Day 4 Patriots Training Camp

[50-yard-line]

Just got back from camp.

You know everything about football is practice, even watching it. Every time I go to camp I have a plan on what to watch and concentrated on that small area and report on that and let the pro's give everyone the big picture.

Well I got there in time to get a seat in the back row of the 10 ydline. Not the best seat, but better than I expected when I saw the crowd going in. I usually like to stand the the back row is the highest vantage point and I don't get in anyone's way. The plan was to take a close look at JJWilliams, Vinovich, Wynn, and Bennett. Well you know what they say about one's "best laid plans" I'm ashamed to say it was almost until the last half hour of the real practice before my eyes could follow what I wanted to see.

So since I sucked early on, I decided my observations wouldn't be worth a separate thread. But I did get better as the practice went on and I DO have a few idle thoughts.

1, Let the Dan Skipper era begin - This is a guy who, to his credit, Bedard pointed out as his biggest camp surprise only to get laughed out of the studio by Mazz. This is what I can tell you. He is TALL. In the huddle he makes Thuney seem like his little brother, and when he stands next to Mason, Mason looks like a midget. But more importantly I started to watch him closely and I can tell you he has quick feet and a decent knee bend. He seemed to get excellent position on his blocks and protections. The only weakness I saw was was a bull rush by JCollins that walked him back to Brady. Bottom line: he didn't look out of place.

2. Mike Pennell is a BEAST. I haven't seen someone just shut down the middle since Vince's heyday. This was an underrated signing that is gong to pay big dividends this season. Between he an Guty it will be very tough to run in the middle against the Pats.

I'll be interested in seeing how well he does pushing the middle on passing downs. It was just one practice, but Pennell is giving us what we EXPECTED to see from Shelton last season.

2. Here's the good news and bad news on our receivers. First the good news. EVERY has EXCELLENT hand that goes from Harry down to Olesheski. They were doing a passing/route runniong drill where 2 pass are thrown on every play and out of about 50 throws only 2 hit the ground and they were overthrows.

The bad news is that NO one stood out. Not even Harry. There was ZERO wow factor out there. That being said, we have one of the top OC's in the league who has created separation by design. And we have a bunch of decent guy who will run their routes and catch balls. Kind of like we have seen every non-Randy Moss year.

3. I was hoping to see Harry working with Brady on back shoulder fades, but on the whole Harry saw very few targets while I was there. BTW- the same can be said of all the TE's. If its thrown to them, they'll catch it, but no one stood out to me.

4. I watched JJ Williams when I could find him. Once when he was with the scout team while the rest of the CB's were working on some CB Drill I wonder why he wasn't with the rest of his guys.. He was the 2nd team outside man, but never made me think he was better than JMac, Crossen, JJones, Gillmre or Jackson. Let me say he didn't do anything really badly, but he'd not close to the level of the rest of the other CB's who all look very sharp. BTW- I didn't see him on any close man to man drills. I want the guy we traded UP to get and pass on all my TE binkies to stand out. He didn't.

He's tall all right, but that's about it right now. (BTW- played some FS at one point)

5. Obi got a lot of run and had his 3rd pick of TC. More importantly he looks a LOT more comfortable out there. I'm getting the feeling that Ebner is going to be a gonner as his snaps will be taken by Obi and Brooks,

6. Finally an observation on Stidham. VERY live arm, pretty accurate from what I saw, and hasn't a clue when he's playing 11-11. He isn't processing what he's seeing as fast as he needs to. No surprise there of course, but for the most part he's showing enough thus far to probably earn a roster spot and a place on the inactive list all year. Better than I expected.


Hope I will do better the next time I go.

These are the kinds of posts that make me keep coming back t this place, so thanks!

Also, i wouldn't expect ANY rookie to stand out in the Pats D-backfield this year. That group is STACKED.

 

[50-yard-line]

Just reading through all the reports - and yeah, it's way early.

Maurice Harris might work out well. Hope so, because they need some help at WR.

If they can find a Left Tackle to replicate Trent Brown of last year (Skipper?), their OL will be amazing this year, particularly with Wynn coming back as 1st-round-talent depth (then winning a starting job by the end of the year, hopefully).

I'm rooting for Meyers to make the team. Don't know why, I just am.

Pennell is who I knew he was, and that makes me happy. he's a force of nature out there, and should open it up for Bennett and the rest to dominate.

I'm so happy that Jamie Collins is back...hoping they keep 5 LBs, with the 5th being either Roberts or Sam. Their front seven has the talent to play the rotation like the old Seahawks.

 

[Wheelman]

Anyone else following this Tyreek Hill clown show?

You mean his disingenuous press conference of being a better father, etc, etc going forward?

 

[SBLIII]

so yesterday Thuney was the LT starter. Today it's Skipper because he is tall.

 

[zydecochris]

Just got back from camp.

