New England Patriots Links - Weekend Update: Patriots Sign Former Jets DE Shaun Ellis
by Marima on Aug 7, 2011 2:02 PM EDT
in New England Patriots Links
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PrintMike Petraglia posts his Saturday practice observations, noting Aaron Hernandez and Nate solder made some big catches.
Tom Brady led the first team unit with several sharp passes to Chad Ochocinco on sideline routes while also finding tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski on several impressive pass and catch combinations.
Ochocinco, since dropping several balls on Thursday, had another impressive day of holding onto the ball, especially in heavy traffic. One of his best catches of the day came in route-running drills when he went up against Malcolm Williams and Sergio Brown and fought off both to come down with the ball on a 30-yard "Go" route.
That was followed up immediately by a nifty grab of a Brady bullet by Hernandez on a sideline out pattern. Hernandez showed outstanding hands all day.
He caught a pair of catches on fade routes in the back right corner of the end zone in red zone work before running a route on the other side, sticking out his right hand and making a one-hand grab for the TD. As they did on the Ochocinco leaping catch, the crowd approaching 10,000 exploded in cheers on the Hernandez catches.
But the loudest cheer of the day was reserved for 6-foot-8 rookie left tackle Nate Solder, and it came from his teammates. A high, spiraling punt was sent in his direction as he stood all alone on the far 15-yard line. Clearly, this was one of those situations with a reward – catch the punt and there’s a reward for your teammates. Solder settled under it and caught it cleanly, ending the practice just shy of the typical 2 1/2 hour standard this week.
Tom E. Curran offers his Saturday post-camp roundup, with WR Chad Ochocinco elevating his game.
His shining moment? Elevating between rookie corner Malcolm Williams and safety Sergio Brown to make a leaping 50-odd-yard reception on a bomb from Tom Brady. As for the drops? Didn't see one.
The best 10 minutes or so of practice were the 1-on-1 tackling drills between tight ends, running backs, wideouts and the secondary players.
Best Hit? Bret Lockett guessing right on a shimmy by Wes Welker and taking the wideout down hard. Best Truck? Undrafted rookie Will Yeatman, who goes 6-5, 268, running over 6-foot, 200-pound Matt Slater. Yeatman didn't bother to put a move on and Slater was left crumpled for a few moments before struggling up.
Worst Whiffs? Brandon Meriweather getting out-quicked and out-efforted by Julian Edelman and Stevan Ridley on back-to-back reps. Meriweather failed to even make contact on each play.
Albert Haynesworth, Matt Light, Kevin Faulk, Ron Brace, Brandon Tate, Brandon Spikes and Mike Wright were among those sitting this practice out. Aaron Hernandez had a slew of diving catches during practice.
The work of the tight ends early in camp - Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, but also rookie Lee Smith and Yeatman - has been eye-opening.
TEAM TALK
- Patriots kickoff preseason against Jaguars: Broadcast info, series history, team connections and more.
- Paul Perillo gives us some of his own camp thoughts from Saturday.
- Erik Scalavino offers some news and notes from Saturday's practice. Brian Hoyer is ready for preseason games.
- Andy Hart reports that despite a promotion and the lockout, Bill O'Brien is taking his usual approach to training camp.
- Press conferences: Bill O'Brien (15 min. video) plus Transcript, and Chad O'Shea Q&A Transcript.
- Patriots Today - Update from Saturday's practice. (3.37 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Hear from the Pats' new DE. (2.16 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Morris' role as a mentor. (1.42 min. video)
- Training Camp Podcast - 8/06/11: A full recap of Saturday's training camp practice. (12 min. program)
LOCAL LINKS
- Tom E. Curran reports former Jets DE Shaun Ellis will be the newest member of the Patriots, pending a physical.
- Mike Reiss gives us his initial reaction to the Shaun Ellis pickup.
- Monique Walker analyzes the Shaun Ellis acquisition and says its shows the Patriots are taking things seriously with its defense.
