Rodney Harrison activated off of the PUP

The Pats today activated Rodney Harrison off of the PUP allowing him to start taking part in practice.

7/27 AM Practice notes

That Pats held thier first practice of the day this morning.  It was another practice in pads, meaning 5 out of 6 practices have been in pads, as only a walkthrough yesterday afternoon has been the only non padded practice.

Terrance Wheatley did work this morning with the first string defense, as Jason Webster was not at practice.  There were no reasons given for Webster’s absence, but with older veteran players seeming getting easy days during the two-a-day sessions, Webster might have been given the session off, as Matt Light also didn’t practice this morning and reports also say Tom Brady took it easy.  Also Shawn Crable and Jerod Mayo deflected passes during a red zone drill this morning, so it looks like the rookies are coming on fine and fitting in.  Of course Wheatley might not see 1st string time once Hobbs gets off the PUP, but him getting time now helps, as we are about a week away from the preseason opener.

Nick Kazcur has his first practice this morning.  He was the second string left tackle, Wesley Britt and Ryan O’Callahan were the first string tackles this morning.

Newcomer Lamont Jordan drew some raves as well from Coach Belichick in his press conference after practice, and Jordan looked good out there running during the Pats red zone drills this morning.

There will be another practice this afternoon, but with the skies looking grey and what sounds like thunderstorms starting outside, this practice might be moved indoors and closed to the public.

Nick Kazcur activated off of PUP, Lav Bauta released

The Patriots announced this morning the release of offensive lineman Lav Bauta and that lineman Nick Kazcur was activated off of the PUP in time for practice this morning.  Kazcur has had an awful offseason, being arrested for speeding and posession of 200 oxycontin pills.  He then turned informant and helped the feds arrest his dealer.  He was in court ealier this week where Kazcur did pay a fine for the speeding charge and was put on probation for the drug charges.

Pats sign Lamont Jordan

The Patriots today announced they signed Lamont Jordan to the squad.  To free up a roster spot, they released WR Robert Ortiz.  Jordan’s signing is somewhat of a surprise, as the Patriots look to be deep at running back with Sammy Morris, Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk getting the bulk of the touches.  Possibly Kyle Eckel or Heath Evans could be in trouble with this signing, as its possible Jordan could play fullback when the Pats use one and Jordan is a better goal line back than Evans.

Jordan has been given #32 as of now.

Some notes on today’s practice

For more information on the Pats practices, check this webpage out: http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

I will hit on some of the keypoints mentioned though for the second day of camp.

One, the quarterback battle is heating up.  Matt Cassel has been working with the second string in practice and has looked good so far.  Cassel is playing for his job, as the Patriots drafted quarterback Kevin O’Connell in this years draft rather early, in the third round, for a team that has a starter the quality of Tom Brady.

Two, the offensive line is in shambles on the right side.  Nick Kazcur and Stephen Neal are battling injuries and are on the Active-PUP.  Wesley Britt, a third year player who has mostly been a gameday inactive throughout his career, as been getting reps at right tackle while time at right guard has been split by Billy Yates and Russ Hotchstein.  Ryan O’Callahan has been working as a back-up left tackle, but this could also be the Pats wanting to put guys in places to add depth and flexibility to the line in case of injuries.

Three, here is an update on the cornerback situation.  With Ellis Hobbs on the Active-PUP unable to practice, Fernando Bryant and Jason Webster have been the starting corners.  Bryant during a play yesterday was actually running step for step with Randy Moss according to reports.

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis has been activated off of the PUP and has started practicing.  Green-Ellis is a long shot to make the opening day roster but does provide a body to take carries so Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney don’t have take the load of the carries in practice and in preseason.

DE Richard Seymour missed practice today.  Seymour was drawing raves yesterday from the media for looking slimmer, faster and healthy.  Hopefully they gave him some time off and he isn’t bothered by injuries this early in camp.  Seymour when healthy is on of the best defensive ends in football.

