Training camp 2010 has the makings to be one of the most competitive in recent memory in New England. Endless roster spots, roles and starting jobs will be on the line this July and August on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. As we head toward the opening of training camp on July 29, PFW will take a closer look at some of the more competitive areas on the roster. We’ll map out the scenario and then offer our opinions on how the competition might play out. But, more importantly, we’ll open up debate to you, the reader. In the end, you make the call!

Today we break down the one-man race for the punting job in the wake of the Chris Hanson era.

On the roster: Zoltan Mesko

Why the competition?:
What competition? That’s the point at punter, there is no competition for the fifth-round pick Mesko.

Sure, he’s a high pick (for his position) and clearly the future at punter for New England.

But that was true for long snapper Jake Ingram a year ago and he still had to work through camp next to Nathan Hodel. Same for 2006 fourth-round pick Stephen Gostkowski, when Martin Gramatica was on hand to at least present the possibility that there was competition for the job at kicker. Hodel wasn’t released until Aug. 31. Gramatica on Aug. 23. But at least both were on the roster to open their respective training camps in 2006 and 2009.

Not this time, though. After Aussie David King was sent packing this spring, Mesko is all that’s left on the punter depth chart. No last-legs veteran. No journeyman. No fellow rookie. Nothing.

And Mesko didn’t exactly light things up in spring work, either in OTA action or mini-camp. He was utterly inconsistent as he appears to be tweaking his mechanics. He spent a lot of time punting on the move at Michigan. He won’t be doing that on Sundays. He’s clearly got the leg, but what we saw in the Spring was at least a two-to-one shank-to-bomb ratio.

Like any rookie, Mesko has a lot to learn. He’ll need to perfect his footwork, drops and overall mechanics. His situational work will be in the spotlight. But unlike most rookies, Mesko enters camp knowing that, at least on paper, the Patriots 2010 punting job is all his.

Are you OK going to camp with only Mesko at punter? Would you prefer some competition from a veteran, maybe even Hanson? Or is it good for Mesko to know the job is his from the very beginning?

Andy Hart says…
I’m a believer that competition is good for all involved. I’m surprised that Bill Belichick and Scott O’Brien appear to be simply handing the punting job to Mesko. I’d rather there be someone on hand to push the rookie to his limits. I know as a fifth-round draft pick he’d be likely to win the job either way, but the same could have been said for Gostkowski in 2006. He still had competition and Mesko should too, at least early in camp. I’m not big on just handing jobs to guys, especially rookies. If he can’t take the heat of training camp competition, then what’s he going to do in a key spot in a key game?

Erik Scalavino (our own former college kicker and resident special teams expert) says…
I’m slightly surprised there isn’t one other punter in camp to compete with Mesko. But in the end, as a fifth-round draft pick, he would have won the job anyway, so, I’m OK with giving him the added confidence of entering the season with job security. Besides, he has enough to worry about with the adjustment to his mechanics that we witnessed during spring practices. Now, that’s all he has to focus on this summer. That should help Mesko relax and make the necessary changes without simultaneously looking over his shoulder.

Paul Perillo says…
The bottom line here is the Patriots used a fifth-round pick on Mesko and he will be the guy. Unless he fails miserably during the season, I don’t see the team bringing in anyone to compete with him. He has a big leg and should settle in nicely once he gets more comfortable with the adjustments of kicking in the NFL.
Now that you’ve read the predictions from the PFW boys, give us your thoughts on the lack of competition at punter with a comment below!

Training camp 2010 has the makings to be one of the most competitive in recent memory in New England. Endless roster spots, roles and starting jobs will be on the line this July and August on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. As we head toward the opening of training camp on July 29, PFW will take a closer look at some of the more competitive areas on the roster. We’ll map out the scenario and then offer our opinions on how the competition might play out. But, more importantly, we’ll open up debate to you, the reader. In the end, you make the call!

Today we break down the battles along the defensive line, competition that includes both the starting job at right defensive end and a number of spots at the bottom of the depth chart.

