Main page | May 3, 2008 »

Photos of Patriots rookies at mini-camp

Journal photos / John Freidah
Linebacker Jerod Mayo

Quarterback Kevin O'Connell

Defensive backs Jonathan Wilhite, left, and Terrence Wheatley

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:13 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Rookie mini-camp, opening session

Rain forced the Patriots to move the first session of their rookie mini-camp indoors, to the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse, and the 27 players on hand worked for more than an hour on the basics of New England's system.

Some observations:

* QB Kevin O'Connell puts a lot of zip on his ball, but his accuracy is definitely an area of improvement for the third-round pick. Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels spent a lot of time with O'Connell, working him both with and without a ball in his hands.

* CB Jonathan Wilhite doesn't have "stone hands." One online scouting report said the former Auburn Tiger had stone hands, but Wilhite's hands looked good while picking off O'Connell during one play. He made a good play on the ball, bobbled it a bit but held on.

* WR Matthew Slater may not end up as a WR at all. We this going in -- that Slater, the Pats' fifth-round pick, had been moved all over the field at UCLA and likely would in New England as well. This morning, he took some snaps at defensive back and came away with an interception, and of course played on special teams.

* For some, it may have been a brief tryout. Among the 27 players, there were nine in for a tryout. The team hasn't passed along those names yet, but for those who are still around for the afternoon session (which gets underway at 2:15 p.m.), we'll be able to pass along some names.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Complete list of Pats rookies

Here is the full list of drafted and undrafted rookies taking part in New England's rookie mini-camp this weekend:

5 QB Kevin O'Connell - San Diego St
18 WR Matthew Slater - UCLA
22 CB Terrence Wheatley - Colorado
24 CB Jonathan Wilhite - Auburn
30 S Mark Dillard - Louisiana Tech
42 RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis - Mississippi
47 LB Vince Redd - Liberty
48 LB Gary Guyton - Georgia Tech
51 LB Jerod Mayo - Tennessee
62b NT Henry Smith - Texas A&M
62w C Ryan Wendell - Fresno St
64 DE Casey Tyler - Portland St
69 DT Carlos Feliciano - Maryland
76w T Josh Coffman - East Carolina
76b DE Chris Norwell - Illinois
85 TE Jonathan Stupar - Virginia
91 LB Bo Ruud - Nebraska
98 LB Shawn Crable - Michigan

There are also several players here on a tryout basis; we will try to get their names for you.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments 1