6/7/12 Final OTA before mini camp reports

[mayoclinic]

The pieces are truly in place for this defense.

It made strides last season. And it was close. It couldn't get off the field at all in the SB - but we've addressed that aggressively in the offseason, specifically the draft.

If that issue is tightened up, watch out. If this defense can get off the field and give THIS offense more possessions...I don't even want to let myself think about how dominant this team could be for fear of jinxing the health of their best players or some other jinxy fate.

Reading between the lines from some of the reports over the past few weeks:

1. Greg Bedard writes that Trevor Scott "continues to be impressive". Rob Ninkovitch gets extensive time at DE. Jermaine Cunningham gets extensive time. Andre Carter is seen in Foxboro. And Markell Carter is unexpectedly released. Add in the rookies (Jones and Bequette) and it sounds like there is going to be some interesting versatility at the DE position.

2. Bedard rights that Dont'a Hightower's role seemed to be expanding, and that he looked faster and more comfortable. Field Yates writes that Bobby Carpenter is getting time with the first team unit. And Rob Ninkovich has been getting more time at the DE position. Some interesting story lines for the LB group in addition to Mayo and Spikes.

3. Numerous reports that the secondary looks much improved, with reports singling out newcomers Tavon Wilson, Alfonzo Dennard, Steven Gregory and Marquice Coles, as well as reports about Will Allen showing CB/S versatility and nice reports on Kyle Arrington and Sterling Moore.

It's early days yet, but this certainly is the most interesting defensive unit I can remember going into June mini-camp. There's a lot of moving parts, and a lot of potential. But it's still very early.

 

[mayoclinic]

NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal jumps on the bandwagon about how the Pats are more efficient than other teams at dealing with personnel failures:

Every team makes personnel mistakes, especially when acquiring aging veterans. The New England Patriots are no exception. (Some would argue that Bill Belichick has actually made more free agency mistakes than most of late.)

No team, however, survives mistakes quite like the Pats.

Bill Belichick expert at covering up personnel mistakes - NFL.com

I'm not quite sure what Rosenthal means in terms of "covering up" personnel mistakes. The Pats don't hand jobs to players, so playing time has to be earned. And the Pats cut losses relatively quickly and move on. So I would say, in keeping with the theme of this thread, that the Pats operate in a way that exerts "damage control" and limits the cost and impact of personnel mistakes. But they don't cover them up in any way that I can see. Far from it, they admit it and move on.

 

[Deus Irae]

People are getting a bit taken in by the underwear camps.

 

[mayoclinic]

Oops, the last post was meant to be posted elsewhere. My bad. Ignore.