AzPatsFan
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After 6 Training camp practices, it appears that the Patriots are having a spectacularly good TC. It has already answered many questions that existed.
Looking at the squads and the observations so far.
Safety
The Pats had three sold Safeties going into TC and were looking for a 4th, and as PS players. Jonathan Richards has developed into that 4th starting quality Safety. David Jones may be the answer for a PS candidate even though currently nicked up.
Cornerback
The Patriots hoped they had improved the position after spending a high price to bring Gilmore in and pay $4 million a year to keep MalcolmButler. Both have performed well together. Eric Rowe has bloomed as the third CB in his third season,second with the Pats. The lesser CBs ahve each had good and bad days. Jonathan Jones, Justin Colman and rookie Ken Moore have turned in good performances.
ST
Cyrus Jones is now performing as a returner the way the Scouts predicted. His coverage skills while OK, seem below many others though. The returners composed of Jones, Lewis, Amendola and Edelman appears to be ready and able.
Gostkowski seems to have settled down. Allen the punter has had a mediocre camp so far, even if his punting average is higher.
LBs.
The LB squad had questions the past several seasons. It lost Niko to retirement too. But the newcomers are settling in. Harris still has a lot in his tank. His addition provides depth at the leadership position and now there is some one experienced to back up Hightower. Both Shea McClellan and Kyle Van Noy are having their first TC here, and understanding the D better. Newcomer Harvy Longi appears to be a find, too. Rookie Derek Rivers appears to be slated as a hybrid OLB/DE, like Ninko, but more athletically comparable to departed Jamie Collins. The Pats appear to have created a deep squad of 8 LBs composed of captains Hightower and Harris, players Van Noy, McClellan, and also Freeney; and developing LBs Roberts, Rivers, and Langi. In short BB has completely reconstructed the LB squad.
DT
The DTs have seen a new addition to their squad, in Lawrence Guy, and Valentine continues to develop from last year, joining Branch an outstanding NT or "0 tech", and his able assistant Malcolm Brown. The DT squad is full up.
DEs.
This squad is full of questions but also full of potential answers. Flowers is one answer, and the Coaches are seeking #2 and #3. Ealy, Wise, Rivers, Hightower in a shift, or Van Noy in a shift, seem to be the major candidates for those #2 and #3 and subsequent positions. Grissom could develop in his third season too.
The candidates are many, the answers are still to be determined. But the indications are good to fair. Ealy, Wise, Grissom, and Rivers have already collected a "sack" in the 6 practices so far. Wise actually has a pair. BB has the CAP and picks to buy a trade for an established DE as well, and may do so.
IMHO, this is the only remaining question at Training Camp.
Offensive tackle
Solder, and Cannon are established superior starters at LOT and ROT. Fleming has filled in as a sub along with Waddle. BB drafted Tony Garcia as a potential future starter to develop. He added McDermott to the developmental squad as well. Starters and replacement talent is there, for the OTs. Fleming might even be shifted to Guard if necessary, with his superior run blocking talent.
IOL
Scar has found his starters for the interior Offensive line and maybe even a future star or two. Thuney, Andrews and Mason make a fine IOL, and will get better with more experience. Andrews hasa gotten bigger and Shaq needs more growth in his pass blocking. Karras and new comers Cole Croston, and Jamil Douglas, are candidates to fill the reserve positions. Fleming is a potential shift as well.
The balance of Training camp will determine who stays and who goes among the IOL reserves. This is a question yet to be settled.
WR and TEs
The Pats have more good young receivers than there are positions to hold them, Few receiving squads possess even one #1 receiver. The Pats appear to have three, Edelman, Cooks and Gronk. There are able #2s as well. Hogan, Mitchell, Amendola, and Carr, Lucien and Hollister constitute the candidates.
The TE position is also full up with Gronk and Dwayne Allen as a 1 and 2 and others to battle for 3 and PS. Shaughnessy and Lengle are the favorites among the TE subs.
RBs
BB believes in RBBC. It keeps costs down and provides depth for this high attrition area. Gillislee, and White are the in line and receiving starters, but there are alternatives for both big back and receiving back, too. Burkhead and Bolden are the in line reserves; and Lewis, DJ Foster are the receiving RBs.
QBs
No other team in the League has as much talent at QB as the Patriots. Brady is the GOAT and Garropolo would start for almost all the clubs in the League. Brisette is a developing second stringer, with some talent but raw.
