First look at the rookies

Mike,
As you said, it is only a teaching session, but it would be interesting to see where some of the picks were lining up (if they goto 7-on-7 drills or the like). A few of these players have a bit of position flexibility, so it would be nice to see which positions the coaching staff starts them at.

I expect we won't see Tate due to his rehab, but it would be interesting to know if they do any return drills and who gets reps there.

It would be nice to know what role Edelman an Bussey will play in this camp. But I don't know if they will line up in some formation...

And the numbers that they will wear! :D

Mike,

What does the arm strength look like for the QBs?? And, does the OT Vollmer have the kind of body necessary for O Line in the pros?

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the opportunity. For me, it seems that Coach Belichik really empahsizes learning from their mistakes. I would like to know how the rookies are able to learn from their mistakes.

Mike,

Great job as always. What would I like to see more as a fan? More Patriots analysis articles and blog entries. I like it when you or Gasper crunch numbers and notice trends. Its hard work but people appreciate it and it grows your reputation. Keep it up and you could be widely regarded as someone like peter king or matt mosley.

Please be sure to note whether Darius Butler plays a lttle wideout as well as db. Or could he run the wildcat? And lets us know whether Hoyer's got cannon or not. Will Mayo and the rest of the '08 LB class be present?

Just want to thank you for the great coverage. Your passion for the Pats is my morning fix along with my coffee!!!

Wondering why everyone is talking about Watson or Thomas being released after the Baker and Smith signings. Wouldn't DeVree or Listorti be released before the first two? Thanks

Hey Mike. I'd like to hear how the top defensive picks looks in drills, the above question re: Edelman (where is he lining up?), Hoyer's accuracy, and how much Dante Scarnecchia yells at the linemen, including Porter. But that's all.

Thanks a lot, Mike!

Mike,

I'm curious about Ron Brace. Obviously you won't be able to tell too much, but does he seem to in decent shape, with decent muscle tone, or does he seem to be one of those heavier, flabbier DTs who rely (at least somewhat) on mass (as opposed to strength and technique, etc.)? If the former, I'd think he'd have potential to play some at end as well as nose (and, of course, being in good shape generally bodes better for any player on a Belichick team). If the latter, he might only be able to play the nose (and be in Belichick's doghouse from the start if he's out of shape and can't pass the conditioning test).

Mike, I'm curious where the 3 defensive lineman play. Brace and Pryor look like Nose Tackles, while Richard looks like he could play either Nose or End. Looking for insight as to whether they are playing to replace Wilfork or Seymour. I'm assuming they won't sign both to long term deals.

It would be great to see if any of the second year players are present, specifically Crable. If he is there, please pass along how he loooks phsyically compared to last year? Have his stems turned to trunks? Is he visibly more substantial in stature?

Mike, I'd be interested to know if any of the rookies seem more quietly confident at the outset than their compatriots. Do any of them appear wise beyond their years? Because the Patriots place so much value on maturity and on the mental part of the game, it's always an interesting trait to look for in the newbies. Thanks for the outstanding coverage, as always.

Mike
After the 53 man roster how many players are teams able to keep on the taxi squad? Would the players be protected? How is it so maqny players seem to be under contract who were not on the 53 man roster? Are they buried on IR? Assuming developmental prospects won't make the team suchas Vollmer or Porter could they still be protected?
Thanks

Mike, I'd like to know who is the first to blow chunks because they've been training for the 40, vertical jump, shuttle run, bench press, etc. rather than football.

Mike - watching Brandon Tate at UNC, you could see he was pretty thin. At the combine, he measured in at 6', 183lbs. I've seen him recently listed at 195lbs though, so perhaps he's bulked up. Would you say he physically looks the part at rookie camp, i.e., does he pass the eyeball test?

Mike, Brace is my main curiosity as well. How well does he move and if he moves well do you think that will translate on the field. Didn't see a lot of him in open space at BC... Also, any standouts among the rookie free agent, Belichick hit on a few solid players in that area last off-season. Thanks

Mike, I'd love to see how Chung does in coverage drills. The knock on him is that he's not a great man to man cover guy, but I wonder if people look at his massive hits (like leveling two Michigan lineman, or tearing Pettigrew's head off), and assume that because he was used as a rover at Oregon, he doesn't have very good man coverage skills.

