***THE OFFICIAL 2014 New England Patriots training camp thread***

[hwc]

The Pats has something special evolving on defense last year, before it was decimated by injuries up the middle. The surprise would be if someone didn't think the Pats could develop a very good defense this year. I guess it takes camp starting for people to focus on what the addition of Revis really means.

 

[PatsBoy12]

The Pats has something special evolving on defense last year, before it was decimated by injuries up the middle. The surprise would be if someone didn't think the Pats could develop a very good defense this year. I guess it takes camp starting for people to focus on what the addition of Revis really means.

Respect. Of course it does, though. Most of us know/knew Revis is one of the best in the league. Most of us just didn't watch much of him, especially last seaosn. Also, he is coming off of a tough injury, though not as devastating to a career as it used to be. I feel there was definitely a lot of excitement but some people, like me, wanted confirmation. It's obvious we're getting just that in the early part of camp. As the players an coaches would say, there is still a long way to go. But early camp stories are very encouraging.

Oh and you're right, we did have a really good defense evolving last season. It'll be nowhere near as good as this one if it turns into what it should, what we hope. But it was a very solid unit before the injuries. It should be even better and more athletic this year.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

We have 2 roster spots open. What positions do you think they will sign?

 

[BelichickFan]

Two seemingly consensus guys who have impressed are Logan Ryan and James White. Looks like we may have hit on two mid rounders there. It will be interesting to see how much White is used, we all know we rarely sign RB to a second contract which is where Ridley and Vereen will be heading after this year. As for Ryan, he looked like a poor man's Ty Law last year the way he played physically and got his hands (and caught) the ball.

 

[supafly]

Two seemingly consensus guys who have impressed are Logan Ryan and James White. Looks like we may have hit on two mid rounders there. It will be interesting to see how much White is used, we all know we rarely sign RB to a second contract which is where Ridley and Vereen will be heading after this year. As for Ryan, he looked like a poor man's Ty Law last year the way he played physically and got his hands (and caught) the ball.

While the jury is obviously still out on Ryan after what I'd deem as a solid rookie campaign (especially for a rookie), your reasoning is exactly why I've doubted any move to the position of safety full-time.

I would assume that a guy like Bill Belichick knows the importance of having solid CB play in this league, particularly when they are young, cheap, and on rookie contracts. How would Belichick be able to continue to assess any CB improvements/setbacks made by Logan Ryan in his 2nd year, if he's simply going to move him to safety? This is of even more importance when taking the futures of Revis, Arrington, etc into account.

It didn't make much sense at the time to me, and it makes even less sense now. Too many people were looking at the 2014 weakness of safety, rather than the bigger and more longterm picture at a position of greater importance. It was a perfect example of how rumors get spread like wildfire around here, and I'd be shocked if it happened (aside from emergency situation due to severe injuries).

 

[Joker]

BTW Soporfry...if you ever want to come up here to take in a practice or a preseason game, I'll buy your dinner and drinks wherever you wish at Patriots Place and throw in a Pats hat. 100% serious. You deserve the red carpet for all your cogent participation year in and year out.

 

[joepatsfan]

How do you see the DL depth chart looking? I am thinking something like this:

LE – Ninkovich, Buchanan, Bequette
DT – Kelly, Easley, Jones
NT – Wilfork, Kelly, Siliga
RE – Jones, Buchanan, Moore

I do not think Will Smith will make the team, I could be wrong though; I have to see how he looks in the preseason before I conclude.

LE- Nink, Buchanan, Smith
DT- Kelly, Easley, Jones
NT- Fork, Siliga, Kelly
RE- Jones, Buch, Moore

Smith will make it over Bequette if he shows any sign of life because Bequette, is he even alive?....
Siliga over Kelly on the depth chart at NT because we gotta watch the old guys' snaps in the regular season and I like Sealver.

 

[DaBruinz]

We have 2 roster spots open. What positions do you think they will sign?

I don't think they will, honestly.. I think they will leave them open and just make it easier for the cut down..

