Trapped?Page 6 of 18 -- A: I think what you see Ron is a younger generation of players who could really care less about Lawyer Milloy, and certainly some of the old guard of players who felt getting rid of Milloy was crazy. Down the road, you'll have so many new players coming in here over the next couple of years that Lawyer will be a distant memory. It definitely effects them in the here and the now. Especially when you add Colvin and Johnson to their list of deletions.
Nick, do you think next year we will finally see a Patriots team address our the running back situation. It seems key in today's league one of the "must haves" is at the least "100 rush yds/per game back" - this running back by committee and picking up other peoples trash & turning it into our treasure is getting tired. Does next years crop of rookie running backs hold any promise? It would seem the Pats are set up well for draft picks...... A: I haven't really studied the draft well enough to see who's coming out. The Maurice Clarett situation is worth watching, but it looks like the NFLPA is now backing the NFL in telling Clarett to stay in school. Clearly, they need a running back. But more importantly they need a run mindset.
Hello Nick. Just musing on the fate and fortunes of the latest Patriot draft choices. It seems to me, that while Preseason games are meaningless etc..., the discerning fan can spot a special player based on how they conduct themselves on the field. My take on the following players based on my discerning eye:
Eugene Wilson and Asante Samuel: both will be solid, intermittent Pro Bowl performers
Ty Warren: marginal back-up player
Daniel Graham: marginal back-up player
Bethel Johnson: Special teamer only
Deion Branch: wont live up to promise
Rohan Davey: marginal back up
Dan Koppen: starting center within 2 years
Dan Klecko: super specialist contributing in a large way next year What is your take Nick?
--John R. Cote Jr., Durham , NC A: I think Warren will be a starter before the year is out. He's making pretty consistent progress though I laugh at the media and others who feel Dewayne Robertson is a bust after two NFL games. I think Branch is going to be very good; Koppen has those BC offensive lineman genes so I see him becoming another Tom Nalen. I have no idea about Klecko. I'm concerned about Graham because I thought this was his breakout year. After two games we haven't seen much. Bethel Johnson's got a long way to go, but you have to love his speed and once he learns his routes, I think they've got a pretty exciting player. Continued... |
