Phew. // Image courtesy of Sports Illustrated.

- Follow Ethan on Twitter @Ethanhamm!

That McCourty pick sure looks a lot better with Leigh Bodden gone now, right?

Here are my thoughts on this year’s solid rookie class.

Devin McCourty, CB – He has looked very stellar for a rookie. He shows a great ability in press coverage and made a beautiful play against the Falcons anticipating a rout. He looked more like a rookie against the Rams, but these growing pains are all part of the maturation process. McCourty has also been solid as a special teamer, breaking off a couple of long returns against the Saints and serving as a great gunner when we punt the ball away. His athleticism is noticeable.

This year, I expect McCourty to be our starting cornerback with Darius Butler. His skillset is much more conducive to matching up with more physical receivers, and I think he has a lot of potential as a member of our young, talented secondary. Given Leigh Bodden’s rotator cuff injury, he’s certainly going to have to grow up quickly. I think he has the ability to do so, but he’s not going to be perfect.

Rob Gronkowski, TE – I have nothing but love for Gronk. He started camp off a little bit slowly, but since then he has improved exponentially with each preseason game. Against the Saints he looked a little lost blocking and was not able to show his athleticism as a receiver. In the Falcons game, he showed some explosiveness with a TD reception down the seam and looked better blocking. However, the Rams game was his best thus far, and he looked absolutely unstoppable, dragging James Laurinaitis for one touchdown and showing athleticism and speed on his other one. He has looked phenomenal, and truly seems to be the Mark Bavaro clone that Coach Belichick has sought for so long.

Rolewise, I expect Gronkowski to start in two TE sets along with Alge Crumpler and get a lot of playing time from the get-go. He’s a fantasy sleeper in the red zone and makes the Patriots exponentially more dangerous on the offensive side of the ball. I cannot say enough how good he has been.

Jermaine Cunningham, OLB – The jury is still out on Mr. Cunningham because he has yet to play a preseason game. By all accounts he has looked athletic in practices, but a nagging injury has prevented him from seeing the field against legitimate competition. Here’s hoping that he gets some action against the Giants; I have heard that he looks like Clay Matthews in terms of rushing the passer and his ability to loop around into the middle of the defense is pretty solid.

I still hold out hope that Cunningham can make an impact this season. I think he will end up being the third or fourth pass rusher for the Patriots and will rotate with Burgess and Murrell (and maybe Rob Ninkovich.) Once he is geared up, I think he could be elite; just a hunch.

Brandon Spikes, ILB – He has proven me wrong thus far, and I could not be happier. Spikes will be starting along with Jerod Mayo on Opening Day against the Bengals, and has been the most impressive linebacker on the team this preseason. He does it all; he can rush the passer, stop the run, and cover. He has played at both inside and outside linebacker, and he has yet to have a bad game. The 40 time thing was overblown; Spikes was a steal in the late second round.

Spikes, as I said, will be starting opposite Jerod Mayo. He is a great complement to the former Tennessee Volunteer and the two should be a dynamic duo in the middle of the Patriots’ defense for years to come. I am excited to see how Spikes does this season, and I think he could be a prime candidate for Rookie of the Year.

Taylor Price, WR – Price has definitely looked like a rookie in camp. He has great athleticism and good hands, but still seems lost when he gets time on the field. Given, he has had Zac Robinson, who is horrible, throwing him balls, but he has looked like the fifth best WR on the team behind Moss, Welker, Tate and Edelman. Price will make the team due to his draft status and overall value, but I do not expect him to get a lot of action this season. He will be brought along slowly and, in a couple of years, I think he will make a splash.

Aaron Hernandez, TE – If Gronk is our Mark Bavaro, Hernandez is our Dallas Clark. I have never seen a tight end look so smooth running down the field. Hernandez was absolutely sensational against the Atlanta Falcons, when he juked defensive backs out of their cleats and showed sensational hands and ball skills. He will be a factor this season as a safety valve for Tom, and, once again, he is an example of how talent can inexplicably slip through the cracks. Hernandez will see a lot of time as a slot WR/TE/H-B, and will get his opportunities in single coverage against LBs and safeties. He is so smooth, I do not think he can be covered. Another great pick.