 

[DaBruinz]

Two seemingly consensus guys who have impressed are Logan Ryan and James White. Looks like we may have hit on two mid rounders there. It will be interesting to see how much White is used, we all know we rarely sign RB to a second contract which is where Ridley and Vereen will be heading after this year. As for Ryan, he looked like a poor man's Ty Law last year the way he played physically and got his hands (and caught) the ball.

How can you say that the Pats rarely sign a RB to a 2nd contract? Look at Antowain Smith, Corey Dillon, Kevin Faulk. They all got 2nd contracts. Faulk actually had 3 or 4.. It all depends on what you're asking for.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with the DT's and with Ninkovich, Jones and Buchanan at DE. BTW, I expect Easley to play some DE.


THE OPEN QUESTION
How much do we need after the eight we agree on? You have us keeping Bequette and Moore. IMHO, of Smith is not good enough, Belichick will bring in an additional DE competitor.

For me, Moore is a potential bottom of the roster developmental player. We may carry a couple of these or not. I would like to see a 9th DL who we would expect to perform if active and needed. For you, it seems that Bequette is that player. I don't see it.

As with Wilson, we shall see whether Bequette makes the roster. It seems that they have bot been replaced.

How do you see the DL depth chart looking? I am thinking something like this:

LE – Ninkovich, Buchanan, Bequette
DT – Kelly, Easley, Jones
NT – Wilfork, Kelly, Siliga
RE – Jones, Buchanan, Moore

I do not think Will Smith will make the team, I could be wrong though; I have to see how he looks in the preseason before I conclude.

 

[Brady6]

I agree with the DT's and with Ninkovich, Jones and Buchanan at DE. BTW, I expect Easley to play some DE.


THE OPEN QUESTION
How much do we need after the eight we agree on? You have us keeping Bequette and Moore. IMHO, of Smith is not good enough, Belichick will bring in an additional DE competitor.

For me, Moore is a potential bottom of the roster developmental player. We may carry a couple of these or not. I would like to see a 9th DL who we would expect to perform if active and needed. For you, it seems that Bequette is that player. I don't see it.

As with Wilson, we shall see whether Bequette makes the roster. It seems that they have bot been replaced.

Wilson has been playing first team reps over the first 3 days and has played very well according to reports; he had an interception today.

Bequette was 2-0 in 1on1 drills today, in my opinion Bequette was a developmental player that Belichick valued enough to keep on the 53-man roster for 2 seasons; I think he will see an expanded role this season.

I think we will keep 5 DEs and right now I have it as:

LE – Ninkovich
RE – Jones
#3 DE – Buchanan
#4 DE – Bequette
Developmental DE – Moore

Personally, I was never a big fan of Will Smith, I thought he was grossly overrated when he was with the Saints, he had a very good 2009 season with 13 sacks, since then he has 18 over the next 3 seasons, and then he missed all of 2013. Week 1 of the season Smith very well could be the best player of the 4 competing for the backup DE spots, but I do not think that will be the case come week 17. I think players like Buchanan (who had a terrific practice today), Bequette, and Moore all offer potential to be more effective as they develop over the course of the season.

 

[Brady6]

I don't think they will, honestly.. I think they will leave them open and just make it easier for the cut down..

I tend to agree, although they may bring a TE.

 

[BelichickFan]

How can you say that the Pats rarely sign a RB to a 2nd contract? Look at Antowain Smith, Corey Dillon, Kevin Faulk. They all got 2nd contracts. Faulk actually had 3 or 4.. It all depends on what you're asking for.

If the market remains low like last year maybe they'll stay but I don't expect them to break the bank for them. I know Maroney was a disappointment and BJGE was limited but your examples are all from a long time ago, I may be wrong but I think they see RB as easily replaced.

 

[Brady6]

LE- Nink, Buchanan, Smith
DT- Kelly, Easley, Jones
NT- Fork, Siliga, Kelly
RE- Jones, Buch, Moore

Smith will make it over Bequette if he shows any sign of life because Bequette, is he even alive?....
Siliga over Kelly on the depth chart at NT because we gotta watch the old guys' snaps in the regular season and I like Sealver.

