My take on #2

[PonyExpress]

1) Beisel didn't dress. I'm getting a David Terrell feeling about Monte right now.
2) Reche looks uncomfortable. I think he's trained his eyes not to blink, the way batters do in baseball. It looks strange but i'm not going to knock him for that. He just seems to play without confidence right now. I'm rooting for him and I think he'll improve, but he looks like a #3 receiver right now. I would put Branch and Brown in front of him. I think Jackson will best him when he gets on the field as well. But I like Reche and I'm rooting for him big-time.
3)TE Thomas reminds me of Whitten. The same fluidity and lumbering grace (oxymoron). I have a strange feeling he might be our #1 TE some time mid-2007 season.
4) Maroney actually met a real defense this time and took some licks. But he runs with spring and passion, and most importantly the team seems to love him. It's great to see a rookie blend into the camaraderie of the team like that. It makes it easier for #28 to morph into a Jerome Bettis role.
5) Cassell came through as some of us have expected. Still a little nervous, still lacking a little confidence. But when he gets hot, he gets superhot. I blame his early jitters partly on poor receiver play.
6) Patrick Cobbs really resembles Faulk all the way down to the fumble.
7) I don't feel comfortable with Banta Cain as a starter yet. I realize he has been pressuring the QB, but I think he's more of a Pass Rushing specialist. He whiffs alot in space.
8) Ghost to the Post: rookie kicker showed some composure, competing for the home crowd. I like Gramatica's chutzpah in coming back from injury, and wouldn't dismiss him right away. I think he'll be a fine kicker somewhere in the NFL this year, if not here.
9) Asante should get a contract extension now before he hits free agency.
10) Wilfork, barring injury, will be as good as Casey Hampton this year, and that's saying alot.
11) A player who will probably be overlooked is Eric Alexander. Alexander caused another fumble, his second in two games. He is coming into his own.

 

[patsox23]

I thought Reche did fine tonight. No?

 

[BJ_McWild]

did you guys see one of the passes to Troy that Cassell threw, he was being dragged down by the ankles and threw a total dart with perfect accuracy without using his legs at all.

that was sick.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

7) I don't feel comfortable with Banta Cain as a starter yet. I realize he has been pressuring the QB, but I think he's more of a PR specialist. He whiffs alot in space.

I can't remember TBC ever as a PR. LOL

Nonetheless, TBC's on-the-field production (which allows Vrabel to move inside) makes one to suspect that he is beating Beisel out for playing time. Vrabel inside means we won't be ran through up the gut.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

I thought Reche did fine tonight. No?

I don't think he dropped any. He caught the catchable throws.

 

[PonyExpress]

I can't remember TBC ever PR. LOL

Nonetheless, TBC's on-the-field production (which allows Vrabel to move inside) makes one to suspect that he is beating Beisel out for playing time. Vrabel inside means we won't be ran through up the gut.

PR= Pass Rushing Specialist LOL. I'm not that ignorant, for chrissake.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

PR= Pass Rushing Specialist LOL. I'm not that ignorant, for chrissake.

I was teasing you. I knew what you meant.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

TBC was my pre season pick to replace McGinest, especially with his speed to the QB.... I like him.

McGinest had 6 sacks last year .... I wouldn't be shocked if TBC had that many this year....

TBC pic
http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/index.cfm?ac=gallerydetail&f=15087&searchstring=

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

All TBC has got do is set the edge, and force things back up inside toward Bruschi and Vrabel.

TBC doesn't have to be Willie McG., if he replaces Willie like Samuel replaced Law.... I'd be happy.

 

[jaychamp]

I'd be tickled pink if TBC plays like that until Bruschi's return.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

I thought Reche did fine tonight. No?

I thought he did fine too. Of course there's so much we miss from a convential TV broadcast that might show up on film. That's why trying to "grade" film off a TV broacast is very difficult. BB has said so himself.

Anyway, Caldwell is what he is which is a useful No. 2 guy. Solid. I'm not expecting Jerry Rice.

 

[Patjew]

I'd be tickled pink if TBC plays like that until Bruschi's return.

I want to see TBC play like that AFTER Bruschi's return, starting outside with Vrabel on the inside next to Tedy, Colvin on the other side and Junior coming in situationally.

 

[p8ryts]

I think there is some over reaction by the press. The Boston radio announcers were anointing gostkowski. Yes he did his job but so has grammatica. I don't think the competition is over yet.

I don't think Caldwell was bad. The backs and tight ends were open, he had a couple decent blocks.

I was more excited about the blocking of Thomas and Mills although Mills whiffed badly once.

Gorin is an endangered species along with Biesel.

I think I would rather have Alexander than Biesel.

I love Bam Childress, He is our #5 receiver.

Maroney is the real thing.