I haven’t read too much on the rookies.  Jerod Mayo had his first practice Thursday afternoon,  but it looks like right now the veteran players are getting most of the first string reps.  Hopefully that will change as we get later into training camp and see what some of these draft picks can do.

Rodney Harrison to the PUP

Bill Belichick announced that Rodney Harrison has been added to the active-PUP list, along with the names I listed earlier.

Also this afternoon’s practice is closed to the public again, as the weather here in New England has been on and off showers and thunderstorms.

Late second training camp news and notes

First of all, Jerod Mayo has signed, and he will be in Foxboro in time for the second of today’s opening day of practices. Terms were not disclosed per team policy.  All of the Pats draft picks are now signed and ready for training camp.

Also if you were planning on attending camp today don’t bother, practice was moved inside, which means it is closed to the public, as  New England yesterday was sit hit with severe thunderstorms with wide spread flooding and power outages.

Also the opening active-PUP list was announced for camp.  This isn’t the version of the PUP which makes players miss the first 6 weeks of the season, it allows the players to be removed from any time, but note, once removed from the active-PUP, they are not allowed to go onto the reserve-PUP, which is the list where players miss the first 6 weeks’

DL Jarvis Green
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis

CB Ellis Hobbs

OL Nick Kaczur

G Stephen Neal

OT Oliver Ross
LB Bo Ruud
LB Mike Vrabel
WR Wes Welker
C Ryan Wendell
DL Mike Wright

Again, as stated, today is the opening day of camp for the Pats as they start the 2008 season.  Two practices today, both closed to the public as of now, bue the afternoon session could change to an open on, but its highly unlikely.

New England Patriots 2008 Training Camp Preview-Special Teams

The New England Patriots had ok special teams play last year.  They had two kickoff returns for a touchdown, including at the time the longest play in NFL history opening day when Ellis Hobbs brought a kick back 108 yards for a touchdown vs. the Jets.  The Pats averaged a solid 25 yards per kick return, while allowed 22 yards per return.  In the punt return game, the Pats averaged close to 10 yards a return while holding opponents to 6 yards a return.  Lonnie Paxton was resigned in the offseason to continue his role as long snapper, an important job that gets little glory and only gets recognized when there is a mess-up, and being signed for two years means the Pats think he does a good job.  Anywhere, here is a look at the Pats special teams this year.

Field Goal kicker-Stephen Gostkowski

Gostkowski was 21 for 24 last year kicking field goals, with his longest being from 45 yards.  Its hard to get a vibe on his leg power, but he was only 3 for 5 from 40 yards.  He did hit a 52 yards in 2006, so he can hit them long.  He is very accurate for his career, hitting on 82% of his kicks in his first two years in the league.  He has also his a playoff game winning kick in his rookie year, so he can make clutch kicks like his predecessor.  Just the one thing about the kicking game is during the Super Bowl, the Pats had a 4th and 13 and was in field goal range, it was a 48 yard attempt, not an easy kick by a long shot, but something makeable, and the Pats went for it and didn’t convert, and end up losing the game by 3 points.  That haunts as bad as the Asante drop on the last drive as a play that cost us that game.

On kickoffs, Gostkowski has shown a big leg, averaging 65 yards per kickoff for his short career, including games in some elements playing in the northeast.  He also had 15 touchbacks last year and only one kickoff has been returned for a TD, which was vs. the Giants last year after a 15 yard penalty cost the Pats some field position.

Punter-Chris Hanson

A punter playing for the Pats has got to be an easy position, as Hanson averaged about 2 punts per game last year.  Anyway, statistically speaking, Hanson averaged 41.1 yards per net gross, with a net average  37 yards even.  Solid numbers seeing what the Pats were doing offensively and where they would normally punt from.  Hanson also had 13 kicks inside the 20, but 6 touchbacks, which isn’t an overly great ratio.  Hanson this off season will probably work a little less on putting power into the ball and spend more time on placement, getting air under the ball to allow coverage to catch up to is and probably coffin corner work, as the Pats on offense won’t have too many three-and-out situations where long punts will be needed.  Hanson is the only punter on the roster heading into camp, so the job is his for now, but punters are a dime a dozen and if Hanson shows signs of faltering, he will be quickly replaces.