Zoltan Mesko, P – The Space Emperor of Space has been pretty good for a rookie thus far. He still needs some consistency on his punts, but he has looked pretty good overall. His leg is huge and he has shown an ability to create backspin and have kicks stop on a dime at the goal line, both of which are very positive signs. Mesko will start from Day 1 and end up being a very stellar punter. Eventually, I think he has the talent to be a top punter in the game.

Ted Larsen, OL – Larsen is really athletic, but super raw. At one point, he actually outran Brandon Tate down the sideline for his long touchdown, no small feat. He is going to need seasoning, but Dante Scarnecchia is the best OL coach in the NFL in terms of developing talent, so I think he’ll be OK. Nothing more than a backup this year though.

Thomas Welch, OT – He has looked overmatched, to say the least, in preseason, though it hasn’t helped that his QB has shown no pocket presence whatsoever. He is really athletic though, another Dante Scarnecchia special.

Kade Weston, DT – Weston is on injured reserve. He could still eventually contribute, but not this year.

Brandon Deaderick, DE – Deaderick has a very good shot of making the roster. He’s been the fourth DE with Ty Warren out, and he has looked good in the rotation. A nice pick in the seventh round.

Zac Robinson, QB – Ew. Just ew. Definitely a long term project.

- Ethan Hammerman

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Tom Brady has looked good thus far in the preseason. // Image courtesy of The Washington Times.

- Follow me on Twitter @Ethanhamm!

Two games have come and gone for the Patriots this preseason. Both the showdown against the Saints at home and the scrum versus the Falcons in the Georgia Dome were great tests for this young squad, and the players met all of their challenges for the most part. Their next game, Thursday night against the Rams, will pose more challenges and could also serve as the final time before the regular season opener that starters get extended play on the field. Some players still have questions to answer, while others have passed all of their tests thus far with flying colors. Here are five things that we know so far, followed by five issues to watch in the upcoming game against the Rams.

Things We Know:

1. Tom Brady has the most weapons that he has ever had as a Patriot

Yes, he has more than he did in 2007. Back then, he had Randy Moss and Wes Welker, but not much else. Donte Stallworth was nothing special as a third wide receiver, and Ben Watson was still the starter at tight end.

Now, the Patriots still have Moss and Welker, but they also have added a bunch of new dimensions to their offensive scheme that have looked great in the preseason. Brandon Tate looks every bit the gamebreaker that Stallworth was perceived to be. Julian Edelman has been absolutely devastating with the ball in his hand. In terms of tight ends, the three-headed monster of the blocker (Alge Crumpler), the receiver (Aaron Hernandez), and the prototype (Rob Gronkowski) will allow the Patriots to line up in a scary number of formations next season. Hernandez shows great ball skills and really nice moves after the catch, while Gronkowski is a major load to bring down and still maintains nimble enough feet to get down the seam and make plays down the field. This offense is humming, and I am excited to see what Brady can do with these new toys. I think he could have his best season ever (other than 2007, of course.)

2. Dan Connolly will do perfectly fine filling in for Logan Mankins

This was a major question mark at the beginning of the preseason, but Logan’s leverage has gone down by the snap. His replacement, Dan Connolly, has probably been the second or third best offensive lineman on the field for the Patriots all preseason, and he has been devastating both in the run game and the passing game. He shows great athleticism, can pull around to the other side, and has been a major part of at least two touchdown runs this preseason. He is yet another example of what master offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia can do with athletic linemen.

3. The Patriots are set in the secondary…at least for the forseeable future

Leigh Bodden, Devin McCourty, Darius Butler, Brandon Meriweather and Patrick Chung have been getting most of the first team snaps this preseason, and excluding the injured Bodden, all have had their moments. McCourty has looked especially impressive, most notably last game vs. the Falcons when he managed to bump Roddy White off of his route and force a fourth down. He definitely looks a lot more comfortable in press coverage than in zone or playing off his man, but, even though I am a raging Butler fanatic, I have to admit that McCourty looks just as good, if not better, as Butler did last year at this time.

Speaking of Butler, he has had his ups and downs. He gave up a crucial penalty (though it was a bit of a soft call) against the Saints in Week 1, but blanketed his side of the field against the Falcons and has looked like a true playmaker in practice. Whether he or McCourty get to start is not important; all that matters is that both have looked good and should be able to at least improve on last year’s horrific pass coverage.