I like Cobbs but it hurt when he fumbled. I still think he has a shot to replace Pass on the roster.

The new guys do ok. Woods made some plays, Mincey was quiet.

Put warfield in the endangered species category. He looked lost on one play, let his man go free for their biggest reception.

Oline is interesting. I thought Stevenson had some good plays at guard.

Hard to get too encouraged about beating Arizona but still 42 minutes possession, that's my favorite stat.

Next week's game will be more revealing. Redskins embarrassed losing to Jets, already talking about having to look in the mirror etc.

 

[tailgater]

I thought he did fine too. Of course there's so much we miss from a convential TV broadcast that might show up on film. That's why trying to "grade" film off a TV broacast is very difficult. BB has said so himself.

Anyway, Caldwell is what he is which is a useful No. 2 guy. Solid. I'm not expecting Jerry Rice.

I had a birds-eye view of the game. Literally. My tix are one row from the top, (section 304, row 25).

On Brady's 3rd pass in the first series, he made several moves in the pocket to avoid pressure, then went deep to Caldwell down the left side. On TV, I'm sure it looked like Brady thru it away. In reality, Caldwell stopped running during the route, evidently thinking Brady had been sacked or something. Once the ball was in the air, he started running again, now to make sure the CB didn't catch it.

It was a great pass. If he had kept to the route, he would have had position on the defender and, if he has any hands, would have made the catch.

Other than that play, he was decent.

 

[14thDragon]

I think there is some over reaction by the press. The Boston radio announcers were anointing gostkowski. Yes he did his job but so has grammatica. I don't think the competition is over yet.

The problem is that Gramatica can not win a dead heat with Gostkowski, even a slight margin is not enough to win.

It is the law of diminishing returns. Gramatica will never be more then he is today, Gostkowski has room for improvement. His youth and bigger leg mean he can win even if he is a little less arcurate.

The competition may go down to the wire, but if it does, Gramatica loses.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I think there is some over reaction by the press. The Boston radio announcers were anointing gostkowski. Yes he did his job but so has grammatica. I don't think the competition is over yet.

I don't think Caldwell was bad. The backs and tight ends were open, he had a couple decent blocks.

I was more excited about the blocking of Thomas and Mills although Mills whiffed badly once.

Gorin is an endangered species along with Biesel.

I think I would rather have Alexander than Biesel.

I love Bam Childress, He is our #5 receiver.

Maroney is the real thing.

I like Cobbs but it hurt when he fumbled. I still think he has a shot to replace Pass on the roster.

The new guys do ok. Woods made some plays, Mincey was quiet.

Put warfield in the endangered species category. He looked lost on one play, let his man go free for their biggest reception.

Oline is interesting. I thought Stevenson had some good plays at guard.

Hard to get too encouraged about beating Arizona but still 42 minutes possession, that's my favorite stat.

Next week's game will be more revealing. Redskins embarrassed losing to Jets, already talking about having to look in the mirror etc.

I agree with everything stated here, and if you re-read some of these comments, you have to shake your head in amazement at the Patriots scouting staff.

Bam Childress-Undrafted
Pierre Woods-Undrafted
Dan Stevenson-6th rounder
Patrick Cobbs-Undrafted(Yes he fumble, but after a 9 yard run, these things happen, hopefully not a lot by him)

And then two more guys, absolute steals as 7th rounders, and unknown players to Pats fans (at least me) Matt Cassel in 2005 and Willie Andrews in 2006, both great 7th round picks. How many teams have their 7th round picks make the roster in back to back years. I think the only pick who hasn't solidified a roster spot from this years draft is Mincey, I haven't been overly impressed with him, I think Pierre Woods has been more impressive.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I agree with everything stated here, and if you re-read some of these comments, you have to shake your head in amazement at the Patriots scouting staff.

Bam Childress-Undrafted
Pierre Woods-Undrafted
Dan Stevenson-6th rounder
Patrick Cobbs-Undrafted(Yes he fumble, but after a 9 yard run, these things happen, hopefully not a lot by him)

And then two more guys, absolute steals as 7th rounders, and unknown players to Pats fans (at least me) Matt Cassel in 2005 and Willie Andrews in 2006, both great 7th round picks. How many teams have their 7th round picks make the roster in back to back years. I think the only pick who hasn't solidified a roster spot from this years draft is Mincey, I haven't been overly impressed with him, I think Pierre Woods has been more impressive.

Mincey is flashing the talent, but like TBC he'll need a couple, three years development.

 

[JackBauer]

Mincey is flashing the talent, but like TBC he'll need a couple, three years development.

Agreed. Pierre Woods has a ton of talent, too, but he was an underachiever at Michigan.

I remember there was a mock draft (Countdown?) way back in the day that had us taking him in the 1st round.

I have to say, getting Cassell and Andrews in the 7th is superb value.