What To Watch For

OK, I know it's just the preseason, but MAN will it be great to see the Pats take the field again this Friday night in Tampa Bay. The starters probably won't log much time and some of the nicked up stars might not play at all (Moss, Maroney). There are some interesting storylines that have developed through the course of camp that bear watching during the preseason games.

The first happens to be the one that I'm most excited about, Zone Blocking. It has been perfected in Denver, where they've had something like 6 different RB's rush for over 1000 yds in the last 8 seasons. Zone blocking is executed by the O-Line on run plays. What it boils down to is that they block the guy in front of them in the direction they want to run. So if the defensive tackle is to Matt Light's right, he blocks him right. If he's on Light's left, he blocks him left. Then they essentially call the play "run left", hand the ball to Maroney who works his way down the line watching for a hole. When the hole opens, he makes one cut, bursts through it and takes off downfield. This is how Maroney's offense at Minnesota worked, so it's what he's used to and what he excells at. It is different from a traditional running play in which the play would be designed for Maroney to run specifically between Light and Mankins for instance. In that case Light and Mankins would have to move a diffender out of that space so Maroney could run through. Now it's just putting a body on a defender and letting Maroney pick the hole. It should result in some big runs this season especially since teams will have to play only 6 or 7 men in the box out of respect for the new deep passing threat's Moss and Stallworth.

Speaking of the O-line, the second storyline to watch is who will emerge as the starting right Tackle. Nick Kaczur and Ryan O'Callaghan have split practice time with the first team almost 50/50. Recently Billy Yates has also gotten some reps with the first team. The O-Line should be a strength this year and the competition at right tackle will only help.

Another Battle that has started to emerge is who will replace Samuel. At the beginning of camp, Chad Scott got the nod until he was injured. Then Randall Gay got most snaps with the first team. More recently the coaches have been giving more snaps to veteran CB Tory James and rookie Brandon Merriweather. Some scribes are writing that James as a starter is not a good thing, as he was torched on a few occassions last year with Cincy. I think that, unless you had intimate knowledge of Cincy's D last year, you can't tell how much blame to put on James. By the way, people are starting to RAVE about Merriweather saying he will get significant time on the field and have a big impact this season.

The other camp battle that emerged is the battle of Punters. I, like most, assumed that Josh Miller would be the punter now that he's healthy again. As Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend." NFL Europe punter Danny Baugher has been booming the ball thusfar. He has had by far the strongest leg with the most hangtime and distance. What might save Miller is that the Pats know he can do it in live games and in bad weather not to mention that he's been great downing punts inside the ten. Baugher hasn't shown as much skill in the area downing punts.

Returning punts and kicks is another big question mark. Last year Maroney was 5th in the league in kick return average. You CAN'T use him this year because you don't have Dillon any more so you can't afford to lose Maroney to an injury in the kicking game. Ellis Hobbs averaged 38 yds a return and even scored a TD, but I don't need to tell you how important he is at CB this year. So it will be interesting to see who emerges as the returners this year. Faulk is reliable and experienced at catching kicks, as is Troy Brown if he can get on the field. Wes Welker should emerge as the primary punt returner. Others returning kicks are Bam Childress and Kelvin Kight, but both are long shots to make this team.

Lastly, it will be interesting to see the wide receivers in action. How do they look and how well are they clicking with Brady? As it Currently stands the only guys that are locks to make the team are Welker, Moss and Gaffney. Stallworth, Caldwell, Washington and Brown would be the next group that probably have a job. Stallworth is just now starting to practice after missing 10 days, Caldwell and Washington have been unremarkable though Caldwell's been better lately, and Brown hasn't even practiced yet. The rest are just camp fodder, though I'd expect Childress and Kight to possible make the practice squad. As of today, expect Welker, Moss, Gaffney, Stallworth, Caldwell and Washington on the roster, with Brown and Chad Jackson on PUP and Childress and Kight on the practice squad. Don't be surprised to see Childress get picked up by another team - he will make some plays in preseason games.

Enjoy the game and tell your friends you heard it here!