Gabe's first day stories

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/sports/gabrielto5.htm

 

[Brownfan80]

I mentioned in another thread about Caldwell that playing with Brady may encite some nerves in new WRs:

''When I first saw him I had a big smile, like should I speak to him? Should I say something to him?'' Gabriel said yesterday. ''I just sat there and I didn't want to say anything.''

Hopefully Gabe's nerves fall away on the field.

 

[Brownfan80]

Oh, and good read, btw. Thanks for posting.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Felger's take...

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=155956

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Parente's piece...

http://www.bristolpress.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17150785&BRD=1643&PAG=461&dept_id=464194&rfi=6

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Shalise Manza Young...

http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/projo_20060905_05pats.31edfbb.html

About two-thirds of the way through yesterday's open locker room session for the media, Patriots' executive director of media relations Stacey James came through the doors on the south end of the room, Doug Gabriel trailing behind.
At first, Gabriel had the confident walk of most professional athletes, but as he watched a massive cluster of media types -- notebooks, microphones and cameras at the ready -- congregate in front of his locker, he slowed a bit.
Welcome to town, Doug.
It took him a minute to warm up, but once he did, Gabriel admitted to a being a bit hesitant to approach his new quarterback, Tom Brady, when he first saw him, and talked about his friendship with new/old teammate Asante Samuel.
-----
But once the realization of where he was going set in, "it was just smiles. Going to a team that's a dynasty; you've got to smile about that."

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Al Greenberg's version...

http://www.courant.com/sports/footb...05,0,5415710.story?coll=hc-headlines-patriots

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

And Mike Reiss...here to irritate It's Ronnie B.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2006/09/05/not_relying_on_old_hands/

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Carrucci thinking (sort of) out loud...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9639939

I normally have low expectations from players who join NFL teams within a week or so of the start of the regular season. I assume, by their mere availability, they have minimal value or at least are flawed enough to be little more than stop-gap acquisitions. However, three recent trade acquisitions have caused me to revise my opinion. One is the Patriots' getting receiver Doug Gabriel from the Oakland Raiders. He is a big (6-2, 215 pounds), fast playmaker, and a quick study who should have little problem rapidly developing a rapport with quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots couldn't have done much better for a replacement for Deion Branch, who looks to be holding out for the long haul.

 

[Christopher_Price]

Hey guys ... not to blow my own horn here, but here's my story on Gabriel's first day with the Patriots:

http://boston.metro.us/metro/sports/article/Gabriel_ready_to_work/4288.html

Thanks,
Chris

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I love the Gabriel pickup, if only in terms of attitude. Don't get me wrong -- thus far, he looks like a guy that was stuck behind a rising star and an icon on the depth chart. I don't underestimate his upside.

But even if we end up with halved production at wideout, increased production from backfield pass-catchers, and a huge role for the TEs, together with more emphasis on the run -- in other words, even if Gabriel plays to expectations but not beyond them -- having a guy appreciate what's been built in New England is downright refreshing.

Hope Deion feels that way about the Ottawa Roughriders, or wherever his next stop is in his career.

PFnV

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Hey guys ... not to blow my own horn here, but here's my story on Gabriel's first day with the Patriots:

http://boston.metro.us/metro/sports/article/Gabriel_ready_to_work/4288.html

Thanks,
Chris

Good read Chris, keep blowing your horn and posting those links!!!

 

[Christopher_Price]

I love the Gabriel pickup, if only in terms of attitude. Don't get me wrong -- thus far, he looks like a guy that was stuck behind a rising star and an icon on the depth chart. I don't underestimate his upside.

But even if we end up with halved production at wideout, increased production from backfield pass-catchers, and a huge role for the TEs, together with more emphasis on the run -- in other words, even if Gabriel plays to expectations but not beyond them -- having a guy appreciate what's been built in New England is downright refreshing.

Hope Deion feels that way about the Ottawa Roughriders, or wherever his next stop is in his career.

PFnV

Everyone,

FWIW, I have corresponded with many Raiders fans over the last week or so about Gabriel (I posted the link to his Q+A here on an Oakland messageboard), and EVERY ONE OF THEM had something positive to say about Gabriel. Great guy, good hands, great presence in the locker room, etc., etc. They loved him, and can't understand why the Raiders would give up on him--especially at the expense of Jerry Porter--for a fifth-round pick.

http://www.raiderfans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=79444

Just thought I'd throw that in there.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[RayClay]

Guess I'll throw this in.

If you haven't checked the latest video on patriots.com, you should.

Clips of both new receivers and a classic wiff by Beisel are the highlights.

http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/index.cfm?ac=VideoNewsdetail&pid=20908&pcid=111

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Chris, I'm just trying not to get too psyched until I see production, in Pats navy blue/silver... but between your blog and the facts as we know them about Gabriel, it's hard not to get irrational exuberance. Part of that is probably knowing there's a looming issue, and seeing it addressed (like my feeling on the Seau pickup.)

Also loved that video Ray... among other things it taps you on the shoulder and reminds you (with all these FA pickups) that oh yeah, almost forgot, Rodney probably starts in game 1.

PFnV

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Everyone,

FWIW, I have corresponded with many Raiders fans over the last week or so about Gabriel (I posted the link to his Q+A here on an Oakland messageboard), and EVERY ONE OF THEM had something positive to say about Gabriel. Great guy, good hands, great presence in the locker room, etc., etc. They loved him, and can't understand why the Raiders would give up on him--especially at the expense of Jerry Porter--for a fifth-round pick.

http://www.raiderfans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=79444

Just thought I'd throw that in there.

Thanks,
Chris

Bump! Way to extract some more positive feedback on the Gabriel trade. You rock Chris!