Bleacher Report - Articles by Nate Owen

New England's Coaching Staff a Mix of New and Old

Nate Owen — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:27:54 -0400

A new season already has a familiar pattern for the New England Patriots.

In an offseason where another up-and-coming coordinator left—this time Josh McDaniels—New England has again opted to fill his vacancy the same way they have in the past.

Similar to when Charlie Weis left four years ago, the Patriots enter the season with no official offensive coordinator.

But it was McDaniels, who officially served as quarterbacks coach in 2005, who ran the offense that year before being formally promoted to offensive coordinator the following year.

With McDaniels now the head coach of the Denver Broncos, New England enters the season with no official offensive coordinator.

Instead, Bill O'Brien was promoted from receivers to quarterbacks coach. It's entirely possible that his role during the upcoming season will be the same as McDaniels during the 2005 campaign.

While O'Brien is entering his third season with New England, Bill Belichick's other coaching slots are filled with veterans.

Defensive coordinator Dean Pees has spent much of his 36 seasons at the collegiate level, but was a relative newcomer to the pros when he replaced Eric Mangini as defensive coordinator in 2006.

A trio of stalwarts on New England's coaching staff are assistant head coach and offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, running backs coach Ivan Fears, and defensive line coach Pepper Johnson.

New England's offensive line has been consistently solid and while it boasts several high picks, Scarenecchia has taken his fair share of free agents and late round draft picks— such as Russ Hochstein and Stephen Neal—and turned them into solid NFL players.

Fears and Johnson have made their mark as well.

While the aerial attack has stolen the show recently, New England's rushing offense has quietly put up some nice numbers the past few seasons.

On the defensive line, undrafted free agent Mike Wright has worked his way into a regular turn in the rotation.

New England will enter the 2009 season without special teams coach Brad Seely. Scott O'Brien enters his first year with New England after spending the past two seasons in charge of Denver's special teams.

Under Seely, who had held the position since 1999, the Patriots placed an emphasis on special teams play, with Belichick signing players specifically for their abilities on coverage units.

Entering the 2009 season, Belichick once again seems to have assembled the right mix of veteran savvy and youthful enthusiasm on his coaching staff.

Laurence Maroney, Could This Be It?

Nate Owen — Thu, 28 May 2009 22:04:32 -0400

A glance at the Patriots' roster reveals several positions which could provide interesting training camp battles.

At outside linebacker, who will fill the spot of the departed Mike Vrabel?

Will special teams ace Pierre Woods finally make his mark on defense? Or will Shawn Crable, who missed his rookie season with an injury, give the Patriots speed off the edge?

How will things shake out in the secondary? And with veteran tight ends Chris Baker and Alex Smith in tow, where will holdovers Ben Watson and David Thomas fit in?

Perhaps the most intriguing battle will be at running back. Despite having a slew of injuries at the position in 2008, New England still ranked sixth in rushing yards. With a solid offensive line and potent passing attack, whichever back gets the majority of the touches should put up some nice numbers in 2009.

But with a crowded backfield, newcomer Fred Taylor joins incumbents Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Laurence Maroney—could it be the oft injured and thus far disappointing Maroney who is the odd man out?

Maroney was a first-round pick out of Minnesota in 2006 and teamed with Corey Dillion to give the Patriots a two-headed rushing monster that season.

Despite showing flashes during the end of 2007, Maroney has largely been a disappointment since being tagged with the lead back role in New England. That culminated in an injury plagued 2008, which saw his season end after just 28 carries and three games.

Taylor, for one, is no stranger to injuries, having carried the "Fragile Freddy" tag throughout his career. The eleven-year veteran could offer invaluable guidance to Maroney.

Two possibilities seem likely for Maroney. One, he learns from the veteran Taylor and uses the competition as motivation to stake claim to the starting job.

Two, he falls out of favor in training camp and goes the route of former Patriot receiver Chad Jackson, who could never harness his talent and was released last summer.

But the indecisive Maroney, who by all accounts is a good guy, needs to cure his injury woes and hit the hole with more authority, as the Patriots have proved they can be decisive when it comes to making tough personal decisions.

Wilfork, Secondary Key to New England's Success in 2009

Nate Owen — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:53:03 -0400

It's only May, and players aren't even in full workouts or donning pads, but Tom Brady is already set to go.

