He’s Baaaaccck…. (Photo – Boston Globe)
The first Patriots practice ended the same way that the 2008-2009 season ended: stormy. The Globe has more pictures at Reiss’ Pieces.
All of the Patriots rookie class are signed and in camp, save for Tyrone McKenzie who will spend the year on IR. Ron Brace, if not others, was seen working with the first team, during the limited time the team had on the field.
As summer starts to wind down, two things happen: kids start going back to school, and football starts anew. What to do before these things come to pass? Let’s go the Amusement Park…
The Kiddie Rides
Just like Kiddie Rides, you don’t have to stand in long lines to get in to watch these teams. You feel both happy and sad when you’re done, as it just didn’t live up to what you remembered when you were a kid.
2008 Winner: Detroit
2009 Possibilities: Oakland, St. Louis
2009 Favorite: Detroit
The Carnival Games
These teams are pretty fun to watch, whether that be for a certain personality or football reason. But when you really look at it, it is pretty hard for them to win unless you change something pretty drastic.
2008 Winner: Cincinnati
2009 Possibilities: Jacksonville, Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington, Seattle, Cincinnati, San Francisco
2009 Favorite: Denver
The Roller Coasters
Kind of self-explanatory, these teams are poised for (another) year of ups and downs, or in Buffalo’s case, one BIG UP, and a BIG DOWN.
2008 Winner: Buffalo
2009 Possibilities: Baltimore, Green Bay, Chicago, San Diego, Tampa Bay, Houston, Tennesse, Buffalo
2009 Favorite: Minnesota
The Thrill Rides
After waiting in long lines, you finally get there. After riding though, you feel kind of sick and wish there was more substance to it, and perhaps a longer ride. Sounds exactly like the 2008 Patriots to me…
2008 Winner: New England
2009 Possibilities: Arizona, Miami, Dallas, New York Jets, Carolina, Indianapolis
2009 Favorite: New Orleans
The Bumper Cars
Keep all hands and feet inside the car and try to avoid all head-on collisions. These are the big-bumpers that you don’t want to face until the Playoffs in 2010.
2008 Winner: Pittsburgh
2009 Possibilities: New England, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York Giants, Atlanta
2009 Favorite: We’ll see in February
More NE Patriots Draft:
2009 NFL All-Food Team
Joe Horn Effect
Reiss’ Pieces has some training camp pictures and the first day schedule at the Globe.
Pats Examiner has a great look at all the training camp story-lines in 2009 for the New England Patriots.
Christopher Gasper has a few of the position battles to look for during this training camp, and Shalise Mansa Young does as well.
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Updated 8/25 – Tyrone McKenzie Signing
2nd Round – Pat Chung – Signed (4yr, TND)
2nd Round – Ron Brace – Signed 7/17 (4yr/?, 2.8 million guaranteed)
2nd Round – Darius Butler – Signed 7/10 (4yr/4.1 mil, 2 mil bonus)
2nd Round – Sebastian Vollmer – Signed 7/15 (4yr, TND)
3rd Round – Brandon Tate – Signed 7/17 ( 4yr/?, 755k Bonus)
3rd Round – Tyrone McKenzie – Signed 8/24 (TND, Torn ACL)
4th Round – Rich Ohrnberger – Signed 6/16 (4yr, Terms Not Disclosed)
5th Round – George Bussey – Signed (TND)
6th Round – Jake Ingram – Signed (TND)
6th Round – Myron Pryor – Signed 7/14 (Terms not disclosed)
7th Round – Julian Edelman – Signed 7/17 (4yr/1.8 mil, 48k Bonus)
7th Round – Darryl Richard – Signed (TND)
In Art Modell, err, Roger Goodell’s never-ending quest to find ways to mess up America’s favorite sport, he has now officially canceled the NFL Holiday known as “Draft Weekend”. In its place, there will be an excruciatingly long, three day process that successfully alienates fans on the western half of the United States.
Thursday, or “First Round Thursday”, will begin at 7:30pm eastern (4:30 western). To you fans in California, that puts you somewhere on a freeway as the Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders colossally screw up again, while you will be comfortably in your seats to watch the Patriots draft in the 32nd position. It’s even worse on Friday, with the 2nd and 3rd Rounds starting earlier.
On Saturday, traditionally one of the top 5 days on the NFL Calendar (behind the Super Bowl, AFC/NFC Championship, Opening Day, and the Pro Bowl), we will be relegated to watching the 4th – 7th rounds.
Thanks Roger. Thank you very much.
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The Why
The Patriots have had two glaring deficiencies on the field the last few years, depth on the offensive line and a poor defensive backfield. A third cropped up last year, linebacker depth. All three of those problems have been addressed during the offseason. The addition of Sea Bass Vollmer and Rich Ohrnberger has given Coach Belichick and Scarnecchia some added flexibility on the line. Nearly the entire defensive backfield has been retooled, while the linebacking corps has gotten much younger and faster with the development of Gary Guyton, Jerod Mayo, and hopefully Shawn Crable. Add these improvements to the best skill position players in the league and you have a pretty good team.
The Why Not
As stated before, their are quite a few new parts to get used to in the defensive backfield. Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs are veterans who should adapt pretty quickly, but Patrick Chung and Darius Butler will be relied on to contribute from day one. On the offensive side of the ball, running back depth will always be a concern for the Patriots, while I and 10 million other Patriot fans pray that the Bernard Pollard’s of the world stay far away from Tom Brady.
The Schedule
Considering one of the eight road games that the Patriots have to endure is in London, it makes the other seven kind of pale in comparison, although Miami is always tough to play in.
@NYJ (W)
@DEN (W)
@TBB (W) (London)
@IND (W)
@NOS (W)
@MIA (L)
@BUF (W)
@HOU (W)
The eight home games are a little tougher, and we see a small upset happening early as all the new parts find their groove.
vs BUF (W)
vs ATL (L)
vs BAL (W)
vs TEN (W)
vs MIA (W)
vs NYJ (W)
vs CAR (W)
vs JAC (W)
The Verdict
We see the Patriots re-asserting their dominance in a spectacular 14-2 season, although as we learned last year, the Patriots just need to get into the playoffs. After that, anything can happen. Like What You Read? – Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!
2012 NFL Draft Season Has Begun
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