- Christopher Price takes a closer look at Shaun Ellis and his impact.
- Mike Reiss tells us Jets head coach Rex Ryan's reaction when asked about free-agent defensive end Shaun Ellis becoming a Patriot.
- Mike Reiss cleans out his Patriots notebook, with observations on free-agent acquisition Mark Anderson and which players are having a nice camp.
- Karen Guregian says Leigh Bodden and Devin McCourty make a formidable duo.
- Jeff Howe catches up with Patriots WR Tyree Barnes, as he reflects on the Navy SEALs tragedy in Afghanistan and his own experience in the U.S. Military.
- Ian Rapoport reports the clock is ticking for the Patriots to get up to speed, especially on the slow-starting offense.
- Shalise Manza Young notes Brady-the-Perfectionist isn't very happy with the progress the Patriots are making so far.
- Mark Farinella says 3rd-string rookie QB Ryan Mallett has discovered some unexpected twists and hits in his first training camp with the Patriots.
- Matt Kalman notes the increased competition doesn't faze Julian Edelman, now in his third training camp.
- Ian Rapoport notes DE Mark Anderson's experience with free agency was "humbling"" and he's happy to have landed in NE.
- Mark Kalman reports Stephen Gostkowski is back into his normal routine so far in this late-starting training camp.
- Tom E. Curran talks about Haynesworth's history of summer knee maintenance and says it's no reason to panic.
- Matt Kalman evaluates the competition and depth at the receiver position.
- Mike Petraglia says it's all business between Bill O'Brien and Tom Brady, with some trust thrown in.
- Mike Reiss posts some quick-hit weekend thoughts from the Patriots and around the NFL.
- Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: Sammy Morris has already become a go-to voice for the rookie RBs; It's unclear why Albert Haynesworth didn't practice Friday, but Kyle Love stepped in in his place; Kyle Arrington was excited to be back on the field finally on Thursday; Long snapper Matt Katula was back practicing yesterday allowing fill-in Rob Ninkovich to go back to playing LB.
- Monique Walker Patriots Notebook: Stephen Gostkowski is easing back into practicing, after offseason surgery to repair a torn quadriceps in his kicking leg; Injury reports and absences; Scott O'Brien says Julian Edelman has come a long way as a receiver and punt returner.
- Ian Rapoport catches us up on some contract details, including BenJarvus Green-Ellis' RFA tender.
- Mike Rodak noticed the Patriots made two minor roster moves on Saturday, waiving CB Thad Turner and injured OL Kyle Hix.
- Mark Farinella talks about the Patriots' player pipeline to Louisiana State University.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Stats & Information (ESPN) Tom Brady was best QB in 2010.
- Jeff Chadiha (ESPN) Vollmer's journey under the radar. Nice read.
- Report (CBS Sports) A profile of Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty.
- Peter King (SI) Camp Tour: New England Patriots. (2 min. video)
- Jeff Dickerson (ESPNChicago) Mark Anderson: Bears perspective.
- John Czarnecki (Fox Sports) Sorting winners, losers in free agency.
- Brian Billick (Fox Sports) Unusual preseason challenges coaches.
- Peter King (SI) This year's Hall class a modern one, but not short on pioneers.
- NFL Films (NFL.com) Ed Sabol's last film. (5.59 min. video)
- Adam Rank (NFL.com) Dedicated to Ed Sabol: Some of my NFL Films favorites.
- Gil Brandt (NFL.com) Ten things you didn't know about Ed Sabol.
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i like it a lot. :)
"There's no place like it, and it's ours." - Stephen King on Fenway Park
by 808BostonSportsFan on Aug 7, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Rex refused to wish him well, considering the team he chose over the Jets
Gotta love that
Keep the faith!
I have no idea what left in his tank...but it's just a pure fun anyway:D
by frogfromthemud on Aug 7, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
he didn’t choose you guys, we wouldn’t pay him. he’s old and washed up.