The return game

Ellis Hobbs was the main kick returner last year.  He averaged 26 yards a return and had one touchdown.  Nobody else had double digit returns.  Hobbs though has been beat up throughout the season the last few years and is also the starting cornerback, so the Pats drafted Matthew Slater, who averaged 33 yards per kick return in the 5th round of this years draft to give Hobbs a rest and not have him get as much of a pounding.  Chad Jackson and rookie Terrance Wheatley could also see time here depending on how their battles in camp play out.

Slater will also do work in the punt return game as well.  Wes Welker was the leading punt returner last year with 25. While he did average 10 yards per return, you don’t want your leading receiver taking unnecessary hits.  Kevin Faulk is the designated “Fair Catch” player.  Watch the games this year, if you see Faulk back to return a punt, his hand is going up in the air as soon as the ball is punted.  This is another area where Jackson and Wheatley could see the field.

Kick coverage

The Pats special teams coverage was solid last year, allowing a 22 yard average on kicks and a 6 yards average on punt returns.  Kelley Washington was a standout last year with a blocked punt and many great plays on special teams.  Larry Izzo continues to make a career in this aspect of the game.  I can see Matthew Slater playing a big role in this aspect of the game and it wouldn’t shock me to see some of the rookies get reps here early in camp, as Belichick likes to have his players know all aspects of the game, and they will decide many camp battles based on who can play special teams better.

The Pats special teams look to be solid this year.  This area of the team only needs to be smart this year and avoid putting the defense in a bad position and avoid costly turnovers on fumbles.  Anything they contribute will be nice to see, but its not a necessary to score points out of this aspect of the game, just put the offense and defense in good positions to do what they need to do to win games.

Terrance Wheatley signs, Kaczur pleads guilty

The New England Patriots came to terms today with second round pick Terrance Wheatley, out of Colorado.  Terms were not disclosed and with this signing, the only rookie not signed is first round pick Jerod Mayo.

Also Nick Kaczur pleaded guilty to a charge of speeding today.  He will have the drug charge dropped if he stays out of trouble for 6 months and does a two year stint in a drug treatment program.  Kaczur when originally busted with 202 Oxycontin pills in April when he was speeding and had a loud muffler and illgeally tinted windows and became an informant after being arrested and helped the DEA catch his supplier.  Kazcur also payed a $355 fine and will be ready for the start of camp later this week.

2008 Patriots Training Camp Preview-Defense

Heading into 2007, the Patriots defense had many question marks.  Would the aging linebacker corps be able to stay healthy and productive, even with the addition of Adalius Thomas?  How would the cornerback situation play out?  Was Asante Samuel the real deal or did he play over his head in a contract year in 2006?  Well, those questions were answered in astounding fashion, as the defense continued to be one of the best in the league.  The Pats ranked in the top ten in points allowed, yards per game allowed, rushing yardage per game allowed and passing yardage per game, and also had a +14 turnover ratio, even though these numbers could be skewed because of the fact the Patriots offense was so good at scoring, teams had no choice but to get into a passing situation to try to keep up.  The pass rush generated 47 sacks on the season, with Pro Bowl linebacker Mike Vrabel leading the team with 12.  It did seem like though once Rosevelt Colvin got hurt vs. Philadelphia, the pass rush lost some bite.  Tedy Bruschi  led the team in tackles with 92, and Asante Samuel led the team in interceptions with 6.  This season could be a rebuilding year on the defensive side of the ball, there is some young but talented players drafted to help the linebacker and cornerback position, but this team still has the leadership of veteran players like Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Richard Seymour, so the youth infusion shouldn’t be too tough for the defense to over come.  Here is a position by position breakdown of the D-Line, the linebackers, cornerback and safety and what to expect from the 2008 Patriots.

