Official Minicamp Day 3 Discussion

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/PatsBlog/archives/2007/06/minicamp_day_3.html

Manza-Young's blog highlights:

- Stretching and agility drills, watching from the sidelines until doing the wind sprints the rest of the starters toward the end of the session.

- Maroney was throwing the ball around with Kevin Faulk, but he was using his left arm to throw and not testing his surgically-repaired right shoulder.

- Wes Welker continues to impress.

- Ellis Hobbs picked off Tom Brady in 7-on-7 drills...in red-zone work, Junior Seau tipped a ball out of bounds that Brady had thrown.

- Mills nice catch and Kyle Brady is huge.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/06/practice_look_1.html

Reiss:

- At the end of practice, in 11 on 11 work, Brady found Gaffney down the left side for a long completion, with Larry Anam in coverage and Rashad Baker coming over from safety to help.

- Tight end Garrett Mills made a tough grab in 7 on 7 work in the red zone. Linebacker Tedy Bruschi appeared to have excellent coverage, but Mills still managed to haul in a zipped in pass from Matt Cassel. [Culpepper who?]

- The bulk of special teams work focused on kickoff coverage.

- Receivers Jabar Gaffney and Kelley Washington; tight ends Kyle Brady and Benjamin Watson; linebackers Rosevelt Colvin, Larry Izzo and Oscar Lua; punter Josh Miller; and running back Justise Hairston were a few of the players conducting interviews.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/06/5_from_camp_3.html

Reiss' closing 5:
- Mills is going to be a player to watch when the pads come on, potentially in a Larry Centers-like role.
- While the Patriots will likely miss Corey Dillon’s hard-charging running, specifically at the goal-line, it looks like Morris is going to provide a more diverse set of skills at that roster spot.
- Attempting to blitz, linebacker Junior Seau crossed the line of scrimmage before the ball was snapped, so he took a lap around the practice field.
- Cornerback Mike Richardson...had a tough task in 11 on 11 drills, often lining up across from receiver Randy Moss. He held his own. Since it’s only June and players aren’t wearing pads, it is difficult to make any definitive statements about any young players, but Richardson –- at the very least –- did not look out of place.
- ...when some of the more established players on the roster are running sprints –- many of the team’s younger players head to the opposite field and run plays in a structured setting.

 

[Pats726]

To expand on the running back point, he said that he doesn't think they have anyone outside of Maroney who can carry the load full time. He said keep an eye on Chris Brown because he is still out there and would probably fit the bill.

He also said that in mini camp Sammy Morris was being used a lot like Faulk as receiver and he looked very smooth.

Looks like the coop is Browb CHRIS is headed back to Tennessee....

 

[spacecrime]

Looks like the coop is Browb CHRIS is headed back to Tennessee....

Am I missing something here????

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I think he meant to type :

Looks like the scoop is Chris Brown is headed back to Tennessee....

 

[psychoPat]

- .... linebackers ...Oscar Lua; ... and running back Justise Hairston were a few of the players conducting interviews.

Huh?
Shouldn't they be seen but not heard?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Huh?
Shouldn't they be seen but not heard?

The Pats are taking more risks now haven't you heard? What with signing those arch criminals to the team and bringing in wheelchair bound LBs.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Guregian...
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1005232

Forget having players with so-called character issues. Think Bill Belichick would want anyone fitting the following description on his team?

Here’s what Gil Brandt, Sirius radio host and former Dallas personnel guru, had to say about Wes Welker on his show in April: “Wes Welker is a good football player . . . but you’re not going to win championships with that kind of player.”
-----
Welker is 5-foot-9, 185 pounds. So obviously, he doesn’t have all-world height like Randy Moss, nor does he have game-breaking speed like Moss or Donte’ Stallworth.

But when you watch Welker play or practice, he almost always stands out.

He’s a lot like Troy Brown [stats]: He makes plays, makes things happen. He does the things that win games. He does so much on the field, from catching passes to returning punts and kicks. He can also punt and kick field goals in a pinch.

If you talk to any of Welker’s teammates, they believe you do win championships with the Wes Welkers of the world.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Guregian...
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1005231

“This was definitely the only team I would come back to for many reasons,” the 38-year-old linebacker said following the second day of minicamp yesterday.

“This is a veteran group. The scheme you have here, it’s something you have to know, feel and be able to react to quickly.

“Having a year under my belt just made me want to come back even more.”
-----
Seau found playing in New England much to his liking.

“It’s one of the best atmospheres to play under,” he said. “The microscope’s on you No. 1. You have a great opportunity. You always have a chance. And you have hard workers in that locker room. It all adds up.

“But obviously, we’re still early in the season. Hopefully, when we get to September, we can answer some questions.”
-----
Seau is no different than anyone else; he feels the excitement about this team.

“Great players give you a chance. There’s always a chance when you have great players,” he said. “The chemistry and what you build from January on, in all the minicamps and summer schools you have, is something that will evolve during the season. If you’re able to stay healthy and grab onto that chemistry, you might have something special.”

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Tomase...
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1005234

The most burst he showed came at the end of practice when he sprinted to the locker room and eluded the media. Regardless, some Maroney is better than no Maroney, and his appearance, even if largely for show, suggests he’s on the right track as he rehabs his shoulder.

