Final Mini-Camp Thoughts
With mini-camp now behind us, here are some final thoughts after watching the three-day practice:
-This receiving corps is going to be scary. Randy Moss, Donte’ Stallworth, Wes Welker and Reche Caldwell would be productive on any team. Throw in Tom Brady and that’s not good news for defenses around the league. In my opinion, the guys listed above are the top four receivers right now, with Jabar Gaffney and Kelley Washington battling it out for the final spot if the team carries five receivers.
-Keep an eye on the Patriots possibly bringing in Chris Brown at some point if he’s still available. When Laurence Maroney isn’t on the field, I don’t have a good feeling that anyone else can carry the load. Just from what we saw at mini-camp, it appears that Sammy Morris is going to be used in a Kevin Faulk-type role. If anything happens to Maroney, the Patriots really don’t have another guy on the roster who can carry the load on the ground. Then again, if this passing attack takes off, it may not matter.
-If Adalius Thomas stays healthy, linebacker won’t be a problem. It’s always fun to complain around draft time that the Patriots need to add a young linebacker, and maybe they do. However, with Thomas’ versatility and the other quality starters on this team, I think the linebackers will be just fine this year, barring a rash of injuries. And if Thomas stays healthy, he could push for NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.
- Watching him right now, I don’t think Eugene Wilson can make the switch to corner like some other people are suggesting. I’m not talking about lining up at cornerback from time-to-time, I’m talking about starting at corner. As of right now, Wilson doesn’t look to me like he has the speed or instincts to be successful at corner. My guess is he starts the year at safety, just like he always does.
- In six months, anyone who says they still wouldn’t trade a second round draft pick for Wes Welker will probably just be lying through their teeth. Welker looks like he’s been playing in this offense for years. He’s just a perfect fit for this team. There’s no other way to say it.
- And for the last time, Kyle Brady is an absolute beast. In my lifetime, he’s the third biggest man I’ve ever seen in person behind The Undertaker and Patrick Ewing. I have no idea how defenses stop this guy near the goal line. I’m predicting 7-8 touchdowns for Kyle “The Beast” Brady this season.
Thanks for checking out the blog. We appreciate all the feedback and support. We’ll be back blogging for training camp, so be sure to stop by and check it out. Take care and enjoy the rest of the summer.
June 7, 2007 at 1:49 pm
great job tom as always. keep up the good work
June 7, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Tom, as always, great work. Thanks for the good reports and for not sugar-coating stuff like Washington, Geno at CB, the lack of RB depth, etc…
June 7, 2007 at 2:24 pm
What am i going to do now???
June 7, 2007 at 2:51 pm
No problem guys, my pleasure. Don’t worry, training camp is just over a month away and we’ll be right back at it.
June 7, 2007 at 3:48 pm
biggest guy i’ve ever seen: Michael Olowokandi (i’m young and don’t get out much)
biggest guy i’ve ever heard of: Tom Casale
June 7, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Thanks for your great work Tom can’t wait for training camp!
June 7, 2007 at 10:35 pm
What about Chad Jackson? Would he be competing for the 5th receiver spot? Certainly he’s got too much potential to simply cut, and with all the talent on the team now, he could bide his time and “learn from the masters”.
June 8, 2007 at 8:26 am
@Peter
CJ should open on the PUP list because of his surgery/injury so he won’t take a roster spot.
TomC, thanks for all the info and updates.
Greetings from Germany
June 8, 2007 at 10:03 am
they better not cut chad jackson.
that would be the most wasted draft pick ever.
he should be able to be the #5 receiver at some point this year.
June 8, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Thanks again. Keep up the good work.
-Marc
June 8, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Thanks Tom, terrific job as usual. loved the pfw show with interviews at charity tournament. Hey good luck with your wedding and anxiously waiting on for the training camp now.
June 9, 2007 at 8:39 am
Great job, Tom. You deserve a raise.