I like Siliga too. I do like the idea of having Kelly at the 1 technique and Easley at the 3 technique though.

Here is a little insert from Ben Volin’s practice observations today on Smith.

■ DE Will Smith, looking to keep his career going in New England, didn’t have much in pass rushing drills, and got stonewalled by Marcus Cannon.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2...h-full-pads/MWssL8D7woc7bn1MkvjtIK/story.html

 

[Joker]

Tom Curran's take on Will Smith after today's practice....

"Will Smith, the veteran defensive end, didn’t have a specific standout play as much as he just showed on rep-after-rep that he is fully back from his ACL injury that robbed him of 2013 and in position to make an impact on the Patriots front."

I cannot say I can argue with one word he wrote.Smith repeatedly rammed into Marcus Cannon and got significant push every single time I watched them rep. Every single time, but then, that was using my eyes in person...I can't speak to the all seeing eyes of Stats-o-loid Universe.

 

[joepatsfan]

I like Siliga too. I do like the idea of having Kelly at the 1 technique and Easley at the 3 technique though.

Here is a little insert from Ben Volin’s practice observations today on Smith.



http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/07/26/saturday-patriots-practice-report-first-day-with-full-pads/MWssL8D7woc7bn1MkvjtIK/story.html

Thanks for the update. I hadn't heard much on Smith before that. At least he is healthy, like Joker said.
I still think BB would take this vet would could give us something over a guy who has been relatively invisible for two seasons.

Also, a front of Jones, Kelly, Easley and Nink on 3rd and longs sounds amazing. Kelly showed good push as a rusher last season and combined with a penetrator like Easley could be lethal

 

[patsinthesnow]

Adjusted for the number of pass rush snaps, Siliga was roughly as efficient of a pass rusher as Chris Jones last season, albeit in a much smaller sample size and at a different DT position.

Our DT rotation is deep and talented. Jones will be more effective as a role player, as he was exhausted the 2nd half of the season.

Siliga OTOH could be much more. He showed a lot in his small sample size last year as a complete DT at his large frame, defending the run and rushing the passer. IMO he's starting caliber already and I wouldn't be surprised if Siliga-Easley is our DT duo of the future.

@DougKyedNESN: Hightower was talking up Sealver Siliga a lot yesterday. The big nose tackle could have a role on first and second down next to Vince. (June 13th)

I found it interesting while watching Comcast Sportsnet that Hightower during OTAs mentioned Siliga along the names of Mayo and McCourty when he was discussing the strength of the defense.

 

[Brady6]

@DougKyedNESN: Hightower was talking up Sealver Siliga a lot yesterday. The big nose tackle could have a role on first and second down next to Vince. (June 13th)

On the subject of Hightower I read he saw some work as a pass rusher and beat Solder and Cannon.

 

[Brady6]

While the jury is obviously still out on Ryan after what I'd deem as a solid rookie campaign (especially for a rookie), your reasoning is exactly why I've doubted any move to the position of safety full-time.

I am a big Logan Ryan fan, when he was drafted I said he reminded me a lot of Casey Hayward, and as a rookie he played a lot like him. I like Ryan as the slot CB.

 

[joepatsfan]

If the market remains low like last year maybe they'll stay but I don't expect them to break the bank for them. I know Maroney was a disappointment and BJGE was limited but your examples are all from a long time ago, I may be wrong but I think they see RB as easily replaced.

The only reason we haven't seen Rbs get a second contract in a while is because our RB talent since 2006 has sucked.

MAroney was a bust. BGJE, while a solid runner, was easily replaced. Woody was replaced with Vereen.

Ridley gave us 1200yds in 2012 and had 700 last year in a down season. If he bounces back for another 1,000 yard year I think he'll be back. He has great talent if he isn't fumbling.
Vereen is the same thing. He can be productive when healthy. If he stays healthy he will be back IMO.

We actually have talent at RB now, so lets see how BB gauges that talent in March.