“He’s recovering from surgery and doing the things he needs to do to get back in shape and play with us,” said fellow running back Sammy Morris. “He’s a good guy. He works hard.”
-----
Morris harbors no illusions of starting, barring an injury to Maroney. He compared styles.

“Laurence is more of an elusive guy,” he said. “Whereas when he’s trying to make moves, I’m more prone to lower the shoulder and bowl somebody over. We have good attributes that complement each other.”
-----
Good luck to opposing offensive lines when pass rushers Rosevelt Colvin and Adalius Thomas line up alongside each other, as they did at times yesterday.
-----
One of the prettiest plays belonged to wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, who split Ellis Hobbs and Eugene Wilson to haul in a Tom Brady bomb along the sideline.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Brown...
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/SPORTS/706070403

Your new high-performance receiver is a refurbished model with two previous owners. The receiver may contain toxic materials. Please limit exposure to media and failure. Results are not guaranteed by the Oakland Raiders. No refunds or exchanges, please enjoy your new receiver responsibly.

The most complicated appliance on Bill Belichick's upgraded utility belt, Randy Moss is making it clear that all the parts came in the box when the Raiders shipped him to Foxboro in April for a fourth-round draft pick. Always a double threat — boasting the talent to threaten your team and the attitude to damage his — Moss wasn't making promises of a new, controversy-free Randy when he greeted the New England media.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Ulman...
http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2007/06/07/ap/sports/football/d8pk7rug1.txt

Barely seven months later, he completed the three-day minicamp with New England on Thursday with few apparent restrictions. He chased ball carriers, covered receivers and shared the knowledge he has gained in his 17 NFL seasons with younger players.

"The arm is great," Seau said. "I have a cast on it. We're going to protect it as much as possible and we're just going to roll the dice. It's football."

Seau retired once already. But that lasted just four days before he signed with the Patriots last Aug. 18.

"When a championship team calls, you've definitely got to answer the call and definitely look into it," he said then.
-----
A conversation with coach Bill Belichick, he joked, convinced him the team wanted him back.

"Belichick called up and said he loved me," Seau said.
-----
Seau encourages and teaches him.

"It's surreal to be able to play with him," said Lua, a longshot to make a linebacker group filled with outstanding veterans.
-----
He showed he could curtail his roving style to fit in with the Patriots more structured defense.



"I didn't come to prove anything. I just wanted to come help a team win," Seau said.

His attitude seems the same even though he may get less playing time since the addition of Thomas gives the Patriots four other accomplished, experienced linebackers.

Still, he said the Patriots were the only team he would come back to play for.

"It's a veteran group and the scheme you have here is definitely something that you have to know, feel and be able to react to quickly," he said. "Having a year under my belt just makes me want to come back even more."
-----
"You never know what can happen in between times,." Seau said. "I'm in my 18th year and the only way you get there is just playing it day-by-day, play-by-play, and that's what I do."

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Longo...
http://www.eagletribune.com/pusports/local_story_158093835?keyword=secondarystory

Pencil Moss in for Pro Bowl now

One hundred catches, 1,250 yards and 14 touchdowns. All in 2007. All by new Patriot Randy Moss.

Watching Moss once in practice, without pads, and you'd be convinced, too.

The big "stud" receiver galloped, or at least cantered, through yesterday's full minicamp session and shined well above his mates.

He caught everything, high, low, inside and out, short and long. Moss didn't walk, whine or pout.
-----
Veteran safety Rodney Harrison, back from shoulder and knee injuries a year ago, appeared remarkably fluid in his movement in the secondary and actually had Moss lined up on a completion over the middle. ...

Safety Rashad Baker had an active morning, actually muscling some of the younger receivers around in 7-on-7 work. ...

Don't get too excited folks, this reporter resides with Borges on http://www.bostonsportsmedia.com/'s ticker of punditry gone horribly off track.

 

[zippo59]

For the most part, things are looking good in mini camp.

 

[psychoPat]

Now i know how Pavlov's dogs felt
when he rang their bell.

Salivate.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Looks like the coop is Browb CHRIS is headed back to Tennessee....

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/SPORTS01/706060453/1027/RSS0201

Because of the uncertainty with running backs LenDale White and rookie Chris Henry, there are indications Brown could eventually re-sign with the Titans, something he said he'd be excited about. Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said on Tuesday the two sides must first clear a hurdle in negotiations.

"We would still like him back, and I think deep down he would still like to be back here,'' Reinfeldt said. "It is probably fair to say we both think this would be a good match, but the compensation is still the issue.''
-----
It's left the door open for Brown in Tennessee, although agent Wynn Silberman said teams like the Bears, Colts, Patriots and Packers also remain as possible landing spots. Brown met face-to-face with Titans Coach Jeff Fisher last month.

 

[jczxohn1]

So Moss turned and walked off when Banks decided to insult him. Big Whoop.
Good for Moss.

 

[Va_Pats_Fan]

Does anyone else feel that Washington may be the odd man out on the WR corps? Seems Jabbar and Caldwell are stepping up.

Caldwell challenged Moss to a friendly race

 

[patpatriot]

I thought that I read someplace that Washington was a very good gunner on special teams. That might factor into the decision.