Freddie Roach
 

I've heard a lot of folks on here mentioning how Roach is having a good camp and I haven't read any specifics.

He was darkhorse for me going into camp.

How's he holding up? Does he look like a sure thing or is it too soon to tell?

Re: Freddie Roach
 

I've heard the opposite from Casale:

http://www.patriots.com/search/index...ainingcamp2006

http://www.patriots.com/search/index...=19877&pcid=41


And "I'm Ron Borges?" offered up a similar opinion:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-...ighlight=roach

Quite frankly, I agree. When I was at practice, Roach looked to be behind Gardner, Izzo, Davis, Beisel, Bruschi, Alexander, and even Mays on the ILB depth chart.

It seems to me that Roach, Britt, and Stone are definitely getting overhyped by some around here (Stop the presses! Pats1 said something negative!). Just because BB has kept an UDFA on the roster the last 2 years doesn't mean he'll keep one this year. Just because Roach received a signing bonus doesn't mean he's ahead of the rest of the UDFA pack. I don't follow college football that much at all and don't recognize 90% of the draftees' names, but it sounded like everybody else on the board knew his name well and thought of him as the next Gay or Wright. Many are throwing them on the team just because "youth is needed at LB." It just isn't that simple.

With Britt, he was cut by the Chargers but is suddenly now a near-lock to make the team by some, even "starting quality." He may have gotten injured, but let's wait until he actually plays a down in the NFL before we start proclaming his greatness. He has an uphill battle to climb to make the roster.

John Stone faces a similar situation, as fans are reading into him starting with the first team when Brown, Jackson, and Branch were out. By a process of elimination with the other WRs vying for the last WR spot, he seems to always get the nod in roster predictions.

Undrafted rookies or street free agents like Stone or Britt have to be spectacular during camp to make the roster. BB will take the best 53 he has, and not say "OK, we need a #6 WR," and pick from a mediocre group.

Re: Freddie Roach
 

That's too bad. Bummer.

Thanks.

Re: Freddie Roach
 

Easy on Big Freddie, please. BB still is in the process of working his miracle on Roach, so a little patience may be required.

Re: Freddie Roach
 

One of the most recent Patsfan.com reports muttered about Roach hitting the wrong holes and looking bad, but they also reported BB stayed after practice to work with Gardner and Roach on something, then left them working on a specific drill together...teaching, it's fundamental.

Re: Freddie Roach
 

From my views hes slow but everyone knew that about him coming in. What he looks good at is his ability to tackle and find the running back. He's bad at moving side to side and being the Roman Phifer type player in coverage.

He still looks very good for an UDRFA you cant expect the guy to be flawless hes a work in progress.

Re: Freddie Roach
 

Seems to me Roach is the exact same guy coming in. We all knew he's a good ball player, he just is slow. Hmm...I think this whole season and next offseason would be a great time for Roach to start running with weight on his legs and squatting more. Lets get that speed up Freddie.

Re: Freddie Roach
 

Does anyone hear anything on how Tully Banta-Cain has been doing? If he could contribute (which he seemed to a lot in the 2004/05 playoffs -- just look for #48 on "Three Games to Glory III"), that would make a huge difference. Vrabel could move back inside (which might actually help him prolong his career as any loss of speed would be less of a problem). What about Eric Alexander -- I seem to be reading a lot of his name in various contexts, but where has he been the last few years?

Re: Freddie Roach
 

Horrible. Every sinlg eperson, reporter, etc. has said nothing but bad things about him this TC.

Re: Freddie Roach
 

TBC is doing mostly ST work and playing on third and second team D's. Nothing special probably not where he should be from a coachs POV.

Alexander was on the PS the last two years. He either makes the team or is released.