Monthly Archives: July 2007

The New England Patriots first round pick, Brandon Meriweather, is officially signed and practice with the team today in the closed training camp session.
Meriweather lined up at cornerback for a majority of snaps.
Although Tom Casale, at Patriots Football Weekly, noted Meriweather was covering Wes Welker: advantage Welker, at NFL .com Wire Reports, they seemed to believe Meriweather looked pretty good covering Randy moss.
When Belichick was asked on Meriweather’s role, Bill commented:

As I arrived late to evening camp (read the end about my frustration) due to traffic, Tom Brady and the quarterbacks were warming up throwing short passes near the hill.
I took a convenient place right by the bush next to the stairs leading to the stands so I was out of everyone’s way.
Soon the horn blew and various sets of drills began. By the hill there were punting drills taken by Josh Miller & Co. out to Bam Childress and Wes Welker. Miller still needs to improve as he looked terrible. Dan Baugher had a nice high spiral that Childress had to go back to catch.
Another drill was the punt coverage with Willie Andrews doing well drawing cheers from the crowd. Gemara Williams was not so lucky and heard it from Coach Seely.
There were a few drills having running backs and tight ends going one-on-one versus the linebackers. Maroney did well going by Tedy Bruschi, Watson left Rodney Harrison falling in the dirt and Kyle Brady just seemed to hit everyone far off the line to clear his own path to the ball.
In 7-on-7 drills, Brady did pretty well throwing and although he did throw one behind Watson, Watson reached back to grab it falling and lifted the ball up with the catch! The crowd went crazy cheering.
Wes Welker and Jabar Gaffney both ran crisp routes and caught everything thrown their way. While Welker is sure to make the team, Gaffney is taking advantage of other receivers being on the PUP and continuing to play like he during last year’s playoffs.
At one point CJ Jones was runinng into coverage down the right side of the field and had a huge leap catching the ball and running down field. Amongst the oohhs and aaahs of the crowd was “Who is that?” If Jones keeps playing that way more people will know soon enough.
As mentioned in the earlier roster update, Chad Scott was injured and carted off the field with a leg injury. This will impact the depth the Pats have in training camp as well as opening day if Scott is unable to come back and Asante Samuel is not signed.
Overall it was a good evening at camp. The offensive line took their turn signing autographs for the fans along the rope. Logan Mankins was the last one out their signing – even though he was approached twice (assuming he was being asked to go to the locker room) after the others were already gone – he remained to sign near the bush/stairs that was neglected when the linemen first came over to begin their autographs.
Da horrah!
I arrived a bit late for the beginning of the evening camp as traffic on 495 was horrendous. You would have thought another plane landed in the road…. plus WEEI was still talking about Michael Vick – ugh enough already!! They could have talked Sox or Pats training camp… but every time they would start moving away from Vick callers would bring it right back!
Thankfully training camp is upon us and we may now enjoy the news about our Patriot team!
GO PATS AND STAY HEALTHY!!

The Patriots announced Donte’ Stallworth was added to the PUP list and they released rookie running back Justise Hairston.
This is not a good sign for Stallworth as we know familiarity plays a key role between Brady and receivers down the stretch for the season.
For Hairston to start on the PUP list then be released may mean he was just too far away from training camp shape. Too bad for a kid that seemed to appreciate the opportunity coming from Central Connecticut.
Cornerback Chad Scott was injured in training camp and was carted off the field. The injury seemed to be his knee. Although a few predict Ellis Hobbs may move to left corner and Gay will take over at right corner. Gay did a pretty good job in the past at left.
Scott’s injury does little to help the Patriots cornerback depth as they are still without Asante Samuel.
Brandon Meriweather has signed a five year deal and will participate in Saturday’s camp. Saturday’s camp is closed to the public.
STAY HEALTHY!

According to reports from the Boston Globe and Boston Herald, first round pick Brandon Meriweather’s contract should be signed today and Meriweather potentially could attend this afternoon’s session.
Today’s morning session went well with end of training autographs signings by the running backs, as well as Brady, Moss, Vrabel, Bruschi,and Woods.

Training camp is under way and reports are in already on the heat and humidity. Great!
A few players are already missing on day one:
Troy Brown (PUP)
Richard Seymour (PUP)
Chad Jackson (PUP)
David Thomas (PUP)
Eddie Jackson (PUP)
Justise Hairston (PUP)
Mel Mitchell (PUP)
Asante Samuel – contract not signed
Donteí Stallworth – rumor has it he is suffering a hamstring injury
Brandon Meriweather – contract not signed
Kareem Brown – in the dog house already for breaking a team rule and is suspended until Monday… rookies! or is it the U?
Laurence Maroney, Junior Seau and Eric Alexander are all wearing red non-contact jerseys. The Quarterbacks are also sporting the red garb today.
Rodney Harrison is not wearing a knee brace, so he will be one to watch during camp to see if/when he has to use one. Harrison is one of my favorite players to watch, so I am hoping for a full healthy year for him!
AD Thomas is lining up at inside linebacker and calling plays, it makes you wonder how the mix will be in the middle and will Vrabel be outside the full year.
I like the defensive side of the team and I think the place to watch will be cornerback in absence of Asante Samuel and Brandon Meriweather.
Offensively the wide receiver battle should be good and Kelly Washington, Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney have the most to lose in camp.
Otherwise, I am still concerned about Maroney’s shoulder and his longevity in 2007.
IN BILL WE TRUST!