Pats Talk Training Camp, Vick

The New  England Patriots kicked off training camp yesterday despite monsoon-like weather that brought torrential downpours before thunder and lightning, and Tom Brady was back on the field in true form, taking snaps and launching the ball down the field like he’d never left the game. All seems well on the Patriots’ front - that is, until you look at the team’s PUP (physically unable to perform) list. New England’s PUP list as of right now includes defensive end Ty Warren, linebacker Shawn Crable, offensive linemen Mark LeVoir and Rich Ohrnberger and defensive lineman Darryl Richard. Receiver Brandon Tate and cornerback Shawn Springs were also placed on the active non-football injury list, and while all of these injuries haven’t been explained, it means the Patriots will have some work cut out for them in the upcoming weeks.

While receiver Greg Lewis had nothing but praises to sing for Tom Brady (”Throughout the monsoon, or whatever you want to call it, he was fired up: ‘Let’s get up to the huddle, break the huddle, let’s get out there and get this thing right’”,) Bill Belichick may have had other things on his mind. Though (in true Belichick fashion) not giving anything away, the Patriots coach recently made a statement about the newly-reinstated Michael Vick, saying, “Michael is an outstanding player, hasn’t played in a couple years. But right now, our focus is on our team and our players and trying to get the New England Patriots ready, and so that’s really where my attention’s been. But he’s a tremendous athlete. Where exactly he is right now, I don’t know.” Will the Patriots pick up Vick? There’s been speculation, but stay tuned to find out!

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Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 31, 2009 - Post a comment

Training Camp Begins in New England!

The New England Patriots kicked off their training camp practices today, and it’s safe to say all eyes have been on Tom Brady as the quarterback shakes off the rust from not playing in almost a year. Last month, Brady spoke of his confidence in returning to the football field, saying, “I hope there’s not a lot of rust at all, but the preseason games will be good for that. And we have a long time till we play our first regular-season game.”

The Patriots’ training camp will run from today through August 18, and fans can come watch practices for free. Most days, practices will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Parking is free of admission, as well, and there are several more events taking place during training camp, also. For Patriots fans, the next big question will be concerning the role of Tom Brady during the preseason. Will Brady do the unusual and play every preseason game, or will the Patriots allow backups Kevin O’Connell, Matt Gutierrez and Brian Hoyer to practice flinging the ball during these games? All this and more will soon fall into place, so stay tuned for more!

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Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 30, 2009 - Post a comment

Things are Heating Up in New England with Team Grill

Tailgating just got a little bit better, and you can bet the New England Patriots are at the forefront of all the excitement. In a move recently announced by Team Grill, the Patriots are the first team in the NFL to get the stamp of approval for an official team barbecue grill, decorated in either red or blue with the Patriots logo proudly plastered on the front. This Team Grill endeavor is the newest in NFL memorabilia and is starting with the New England Patriots, sure to improve traditional tailgating standards.

Patriots fans are a hardcore bunch, and it’s no surprise Team Grill started with New England as the first to try out the official Patriots BBQ grill. “Patriots fans take tailgating and game-day grilling seriously,” said Murray Kohl, Vice President of Sales for the Patriots. “We are happy to partner with Team Grill to introduce a high-quality product that will allow our fans to take their game day celebrations to the next level with a new, unique way to demonstrate their Patriots pride.” The “officially BBQ grill of the New England Patriots” is available for pre-order in either the Team Grill Patio Series MVP ($1,499) or PRO ($699), and these super-patriotic grills are sure to dominate tailgates in New England this fall.

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Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 29, 2009 - Post a comment

Vick to Join the Patriots?

Michael Vick made headlines again yesterday when he was conditionally reinstated to the NFL by commissioner Roger Goodell, free to play in the final two games of the preseason and possibly in the regular season by Week Six if he’s picked up by one of the teams in the league. Vick’s reinstatement has spawned various reactions from football fans across the country, and now speculation is turning to which teams in the league might actually be interested in giving the former convict another chance to play pro ball.

Of course, when considering which teams could be strong enough to harbor Michael Vick and help his career, the New England Patriots get thrown into the mix. Bill Belichick is an absolute whiz when it comes to reviving careers (just take a look at what the Patriots have done for Randy Moss), and the Pats are one of the only teams that can stand the heat it’s going to get from signing an ex-convict. On top of this, the Patriots could be looking for a better backup QB than Kevin O’Connell, and Vick’s versatility on the field could make him a top competitor with New England’s scheme. Stay tuned to find out where Michael Vick ends up!

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Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 28, 2009 - Post a comment

Chung Reports to Training Camp

Though it hasn’t been officially announced, Patrick Chung has most certainly worked out a contract with the New England Patriots, as the rookie safety made it to the team’s rookie date for training camp yesterday. The former University of Oregon standout has likely signed a four-year agreement with the Patriots that will keep him in New England, and now the only rookies left to ink deals with the Patriots are the Jake Ingram and the injured Tyrone McKenzie.

Before joining the NFL, Patrick Chung was a two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection at Oregon, nailing down a stellar college career with 384 tackles, nine interceptions, 19 tackles for loss and four sacks. He started in 51 consecutive games, becoming the face of the Ducks in the team’s successful last few years. Chung was drafted to the Patriots as the team’s first second-round pick (34th overall) out of the trade New England gained from sending Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2009 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 212-pound safety will participate along with the rest of the Patriots in the team’s mandatory training camp, which officially begins this Thursday.

