So I just got home from Patriots practice

[TD Ryan2 316]

- in non-contact offense-only passing drills, Brady was just smooth. His drops were 1-2-3 bang... the other QBs were just not decisive and sometimes had stutter steps before they delivered the passes.

 

- in offense vs. defense drills, Brady was not sharp. He was overthrowing players. Matt Cassel actually ran the second offense better/more effective (yeah it's just practice)

 

- Maroney was taking reps with both the first team and second team offense. Dillon was with the first team only. Maroney did NOT work on any return duties.

 

- Reche Caldwell did have a nice catch in the offense vs. defense. But he also dropped a few in WR-only drills. I am concerned about Caldwell.

 

- Ben Watson lined up in many different spots: tight to the line in traditional TE form, in the slot, and once out wide as a WR.

 

- Rookie TE Dave Thomas was targetted frequently and he hauled in everything.

 

- It really seemed that the primary receiving targets were T Brown, D Thomas, B Watson, L Maroney, R Caldwell, and Bam Childress. I would say that's the order of who caught how many passes. Keep in mind that Maroney was in more plays because he was with both 1st and 2nd teams (still, he didnt' drop anything)

 

- WR Willie Andrews seemed to be the primary return man and made a catch (or two) at WR. It is looking like he'll make the roster.

 

- Maroney looks thin and uncut. When standing next to the veteran players (even the diminutive Kevin Faulk) Maroney just isn't ripped like these pros. Maybe this is normal for young guys just coming into the league?

 

 

The practice ended with a pressure situation. D-Lineman Vince Wilfork. while holding one football in his hand, had to field a punt from Josh Miller. Miller's kick was not an easy one and it was an adventure for the bulky Wilfork to get under it and catch it cleany while holding another ball. Boston.com reports that Wilfork's catch allowed the team to finish the night without any running or late meetings.

 

 

I'm no scout and my eye is completely untrained. I'm just a fan who was at the practice. So take any of this for what it's worth.

[***NED*** 0]

- in non-contact offense-only passing drills, Brady was just smooth. His drops were 1-2-3 bang... the other QBs were just not decisive and sometimes had stutter steps before they delivered the passes.

 

- in offense vs. defense drills, Brady was not sharp. He was overthrowing players. Matt Cassel actually ran the second offense better/more effective (yeah it's just practice)

 

- Maroney was taking reps with both the first team and second team offense. Dillon was with the first team only. Maroney did NOT work on any return duties.

 

- Reche Caldwell did have a nice catch in the offense vs. defense. But he also dropped a few in WR-only drills. I am concerned about Caldwell.

 

- Ben Watson lined up in many different spots: tight to the line in traditional TE form, in the slot, and once out wide as a WR.

 

- Rookie TE Dave Thomas was targetted frequently and he hauled in everything.

 

- It really seemed that the primary receiving targets were T Brown, D Thomas, B Watson, L Maroney, R Caldwell, and Bam Childress. I would say that's the order of who caught how many passes. Keep in mind that Maroney was in more plays because he was with both 1st and 2nd teams (still, he didnt' drop anything)

 

- WR Willie Andrews seemed to be the primary return man and made a catch (or two) at WR. It is looking like he'll make the roster.

 

- Maroney looks thin and uncut. When standing next to the veteran players (even the diminutive Kevin Faulk) Maroney just isn't ripped like these pros. Maybe this is normal for young guys just coming into the league?

The practice ended with a pressure situation. D-Lineman Vince Wilfork. while holding one football in his hand, had to field a punt from Josh Miller. Miller's kick was not an easy one and it was an adventure for the bulky Wilfork to get under it and catch it cleany while holding another ball. Boston.com reports that Wilfork's catch allowed the team to finish the night without any running or late meetings.

I'm no scout and my eye is completely untrained. I'm just a fan who was at the practice. So take any of this for what it's worth.

 

Thanks for the update..

 

How did Mills look?

 

Gotta love that team building excersize

[jocstrap 8]

Good info. Too bad we can't get this for every team.

[IndyTom 0]

How did Branch look?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry - couldn't resist

[TD Ryan2 316]

Thanks for the update..

 

How did Mills look?

 

I didn't even see him

[Boston 0]

How did Branch look?

Sorry - couldn't resist

 

He looks different than a Colts player because he has a couple of rings...

 

TD-Any rumors down there about a deal with Dallas?

[cortezthekiller303 0]

- in non-contact offense-only passing drills, Brady was just smooth. His drops were 1-2-3 bang... the other QBs were just not decisive and sometimes had stutter steps before they delivered the passes.

 

- in offense vs. defense drills, Brady was not sharp. He was overthrowing players. Matt Cassel actually ran the second offense better/more effective (yeah it's just practice)

 

- Maroney was taking reps with both the first team and second team offense. Dillon was with the first team only. Maroney did NOT work on any return duties.

 

- Reche Caldwell did have a nice catch in the offense vs. defense. But he also dropped a few in WR-only drills. I am concerned about Caldwell.

 

- Ben Watson lined up in many different spots: tight to the line in traditional TE form, in the slot, and once out wide as a WR.

