THE OFFICIAL 2014 New England Patriots training camp thread

Ivan · Aug 19, 2014

I actually heard Chatham talking about them being primarily a 3-4 base defense in this pre-season and camp but I wonder if that's just getting them ready for going 3-4 on the fly and getting Jones and Ninkovich the reps at OLB. I would be surprised if the roster were comprised to reflect a 3-4 base defense.

Ross12 · Aug 19, 2014

BradyFTW! said:
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.

Yeah, I see what you and supafly are saying here. I am most likely reaching on the "capable slot receiver" assertion. My thought process was that there would be some some level of overlap between the short routes and screens Boyce sometimes runs, and what Finch could run from the backfield.

The versatility on the roster with the WRs overall has to be commended, though: coming into TC I just saw a lot of slot guys, but in reality, Edelman can play inside and outside, Amendola obviously plays really well inside but can go both ways too, plus LaFell can play inside and outside too AND has some TE versatility, plus Dobson and Thompkins on the outside. Really an interesting group. Don't see the gaping hole that Boyce would plug anywhere.

AzPatsFan · Aug 20, 2014

Ross12 said:
Yeah, I see what you and supafly are saying here. I am most likely reaching on the "capable slot receiver" assertion. My thought process was that there would be some some level of overlap between the short routes and screens Boyce sometimes runs, and what Finch could run from the backfield.

The versatility on the roster with the WRs overall has to be commended, though: coming into TC I just saw a lot of slot guys, but in reality, Edelman can play inside and outside, Amendola obviously plays really well inside but can go both ways too, plus LaFell can play inside and outside too AND has some TE versatility, plus Dobson and Thompkins on the outside. Really an interesting group. Don't see the gaping hole that Boyce would plug anywhere.

I too think the investment in Receivers is beginning to bear fruit.
Last year's problem is becoming this years strength.

supafly · Aug 20, 2014

AzPatsFan said:
I too think the investment in Receivers is beginning to bear fruit.
Last year's problem is becoming this years strength.

Let's hope you're right, AZ--and I think you are.

It would be even better to have just one of the following take place:

--Tyms proves that he's a for real NFL player and makes the 53 man roster after week four

--Boyce gets cut, then goes unclaimed and is placed back on our PS, where he can get another year of development

Personally, I think that most of us hope for the Tyms option much more than the Boyce option, but either way, I think that we can continue to prepare for the future at the position of WR.

Another guy who may make it over to the PS is Jeremy Gallon. I just don't ever want to see a lack of options like 2013 again.

dales804 · Aug 20, 2014

supafly said:
I just don't ever want to see a lack of options like 2013 again.

The WR situation looks better, at the moment, than it did going through the season last year. However, the TE position is unchanged. So if the #1 TE stays healthy this year that area will be fine. If not, it will be sorely lacking and even more pressure will fall to the WRs and RBs, again.

jmt57 · Aug 20, 2014

Wed Aug 20 Notes:

Sebastian Vollmer misses second practice, Michael Hoomanawanui ducks out | Boston Herald

Right tackle Sebastian Vollmer missed his second consecutive practice today as the Patriots shifted out of training camp and into something that closely resembles regular-season mode.

Media only witnessed 20 minutes of practice, which included jogging, stretching and early positional drills. Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Dobson and Dominique Easley were participating with their respective groups.

Tight end Michael Hoomanawanui returned yesterday after missing 12 consecutive practices, but he left after stretching to condition on an adjacent field. Hoomanawanui was in full pads, including his jersey, but the others were in shorts and T-shirts.

Vollmer, defensive linemen Chris Jones and Sealver Siliga, tight end D.J. Williams, running back Tyler Gaffney, linebacker Cameron Gordon and tackle Chris Martin were not practicing with the team during media access.

Also, Vollmer is just a little bit bigger than his fiancée.

Pats-Phan · Aug 20, 2014

Last year we planned on having Hernandez, Vereen and Amendola contribte significanly and all 3 were injured or in jail afer week 1. Currently all our skill players are heathy. Injuries will happen but losing 3 of your top 10 skill guys before week 1 is over is pretty bad luck. We should have somewhat better luck this year.

BradyFTW! · Aug 20, 2014

Big-T said:
Joker, the way Justin Jones looks in the drills could be down to his size, being the same height as him I've been told everything looks a bit lackadaisical etc when running and the like - just think, his stride is going to be over 3 feet so things may look slow but a lot of ground is being covered which is why smaller guys (Develin, using your example) will look "busier".

The other 2 reasons off the top of my head would be he plays more fluid so things look more relaxed or he is just lazy, can't really comment having not seen what you have.

The same basic issue was behind a lot of the accusations of Randy Moss looking lazy on the field. He could be at a full sprint, running at 4.3 and blowing past guys, and look like he was briskly jogging.

Danger Zone · Aug 20, 2014

BradyFTW! said:
The same basic issue was behind a lot of the accusations of Randy Moss looking lazy on the field. He could be at a full spring, running at 4.3 and blowing past guys, and look like he was briskly jogging.

I can agree with this.. adding that we probably unfairly compare players like Jones subconsciously with our plethora of minute energizer bunnies in Edleman, Welker, Amendola, Woodhead and Finch.

