Sports Illustrated : Postcard from Patriots training camp

[livinginthe past]

Very nice write up on the Patriots hopes for 2011 - encapsulates alot of what us fans think will play out this season.

Not least among their contributors will be the best tight end tandem in the league, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, both of whom are entering their second year and both of whom are far too big for defensive backs to cover, yet far too fast for most linebackers. "Gronknandez" combined for 87 catches, 1,109 yards and 16 TDs last season, and those numbers could each increase by 50 percent this year.

Last year's line's weakness became starkly clear against the Jets in the Pats' playoff loss, when Mark Sanchez wasn't sacked once and New York again and again ripped off chunks of yardage on the ground, usually right up the middle. That won't happen this year, not with Albert Haynesworth joining Vince Wilfork inside. And if Haynesworth's heart isn't in it, Belichick has his choice of 17 other very big men to try in his place

Shaun Ellis, DE. "Too much, a little bit too much with him," Belichick said the other day of his previous experiences with Ellis, a Jet between 2000 and 2010. Ellis recorded two of the Jets' five sacks in their playoff ousting of the Patriots (after totaling a dozen in 15 regular season games against New England). Now, after signing a one-year, $4 million deal, he's a member of what should be considered the deepest and the best defensive line in the NFL.

Read more: Bill Belichick's Patriots embark on another journey toward domination - Ben Reiter - SI.com

 

[Uncle Rico]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

"... deepest and the best defensive line in the NFL."

Anyone see that coming about a month ago?

 

[Calciumee]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

"... deepest and the best defensive line in the NFL."

Anyone see that coming about a month ago?

Didn't see it a few weeks ago!

 

[shmessy]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

"Gronknandez" - - - I like that!

 

[farn]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

"... deepest and the best defensive line in the NFL."

Anyone see that coming about a month ago?

Never imagined. I am still eager to see if "best" is the right word, though I'm ready to admit "deepest"...

I'd be happy with "above average", since they WERE 14-2 ! Thank GOD football is back.

 

[EJ Blitz]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

Gronknandez? I think reading that name just gave me a kidney stone.

 

[BlueThunder]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

Yeah...sounds more formidible than Hernakowski...

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

Yeah...sounds more formidible than Hernakowski...

Drop the A and this is better than gronknandez. Hernkowski

 

[condon84]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

"... deepest and the best defensive line in the NFL."

Anyone see that coming about a month ago?

I still don't see it.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

SI slurps the pats nuts every year before the season starts.

 

[Fencer]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

Yeah...sounds more formidible than Hernakowski...

Yeah. That one sounds like an injury.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

"... Deepest and the best defensive line in the nfl."

anyone see that coming about a month ago?

moar pass rush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TB146]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

Yeah. That one sounds like an injury.

Didn't Ty Warren miss a few weeks one season with a Hernakowski in his Groink?

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Re: Sports Illustrated : Patriots Postcard

That's nice. But I felt better last year when most mediots had us pegged at struggling to reach 10--6 in a rebuilding season. We ain't sneaking up on nobody this year.