While his press conference today was full of training camp cliches, its a good sign for New England to see their leader jumping to get back into action. But how will the Patriots, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002, fare this fall?

While the questions surrounding Brady's health are some that will need to be answered, there are others as well. Keep in mind the Patriots went 11-5, sans Brady for all but one quarter of the 2008 season.

A delay in Brady's return, or even another injury, would hurt, but the Patriots have a solid offensive line and a deep pool of players at the skilled positions.If New England is going to return to the playoffs and capture their fourth Super Bowl of the decade, the defense is going to have to step up and match the panache of the offense.

New England's secondary is stocked with some much needed youth and talent in draft picks Patrick Chung and Darius Butler, which should help a team that is still trying to find a replacement for Asante Samuel. Veterans Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs are steady players, but it will be interesting to see if the explosive Butler can push one of them for a starting spot.

Keep an eye on Vince Wilfork, too. The massive nose tackle is unhappy with his contract situation and did not report to a voluntary workout today. Granted, it's early, but him not showing up had to have sent a sign.

Wilfork is the anchor of the Patriots 3-4 defense and helps stuff the run. Rookie Ron Brace has potential, but it would be far too much to ask for him to fill Wilfork's spot right away in the season opener.

Should Wilfork hold out or demand a trade, his absence would allow teams to attack the Patriots both on the ground and through the air. With several youngsters potentially starting in the secondary, eliminating an opponent's run game could be key.

While New England is frugal with their cap space, they have shown the willingness to pony up for players they consider essential—especially lineman, as Bill Belichick believes games are won and lost in the trenches.

More likely then not, Wilfork will suit up as a Patriot next season.

If Wilfork returns, and linemate Richard Seymour can return to his previous form, the Patriots could have a dominating front line.

Couple this with a the emergence of a playmaker or two in the secondary, and New England's defense may be able to match the offense in its explosiveness.

Injuries, combined with the injection of new talent via the draft, make football one of the hardest sports to predict prior to the start of the season. But, it's safe to assume that the Patriots will be one of the eight teams playing deep into January. How far they'll go remains to be seen.

A Few Minutes With Julian Edelman

Nate Owen — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:02:59 -0400

In 2008, Julian Edelman broke Josh Cribb's season yardage mark with 3,190 total yards (1,820 passing, 1,370 rushing) for Kent State. The slasher was drafted by New England in the seventh round (232nd overall) and will rely upon his versatility to stick in the NFL.

You were successful in a wide range of areas in college, passing, rushing, and even returning kicks. What made you such a versatile player?

How were you able to handle all these duties without being burnt out?

Prior to the draft, had you gotten any hints as to where you might go or what position teams planned to use you at?

New England is known for having an affection for players like yourself who can do a lot of things, ala Troy Brown. Where you happy to go to a team that seems to appreciate your wide range of talents?

What position do you see yourself playing at in the NFL? Has the coaching staff given you any clue where you might play?

Have you had a chance to talk to Josh Cribbs about adjusting to the pro game?

The Wildcat has become a trend offense recently. Could you see yourself running that?

How valuable could you be to a team with your ability to run, catch, pass, return, and even cover kicks and punts on special teams?

How has practice been going so far? What's one of the biggest adjustments from college?

Weapons Aplenty in New England Offense

Nate Owen — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:14:53 -0400

At the end of Week One last season, New England's record setting 2007 offense already appeared to be in jeopardy but, with Tom Brady out for the season, Matt Cassel emerged from the bullpen to provide solid relief in place of the injured superstar.

The Patriots' 410 points were second in the AFC and their second highest since 2004. Here's a rundown of some plays and formations that worked well for New England last season.

Halfback Draw

While the Colts are known for their sweep plays to the outside, New England is known for their draw plays, especially on third down.

Kevin Faulk draws praise for his pass catching ability and pass blocking, but he can perhaps run the draw better then anyone on the team. It's a perfect play to run on third-and-five out of the shotgun to catch the defense off guard.

Faulk has improved his fumbling problems and is shifty in open space. He has a nose for finding the first down marker, but if not, the draw can improve field goal range or help New England win the battle of field position.

