2012-2013 New England Patriots Thread

[Egilbe]

Oh good, they drafted a safety. Tavon Wilson. Anyone else remember Eugene Wilson?

[Sporin]

With the 48th pick in the 2012 NFLDraft, the Patriots select S/CB Tavon Wilson of Illinois.

No one has any clue who he is. Wasn't even invited to the combine.

[Sporin]

@MikeReiss: Reading some of the comments from 2009 blog entry on Sebastian Vollmer, reaction is similar to Tavon Wilson '12 pick. http://t.co/NFkn3uHf

[Sporin]

Patriots trade third second #2 for a 3rd and a 5th.

Good call, I think the last pick shows that the guys they apparently want will be available later. They probably wanted to trade out of that first #2 but couldn't do it and just picked the next guy they were targeting. (twitter sports writers' speculation)

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

Last year it was mostly offensive players that BB drafted, this year it's all defense which is what they really need. Their offense is good enough as is- hoping waters will play one more year and they will probably sign a veteran RB. I hope Carter gets healthy and they bring him back as well. So far so good though.

[Sporin]

“@MikeReiss: Story on @ESPNBoston: Illinois DB Tavon Wilson a reach in Round 2? Not to Bill Belichick. http://t.co/2ahNzDtp”

[20thAna3282]

I think the picks have real promise, can't wait for the season to start.

[Sporin]

I think the picks have real promise, can't wait for the season to start.

Agreed!

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

In Bill we trust, they could have drafted either Reyes or Curry over Tavon Wilson.

They just re-signed Warren, any news on Brian Waters? What about yeremiah bell?

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

What's next on the list? Any news on hightower? Addai? Grant?

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

RIP Junior Seau!

On a different note, Gaffney tweeted that he will be joining the Pats, really? how many WR's do they want? will they even need Welker?

I know this is a long shot but Would you trade Welker for Freeney?

[ed rooney]

Nope

[Sporin]

Veteran RB signed, I would have preferred Hightower but Addai is a good signing if he can stay healthy.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...k-joseph-addai

... The addition of Addai might mean that we have seen the end of Kevin Faulk in not only a Patriots uniform, but in the NFL entirely, as he's turning 36 years old this summer. Addai will likely fill Faulk's role as the veteran leader of the running back corps and will be as versatile as Faulk was—as long as he's healthy, of course.

All in all, this is a pretty solid transaction on the Patriots part. If Addai can stay healthy, he can be one of the more lethal running backs in the league due to his ability to catch balls out of the backfield as well as being a traditional in-between the tackles running back.

[20thAna3282]

Matt Light officially retires today. A great player and one of my favorite patriots ever.

Hopefully Solder put on some weight and learned a few things, I really like the way the line is if everyone can stay healthy.

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

Hoping Addai can stay healthy as well. Looking forward to what the new look D line can do. Chad is probably sweating buckets right now, he is still not guaranteed a spot......

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

Welker signs the tender!!!!

Rumour has it that the Ravens are looking at Andre Carter.... Any updates on his health situation?

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

So Brian Waters is coming back next year which is good news. With Light retiring and Mankins having surgery during the off season- I am glad he's back since he did well last year.

Any luck of them getting Jared Allen?

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

So they finally released Chad O. today, I guess he saw that coming when they signed Stallworth and Gaffney. The signed Scaife as well to add to the TE, I think the offense is okay (hoping Addai is healthy) - I just hope Hightower and jones makes a big impact on D

[ed rooney]

GronK signs a 6 year $54 million dollar extension, Smart move locking him up early avoids all the BS the pats generally go through with star players.

Season should be a good one receiving core is strong if we get some defensive rookies stepping up with some added pass rush. Could be a real interesting season. We made it to the Superbowl with a sub par D if we are just average or a little better this year could be a great season

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

With this receiving core, i think their best defense will be a great offense and will try to have the O-line out there as much as possible eating up the clock like how they used to do it

[Egilbe]

With this receiving core, i think their best defense will be a great offense and will try to have the O-line out there as much as possible eating up the clock like how they used to do it

They score too damn quickly

[GeoffD]

GronK signs a 6 year $54 million dollar extension, Smart move locking him up early avoids all the BS the pats generally go through with star players.

Season should be a good one receiving core is strong if we get some defensive rookies stepping up with some added pass rush. Could be a real interesting season. We made it to the Superbowl with a sub par D if we are just average or a little better this year could be a great season

If you look at his contract, the big dollar years are year 5 and year 6. This is really a 4 year contract where it's unlikely the Pats will pay the last 2 years without doing some other contract.

[Egilbe]

I was reading about the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, today. Curtis Martin was introduced by Bill Parcells. I still remember Parcell's news conference and how all the reporters were gushing over the rookie running back. Parcells, in typical fashion, said "Don't be putting him in the Hall of Fame, yet, boys!" How ironic

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

With Gallery retiring and Waters still MIA, the o line looks pretty thin. Mankins,Vollmer are still injured is there anybody out there that they can get to help? They need to protect Brady.....
On a diff note- The D is looking decent with the addition of (rookies) Jones and Hightower, signing Fanene and Gregory- and hoping Spikes and the corners can stay healthy....