The Defensive line
The Starters-Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren
Third down pass rusher-Jarvis Green
Training camp battle for the last roster spot-Le Kevin Smith vs. Mike Wright

The New England Patriots might have the best three man defensive line in the game.  Richard Seymour when healthy, which he is for the first time this season at the start in a long time, is one of the best ends in the game.  Big Vince Wilfork is trouble in the middle, impossible to move in the run game and takes on constant double teams up the middle letting the linebackers make plays, and Ty Warren should have been a  Pro Bowler two seasons ago and is the quiet man in the starting threesome, but led the lineman in tackles and is always around the ball when the play is going his way.  These three guys alone make this line great, but then you add pass rush specialist Jarvis Green to the mix, who is the fastest lineman on the team and had 6 sacks last year, this line might be the best in the whole league.  The main camp battle is Le Kevin Smith vs. Mike Wright.  Smith is coming into his third year in the league, has spent most of his time as a reserve and on special teams last year, Wright is a fourth year man who missed parts of last season with assorted ailments and was put on IR in December of last year.  Wright saw a lot of playing time in 2006 though and depending on how he looks in camp right now has the inside track because he can play both end and a little bit of defensive tackle.  Smith though is a better athlete, and seeing how the Pats didn’t draft a defensive lineman this past draft, they might feel the depth they have now is more than sufficient for the up coming season.

Linebackers
Inside linebacker rotation-Tedy Bruschi, Victor Hobson, Jerod Mayo (rookie 1st round pick)
Outside linebacker rotation-Adalius Thomas, Mike Vrabel, Shawn Crable (rookie 3rd round pick)
Special Teams players and on the bubble-Larry Izzo, Eric Alexander, Pierre Woods, Bo Ruud (rookie 6th round pick)

Each group has a good mix of youth and experience, and this doesn’t include Junior Seau, who hasn’t announced if he is coming back yet.  The inside rotation has Tedy Bruschi, who is the heart and soul of this defense.  While he has lost a step in pass coverage, he is still very good against the run.  Victor Hobson was signed from the Jets in the off season and brings experience in the 3-4 defensive scheme.  Hobson had over 100 tackles in 2006 and last year started 14 games.  Jerod Mayo is the rookie sensation from the University of Tennessee taken in the first round with the 10th overall pick.  He is somebody who impressed the Pats in pre-draft interviews with his knowledge and love of the game of football, and is one of the early favorites for Defensive Rookie of the Year.  While its hard to say what a rookie will do in the league, playing week in and week out in the SEC is probably as close to the NFL your going to get in college, and Mayo was a force in that tough conference.

On the outside, last year’s big free agent signing on defense, Adalius Thomas and Pro Bowler Mike Vrabel will be the starters.  Thomas had a solid year his first in New England with 78 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and an interception returned for a touchdown and should improve those numbers with a year under his belt in our defensive scheme.  Vrabel was the best linebacker for the Pats last year, 77 tackles, 12 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and two offensive touchdowns in goal line situations and continues to put up numbers.  Shawn Crable, the third round pick from Michigan, looks to replace Rosevelt Colvin as a pure pass rusher on the edge, will get some time to spell Thomas and Vrabel, and while scouts think he might need to work a little but on playing the run, if he can get to the QB constantly, he will have done his job.

Sixth round pick Bo Ruud, Eric Alexander and Larry Izzo will be key contributors on special teams.  Izzo has been one of the better players on special teams his whole career, playing in multiple Pro Bowls, Alexander has seen time on the field as a linebacker, getting double digit tackles in the AFC Championship vs. Indianapolis a couple of years ago and will be the first guy called on to get into the main rotation is there is an injury, and Ruud has a good motor and another player with a “high football IQ” that will be on the practice squad this season.

