Pats camp is sneak peek
By Michael Felger
Thursday, June 9, 2005 - Updated: 07:35 AM EST
After four months of offseason maneuverings, both on the field and in the coaches' offices, the Patriots [stats, news] will provide the first on-field glimpse of themselves starting today at their mandatory, three-day minicamp.
Practices, which are closed to the public, will be held in shorts and helmets. Most of the observations will be cursory, but that doesn't mean there won't be points of interest. A few:
# The logjams. The Pats have stacked themselves with wide receivers (seven) and defensive backs (13) who have legitimate claims on roster spots. Where the players take their snaps will offer an early indication of the depth chart.
Given the non-contact nature of the drills, the player who could make the biggest splash is receiver David Terrell. Fellow free agent Tim Dwight also is worth keeping an eye on, while sophomore P.K. Sam will be looking to make people take notice. It will be instructive to note how Troy Brown [news] is being used.
At corner, Duane Starks, who came from Arizona in a trade, will be in the spotlight. Who will be working with the first unit on the outside? Will it be Starks and Tyrone Poole, who missed most of 2004 with a knee injury? Or will Randall Gay remain with Asante Samuel [news]? Veteran additions Chad Scott and Ike Charlton also will be on display. At safety, Antuan Edwards was added to a mix of youngsters (Guss Scott, Dexter Reid, James Sanders) vying for time behind Rodney Harrison [news] and Eugene Wilson [news].
# The coaches. The players have said the practice field isn't quite the same without the constant cajoling of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who moved on to Notre Dame. Bill Belichick [news] is operating as the current replacement, which means it's hard to imagine him assuming a passive, evaluating role on the practice field. On defense, Eric Mangini, 34, now is the big cheese. New assistants include Joel Collier (assistant secondary), Pete Mangurian (tight ends) and Matt Patricia (assistant offensive line).
# The linebacker rotation. Everyone knows the moves the Pats made to account for the potential loss of Tedy Bruschi [news], but how it all fits together remains to be seen. For instance, who projects as the starter next to Ted Johnson [news] - Monty Beisel or Chad Brown? And have the Pats groomed any other young linebackers to move inside? Candidates would include Eric Alexander and Matt Chatham. And remember, Dan Klecko [news] will be looking to resume the progress he made last offseason.
# The real debuts. Everyone wants to see if second-year tight end Ben Watson has returned to full health (and speed) following a season-ending knee injury early in 2004. Ditto for Scott, who showed fine instincts and aggressiveness before going down last preseason.
Veteran defensive end Rodney Bailey also will be returning from an Achilles injury, while second-year running back Cedric Cobbs looks to show off the work he's put in during the offseason.
And no one should forget outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. With a full season under his belt after his hip injury, Colvin should be closer to possessing the quickness and first step that once made him devastating.
# Backup quarterback. Rohan Davey is the incumbent, but Doug Flutie is lurking in the background, and the release of veteran Chris Redman could mean the coaches saw something in rookie seventh-round pick Matt Cassel.
By Michael Felger
Thursday, June 9, 2005 - Updated: 07:35 AM EST
After four months of offseason maneuverings, both on the field and in the coaches' offices, the Patriots [stats, news] will provide the first on-field glimpse of themselves starting today at their mandatory, three-day minicamp.
Practices, which are closed to the public, will be held in shorts and helmets. Most of the observations will be cursory, but that doesn't mean there won't be points of interest. A few:
# The logjams. The Pats have stacked themselves with wide receivers (seven) and defensive backs (13) who have legitimate claims on roster spots. Where the players take their snaps will offer an early indication of the depth chart.
Given the non-contact nature of the drills, the player who could make the biggest splash is receiver David Terrell. Fellow free agent Tim Dwight also is worth keeping an eye on, while sophomore P.K. Sam will be looking to make people take notice. It will be instructive to note how Troy Brown [news] is being used.
At corner, Duane Starks, who came from Arizona in a trade, will be in the spotlight. Who will be working with the first unit on the outside? Will it be Starks and Tyrone Poole, who missed most of 2004 with a knee injury? Or will Randall Gay remain with Asante Samuel [news]? Veteran additions Chad Scott and Ike Charlton also will be on display. At safety, Antuan Edwards was added to a mix of youngsters (Guss Scott, Dexter Reid, James Sanders) vying for time behind Rodney Harrison [news] and Eugene Wilson [news].
# The coaches. The players have said the practice field isn't quite the same without the constant cajoling of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who moved on to Notre Dame. Bill Belichick [news] is operating as the current replacement, which means it's hard to imagine him assuming a passive, evaluating role on the practice field. On defense, Eric Mangini, 34, now is the big cheese. New assistants include Joel Collier (assistant secondary), Pete Mangurian (tight ends) and Matt Patricia (assistant offensive line).
# The linebacker rotation. Everyone knows the moves the Pats made to account for the potential loss of Tedy Bruschi [news], but how it all fits together remains to be seen. For instance, who projects as the starter next to Ted Johnson [news] - Monty Beisel or Chad Brown? And have the Pats groomed any other young linebackers to move inside? Candidates would include Eric Alexander and Matt Chatham. And remember, Dan Klecko [news] will be looking to resume the progress he made last offseason.
# The real debuts. Everyone wants to see if second-year tight end Ben Watson has returned to full health (and speed) following a season-ending knee injury early in 2004. Ditto for Scott, who showed fine instincts and aggressiveness before going down last preseason.
Veteran defensive end Rodney Bailey also will be returning from an Achilles injury, while second-year running back Cedric Cobbs looks to show off the work he's put in during the offseason.
And no one should forget outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. With a full season under his belt after his hip injury, Colvin should be closer to possessing the quickness and first step that once made him devastating.
# Backup quarterback. Rohan Davey is the incumbent, but Doug Flutie is lurking in the background, and the release of veteran Chris Redman could mean the coaches saw something in rookie seventh-round pick Matt Cassel.
