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Kirwan NE training camp preview

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Homer Little
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For some reason, the link at the top of Patsfans takes you to a summary of this article, rather than this article. I really like Pat Kirwan:
2013 NFL training camp preview: New England Patriots - NFL - CBSSports.com News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Fantasy

I like this quote:
On defense the Patriots were ranked 9th overall but 29th against the pass. New England was outstanding in creating turnovers with 20 interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries, which is more important than pass defense. Imagine giving Tom Brady 41 extra series in a season.
 
For some reason, the link at the top of Patsfans takes you to a summary of this article, rather than this article. I really like Pat Kirwan:
2013 NFL training camp preview: New England Patriots - NFL - CBSSports.com News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Fantasy

I like this quote:

Not one word about special teams as if 1/3 of the game never happens. The Patriots are superior on special teams and got better with the addition of Leon Washington in the kick return game.

The other thing that jumped out at me was the comment about Amendola and Welker.

Here are two sets of stats:

Player A: 3 years - 96 receptions - 1 TD - 1,421 yards receiving
Player B: 4 years - 196 receptions - 7 TD - 1,726 yards receiving

Which one was Wes Welker and which one was Danny Amendola before he signed with the Patriots?

You guessed right: Player B is Danny Amendola

Danny Amendola NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Watch for this guy to rack up 5-plus catches per game, catch 90 plus passes and have a breakout season, just like Welker in 2007 when he caught 112 balls. Amendola also returned 89 punts and 118 kickoffs in his four years in St. Louis, so he brings all the versatility that Welker did from Miami.

I anticipate that Amendola will return kicks a lot less than Welker did with Washington and Edelman on board as returners 1 and 1A. That ought to improve his durability.

Hernandez is the biggest loss going into camp because there is no clear-cut replacement who does the kind of things he used to be able to do before his muscles started atrophying in his 7'x9' 110-degree cell in the biggest douchebag section of the Bristol County House of Correction. What a useless waste.

The Pats have good to excellent TEs to put out there but none with Hernandez speed and versatility in the backfield and slot. That will be sorely missed. The running game will have to pick up the slack, and can.

As for the distraction comment at the end of the article, it will be something worth watching as the media and opposing players and fans shove it down the players' throats week after week. The Gronk interview was just a taste.
 
Was just going to post this

Kirwan is one of my favorite sports writers and among the smartest in his profession.

I think he pretty much had the right stuff regarding the Pats going into TC
 
If you're sitting there reading this thread thinking "awww shoot I don't have Sirius" then you're in luck. They offer a free 30 day listen online experience if you're willing to give them your billing info and a credit card number. Just cancel in less than 30 days and you won't get billed. Believe me it will be worth it for that Sunday broadcast alone. You can also get an app with your free month that allows you to listen on your phone. Enjoy.
 
If you're sitting there reading this thread thinking "awww shoot I don't have Sirius" then you're in luck. They offer a free 30 day listen online experience if you're willing to give them your billing info and a credit card number. Just cancel in less than 30 days and you won't get billed. Believe me it will be worth it for that Sunday broadcast alone. You can also get an app with your free month that allows you to listen on your phone. Enjoy.

Is NFL Radio included in that 30 day trial? I only ask because it is not included on the 7 day trials.
 
Is NFL Radio included in that 30 day trial? I only ask because it is not included on the 7 day trials.

Not sure about that but it's worth a try. I'd even be willing to bet if you signed up, NFL wasn't on there and you told them that's why you signed up they would put in on there if it's possible. Not sure about the whole thing but it's worth a try because it should be an awesome broadcast.
 
Love Kirwan, but this isn't a team you can evaluate before a traiing camp and he doesn't. Generic summary which says 'no idea which receivers will emerge' (0 for 2 if Jenkins doesn't make it) will gronk be healthy, will we replace Hernandez in any way, will the new D Line tackles be awesome, will we have a consistent pass rush, will we cover consistently?

I'd be curious to read what he has to say after camp. We've got lots of talent, and more moves i'm guessin, but it could be one of those years where questions are gradually being answered deep in the season.

which doesn't bother me. It's an emotional peak to the end and late blooming teams often excel when it counts (or fall apart, always possible).
 
Back to Kirwan: I look forward to what he has to say when he visits Foxboro. The training camp preview is, as mentioned above fairly generic mile-high overview. In Kirwan's defense there are indeed a lot of unanswered questions and not a lot of definitive answers as of yet. I'll give him a pass on mentioning Donald Jones as one of his 'unheard-of-guys to watch' if for no other reason that I too was guessing that Jones would be the player to emerge from the pack at WR.
:bricks:

2013 NFL Training Camp Preview - New England Patriots | CBS Sports | July 5, 2013

Two key players on defense have to step up for the Pats: safety Adrian Wilson and defensive tackle Tommy Kelly. Wilson is thought of as a box safety better against the run than the pass and time will tell how he plays in space against teams trying to match up their vertical threat tight ends against him. Kelly has talent but has been labeled an underachiever at times. He should provide some inside push with Vince Wilfork to help collapse the pocket.

