Could there be a more important 2006 "surprise"

[patsox23]

...than Jeremy Mincey?

If this kid can come in and be one of those out-of-nowhere success stories and claim a legit spot in the LB rotation - with a clear path toward starting in 2007 - that would be huge. Given the dearth of young, proven talent in the LB corps, I can't conceive of a bigger PLUS for the Patriots as they move into the future and turn the roster over. One could point to...

Maroney - since Corey isn't getting any younger...

Jackson - the WR depth chart is notably thin...

James Sanders - we still don't have a true STUD in the secondary besides Rodney. Geno could still be, but last year was a let-down.

IMO, this team needs - more than anything - to develop genuine playmaking STUDS at LB. At some point we have to find replacements for Tedy, Vrabel and Colvin. (Yes, I know Vrabel and Colvin aren't that old, but still.)

So...thoughts? Is there anything - at least mildly in the realm of possibility - that could happen that would be better for the long-term health of the roster than for Jeremy Mincey (or Claridge or Roach, I suppose) to surprise everyone with an under-the-radar surge beginning RIGHT NOW?

 

[patsox23]

I say again...THOUGHTS?

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Mincey is a good choice. Mine would be Roach, who's even less likely to be a surprise. But as my optimal situation would be to keep Vrabel outside it would be even better to me. All we need is an ILB who can do what TJ used to do and we will have enough options for the 4th "LB" on passing downs.

The other choice for me would be if Chad Jackson is the rare rookie WR who's ready to come in and look like a veteran. It would be a "surprise" but he's more talented than Givens and the offense could be scary if he's NFL ready now.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

My turn to bump.

BUMP.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

...than Jeremy Mincey?

If this kid can come in and be one of those out-of-nowhere success stories and claim a legit spot in the LB rotation - with a clear path toward starting in 2007 - that would be huge. Given the dearth of young, proven talent in the LB corps, I can't conceive of a bigger PLUS for the Patriots as they move into the future and turn the roster over. One could point to...

Maroney - since Corey isn't getting any younger...

Jackson - the WR depth chart is notably thin...

James Sanders - we still don't have a true STUD in the secondary besides Rodney. Geno could still be, but last year was a let-down.

IMO, this team needs - more than anything - to develop genuine playmaking STUDS at LB. At some point we have to find replacements for Tedy, Vrabel and Colvin. (Yes, I know Vrabel and Colvin aren't that old, but still.)

So...thoughts? Is there anything - at least mildly in the realm of possibility - that could happen that would be better for the long-term health of the roster than for Jeremy Mincey (or Claridge or Roach, I suppose) to surprise everyone with an under-the-radar surge beginning RIGHT NOW?

Mincey - in 2 to 3 years maybe, not this year.

Maroney and Jackson will makes some contributions, but will likely not have a breakout year in their rookie season.

Sanders is a tough call. There are so many young guys in the defensive backfield that any one of them could emerge as a stud this year.

My vote goes to Tully Banta-Cain. He has had the time necessary to develop as a replacement for McGinest and I think he is ready. Mincey needs that same amount of time to learn the defense... he is not ready.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I guess my most accurate answer to this would be if the light turned on for Jonathan Sullivan. Only 3 years removed from the #6 pick in the draft. If a surprise happened and he showed the talent that got him drafted that high, our DL rotation would be extra sick and Vince would get some rest that could really help him.

 

[TeamPats]

My vote is for Grabowski. How about a seamless transition for all the nay-sayers. Let's be honest, AV was on a permanent pedestal after the AFC Div/SB of 2001 (FWIW completely and utterly justified pedestal). Our kickoff game was struggling and we could no longer kick FG's over 40 yards. I think this kid has guts and I think he will be the biggest "surprise".

 

[14thDragon]

If Gostowski can get it from the first kick, that would be the important surprise.

Who amonst us wouldn't love to see him make some big kicks in the tough spots and then be able to go back to the naysayers who have done nothing but complain that we lost AV and predict doom, and say to them, we lost a KICKER.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

AMEN ON 'THE KICKER'! For a guy who gets paid to play 8 snaps a game, mainly non-contact, Adam has certainally become a rock star in New England. I give him the most props for 2001, after which he has been somewhere between inconsistent and awful.

I would love for Mincey to be a big deal, but look at his stats. About 23 stats at DE and like 3 sacks?????? Tully Cain set a college record with like 24 sacks in a year, or something. And Tully can't find the field these days. I view Mincey as an overrated project right now, I wish I could say he seems to be a stud, but look at the numbers! Freddie Roach may just be underrated, however. He could be the next Brian Cox ( A huge, slow linebacker taken in the fifth round, and the rest is history). His college coaches claim he was fast on the field as anyone, and he could potentially fill the Ted Johnson role, or at least push Ryan Claridge.

Wish I could be more upbeat on Mincey, but low production in 23 starts!

 

[patchick]

Interesting that more people are pointing to Roach, a rookie UDFA, than Ryan Claridge, a "redshirt" 5th rounder. I'll make Claridge my bet for a surprise contributor who lets Vrabel settle in at OLB.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

Patchick:

You are correct that Claridge would seem to be primed for a solid year, but I am not sure because the only info I have is that he rehabbed at Las Vegas last year instead of with the team, and before that, Felger or someone said that he looked lost in camp drills. I don't have any other info on him at all. Roach will compete with Claridge to make the team, which may bring out the best in both players.

If you know anything about Claridge, I'd like to hear it, because I'm kind of clueless about him right now....