Casale 8/2/07 AM notes

[pats1]

http://www.patriots.com/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=26604&pcid=44&special_section=tc2007

8/2/07
Thursday morning camp notes
Tom Casale, Patriots Football Weekly

It was a special practice as the Patriots spent the morning working primaily on special teams, before the players were excused 45 minutes early by Bill Belichcik.

...

Who’s hot: Willie Andrews – Andrews has been getting a lot of reps at safety but that’s not why he’s hot. The second-year defensive back is a demon on special teams. He’s by far and away the Patriots best gunner and has flashed potential as a return man. Whether Andrews contributes in the secondary or not this year, he has the look of a guy who could become one of the best special team aces in the NFL, much like Larry Izzo has been for the bulk of his 12-year career.

Who’s not: Donte’ Stallworth – No one on the field this morning warrants a place here so I’ll go with Stallworth. With every passing day, Stallworth loses more and more reps with Tom Brady and falls further behind. He’ll still have his blazing speed when he returns but how comfortable will Stallworth be in the Patriots offense? As Stallworth sits, Jabar Gaffney continues to shine and improves his chances of being one of the Patriots opening day starters at receiver.

Play of practice: Not much action this morning but Gemara Williams had a nice kickoff return.
Williams took the return up the middle and excelled past a cluster of defenders. Other than that, the highlight of the morning was Gostkowski connecting on all his field goal attempts.

Camp Notes
With David Thomas, Kyle Brady and Garrett Mills not being able to practice, Matt Kranchick continues his heavy workload at tight end. Currently, Kranchick and Benjamin Watson are the only two tight ends practicing with the team…Mel Mitchell is showing no ill effects of his year off. After missing all of 2006 with a bicep injury, Mitchell looked smooth in the defensive back drills, displaying fluid hips and quick feet…Robert and Jonathan Kraft showed up at practice. The fans yelled over to Robert Kraft and he responded by waving over to the crowd, much to their delight…For the third day in a row, the NFL officials were on hand to monitor practice…Friday’s practice schedule has been changed. Practice was supposed to be from 9:30-11:00 but has been switched to 10:30-12:00 for those headed over to Gillette Stadium.

 

[PonyExpress]

So many young players are showing progress. It belies the idea, held in some quarters where Patriotology is not an exact science, that the team is aging and going for broke. In fact we see a young generation of players developing. The environment they have been placed in, surrounded by so many all-time greats, provides fertile ground for their growth.

-I believe Hobbs can be a #1 CB. Some reports indicate he is making that leap this TC.

-Sanders appears to have quality starting ability at SS.

-Woods is still an on-field unknown, but has done absolutely everything right since he signed with the team.

-Mankins is the best guard in the NFL, and will soon be recognized as such.

-Maroney has all world talent.

-Chad Jackson seems to be healing well from his injury, and I still have high hopes for him.

-Andrews appears to be in the royal line of succession from special teams King Izzo.

-Mike Wright has become among the best backup DL in the NFL. If he were playing for Buffalo he would be starting and a fan favorite.

-O'Callaghan showed promise last season of being a mauler.

-D. Thomas has the talent to be a starter, provided his body heals.

Other than the Randy Moss hamstring pull, this TC could not be going better. Anyone read the story of Jason and Argonauts? He sewed the field with dragon's teeth and out of the turf grew an army. BB's doing the same thing in Foxboro!

 

[italia44]

So many young players are showing progress. It belies the idea, held in some quarters where Patriotology is not an exact science, that the team is aging and going for broke. In fact we see a young generation of players developing. The environment they have been placed in, surrounded by so many all-time greats, provides fertile ground for their growth.

-I believe Hobbs can be a #1 CB. Some reports indicate he is making that leap this TC.

-Sanders appears to have quality starting ability at SS.

-Woods is still an on-field unknown, but has done absolutely everything right since he signed with the team.

-Mankins is the best guard in the NFL, and will soon be recognized as such.

-Maroney has all world talent.

-Chad Jackson seems to be healing well from his injury, and I still have high hopes for him.

-Andrews appears to be in the royal line of succession from special teams King Izzo.

-Mike Wright has become among the best backup DL in the NFL. If he were playing for Buffalo he would be starting and a fan favorite.

-O'Callaghan showed promise last season of being a mauler.

-D. Thomas has the talent to be a starter, provided his body heals.

Other than the Randy Moss hamstring pull, this TC could not be going better. Anyone read the story of Jason and Argonauts? He sewed the field with dragon's teeth and out of the turf grew an army. BB's doing the same thing in Foxboro!

Great post...BB and the Argonauts?

Love it...

Hobbs returning kicks looks like Dante Hall.

Always will remember Wright running down those two returners, last year.

Both have big-time motors.

Andrews is a young Larry Whigham at twice the speed.

Can't wait...

 

[Seymour93]

What's wrong with Kyle Brady?

 

[363839]

What's wrong with Kyle Brady?

No one here knows. BB won't tell us. Imagine that.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

What's wrong with Kyle Brady?

Nothing reported, but we can presume his presence at the light practice shortly after his injury suggests they're just coddling the old man.

 

[RayClay]

Tom Casale, Patriots Football Weekly

Who’s hot: Willie Andrews

Whether Andrews contributes in the secondary or not this year, he has the look of a guy who could become one of the best special team aces in the NFL, much like Larry Izzo has been for the bulk of his 12-year career

This is why i don't take Casale too seriously.

Why not just say he looks good as a gunner?

Sure, if he leads the team in tackles almost every year, goes to 3 Pro Bowls and plays 12 years as a special teamer, I guess that would be true.

Of course he needs to make the team first.:bricks:

 

[patriot lifer]

What's wrong with Kyle Brady?

He's filling in for Atlas, holding up the Earth while the Titan takes a break.