Minicamp 6/17

@DougKyedNESN: Malcolm Butler had a nice practice with multiple pass breakups. Logan Ryan, Darryl Roberts also stood out at CB.

@cpriceNFL: Working with No. 1 O after that, Garoppolo was 8-9, including a sweet deep ball for Gronk down sideline that would have gone for a TD.

@jeffphowe: Darryl Roberts keeps making a play a day. Dark horse to steal a CB job.

@MarkDanielsPJ: Interesting to see Darryl Roberts out there on the field defending Tom Brady passes during this first 11v11 drill.

@DougKyedNESN: Brady was 14/23 in 11on11s, 6/6 in 7on7s. Garoppolo 16/25 in 11s, 4/6 INT in 7s. Flynn 7/10 in 11s.

@MikeReiss: Been fun to watch 1-on-1 matchups on outside between WR Julian Edelman & CB Malcolm Butler. Tough to shake Butler. #Patriots

@MarkDanielsPJ: Malcolm Butler looked like the best cornerback on the field today. I counted three breakups for him.

@MikeReiss: Players catching eye: S Devin McCourty (INT), CB Jimmy Jean (PBU), LB James Morris (quality reps), RB Dion Lewis (praise from Brady).


How pissed will the local media be when Butler/Roberts ends up as a solid duo

patsinthesnow said:

@DougKyedNESN: Malcolm Butler had a nice practice with multiple pass breakups. Logan Ryan, Darryl Roberts also stood out at CB.

@cpriceNFL: Working with No. 1 O after that, Garoppolo was 8-9, including a sweet deep ball for Gronk down sideline that would have gone for a TD.

@jeffphowe: Darryl Roberts keeps making a play a day. Dark horse to steal a CB job.

@DougKyedNESN: Brady was 14/23 in 11on11s, 6/6 in 7on7s. Garoppolo 16/25 in 11s, 4/6 INT in 7s. Flynn 7/10 in 11s.

@MikeReiss: Been fun to watch 1-on-1 matchups on outside between WR Julian Edelman & CB Malcolm Butler. Tough to shake Butler. #Patriots


How pissed will the local media be when Butler/Roberts ends up as a solid duo

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Screw the media. Get this team 3 solid CBs, regardless of who the hell they are and where they are now. If they're already on the team, so much the better.

I am hearing a lot of good things about Roberts. I wonder if he will be ahead of Fletcher come week 1.

Garoppolo having a nice minicamp it seems overall.

Also Scoot Chandler got the day off due to his ribs. Hope we get to see him tomorrow.

Jeff Howe‏@jeffphowe 5m5 minutes ago

Another really good day for James White, who is making tough catches look easy. Vereen used to do the same in practice.
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James White might be hoping to bounce back after a disappointing rookie year. I hope he can justify his draft pick selection. I know a lot of my fellow posters don't care for him at this point but these reports are giving me some hope.

BobDigital said:

Jeff Howe‏@jeffphowe 5m5 minutes ago

Another really good day for James White, who is making tough catches look easy. Vereen used to do the same in practice.
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James White might be hoping to bounce back after a disappointing rookie year. I hope he can justify his draft pick selection. I know a lot of my fellow posters don't care for him at this point but these reports are giving me some hope.

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James White's rookie year was basically a redshirt year, I don't know if their was much to be disappointed in. Pretty much the same type of rookie year as Vareen.

Vareen's Rookie year.



LINK

White's Rookie year.



LINK

There should be good competition at the RB position this pre season... Unless there is an injury to the current stable of RB's or a good vet RB gets cut and can be picked up for short money, I can't see BB being too worried about that position........of course, that's not the current feeling amongst some fans here.

I love the praise Roberts is getting, and I LOVE the praise Butler is getting. "Been fun to watch 1-on-1 matchups on outside between WR Julian Edelman & CB Malcolm Butler. Tough to shake Butler." Considering Edelman is said to be "the toughest cover in the NFL" by some, that's outstanding that Butler is "tough to shake" with Edelman being so shifty. And I don't even think they're able to jam guys at the line yet...

Maybe I'm being a homer, but Butler and Roberts sound really promising. If they keep showing well and have a good preseason, I would say go ahead and field them as the starting duo. It'll be rough earlier in the year, but they'll develop into quality starters by the postseason hopefully.

