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Guregian...
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1005419
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1005419
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1005420While his sample includes only offseason conditioning, voluntary passing camp and a three-day minicamp, Kyle Brady has gotten a pretty good idea why the Patriots have won three Super Bowls.
The veteran tight end has been impressed by what he’s seen and is now a part of.
“While each individual season is a story unto itself, you can certainly see the fire and the desire and the professionalism and the hard work, all of the things that you would expect that make a team a championship team,” he said yesterday at the conclusion of minicamp. “Those ingredients you clearly see in many of the guys who have been here for that run. They’re very professional in their attitude and demeanor.
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The 6-foot-6, 280-pound Brady, who has played with the Jets and Jaguars over the course of 13 NFL seasons, also has gotten a kick out of seeing unrestricted free agent Vinny Testaverde, who took part in the three-day minicamp.
“I joke with him all the time,” Brady said of the 43-year-old, who’s looking for a backup job. “Back in ’98, I thought he was old, and now we’re reunited 10 years later. It’s amazing. The guy takes very good care of himself and is a consummate professional.”
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At one point, he played catch with Kevin Faulk [stats], and once again threw left-handed, drawing laughter from linebacker Adalius Thomas. Maroney did toss a few right-handed, but very gingerly.
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Yesterday, [Wes Welker] was 1-for-2, missing his first attempt, before drilling his second through the uprights as his teammates cheered.
Kicker Stephen Gostkowski’s assessment?
“He looked pretty good. It was impressive,” he said. “I doubt he’s kicked in a while. Maybe next time, I can line up and get a catch from Tom (Brady) at receiver.”
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Josh Miller, who was placed on injured reserve last season to undergo shoulder surgery, indicated yesterday he felt great, and was ready to resume his role as punter.
He felt so good, in fact, he thought he could win any punting competition going forward.
The thought of what Adam Vinatieri’s replacement would have to endure was daunting, overwhelming.
Some even ventured to say his mission was impossible.
How could anyone replace a legend, the best clutch kicker anyone had ever seen, a guy who won two Super Bowls with his right foot?
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Only Gostkowski managed to rise from the sea of doubt last season and actually made people learn how to correctly pronounce his last name.
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“It’s not so much about confidence, it’s about being comfortable, finding that rhythm,” he said at the conclusion of minicamp. “The more I kicked last year, the more I got comfortable. I’m still working to build on that every day.
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“I still have to prove to my team I’m going to be the guy here, just like I was last year,” Gostkowski said. “I’m just going to work hard to be more comfortable than I was last year, work hard to get more comfortable every day. We still have a long way to go before the season, but it starts now. This is where you start to get better for the season.”
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At the close of camp each day, Gostkowski has been brought on to make kicks. He’s had players - even coach Bill Belichick - attempt to distract him.
“Coach Belichick has a good way of making you feel antsy. He’ll stand right next to you, throw a hat in your way, stuff to try and make you break your concentration,” Gostkowski said. “And then (Mike) Vrabel and Rosevelt (Colvin), they talk.
“It’s good help. In a game, you don’t get half of that. They do a good job putting us in situations that get us prepared. . . . It’s all about staying calm and doing the same thing every time.”