Well it was fairly anti-climactic, as most mini-camps are, but it was good to see some of the new prospects in uniform so soon after selecting them. After all the build up to the draft at least the NFL lets us down easy with some kind of minor team activity that acknowledges that a new season has begun. Mayo looks and sounds the part of a Rookie of the Year candidate. Training camp will show how true that is. My gut tells me he'll start off on the bench but slowly work his way into the lineup like Meriweather did last year. Wheatley and Wilhite (W-squared) both look like Ellis Hobbs clones. With these two, Fernando Bryant and Meriweather I think we should be okay replacing Samuel (and potentially even better). Crable's somewhat a wild card. I would honestly not be that surprised if he was cut. Doesn't mean I think he will be. My Michigan-loving pal said Pierre Woods was probably the better Wolverine than Crable. He will be an interesting one to watch in Training Camp.
Questions to be resolved between now and the full squad Mini Camp in early June:
Ty Law, yay or nay? I say nay and not just because Wilhite was wearing 24 this weekend.
Rodney restructure? Rodney's due a lot of money this year. It wouldn't be the first time the Pats asked a vet to take a pay cut. This one could go into training camp ala Lawyer Milloy.
Where's Rosie going? Please not the Colts, please not the Colts, please not the Colts...
Junior Seau anyone? Rumors were last week he wanted to come back for another go round. Last year he wasn't signed until training camp so that could happen again. Hopefully he signs up early so he can't start imparting his genius to Mayo.
Wilfork Extension? This would be a very very good idea. 3-4 nose tackles are hard to find, especially ones as good as Big Vince. Seymour got extended in '06, Ty Warren got his last year, time for the middle man.
Why not Mankins while you're at it? Seriously the guy is awesome - mean and never injured. Sign him up long term!
Anyway, more pictures as they pop up and get me excited. Chill weekends to all.
Keywords: New England Patriots Mini-Camp Rookie
