To kick off the season, I’ve asked William Berry and Randolph Charlotin, two Patriots uber-bloggers like myself, to join me in a roundtable discussion about training camp, the preseason, and the coming regular season. Sit back and enjoy our attempted insight into all things Patriots.
Biggest Surprise/Disappointment of Training Camp?
RC: While everyone is jockin' Jerod Mayo, Shawn Crable has been the best rookie. He's applied consistent pressure against opposing reserve players and even picked up a sack-and-a-half and an interception. He's way ahead of where Pierre Woods was as a rookie. QB Kevin O'Connell gets an honorable mention.
The biggest disappointment goes to the two lines. So far, the front seven hasn't stopped the run. On the other side, injuries do play a part, but the offensive line hasn't handled blitzes well, leading to a fragile pocket. With an intense competition for the backup QB job going on, Matt Cassel and Matt Gutierrez aren't getting the help needed up front.
WB: No good surprises. Disappointment, so far I hate to say it, but Richard Seymour. I'd call him the biggest disappointment because I expected big things from him, not as much from Matt Cassel or Chad Jackson.
MD: Gary Guyton made some great plays in the preseason and made the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie. He’s got great speed that was lacking in years past at this position. Between him, Mayo, and Crable, the Pats linebacking crew is looking promising for the future.
Biggest Surprise Cut?
RC: WR Chad Jackson. The fact that he wasn't discarded on Saturday made me think the coaching staff was giving Chad a second chance. He made some plays in the final two preseason games, and I thought it was enough. He was hurt for much of his second season, so I figured that bought him a little more time. That time amounted to just one more day.
WB: John Lynch and Chad Jackson.
MD: Fernando Bryant. He started every preseason game and looked like he had the starting spot opposite Hobbs sewn up. Chad was known to be somewhat on the bubble, and Lynch will probably be back after Week One.
Player you think will have a breakout year?
RC: The biggest problem for RB Lawrence Maroney has been staying healthy. But he finished the season strong, averaging almost 98 yards per game in his last six games, including two consecutive 122-yard games in the divisionals and AFC Championship. He will share the load, but Maroney will get the majority of carries.
WB: Shawn Crable. Would it be Mayo's breakout year when we expect him to be dominant?
MD: Terrence Wheatley. I am guessing (and praying) that the coaching staff saw enough from him to axe Fernando Bryant.
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