When discussing the Patriots' offense with Aaron Schatz, founder of Football Prospectus, this was one play he keyed on. Schatz also noted that New England, one of the best teams in the league at running this play, didn't use it once against the pass rushing Giants in the Super Bowl.

Screens

Wes Welker is one of the best in the league at creating yards after the catch. At times in 2007, quick screens to him served as the Patriots' running game.

With Cassel at the helm in 2008, Welker served as an invaluable safety valve. New England runs this play out of a variety of formations, although typically in some form of a three receiver set with Welker in the slot.

He is slippery and daring enough to deal out hits to defensive backs for extra yardage. Faulk is also effective at catching screens out of the backfield and the Patriots' offensive line does a superb job at getting in the open and setting blocks for him.

Quick Slants

Again, Welker's agility and toughness come into play here. Similar to Wayne Chrebet, Welker isn't afraid to get popped going across the middle.

These quick passes require a good sense of timing between the receiver and quarterback.

Randy Moss has also proven to be dangerous on these short passes. If the middle is vacant, Moss has the speed to turn upfield and can easily outrun most linebackers and safeties.

A spread formation generally works well at creating open space for Moss and Welker to work in.

Flexibility

What makes the Patriots offense dangerous is its versatility. Case in point; in last year's 41-7 win against the Denver Broncos in Week Seven, New England ran the ball 38 times for 257 yards, a lofty 6.8 yards per attempt.

While some of those yards were racked up after the game was out of reach, Sammy Morris powered the Patriots offense with 138 bruising yards on 16 first half carries, before leaving with an injury.

Cassel threw for 185 yards and three touchdowns, but it was Morris moving the chains that propelled New England to a dominating win.

In Week 11's 34-31 overtime loss to the New York Jets, Cassel gouged the Jets defense for 400 yards and three touchdowns, including a nifty throw to a diving Moss in the end zone as time expired in regulation.

Cassel connected with six different receivers in the game. Take away his 62 yards rushing, and New England only produced 63 yards on the ground, albeit averaging a respectable 3.7 yards a carry.

Bill Belichick's defenses have received praise for showing the ability to adjust to opponents, but as these two cases illustrate, the New England offense can adapt from week to week as well, showing the ability to spread the field from the shotgun, or bunch things in with a heavy formation and pound the ball.

Randy Moss

It's ironic that Moss is the last aspect of the New England offense listed here, because it could be argued he is its pulse.

In the Patriots' 11 wins last season, Moss hauled in 10 touchdowns and averaged 74.6 yards per game. Conversely, in the team's five losses, Moss was silenced to an average of 37.4 yards per game and just one touchdown.

Whether on a fly pattern, quick slant, screen, or hitch, Moss has breakaway speed that makes him a threat to score anytime he touches the ball.

His height allows him to win the jump ball battle and lobbing it up to him deep downfield can either result in a big gain or draw an interference penalty from the defense.

Moss was Brady's stalwart in 2007. While it took a while for Cassel to gain the confidence to throw the ball downfield last season, Moss made it pay off handsomely for him.

Former Husky Carlos Pena on Baseball's Biggest Stage

Nate Owen — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:07:01 -0400

This is the original version of an article which appeared in the Oct. 23 edition of the Huntington News, the student newspaper of Northeastern University, in Boston. The published version of the article can be viewed at huntington-news.com, along with the latest news in Husky sports.

When the Northeastern University athletics department adopted the slogan “Now is the time” for the 2008-2009 athletic season, they probably only had their own teams in mind.

But it’s also a fitting mantra for former Northeastern slugger Carlos Pena, currently the first baseman for the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays.

Pena, who grew up in Haverhill, MA after moving from the Dominican Republic at age 14, won the American League Comeback Player of the Year award in 2007 for Tampa, setting career highs in virtually every category, including batting average (.282), home runs (46), and RBI (121). All this came after spending much of 2006 in the minors.

But he and the Rays took it a step further this year.

After finishing dead last in the A.L. East with a 66-96 record in 2007, Tampa Bay vaulted over traditional power houses New York and Boston en route to a 97-65 record and the A.L. East crown.

Pena and the Rays continued their success in the postseason, beating the Chicago White Sox in the Divisional round before taking down Boston in seven games in the League Championship series.