On the roster: Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, Gerard Warren, Mike Wright, Damione Lewis, Myron Pryor, Ron Brace, Darryl Richard, Brandon Deaderick, Kade Weston, Adrian Grady, Kyle Love

Why the competition?:
Though the Patriots can no longer roll out the no-questions-asked, first-round defensive front of Warren, Wilfork and Richard Seymour, the New England defensive line remains a potential strength of the team.

The biggest question, though, is who can step up and fill Seymour’s vacated right defensive end spot. Two potential answers are actually fellow first-round draft classmates of Seymour’s from 2001 – free agent additions Gerard Warren and Lewis. Both are solid if unspectacular pros. The former has essentially been a full-time starter in his previous NFL stops in Cleveland, Denver and Oakland. The latter is a solid locker room presence and at least a capable on-field contributor. Both would seem to be more suitable every-down options than the now-departed Jarvis Green.

Gerard took the bulk of the reps at right defensive end this spring next to Wilfork, so it at least appears he’ll have the first chance at winning the starting job. Interestingly, if Lewis isn’t in the mix as a starter the veteran former Panther and Ram could be in a battle for his roster life. After the starting jobs are handed out, with Ty Warren and newly-rich nose tackle Wilfork locks for two of the spots, Wright is the most established veteran. His versatility is his strength, and while he may not be an NFL starter he’s a great luxury as a backup, sub player and special teams contributor.

Maybe the most heated battles along the defensive line will be for the backup jobs and final spots on the roster. Bill Belichick generally keeps seven or eight guys on the line. That means if Warren, Wilfork, Warren and Wright (No wonder Seymour got traded! Maybe he would have stuck around if his name had been Weymour!) are roster locks then the other guys are battling for three or four jobs.

Pryor would seem to have the edge among the second-year players, with the sixth rounder having seen more action than the 2009 second-round pick Brace and the practice squader Richard. Though Pryor did little to standout as a rookie in terms of making plays, he impressed enough to get significant reps. Brace, for what it’s worth, has spoken openly this spring about what he learned as a little-used rookie and what’s expected of him moving forward.

The rookie class brings a couple seventh-round picks in Deaderick and Weston. Both have the size and supposed athleticism for the 3-4, but the former may have the advantage early on coming from Nick Saban’s Alabama defense that has some similarities to what the Patriots do.

As has been the case for virtually the entirety of Wilfork’s time in New England, finding a true backup nose tackle is always a big part of the competition for defensive line roster spots. Although, no one has really emerged in that role over the years.

Will Gerard Warren bring some consistency to the starting job at right defensive end? Could we see Wilfork, as was the case on occasion out of necessity last season, play some end? Which of the young players has the most upside? Can Brace bounce back from a tough campaign and make that Year 2 jump that so many people talk about? Can the defensive line, as a whole, be good enough to take some of the pressure off the young linebacking corps?

Andy Hart says…
It looks like Gerard Warren will get the nod at RDE. He’s a solid vet and I think he’ll be an upgrade over Green and the rest from last fall. That WWW line is a solid starting unit. Brace has talked the talk this spring, but now he must prove it. I have my doubts. Beyond Wright, there’s not a lot to count on with the backups. WWW must stay healthy, in my eyes, or it could be a long year up front. Wilfork is as important as any player on the team not named Brady.

Erik Scalavino says…
Based on spring practice results, I’m expecting newcomer Gerard Warren to have the inside track to start at right defensive end alongside Wilfork and Ty Warren, with Wright a virtual lock as the proven, versatile backup. The real battle will be for the remaining reserve spots. Lewis most likely makes it, leaving Brace and Pryor as the frontrunners for the final two jobs, in all likelihood. At least one will probably not make the cut, meaning there’s an opening for Richard or one of the rookie/first-year players. Brace got a lot of reps in the spring, meaning the coaches are giving him every chance to succeed, but I wouldn’t feel confident betting on him.

Paul Perillo (yes, he’s finally back from vacation!) says…
The Patriots are better situated to fill the Richard Seymour void with veterans Gerard Warren and Damione Lewis, which should help. Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren give the team a solid starting group, particularly against the run, and Mike Wright does a nice job getting after the passer in subpackages. It would be a nice bonus if one of the many youngsters develops and contributes in 2010, otherwise this is a thin group.
Now that you’ve read the predictions from the PFW boys, give us your thoughts on the competition on the defensive line with a comment below!

