Who is your sleeper to make the Patriots squad in 2010?
Every year, fans and media types pick their sleepers, binkies, favorites, whatever you want to call them, to make the 53-man roster this August. Much has been made already about Thomas Williams, an inside-linebacker that weighs in at 248 pounds, that more than one writer has tagged as a sleeper for the 2010 squad.
Linebacker Brandon Spikes at Rookie Camp
It’s been a long off-season so far, and we’ve still got over a month to go before training camp opens up for our New England Patriots. That said, we here at NEPD want to know which moves have you excited this off-season, and which moves have you worried. You can choose from draft picks, free agents, players released, etc… We’ll get the discussion going.
The Patriots off-season has been incredibly exciting, with a great 2010 NFL Draft, setting themselves up well for the 2011 NFL Draft, and some great free agent signings.
Resigning of Vince Wilfork/Leigh Bodden
Wilfork and Bodden represent two things that went well on 2009′s defense that never lived up to expectations. Both were resigned to contracts that benefited the players and the team, leaving both sides feeling good. With Wilfork back in the fold, the Patriots were free to focus their draft efforts away from the defensive line.
Drafting of Brandon Spikes
Brandon Spikes will bring a “culture change” to the Patriots. He is a hard-nosed tackler that enjoys being physical, something that few people would have called the Patriots in 2009. Spikes will allow Jerod Mayo to flow to the ball more, with Spikes lining up at the Mike. Don’t be surprised if Spikes moves to OLB on 3rd-down, as he is a proven pass-rusher.
Three New Tight Ends
With the addition of Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and veteran Alge Crumpler, the Patriots have completely remodeled their TE position. Crumpler and “Gronk” bring the physicality in the blocking game that the Patriots have missed since Daniel Graham left, while Hernandez and Gronkowski were deadly in the NCAA passing game.
Releasing Adalius Thomas
The evil is gone.
Drafting Zoltan Mesko
How does a punter make this list? If the Patriots do have to punt, which hopefully doesn’t happen to often, Mesko is an incredibly adept directional punter with a powerful leg to boot. The biggest impact, however, will hopefully be the lack of an impact on pro-bowl kicker Stephen Gostkowski, as former Patriots punter Chris Hanson has held for Gostkowski the last few years. Mesko was a great holder at Michigan and has performed well so far in mini-camps.
Honorable Mention: Torry Holt
Signing veteran WR’s makes Patriot fans nervous, especially after the “Galloway Incident”. Holt has shown no signs of being that bad, and has the potential to be a reliable #4 option for Tom Brady.
After picking up twelve players in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Patriots held their Rookie Mini-Camp over the last couple of days.
Extra Points has a nice piece on Ross Ventrone, brother of former Patriot Ray Ventrone, who has signed as a undrafted free agent with the Patriots.
Brandon Spikes and Taylor Price were two that impressed many lookers-on at the Patriots rookie camp. Spikes with his desire, work ethic, and pass-coverage skills, and Price with his solid route-running.
Jermaine Cunningham spent time at the ROLB postion, looking decent in coverage. 1st Round pick Devin McCourty spent most of his time at the LCB position, where he could end up playing ahead of Darius Butler.
Aaron Hernandez wasn’t allowed to talk to the press after drug-related questions dogged him this last week. He spent the two days lining up as the receiver-centric “F” tight-end, while fellow draft-pick Rob Gronkowski lined up at the “Y” position.
The Patriots will be back May 17th.
With the 62nd pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Patriots have selected Brandon Spikes, inside linebacker from Florida.
Spikes should play SILB, or the “Mike”, for the Patriots. This will potentially allow Jerod Mayo to move to the “Will” position. Spikes isn’t the fastest linebacker (5.0 40 yard dash) but he has great instincts and tackling skills. Spikes was quoted in his media conference call saying, “Bill Belichick knows pretty much everything about me.”
Spikes joins Devin McCourty, Rob Gronkowski, and Jermaine Cunningham as the newest Patriots.
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