BlueThunder said:

There should be good competition at the RB position this pre season... Unless there is an injury to the current stable of RB's or a good vet RB gets cut and can be picked up for short money, I can't see BB being too worried about that position........of course, that's not the current feeling amongst some fans here.

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So far both White & Lewis have been getting praise, and there's reason to think Cadet would also be a great receiver out of the backfield (but needs to develop as a blocker). I am not really concerned about the RB/3dRB spots either.

Butler/Roberts top CB combination would definitely be interesting.

If White can develop and take over Vereen's duties I'll be a happy camper. My binky for this season is Gaffney and, as usual, my binkies usually don't get much ink...maybe I jinxed him...LOL

BobDigital said:

Jeff Howe‏@jeffphowe 5m5 minutes ago

Another really good day for James White, who is making tough catches look easy. Vereen used to do the same in practice.
------------
James White might be hoping to bounce back after a disappointing rookie year. I hope he can justify his draft pick selection. I know a lot of my fellow posters don't care for him at this point but these reports are giving me some hope.

Click to expand...

I think people who are ragging too hard on James White might have forgotten what Vereen's rookie year looked like. Bottom line: you're not going to get a ton of reps if you're a rookie, you're not ready yet, and there's another guy already on the roster who does everything you were drafted to do better than you can currently do it.

White may end up being good, or he may end up being nothing. Granted, he showed pretty much nothing to suggest he'll be even okay last year, but we won't really know until this year. Either he'll win the job or Cadet will, and that will tell us most of what we need to know. There wasn't room on the active roster for 2 guys who do what Vereen/White do, and White was never going to beat out Vereen. Now is his chance.

BradyFTW! said:

I think people who are ragging too hard on James White might have forgotten what Vereen's rookie year looked like. Bottom line: you're not going to get a ton of reps if you're a rookie, you're not ready yet, and there's another guy already on the roster who does everything you were drafted to do better than you can currently do it.

White may end up being good, or he may end up being nothing. Granted, he showed pretty much nothing to suggest he'll be even okay last year, but we won't really know until this year. Either he'll win the job or Cadet will, and that will tell us most of what we need to know. There wasn't room on the active roster for 2 guys who do what Vereen/White do, and White was never going to beat out Vereen. Now is his chance.

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IMO I think Cadet might make the roster regardless of if White wins the camp battle - Cadet has ST value and might be able to serve as a 5th WR when needed as well.

Wow - people talking about football. I had forgotten that's why we are here in the first place.

@jeffphowe: Darryl Roberts' performance this offseason reminds me of Malcolm Butler from last year.

can't wait for camp....

JDot said:

James White's rookie year was basically a redshirt year, I don't know if their was much to be disappointed in. Pretty much the same type of rookie year as Vareen.

Vareen's Rookie year.

White's Rookie year.

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Those stats aren't from Vareen. In fact, I don't know who you're talking about. That guy never played for the Patriots in 2011. Maybe there's a Vareen who played for the Patriots in the past. I'm not really that good on Patriots history.

I'm hoping White can become a 3rd down back. That would be awesome.

Right now it sounds like the depth chart for CB is

Butler
Ryan
Fletcher
Roberts*
McClain - slot

I think Ryan is #2 right now till proven otherwise and though Roberts has shown flashes he has a lot to prove if he wants to get on the field but can lock up a spot if he keeps this up and challenge to move Fletcher to the 4th option come week 1.

I don't see Swanson or Jean pushing any of those guys off.. They might steal a roster spot but I think they are fighting for the PS most likely. Also Cox could surprise but I don't know... I think if Cox makes it that probably speaks more to Fletcher sucking than Cox re-emerging.

Joker said:

can't wait for camp....

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My thoughts exactly. Long drives, but worth it.

Wheelman said:

Those stats aren't from Vareen. In fact, I don't know who you're talking about. That guy never played for the Patriots in 2011. Maybe there's a Vareen who played for the Patriots in the past. I'm not really that good on Patriots history.

I'm hoping White can become a 3rd down back. That would be awesome.

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http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/14017/shane-vereen

Vereen was selected by the New England Patriots in the 2nd round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 56th overall pick.

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WIKI

EDIT: Went over my head. Facepalm/

Athleticism will not be Roberts' issue. He has all the physical tools. Speed. Size, etc.

His learning curve will be using NFL technique, playing speed, learning the defense, opponent film study and playing smart.

Encouraging reports so far nonetheless.