Training camp 2010 has the makings to be one of the most competitive in recent memory in New England. Endless roster spots, roles and starting jobs will be on the line this July and August on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. As we head toward the opening of training camp on July 29, PFW will take a closer look at some of the more competitive areas on the roster. We’ll map out the scenario and then offer our opinions on how the competition might play out. But, more importantly, we’ll open up debate to you, the reader. In the end, you make the call!

Today we break down the battle at outside linebacker, arguably the most important competition on the roster this summer.

On the roster:

Tully Banta-Cain, Derrick Burgess, Jermaine Cunningham, Pierre Woods, Rob Ninkovich, Shawn Crable, Marques Murrell

Why the competition?:
A year ago a variety of bodies filled out a variety of roles at outside linebacker. By the end of the season Banta-Cain had established himself as a starter and every down option. Beyond that not much else was ascertained at the position, aside from the fact that it was one of the weaknesses of the team.

Now that Adalius Thomas has been sent packing and officially declared a free agent bust, the outside linebacker spot can look to the future. Banta-Cain re-signed with New England this spring, a reported three-year deal worth $18 million with $6 million guaranteed. After his 10 sacks a year ago he’ll be expected to lead the way in the pass rush, one of the team’s weaknesses last fall.

But who will join Banta-Cain with regular playing time and have a potential positive impact on the scheme? A big part of the possible answer comes in the form of unproven young players. Cunningham is one of this year’s second-round picks and would seem to have all the tools needed on the edge to be a well-rounded outside linebacker. The same was thought of the former third-round pick Crable, but after two years on IR and no NFL games played his professional future is far more dubious than bright. Ninkovich has a lot of physical similarities with Mike Vrabel and a similar background. But that doesn’t mean he can develop into an All-Pro. And while Woods started five games last fall, he’s notched only one career sack and at best seems like an option against the run. Or he may be a very good special teams contributor miscast in extended defensive action.

Like Banta-Cain, Burgess re-signed this spring. He had a quiet first season in New England after his summer trade from Oakland. His five sacks weren’t overly memorable, though he drew high praise at times from Bill Belichick. Maybe the former Pro Bowler will be more productive and an impact player with a year in the system under his belt. Maybe.

While it’s not nearly a return of the days when guys with proven NFL resumes like Willie McGinest, Vrabel, Rosevelt Colvin and Thomas were battling it out for action at outside linebacker, this could very well be one of the most competitive training camps at the position in the Belichick era. Starting jobs, roster spots and careers may very well be on the line.

Who do you think will end up winning the starting jobs at OLB? Can the pass rush be better than it was a year ago? Which of the young players are you most confident in? Will one of the veterans have a big year, much like TBC did last fall? Can Banta-Cain be a double-digit sack guy for two seasons in a row?

Andy Hart says…
Though I’m a very big TBC fan, I wonder if he can be a consistent double-digit sack guy and if he can hold up as an every down player for a full season. We’ll see, because I think he’s a lock for one of the starting jobs. While I think it’s a huge risk to expect a rookie to fill the role, I could see Cunningham landing the other starting spot early on. I’m just not sold on how valuable and productive Burgess is or can be. I think we may have seen the last of Crable in a Patriots uniform, which is funny since we never really saw him in a Patriots uniform. My heart is with Ninkovich, but I’m not sure he has all the Vrabel-like tools needed to be anything more than a backup or rotational guy. For me it’s Banta-Cain and Cunningham or bust in 2010!

Erik Scalavino says…
Last year’s regular duo of Banta-Cain and Burgess will retain their jobs, by default, at least in the beginning. However, it’s entirely possible that one of the younger players - Crable, Cunningham? - will emerge to overtake one or the other (more likely Burgess). Regardless, with the lack of consistent playmakers at this position, we’ll most likely see a rotational, situational substitution arrangement, with the likes of Rob Ninkovich and Pierre Woods contributing as well. Much like the team’s running back situation, I expect a committee approach to play itself out at outside linebacker in 2010.
Now that you’ve read the predictions from the PFW boys, give us your thoughts on the competition at outside linebacker with a comment below!