Dollfans SUCK
by AfterBurnerz on Aug 8, 2011 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I am bitter I admit it but
Haynesworth won’t even get past Brick Ferguson, sorry. but yeah lets bet. do you have paypal? 50 bucks?
Dollfans SUCK
by AfterBurnerz on Aug 8, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
He wants a ring, and this is the best place to get it.
Better than NJ, anyway.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by ISN on Aug 8, 2011 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions
He looked like the Jets best player in the playoff game vs. the Pats.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
This is true, I’m honestly a little bitter. I admit it.
Dollfans SUCK
by AfterBurnerz on Aug 8, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Jets offered him the minimum, Pats offered him a little more
They’ll find out soon, how “old and washed up” he is.
Keep the faith!
Wasn't he their leading tackler last year? Certainly one of their leaders. And he had 4.5 sacks
on the league’s best defense – that doesn’t sound like a washed up dude.
He looks very much like a cap cast off and we are the beneficiaries.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Right
I expect him to give the Patriots a terrific year. I was only responding to the Jets fan who called him “old and washed up”.
The thing is, Ellis wasn’t a “cap cast off” either, as the Jets have enough cap room to pay him IF they really wanted to keep him. But they didn’t, or maybe they just assumed he’d want to stay for the veteran minimum without question. Either way, the Patriots are the beneficiary.
Keep the faith!
9million in space to be precise...
such a shame although we got tremendously younger on the DL
Dollfans SUCK
by AfterBurnerz on Aug 8, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
No story yet, or anything official
But some Pats beat writers on twitter are saying the team had FS Dashon Goldson in for a physical and are considering signing him. They point out that Meriweather has looked like garbage in camp, is coming off an inconsistent season, and that his position is one that the coaching staff wants to upgrade.
Deep in enemy territory
Trade meriweather to the 49ers for.... a 2nd round pick? 3rd? I feel like teams will give us around that much value.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
but he's a pro bowler
The Red Sox can win the World Series as currently constructed
Twitter: @BoldandBrash
by BoldandBrash on Aug 7, 2011 3:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I figured teams will buy into the two time pro bowler thing.
I think BB can pull it off. lol
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
I'm sure some coach thinks they could mold him into a better player lol
He is a talented athlete.
Deep in enemy territory
Interesting point...
When you mention it, I’ve heard nothing positive… Considering that’s amongst a backdrop of secondary players who seem to be beating the offence, tending to get glowing praise, it’s not a good sign… Think his trade value would be like a 2013 3rd…
Just trying to keep up.
With Page gone, the safety roster is solidified.
by prioris on Aug 7, 2011 3:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
too bad
I didn’t see enough of him in practice to make a judgment, but I always liked McGowan.
Keep the faith!
the main problem with bringing ellis in is that a younger player may have to be cut unless there is IR casualties
by prioris on Aug 7, 2011 3:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
That is true
On the other hand, I don’t think any of our younger players can really compare to the guys we’ve added. So it’s kind of a tradeoff.
Deep in enemy territory
Always plan for the worst, hope for the best
Better to cut a talented player than have to use an untalented one.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Not too shabby.
Chung
Merriweather
Mccourty
Bodden
Mayo
Spikes
Nincovich
Cunningham
Haynesworth
Wilfork
Ellis
It's a scheme change
more than performance. Cunningham is too big to be a 4-3 OLB.
I have the same birthday as Tom Brady.
He's still playing 3-4 OLB on early downs.
Whether he sticks his hand in the dirt or not is immaterial.
They’re not playing a traditional 4-3 anyway.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
The reports I’ve read from Patriots camp say that Cunningham has been struggling and disappointing in the pass rushing drills. I wouldn’t be surprised if Anderson and Ellis are the starting ends in the 4-3. Ellis was one of my favorite FAs this year, glad he’s here. Hope he’s healthy and motivated by season’s end and can play like he did against the Patriots in 2010.
by charlie52 on Aug 7, 2011 5:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think Mark Anderson is best suited as a situational pass-rusher
He’s not good enough against the run to play all 3 downs. Hopefully cunningham can turn it around, but that basically just means we’ll have to look elsewhere.