The safeties have looked fine as well. Chung needs to improve at covering tight ends, but he has a great motor and is always good for a hard hit after the catch. I think he will improve throughout this year and could eventually be a Rodney Harrison type for the Patriots in the secondary for years to come. Meriweather has looked great as well, and hopes to follow up on his Pro Bowl season with another stellar one.

4. Bill O’Brien has been much improved as a playcaller

This is an underrated improvement that should be pointed out. Last year, Bill O’Brien was maligned a lot for operating too much out of the spread and not providing enough diversity to his playcalling. This preseason, the team has been humming down the field, and much of it is thanks to his calls.

Against the Saints and the Falcons, he made a number of great calls that resulted in points on the scoreboard. If he continues this upward trend, I think he could have a McDaniels type rise this year as a coaching prospect.

5. This runningback by committee won’t win fantasy leagues, but will win football games

First of all, I apologize that I ever called Edelman a running back.

Now that that’s out of the way, there is a great tandem in this backfield. Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk and Laurence Maroney have all looked great in spurts with the first team line. Some teams operate with one back, and some use two instead. However, I am fine with using four. It reduces wear on all of them and all have shown to be hard runners in the past.

I would not draft any in fantasy though. If you have to pick one, go with Morris. He is the closest thing to a power back and would probably get a bunch of goal line carries.

Things We Don’t Know

1. Can Jermaine Cunningham make an impact this year?

I was s0 excited to see Cunningham take the field…but he has yet to take a snap of game action. He has had injury issues and will hopefully see extended time against the Rams. At this point, I at least want to see him on third downs along with Banta-Cain. Murrell is decent, but Cunningham’s athleticism would be helpful as well.

2. What happens if a lineman on either side of the ball gets injured?

Without Ty Warren for the season and Nick Kaczur for at least its beginning, depth may be a problem on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Defensively, it may be slightly less of an issue since the line has looked pretty good thus far this preseason. Heck, even Ron Brace has had a moment in the sun!

Offensively, though, there may be some problems. I really hope that Thomas Welch is just practice squad fodder; he isn’t ready to contribute yet. Ted Larsen is athletic, but he still needs seasoning. George Bussey and Rich Ohrnburger both can get overpowered at times as well, and Mark Levoir is nothing more than adequate. The Patriots had better hope that Stephen Neal does not get his annual knock, or they could be in a spot of trouble.

3. Wilhite or Wheatley

This may be the most interesting battle in camp. Two 2008 draft picks, both maligned for various reasons, probably battling for one spot. I think that Kyle Arrington merits a position as a special teams enforcer (and as a fifth cornerback) so which of these two should stay?

Jonathan Wilhite has always been a bit schizophrenic from game to game, even from play to play. Against New Orleans, he gave up a huge 55 yard completion and looked generally horrid. Against Atlanta, however, he played a nice under man coverage to make an interception off of John Parker Wilson. Wheatley came in touted as the better player, but has yet to make an impact due to injuries and currently appears to be behind Wheatley on the depth chart. However, he can contribute on special teams and seems to be having his best camp as a pro.

Personally, I would take Wheatley, just because he has more upside and would appear to be the safer option. I think Belichick likes Wilhite a little more, just because he seems to buy into the Patriot way and he could be a good fit as a slot corner.

Who will make it? Wheatley? Wilhite? Both? We’ll have to wait to find out.

- Ethan Hammerman

Image courtesy of European Pressphoto.

- Follow Ethan on Twitter @ethanhamm!

There is a difference between wanting someone to be angry and someone actually being angry.

For the past couple of weeks, it seems that many members of New England’s media have been circling around the seemingly tenuous relationship between Tom Brady and Robert Kraft like sharks looking for blood to spurt out of a wound. Column after column has been written about how Brady and the Patriots will be going their separate ways after this season ends and how Kraft is being frugal with Brady because he knows he won’t complain. They are digging, trying to manipulate emotions from their readers and stir up a little bit of controversy in what has been a pretty positive (and, therefore, boring) Patriots training camp.

From what news has actually been reported by legitimate sources (see: Schefter, Adam), Brady and Kraft are actually working on structuring a deal and may be closer to their goal than either Peyton Manning or Ben Roethlisburger are with their respective teams. The player and the owner also played golf together last weekend, seemingly as a sign that they are working on the situation. At the end of the day, I am pretty sure that Brady will come to terms with the Patriots on some sort of deal.