Training camp 2010 has the makings to be one of the most competitive in recent memory in New England. Endless roster spots, roles and starting jobs will be on the line this July and August on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. As we head toward the opening of training camp on July 29, PFW will take a closer look at some of the more competitive areas on the roster. We’ll map out the scenario and then offer our opinions on how the competition might play out. But, more importantly, we’ll open up debate to you, the reader. In the end, you make the call!

Today we take a gander at the competition surrounding Brandon Meriweather at the safety position.

On the roster: Brandon Meriweather, Patrick Chung, James Sanders, Brandon McGowan, Sergio Brown (Terrence Johnson, Bret Lockett and Ross Ventrone are listed as DBs)

Why the competition?:
Rodney Harrison’s departure a year ago left a huge hole in the New England secondary – both in terms of playing time and leadership. While Meriweather earned his first Pro Bowl trip as an injury replacement, the position remains a highly competitive battle between some pretty experienced talents.

There’s little doubt that Meriweather is a starter and one of the keys, for better or worse, to the new age Patriots defense. He’s still got room for growth, but at the current time he’s the given at the position.

The other starting job would seem to be up for grabs. Sanders (5 starts early and late) and McGowan (11 starts from late September through early December) split the duties a year ago. While Sanders is a career-Patriot who’s started 41 games for the team, McGowan was a solid surprise in his first season in New England. Early in the year he shut down opposing tight ends and brought aggressive, physical play to the field. But as a group the middle of the secondary seemed to struggle at times with communication and reliability, strengths that Sanders brought to the field in his late-season redemption. A solid tackler and underrated, conservative option at the position, Sanders enters camp looking to regain the full-time starting role he held in 2007 and 2008.

The second-year former second-round pick Chung is the big unknown in the group. After starting just one game and seeing much more playing time on special teams than defense as a rookie, Chung took the bulk of the reps next to Meriweather this spring in OTA and mini-camp action. He brings solid speed, athleticism and playmaking potential to the position — he did have two sacks and an interception in limited action last fall.

But just because Chung’s lining up with the starters in the spring doesn’t mean he’s the full-time, early season answer at the position. Bill Belichick may see both Sanders and McGowan as known commodities, possibly giving the young Chung more reps to prove what he would bring to the defense. If he maximizes those opportunities then the safety spot could be set with a pair of young guys for years to come. If Chung isn’t quite ready, then New England has two guys in Sanders and McGowan with plenty of starting experience to fall back on.

Who do you think will be the starter next to Meriweather? Will those safeties who don’t win a starting job see a lot of action on the defense? Could a guy like Sanders, who has a pretty high salary, be a surprising training camp cut or even summertime trade? Do you think the safety spot can evolve into a strength of the defense in the coming years?

Andy Hart says…
I’m a long-standing fan of Sanders. I think he’s a solid, sure-tackling safety net. He may not make big plays, but I think he saves plenty of them from happening against the Patriots defense. I’d line him up next to Meriweather and let the former first-round pick be the athletic playmaker he has the potential to be. I haven’t seen enough of Chung on defense to form a real opinion. He has all the tools and the desire. He’ll be in the mix and has a definite upside. McGowan, to me, is best served in a sub role as a guy who I believe brings diminishing returns the more he has to play. In the right spot I think he can be a complementary player on a good defense.

Erik Scalavino says…
While I still have my concerns about Meriweather’s fundamentals, I’ve no doubt he’s the only safety with a secure job. It looks like Chung will get every chance to be a starter, but until he proves himself, I remain a skeptic. McGowan is a playmaker at times, but is too inconsistent. Ironically, the most steady player, Sanders, seems like the forgotten man in this competition. But I think all four will make the team and contribute in a rotational role, much like last year.

Now that you’ve read the predictions from the PFW boys, give us your thoughts on the competition at safety with a comment below!

Training camp 2010 has the makings to be one of the most competitive in recent memory in New England. Endless roster spots, roles and starting jobs will be on the line this July and August on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. As we head toward the opening of training camp on July 29, PFW will take a closer look at some of the more competitive areas on the roster. We’ll map out the scenario and then offer our opinions on how the competition might play out. But, more importantly, we’ll open up debate to you, the reader. In the end, you make the call!

