2019 OTAs/Minicamp Thread

Palm Beach Pats Fan said:

How did Tom Brady, in his physical prime, compare to Michael Vick, in his physical prime? To Brian Hoyer? Or even to Christian Hackenberg, perhaps the worst QB in NFL history?

Answering such questions might indicate to you how high on the physical prime scale one needs to be in order to excel at quarterbacking, if you think about it even a little.

Click to expand...

Using physical prime as some sort of 'gotcha' also ignores the mental portion of the equation, which has to be done since that generally continues an upwards trend until retirement. Unfortunately for that poster, sports talent is about the intersection of physical and mental ability, not about one separate from the other.

That's why we don't generally talk about 'prime' as just a one year thing that happens only at the peak of physical performance.

Tony2046 said:

I don't think it's a storyline. I think it's just limiting wear and tear and nothing more.

Click to expand...

That may be. Football players play football - BB... and we were hoping when Mitchell started being absent as well.

Not time to press panic button by any means, and the most likely scenario is “manage load” but you can’t discount the possibility this is more...

LOL how is Rivers still on this squad? Totally useless to date.

NG Pats Fan said:

I have a question for this entire forum.

Do you think any athlete in history is in his physical prime at age 42?

Click to expand...

Where is my tape review that you said you were going to provide for me?

KontradictioN said:

LOL how is Rivers still on this squad? Totally useless to date.

Click to expand...

This has got to be his fish or cut bait off season.

Patsgofor4 said:

So....perhaps this a bad time to mention that Dawson has outplayed Williams thus far, according to reports.

Click to expand...

Anything before camp is like reading tea leaves.

KontradictioN said:

LOL how is Rivers still on this squad? Totally useless to date.

Click to expand...

Probably because he's a good kid with promising athleticism. Last year was basically his rookie season. This is definitely his make or break year, but what would we really gain cutting him before training camp? I like his attitude and work ethic. He could surprise.

luuked said:

Anything before camp is like reading tea leaves.

Click to expand...

The underwear camps help to weed out those who can't. Training camp is for separating those who can from those who might be able to. Both times have value.

luuked said:

Anything before camp is like reading tea leaves.

Click to expand...

JC Jackson was a tea leaf last minicamp

Zuma said:

JC Jackson was a tea leaf last minicamp

Click to expand...

For every meaningful thing you can cherry pick out there are another 3-4 observations that went nowhere.

The way people overrate anything that was reported in the last 2-3 days is very reminiscent of the silly people who argue that players should make the roster because of totally meaningless preseason games.

I can guarantee you that nobody ever made the roster thanks to what happened in mini camp or in a preseason game. They make it based on what will happen every day in practice from the end of July until the end of August.

Same deal as every year.

luuked said:

For every meaningful thing you can cherry pick out there are another 3-4 observations that went nowhere.

The way people overrate anything that was reported in the last 2-3 days is very reminiscent of the silly people who argue that players should make the roster because of totally meaningless preseason games.

I can guarantee you that nobody ever made the roster thanks to what happened in mini camp or in a preseason game. They make it based on what will happen every day in practice from the end of July until the end of August.

Same deal as every year.

Click to expand...

I agree...but it's fun to play GM. Your right....think about who we had at WR in OTA and minicamp last season and who we started the season with...drastically different. But it doesn't change the fact that for some of us...it's still fun to predict what the roster may be.

KontradictioN said:

LOL how is Rivers still on this squad? Totally useless to date.

Click to expand...

I doubt he will ever make it back. He was a rookie that tore up his knee in training camp, i cant remember anyone coming back and playing at a high level after being in a situation like rivers.

reflexblue said:

I doubt he will ever make it back. He was a rookie that tore up his knee in training camp, i cant remember anyone coming back and playing at a high level after being in a situation like rivers.

Click to expand...

Ben Watson

fnordcircle said:

What undeniably is worse is your recovery time. I'm much stronger in every way possible than I was when I was in the previous best shape of my life at 32. I have equal or possibly better cardio health now too.

Click to expand...

I was able to play A/AA level volleyball until age 49 with the youngins...then holy crap did the cliff hit me - literally every time I got on the floor I hurt something knee, ankle, shoulder, whatever and get winded in like 1 tenth the time.

Father Time is undefeated - he just hits you with the haymaker at different times in everyone's life.

luuked said:

For every meaningful thing you can cherry pick out there are another 3-4 observations that went nowhere.

The way people overrate anything that was reported in the last 2-3 days is very reminiscent of the silly people who argue that players should make the roster because of totally meaningless preseason games.

I can guarantee you that nobody ever made the roster thanks to what happened in mini camp or in a preseason game. They make it based on what will happen every day in practice from the end of July until the end of August.

Same deal as every year.

Click to expand...

I agree with one exception - young CBs, at least in recent years. The early OTA and training camp reports have been pretty accurate. For example:

Jackson

J. Jones

Bulter

Kenny Moore II - still pissed that BB cut him in favor of Richards and wonder if he was surprised that Moore was claim as a 5'9" small school UDFA but he's became a very good pro (all 4 downs) and is still only 23 years-old.

LeBlanc - not a star by any means has been a useful backup.

When I hear reports of a a young CB making plays consistently in practice, I do take notice.

KontradictioN said:

LOL how is Rivers still on this squad? Totally useless to date.

Click to expand...

reflexblue said:

I doubt he will ever make it back. He was a rookie that tore up his knee in training camp, i cant remember anyone coming back and playing at a high level after being in a situation like rivers.

Click to expand...

AndyJohnson said:

Ben Watson

Click to expand...

Watson injured his knee on Opening Night, so he had the entirety of TC & pre-season to soak in what he needed. Not a similar situation.

captain stone said:

Watson injured his knee on Opening Night, so he had the entirety of TC & pre-season to soak in what he needed. Not a similar situation.

Click to expand...

No it’s very similar but not exactly the same.

Whenever a player gets injured and misses most or all of their 1st season and/or TC I pretty much write them off and hope to be proven wrong.

For instance I'm not expecting much from Wynn.

fnordcircle said:

Whenever a player gets injured and misses most or all of their 1st season and/or TC I pretty much write them off and hope to be proven wrong.

For instance I'm not expecting much from Wynn.

Click to expand...

People said that about Sony Michel, and look how he turned out and helped us in the playoffs...point is, never underestimate

Zuma said:

I agree...but it's fun to play GM. Your right....think about who we had at WR in OTA and minicamp last season and who we started the season with...drastically different. But it doesn't change the fact that for some of us...it's still fun to predict what the roster may be.

Click to expand...

Yeah it sure is especially in during the football dead zone that is June/July until camp starts. I just hope we can keep it all in perspective.