June 7th, 2007
On the field …
Posted by Albert Breer at 3:30 pm
- Mike Vrabel is the Sam (LOLB), Rosevelt Colvin the Will (ROLB), Adalius Thomas the Mike (SILB) and Tedy Bruschi the Jack (WILB). Aside from nickel situations, where linebackers are often used as rush linemen, there was little deviation from this first-team unit over the three-day camp. When Junior Seau did come in, he’d take the Mike, Vrabel would slide to the Will, and Thomas would go to the Sam.
- S Rodney Harrison was employed today as a nickel linebacker. James Sanders — who returned to practice after missing the camp’s first two days — was used in the same way during training camp last year.
- The Patriots seem to be spending a ton of time working on blitz packages. Without giving away too much, let’s say that there are some calls where there is no more than one down lineman on the field, which allows the staff to mask where the rush is coming from, and would be more likely to spring defenders on free run-throughs at the quarterback.
- S Rashad Baker’s presence on the field at the end of last year became a running commentary for some on how depleted the secondary was. But guess what? He seems to be worth something in the eyes of the coaches.
- Scott, meanwhile, continued to work as the first-team left corner, with Ellis Hobbs opposite him. Most often, Gay was the nickel corner.
- For what it’s worth, the receivers working most often with Tom Brady were Gaffney, Reche Caldwell and Wes Welker, while Randy Moss, Donte’ Stallworth and Kelley Washington were placed mainly with Matt Cassel’s group. This, likely, is an effort to make the new guys earn their spots and, also, have a smoother-running first team, with two of Brady’s three targets being holdovers. And say this about Gaffney and Caldwell: if their roles are minimized with all the new guys, it won’t be for lack of effort.