Patriots Training Camp Day 10 (@ Philadelphia)

[dales804]

Dennard's been out for days, so I'm not reading anything into his day beyond that.

Good point. Had forgotten about that. Curious to see how the session goes tomorrow. Will it be more of the same or change it up?

 

[Salva135]

Jeff Saturday on ESPN NFL Live beaming about Brady's ability to make the new offense work. He's seen enough of it up front in all of the Colts-Pats games. I thought that endorsement was pretty meaningful, given whom he's played in front of (including Rodgers).

 

[PatsDeb]

Thanks jmt57. Just reading this stuff is getting me excited for the season. I have been so worried that what transpired through the offseason (losing Welker, Lloyd, Hernandez & Gronk, at least to start the season) would finally be too much for Brady and the offense to overcome and that we would not be a contender this year. At least things are looking good so far.

Is Vick not practicing or he just doesn't look good? Surprised that others are outplaying him. Glad to hear some of our rookies look good so far.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Michael Tanier ?@MikeTanier 35m
Tebow throws a TD to Ballard on a 7on7 drill for the #Patriots. From the 5 yard line. Then he threw at Sufield's feet.

Before you haters post, remember it's football

 

[Brady6]

I do have to ask it because I'm absolutely befuddled why Patriot fans want to talk about Peyton Manning more than Tom Brady.

He's a QB for another team. Big deal.

I share your feeling of befuddled; not over the Patriots fan bases interest in Manning but rather why you feel compelled to polarize even the slightest mention of something that could escalate into a confrontational discussion? Either you’re moronic enough to believe that defending Manning in a Patriots board is going to end in sunshine and rainbows, or you take some get some type of pleasure from instigating situations into unnecessary strife.

Based on my observations of your interactions in the forum you appear to be intelligent, even highly intelligent at times therefor I’m inclined to go with option number 2, which in my opinion is immature and negligent; being that we’re both adults I lack the authority to tell you what to do, and even if I didn’t I wouldn’t tell you not to do something you appear to take pleasure in. I will ask you to no longer use my posts as a platform for this behavior, and I’d appreciate it if you could adhere with my request. This is not to tell you that I do not want to interact with you because that is not the case I enjoy interacting with you even receiving constructive criticism from you; this type of behavior however is not congruent with my goal in this forum.

 

[Kontradiction]

Thanks jmt57. Just reading this stuff is getting me excited for the season. I have been so worried that what transpired through the offseason (losing Welker, Lloyd, Hernandez & Gronk, at least to start the season) would finally be too much for Brady and the offense to overcome and that we would not be a contender this year. At least things are looking good so far.

Is Vick not practicing or he just doesn't look good? Surprised that others are outplaying him. Glad to hear some of our rookies look good so far.

Vick was mentioned a few times. The reports said he would have been sacked twice if it were an actual game. Toward the end of practice, he lofted a bomb at Cooper that was caught.

 

[VrabelJr]

PatsFan2 - In my view, I think that Sudfield is probably a better fit in replacing Hernandez's role considering his upper body makeup.

It was Hernandez's lower body that made him special. 6'1, 245lbs and glided.

 

[mrscruff]

If it hasn't been posted earlier:

Philadelphia Eagles | Multimedia

 

[Deus Irae]

Jeff Saturday on ESPN NFL Live beaming about Brady's ability to make the new offense work. He's seen enough of it up front in all of the Colts-Pats games. I thought that endorsement was pretty meaningful, given whom he's played in front of (including Rodgers).

Brady's so good that he's put himself at a disadvantage for years. While Manning's had teams that said "If we can just get Peyton enough weapons", the Patriots philosophy has largely been "Well Tom can overcome that, let's fix problems elsewhere".

Give TB full receiver (Not just WR, but healthy TEs as well) corps in the past 3 years and the Patriots probably have 3 more Lombardis.

 

[patfanken]

Thanks to all who posted updates and tweeter feeds, so that I could get a sense at what went on. Some comments:

1. These joint practices have become critically important given the new rules for TC. Limited hitting and limited practices make the reps players get in these joint practices doubly important. The Pats have joint sessions with 2 teams this TC, look for that number to rise next season.

2. Please do NOT take too much (positive or negative) from any offensive success in the one on ones and 7 on 7's as they are inherently geared to offensive success. Even the 11 on 11's put the D at a distinct disadvantage.