...

Position battles

Right cornerback: Second-year player Alfonzo Dennard is penciled in as the starter but veteran Kyle Arrington and rookie Logan Ryan will press to take the job. The top loser should be the nickel back.
Linebacker: The Patriots have invested heavily at linebacker over the past few years with Jerod Mayo and Dont'a Hightower as former first-round picks and Brandon Spikes a second-round selection. Keep an eye on this year's Round 2 linebacker, Jamie Collins, trying to fight his way on to the field.
Running back: This will be interesting to watch as Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen should compete for most of the playing time, but the addition of LeGarrette Blount and Leon Washington make the situation very competitive.

New schemes

The Patriots are listed as a 4-3 defense, which they played last year as their base defense but they have a long history of being a 3-4. With the personnel on this roster right now Coach Bill Belichick could easily return to a 3-4 package. On the offensive side of the ball until the health status of tight end Rob Gronkowski is known they may have to be creative with their personnel groupings. Jake Ballard could get significant time at tight end or they could use more of a hybrid two-back system.

Bubble watch

Former 2010 second-round pick OLB/DE Jermaine Cunningham has fallen down the depth chart and is questionable to make the roster. Tim Tebow is no lock to make the team, especially with a non-guaranteed contract and the Patriots' recent history of keeping only two quarterbacks.


Interesting that there was no mention whatsoever of Dowling at corner; I wonder if that was an oversight, or he purposely omitted him from the discussion? I would much prefer to leave Arrington in the slot and as a backup outside only in case of injury, and have Dowling be Dennard's primary competition at RCB.
 
As long as I'm there, here are a few other recent entries by Kirwan on the Patriots:


Now that Aaron Hernandez is gone, what is the Patriots' next move? | CBS Sports | June 26, 2013

The Patriots' flexibility to get into any formation that they want and create matchup problems is almost non-exsistent without the two tight ends, so that's a big problem. Also, Tom Brady would have close to three quarters of his 2012 receptions off the roster if Hernandez joins the list of weapons no longer available or on the team.

Keep in mind the Patriots rushed for 25 touchdowns last year and added LeGarrette Blount to the roster. Were they effective because of the constant threat of the passing game?

I think so.

If the Patriots had to line up right now for a game in their three wide receiver set, it would be Michael Jenkins, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson and Jake Ballard. None of them have ever caught a pass from Brady in a game. None of them can line up in the backfield like Hernandez has, and none of them can line up like a wing like Hernandez has.


Final exam: End of June means it's time to test your NFL knowledge | CBS Sports | June 25, 2013

The Patriots are featured quite a bit in this 20-question quiz.



Patriots' passing identity takes a big hit if team loses Aaron Hernandez | CBS Sports | June 21, 2013

Now that Aaron Hernandez has been released it might be the right time to talk Dallas Clark into putting off his retirement and joining the Pats. I suggested that move last week and now is the time. I did look at all the NFL depth charts to see where there might be a potential tradable tight end if they wanted to go in that direction. It may be a little early, considering teams want to get through part of camp. There are teams that could have a tight end to give if the compensation is right. The Bengals have Jermaine Gresham, first-round pick Tyler Eifert and possibly Alex Smith or Orson Charles might be available. The Vikings have Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson, and Rhett Ellison could be a guy to discuss. Guys I would monitor during the preseason could include the Falcons' Chase Coffman, Cowboys' James Hanna, Virgil Green (Broncos), D.J. Williams (Green Bay), Lance Kendricks (Saint Louis), Tony Moeaki (Chiefs), Niles Paul (Redskins) and Michael Egnew (Dolphins). Someone has to come free.
 
As long as I'm there, here are a few other recent entries by Kirwan on the Patriots:


Now that Aaron Hernandez is gone, what is the Patriots' next move? | CBS Sports | June 26, 2013

The Patriots' flexibility to get into any formation that they want and create matchup problems is almost non-exsistent without the two tight ends, so that's a big problem. Also, Tom Brady would have close to three quarters of his 2012 receptions off the roster if Hernandez joins the list of weapons no longer available or on the team.

Keep in mind the Patriots rushed for 25 touchdowns last year and added LeGarrette Blount to the roster. Were they effective because of the constant threat of the passing game?

I think so.

If the Patriots had to line up right now for a game in their three wide receiver set, it would be Michael Jenkins, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson and Jake Ballard. None of them have ever caught a pass from Brady in a game. None of them can line up in the backfield like Hernandez has, and none of them can line up like a wing like Hernandez has.


Final exam: End of June means it's time to test your NFL knowledge | CBS Sports | June 25, 2013

The Patriots are featured quite a bit in this 20-question quiz.



