It may only be Mini Camp, but Super Bowl XLII is already over (Patriots Update- June 11)
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by user False Prophet
You guessed it...Another Patriots Offseason update from Prophet. And this time, it's even better.
So what, the Twins can't score a run to save their live, all the while Santana is starting to turn back into his Cy Young form, and King James is getting killed in the Playoffs? Who cares? I don't. Why? Because the Pats are rolling on (almost) all Cylinders.
A few things that need to be addressed before I move on to the Moss talk. First is the holdout of Cornerback Asante Samuel . I say so what. Ellis Hobbs can move up, and if Randall Gay doesn't seem fit for the other Starting Spot, it just means that rookie Brandon Meriweather will get more Starting time. He hasn't shown up since the Rookie Mini Camp, but that's expected. He's not under contract. I say he'll get more playing time because if Gay doesn't become the other Starter, the other likely options are Chad Scott, who is a good corner when he doesn't get too agressive, and Safety Eugene Wilson, who's natural position is CB. Although, this is Bill Belichick, so for all we know, Meriweather will go to Corner.
Also, Samuel will command 2 Day one draft picks, unless the trade comes midseason to a struggling team with a potential top 10 pick. I'll take that any day. It'll give the Pats five day one picks, with the normal three, plus a third rounder for trading down in the draft. Samuel is a good Corner. He can command a sum, and deserves it, especially being young. With each season, Samuel is getting better and better at staying a proper distance from the Receiver, and not letting the Receiver get around him.
Hooray unintentional segues!!! The WR situation is not what it usually is up in New England at this time of year. Instead of worrying if Bam Childress (Who?) will be the 4th option, now we're worrying who will make the roster. As of now, I'd say Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, and Wes Welker are all locks to make the team. Beyond that is anyone's guess. A lot depends on the decisions made by Troy Brown. If he returns, it means 2 of the 3 fighting for the spot will likely have to leave. No point in paying a 6th WR anything more than the minimum. If he calls it quits, It appears that Jabar Gaffney will end up in the 4th spot. From what I've heard from the most reliable reports I can get (the Patriots Radio Podcast "PFW in Progress", available on iTunes), Gaffney has been a stud so far in practice, just like he was last year. Gaffney and Brady seem to click on multiple levels, with a lot more passes than expected ending up in his hands. The final spot will likely go to Reche "Bug Eyes" Caldwell, if only because Kelley Washington has done next to nothing so far.
Now it's time for the Randy Moss Rant. He's impressed everyone. The Patriots.com writers, the local writers, heck even Len Pasquarelli is on the Randy Bandwagon. Randy is a huge asset for Brady because he has so much talent, it will allow Brady to put the Ball into tighter spaces and Randy can pull them down. My Guess is Randy plays for about four seasons in New England before Retiring. It'll be a huge asset for Brady to have a player of Randy's Caliber on the field.
At the very least, Randy knows what people want to hear. He's said all the right things so far, and he's been at the facilities almost non-stop for a couple weeks. Randy appearantly asked Free Agent Vinny Testaverde, who has been working out with the Pats all off season, what most guys do during the voluntary workout periods, and reportedly stayed in town between some of the Optional workouts. I'm impressed by these actions. He hasn't been the same Randy Moss that he was in Oakland.
One Quick note to wrap things up. Tight End Kyle Brady has been one of Tom's favorite targets so far this off season. He'll likely be the third Tight End, but it's a name to remember. He'll probably take Mike Vrabel's spot as the third Tight end in the Goal line formation.
