BobDigital
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2013
- Messages
- 16,350
- Reaction score
- 15,044
I have like many of you read reports on on each day of camp. Here is my overall view of how i feel things are going so far
#1 Dobson - Usually I would not lead off with a WR but this 2nd round pick looks like me might be able to live up to his early promise afterall. The issue is a he will have an uphill fight to see snaps. Lafell proved himself last year. Edelman is a beast. Amendola is looking healthy and coming off the playoffs deserves the #3 spot. I think Dobson will get some chances but this is looking fairly crowded.
#2 Scott Chandler - Last year the playoffs a lot of things contributed to the Patriots winning SB. The most important one though IMO is they were amazing in the red zone and converted so often. They went something like 13 for 15 overall. I think Chandler will make them even harder to stop. He is quickly becoming a favorite option of Brady particularly in the red zone. If this team is going to win again they will need to cash in on their chances. I think they can
#3 Mason/Jackson - These guys are about where I thought they would be. They look like they are ready to step right in when it comes to run plays but need work when it comes to pass protection. Mason out of his natural position could take some extra time. In the end if you can't protect Brady they can't put you on the field. I am curious to see how they develop. I think Jackson will be okay but Mason might have to sit early. Lots of time left though.
#4 3rd down back - A lot of positives out of camp but I have heard very little about the 3rd down back competition. No one is really sticking out though Cadet/Lewis seem to be in a slight lead. This will be one of the more interesting competitions. However frankly I really question if we have "the guy" here. Maybe bring in a body here.
#5 Stork - Not a lot is said of OL men but the little written about Stork is highly encouraging. Not only does he seem fully recovered but the word dominate is being thrown around. If he made the 2nd year jump I think he might have he is going to go a long way towards helping our young guards. It is really early but I think Stork is going to be going to probowls very soon.
#6 DT - Brown is going to be a good player. I don't know if he will be great but i am confident he will be good. He has been consistent in camp and i don't think i have seen a tweet of him losing a 1v1. Stronger than his 320 lbs. Easley has the quickness still but is inconsistent. I think rust is the most likely reason. He will need to improve as camp goes on but the talent is there. Siliga is the clear #3 and it is not close. Branch/Jones** are off to a slow start/injured and leaving the door open for Johnson or Moore. I don't know if it will last but if this keeps up we could see a shake up here
#7 LB - First things first. Collins is going to be an all pro this year. He came on late his rookie year. Had a slow first half but monster 2nd half his 2nd year. This year front to back he is going to be a beast. Mayo looks pretty good considering as does Hightower. They look like they will be ready but are clearly taking it slow. I almost don't want to play nickle.
#8 Outside CB - I have heard Butler has been the best CB out there. I have heard Ryan has been the best CB out there. I will say I have read more reports of Butler on Edelman/Gronk so i think it is more accurate to say Butler is the #1 with Ryan the current #2. Brown in very limited action looked good and will be a guy to keep an eye on for the rest of camp as he is IMO the best FA CB we sign (sorry McCain and Fletcher). Roberts who had a lot of hype for a while has faded a bit but still is in the pack of contenders. After him no one else has a shot to make this team is the early indication.
#9 Nickle CB - The most interesting story line not getting talked about is McClain not making a mark. He was brought here to be the nickel (star position) but has not stood out but it seems he did have a good day yesterday. If he seems to not work it will shake up things. Will they move Ryan there even if he clearly wins the #2 or #1 spot? If they don't who plays there? I don't think Fletcher or Roberts have experience there. It would be a very interesting storyline and is something the Patriots are no doubt looking at as I don't think they like the back up plans they have if McCain isn't a good option.
#10 Jordan Richards - S - He had his worst day yesterday but was still competitive. This guy might be what they hoped Harmon or Wilson would be. This might be the reach that works out. His speed seems to not be as bad as wa indicated but i don't think we will see him in press on DeSean Jackson any time soon. However he has arguably been the best rookie thus far in camp. What is clear is he is a keeper and one of Wilson/Ebner is probably going out. Going forward it will be interesting to see if Richards can steal a starting spot and how it will effect Chung's snaps who the team made a point to sign a 3 year deal with last year (not for big money but not for nothing).
