(via Snapshots: Day 1 of training camp – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/via-snapshots-day-1-of-training-camp-new/
2012 New England Patriots Training Camp: Day 1 Wrap | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2013 NFL Draft
2012 New England Patriots Training Camp: Day 1 Wrap | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2013 NFL Draft
Few of the most interesting nuggets to me…
The defensive backfield had a full complement of players today. Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington were the first team corners, while Steve Gregory and Patrick Chung were the safeties. When the defensive went into to “Nickel” package Kyle Arrington moved inside to slot CB and Ras-I Dowling came in at corner. As for rookie Tavon Wilson, he ran with the second team safeties.
Speaking of Ras-I Dowling, he was a full go today and didn’t show any signs from the hip injury he suffered last season. The one thing that continues to stick out about Dowling is his size and length. It’s impressive for a CB.
Bobby Carpenter continue to get a lot of reps in pass coverage drills. Based on how much he played today and reports that he got the same amount of reps in mini-camp, it looks like the team hopes he makes and impact.
Patriots training camp notes: Day 1
Patriots training camp notes: Day 1
Both Dont’a Hightower and Chandler Jones are watching, learning, subbing in. Hightower was primarily in the middle, but like vet Jerod Mayo, saw action at each of the three linebacker positions. Fellow freshman Chandler Jones came in at Scott’s spot. Hightower is big boy. Of course he is. He’s listed at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds. But you don’t get a sense of just how big he is until you see him near pretty big guys like Jerod Mayo (6-1, 250) or Dane Fletcher (6-2, 245) and he stands out as the largest.
do you know who impressed me that really hasn’t been mentioned yet: dont’a hightower. he was calling the plays and audibles. he seemed to fit right in and showed he can contribute from day 1. also showed great instincts and play recognition by blowing up 2-3 plays behind the line of scrimmage. bolden, i thought, also did well. he held his own.
Hightower was universally praised today, especially for his size.
Practice rundown #1 – Extra Points – Boston.com
Practice rundown #1 – Extra Points – Boston.com
You should hope and pray the defensive line stays intact and deep because that would give Jerod Mayo a true shot at showing his stuff at weakside linebacker. He was all over the field today, including a couple sacks. He was robbed of the opportunity last year with injuries and the failed Albert Haynesworth experiment.
I’m not sure if you made it to camp today, but to me at least, Chandler looked good, despite the braces. They had him standing up in a 2-point a lot, his first step was good and his hands were really impressive, he already has a good punch and a swim move.
I appreciate the actual football-centric/non-superficial observation from enoles53 about Chandler. I kid about the aesthetic stuff (as much as it does bother me) because ultimately a player can look like a total doof in his equipment (Peyton Manning) and still be pretty good, and ultimately that’s all I care about.