Can Torry Holt turn expectations on their head and win a starting job for the Patriots?
Ah, training camp. We only had to wait 200 days for your return.
Perhaps the most intriguing portion of training camp each year is the annual gladiatorial battle for a couple of starting spots and a few backups. Young guys trying to make their name, veterans trying to hold on for one more year. This year will be no different, as there will be four highly intriguing positional battles to watch.
Per reader request, we’re going to look at who NEPD, and our great readers, think will be the last five Patriots to make the 53-man roster. Conversely, we’ll also speculate on who will be the last five to be seen by “the Turk.”
Taylor Price runs with the ball at Patriots Rookie Camp
Taylor Price’s long wait to join the Patriots is finally over. After the Ohio Bobcats (finally) hold their 2010 commencement ceremonies today, the Patriot’s 3rd-round pick can officially suit up for organized team activities (OTA’s). Due to an NFL rule, rookies aren’t allowed to attend OTA’s until their college has held graduation.
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.
The Patriots signed veteran wide receiver Torry Holt today to a 1-year deal worth just over $1 million dollars. Holt was formerly part of the “Greatest Show on Turf” with the St. Louis Rams, and most recently with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With the 2010 NFL Draft quickly approaching and WR a definite area of need for the Patriots, this signing would seemingly give them flexibility in finding the right value for a receiver.
Still look for the Patriots to add a wideout during the draft, but now it might be able to wait until at least the waning hours of Friday.
Patriots Off-season: Ten Post-Minicamp Thoughts
Setting the Stage for Ryan Mallett’s Third NFL Season
Making Sense of Tim Tebow’s Signing with the New England Patriots
How the Patriots Will Use Tim Tebow
Report: Patriots Have Signed Tim Tebow
Breaking Down Ras-I Dowling’s Fit in New England
Breaking Down Jermaine Cunningham’s Fit in New England
Breaking Down Tavon Wilson’s Fit in New England