Despite missing just over three weeks in June with an injury, Pena still finished among the American League leaders with 31 home runs and 102 RBI, which ranked him 11th and 10th, respectively. His 96 walks ranked him fifth, while his .377 on-base percentage was good for ninth.

His home runs and RBI led the Rays, while he finished behind B.J. Upton in both walks and on-base percentage.

In the playoffs, Pena is hitting .279 with three home runs and nine RBI, including going 0-for-3 in Tampa Bay's 4-2 win against Philadelphia Thursday night.

Even though he’s enjoyed the two best statistical seasons of his career in Tampa, Pena alluded to the team chemistry and atmosphere as one of his favorite aspects of playing there.

“It has been an awesome experience for me,” Pena said about getting to the World Series in an e-mail to the Huntington News. “To be on a team with such an unbelievable chemistry and unity, [it] reminds me of my college team at Northeastern. We are not afraid to be ourselves and just feel so comfortable walking around this clubhouse,” he said.

In an interview last September with the then Northeastern News, Pena mentioned his excitement regarding the young players on the Rays. This season saw many of those players transform from promising prospects into key cogs on a World Series team.

“When you are in that state of mind, so relaxed and happy, the talent will express itself with ease,” Pena said in his e-mail. “That’s what I think has happened here in Tampa Bay with all the young players producing and blossoming into great stars. This environment is conducive to success,” he added.

Even as he is about to debut on the biggest stage of his baseball career, Pena hasn’t forgotten those who helped him get there.

“I e-mail Carlos regularly,” said manager Neil McPhee, entering his 23rd year at the head of Northeastern baseball.

McPhee said he e-mailed Pena immediately following Tampa Bay’s series-clinching win over the White Sox on Oct. 6. Pena had three hits and a pair of RBI in that game.

“It wasn’t two days later that he returned my e-mail, and it was just a wonderful e-mail, one that will stay with me forever. It’s just an indication of what kind of person Carlos is. He doesn’t forget where he’s come from,” McPhee said.

McPhee said Pena’s talent was unlimited when he first came to Northeastern after transferring from Wright State in Ohio. But it was his work ethic and dedication that set Pena apart.

“What really set Carlos apart from most players was his work ethic and his plan that he put forth for his future,” McPhee said. “It was an amazing thing to watch him be so disciplined [and] to come down and work with the athletic trainers and weight-room people on a plan to make sure he followed a regimen.”

McPhee added that Pena did this year round, not just during the season.

Pena’s dedication paid off. From 1997-'98, Pena posted a .324-24-93 line in 100 games with the Huskies and was taken with the 10th overall pick by the Texas Rangers in the 1998 draft.

“[There] was enormous excitement,” McPhee said of Pena’s selection, which was the first time any Husky baseball player was taken in the first round.

McPhee also said there was a lot of excitement leading up to the draft.

“Peter Gammons came to campus to interview him and all the local TV stations did interviews. It was a lot of media attention and something that was great for us, great for our program. But to have it actually culminate in the first-round pick...There’s always a lot of speculation as to who is going to go in what round. Of course, he got that call from Texas and it was bedlam at that time,” McPhee said.

With one of his former players on baseball’s biggest stage, McPhee is once again excited about the publicity his program will receive.

As for Pena, he’s once again shown that despite his stardom, he hasn’t forgotten his days on Huntington Ave.

“[When] representing Northeastern, I always do so with pride," Pena said in the e-mail. I really loved the years that I spent there, and everywhere I go I talk very highly of my university.”

A Decade Later, the Savior of Baseball Finally Arrives

Nate Owen — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:33:15 -0400

Ironically, it's been 10 years since Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were prematurely proclaimed the saviors of baseball.

Ten years to the month that Sosa's home run binge (a record 20 blasts in June, 1998) launched the nationally covered home race between the two sluggers, helping the game forget its ugly labor strike that led to the cancellation of the World Series just four years before.

As fate would have it, both of these sluggers became embroiled in the steroid controversy, and Sosa was also caught using a corked bat.

They are a continuation of disturbing legal and performance-enhancing-drug issues that have engulfed former stars Roger Clemens, Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, and Rafael Palmeiro.

