Long Patriots.com article on Gunner Olszewski

[ctpatsfan77]

It was posted back in April, and somehow slipped under the radar.

His Best Shot: Once Overlooked, Gunner Olszewski Now Aims High

 

[Nikolai]

Definitely like the kid. I hope he can stay healthy this year and keep growing.

It took Edelman until his fifth season before he broke out.

 

[mgteich]

Definitely like the kid. I hope he can stay healthy this year and keep growing.

It took Edelman until his fifth season before he broke out.

The situation is different. Edelman was one of the top punt returners in the NFL.

I don't see Gunner being worth the #5 WR spot, if there is one. I would rather have Byrd or Thomas. Gunner will likely be on the Practice Squad.

 

[n1997y]

The situation is different. Edelman was one of the top punt returners in the NFL.

I don't see Gunner being worth the #5 WR spot, if there is one. I would rather have Byrd or Thomas. Gunner will likely be on the Practice Squad.

Some reports from training camp have Gunner looking like he belongs. If he looks better to BB than Thomas or even Byrd I’m fine with that. I might even be hoping he does. Although the reports on Byrd sound good as well. I don’t care about Thomas one way or the other, just want the strongest roster the Patriots can put together, and feel that Gunner’s intangibles would be a big plus for any roster. I’m hoping he can show some tangible performance as well.

 

[Kasmir]

The situation is different. Edelman was one of the top punt returners in the NFL.QUOTE]

Gunner was 6th in yds/punt return last year.

 

[DaBruinz]

Gunner was 6th in yds/punt return last year.

And that's with missing 8 games.

 

[mgteich]

And that's with missing 8 games.

yards per punt

I would be more impressed if Gunner played all year.

In any case, point taken. Only the first 3 WR spots are locked. Gunner COULD sneak onto the 53.

 

[farn]

yards per punt

I would be more impressed if Gunner played all year.

In any case, point taken. Only the first 3 WR spots are locked. Gunner COULD sneak onto the 53.

Understand your point : but I see very little on this team that is « locked ». Perfect year to move on from anyone / everyone if BB sees fit.

Curious : who are the three locks ?

 

[DaBruinz]

yards per punt

I would be more impressed if Gunner played all year.

In any case, point taken. Only the first 3 WR spots are locked. Gunner COULD sneak onto the 53.

I think the losses of Bolden, Ebner, King, and Roberts make it more likely Gunner will make the team room a Special teams standpoint. Especially since he did well with punt returns during the regular season and kick returns during the pre-season last year.

By his account, his made it a point to get stronger in his legs and more flexible overall. Hopefully for him that translates into better production and a healthier season.

 

[DaBruinz]

Understand your point : but I see very little on this team that is « locked ». Perfect year to move on from anyone / everyone if BB sees fit.

Curious : who are the three locks ?

Edelman, Harry, Sanu are the three whom most consider locks..

 

[Scotty]

Gunner seems to have put in some work during the offseason and is prepared for a camp battle , you cant blame him for lack of effort or being prepared. I assume there will be some kind of serious offence v defence games/scrimmages ? before the start of the season so I hope he does well. From what I have read he is getting more mentions than Myers and just as much as Sanu and Harry (when he is there)

 

[farn]

Edelman, Harry, Sanu are the three whom most consider locks..

That’s fair.
I’m ok moving on from one or all of those players, for different reasons.

 

[Wozzy]

Gunner was 6th in yds/punt return last year.

He was also improving...

The guy can play in all phases of the game, he's versatile and talented.

 

[mgteich]

Understand your point : but I see very little on this team that is « locked ». Perfect year to move on from anyone / everyone if BB sees fit.

Curious : who are the three locks ?

Edleman, Sanu and Harry

 

[mgteich]

I think the losses of Bolden, Ebner, King, and Roberts make it more likely Gunner will make the team room a Special teams standpoint. Especially since he did well with punt returns during the regular season and kick returns during the pre-season last year.

By his account, his made it a point to get stronger in his legs and more flexible overall. Hopefully for him that translates into better production and a healthier season.

There is room on the r0ster. However, I don't think Gunner replaces any of the STer's you mentioned. Belichick will need others, and has them. The question for me is whether Gunner is our punt returner? Is he our 5th receiver?

 

[mgteich]

That’s fair.
I’m ok moving on from one or all of those players, for different reasons.

I understand folks "moving" from the top 3 receivers. However, unless they go on IR, they are very likely to be on the 53.

 

[tasmlab]

That’s fair.
I’m ok moving on from one or all of those players, for different reasons.

If they ship Edelman, I won't even know who I'm cheering for on Sundays at this point. It'll be down to McCourtey, Gilmore and bunch of guys wearing Patriot uniforms.

 

[DaBruinz]

There is room on the r0ster. However, I don't think Gunner replaces any of the STer's you mentioned. Belichick will need others, and has them. The question for me is whether Gunner is our punt returner? Is he our 5th receiver?

How do you figure that there is "no room" on the roster? Especially since Taylor hasn't wowed at RB to this point? It's much more likely that the Pats put Taylor on the PS than risk losing Gunner. Gunner is sure to be picked up off waivers.

Bolden was the primary kick returner last season. The Pats didn't use Gunner there though Gunner had a 26.4YPR on kick-offs in pre-season against the Giants. Bolden played on the end for Punt Units. Gunner did kick returns in college.

Ebner being gone leaves a big hole on kick coverage and as the personal Protector on Punt units. With Chung also gone, the Pats don't have a person for this. No, I don't believe that it will be Gunner. I believe it's likely to be one of Dugger, Davis or Maluia. And I honestly believe that Brooks is going to be cut. I think he was terrible last year when he had to sub for Chung.

King was a Gunner on the Punt Coverage Units but also was on the kick coverage units. He was injured last year and is starting on the Inactive/PUP for this year. That's a big hole to be filled. I could see Gunner being given a chance at Gunner unless he's the goto guy for Kick and Punt Returns.

Roberts was also a big factor on special teams kick and punt coverage. However, the size disparity makes it more likely that someone like Copeland will take that spot.

 

[DaBruinz]

If they ship Edelman, I won't even know who I'm cheering for on Sundays at this point. It'll be down to McCourtey, Gilmore and bunch of guys wearing Patriot uniforms.

They aren't going to ship Edelman out. They know they need him for continuity of the receivers.

 

[n1997y]

Edleman, Sanu and Harry

Is Harry really showing enough to be a lock?