Scientifically its the Gnomes Just Feel Like They Are Zippy Fast Compared to Taurens But They Are Moving at Exactly the Same Speed Phenomenom™ *

* - I deny ever having played Wow.. er World of Warcraft

patsinthesnow · Aug 20, 2014

@MikeReiss: Starting right tackle Sebatian Vollmer is absent for 3rd straight practice for undisclosed reason, per @LeeSchechter. Played 22 snaps vs PHL

PatsFan2 · Aug 20, 2014

A shame we didn't get to see TE/HB DJ Williams play and he's not eligible for the PS I think. So it's either IR or straight out Cut! Can't make the club from the tub buddy.

jmt57 · Aug 20, 2014

It Is What it Is >> Sebastian Vollmer misses third straight day, Sealver Siliga works on side as Patriots work in shorts, shells

Teams are not required to disclose medical or injury issues during preseason so it’s not clear why Vollmer has been out the last three days.

If Vollmer is dealing with a significant injury issue, then it’s likely Marcus Cannon, who played some left tackle against the Eagles, could step in and fill the void at right tackle.

One bit of possibly encouraging news was the sighting of defensive tackle Sealver Siliga working out with training staff on the lower practice field. Siliga injured his left hand in the joint practices with the Redskins and has not been cleared for full contact practices since. He missed the first two preseason games and headed back to Boston for an exam.

Other players missing again Wednesday were tight ends D.J. Williams and defensive lineman Chris Jones. Tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, linebacker Cameron Gordon and offensive lineman Chris Martin were also not spotted during practice, as he did on Monday and Tuesday, Hoomanawanui left after stretching and headed down to the lower practice field to work with trainers.

patsinthesnow · Aug 20, 2014

@shalisemyoung: league source says Sebastian Vollmer has a foot injury but it is not considered serious #patriots

@DougKyedNESN: I can't see Aaron Dobson making his preseason debut on Friday night. He's only participating in drills and 7-on-7s right now.

AzPatsFan · Aug 20, 2014

patsinthesnow said:
@shalisemyoung: league source says Sebastian Vollmer has a foot injury but it is not considered serious #patriots

@DougKyedNESN: I can't see Aaron Dobson making his preseason debut on Friday night. He's only participating in drills and 7-on-7s right now.

Along with information reported elsewhere, about Chris Jones and Sealver Siliaga's sprains, a news pattern is emerging.

It would appear that the Mediots are finally learning how to dig out and get injury information, without wasting time asking Belichick in a Press conference, where he won't answer.

Bill learned the hard way in Cleveland, with those Press jackals, that saying what the injury appeared to be, and the usual length of time to return, just wetted the appetites of the Mediot jackals. They would prognosticate, rumor that it was more serious, and being suppressed in a cover-up. Then they would criticize if the recovery took longer than anticipated, hinting a confirmed cover-up, or a lazy player, yadda, yadda, yadda.

BB sees no reason to get into that game any longer. Plus it may just really deny intelligence to his opponents.

BTW, What did you think of Schlecter's revelation that BB refused all offers for Mallett and wanted him as a fully trained backup QB. BB said he was too valuable to the Patriots, and would refuse anything other than a First Round pick, and possibly that too, depending on Polo's progress? In any case Mallett is not on the market, now.

supafly · Aug 20, 2014

patsinthesnow said:
@shalisemyoung: league source says Sebastian Vollmer has a foot injury but it is not considered serious #patriots

@DougKyedNESN: I can't see Aaron Dobson making his preseason debut on Friday night. He's only participating in drills and 7-on-7s right now.

Whew...let's hope SMY's source is correct and Vollmer is just being held out for a couple of weeks until it's time to go in the reg season.

PatsWickedPissah · Aug 20, 2014

Alles ist ordnung mit Herr Volmer!

Danger Zone · Aug 20, 2014

PatsWickedPissah said:
Alles ist ordnung mit Herr Volmer!

Der Worte sind genug gewechselt, lasst mich auch endlich Taten sehn!

captain stone · Aug 20, 2014

I peg the over/under of games SeaBass plays this season at 7.
It's not a contract year, after all.

Joker · Aug 20, 2014

PatsWickedPissah said:
Alles ist ordnung mit Herr Volmer!

aber, du bist eine scheisskopf...

jmt57 · Aug 21, 2014

Here is one guy that the majority of the media (and fans) are completely overlooking with their roster predictions. If Bill Belichick is comfortable in predicting that the ceiling for certain other players at the position is not high enough, don't be surprised if Davis makes the roster over one of the other safeties.

Kanorris Davis has a special look | Boston Herald

Kanorris Davis knows his role and doesn’t have any misconceptions about how he can make the Patriots’ 53-man roster.

While he is listed as a safety, Davis might as well have an “ST” instead of an “S” next to his name because his skills are specifically suited to special teams play.

While some players operate under the assumption that special teams work is a stepping stone to a bigger offensive or defensive role, Davis doesn’t, and therein lies his strength and best hope of making the team.

“Well, they brought me in to be a special teams player, so it’s my job to learn whatever position they point me at or whatever position they tell me,” Davis said. “So it’s my job to just come out here, you know, make sure I know where I’m at and what I’m doing and just get better as we go along, and perform in games and just make a role for myself. Wherever they need me, wherever they need me to be, I just want to know what they’re doing and I’ll play full speed to help the team win.”

Davis knows the tenuous nature of special teamers’ jobs. Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Troy last year, he was released three times by the Patriots, spent time on the practice squad, appeared in three games and made one tackle.

But Davis isn’t measuring his progress by statistics. Instead, he’s doing the most to emulate the teammate who best serves as a role model: Matthew Slater, a three-time Pro Bowler as a special teams player.

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