[Sporin]

Camp Observations: Day 12
August, 6, 2012
By Field Yates | ESPNBoston.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots practiced in full pads for the second straight day on Monday morning. Here are some observations:

Offensive line focus. It’s been something of a revolving door along the Patriots’ offensive line in recent days, with a number of injuries leaving the team plugging gaps with new and inexperienced players at certain positions. Perhaps no spot has been shaved thinner than tackle, where Sebastian Vollmer (PUP) has been joined by Kyle Hix, Matt Kopa, and Darrion Weems on the sidelines. With four players on the shelf, the Patriots look to be experimenting with Nick McDonald at the left tackle spot, something he hasn’t done during his brief pro career. McDonald just recently was removed from the PUP list, and put the pads on for the first time today. He was thrown into the mix right away, repping at both guard and left tackle – a position he played as a senior at Grand Valley State. From a skill set standpoint, McDonald has good athleticism, but lacks the typical lead in the trunk that we see at the tackle spot (he’s listed at 305 pounds, but doesn’t look that heavy in pads).

More offensive line thoughts. With the aforementioned injuries, the Patriots may look to experiment with a number of players in different positions, similar to McDonald. Four players, Jeremiah Warren, Dustin Waldron, Derek Dennis and McDonald worked in a small group with offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia during practice, receiving two separate sessions of individual tutelage. Perhaps this is part of a plan to see which of these players might be able to play a position other than what he is listed at on the roster.

Lots more on other areas here: http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-e...vations-day-12

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

Mankins and Vollmer has been spotted at practice which is great news. Any news on Waters? Is he playing or not? I hope he does, they need him and hopefully will play for one more year. I know Connelly and Koppen are back but I hope that line can stay healthy.

The defense looks better with Jones and Hightower, I just hope the cornerbacks play better this year.

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

Man, I was hoping Fanene will be helping the D line while jones and Hightower gets some experience..... So far none of their off season signing are working out.


What is up with Waters? Is he in or out? What is he waiting for? If he's not playing then at least tell them now so they can fill out the spot.....

What about getting Jeff Otah? The deal with the jets didn't go through and he is still available. With Fanene out, is that a good sign for Carter?

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

Bye bye Gaffney and bye bye Stallworth. Looks like the receiving core from last year will stay put with the addition of Brandon Lloyd which is still good- lets just hope that Gronk comes back healthy.

Any news on Brian Waters? What's the hold up?

[Sporin]

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

Hoyer and branch were reportedly cut - can they not trade them and get somebody or picks instead of just dropping them?

So we pretty much replaced Branch with Lloyd which is an improvement but Branch had great moments when Welker was off..... I know they need edelman since He is versatile but there's other players there that I would have released over Deion and lets just hope that Brady doesn't get hurt cause they only have Mallet as their back up. He is a decent QB but I dont think he is ready yet

[Sporin]

from Ian Rapoport:
http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/08/31/why-...an-hoyer-well/

They tried hard to trade him, but found no takers at that salary. Perhaps the Kevin Kolbs of the world soured the NFL on finding a backup in a good system and then taking him into your system.

Mallett didn’t have a great rookie year, and the Patriots were concerned. Then, he showed up after his offseason in Arkansas at 10 percent body fat. Mallett had worked, and the Pats noticed. He’s already won employee of the week a few times, impressing them to no end. In games, the Patriots have actually hid Mallett, calling screen pass after screen pass so as not to show off his arm.

[Egilbe]

They've placed a lot of players on injured reserve and cut a lot of players I thought would make the team. I wonder how many are going on the practice squad and how many are going to wait for a phone call after the injury bug hits.

[Bor-ah 1.8!]

Looks like they picked up a WR- Salas. And is looking at a backup QB Kafka and also picked up Tennant (center) and released carpenter- so in the offseason, the only off season pick up that stuck was Lloyd and Gregory...... Fanene was released and trying to get some of that 3.85 mil signing bonus back, Gallery retired, none of the fullbacks made it...

They claim that Salas was picked over Branch mostly because of Josh McDaniels and this was one of his guys/ boys before along with Lloyd. He is younger, quicker and cheaper than Branch but I hope he is a quick learner and can gel with Brady right away.

About a week away till game 1, I want to see what the younger, quicker D can do during the regular season when it counts. If Jones can be a Pierre Paul type player then that would be amazing and lets just hope Chung, Mayo, Spikes are all healthy this year and help Hightower.

[20thAna3282]

So pumped for this weekend.

[Sporin]

I think Salas is going to be a great pickup for us, he comes dirt cheap and he's potentially Welker's replacement if he leaves after this year (I really hope he stays).

I wound up with Ridley on my fantasy team... hoping he rolls this year.