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.
7 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
William Berry 10 months ago
Gee, surprising I made this one of my picks, huh?
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Chris Radez 10 months ago
Nice Job Guys.
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Bruce Dickenson 10 months ago
No offense, but how can RC say the defense is better than last year after being a year older and losing the secondary and possibly the best corner in the league?
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Mike Dussault 10 months ago
I won't say they will definitely be better, but I think the additions of Capers, Mayo, more pt for Meriweather will overcome the losses of Samuel and Gay. Everyone says the Pats defense is old - the only old guys I see are Harrison and Bruschi. Vrabel and Adalius might be over 30 but both are still playing at an elite level. Other than those guys the Pats defense is actually pretty young. The Pats have overcome the loss of elite corners before, I am sure they will be fine without Samuel. Better? We'll see.
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Bruce Dickenson 10 months ago
Exactly, fine -probably, better -too early to tell.
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mmqb 10 months ago
Patritos will be fine but we have to wait to see how the season progresses and avoid injuries.
One thing, if Randy Moss can deliver again like he did last year, they will be tough.
Check out his cool video of Randy during the offseason. He seems loose and ready to go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asAwvL4t488
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Hanz Heiligmann 10 months ago
http://everythinghanzy.blogspot.com
great article guys...........
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