Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Thanks for the Support....
This blog has been 'picked up' by Fox Sports, Scouts Inc and MSN to be on their Patriots Insider website. I don't think it will effect you, except that (hopefully) there will be more comments on my posts. There also may be a small change in the format, but I'm still working on that. Thanks for reading, I'll continue to give you all of got!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
On Rookie Camp and Maroney...
Saturday observations from Mike Reiss of the Globe:
* Receiver Chad Jackson made a positive first impression, catching everything thrown his way and making a few difficult grabs on high-thrown balls and one over the middle. Forced to pick one player who stood out from this practice, the answer would be Jackson.
* Players wore shorts, jerseys (no pads) and helmets for the indoor practice.
* There was a lot of work on pass-catching and running back Laurence Maroney and tight end David Thomas were consistent in hauling in throws from Corey Bramlet (the only QB in camp). Thomas made one very nice grab on a long crossing route, and Maroney outran outside linebacker Jeremy Mincey to snare a long touchdown toss.
* Tight end Garrett Mills wasn’t as consistent, with a few tough passes bouncing off his hands.
* Kicker Steve Gostkowski showed solid leg strength while booting kickoffs. He consistently was kicking the ball from one end zone to the other end zone in the 80-yard practice bubble.
* It was difficult to gauge the speed of all the players, but Maroney, Jackson and Thomas all gained separation when needed, and looked the part. Maroney looks fast.
AND Reiss' Sunday observations:
* Head coach Bill Belichick spent some early time with the outside linebackers -- Jeremy Mincey and Pierre Woods -- giving them one-on-one instruction as the team was broken into drills specific by position.
* Players wore shorts, jerseys and helmets (no pads).
* With heavy rains in the area, the workout was held inside at the Dana Farber Fieldhouse.
* Laurence Maroney, Chad Jackson and David Thomas, the team’s top three draft picks, continue to snare most every catchable ball thrown their way. Jackson, specifically, seems to catch balls away from his body with fine form.
* Defensive back Vernell Brown (free agent) intercepted a pass thrown late and behind Chad Jackson in passing drills. Cornerback Willie Andrews (7th round) had a nice pass breakup on Jackson along the sideline, closing fast as the ball was thrown a bit late.
* Tight ends David Thomas and Garrett Mills worked on long snapping in a punt drill. Thomas seemed a bit more polished with the skill. Mills had a nice catch across the middle in passing drills later in the practice, as the ball arrived as he cut.
* Dan Stevenson, the sixth-round pick who primarily played right guard at Notre Dame, got some work in at center.
* Corey Bramlet remains the lone quarterback in camp.
* Rookie free agent receiver Matt Shelton had a few drops in positional work. Fellow rookie free agent Erik Davis had one drop, but also made some nice catches.
The Felger article is the one that excites me the most:
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=139214
And lastly, Laurence Maroney who is wearing #39. I was told to check him out on a website called youtube, some guy put together a Maroney video.
Watch it. If you can't spend the entire 4 minutes, make sure you at least fast forward to 1:25 and watch that play but most iportantly, watch the play at 2:20. Speed, Vision, WOW!!! (The guy that put it together set it to some movie music, and it gives you goose bumps when you watch the 2:20 highlite because the music all kicks in - nice!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwBbBY0tf6E&search=new%20england%20patriots
Tell your friends you heard it here!
* Receiver Chad Jackson made a positive first impression, catching everything thrown his way and making a few difficult grabs on high-thrown balls and one over the middle. Forced to pick one player who stood out from this practice, the answer would be Jackson.
* Players wore shorts, jerseys (no pads) and helmets for the indoor practice.
* There was a lot of work on pass-catching and running back Laurence Maroney and tight end David Thomas were consistent in hauling in throws from Corey Bramlet (the only QB in camp). Thomas made one very nice grab on a long crossing route, and Maroney outran outside linebacker Jeremy Mincey to snare a long touchdown toss.
* Tight end Garrett Mills wasn’t as consistent, with a few tough passes bouncing off his hands.
* Kicker Steve Gostkowski showed solid leg strength while booting kickoffs. He consistently was kicking the ball from one end zone to the other end zone in the 80-yard practice bubble.
* It was difficult to gauge the speed of all the players, but Maroney, Jackson and Thomas all gained separation when needed, and looked the part. Maroney looks fast.
AND Reiss' Sunday observations:
* Head coach Bill Belichick spent some early time with the outside linebackers -- Jeremy Mincey and Pierre Woods -- giving them one-on-one instruction as the team was broken into drills specific by position.
