Featured image courtesy of the Boston Globe
By John Sarianides
The Patriots had a day off yesterday after opening training camp with four straight practices.
Here some observations on how camp has gone thus far.
1. Gronk Looks Like Gronk: Rob Gronkowski has looked great thus far in camp. He looks like he is ready to go after missing eight games and the playoffs due to a back injury last season.
Gronkowski is in great shape. He is reportedly on the Tom Brady diet so that might explain why he appears to be thin.
We all know how valuable a healthy Gronk is to this Patriots offense. He appears to be healthy and ready to be a force again in the Patriots offense.
2.Brady to Cooks Deep Has Been a Theme: The Patriots acquired former Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks because they were lacking a big play receiver who can stretch the field. Well, so far Cooks has done extacly that.
The Patriots have been unabashed when it comes to airing it out at practice. Brady has routinely looked for Cooks deep on seam and corner routes out of the slot and post and fade routes from the line in skelly and team periods.
It’s no secret that the Patriots are going to throw the ball vertically more this season. Now the rest of the league knows.
3. Malcolm Butler is Motivated: Malcolm Butler has had a great camp thus far. Whether it be situation drills, skelly or team, Butler has challenged the Patriots receivers and made plays. He feels slighted that he didn’t get paid and he’s motivated as a result.
4. Austin Carr Has Impressed: The rookie wide receiver out of Northwestern has been impressive thus far. Carr runs good routes, has strong hands and is not afraid to challenge the veterans in the Patriots secondary.
Carr is pushing for a roster spot and if he continues to play well this summer, could challenge for a roster spot. I still think it is a long shot however.
5. Ninkovich Calls It a Career: Rob Ninkovich announced his retirement Sunday in an emotional press conference. Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft both spoke and they were awesome. Perhaps the coolest part of the press conference was seeing all of Ninkovich’s former teammates gathered around in the press room to watch him speak. It was truly special.