3. That being said, it was very encouraging to hear of Brady's success today. What I find most interesting is that for most of the practice he was getting his throws off in "rhythm". That means to me that, for the most part, the receivers were all getting to the right spots, when they were supposed to be there. To me that's quite extraordinary given the youth of the receivers and the short time they've had together.

4. It wasn't mentioned much, except as an aside, but I found it most encouraging that it seemed like the Pats front 7 was applying consistent pressure on the eagle QB's today.

5. As usual, too much of the media coverage focused on what the QB's and WR's were doing. I'm hoping that tomorrow more of the focus will be on the front 7 of the D and the OL

 

[jmt57]

Practice Observations: Tom Brady breaks out with big performance against Eagles | Jeff Howe, Boston Herald

A few items from the column that caught my eye:

- Tom Brady was outstanding (full story in tomorrow’s Herald). He commanded the offense with pristine form against a live defense for the first time, and it was impressive. Brady completed 20-of-20 passes in 1-on-1s, 7-of-7 passes in 7-on-7s and 17-of-21 passes in 11-on-11s. Two of his incompletions were drops: Kenbrell Thompkins after slipping while coming out of his break, and Danny Amendola on a quick slant in the end zone.


- Brady’s 7-on-7 completions, in order, went to Thompkins, Boyce, Michael Hoomanawanui, Thompkins, Hoomanawanui, Amendola and Leon Washington.


- Brady’s best work came on an 8-for-8 performance in the no-huddle from the shadow of his own goal line. It was capped with a nice check at the line, which resulted in a perfect fade route to Amendola. Brady hit six receivers on the drive.


- Tight end Zach Sudfeld made a really nice touchdown catch on a Brady pass. Sudfeld beat linebacker DeMeco Ryans over the middle and laid out to haul it in for the score.


- Cornerback Aqib Talib made a nice break to knock aside a Nick Foles pass for Desean Jackson in 11-on-11 work. Jackson beat Talib for a score earlier in 7-on-7s.


- Both Alfonzo Dennard and Logan Ryan struggled to cover receiver Riley Cooper late in practice.


- Jamie Collins had some good moments, sealing the edge in a run to his side and sticking with his assignment in coverage. He got some work with Dont’a Hightower in nickel sets.


- Running back LeGarrette Blount looked really tough to bring down. He hasn’t stuck out at practice in Foxboro, but backs like him need live action to really show off.


- Dennard made a nice play to ward off wide receiver Russell Shepard on a deep ball to the end zone.


- Defensive end Justin Francis gave Michael Vick a little some extra as the quarterback scrambled out of bounds in 11-on-11s. Vick then lightly tossed the ball at Francis, who returned the favor. Nothing else came out of it.

That actually never should have happened because linebacker Dane Fletcher “sacked” Vick earlier in the play.


- Will Svitek was again the right guard with the first-team offense. The right guard with the second team was Josh Kline.


​

There is a whole lot more in the column, check it out here: The Blitz with Jeff Howe & Karen Guregian | Boston Herald

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Mike Reiss, espnBoston:

Patriots' final 11-on-11 series for first-team offense ends on down note as wide-open Danny Amendola drops pass over middle from Tom Brady.​

Obviously Reiss feels we won't miss Welker

 

[Ironman44]

Why are so many Patriot fans so hung up on Peyton Manning? What's with the inferiority complex?

I for one have stated my case. I am tired of Peyton coming up in the GOAT conversation. I think based on what he has done with elite loaded teams (a record 8 one and dones as top seeded ,2nd or 3rd best team etc) he is one of the most over rated players in NFL history.

yes a great regular season QB who needed to face a rex grossman led team in the superbowl to squeak out a win (with multiple hall of famers on the squad by the way)

if Peyton had to play with the wide outs Brady has had to play with he would have all ready have retired and been remembered as the big fore headed dude who waved his arms a lot at the line of scrimmage. I mean really, what would Brady have done with Reggie Wayne , Marvin Harrison and Dallas Clark his entire career? (child please!)

I truly feel from the bottom of my heart that Brady is light years better than Peyton and it irritates me to no end to think that otherwise intelligent football fans would think its the other way around.

 

[Ironman44]

Practice Observations: Tom Brady breaks out with big performance against Eagles | Jeff Howe, Boston Herald

- Running back LeGarrette Blount looked really tough to bring down. He hasn’t stuck out at practice in Foxboro, but backs like him need live action to really show off.

anyone else excited about this? I am...

 

[belichick010405]

Agreed, which is why I initially thought/hoped he was being drafted as a safety conversion project.

