Patriots rookies first-class so far0 Speak Out

Patriots rookies first-class so far
0 Speak Out
August 28
Boston Globe


"The Patriots' 2007 rookies certainly left their mark, but it was a black mark.

Maybe they sensed that on a near-perfect team, their shot of making the roster was about as good as Hillary Clinton walking out of Denver with the Democratic presidential nomination. But for whatever reason, the Class of '07 was a failure. Fourth-round pick Kareem Brown was suspended for the start of training camp for an unspecified violation of team rules, setting the tone for a group that proved to be both incorrigible and horrible.

Just two of the nine players the Patriots selected in the '07 draft are still on the roster - safety Brandon Meriweather, the first-round pick, and cornerback Mike Richardson, a sixth-rounder who is fighting for a roster spot after missing all of last season because of a thumb injury. The only other holdover is quarterback Matt Gutierrez, who was signed as an undrafted free agent.

However, the mistakes of '07 have given way to the promise and potential of the Class of 2008. Led by first-round pick Jerod Mayo, who figures to open the season as a starter at inside linebacker, New England's newest neophytes have proven to be both quick learners and hard workers, impressing coach Bill Belichick.

"They have worked hard. They have probably been as good a working group as we have had," said Belichick. "They have worked hard off the field in the classroom, learning their assignments, watching film, spending extra time with the coaches, learning how to work the Avid [video] equipment - doing some of their own cut-ups and stuff like that. They've worked hard on the field.

"They make mistakes just like all rookies do, and we will see how they perform over the long haul, not just based on a couple of weeks. But they have put a lot into it. They have been accountable. [We] haven't had any problems with them in terms of discipline things or [being] late. They are there early, they are eager, they are ready to go, and they have consistently tried to do their best and learn from their mistakes."

Tonight marks the rookies' last chance to make those first-year faux pas in the preseason, as the Patriots close exhibition play on the road against the New York Giants. For some of the rookies, it might be the last time they wear a Patriots uniform, but it won't be for lack of effort or talent."