Thanks for all you do. You're the best!

The plan will be to print out this list and answer as many questions as possible after the practice. I want to take the time to watch the practice. So my thought is that I'll follow up on these somewhere between noon-1 p.m. Thanks to everyone for these thoughts. They are excellent.
--Mike

Dear Mike, Great Job as always. I know its a rookie camp, but if you spot any vetrans example Tom Brady or Harrison, please let us know. Mike, I heard you on the WBR radio, before the draft, you were very good. Thank You.

Sean Gildea
Please do not compare Mr. Mike with Idiot Peter King (Looser).

Mike Reiss if you are reading this comment section. I have a question regarding Patrick Chung, I read a comment not too long ago about Patrick being the first Patriot of oriental decent!! What about Eugene Chung the OL ?

Thanks Mike! You're the best!

Will be interesting to know if there will be some UDFA "only invited" to the camp!

Try to watch the coaches and compare the new ones with the previous group. They will set the tone for the practices.

Pawan,

Its Loser, not looser. Btw, whats wrong with Peter King? He may not be drinking our Kool Aid, but I still respect his viewpoint. What about Lombardi, Carrucci or Brandt? They each have their loyalties but are well respected with in depth articles and analysis.

Mike...just wondered about any OTHER players in camp..for tryouts or any vets who were around.

Thanks Mike!
Will be good to know how comfortable the new coaches look.
Also, how much national attention are the patriots getting? Any non-local reporters?
I know this might be hard to gauge, but who seems to be mentoring whom? Who seems to be having fun, while who seems all business?

How healthy does Tate's knee look, in and out of cuts? Any hesitation?

I'm just curious who's be the center of casual conversation among the rookies before or after the drills. I assume that will tell you who will emerge as a leader in this draft class as well as on the sideline. Thanks, Mike.

Hey Mike,

Hey Mike

Can you keep your eye on Chung? I'm interested to hear how he compares physically to the other safeties on the roster. As a guy being billed to be a physical presence I'd like to know how he stacks up and if he at all looks "smallish" out there. Also, if there are any indications of his coverage ability please pass along. Looking for any sense of wether he looks fluid or is a bit stiff when moving around

Thanks

What happens to drafted rookies who get injured during rookie camp before they have a contract? If it is a serious injury, do they still get compensated somehow? I assume there must be some insurance otherwise a highly drafted rookie wouldn't be at camp before he got his contract.

Mike, in your best guess today, how would you rank the current TE position in terms of rotation, who is the leader of the pack? Will we see more 2 TE formations this year? Which one of the TEs might be used more as our FB to replace Evans? Thanks!

One more question for you, Mike. Could you please keep an eye on Porter, the wrestler-turned-OL, and let us know if he holds his own? I'm really rooting for him, since I was never able to play football in high school or college, but I do train in various sports and martial arts that I feel are applicable to football. I'd love to see him succeed!

Hey Mike,

Why do you think BB dont get more free agents to this camp? Isnt difficult to work with only one QB and no RB?

How do think Jermail Porter will done today? Do you think they have any chance to make the final roster?

And we saw a video on internet of Chung making good bloks (get down o-linemans of the other team), any chance for him do some FB?

Good work for you today!

Hi Mike:

Any drum beat at all re: Jason Taylor?

Just curious.

Are any of the off-season free agent signings in attendance? They're not rookies, but they're rookies to the Patriots-way, so to speak.

High Mike. What is Tate's level of participation? Or is he not present on the field at all? It might give an early read on where he's a with his rehab. Thanks!

Mike,
How did Jermail Porter look in person? Was he laboring through any of Scarnecchia's OL drills?

Some of the questions overlapped, but I think I was able to cover most of them -- or weave them into others' questions -- in the blog updates. I wanted to focus solely on the questions about practice observations. Gustavo, because the team didn’t go 11 on 11 and there are no pads, the linemen are really working more in a “broken down” setting and focusing on individual technique, so while I watched Porter work against the bag a bit, I’d be stretching it if I made any definitive judgments at this point.
--Mike