It's only appropriate, then, that 10 years after the supposed saviors of baseball emerged, the man who had the credentials to be the savior of the game has finally reached an historic milestone.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th home run Monday, becoming only the sixth player to reach the plateau. It's a milestone he should have reached years ago.

But, unfortunately for Griffey, a combination of injuries and labor issues in baseball have caused him to play less then 140 games nine times in his 19 seasons entering 2008. Still, projections and the proverbial "what if?" are both moot points.

The point is that Griffey, the owner of 10 Gold Gloves, a .289 career average and 1,730 RBI, is headed to the Hall of Fame as one of the game's good guys. Never, either in Canseco's books or the Mitchell Report released in December, has Griffey been connected in any way to performance enhancing drugs.

Neither one of these, particularly Canseco's book, is a tell-all document on the subject. With the rampant use of drugs over the past few decades in baseball, it's almost impossible to rule any player out as a user.

But Griffey, unlike Bonds, had maintained the same lanky frame since he arrived as a rookie in 1989.

What Griffey has also retained is his love and passion for the game. His picture on his rookie card is burned into my head. Here, Griffey is just a kid, with a smile from ear to ear exuding pure jubilation for the game. It's no wonder that he's been adorned with the nickname "The Kid" over the years.

But while the image of Barry Bonds, apart from his stint as Paula Abdul in the Giants' spring training version of "American Idol," will be recalled as surly and aloof, Griffey, even in his later years, will be remembered for his infectious smile.

A kid playing a man's game.

Not just any kid.

The Kid.

David Ortiz: Out at Least a Month

Nate Owen — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:21:16 -0400

Boston's quest for a second-consecutive World Series title took a blow Monday, when David Ortiz was placed on the 15-day DL with a left wrist injury. Ortiz, who was hurt fouling a pitch off in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Orioles, will be out at least a month, according to Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo.

The burly DH has injured his extensor carpi ulnaris, or has a partially torn sheath of his left wrist. Ortiz will wear a cast for several weeks, and then begin to swing 10 to 14 days later, according to Cafardo.

Manager Terry Francona said the tendon itself was not torn, and no surgery is needed. However, there is a chance that if the injury hasn't healed in a month, that Ortiz will have season-ending surgery.

Ortiz, one of the best clutch-hitters in the game, if not all time, got off to a sluggish start this season, hitting just .184 at the end of April. But a change of the calendar saw a change in fortunes for Ortiz, who raised his average to .252 with a red-hot May.

His 13 home runs and 43 RBI both ranked third in the American League as of Monday night.

With Ortiz out, the Red Sox have a gaping hole in the third slot in the lineup.

Look for Kevin Youkilis to fill this slot. It's also essential that Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew step up to fill the power gap left by Ortiz. Drew, who is still struggling to live up to the $70 million contract he signed two winters ago, needs to stay in the lineup and start driving the ball with more authority.

The loss of Ortiz has a trickle down effect on current reserves Sean Casey and Coco Crisp.

Casey, who has hit well (.351) in limited duty, could see some time at first or DH. Or Francona could opt to use Manny Ramirez at DH and start Crisp in center field with rookie sensation Jacoby Ellsbury in left, giving Boston two outfielders who can cover an incredible amount of ground.

If Ortiz is out for the long term, look for the Red Sox to get some help from the minors, in the form of OF/1B Chris Carter.

Carter, who was acquired from the Washington Nationals for Willy Mo Pena last year, tore the cover off the ball in spring training, and is currently hitting .316 with 10 home runs in Triple-A Pawtucket.

For the short term, Boston will likely recall outfielder Brandon Moss, who started in right field on opening day and hit a game-tying home run off Huston Street in the ninth inning.

Losing a hitter of Ortiz's caliber for any amount of time would be a blow for any club in baseball. But, this year's Red Sox feature one of the more balanced offenses in recent memory.

Speedsters Crisp, Ellsbury, and Julio Lugo allow the Sox to manufacture runs. And Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia grind out at-bats, work the count, and expose the opposing pitcher's arsenal.

Boston's pitching is also solid, despite the loss of Daisuke Matsuzaka for two weeks and spotty relief pitching in front of closer Jonathan Papelbon.

In short, this year's edition of the Red Sox is a more balanced team, which is better equipped to handle the loss of Ortiz than clubs of years past.