PatsBlog: A Patriots Blog

Just days into training camp, the Patriots already seem to be coming together.  Well, a little bit.

After a sluggish beginning to training camp, which can be expected, the Patriots really picked up the intensity days two through five.  The team started with individual drills and fundamentals, and has now moved onto full team and situational work.

With all of this in mind, I’m beginning to not only get a better picture of what our roster will be like, but who is out-playing who, who’s looking good, etc.

I’ll start off this mini-series by talking about some of the rookies.  Jerod Mayo is a beast.  He’s hitting hard, going all-out on every play.  He has shown a strong ability to defend the run, but has looked incredible rushing the passer, and has looked just as good in pass coverage.  He’s strong, quick, explosive, and never takes a play off.  Here’s my guarantee: Jerod Mayo will make an impact this year.  If you don’t believe me, just wait and see.

Terrence Wheatley has also looked really good so far.  He hasn’t made many mistakes, and has taken advantage of his oppurtunities with Jason Webster out the last couple of days.  He hasn’t made any big plays, but he hasn’t given up any either, and that, in essence, is a very good thing.  Fellow rookie cornerback Jonathan Wilhite has also performed well.  He’s gotten significant playing time as the slot corner, and has played well, and even shown good hands (which was a knock on him coming out of college).

The more I watch Shawn Crable, the more I think he’s going to be a really good player for the Patriots.  He’s shown good moves and speed coming off the edge, and could factor in as a situational pass rusher his rookie season.  Kevin O’Connell, on the other hand, likely won’t contribute his rookie year (unless you count garbage time).  However, he has looked better than he did during Spring camps.  He’s shown a quick release, and a better knowing of the system.

The rest of the rookies haven’t been too noticeable, but are noteworthy.  Matt Slater has looked really good in the return game, bringing one back during special teams work.  He also flashed some skill as a receiver, something I didn’t really expect.  Bo Ruud, on the other hand, hasn’t shown anything, due to an injury that has prevented him from participating in training camp thus far.  BenJarvus Green-Ellis started camp on PUP, but was off the next day.  He hasn’t done anything to help himself, but he hasn’t done anything to hurt himself either, although he has struggled in pass protection.  The two rookie free-agent linebackers, Vince Redd and Gary Guyton have both shown a little flash.  Redd looked strong off the agent, and showed a big-hit ability.  Meanwhile, Guyton showed the ability to drop back into coverage, even getting a pick-six during red zone work.

With training camp opening today, I thought I’d give a quick preview of the major position battles that should take place.  I’ll do about one per week, starting with this general overview:

Back-up/2nd String  Quarterback:

Kevin O’Connell is a virtual lock to be the third quarterback.  However, there will be a battle for second quarterback between Matt Cassel and Matt Gutierrez.  In the end, one of them will more than likely be cut or traded.  In my opinion, the most likely event would be Cassel and Gutierrez playing pretty neck and neck, while Cassel, who has shown some flashes, will end up being traded for a third or fourth round pick.  However, if Gutierrez doesn’t hold up his end of the bargain, anything can happen. 

Wide Receiver:

Only two spots are set in stone for the wide receiver position. Randy Moss will be #1, and Wes Welker will be #3, in the slot. The number 2, 4, and 5 are completely up for grabs, the competitors being Jabar Gaffney, Chad Jackson, and Kelley Washington.  In my opinion, Gaffney has the early edge, considering his success in the Patriots system, as well as his overall experience and consistency.  He’s the safe pick.  Then there’s Chad Jackson.  We all hope Jackson could step up and be the other starting receiver, and if he does, that means he’s finally getting everything right.  Chad Jackson is the hopeful pick.  Lastly, there’s Kelley Washington.  Washington has height and strength, but we have yet to see what he can really do in the Patriots system.  Washington is the underdog, just as Jabar Gaffney was last year.

Right Tackle:

Nick Kaczur vs. Ryan O’Callaghan vs. Oliver Ross vs. Wesley Britt vs. Anthony Clement.  With Kaczur’s legal issues up in the air, there might be an opening at right tackle.  Ryan O’Callaghan is a guy who is big, smart, and has experience starting in the Patriots system… he’s a guy that I really like, but I think he might be a little soft.  Oliver Ross has yet to be spotted in a Patriots uniform and is now on PUP.  His chances are dwindling by the day.  Wesley Britt is an underdog, but I think there’s a chance he could get that spot due to his hard work and experience in the system.  Then the wildcard is Anthony Clement.  He’s started the past two years for the Jets, and looked impressive on day one of training camp.  Maybe he could be the answer.

Inside Linebacker:

One of the two positions on the inside, next to Tedy Bruschi is up for grabs. It will be between Jerod Mayo and Victor Hobson. Obviously, Mayo will start down the road and get significant playing time as a rookie, but I think Hobson is going to surprise some people.  He looks faster than described, has 3-4 experience, is a hard hitter, and I really think he can start and be good this year.

Back-up Outside Linebacker:

This will be between Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, and even Vince Redd (a guy who I really like).  If Junior Seau was back, I’d say him, but it looks less and less likely that he will be returning.  All three of these guys are really tall, athletic linebackers.  I think they could all see time at some point during the season.  Woods and Crable will really be fighting for time, and should both see some, while I see Redd turning a lot of heads.

Cornerback:

One of the biggest questions heading into training camp is; who is going to start next to Ellis Hobbs? This position might showcase the tightest battle, as the likes of Fernando Bryant (my pick), Jason Webster, Lewis Sanders, Terrence Wheatley, and possibly Jonathan Wilhite will be competing for that position.  Fernando Bryant has adequate size, is a workhorse, is experienced, fast, and is really good in run support.  Webster is undersized, but is also experienced and has great cover abilities.  Lewis Sanders is the biggest cornerback on the roster, and will compete because of that alone, although he is very unproven.  Terrence Wheatley probably won’t start as a rookie, but looked really good in mini-camp, and might have a chance to garner the starting job later in the season, and a solid training camp would certainly help.  Wilhite is kind of in the same boat, he had a strong showing during mini-camp, but is very unlikely to start this year.  However, he could be a nickel or dime back.