 

- Rookie TE Dave Thomas was targetted frequently and he hauled in everything.

 

- It really seemed that the primary receiving targets were T Brown, D Thomas, B Watson, L Maroney, R Caldwell, and Bam Childress. I would say that's the order of who caught how many passes. Keep in mind that Maroney was in more plays because he was with both 1st and 2nd teams (still, he didnt' drop anything)

 

- WR Willie Andrews seemed to be the primary return man and made a catch (or two) at WR. It is looking like he'll make the roster.

 

- Maroney looks thin and uncut. When standing next to the veteran players (even the diminutive Kevin Faulk) Maroney just isn't ripped like these pros. Maybe this is normal for young guys just coming into the league?

The practice ended with a pressure situation. D-Lineman Vince Wilfork. while holding one football in his hand, had to field a punt from Josh Miller. Miller's kick was not an easy one and it was an adventure for the bulky Wilfork to get under it and catch it cleany while holding another ball. Boston.com reports that Wilfork's catch allowed the team to finish the night without any running or late meetings.

I'm no scout and my eye is completely untrained. I'm just a fan who was at the practice. So take any of this for what it's worth.

 

 

you know why I appreciate a post like this? Its an account of exactly what you saw...not your "expert" analysis or anything like that-thank you for posting this man.

 

There are waaaaayyy too many "experts" on here that overanalyze stuff to death.

[IndyTom 0]

He looks different than a Colts player because he has a couple of rings...

 

Oh come on - that was funny. I have been outnumbered around here for years.

[Boston 0]

Oh come on - that was funny. I have been outnumbered around here for years.

 

Agreed...just trying to return serve. From the looks of things the Branch humor could be continuing for awhile.

[TD Ryan2 316]

TD-Any rumors down there about a deal with Dallas?

 

I'm sure it's the same stuff you've already heard... Pioli is in DAL right now and DAL has a scout in NE right now... the "rumors" are that we (NE) would give up an O-lineman for a LB.

 

and I tried to look for the "scout" but seriously, there's so many people and so much going on that practice field (or rather fieldS), I was lucky I could spot Belichick a few times.

 

 

 

 

Oh come on - that was funny. I have been outnumbered around here for years.

 

IndyTom, I have read some of your posts and appreciate your homer's input with regards to the Addai/Rhodes situation. You seem like a level headed guy.

 

as for you Branch jokes.... fock off.

 

 

also, for Boston (and other homers) we've talked about Brady's poise and decision making.

 

Even in practice, my untrained eye saw just how quickly he reads and throws... like I posted above:1 -2 -3 BANG, ball's gone.

 

the other QBs it's 1-2-3, maybe look again, maybe stutter step, then throw. It's only a half second, but it is very obvious wathcing them practice the same drills one right after the other.

[Boston 0]

I'm guessing if it goes down Gorin will have a star on his helmet. The kid from Cal seems to be adjusting well. That could mean Gorin is expendable...and God knows LB depth is beyond critical right now.

[TD Ryan2 316]

I'm guessing if it goes down Gorin will have a star on his helmet. The kid from Cal seems to be adjusting well. That could mean Gorin is expendable...and God knows LB depth is beyond critical right now.

 

yeah, Gorin was the name thrown around.

 

 

 

 

 

Also, forgot to mention that Heath Evans got a bit of work tonight too. He was with the 2nd team offense and had a few carries and catches.

[Steel City Blues 0]

Nice post TD.

 

:oldthumbsup:

[Boston 0]

yeah, Gorin was the name thrown around.

Also, forgot to mention that Heath Evans got a bit of work tonight too. He was with the 2nd team offense and had a few carries and catches.

 

The RB situation after Dillon-Maroney-Faulk is getting intriguing. Pass is doing himself no favors this preseason. Both Evans and the Cobbs kid show something. In the past the Pats have kept as little as three RBs (I've never been comfortable with that) but I have to believe it will be at least four. My guess is both Evans and Cobbs will get a decent amount of work Saturday night.

[TD Ryan2 316]

The RB situation after Dillon-Maroney-Faulk is getting intriguing. Pass is doing himself no favors this preseason. Both Evans and the Cobbs kid show something. In the past the Pats have kept as little as three RBs (I've never been comfortable with that) but I have to believe it will be at least four. My guess is both Evans and Cobbs will get a decent amount of work Saturday night.

 

like with Mills, I didn't see Cobbs out there today.

 

I don't know if he wasn't there or if I just didn't notice him... there are 2 full fields and it's tough to follow anything on the "far" field (there's no stands or fans over there either, Belichick spent a lot of time over there with the 1st eam defense).

 

As for Pass, after the hammy and fumbles last year I believe he dropped a notch in fans' eyes anyways. If you're gonna' make a living as a blue-collar, workman type player, hammy's and fumbles won't cut it.

 

And I agree with the RB depth. NE is gonna' be a running team this year. Their O-line may be the strength of the team.

[poop 0]

question...so I know Kevin Faulk was hurt for a big chunk of last season, but in years past he routinely caught 4 or 5 balls a game and was used extensively in the offense...do you think this will continue this year, or will Maroney take away a big chunk of his PT ?