#1 Dobson - Usually I would not lead off with a WR but this 2nd round pick looks like me might be able to live up to his early promise afterall. The issue is a he will have an uphill fight to see snaps. Lafell proved himself last year. Edelman is a beast. Amendola is looking healthy and coming off the playoffs deserves the #3 spot. I think Dobson will get some chances but this is looking fairly crowded.
#2 Scott Chandler - Last year the playoffs a lot of things contributed to the Patriots winning SB. The most important one though IMO is they were amazing in the red zone and converted so often. They went something like 13 for 15 overall. I think Chandler will make them even harder to stop. He is quickly becoming a favorite option of Brady particularly in the red zone. If this team is going to win again they will need to cash in on their chances. I think they can
#3 Mason/Jackson - These guys are about where I thought they would be. They look like they are ready to step right in when it comes to run plays but need work when it comes to pass protection. Mason out of his natural position could take some extra time. In the end if you can't protect Brady they can't put you on the field. I am curious to see how they develop. I think Jackson will be okay but Mason might have to sit early. Lots of time left though.
#4 3rd down back - A lot of positives out of camp but I have heard very little about the 3rd down back competition. No one is really sticking out though Cadet/Lewis seem to be in a slight lead. This will be one of the more interesting competitions. However frankly I really question if we have "the guy" here. Maybe bring in a body here.
#5 Stork - Not a lot is said of OL men but the little written about Stork is highly encouraging. Not only does he seem fully recovered but the word dominate is being thrown around. If he made the 2nd year jump I think he might have he is going to go a long way towards helping our young guards. It is really early but I think Stork is going to be going to probowls very soon.
#6 DT - Brown is going to be a good player. I don't know if he will be great but i am confident he will be good. He has been consistent in camp and i don't think i have seen a tweet of him losing a 1v1. Stronger than his 320 lbs. Easley has the quickness still but is inconsistent. I think rust is the most likely reason. He will need to improve as camp goes on but the talent is there. Siliga is the clear #3 and it is not close. Branch/Jones** are off to a slow start/injured and leaving the door open for Johnson or Moore. I don't know if it will last but if this keeps up we could see a shake up here
#7 LB - First things first. Collins is going to be an all pro this year. He came on late his rookie year. Had a slow first half but monster 2nd half his 2nd year. This year front to back he is going to be a beast. Mayo looks pretty good considering as does Hightower. They look like they will be ready but are clearly taking it slow. I almost don't want to play nickle.
#8 Outside CB - I have heard Butler has been the best CB out there. I have heard Ryan has been the best CB out there. I will say I have read more reports of Butler on Edelman/Gronk so i think it is more accurate to say Butler is the #1 with Ryan the current #2. Brown in very limited action looked good and will be a guy to keep an eye on for the rest of camp as he is IMO the best FA CB we sign (sorry McCain and Fletcher). Roberts who had a lot of hype for a while has faded a bit but still is in the pack of contenders. After him no one else has a shot to make this team is the early indication.
#9 Nickle CB - The most interesting story line not getting talked about is McClain not making a mark. He was brought here to be the nickel (star position) but has not stood out but it seems he did have a good day yesterday. If he seems to not work it will shake up things. Will they move Ryan there even if he clearly wins the #2 or #1 spot? If they don't who plays there? I don't think Fletcher or Roberts have experience there. It would be a very interesting storyline and is something the Patriots are no doubt looking at as I don't think they like the back up plans they have if McCain isn't a good option.
#10 Jordan Richards - S - He had his worst day yesterday but was still competitive. This guy might be what they hoped Harmon or Wilson would be. This might be the reach that works out. His speed seems to not be as bad as wa indicated but i don't think we will see him in press on DeSean Jackson any time soon. However he has arguably been the best rookie thus far in camp. What is clear is he is a keeper and one of Wilson/Ebner is probably going out. Going forward it will be interesting to see if Richards can steal a starting spot and how it will effect Chung's snaps who the team made a point to sign a 3 year deal with last year (not for big money but not for nothing).
Last edited: