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| Monday, July 14 Updated: August 19, 12:14 PM ET Patriots: Training camp report Pro Football Weekly |
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In Pro Football Weekly's third and final installment of training-camp reports, we look at the good (biggest positive), the bad (biggest disappointment) and the ugly (injury update) factors surrounding every team halfway through the 2003 preseason. We also set our sights on a rookie to watch on each team, for whatever the reason. Parts 1 and 2 are below. Aug. 19 Biggest positive: The depth of the linebackers has been a nice plus, especially because the team will employ a 3-4 base defense much of the time. Outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin is the centerpiece, of course, but the team has been pleased with the entire group. With Colvin and Mike Vrabel starting on the outside and Roman Phifer and Ted Johnson on the inside, plus super subs Tedy Bruschi and Willie McGinest, this is one of the strongest positions on the team. Biggest disappointment: For the third training camp in a row, an offensive guard who could have earned a starting spot has walked out of camp. After Joe Panos and Rich Tylski each retired the past two seasons, the next to do it this season was Brendan Stai, who started the team's preseason opener against the Giants. Stai had a good chance to start because of the concerns with injury-plagued Joe Andruzzi and inexperienced Russ Hochstein, the other options at right guard. This could be a real trouble spot throughout the season. Injury update: Besides Andruzzi, projected offensive right tackle starter Kenyatta Jones remains out following offseason knee surgery with no return in sight. Cornerback Otis Smith has taken the field for only one practice, rehabbing a torn pectoral muscle, and at age 37 could take a while to recover. Because the team is so hush-hush with injuries, it's not exactly known what has kept cornerback Ty Law off the field, but speculation is that it's his leg or ankle. Two running backs who were expected to challenge Antowain Smith and Kevin Faulk for the top of the running back depth chart -- Antwoine Womack and Mike Cloud -- have barely seen the field, and are running out of chances. Rookie to watch: Fourth-round pick cornerback Asante Samuel has impressed the coaching staff so much that he might be ahead of fellow rookie cornerback Eugene Wilson, a second-rounder. Both have played well, but Samuel is a fearless, smart defender who breaks on the ball well and plays much bigger than his 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame would suggest. Don't be surprised if he is the Week 1 starter. Part 2, Aug. 12 Veteran to watch: Antowain Smith already stepped partway into the doghouse by not passing his training-camp physical on his first try, the latest straw on the camel's back since the fine Super Bowl season that earned him a contract extension. However, that contract has an out clause at the end of this year that will allow the Patriots to void the final three years. If Smith fails again this season, he could be shown the door. Player on the verge: On the flip side of that, if Smith fails, backup Kevin Faulk looks primed to take the reins and possibly run with them for real this time. Faulk has had opportunities to carry the load for the Pats in the past but always disappointed. Right now, he's getting the bulk of the carries with the first team in camp, and he had a fine offseason to support his case. Strongest position: When inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi is technically a second-stringer, you know your team has plenty of linebackers. With Mike Vrabel and Rosevelt Colvin outside and Roman Phifer and Ted Johnson inside, the Patriots have nothing to worry about with their middle four. Now, if they could just find an answer up front at nose tackle, the transition to the 3-4 scheme will have gone smoothly. Weakest position: New England has an enormous question mark hovering over the right side of the offensive line, where offensive right tackle Adrian Klemm and right guard Brendan Stai are filling in for the injured Kenyatta Jones (knees) and Stephen Neal (shoulder), respectively. The starters on the other side are solid, but there isn't much depth as a whole, with Bill Conaty and Joe Andruzzi as the major backup candidates. Part 1, July 18 Most significant change: The Patriots have reverted to the 3-4 defense, and the front line will be the most noticeable difference this year. At this early stage, the defensive ends are slated to be Richard Seymour (a starting tackle the last two seasons) and first-round pick Ty Warren. Former DE Jarvis Green could take over the starting NT spot, but he'll battle rookies Dan Klecko and Ethan Kelley for that job. Reasons for optimism: The goal of the offseason was to improve the speed and pass-rush capabilities of the defense, and the Pats believe they've accomplished that goal. Plus, the message the big-name signings of Rosevelt Colvin and Rodney Harrison sends to the fans and opponents is causing a positive stir. Cause for concern: The running game remains as unsettled and uncertain as it was at the end of last season. Will Antowain Smith show up in shape and motivated? If not, will someone else be able to step up? Can the offensive line answer the call to arms? We shall see. Training-camp battles to watch: Other than the NT battle, the battles for the No. 2-WR and No. 2-CB jobs are intriguing. The team is satisfied with the jobs WR David Patten and CB Otis Smith have done, but it wouldn't mind an upgrade and has created some competition. Don't be surprised if: TE Daniel Graham, a rookie disappointment in 2002, emerges as a big weapon and gives the passing game a much-needed boost.
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Material from Pro Football Weekly.