Can mike wright be a 4-3 DE, or is he too big?
by beantownboy171 on Aug 7, 2011 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
This ^
I think we’ll know in preseason though.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Ellis isn't a 4-3 Freeney-type DE.
He’d be a DT, so he’s either starting at DE in a 3 man front, or subbing in as a DT in a 4 man front in the nickel/dime packages.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
Man i wished Bill drafted Carlos Dunlap, the boy is ballin' the Bengals got 10 sacks from the kid in his rookie year.
But i take the news about Jermaine with a Grain of salt cause, I haven’t heard anything good about any Linebacker other than Spikes, could it be that the reporters do not look at the drill or play correctly, and are just judging purely on sacks, at this time of training camp Bill is teaching the young guys the fundamentals and the diff formations, i think the rush is more about instinct.
Different type of player
Dunlap can’t play 3-4 OLB, he doesn’t have the coverage skillset. Cunningham brings more versatility at the expense of some pass-rush skill.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
The Pats have been playing 50% sub-package (40-front D-line) the last few years
People should realise that even though the Pats are supposedly a 3-4 team, they’re running a 40-front D-line half the time anyway.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
I like the signing,
but maybe it doesn’t bode well for a youngster like Brace, or Deaderick, or Love. Maybe not, but do you think if Brace and Deaderick were having solid camps this move would have been made? Then again, Albert’s been out a couple of days, so, could be related to that(hope not). Good veteran depth here, plus, no doubt will have a chip on his shoulder when playing his old team.
Brace was the second-best run-stuffing DE (after Wilfork) last year.
He popped that 4th down stuff on a crucial play.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Oh yes
Once he’s there, he’s fine (unlike Crable). It’s just getting him on it… bleh.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Jeff Howe says Haynesworth is precautionary
And that Vereen, Dowling and Tate are hamstrings. Not sure of where he’s getting his info.
twitter.com/jeffphowe
Deep in enemy territory
So is there gonna be competion at the safery spot ?
by alweezy61 on Aug 7, 2011 6:56 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I do prefer that BB load up for a SB now with players like Ellis, Haynesworth, and Ocho. You do lose a young guy, but clearly the guy you lose was not meeting BB’s needs and/or expectations.
Deaderick, Pryor, and Brace appear, on the surface, to be the future. However, if they always find themself on the PUP or on the sidelines in shorts during camp, their value might be useless.
The PATS are positoned to win back-to-back SB rings with the roster BB and staff have assembled for this season. I do sense a bit of urgency as Brady gets older. I’d gladly take back-to-back SB rings now, and face an 8-8 rebuilding year after that, versus three more playoff appearances and losses due to lacking a certain need.
A guy like Ellis might be just that need filler while allowing Cunningham one more season of rotational play to hone his skills and understanding of the PAT’s system. The same could be true for Brace, Deaderick, and Pryor with Haynesworth coming aboard and taking 1/2 the plays. Ocho as well could given Price and Tate a perfect transition year.
These short term veterans offer so much upside. They can win for you NOW, and allow you to further develop your younger players by lessening the demand on them to produce now. Yet, Gronk and Hernandez and McCourty are those pleasant surprises who do produce as rookies.
Yes and No
If we keep all the “old guys” we have signed, a couple of those young guys are going to get cut. Meaning they aren’t in our future plans.
I am actually very curious to see how this all plays out. Most of the other positions on the team are pretty easy to predict, barring injury. The D-line, however, has a ton of young vs old battles that aren’t that easy to predict the outcome. The only ones that I personally can say I think are safe through the preseason are Wilfork and Haynesworth. Everybody else…
Some of the young guys who are in danger, imo.
