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Rookie report

Email|Link|Comments (6) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff July 30, 2008 09:30 AM

ANALYSIS

A snapshot look at the Patriots' draft class and some of the first impressions after watching them through 10 training camp practices:

LB Jerod Mayo (1st round) -- Takes control when called upon in sub packages. Shows a little bit of everything a team would want in a linebacker -- power (in rush drills), speed (in 11-on-11 work, covering a RB), and smarts (leading the defense).

CB Terrence Wheatley (2nd round) -- Has shown speed and ability to change directions, while not backing down from the challenge of facing Randy Moss. The recent absence of Jason Webster has elevated him to the first unit, and he hasn't backed down.

OLB Shawn Crable (3rd round) -- His pure physical presence (6-5, 243) makes him stand out among the crowd, and he's shown up in pass-rush work (several pressures, a deflection) coming off the defensive right side.

QB Kevin O'Connell (3rd round) -- Has been the fourth quarterback to take part in drills, but in the limited 11-on-11 full-team work in which he's participated, he's shown signs of promise.

CB Jonathan Wilhite (4th round) -- Most recently has been working in the slot and showed up in the kicking game as a gunner at a recent practice.

WR/S/KR Matthew Slater (5th round) -- Has seemingly worked more at receiver than safety, and is one of the faster players on the field, which is seen in kickoff return work.

ILB Bo Ruud (6th round) -- Has yet to practice with an undisclosed injury.

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6 comments so far...

Hi Mike, any first impressions of the unsigned guys like Gary Guyton?

Posted by Scott July 30, 08 10:34 AM

Whats up Mike,

It is good to hear about the camps and how the new players are doing this offseason rookies and vets. It is informative as well as comforting with your rookie report as it seems all could be potential pieces to a faster defense/special teams which I believe is needed.

Posted by patsfanman July 30, 08 12:04 PM

Hey Mike,

Any sense of what these guys need to work on? Plenty of positives is a good thing, but where are their apparent weaknesses at this point?

Posted by Ben July 30, 08 12:48 PM

Mike,

Do you think the Pats will take another shot with Eugene Chung at OL or Bethel Johnson at WR???

Posted by Franklin July 30, 08 01:04 PM

Hey Mike, I'm a loyal reader of Reiss's Pieces. Just wanna say I appreciate yr updates. Great job and keep it up!

Posted by PatsFan July 30, 08 01:51 PM

I was at training camp yesterday. Crable is HUGE in person. Mayo running over the RB was pretty cool

Posted by Sarah July 30, 08 03:01 PM