2017 Minicamp Thread

[zydecochris]

Seems like RB:Rex Burkhead was underutilized as a pass catcher in Cincinnati because of Giovani Bernard. The Patriots have some real good Players at the position already in White - Lewis and Foster. I also have no doubt that RB Mike Gillislee can also catch. McDaniels and all these toys are going to give opposing DC's alot to think about.

If either Burkhead or Gillislee can be effective at blitz pickup and pass protection, maybe we might have our first truly dual purpose (pass or run play) running back in some time. Does anybody have any information about the pass protection abilities of Burkhead and/or Gillislee?

 

[Love The Drake]

Will Likely taking drills with wr is interesting

 

[patfanken]

I wonder how many teams have their defacto GM on the practice field making hand offs and throwing in drills.

When Casserio was hired he was a coach before he moved into player personnel. Those who go to TC will often see him working with players and an active participant in individual drills. Playing mulitiple positions isn't an asset limited to just the players.

I think it speaks to the culture of the Patriots and why BB does so well with the smallest coaching staff in the NFL.

 

[AtomicDawg]

 

[Bonzo]

And the CB duo of But-more(??), or Gil-ler(??) is impressing.

Gitler

 

[AtomicDawg]

Oh hell one more Cooks Tweet.

 

[50-yard-line]

So this is going to be one of those preseasons where we wish the roster would expand to 65, isn't it?

 

[woolster22]

Anyone else getting hard seeing all the reports of Cooks impressing? He isn't Randy in terms of size/length, but with all the weapons on O I truely think he could have a Randy-esque impact to the unit. Another deep threat (Hogan), Gronk, Jules, and a slew of backs that can catch the ball. With a little injury luck...this offense is shaping up to be dominant. And ill try to keep that as my obligatory, early offseason, "Theyre gonna be the best evah!"-post.

Then defense...Guy seems like a solid addition. Wise's length leaves an awful high ceiling. Branch and Flowers (i think Trey explodes into a household name this year, he played great last year). LB looks kinda "meh" after HT, but then that secondary. Good god man.

Most exciting to me? Way to early indications seem to be pointing to Bolden being deemed dispensable this year. No more of the obligatory couple touches a game. My complete contempt for meaningful offensive snaps he receives is seconded only by the snaps given to hooman over the last few years.

The ST skills seem to be at an all time high given a few of the reports on guys nrought in this year. Amd that is scary. J Jones and Slater were simply absurd from a gunner aspect last year. Burkhead is supposedly a ST demon, guy, a couple of the UDFA come with excellent ST skills IIRC.

As many of us thought after the SB euphoria wore off, how many spots will realistically be up for grabs this year (think 06 into 07 offseason). Sure enough, a slew of picks sent off for vet contributors, and the 1 for Cooks...we only drafted 4. In a draft deemed by many "experts" to be very strong.

No days off. Blitz for 6!

 

[Love The Drake]

Bolden looks like Tarzan plays like Jane

 

[patsinthesnow]

So this is going to be one of those preseasons where we wish the roster would expand to 65, isn't it?

I could see other fanbases rolling their eyes at comments like these but it really is true. Leblanc probably would have made just about every other roster.

LeBlanc looks to build on successful rookie year | PFF

Our CB7 last preseason ending up as the Bears best CB pretty much says it all.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Bolden looks like Tarzan plays like Jane

Bolden knocked Cliff Avril out in SB 49. Hardly a "Jane".

 

[Fixit]

Gitler

More-But.

 

[long distance]

If either Burkhead or Gillislee can be effective at blitz pickup and pass protection, maybe we might have our first truly dual purpose (pass or run play) running back in some time. Does anybody have any information about the pass protection abilities of Burkhead and/or Gillislee?

Gill - excellent
B-Rex - used to be weakness . made it a strength
(acc. to analysis in 2nd Rex article below)

Here more on Gill blitz/PP:
Patriots extend offer to Bills RFA RB Mike Gillislee

Here great intro to Rex:
5 things that make Burkhead a quality running back
Rex Burkhead, Denver Broncos could be free agent match

 

[Love The Drake]

Bolden knocked Cliff Avril out in SB 49. Hardly a "Jane".

He is a beast so yes a bad example but be can't run the ball or run routes

 

[NG Pats Fan]

Oh hell one more Cooks Tweet.

Can't believe people were ever worried about that trade. It was a slam dunk win for us. Cooks is and has always been a superstar.

 

[ScottishPatriots]

Unfortunately early reports of Dwayne Allen is exactly what i expected, a soft, injury prone guy with bad hands just like he was in Indianapolis, you can say a lot of things about the Colts but they can put up nice passing numbers and his contribution was poor.

I'm expecting Scott Chandler 2.0.

 

[PatsGuy]

How many more days before trading camp starts? I'm Droooling already!

 

[long distance]

How many more days before trading camp starts? I'm Droooling already!

Are you buying or selling?

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Unfortunately early reports of Dwayne Allen is exactly what i expected, a soft, injury prone guy with bad hands just like he was in Indianapolis, you can say a lot of things about the Colts but they can put up nice passing numbers and his contribution was poor.

I'm expecting Scott Chandler 2.0.

He's regarded as an excellent blocker. We have more than enough pass-catchers to go around. Give it some time.

 

[long distance]

Nice listings from Howe to get a picture who/how was involved:
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...ons_brandin_cooks_stephon_gilmore_continue_to


Tom Brady completed 24 of 32 passes in team drills, including 13 of 18 in 11-on-11s. He completed passes to Rex Burkhead (five), Danny Amendola (four), Dion Lewis (two), James O’Shaughnessy (two), Chris Hogan (two), Brandin Cooks (two), Rob Gronkowski (one), Brandon Bolden (one), Matt Lengel (one), Dwayne Allen (one), James White (one), D.J. Foster (one) and James Develin (one).

Jimmy Garoppolo was 16 of 26 with an interception in team drills, including 9 of 18 in 11-on-11s. He competed passes to Hogan (three), White (two), Julian Edelman (two), Gronkowski (two), Devin Lucien (two), Lewis (one), Bolden (one), Cooks (one), Andrew Hawkins (one) and Amendola (one).

Jacoby Brissett completed 22 of 33 passes in team drills, including 11 of 17 in 11-on-11s, but worked exclusively with the backups. He completed passes to Austin Carr (six), Jacob Hollister (four), DeAndrew White (three), Foster (two, LeShun Daniels (two), Sam Cotton (one), Cody Hollister (one), James White (one), Burkhead (one) and O’Shaughnessy (one).

The defense accounted for 11 pass breakups, including Van Noy’s pick. Dwayne Thomas had two, and there was one each for Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe, Justin Coleman, Kony Ealy (zone drop), D.J. Killings, Damarius Travis and Josh Augusta (batted at the line).

Cyrus Jones had another strong day as a punt returner. He had a clean performance with every opportunity, steered clear of a wobbly punt and allowed another to roll into the end zone for a touchback. Good decisions and execution all around. Defensively, he remained with the backups, as Coleman and Jonathan Jones were ahead of him in this practice.