Patriots: New Kids on the Block Proving Their Worth
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
For all of the talk about veteran players, and a veteran presence on the New England roster this season – it’s youth that is carrying the day.
Would you be surprised to know that of the 90 players currently on the roster, 53 of those players have three years or less experience in the NFL? After failing to reach the playoffs in 2008 (in spite of an 11-5 record overall), critics pegged the Patriots as too old, and too slow to be considered among the elite of the league heading into 2009.
Perhaps Bill Belichick took the criticism to heart. Or perhaps, he already knew what the critics were saying – that a changeover needed to be made. That transformation has been well underway, and even thought the Patriots are still the sixth oldest team in the league in terms of experience (average age 26.64 per player), that’s a move in the right direction over a year ago. In 2010, New England had the third oldest roster in the NFL, at 27.74 years per player.
Having experience usually means a team is a contender, and that’s not a bad thing. But having the right mix of experience with youth can make a team a contender for an extended period of time. And that has been a priority for the Patriots over the past two seasons, and even more so this year. There is a sense of urgency to win, and the younger players have to produce to get there.
“I think we’ve improved in a lot of areas on the practice field,” Belichick said. “We’ll see whether that can transfer over into the games. I think they’ve got good attitudes. We’ve pushed them pretty hard, and I think they’ve tried to respond both physically and mentally off the field in preparation, meetings, and on the field in terms of some practices, and in drills and things that we all know we need to do to get better.”
Some of the young guys, like second-year defensive tackle Kyle Love, are taking the challenge personally. “We just want to go out there and play hard. Coach gave us a challenge and we took it, and that’s how we’re going to continue to play.”
It also seems that the challenge to “step up” is being noticed, and taken to heart, by some of the veterans as well…which can only mean good things for the team as a whole. “Like everybody else knows, and I’m sure they know as well, you’ve got to take the reps on the field,” said defensive end Andre Carter, in his 11th NFL season, but his first with New England. “Time will tell. It’s a stepping stone. We’re always hungry to become better players and a better team. The most important thing is we all work.”
“I think one thing we have is a high level of character, as far as on and off the field,” Carter added. “I think when you have a great number of guys, it’s not just about ego but guys coming together and willing to work and have a big sense of camaraderie, you can definitely go a long way, Lord willing.”
In his 12th year overall, but also his first with the Patriots, defensive end Shaun Ellis concurs with Carter but also knows that championships aren’t claimed through words. “We’ve all got to work hand in hand,” Ellis said. “I think we have the potential to do great things, but we’ve got to keep up practice, and toning the mental aspects of the game.”
Mentally speaking, this week will be the most important week thus far, with the first round of roster cuts coming up August 30. “Now we need to start making some decisions about who’s going to do what, what we want to be, and how we want to use different players, what our depth is and so forth,” Belichick added. “The further it goes into training camp, the more important it is for the competition for the players (young and old) to make the roster.
“We need to start making some decisions about who is going to do what and what we want to be and how we want to use different players and where our depth is and so forth,” Belichick added. “So, all of that is part of it.”
News and Notes
Defensive lineman Vince Wilfork had a large media contingent today hoping for a comment on the University of Miami allegations from last week. But Wilfork offered no specifics. "I released a statement a couple days ago, and that's where I'm at with it. I'm going to move forward. I'm done with that situation. I'm just focused on my football career. One thing I don't want to do is be a distraction to this team, to this organization. I won't be that. My teammates stuck behind me 100 percent, my family, the organization. I'll move forward. I'm definitely towards the Detroit Lions now and it feels good to be around a great group of guys. It feels real good." Wilfork was mentioned in a Yahoo! Sports report that alleges he received improper benefits while a player at Miami...
Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth appeared in Washington, DC superior court Monday and pleaded no contest to a charge of simple assault, in a case where he was accused of improperly touching a waitress at a DC hotel. If Haynesworth stays out of trouble over the next 18 months and completes 160 hours of community service, prosecutors have agreed to drop the charge entirely...
One of the topics the players were buzzing about in the locker room Monday was the new "attack" mode that the defense is presently pursuing. Wilfork said "I was always told, 'When the coach gives you leeway to go make a play, you better make it count.' That's where we're at right now."
Tom Brady said during his Monday appearance on WEEI's "Dennis & Callahan" that he really likes the look of the aggressive defense. "Any time you talk to a defensive coach at the beginning of the week, they say "We have to get after the quarterback.' It was really fun to see from our sideline. Those guys are really teeing off on the quarterback. I love to see that. From another quarterback's perspective, to stand there on the sidelines and watch them attack the quarterback -- force them into quick decisions, force them into throws that you don't want to make but have to make because you don't have time to see the coverages -- that's good for any defensive football team."
Linebacker Dane Fletcher injured his right thumb in last Thursday's pre-season win over Tampa Bay. He has been wearing a cast that extends past his wrist and up to the thumb...rookie second round pick Ras-I Dowling returned to the practice field Monday. It's his first practice in more than three weeks, since suffering a hamstring injury...
With the actual training camp portion of the pre-season now concluded, Patriots' practices are now closed to the public. Members of the media are allowed only to view the first 15 minutes of each session, before having to retreat to stadium work areas...
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It