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Team Breakdown - Overview Of The Positions. As teams around the league prepare for the upcoming season, there is already a sense of the intensity in each position. It is no different here in New England. We have talent and depth at every position. Coach Carroll has a difficult task at hand when having to choose who will survive the roster cut or become one of those that hopes to get a second chance somewhere else. Here is how the Patriots look position-wise in camp so far: Offense: • Quarterback - Drew Bledsoe is our obvious starter, Scott Zolak
• Running back - This is obviously the position everyone is focusing on. The Patriots have 9 running backs on their roster for a total of only 8 years NFL experience. The starting running back role seems to be between 3 players, Robert Edwards, Sedrick Shaw, and Derrick Cullors. The Patriots plan to keep most of the running backs that they have in camp, which will be beneficial in the future. The Pats have a large stable of quality and talented players at this position. 6th round draft pick Harold Shaw could be in the Pats future plans. He has a powerful lower body strength which could benefit when breaking tackles. Expect him to contribute a lot in the very near future. • Fullback - Newly-aquired FB Tony Carter is the projected starter, but Marrio Grier and rookie Chris Floyd are both quality and tough players that will be ready to play. • Wide Reciever - This group is the most impressive of all! Glenn is back healthy and a eager to wreck havoc on opposing defensive backfields. Shawn Jefferson has been phenomenal each year after the awful game against Miami just a few years ago, which he had 3 fumbles in one game (2 lost, 1 out-of-bounds). The most talked about reciever besides Vincent Brisby is rookie WR Tony Simmons. He was a track champion and has blazing speed to prove it! Troy Brown and Brian Stablein also add to this powerhouse of talent. It has been said that rookie free agent Denis Montana is the fastest player on the team, but lacks skill running the routes. Expect a great year from this group. • Tight Ends - "Big Ben" Coates is the freight-train in this group. Lovett Purnell and rookie Rod Rutledge will look to give Coates a break and look to pound opposing LBs
• Offensive Line - With the signing of C Dave Wohlabaugh, G Max Lane, and G Todd Rucci, the offensive line is secure for the upcomin season. This season may be the most promising of all with all the posiions improving. If the running backs become a success, the Pats will be the most explosive team in the league! That's where the offensive line comes in. They know that they must do well in order for the running backs to excell. They're main objective this year is run schemes. This comes at the perfect time. It takes the pressure away from the rookies and helps them get on the right track to a successful career. If T Zefross Moss comes to camp overweight, one of the 3 OLs taken in last years draft can take his place. Moss seems to be the only problem. He came to camp overweight last year and was the only player that didn't make the required time on the running drills. Defense: • Defensive Line - The Pats have 12 players to fill these positions
• Linebackers - Tedy Bruschi, along with Bernard Russ, will challenge starter Todd Collins at that position. We have a terrific situation with Ted Johnson, which has him likely signing a new deal. He said that he's noticed that the Patriots have interest in him re-signing (which was one of the things he said would need to happen if he was going to sign). Its all good news for the Pats right now. • Defensive Backs - This is the most explosive position on defense this season! I reported that DB Tebucky Jones injured his hamstring and would miss the rest of camp. He was seen slightly limping, which doesn't seem serious. Let's hope it doesn't affect him later on in the season. If it does, Steve Israel and Chris Canty can fill the spot. |
