4 base.

The other reason I don't care too much about these drills is because the main point if them is less about who wins and loses and more about having hand/footwork on tape from every player to see what needs refining.

2 on 2's are a little more important from a scheme/usefulness perspective but all 4+ rushers will only be successful working together in containing and moving the QB to where either that individual or a teammate can get his hands on him.

jmt57 · Aug 19, 2014

BobDigital said:
So just a quick question. So now camp is closed to the public. Does that include reporters and now can we expect no more updates on how players in practice?

If I recall correctly they get to watch the first fifteen minutes or so (stretching and warm ups), and that's it until post-practice interviews. From that they get to report who is and is not present, who is and is not in pads, etc., but no more of the information about who did and did no make great plays, etc.

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