Summary
Almost all questions are already answered except at DE. This Training Camp has been a wholesale success already.
Looking at the squads and the observations so far.
Safety
The Pats had three sold Safeties going into TC and were looking for a 4th, and as PS players. Jonathan Richards has developed into that 4th starting quality Safety. David Jones may be the answer for a PS candidate even though currently nicked up.
Cornerback
The Patriots hoped they had improved the position after spending a high price to bring Gilmore in and pay $4 million a year to keep MalcolmButler. Both have performed well together. Eric Rowe has bloomed as the third CB in his third season,second with the Pats. The lesser CBs ahve each had good and bad days. Jonathan Jones, Justin Colman and rookie Ken Moore have turned in good performances.
ST
Cyrus Jones is now performing as a returner the way the Scouts predicted. His coverage skills while OK, seem below many others though. The returners composed of Jones, Lewis, Amendola and Edelman appears to be ready and able.
Gostkowski seems to have settled down. Allen the punter has had a mediocre camp so far, even if his punting average is higher.
LBs.
The LB squad had questions the past several seasons. It lost Niko to retirement too. But the newcomers are settling in. Harris still has a lot in his tank. His addition provides depth at the leadership position and now there is some one experienced to back up Hightower. Both Shea McClellan and Kyle Van Noy are having their first TC here, and understanding the D better. Newcomer Harvy Longi appears to be a find, too. Rookie Derek Rivers appears to be slated as a hybrid OLB/DE, like Ninko, but more athletically comparable to departed Jamie Collins. The Pats appear to have created a deep squad of 8 LBs composed of captains Hightower and Harris, players Van Noy, McClellan, and also Freeney; and developing LBs Roberts, Rivers, and Langi. In short BB has completely reconstructed the LB squad.
DT
The DTs have seen a new addition to their squad, in Lawrence Guy, and Valentine continues to develop from last year, joining Branch an outstanding NT or "0 tech", and his able assistant Malcolm Brown. The DT squad is full up.
DEs.
This squad is full of questions but also full of potential answers. Flowers is one answer, and the Coaches are seeking #2 and #3. Ealy, Wise, Rivers, Hightower in a shift, or Van Noy in a shift, seem to be the major candidates for those #2 and #3 and subsequent positions. Grissom could develop in his third season too.
The candidates are many, the answers are still to be determined. But the indications are good to fair. Ealy, Wise, Grissom, and Rivers have already collected a "sack" in the 6 practices so far. Wise actually has a pair. BB has the CAP and picks to buy a trade for an established DE as well, and may do so.
IMHO, this is the only remaining question at Training Camp.
Offensive tackle
Solder, and Cannon are established superior starters at LOT and ROT. Fleming has filled in as a sub along with Waddle. BB drafted Tony Garcia as a potential future starter to develop. He added McDermott to the developmental squad as well. Starters and replacement talent is there, for the OTs. Fleming might even be shifted to Guard if necessary, with his superior run blocking talent.
IOL
Scar has found his starters for the interior Offensive line and maybe even a future star or two. Thuney, Andrews and Mason make a fine IOL, and will get better with more experience. Andrews hasa gotten bigger and Shaq needs more growth in his pass blocking. Karras and new comers Cole Croston, and Jamil Douglas, are candidates to fill the reserve positions. Fleming is a potential shift as well.
The balance of Training camp will determine who stays and who goes among the IOL reserves. This is a question yet to be settled.
WR and TEs
The Pats have more good young receivers than there are positions to hold them, Few receiving squads possess even one #1 receiver. The Pats appear to have three, Edelman, Cooks and Gronk. There are able #2s as well. Hogan, Mitchell, Amendola, and Carr, Lucien and Hollister constitute the candidates.
The TE position is also full up with Gronk and Dwayne Allen as a 1 and 2 and others to battle for 3 and PS. Shaughnessy and Lengle are the favorites among the TE subs.
RBs
BB believes in RBBC. It keeps costs down and provides depth for this high attrition area. Gillislee, and White are the in line and receiving starters, but there are alternatives for both big back and receiving back, too. Burkhead and Bolden are the in line reserves; and Lewis, DJ Foster are the receiving RBs.
QBs
No other team in the League has as much talent at QB as the Patriots. Brady is the GOAT and Garropolo would start for almost all the clubs in the League. Brisette is a developing second stringer, with some talent but raw.
Summary
Almost all questions are already answered except at DE. This Training Camp has been a wholesale success already.
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