"Surprising" offseason winners?
 

Per Reiss :

Offseason program winners - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

Often, the board is littered with calls for Watson, Kaczur, and J. Sanders to be replaced. Obviously, they not only keep their roster spots, but they also get extra recognition from the coaches.

I think it is much like the "surprising" Cassel success last season - there is so much the fans don't see behind the scenes, that we cannot even begin to correctly guess who'll make the final roster.

Re: "Surprising" offseason winners ?
 

Agreed. The fans view is that of an iceberg - maybe 20% shows when the seas are calm. The press only gets closer so they can describe what's showing, but few of them see what's below the water line either.

Re: "Surprising" offseason winners?
 

Nice to see Mayo on there. Looks like he's poised for a huge year in this defense. I am kind of suprised to not see Brady on there. He's been working his butt off all offseason.

Re: "Surprising" offseason winners?
 

I fully expect those three to be major contributors this season, but the offseason award doesn't guarantee anything roster-wise. Just ask C.J. Jones.

Other stray thoughts...

- I love that the Gostkowski is establishing himself as a regular on this list. It's easy to overlook kickers, but is there any other PK in the league you'd rather have, factoring in range and consistency, field goals and kickoffs, fitness and attitude?

- Is this the first time we've seen Kaczur's name as an offseason winner? If so, is it too cynical to think that the summer before his contract year as a 30-year-old who will only get 1 chance at big FA money is the expected time?

Re: "Surprising" offseason winners?
 

Offseason award winners are based on participation in the offseason program. Winning the award does not guarantee you a starting position or even a place on the team. Watson isn't surprising since he is in a contract year and needs to make an impression to get a new job next year whether it is with the Pats or elsewhere.

Re: "Surprising" offseason winners?
 

It's not cynical at all, it's human nature and I'm convinced it plays a part in the Patriots not extending players early as often as the fans would like. To extend a guy early you'd better get a good deal (like Koppen and Warren) because you're losing out on their contract year which is often their best.

I don't care why Kaczur did it or if it means he leaves for big money next year, I'm just happy to see him there because I still say the OL is the critical element for the year. I don't think we will lose any games in which the OL plays well (meaning it does at least as well as the opposing DL).

Re: "Surprising" offseason winners?
 

i'm happy for Ben Watson

let's hope in a big year from him too

Re: "Surprising" offseason winners?
 

Obviously it doesn't give you a "sure in", but in the case of the three I mentionned, I'm pretty confident. I suppose Kaczur could be a salary cut, but I'd be quite surprised.

Re: "Surprising" offseason winners?
 

My thought is that it's much more than a contract issue. At this time last year he was rehabbing from a drug addiction and after a slow start had an excellent year. People like to get on his sack, but that's a band-wagon with no factual evidence in existence. He's a very good RT.

So I this could also be an indication that football has returned to priority one. I'm super excited about how this line will play this year. Even the back-up's seem to be very good.

Re: "Surprising" offseason winners?
 

Perhaps not "too" cynical, but to counter that cynicism we can always look at what kind of effort it takes to be a four year starter for the NEP...