Logan Ryan unfortunately would have a number of barriers that he would not be able to overcome in order to develop as a quality free safety prospect.

Based on his combine results, he lacks top line speed and vertical jump needed to be a quality starting free safety.

He had a 4.53 40 and a 32.5 inch vertical jump which is TJ McDonald territory in terms of his 40 and his lack of a vertical leap would kill him in jump ball situations against taller wideouts considering his height and weight deficiency.

That is a tough combination to overcome in order to develop as a free safety.

 

[jmt57]

Earlier in the thread there was mention of excellent communication between Brady and Amendola, which is obviously music to the ears of fans of the Patriots. There is more detail on that topic in this column:

Brady-Amendola connection revs up | Mike Reiss, espnBoston

A three-play sequence in 11-on-11 drills -– some good, some bad -- had shades of the Brady/Wes Welker connection that produced big results from 2007-2012.

It started with the ball was on the 20-yard line, the Eagles bringing pressure, and Amendola running a corner route to the left side of the end zone. Brady, who was sharp throughout the practice, delivered an arcing pass over trailing safety Kenny Phillips, the football arriving in a spot where only Amendola could dive to make the reception.

Just terrific execution.

“Great throw,” Amendola said after practice. “It was a Cover-0, Cover-1 blitz and Tom didn’t have much time to get the ball out because the coverage they were in. It was a play we executed a couple times in camp and it worked out.”

Brady and Amendola communicated via hand signal before the snap in a reflection of how their on-field chemistry continues to grow. The hand signal confirmed they were reading the same thing from the defense, so Amendola was to stick with the original intention of the play.

“That’s pretty much the route that was drawn up in the huddle. Tom liked it and he didn’t get us out of it,” Amendola relayed.​

 

[jmt57]

Another training camp review well worth checking out:

Notes from Philadelphia: Receivers Impress, Defensive Backs Inconsistent | Eric Galko, NEPatriotsDraft.com

-As for Josh Boyce, he seemed far more NFL ready in terms of separation and routes than I expected. His stop-start, body control through traffic, and ability to work across the field route-wise was very impressive. He may not have the same upside as Dobson or the same polish/experience Amendola has, but he certainly exceed my expectations. He’s absolutely deserving of running with the 1s after just today’s practice.


-One more rookie receiver stood out, multiple times: Kenbrell Thompkins. The Cinncinnati Bearcat undrafted free agent has been getting buzz in the past, but this was my first time experiencing just how impressive he is since his last game at Cincinnati. He’s explosive in his cuts, with a handful of really nice out-breaking routes. He’s looking the ball in and extending away from his body. He even flashed vertical route separation and just missed a catch after a slightly underthrown ball. Again, based off one practice, he’s among their Top 5 receivers.​

There is also more in the column on Brady, Dennard, Talib, the tight ends, and Tebow.

 

[belichick010405]

Another training camp review well worth checking out:

Notes from Philadelphia: Receivers Impress, Defensive Backs Inconsistent | Eric Galko, NEPatriotsDraft.com

-As for Josh Boyce, he seemed far more NFL ready in terms of separation and routes than I expected. His stop-start, body control through traffic, and ability to work across the field route-wise was very impressive. He may not have the same upside as Dobson or the same polish/experience Amendola has, but he certainly exceed my expectations. He’s absolutely deserving of running with the 1s after just today’s practice.


-One more rookie receiver stood out, multiple times: Kenbrell Thompkins. The Cinncinnati Bearcat undrafted free agent has been getting buzz in the past, but this was my first time experiencing just how impressive he is since his last game at Cincinnati. He’s explosive in his cuts, with a handful of really nice out-breaking routes. He’s looking the ball in and extending away from his body. He even flashed vertical route separation and just missed a catch after a slightly underthrown ball. Again, based off one practice, he’s among their Top 5 receivers.​

There is also more in the column on Brady, Dennard, Talib, the tight ends, and Tebow.

"-Tebow was the worst quarterback here. I won’t go into much detail, but he was late on every throw, his mechanics don’t allow him to work effectively in 3 step drops, and his ball flutters instantly when he’s asked to plant and drive deep. But, this shouldn’t be news to anyone really."

Here is the Tebow observation from that column. :brick:

 

[FourierSeries]

He's a 3rd string QB who will most likely never see the field. Who cares about Tim Tebow?

 

[PatsGuy]

He's a 3rd string QB who will most likely never see the field. Who cares about Tim Tebow?

That is the most logical post I've seen in quite awhile