Cornerbacks
The starters-Ellis Hobbs III and Fernando Bryant
The rookies-Second round pick Terrance Wheatley and 4th round pick Jonathan Wilhite
Special teams and depth-Mike Richardson, Jason Webster, Antwain Spann, Lewis Sanders

Here is the big question mark of the off season, the cornerback position.  Dom Capers was brought in this off season to coach this position, and probably to add another defensive coach with head coaching experience to help the defense as a whole, letting coach Belichick focus on other areas, like a questionable offensive coordinator.

Hobbs gets bashed on a lot by Pats fans, but he plays hurt and seems to be put in bad situations, like single covering Plaxico Burress with a jacked up labrum and a groin injury on the last drive in the Super Bowl, and faced a lot more “#1 receivers” than Asante Samuel did.  Fernando Bryant is penciled in as the other starter right now, he came over after a good career in both Jacksonville and Detroit.  Last year Bryant played in all 16 games and has 2 interceptions and  76 tackles.  While Bryant isn’t the athlete Samuel is, he won’t take as many risks as Samuel did going for interceptions and is a better tackler, so while the Pats might have turnover teams as much this year as the last two years, they have a very sure tackler who isn’t afraid to get hit, like some people said about Samuel.

The two rookies will be thrown into the fire as well, but going against the #1 ranked offense in the league in practice for the next few months will more than prepare them for the NFL game.  Wheatley has first round talent but has a long injury history.  He is another small and fast corner like Hobbs, and could be a force in the return game but the Pats are hoping he is able to push Webster to become the nickel back, and even push Bryant late in the season to be groomed into a starter for 2009.  Wilhite, some people think he was another steal, some people think he is going to be a bust.  I need to see him in action with pads on the next few weeks to get a vibe on him.  I think he might be practice squad material, but until I see him in pads on the practice field, I will reserve judgment.

Jason Webster was a free agent signing from the Bills this off season.  He is a journeyman corner who has played for Buffalo, Atlanta and San Francisco.  He is injury prone but is rookie insurance and special teams depth.  Richardson, Spann and Sanders are also fighting for a roster spot.  Sanders was another off season signing, he came from the Falcons and before that spent time in Houston and Cleveland.  Another guy who can’t stay on the field, as he has only played in 16 games in a season twice, last time in 2004.  Richardson didn’t play last year and was a late round pick in the 2007 draft.  Spann gas been on and off the practice squad the last 2 seasons and has seen time on the field in special teams situations.  Webster and Sanders might see time in the main defense, depending on injuries and the rookies, Richardson and Spann are fighting for roster spots as special teams players.  I think Richardson is on the practice squad, Spann makes it as a special teams player, and I think either Webster or Sanders is gone barring injuries, one of the rookies will make and impact and force a veteran out.

Safety

The 4 heavy hitters- Tank Williams, Rodney Harrison, James Sanders and Brandon Merriweather

This is going to be the most fun position to watch this year.  All four of these guys love to hit, Harrison and Williams are working at linebacker to add flexibility and pass coverage vs. running backs and tight ends to the defense, Brandon Merriweather showed flashes of potential last year and all he needs to do is work on his hands, and Sanders is the lunch pail guy on the team, always does his job.

All four of these guys are going to see time.  Merriweather at safety and some corner, Harrison and Williams as run support, and Sanders has become quite the player under Rodney’s tutelage.  Another good mix of two veterans who have seen many NFL battles in Williams and Harrison, with the youngsters who can give the older guys a breather.  No matter what, like I said, these guys like to lay the lumber and opposing wide outs might get a case of alligator arms going over the middle.

All and all, it’s going to be an interesting couple of weeks of camp.  Looking at what the youth will add to this defense, along with the battles at corner and linebacker should be an entertaining couple of weeks for Pats fans to put away the painful ending of last year’s season.