* Players wore shorts, jerseys and helmets (no pads).
* With heavy rains in the area, the workout was held inside at the Dana Farber Fieldhouse.
* Laurence Maroney, Chad Jackson and David Thomas, the team’s top three draft picks, continue to snare most every catchable ball thrown their way. Jackson, specifically, seems to catch balls away from his body with fine form.
* Defensive back Vernell Brown (free agent) intercepted a pass thrown late and behind Chad Jackson in passing drills. Cornerback Willie Andrews (7th round) had a nice pass breakup on Jackson along the sideline, closing fast as the ball was thrown a bit late.
* Tight ends David Thomas and Garrett Mills worked on long snapping in a punt drill. Thomas seemed a bit more polished with the skill. Mills had a nice catch across the middle in passing drills later in the practice, as the ball arrived as he cut.
* Dan Stevenson, the sixth-round pick who primarily played right guard at Notre Dame, got some work in at center.
* Corey Bramlet remains the lone quarterback in camp.
* Rookie free agent receiver Matt Shelton had a few drops in positional work. Fellow rookie free agent Erik Davis had one drop, but also made some nice catches.
The Felger article is the one that excites me the most:
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=139214
And lastly, Laurence Maroney who is wearing #39. I was told to check him out on a website called youtube, some guy put together a Maroney video.
Watch it. If you can't spend the entire 4 minutes, make sure you at least fast forward to 1:25 and watch that play but most iportantly, watch the play at 2:20. Speed, Vision, WOW!!! (The guy that put it together set it to some movie music, and it gives you goose bumps when you watch the 2:20 highlite because the music all kicks in - nice!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwBbBY0tf6E&search=new%20england%20patriots
Tell your friends you heard it here!
2006 Draft - Day Two (finally)
As you know, I try to do my best not to let my emotions get the best of me and when I write this blog, I try to be as objective as possible. However, the more I read about the players the Pats have collected from this years' draft, I can't help but get excited about them.
Round 4 Garrett Mills, TE from Tulsa
Why in the world would the Pats take yet another TE after selecting a TE in round 3 when they really don't need a TE? Here's all you need to know to understand why: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sportsNews/view.bg?articleid=129061
Round 4 Stephen Gostkowski K, Memphis
The numbers on Gostkowski are impressive. 22-25 field goals including all 10 attempted from over 40 yds. 35 for 35 on extra points in his career and his kickoffs consistantly go for touchbacks. Reading about him kicking this weekend at Pats Rookie Camp, he is still consistantly kicking for touchbacks, and on a number of occassions his kickoffs are bouncing off the ceiling of the indoor practice facility. The only question will be how he does under pressure.
Round 5 Ryan O'Callaghan T, California
A beast of a man at 6'7 344, he slipped this far due to injury concerns. He might turn out to be the next Patriots 5th round steal at O-Line (Dan Koppen). Here's what you need to know: Career Notes: Started 35 games...Despite four surgical procedures on his shoulders, two concussions and two hand fractures, Ryan has missed only one game due to injuries during his career.
Round 6 Jeremy Mincey DE, Florida
The Florida connection with Urban Meyer continues with Mincey, who projects to an outside line backer in the Patriots' scheme. 2005 SEASON: All-Southeastern Conference second-team choice by the league's coaches and Associated Press...Served as team captain and was a member of the Florida Leadership Committee in 2005...Started all year at weak-side defensive end...Ranked fourth on the team with 62 tackles.
Round 6 Dan Stevenson G, Notre Dame
Charlie Weis calls this guy the next Joe Andruzzi. That's not a bad thing to say about a 6th round pick.
Round 6 LeKevin Smith NT, Nebraska
If you run into him, don't call him LeKevin, it's La-Kee-vin. Maybe Mr Smith would be more appropriate. CAREER NOTES: Recorded 36 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, the seventh-best career total in school history. Selected all Big 12 Academic Honor roll.
Round 7 Willie Andrews S, Baylor
Was a kick/punt returner in college. Has an outside shot to make the team, and only if he produces big time in the kicking game.
The scoop on the 15 undrafted rookies that are in camp this weekend:
- Corey Mays, a 6-foot-1, 234-pound linebacker, and Matt Shelton, a 6-foot, 172-pound wide receiver - played under former Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss at Notre Dame.