Today we look at the wide receiver position.

On the roster:
Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Torry Holt, Sam Aiken, Brandon Tate, Taylor Price, Matthew Slater, David Patten, Buddy Farnham, Darnell Jenkins.

Why the competition?:
New England’s passing game has been pretty easy to scout in recent years, if not easy to stop. It’s been mostly about Tom Brady (or Matt Cassel) throwing nearly 600 passes combined to Randy Moss and Wes Welker. While that will probably be a big part of the plan in 2010, the competition is more about who’ll fill out the other roles and roster spots for an offense that lacked a regular third option last fall.

First, though, Welker must get back on the field. Some retain the belief that he’ll still open the year on PUP. But his high-paced appearance during OTA and mini-camp action would seem to have him on course for a spot on the 53-man roster. Still, the question will be whether he can return to true Welker-like levels of quickness, reliability and production. Likewise, Moss battled injuries a year ago and is a year older. He believes he’s in his final season in New England, so he should be focused on proving he can still be an elite playmaker.

After Nos. 81 and 83 slide into their staring roles, then what? Holt caught 50 passes for the Jags last year and seems to still have something left as a route runner. He’s got Hall of Fame credentials, but he’ll have to prove that he can be a productive option along the lines of Jabar Gaffney, and not a gaffe of a veteran free agent addition as was the case with Joey Galloway.

But clearly the most intriguing and competitive area of the wide receiver depth chart is with the young talent. Julian Edelman’s rookie transition from college QB to productive NFL slot receiver was borderline remarkable. The Welker fill-in must prove the durability and consistency that his Pro Bowl teammate has over years, but if Edelman can build off his debut effort he clearly can help out the offense in the coming months and years.

Two young players with everything to prove are second-year speedster Brandon Tate and rookie third-round pick Taylor Price. Tate saw minimal action as a rookie while coming back from a major college knee injury and then returning to the sidelines on IR with another knee injury. He didn’t catch a pass last fall, but got plenty of run this spring on the practice fields and seemingly will be given every opportunity to carve out a role for himself. He’s also very much in the mix as a returner.

Price looks to have the speed, route running, hands and intellect to be an option as a rookie – something that’s not always easy at the receiver position in the NFL. He comes from an Ohio system that didn’t field an NFL passing scheme, so he’ll have to get up to speed with the Patriots playbook before he can prove his physical tools.

The rest of the players on the roster are either pigeonholed veterans or true roster long shots. As the returning special teams captain, Aiken would seem to have a step up on a guy like Slater who’s been OK as a special teamer in his first couple years. And though Aiken made some big plays in the passing game with what was a career year out of necessity a year ago, the more he sees the field on offense in 2010 the worse a sign it is for the overall production, health and development of the rest of the depth chart.

How will all the roles at receiver play out? Can Moss and Welker continue to be the focal point of the passing attack without some help from either Holt or the youngsters? Which young receiver are you most excited about?

Andy Hart says…
First, I think Moss is poised for another big year and expect that Welker will be on the active roster to open the season. I also think that Holt will help this team this year, far more than Galloway ever did and close to a Gaffney-ish complementary role. When it comes to the young guys, I’m really interested to see what Price can do. I think he might be the best, most well-rounded option for the future at the position. I have my overall doubts about Tate and need to see Edelman prove he can stay healthy and take the pounding in the slot. That’s not easy and is why Welker has been so special in New England.

Erik Scalavino says…
Clearly, Welker’s condition is the biggest concern at wide receiver, but after seeing him perform in the spring, I’m more optimistic that he’ll be contributing in Week 1 of the regular season. And with Moss heading into a contract year, I’m expecting big things from him again, too.

I’m cautiously optimistic that Holt will stabilize the all-important third wide receiver spot, and expect Edelman to continue his impressive development, both in his role and as a receiver in general. Tate’s potential as a receiver and kick returner are intriguing. Price will also get every opportunity to prove himself. They both appear to have talent that the Patriots coaches can exploit.

Now that you’ve read the predictions from the PFW boys, give us your thoughts on the competition at wide receiver with a comment below! And remember, T.O. is not actually on the roster right now so leave him out of his little discussion.