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Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 27, 2009 - Post a comment

Pats Sign Six More

The New England Patriots have continued on with their signing rampage, inking deals with six more rookies this week. We reported earlier this week on the signing of third-round receiver Brandon Tate and seventh-round receiver Julian Edelman, and yesterday the Patriots also announced that they’d signed second-round linemen Ron Brace and Sebastian Vollmer, fifth-round lineman George Bussey and sixth-round lineman Myron Pryor. Terms of these agreements were not given.

Also this week, the Patriots waived first-year wide receiver Robert Ortiz, a rookie free agent in 2006 out of San Diego State who signed with New England in May after spending time with San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. New England also put running back Eric Kettani and wide receiver Tyree Barnes on the reserve/military list, as the two rookies were drafted as free agents out of Navy in May.

Now just three rookies are left for the Pats to either sign or waive before the regular season. These three players include rookie safety Patrick Chung, a former Oregon standout and the first of New England’s four second-round draft picks. Chung is said to be in negotiations with the Patriots, as is long snapper Jake Ingram, a sixth-round pick in the ‘09 draft. The other rookie who has yet to work out his contract with the Patriots is third-rounder Tyrone McKenzie, who suffered a season-ending knee injury at rookie minicamp earlier this offseason. McKenzie’s injury makes his contract a less pressing issue for the moment, so look for him to be signed last.

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Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 24, 2009 - Post a comment

Spotlight: Darryl Richard

Georgia Tech’s Darryl Richard is living the NFL dream, having been selected in the seventh round of the ‘09 NFL draft, and the rookie defensive tackle was signed to the team’s roster last week with a four-year contract, solidifying his newfound allegiance to the New England Patriots. While Richard has been a standout on the football field since his high school days, he’s also been applauded for his feats off the field, as well. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound tackle was the valedictorian of his high school class in 2004, and he took the same measures in his studies at Georgia Tech, having graduated with two degrees, including a master’s degree in business administration.

When it comes to his work ethic and academics, Darryl Richard is no dumb jock. “I’m not one of those guys who are good with down time,” Richard recently said. “I definitely want to have a life after football, and football is, really, a business. You have to think of yourself as a small business. Thanks to my MBA, I think I am prepared for the business of football.” Aside from his football career, Richard has garnered several academic awards, including the ACC’s Tatum Award and the Draddy Trophy. He’s sure to bring his brains and brawn to Gillette Stadium and beyond this year, so look for No. 69 to do great things this season!

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Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 23, 2009 - Post a comment

Don’t Look for Vick in New England

Michael Vick is a free man, and there’s a possibility he could be back in football gear soon, as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is said to be coming close to a verdict on whether or not to reinstate Vick into the league this season. When it comes to the former Atlanta Falcons QB, however, there’s more baggage than most teams want to accept. Vick, convicted in 2007 of bankrolling a dogfighting ring, has spent the last 2 ½ years in federal prison, and even though the former Pro Bowler is ready to prove his worth in 2009, several teams have already made statements saying they won’t sign Vick to a contract.

While speculation is abuzz concerning teams that may be interested in Vick, the New England Patriots have emerged as a possibility. The Patriots are one of very few teams that could withstanding a beating from dog-lovers and PETA that will imminently arise with the reinstatement of Vick into the NFL, but when it comes down to it Vick will likely want his role back as starting QB, and the Patriots are already covered on that base with Tom Brady. All in all, don’t look for Michael Vick in New England, as the Patriots already have enough on their plate this season.

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Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 22, 2009 - Post a comment

Battle of the Backup Quarterbacks

Tom Brady is back and Matt Cassel is in Kansas City, but that doesn’t mean that everything is settled for the New England Patriots when it comes to the team’s offense. As Bill Belichick and Co. gear up for training camp, which starts next Thursday, July 30, eyes are now shifting to the crew of backup quarterbacks set to fill the shoes of the missing No. 16, who won’t be back for another year with the Patriots. The two backups now leading the pack are, of course, Kevin O’Connell and Matt Gutierrez, both of whom took the back seat to Cassel last year, and now with the additions of rookies Julian Edelman and Brian Hoyer, the race is on once again for the title of backup QB.

When it comes to track records, Kevin O’Connell takes the cake. The second-year Patriot has a stronger arm than that of Matt Gutierrez, the quarterback who almost beat out Matt Cassel for the job last year. Also in the mix is Julian Edelman, drafted as a wide receiver out of Kent State but also a versatile QB, and former Michigan State QB Brian Hoyer, who was also drafted as a strong candidate for being Brady’s backup, is also in the running. How will the race for backup QB pan out? Stay tuned through the Patriots’ training camp to find out who comes out on top!

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Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 21, 2009 - Post a comment

Patriots Sign Rookies Edelman, Tate, Richard

The New England Patriots continue their quest for a strong roster in 2009, signing three drafted rookies over the past week to undisclosed contracts. Defensive lineman Darryl Richard and wide receivers Julian Edelman and Brandon Tate have all reached deals with the Patriots, leaving five drafted rookies (S Patrick Chung, DL Ron Brace, LB Tyrone McKenzie, OL George Bussey and LS Jake Ingram) to work out deals with the team before the regular season.

According to Scout.com, Julian Edelman, a seventh round draft pick out of Kent State, signed a four-year deal with the Patriots with a signing bonus of $48,700 last week, while Brandon Tate, the Patriots’ third round draft pick out of North Carolina, also signed a four-year deal with a signing bonus of $755,000. Darryl Richard, a product of Georgia Tech, was drafted in the seventh round to the Patriots earlier this spring, recently signing an undisclosed deal with New England, as well. The Patriots will likely spend the week in negotiations with other players before mandatory training camp, which starts next Thursday (July 30) and runs through August 18.

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Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 20, 2009 - Post a comment


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