However, that does not mean I want him to do so before the season starts. I want Kraft to drag this out for as long as possible.

I want Tom Brady to sweat. I want Brady to feel like he is getting ripped off by his owner.

I want Brady to get angry again.

Tom Brady is rarely angry. The past couple of years, he has been relatively easygoing, possibly even complacent. Sure, he has his moments of intensity now and again, but the consistent anger that made him one of the most hated players in the league by non-Patriots fans (and the most beloved by New Englanders) has disappeared from his eyes. I want him riled up, I want him mad, and I want the Hulk to come out and smash opposition…like in 2007.

Remember 2007? That was the last time that Tom Brady was legitimately angry. Granted, the entire team was mad, but Brady was the maddest. Due to the Spygate fiasco, other teams could point to him and say that he cheated to win his three Super Bowl titles. They could denegrate him, mock him, say that he would not have been anything if it was not for his trusty hidden camera. Columnist Bill Simmons coined the team’s state of mind as “Eff-You,” and Brady was the leader of this mentality. No matter how dumb these statements were, they clearly got to Brady, and with new toy Randy Moss in tow, he unleashed the beast all over the back of the NFL’s head.

38-14. 38-14. 38-7. 34-13, etc. Game after game after game, Brady would destroy opposing defenses, exposing every single hole and never letting that angry glow disappear from his eyes. The anger fueled him, like The Hulk, Venom, or Ronnie from Jersey Shore. The anger made him superhuman, it brought him to a level never before seen in football. He set records, broke hearts, established himself (in case there were any doubters) as a top 15 quarterback in NFL history, and became the object of envy once again for all of his opposing teams’ fans.

He lost the Super Bowl, but that is besides the point. He did everything possible to get the Patriots there, and they nearly won if it was not for a number of defensive mistakes that no one would particularly like to revisit.

Now…consider that if Brady does not resign his contract before the season starts, he will be mad. He will feel another need to prove himself to the fans and to his owner. He will have to show that the Patriots will not be able to survive without him if he leaves. This will make him more motivated, and angrier, than ever.

In addition, consider that this year he has more weapons on offense than ever before. Moss, Welker, Tate, Edelman, Gronkowski, Hernandez…not to mention old reliable Kevin Faulk. This core is stronger than the group in 2007, and Brady is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL at utilizing all of his offensive weapons.

Then, consider that it will be a contract year for Brady, and players tend to perform above and beyond their capabilities when their contracts are up for review.

Remember that last year, Brady faced the most difficult defenses in the entire NFL, to the point that he actually led in Football Outsiders DYAR (defensive yards above replacement) statistic, beating more ballyhooed names such as Peyton Manning and Drew Brees in that regard. Heck, editor-in-chief Aaron Schatz even noted that Brady faced the most difficult schedule of pass defenses in the past 17 years last year, and still put up very good numbers.

Note that the defense should be better this season, with the young core now solidified, a healthy Vince Wilfork at nose tackle and new talent abound, ready to break out. If the preseason game against the Saints is any indication, Brandon Spikes is going to be special next to Jerod Mayo.

Finally, do not forget that Brady is now two years removed from a severe knee injury that severely hampered his ability to play the quarterback position effectively. Despite all of the factors listed above, he still had the second best season of his illustrious career. And he was calm while doing it.

So, to summarize, Tom Brady plays best when he is angry. This year, all of the factors are already in place for him to have a better year than last season, regardless of his contract situation. If he is angry, though, that would raise his play to a whole other level. He would go back to that 2007 form, he would spray the ball all over the field, those 52-7 scores would be seen again online after the game. He would get his mojo back.

Robert Kraft, if you are reading this, I know (or, at least, I hope) that you will take care of Tom. However, delay on the contract until after the season. I want to see Hulk smash one more time.

- Ethan Hammerman

The preseason is written off by many as mere filler until the “real first stringers” take the field the second week of September to begin the regular season. However, in truth, this is where the best stories take place.

This is where a cornerback, considered by just about everyone to be a massive bust, can try and prove doubters wrong.

This is where a converted quarterback, the most pleasant surprise of last season’s team, will attempt to show that he can learn yet another position.

This is where a center, little-known but for his similarity to his team’s head coach, can show that he has the capability to play guard.

