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Patriots Thursday OTA Media Access Wrap Up

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Another day with media access to the Pats’ OTAs and it’s nice to get some actual observations from those who were there. You know, instead of all the fun listening to how Tom Brady really isn’t that good.

Some general consensus thoughts I found interesting:

Boyce and Thompkins have made good impressions on a number of those watching the practices. I haven’t been especially excited about either, but that doesn’t mean I’ve closed the door on them. It’s certainly not helping Dobson to not be out there.

Undrafted rookie Roy Finch has gotten some attention as well, always with the caveat that we’ll see what happens when the pads come on. But who wouldn’t like another Danny Woodhead-type?

Dennard and Solder are probably two of the bigger injury surprises. Dennard has been MIA, seems like he was always fighting through something last year and dinged his shoulder in the AFCCG. Solder is a mystery.

Looks like Mayo and Vollmer are fully recovered and should have no issues from their injuries last year.

Wilfork, Tommy Kelly, and Will Smith also did a little more today, that’s a very positive sign.

Garoppolo looked inconsistent. Shocker for a rookie QB in this system.

Here’s a round-up of the round ups…

Doug Kyed/NESN.com

Nick Underhill/MassLive.com

Mike Reiss/ESPNBoston.com

Mark Daniels/Providence Journal

Patriots.com Video Recap

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/6099/

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DT Vince Wilfork: There was a time when it looked like this longtime defensive fulcrum – the man whose heft, dexterity and superiority in the biggest games defined this defense – would be gone. Ultimately he returned, but after missing much of last season and the Patriots still reaching another championship game, some might consider that Wilfork is less important. I disagree. This defense is still hardly loaded with individual brilliance, and if Wilfork can cull something and give Bill Belichick one more excellent season, then I really like the odds of the Pats being a top seed and being able to show that 3-4 front they prefer more times than not opens things up for guys like Chandler Jones and Don’t’a Hightower off the edge.

NFL’s most intriguing players of 2014, a team-by-team examination – CBSSports.com

Not sure I agree that Pats “prefer” the 3-4 defense anymore. They don’t have a true Mike linebacker on the roster, especially if Hightower is playing OLB as mentioned. They tried to run the 3-4 without a true Mike in 2009 (hello Gary Guyton) and we all remember what happened against the Ravens.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/wilfork-patriots/

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Four Downs: AFC East

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FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Four Downs: AFC East

Hard to argue with the depth analysis here, though I’m really not worried about defensive tackle. I’ll worry if Wilfork, Armstead, Easley AND Kelly are ALL MIA for the first few weeks of training camp. If it looks like Siliga and Jones (who both have a lot of potential regardless) as the only healthy starters with no one but Vellano behind them, then I’ll worry. And I don’t think the Pats will go into camp with the tight end position looking like it does now.

Here’s FO’s favorite undrafted rookie:

Although there is some competition for places with more proven players and a player who was actually selected in the 2014 draft, it’s hard to look past Stephen Houston (Indiana) as the standout undrafted free agent for the Patriots. Houston is a running back who offers the Patriots some of the same properties that they are losing from LeGarrette Blount’s departure in free agency. Blount played a vital role for the Patriots during the second half of the season and starred in their two most convincing victories over the Ravens and the Colts.

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designingsport:

Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos vs. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

https://www.patspropaganda.com/designingsport-peyton-manning-denver-broncos-2/

Which players will break out on offense & defense besides Dobson & Collins. Which under the radar players will surprise to team in your opinion

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Fun question, though to be honest I don’t think Dobson is a lock to breakout unlike some others. But here’s five guys I think will play a significant role this year.

1. Bryan Stork – I think he could very well be our starter at center for the forseeable future.

2. Michael Buchanan – Based on the lack of activity at defensive end, when so much attention has been paid to pass rush/coverage at other spots, I think the Pats are counting on Buchanan to be make a jump.

3. Duron Harmon – Really liked what I saw out of him in limited time last year – good range, solid and physical tackler. I think he’ll be an upgrade on Gregory and will be effective both in the box and on the back end.

4. Brandon LaFell – I think it’s quite possible LaFell is the starting X receiver this year. His physicality will be hard to ignore, especially if Dobson’s injury issues continue.

5. James White/Stephen Houston – Given the issues Vereen and Ridley have had throughout their first three seasons, I think White and Houston will be thrown into the fire early and often this year. I need to see them in preseason before knowing which will have the bigger impact.