Patriots Camp Day One

For anyone going today, don't forget to post your thoughts/observations. We always can't trust the media telling us Boyce is on fire, Sudfeld is tearing it up, or Swanson is making plays.

I'll be there Sat. & Sun. Can't wait. Pats are back!

FINALLY some football. I'm so sick of all the other stuff.

Huh? What's this nonsense about distrusting the media?

Great summer weather for Belichick to see who has been naughty and who has been nice.

Note- It really makes no sense to go to camp practices until they put on the pads. You really can't tell anything about anybody until they do.

Editorial: I think the one of the biggest effects of the last CBA was to set back the quality of the game by over a month due the diminishment of practice time, and the limitations to be coached. I have to laugh when former players whine about TC and how hard it was. It was DEFINITELY hard when I played in the early 70's. It was still pretty hard in the early 2000's.

But now its nothing but a cake walk that barely lasts 5 weeks. Christ, it will be August before a player puts on their shoulder pads and hits someone. Then of course 2 a days have become a thing of the past. When I coached in HS in the 70's and 80's we would have 3 a days for our 1 week TC (2 two hour padded practices and a one hour no pad kicking game practice before breakfast).

Bottom line, this lack of practice and the lack of intensity within the practice is harming the quality of the game. As far as quality goes, its almost like the first 4 games of the regular season are nothing but a continuation of the pre-season. It also pisses me off that players are getting to paid more to do less every year.,....and they STILL whine about it. Listening to them whine, I doubt many would be able to make it through an "old school" NFL TC. And so the old man rant ends.

BTW- one of my biggest concerns about this year's team is that they won't be practicing with any other teams this pre-season. Those practices are invaluable under today's relaxed structure. Practicing with another team can almost double the amount of reps you can get in a given time frame and reduces the risk of injuries over the same time span. Last season we worked with 2 other teams, I wonder why we couldn't hook up with another team this year.

@BenVolin: Heard that LeGarrette Blount didnt pass the conditioning test yesterday. Had to run 20 sprints of 50 yards under 8 seconds each, only did 12

Gray or Gaffney could pull a BJGE this year.

Not good for Blount

patsinthesnow said:

@BenVolin: Heard that LeGarrette Blount didnt pass the conditioning test yesterday. Had to run 20 sprints of 50 yards under 8 seconds each, only did 12

Gray or Gaffney could pull a BJGE this year.

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Blount fan here but how in heaven can you arrive not able to pass the conditioning test? It's your job & career that is at serious risk.

patfanken said:

It also pisses me off that players are getting to paid more to do less every year.,....and they STILL whine about it. Listening to them whine, I doubt many would be able to make it through an "old school" NFL TC. And so the old man rant ends.

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It certainly feels like they had the wrong priorities when negotiating this latest CBA (or any CBA for that matter). Instead of focusing on straight money share and number of padded practices, they should have focused on post-career benefits and the rights of their members when being accused of a crime/rule violation. But they went for the shiny-shiny, which is a percentage.

patfanken said:

BTW- one of my biggest concerns about this year's team is that they won't be practicing with any other teams this pre-season.

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They're practicing with the Saints this year:

http://www.patriots.com/news/2015/06/12/saints-announce-joint-practice-dates-patriots-west-virginia

PatsWickedPissah said:

Blount fan here but how in heaven can you not arrive able to pass the conditioning test? It's your job & career that is at serious risk.

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Sounds like his lungs took a beating this offseason. I wonder how often he visited the states of Colorado and Washington.

give him a couple of day....he is what he is and this would never surprise me

patfanken said:

[...]

Bottom line, this lack of practice and the lack of intensity within the practice is harming the quality of the game. As far as quality goes, its almost like the first 4 games of the regular season are nothing but a continuation of the pre-season. It also pisses me off that players are getting to paid more to do less every year.,....and they STILL whine about it. Listening to them whine, I doubt many would be able to make it through an "old school" NFL TC. And so the old man rant ends.

[...]

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Your post was good until you went into the bolded parts. Nobody deserves anything. Anywhere. Ever. You get what you negotiate and I'd much rather the players relatively get more money than all the growth in NFL revenue over the last 40 years going solely to the owners.

VrabelJr said:

Your post was good until you went into the bolded parts. Nobody deserves anything. Anywhere. Ever. You get what you negotiate and I'd much rather the players relatively get more money than all the growth in NFL revenue over the last 40 years going solely to the owners.

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Seriously. Look at the fat POS the Red Sox are paying $20m a year, guaranteed, to play third base. When Hockey players decline or just outright suck, the team can do nothing more than buy them out. Basketball is guaranteed no matter what. Only football players like Wes Welker can be dropped for nothing after sacrificing his mental and physical health and probably shortening his life.

patsinthesnow said:

@BenVolin: Heard that LeGarrette Blount didnt pass the conditioning test yesterday. Had to run 20 sprints of 50 yards under 8 seconds each, only did 12

Gray or Gaffney could pull a BJGE this year.

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Blount could be on the bubble if the youngsters step up.

Not surprised that Blount failed the conditioning test, and I won't be surprised if he fails to make the roster. One of the worst starting RBs in the league, but fans around here have become content with mediocrity at that position. Let's hope Bill hasn't.

@PatriotsHaven: Can't remember a training camp in the last few years when players weren't wearing numbers. Have to think its b/c of all the natl media here

@MikeReiss: Scene-setter: A Jets fan group is flying a plane over Patriots practice field that has a banner referring to Patriots as cheaters.

Concussion Protocol said:

Not surprised that Blount failed the conditioning test, and I won't be surprised if he fails to make the roster. One of the worst starting RBs in the league, but fans around here have become content with mediocrity at that position. Let's hope Bill hasn't.

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huh

No anti kraft shouts at the camp?

VrabelJr said:

huh

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It's a little harsh but I tend to agree that Blount is a bit overrated.