This is where a practice squad defensive end can show that he deserves a spot on the larger roster.

This is where an outside linebacker, learning his position for the first time, will gain experience he needs…since he may be starting opening day.

These are the storylines of this year’s pre-season…don’t blink, or you might miss them. Even as the minutes tick after halftime and Brady and Moss have already left the field for the night, these five guys should keep you watching. They are compelling, they are talented, and the preseason will show whether or not they can be relevant this season. They are a troupe of outcasts, the group that no one expects coming but ends up surprising everyone.

A new superhero team, the Cut Men, will be gracing your television screens Thursday night. When the game starts, they will be there hustling and scrapping every play. There will be blood, sweat, and tears shed on each snap. These five will do anything to stay above the ever-vaunted Cut Line. For them, this 60 minute game is less a scrimmage but more a proving ground, and they intend to show how capable they can be each and every play.

This group of heroes have a variety of personas; the infamous bust, the perpetual underdog, the anonymous rookie, the athletic marvel, and the guy with the world suddenly thrust on his shoulders. Put them together and you have a ragtag group of heroes that could be making an impact for the Patriots on opening day.

1. Terrence Wheatley, CB — The Bust

Photo by Winslow Townson -- AP

If it was not for Shawn Crable never having a snap of real game action and Kevin O’Connell being the captain of the Jets, Terrence Wheatley would probably already be known as the Biggest Bust in the 2008 Patriots Draft Class.

Wheatley, drafted in the second round out of the University of Colorado in 2008, was seen as a reach by many at the time despite his 4.3 speed and stellar man coverage skills. Patriots fans were optimistic that Wheatley would prove his doubters wrong like so many Patriots draft picks had done in the past.

However, one night against the Indianapolis Colts, Wheatley experienced something that NFL players rarely do; both the (present) climax of his career as well as the beginning of the end.

It was a long pass play, and Wheatley drew coverage against Colts star  wide receiver Marvin Harrison. He mirrored him perfectly, but Peyton Manning still tried to rifle it in. Wheatley, playing perfect coverage, went up for the ball and knocked it away. This was the athleticism that the Patriots had seen at Colorado!

Then, he fell on his wrist. Crack.

Wheatley has not been the same since that game. He tried to come back in last year’s preseason, but did not look good enough to get on the field. He was burned play after play by his assigned men. He did not look the same as he had coming out of Colorado. Teammate Jonathan Wilhite, picked in the fourth round in that same draft, overtook him on the depth chart and relegated Wheatley to the world of busts, where the forgotten tell no tales.

However, this year at training camp, Wheatley has apparently looked a lot better. He showed up in shape and has been impressing everyone. With Wilhite faltering, this could be Wheatley’s chance to get back into the cornerback rotation. Despite the talented Darius Butler, Leigh Bodden and Devin McCourty in front of him, there are still snaps to be had, and Wheatley COULD be the man to pick them up.

Maybe then, finally, he can put the bust moniker behind him. However, if he falters in the preseason, it may be his last chance before he will always be muttered in the same breath as Crable and O’Connell.

2. Julian Edelman, WR/RB/QB/PR — Mr. Everything

Photo by Jim McIsaac - Getty Images.

He was the late round darling out of Kent State, the second former Golden Flash quarterback to flash athleticism conducive to a position OTHER than QB.

In the first preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he returned a punt for a touchdown, and the route was on. The kid who was not supposed to be more than depth or a practice squad surety suddenly made the team over established veteran Greg Lewis, and played a major role for the Patriots.

Edelman, as a rookie learning the wide receiver position for the first time, had 37 receptions for 359 yards and a touchdown last year. He was also one of the only players to impress in the playoff debacle against the Baltimore Ravens, catching both of the Patriots’ touchdown passes.

Now, however, it seems that the powers-that-be have a different challenge in store for Edelman. Running back.

Edelman has lined up in the backfield a lot in training camp, and has been both running the ball and catching passes out of the backfield. As a scatback, rumors are linking him as Kevin Faulk’s eventual heir rather than Wes Welker’s as some previously believed.

The positional change makes a lot of sense. The Patriots are much stronger at wide receiver than at running back with new additions Torry Holt, Brandon Tate and Taylor Price. Edelman is a possible trade asset, but why not just convert him to running back? With his 4.4 speed and 3.92 short shuttle, not to mention ever-improving hands, he could be a perfect replacement for Faulk down the road, and with his direct running style, a solid change of pace back to Laurence Maroney in the short term.