Patriots' passing identity takes a big hit if team loses Aaron Hernandez | CBS Sports | June 21, 2013

Now that Aaron Hernandez has been released it might be the right time to talk Dallas Clark into putting off his retirement and joining the Pats. I suggested that move last week and now is the time. I did look at all the NFL depth charts to see where there might be a potential tradable tight end if they wanted to go in that direction. It may be a little early, considering teams want to get through part of camp. There are teams that could have a tight end to give if the compensation is right. The Bengals have Jermaine Gresham, first-round pick Tyler Eifert and possibly Alex Smith or Orson Charles might be available. The Vikings have Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson, and Rhett Ellison could be a guy to discuss. Guys I would monitor during the preseason could include the Falcons' Chase Coffman, Cowboys' James Hanna, Virgil Green (Broncos), D.J. Williams (Green Bay), Lance Kendricks (Saint Louis), Tony Moeaki (Chiefs), Niles Paul (Redskins) and Michael Egnew (Dolphins). Someone has to come free.

Julian Edelman can line up in the backfield like Hernandez did. He has done it before. And before you go calling Dallas Clark, there is an interesting fact about Michael Hoomawanui and the way that he only caught 5 passes for 109 yards. Not to mention Jake Ballard's ability and how he was Eli Manning's security blanket, near NFC probowler, and a very good receiver pass catching tightend.
 
And before you go calling Dallas Clark, there is an interesting fact about Michael Hoomawanui and the way that he only caught 5 passes for 109 yards. Not to mention Jake Ballard's ability and how he was Eli Manning's security blanket, near NFC probowler, and a very good receiver pass catching tightend.

???

Hooman's 5 catches for 109 yds were highlighted by one big play. Aside from that he is hardly anything even closely resembling a "downfield threat."

On top of that even Daniel Fells' horrible yr last season showed times when he blocked much more efficiently than Hooman, so I don't even think that Hooman is close to being a lock to make the team, let alone pose a threat in the passing game.

Ballard is reportedly still limping, so I doubt we can pencil him in as a viable replacement just yet. There is a chance that he even starts the yr on the in season PUP list.

I always enjoy and appreciate your enthusiasm for these issues, but I don't really agree with either one of these guys as a replacement for Aaron Hernandez's joker or "move" TE role, and that's what Kirwin was talking about.
 
???

Hooman's 5 catches for 109 yds were highlighted by one big play. Aside from that he is hardly anything even closely resembling a "downfield threat."

On top of that even Daniel Fells' horrible yr last season showed times when he blocked much more efficiently than Hooman, so I don't even think that Hooman is close to being a lock to make the team, let alone pose a threat in the passing game.

Ballard is reportedly still limping, so I doubt we can pencil him in as a viable replacement just yet. There is a chance that he even starts the yr on the in season PUP list.

I always enjoy and appreciate your enthusiasm for these issues, but I don't really agree with either one of these guys as a replacement for Aaron Hernandez's joker or "move" TE role, and that's what Kirwin was talking about.
If, in fact, Ballard is still limping it causes me to wonder if he'll ever play again. That injury occurred a long, long time ago.
 
Julian Edelman can line up in the backfield like Hernandez did. He has done it before. And before you go calling Dallas Clark, there is an interesting fact about Michael Hoomawanui and the way that he only caught 5 passes for 109 yards. Not to mention Jake Ballard's ability and how he was Eli Manning's security blanket, near NFC probowler, and a very good receiver pass catching tightend.

Jake Ballard has one season of any note, with 38 receptions. How does that transform him into Manning's security blanket and a near NFC probowller?
 
If, in fact, Ballard is still limping it causes me to wonder if he'll ever play again. That injury occurred a long, long time ago.

Yeah, that's the big question of course.

I haven't heard whether or not he's still limping, so my thought is hardly original. I was simply going by what others have said in the forum lately.

I wouldn't be surprised if they took it slowly throughout camp. I also wouldn't be shocked if he was able to do more than what some are claiming in the beginning of camp either. I definitely think we'll be seeing him, but we may have to temper our expectations a bit too.
 
If, in fact, Ballard is still limping it causes me to wonder if he'll ever play again. That injury occurred a long, long time ago.

This is the most current update that I could find dated 6/29, from the Boston Globe fantasy spin. It isn't sounding extremely optimistic in my opinion, as much as I do think that he'll be playing this year:

"Tight end Jake Ballard wasn't moving well at all at Patriots OTAs this month. SOURCE: Boston GlobeFantasy Spin:That isn't surprising when you consider how many surgeries he's had on his knees over the past couple years. With Ballard looking slower than molasses, the Patriots better start looking at other options at tight end. New England fans will be praying for Rob Gronkowski to recover quickly from back surgery."

Either way, I certainly don't blame anyone who reserves some optimism about the subject and looks at is from a more realistic standpoint. All we can hope for is the best of course, but I think some are going overboard about his estimated production this season.
 
On defense the Patriots were ranked 9th overall but 29th against the pass. New England was outstanding in creating turnovers with 20 interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries, which is more important than pass defense. Imagine giving Tom Brady 41 extra series in a season.

The problem with turnovers is that against good times (playoff teams) they are less likely to occur.
 
The problem with turnovers is that against good times (playoff teams) they are less likely to occur.

Absolutely.

I think this point has been proven lately in our last 5-6 playoff games (aside from maybe the 2 blowouts vs DEN in 2011 and HOU in 2012).
 
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