1, Let the Dan Skipper era begin - This is a guy who, to his credit, Bedard pointed out as his biggest camp surprise only to get laughed out of the studio by Mazz. This is what I can tell you. He is TALL. In the huddle he makes Thuney seem like his little brother, and when he stands next to Mason, Mason looks like a midget. But more importantly I started to watch him closely and I can tell you he has quick feet and a decent knee bend. He seemed to get excellent position on his blocks and protections. The only weakness I saw was was a bull rush by JCollins that walked him back to Brady. Bottom line: he didn't look out of place.

Great, informative post, thanks as always.

Regarding your comments about Dan Skipper, I've long been concerned about the back-up LT position. Regardless of how talented Wynn is, I can't imagine him contributing much at LT before mid-season at best, with him dealing with the double whammy of being a rookie dealing with NFL speed for the first time when coming off a very serious Achilles tear (I would love, of course, to be proven wrong). And we haven't had anyone else to back up Thuney who I expect to start the season at LT.

If Dan Skipper could at least unexpectedly turn into a somewhat serviceable back-up LT, that would be one of the most positive outcomes of training camp IMHO.

 

[Family]

I thought Dawson had a pick yesterday.

He was a second round pick last year. Being cut would be record fast.

 

[BradytoMosstoGronk]

So, we looking at a step back from the offense but two steps forward from the defense?
I'm okay with an 03-04 defense/offense -- it worked, and didnt ask Brady to do it all.

Oh yeah, and they won.

 

[jah]

Dawson could be on the roster bubble.

He's been on the outside looking in all offseason. Berrios has done more to help himself than Dawson.

 

[jah]

Great, informative post, thanks as always.

Regarding your comments about Dan Skipper, I've long been concerned about the back-up LT position. Regardless of how talented Wynn is, I can't imagine him contributing much at LT before mid-season at best, with him dealing with the double whammy of being a rookie dealing with NFL speed for the first time when coming off a very serious Achilles tear (I would love, of course, to be proven wrong). And we haven't had anyone else to back up Thuney who I expect to start the season at LT.

If Dan Skipper could at least unexpectedly turn into a somewhat serviceable back-up LT, that would be one of the most positive outcomes of training camp IMHO.

I've been absolutely loving the buzz on Skipper. Even with Wynn theoretically holding down the LT spot our swing tackle would be... Croston? We need multiple tackles to step up and it's good to at least hear of one.

 

[Deus Irae]

He's been on the outside looking in all offseason. Berrios has done more to help himself than Dawson.

Berrios is solidifying his spot on the practice squad?

 

[luuked]

Obi deserves his chance like the others my only concern is my memory of the Raiders game in Mexico where he seemed gassed and was exposed badly , but hey that was the Raiders !!!

He doesnt deserve anything. It is camp, if he can put it all together he can earn it or he will be another name poster will have forgotten in a few months.

 

[jah]

Berrios is solidifying his spot on the practice squad?

Lol probably. I don't buy the hype yet but he's out of my doghouse for now. By that I mean he's not James Ferentz (who also apparently isn't that bad anymore).

 

[RobertWeathers]

I've been absolutely loving the buzz on Skipper. Even with Wynn theoretically holding down the LT spot our swing tackle would be... Croston? We need multiple tackles to step up and it's good to at least hear of one.

He is now known as "The Skipper"

 

[Ring 6]

He's been on the outside looking in all offseason. Berrios has done more to help himself than Dawson.

Based on what?

 

[Bonzo]

So Skipper was apparently on the practice squad at the back end of last season - which I did not remember. The image of him serving as kind of an understudy to Trent Brown, I find encouraging - in addition to the fact that Scar & the OL have recent experience coaching up / playing next to a gargantuan LT.

 

[Dr Pain]

Dan Skipper, 24, was signed to the Patriots year end practice squad last February from the Lion's practice squad (I think he made the Lion's main roster for just a few days).

Cedrick Lang, 26, was signed by the Patriots last April. He was on the Viking's practice squad in 2017 and on the Viking's injured reserve all of 2018.

"Lang began his college career as a basketball player before using his fifth year of eligibility to football as a tight end, where he played in 12 games and caught 11 passes for 72 yards with one touchdown." Cedrick Lang

 

[Uptown]

 

[Zuma]

Random stuff cause I cant get enough...

Van Noy with OLB Coach Demarcus Covington...

Guns Kendricks with TE Coach Nick Caley...

Cheerleader...

Christian Sam (my guess after his big goal-line stop)...

Jarrett Stidham to Maurice Harris...

The Dude's favorite player...

Damoun Patterson with Troy Brown...

Derek Rivers forgetting this is practice...

 

[Vatahala]

I just read a day 4 recap at WEEI and Hart mentioned that Winovich was used to to try to hit Brady with a small bag . I realized that is the first time I read Chases name in 50+ articles and threads since camp opened.

 

[jah]

Based on what?

My subjective judgement, which is what the Berrios lovers also base their statements on.