With Moss, Welker, Holt, Tate, and Price almost guaranteed spots on the roster in my mind, it comes down to Edelman and special teams stalwart Sam Aiken. At the end of the day, I would have the best of both worlds. Keep Aiken at wide receiver, and move Edelman as a RB/WR/ scatback type in favor of redundant bruiser BenJarvus Green Ellis. Otherwise, it is Edelman who may be the redundant one.

Edelman knows what it is like to be surprised on cut day. He will want to prevent it from happening to him…by learning his third position in three years.

3. Ted Larsen, OG/OC — The Sleeper

Image courtesy of scout.com.

Quick, who does the above picture remind you of? If you answered Bill Belichick, you are correct, and no, that is not his illegitimate son. That is Ted Larsen, the interior lineman prospect out of North Carolina State and, in my mind, a possible contender for the open spot at left guard.

With Nick Kaczur’s back injury, Dan Connolly has swung into the starting role in his stead. I still think that Logan Mankins will not be coming into camp and, to be frank, we do not need him. Offensive guard is one of the easiest positions to fill. Last year, both Super Bowl teams had no-names starting at one of their guard positions. The Patriots will be fine no matter who starts there.

However, that does not mean that we should keep the best man from getting on the field, regardless of his experience in the system. And, this preseason, Larsen is aiming to prove that he is best for the job.

At 6 foot 2, 300 pounds, he is a mauler with deceptively quick feet. He timed very well at the combine, and was a top performer in the 20-yard shuttle. He is still a little raw, but technique can be learned in the line of fire (or, hopefully, in preseason action.) With only Connolly in his way, there is no reason that Larsen cannot surprise and make a case to start for the Patriots next season.

Larsen is looming, waiting to make his mark on the NFL. Even though he may look like the coach of the team, there is no nepotism here. Larsen is for real.

4. Darryl Richard, DE — The Physical Presence

Photo by John Wilcox -- The Boston Herald.

At 6 foot 4, 290 pounds, Darryl Richard is as physically stunning as one would want in a defensive end.

Even though he is a little bit small height-wise for a 3-4 defensive end, he has great natural burst and really long arms. He is a rare breed of 3-4 defensive end; he can rush the passer as well as stop the run. He is intelligent as well; he was a past president of the Georgia Tech Student-Athlete Advisory Board, sat on the Dean’s Selection Committee, and has a great record in the classroom.

Basically, this guy is the perfect Patriot. Brawn…and brains.

Typically, 3-4 defensive end is not a premium position. Teams can make do with decent, run-of-the-mill talent there as long as there is a solid nose tackle supporting them. Vince Wilfork is the key to the Patriots defensive line, for sure. However, having an athletic defensive end is a major bonus, and the Patriots have a few in the saddle that are bursting for a chance to play.

Now, they may get that chance. Ty Warren, who has underachieved the past couple of years, is injured and his timetable is unknown. The other defensive end position is up for grabs. A mixture of veterans (Damione Lewis, Gerard Warren, Mike Wright) and youngsters (Kade Weston, Brandon Deaderick, Ron Brace, Richard) are facing off for what will probably end up being three spots once T. Warren returns. Myron Pryor has solidified his role on the team, and Mike Wright is a probable roster lock as well, leaving one spot. So, which horse is best to back in this race?

There will be some sentiment that a veteran would be the safest pick. However, Richard’s athleticism proves otherwise. By the end of the preseason, he could be getting routine time as a rotational defensive end.

Of course, he still has to prove that he is worth the investment. Then again, that is what the preseason is all about.

5. Jermaine Cunningham, OLB — The (Second) Most Important Player On the Team

Photo by Tim Casey -- Gator Country.

How is this for pressure?

You come to your new team as a perceived project player, someone who may need time to get on the field at a position of need. Within the first couple of months as a member of this team, one of the starters at your position is cut. On your first day of camp, a key rotational member does not report. He still has not reported. Now, you are expected to take the load and, at the very least, provide consistent pressure on the quarterback all season, all while learning your new position on the fly.

Jermaine Cunningham has been thrust into the spotlight and, in a matter of weeks, has become the most important player in Patriots training camp. He is not more important than Tom Brady…but he is close behind.