[Boston 0]

like with Mills, I didn't see Cobbs out there today.

 

I don't know if he wasn't there or if I just didn't notice him... there are 2 full fields and it's tough to follow anything on the "far" field (there's no stands or fans over there either, Belichick spent a lot of time over there with the 1st eam defense).

 

As for Pass, after the hammy and fumbles last year I believe he dropped a notch in fans' eyes anyways. If you're gonna' make a living as a blue-collar, workman type player, hammy's and fumbles won't cut it.

 

And I agree with the RB depth. NE is gonna' be a running team this year. Their O-line may be the strength of the team.

 

How big did the kid from Cal look in person?

 

I usually make it down there at least once a year but haven't been able to swing yet. I always like seeing which guys actually stand out from a size perspective. Marquise Hill is an absolute monster up close...to bad he's done squat on the field.

 

 

question...so I know Kevin Faulk was hurt for a big chunk of last season, but in years past he routinely caught 4 or 5 balls a game and was used extensively in the offense...do you think this will continue this year, or will Maroney take away a big chunk of his PT ?

 

Faulk will continue having a role. The staff really likes him as he can run, catch and block well. I think some of Faulk's playing time will be tied into the D. If they start springing leaks than he'll probably get more time. If they're stout he'll probably get less.

 

I've been wondering whether Faulk, Maroney and Dillon will ever be on the field together. The Pats are no strangers to crazy formations but I haven't heard of that scenario playing out yet.

[TD Ryan2 316]

How big did the kid from Cal look in person?

 

sorry to say bro but I didn't really notice.

The guys who stood out (to me) as looking big were Richard Seymour and Ben Watson.

Seymour just seemed to tower over players in the mix (at the line)

And Watson was by far the biggest, most ripped guy playing with the TEs and WRs.

 

for whatever reason, I tend to notice the guys who look tiny... they're the ones who stand out the most to me because most of the players are pretty big and it seems suicidal for such small guys to be on the field with them.

Bam looks little. Hank Poteat looks littel. Kevin Faulk and Troy Brown look small (but they're both more ripped/built than Maroney)

 

 

 

question...so I know Kevin Faulk was hurt for a big chunk of last season, but in years past he routinely caught 4 or 5 balls a game and was used extensively in the offense...do you think this will continue this year, or will Maroney take away a big chunk of his PT ?

 

Faulk was in there with the 1st team offense but he didn't get many (or any) carries. He was all receiving and he caught eveything thrown his way.

 

At one point, WR and RBs were separated and the RB ran shorter routes while the WRs ran longer routes. Faulk made a couple of nice grabs on balls that were overthrown or poorly thrown.

 

IMO, his role will continue to be what it has always been... a 3rd down, change of pace RB. You could make the argument that Faulk was one of the biggest playmakers in NE over the past few years... when given opportunity, he came up with huge plays often on 3rd down.

 

he's just got to hold on to the ball a bit better... right now we're remembering him more for his fumble(s) late last season.

[WhiteWonder 2,738]

The practice ended with a pressure situation. D-Lineman Vince Wilfork. while holding one football in his hand, had to field a punt from Josh Miller. Miller's kick was not an easy one and it was an adventure for the bulky Wilfork to get under it and catch it cleany while holding another ball. Boston.com reports that Wilfork's catch allowed the team to finish the night without any running or late meetings.

I'm no scout and my eye is completely untrained. I'm just a fan who was at the practice. So take any of this for what it's worth.

 

 

at least now i know where Mangina got this from when he did the same thing with the Jets in the first few days of TC.

[z00g 0]

Any update on the kicker situation? How's Gostowski doing?

[ratbastard1 0]

How does Maroney look running up the gut? I only saw the great outside plays the other night but was a little nervous that he looked a little Chris Brownish. I could be wrong but he does look tall and slender.

[TD Ryan2 316]

Any update on the kicker situation? How's Gostowski doing?

 

I didn't see any kickers working out last night.

 

The boston papers report that the competition is tight between Gostowski and Gramatica. There's talk that NE may carry both kickers.

 

 

 

How does Maroney look running up the gut? I only saw the great outside plays the other night but was a little nervous that he looked a little Chris Brownish. I could be wrong but he does look tall and slender.

 

they ran some plays up the middle, but it was all non-contact so it's hard to say he looked either good or bad.

 

Seeing Maroney on the field with other pros, he did look slender.

But he was fast and caught anything thrown to him.

 

I guess we're just gonna' have to watch more pre-season games. I know in that first game, Maroney didn't go down on first contact and he did well with his blocks too. The physicality of the full speed game didn't seem to affect him... maybe that's why I'm so surprised with how thin he looks in person.

[TD Ryan2 316]

- in offense vs. defense drills, Brady was not sharp. He was overthrowing players. Matt Cassel actually ran the second offense better/more effective

 

- Maroney looks thin and uncut. When standing next to the veteran players (even the diminutive Kevin Faulk) Maroney just isn't ripped like these pros.

 

 

the writing was on the wall years ago.

 

you guys really should pay more attention.