Brandon Tate
Rich Ohrnberger
Steve Maneri
Kade Weston
Darryl Richard
Myron Pryor
Darius Butler
Brandon Deaderick
They all could be cut.
by beantownboy171 on Aug 7, 2011 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Brandon Tate being the least likely on the list
by beantownboy171 on Aug 7, 2011 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
he'll make the team.
his kick returns alone are valuable to this team.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Some of the young guys
I do hope that Tate stays for one more season. He and Price can elevate their game behind two WR elites: Branch and Ocho.
Butler and Brace and Meriweather would be draft busts. OH well. Percentages allow for this to happen. All the others are easily replaced by late round draft picks. I feel two pre-seasons is all that one should get to prove themself as a valued roster spot occupant (assuming they make the team the first year or the practice squad). Guys on the fence might earn a third pre-season (Butler, Brace, Meriweather).
Rich Ohrnberger … 4th
Steve Maneri … rookie
Kade Weston … 7th
Darryl Richard … 7th
Myron Pryor … 6th
Darius Butler … 2nd (would be a bust)
Brandon Deaderick … 7th
Brace … 2nd (would be a bust)
Meriweather … 2nd (would be a bust)
All of these guys have been given a chance. I added Brace.
I'm not positive but
I’m pretty sure that Meriweather was the player selected with the 1st round pick we got when we traded Branch, which would further add to your point of Meriweather being a bust. Not completely sure though.
by Always Sunny Next Year on Aug 8, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not positive
That is painful. But, I do think percentages play into this draft insanity, and BB is well ahead at this juncture. I fully agree with his usual strategy of choosing in the later teens or even further back in the 20’s and adding an additional pick in doing so.
The Seymour successes are tough to predict.
Solder at 17 is a high pick, but it’s not a disaster if he fails. Meriweather was around that slot as well. It certainly hurts, but it is not as bad as a top ten pick or a top three QB bust. Those can set you back a couple of years especially if you moved up to get it and traded out other selections.
To this point, Ras-I Dowling better produce. That will cover a Meriweather bust if that is what we’re looking at. Vereen and Ridley, as I see it, equates to one of them needing to succeed. Both would be great, but at least one must become a BJGE or better. His double dipping at positional drafting makes a lot sense: Gronk and Hernandez. You count on one and hope for both.
I don't think Butlers that much in danger.
Wilhite on the other hand.
by UtopianAverage on Aug 8, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think
You’d hope not as a 2nd. Likewise, it would be great if Meriweather turned the corner. No matter how it turns out, the 53 man roster will be far better than last season’s 14-2 team, and that gives me every reason to believe that two SB rings are well within their reach.
Also, there are always going to be moves made closer to the season.
Last year we traded for both Jarrad Page and Tracey White on the day rosters were cut down to 53, and they stuck all year long.
Everyone’s in danger.
by beantownboy171 on Aug 7, 2011 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Love the signing.
The guy can play DE in either a 3-4 or a 4-3. Our stock of 3-4 DL was looking thin. He may be an older guy, but BB loves those vets. I think he has something left in the tank, and he’ll be a good player for us this year.
Another Pass Rusher added
Looks like we signed Andre Carter just now! Love the move. I’ve was hoping they would take a look at him, another angry Redskin looking to get back to 4-3 looks.
I'm with you on this
With the recent additions up front I think he’s the weak link on defense
Deep in enemy territory
yup
He could be such a valuable piece in our defense.
When is his contract up?
by beantownboy171 on Aug 7, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Not even so much a slouch
Just… football-dumb. Getting juked out of his shoes by nobodies in tackling drills because he takes the wrong angles and such.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
His tackling, somehow, has regressed.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by ISN on Aug 9, 2011 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Is that even possible?
The best tackle I saw of his all year was when he took out McCourty.
by indy pats fan on Aug 9, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
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