Also signed were:
Remi Ayodele, 6-2, 300-pound nose tackle, Oklahoma;
Brian Barthelmes, 6-6, 288-pound center, Virginia;
Corey Bramlet, 6-4, 219-pound quarterback, Wyoming;
Vernell Brown, 5-8, 165-pound cornerback, Florida;
Erik Davis, 6-2, 192-pound wide receiver, Vanderbilt;
Kader Drame, 6-5, 290-pound defensive end, Syracuse;
Randy Hand, 6-6, 305-pound tackle, Florida;
Jarvia Herring, 5-11, 205-pound safety, Florida;
Keon Jackson, 5-11, 206-pound safety, Toledo;
Freddie Roach, 6-2, 248-pound linebacker, Alabama;
Sam Smith, 6-0, 200-pound safety, Delaware State;
Gemara Williams, 5-8, 180-pound cornerback, Buffalo;
Pierre Woods, 6-5, 249-pound linebacker, Michigan
I watch a LOT of Michigan games and I'm NOT excited abou Pierre Woods.
I DO like Freddie Roach a whole lot. He was extremely productive in college with one of the best Defenses in the country. Here's the article:
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=139228
Round 4 Garrett Mills, TE from Tulsa
Why in the world would the Pats take yet another TE after selecting a TE in round 3 when they really don't need a TE? Here's all you need to know to understand why: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sportsNews/view.bg?articleid=129061
Round 4 Stephen Gostkowski K, Memphis
The numbers on Gostkowski are impressive. 22-25 field goals including all 10 attempted from over 40 yds. 35 for 35 on extra points in his career and his kickoffs consistantly go for touchbacks. Reading about him kicking this weekend at Pats Rookie Camp, he is still consistantly kicking for touchbacks, and on a number of occassions his kickoffs are bouncing off the ceiling of the indoor practice facility. The only question will be how he does under pressure.
Round 5 Ryan O'Callaghan T, California
A beast of a man at 6'7 344, he slipped this far due to injury concerns. He might turn out to be the next Patriots 5th round steal at O-Line (Dan Koppen). Here's what you need to know: Career Notes: Started 35 games...Despite four surgical procedures on his shoulders, two concussions and two hand fractures, Ryan has missed only one game due to injuries during his career.
Round 6 Jeremy Mincey DE, Florida
The Florida connection with Urban Meyer continues with Mincey, who projects to an outside line backer in the Patriots' scheme. 2005 SEASON: All-Southeastern Conference second-team choice by the league's coaches and Associated Press...Served as team captain and was a member of the Florida Leadership Committee in 2005...Started all year at weak-side defensive end...Ranked fourth on the team with 62 tackles.
Round 6 Dan Stevenson G, Notre Dame
Charlie Weis calls this guy the next Joe Andruzzi. That's not a bad thing to say about a 6th round pick.
Round 6 LeKevin Smith NT, Nebraska
If you run into him, don't call him LeKevin, it's La-Kee-vin. Maybe Mr Smith would be more appropriate. CAREER NOTES: Recorded 36 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, the seventh-best career total in school history. Selected all Big 12 Academic Honor roll.
Round 7 Willie Andrews S, Baylor
Was a kick/punt returner in college. Has an outside shot to make the team, and only if he produces big time in the kicking game.
The scoop on the 15 undrafted rookies that are in camp this weekend:
- Corey Mays, a 6-foot-1, 234-pound linebacker, and Matt Shelton, a 6-foot, 172-pound wide receiver - played under former Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss at Notre Dame.
Also signed were:
Remi Ayodele, 6-2, 300-pound nose tackle, Oklahoma;
Brian Barthelmes, 6-6, 288-pound center, Virginia;
Corey Bramlet, 6-4, 219-pound quarterback, Wyoming;
Vernell Brown, 5-8, 165-pound cornerback, Florida;
Erik Davis, 6-2, 192-pound wide receiver, Vanderbilt;
Kader Drame, 6-5, 290-pound defensive end, Syracuse;
Randy Hand, 6-6, 305-pound tackle, Florida;
Jarvia Herring, 5-11, 205-pound safety, Florida;
Keon Jackson, 5-11, 206-pound safety, Toledo;
Freddie Roach, 6-2, 248-pound linebacker, Alabama;
Sam Smith, 6-0, 200-pound safety, Delaware State;
Gemara Williams, 5-8, 180-pound cornerback, Buffalo;
Pierre Woods, 6-5, 249-pound linebacker, Michigan
I watch a LOT of Michigan games and I'm NOT excited abou Pierre Woods.
I DO like Freddie Roach a whole lot. He was extremely productive in college with one of the best Defenses in the country. Here's the article:
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=139228
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