A few picked-up Patriots pieces from around the Web:
1) Installation at 85 percent. In an interview as part of the Patriots All-Access program -- which can be seen in its entirety on Patriots.com -- head coach Bill Belichick tells Scott Zolak that the team is at 85 percent of installation with its plays. Belichick says the timing was right to take a break and come back in training camp to see what it looks like with pads on.
2) Shawn Crable among those putting in the time. As part of the Patriots All-Access program, Belichick was asked about some of the team's younger players stepping up. Outside linebacker Shawn Crable, who is a candidate to replace Mike Vrabel, was part of his answer. "Players like Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton, Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable and guys like that, they've been in here the whole offseason. They haven't missed a day," Belichick said. "I don't think you have to ask them to step up. I think they want to step up and be the players they can be and hit their potential."
3) Cappelletti's '63-64 seasons get their due. In undertaking the daunting task of ranking each placekicker in each season from 1960-2007 to form a top-50 list, Chase Stuart of ProFootballReference.com has Gino Cappelletti on the list twice. At this time next year, it will be interesting to see where Stephen Gostkowski's 2008 season might rank.
4) Tom Brady's comeback. Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports stopped by Patriots mandatory minicamp and focused on quarterback Tom Brady. In a piece titled "Brady comeback as much mental as physical", Cole makes the point that "Brady can throw all the passes and do all the little movements in the pocket that he wants, but his successful recovery also will depend on what’s in his head."
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I can't wait to see the other 15%! May not be until week 1 though =/
Mayo did not miss a day the whole off season according to BB but was not present at mini camp or OTAs according to Mike. How did you miss him??!!
Ron,
For the love of god. He was not at OTA or mini camp. Bill was talking about all off season before OTAs and mini camp.
We know Mayo is the bomb. Guyton looked good when we saw him last year. Woods has the potential to be very good and if Crable works out that is a very nice, very young foursome of linebackers there. Plus, a foursome who all came in all off season to work on their games, showing drive and dedication...seems like that should help them gel into a solid unit. Throw in Thomas and Bruschi to be guiding hands, and I just got a very nice feeling about our linebacker corps. Plus we have a couple new faces to hopefully contribute in Lenon and Ciurciu, and for the future McKenzie coming back next year as a top 100 draft pick. Banta-Cain returns as a pass rusher, and we still have potential in Redd. Good stuff.
Funny that Vander-Jerk is on the top 50 kickers list but no Vinatieri. Just shows that numbers are one thing and rings are another--and that clutch truly is a reality.
#9, My attempt at humor was too subtle. Of course Mike's reporting on who was absent was accurate.
My post was intended to be a dig at BB's failure to give out any information about absent players even in June when there would be no apparent competitive disadvantage in doing so.
Sorry about that Ron.. Lots of slow people on the board. IE people still asking why the pats are at the colts again.
Ron:
There's a difference between being in Foxboro all offseason and participating in OTA's or minicamp. There must be a good reason BB and staff are holding back Mayo and it's probably not a big deal. I think we can all agree that it's better that Mayo miss time on the field now then in training camp or the season. BB is not obligated to give out injury info at this time, there is no league rule he do so and why should he violate the confidentiality of the player by doing so?
Don't worry about it, Ron...subtle humor and sarcasm are 2 things that never translate well into this kind of forum.
About Crable and Crew 'stepping up': I guess it's natural for us to feel uneasy about the lack of 'proven' talent in the LB corps, but that's only because we haven't seen evidence of how good they can/might be. Do any of you guys remember how you were feeling when Brady took over after Bledsoe went down? And how about now? So just relax and let things play out--if they suck, then we'll boo the hell out of 'em!
"About Crable and Crew 'stepping up': I guess it's natural for us to feel uneasy about the lack of 'proven' talent in the LB corps, but that's only because we haven't seen evidence of how good they can/might be. Do any of you guys remember how you were feeling when Brady took over after Bledsoe went down? And how about now? So just relax and let things play out--if they suck, then we'll boo the hell out of 'em!"
NICELY put. It does my weary eyes GOOD to see that!
I've been pounding and pounding the table, insisting that these guys are BETTER than fine at OLB, for 2 months, now! And to the credit of Patriot fans in general, the initially deafening cacophony of howls and screams that greeted my initial assertion of this position...has dialed down DRAMATICALLY.
Adalius Thomas is entering his 3rd season in this system, with a clearly defined role, a mastery of the system, relief from constant switching around of duties, and, at last, not only a lot of help at all 3 LB spots...but at all 4 Secondary spots, as well.
He's poised for a Pro Bowl year, assuming he stays healthy.
And to cover the other OLB spot, and to rotate as a crew, we've got no less than 3 young Beasts who are just reaching the Launch Stage of their young careers, where thinking gives way, praise the Gods, to instinct, and they start kicking some ASS.
Put that together with some sweet, sweet DEPTH ~ ALL too lacking, ere these last 4 years ~ in the form of Hyphen and, possibly, my boy Colvin...and you can KEEP the Taylors, Burgesses, and Ellises of the world, thank you!
Just sit back and WATCH, gentlemen. I, for one, can not WAIT!
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