Patriots Training Camp Day 11 (@ Philadelphia)

[ivanvamp]

I just want to say that I realize this is only training camp, where hope springs eternal, but my goodness, it's difficult to not get excited about this group of young receivers. We'll see what happens once real games come, but I'm very, very optimistic.

 

[condon84]

I know BB loves versatility. What do you guys think about dropping Wang down into the slot? Might be a good fit.

Wang's too big in the slot. Possibly fit in tight end, but might still be too big.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I keep thinking I'm seeing Ocho out there when I see 85.

Why are we "retiring" the APerps jersey number ? On the other hand he did make the Infamous Hall of Fame.

PS: Did you know that every Patriot who was elected to the Canton Hall of Fame has had his number retired, except one. Who is it, and what was his number? Did you ever wonder why?

 

[jmt57]

Some final viewpoints on Wednesday's practice from Philly writer Jeff McLane:

McLane's Eagles-Patriots Day 2 practice observations | Philly.com

-- While Kelly doesn’t cast as imposing a figure as Andy Reid, there is no denying who’s running the show when the Eagles practice. Kelly, like Bill Belichick, just has that presence about him. But after watching dozens of Kelly’s practices up to this point, it is clear that he has very little to do with the defensive side of the ball. He is certainly involved when meetings are held and film is watched, but Kelly spends most of his time with the offense and special teams. During team drills Wednesday, both Kelly and Belichick lined up behind their offenses as plays unfolded. But when their respective defenses were on the field, Belichick was only one of the two to intently watch his unit. During one set of plays, Kelly was all the way down at the other end of the field talking with Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Kelly said from the get-go that he allows his defensive coordinators to be autonomous. His practice involvement – or non-involvement – just further illustrates that Bill Davis is the de facto leader on defense.


-- I spent most of Wednesday focusing on the quarterbacks on offense, but I did spend one period just watching center Jason Kelce against Wilfork. It wasn’t much of a competition on the plays I watched. To be fair, Kelce is still working himself back into shape and Wilfork is a stud. On one play, Foles handed off to running back Chris Polk, but he ran right into Big 75 after he tossed Kelce aside.


-- You’re probably sick of hearing all the Brady love from Eagles beat reporters, but we just don’t get to watch one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game up close very often. He once again carved up the Eagles secondary. It’s no secret that will be a weak point for the Birds defense. Cornerback Cary Williams left early again with a hamstring injury, so the first team secondary was down a man. Still, it was sometimes brutal to watch. Curtis Marsh was with the second unit and was abused by Brady and rookie receivers Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins. Brady took turns beating Marsh deep and then underneath after he had the cornerback playing soft. Marsh was called for holding on Dobson at one point and he gave up the play of the day when he and safety Nate Allen were out-jumped by Dobson as he twisted and caught a Brady jump ball pass. Marsh did have one breakup.


-- Boykin has had a strong camp, but I wonder if his stats were padded somewhat by going against Eagles quarterbacks and receivers. He hasn’t looked as strong the last two days, especially on the outside. Brady took advantage of the height differential between the 5-foot-9 Boykin and the 6-3 Dobson when the receiver caught a 20-yard pass over the corner.


-- You may have asked where Patrick Chung was. He was used a lot in the nickel when the Eagles went with a three-safety look and he played in the slot. From what I can tell, that package seems to be working and is designed to combat multiple-tight end formations.
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