Starting 11

The freshmen are on campus (at least the ones who have all their admission papers completed and signed) and the upperclassmen are due to arrive on Thursday. Training camp is under way.

There is no shortage of storylines we’ll discover during camp. Everyday there will be a new perspective on a competition or a personal story of achievement to learn about.

I have a handful of things I’m anxious to see or hear about. Instead of a shallow top five you’ll see in a lot of places of the biggest question marks, I’m going in a slightly different direction by listing my top eleven, in no specific order. Sorry Zoltan Mesko. You didn’t make my Starting 11:

Torry Holt: I have high expectations for the 11-year veteran. I said back in February I wanted the Pats to sign Holt when he was a free agent. Because New England did, I want him to succeed because a bit of my reputation as a couch scout is on the line.

I doubt Holt will be the complete failure that Joey Galloway was last year. With 10 years with the St. Louis Rams and their Greatest Show on Turf offense, I have complete confidence that Holt will know how to run the routes the right way, make the correct adjustments, get open, and make the catch. But watching Holt do it will be so much more enjoyable to watch.

Backfield Breakdown: This could be the last chance for Laurence Maroney. The Pats didn’t draft a running back to challenge the disappointing Maroney, but this is the final year of his rookie contract. For a player given quick hooks when his back-ups out-play him during the game, the Patriots continue to show confidence in Maroney by not finding a challenger to his starting spot.

With the injury history of the back-ups (last season Fred Taylor missed 10 games and Sammy Morris was sidelined four games), one would think someone new would be added to the mix. Anyone else (BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Chris Taylor, Clayton Thomas) doesn’t appear to be a legitimate threat. Kevin Faulk will remain the third down back.

Healthy Competition: I’m not worried about WR Wes Welker or QB Tom Brady. The latter should be his old self for a full season. And based on his appearance during OTAs, Welker will eventually be just fine, despite being placed on the active/physically unable to perform list. I want to see the players who missed all but one game combined last year.

LBs Tyrone McKenzie and Shawn Crable were on IR for the season. WR Brandon Tate played in one game before being shut down. What can they do when healthy?

We’ve heard nothing but good things about Tate, who was a star receiver at North Carolina before tearing up his knee. If he’s as good as advertised, then he might be a steal of a third round pick from the 2009 draft.

It’s the complete opposite in regards to Crable and McKenzie – we’ve heard next to nothing about these guys except they’re healthy. Make that was for Crable, as he has been placed on the active/PUP list before camp begins, which doesn’t bode well for him. Crable might be facing his last chance here after a second straight season on IR. He showed good all-around potential as a rookie after finishing the preseason with an interception, a sack, and good pressure when rushing the passer. One OLB spot is wide open and Crable has a chance to steal a starting spot.

McKenzie was big and fast coming out of South Florida. Now he’s on the fringe with a lot of ‘backers ahead of him on the depth chart. Initially viewed as an ILB, if McKenzie can be versatile and productive all over the field, he could hang on to a roster spot.

Come Out of the Corner Fighting: We know Leigh Bodden will probably start on the left side of the field. Who plays opposite of him is up in the air. The favorite has to be Darius Butler after an encouraging rookie season that included three interceptions and a pick six. But first round picks like Devin McCourty aren’t interested in taking a back seat to anyone. The loser becomes the third corner, which still means a lot of significant playing time. Jonathan Wilhite proved he’s not starting material and Terrence Wheatley lags behind because he’s been fragile as a pro.

Adios Alge: Knowing TE Alge Crumpler was back in Pro Bowl shape made me excited to imagine what he could do for the Patriots. But after selecting two tight ends in the 2010 Draft, Crumpler might not even make the team. Rob Gronkowski has all the tools to be great and has a shot to start as a second round pick. Aaron Hernandez was rated to go earlier than a fourth round pick and could be another draft theft if he works out.

New England kept just two tight ends last year. Unless Hernandez is played like an H-back, Crumpler might get cut as draft selections typically get preference over free agent signees.

Happy Days for Cunningham: After my interview with Aaron Schatz from FootballOutsiders.com, we had a little conversation about the potential of some rookies. Schatz was high on Jermaine Cunningham. I hope The Schatz is right. Cunningham is a big question mark to me, as he wasn’t rated as high as other DE/LB players in the draft. Jermaine has a realistic shot to start this season if he can beat out veterans Derrick Burgess and Rob Ninkovich as well as hold off a healthy Crable.

In the Middle of Everything: Gary Guyton was rewarded with a new two-year contract following his first season as a starter. It could be his only season as a starter if Guyton can’t repel the challengers McKenzie and Brandon Spikes. Spikes is intriguing because he was so productive during his Florida Gator days and has a solid reputation as a leader. Brandon seems like the bigger threat and could demote Guyton.

New A-line-ment: I doubt G Logan Mankins attends camp from day one. That’s not good for an O-line that has a lot of room for improvement. Even though they allowed just 18 sacks, good for third fewest in the league, the overall play was disappointing as Brady took a pounding last year. Opponents came after Brady, confident he didn’t have the mobility of past years following major knee surgery in 2008. Defenses will keep coming this year now that the offensive line appears to have a few cracks along the wall.

No More Hiding Hernandez: Remember how the Patriots shuttled Hernandez to and from practice during minicamp and OTAs, keeping him from the media hungry to ask about his failed drug test(s) controversy? Aaron can’t keep running forever.

New England should let him face the music early and get it out of the way. Whether it was one or a few, if Hernandez’s story of using marijuana during a period of depression holds up, the issue can be swept away quickly and he can focus on football. But Aaron has to tell us honestly why he smoked pot.

First Line of Defense: There seems like 76 defensive linemen are on the team, having a battle royal over several roster spots. Jarvis Green left as a free agent, leaving a void in the starting lineup. There’s no shortage of contestants for the spot either. Mike Wright is a favorite to start, but free agents Damione Lewis and Gerard Warren are just the beginning of a fierce brawl about to erupt. Myron Pryor will be in the mix and Ron Brace looks to rebound from a disappointing rookie season. Rookies Kade Weston and Brandon Deaderick will set their sights on just making the team.

Is This Price Right: Fans wanted the Patriots to draft one of the top receivers in the draft. They have to settle for Taylor Price. He comes from a run first offense at the Ohio University and may be on the raw side. That also could mean Price is an untapped potential that could flourish with the right coaching. The bar was set high by Julian Edelman last year. Price won’t get the chance to have that kind of an impact, but he could play his way into a regular role on the team, whether it’s as a deep threat or as a returner.