Some may say that Rob Ninkovich could be a fit at the position, and I agree. On first and second down. But on third down, when pass is the word, the Patriots need their pumas ready to pounce on the quarterback, and Cunningham is the best fit for that role.

In the 3-4 defense, outside linebacker is Position 1B (1A being nose tackle). A quality speed rusher is a must for a credible 3-4 defense, and Cunningham, with his elite measurables for the position, his 4.6 speed and his 4.12 short shuttle, is exactly that. Of course, he still is not completely familiar with his new position, as he played with his hand down in college. These preseason games will be critical for him to learn the nuances of his new outside linebacker role, and hopefully will get him up to speed by the time Week 1 rolls around.

Cunningham is in no danger of being cut, but if he fails, the entire team could be cut. From the NFL playoffs. Or, even worse, before the NFL playoffs even start.

And that is what these Cut Men are trying to avoid. Some may be fighting for their roster lives, but all are fighting to improve for the sake of the team.

This is why you should watch preseason games the whole way through. Even though Brady and Moss may take a seat after the first series, the rest of the team is still on the field. And when Jermaine Cunningham gets a sack to ice the Super Bowl later this year, you can proudly tell your friends, “I saw when he first used that swim move in actual competition.”

“It was in the second half of that preseason game against New Orleans.”

- Ethan Hammerman

Brandon Tate has apparently looked great in practice. // Image courtesy of the Boston Herald

Over the past two seasons, the Patriots have spent 24 draft picks on young talent, rebuilding amdist modest success. Now is the time when progress will have to shine through. This season, as well as the 2011 campaign, can be seen as a referendum on Coach Belichick’s ability to build a team. While his reputation as a Hall of Fame tactician surely will remain untarnished through whatever travails this team goes through over the next couple of years, his adaptability will come into question. Is he too set in his way in terms of his draft strategy? Can he develop the young talent necessary to sustain a perennial Super Bowl contender. And, most importantly, does he have a bonafide young superstar on this team?

The superstar theory goes against everything that Coach Belichick believes in. He subscribes to the “everyone is equal, do your job, humble pie” theory. Most believe that to be mutually exclusive with the superstar persona. I do not.

Tom Brady is a perfect example. I do not buy into the hype that Brady is thinking about leaving, and no one else should either. As reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brady is actually further along in his contract negotiations than Peyton Manning is…yet no one one reports that Manning is considering a leave from Indianapolis. Brady is a rare breed; a superstar that has the humility to buy into Coach Belichick’s system. Those are the kinds of guys that the team needs to find…and Belichick may believe that his next All-Pro player is on the practice field at Gillette right now.

So, who could break the Patriot stereotype of “all substance, no style?” Here are five prime candidates:

1. Brandon Tate, WR

Tate is a guy that Belichick called a “first round talent,” although he was selected in the third round of last year’s NFL Draft. The former North Carolina Tar Heel set all kinds of records in college, but blew an ACL as a senior and was lost for the season. Then, he tested positive for marijuana at the Combine, further lowering his stock. Last year, he clearly was not 100 percent, so Coach Belichick shelved him and let him recover more from his injury.

Now, he’s back and, apparently, is better than ever.

Only one Patriots wide receiver has not dropped a single pass thus far in training camp. That man is Brandon Tate. Tate has shown great hands and the explosiveness that made him a highly touted prospect before his ACL injury. He has returned kicks and punts in practice, and looks to be a major upgrade in both of those areas for the team. He has taken the starting spot opposite Randy Moss and has yet to give it up. We will see how he looks in preseason games; however, at this point, Tate looks like he could be a deadly weapon opposite Moss, and he has the speed and skill to eventually be considered top 10 at the position.

2. Darius Butler, CB

Everyone knows how much I love this man. Darius Butler came out of the draft as a highly touted cornerback from the University of Connecticut, and was called by Bill Belichick as “the most athletic defensive back that I’ve ever worked out.” He played a bit role last season and, though he was inconsistent at times, showed some great panache and playmaking ability. His first season, comparatively speaking, was reminiscent of Chris McAlister’s and Champ Bailey’s.

This offseason, the Butler hype train has continued full throttle.

The club is extremely excited about Butler’s potential, noting his great cover skills and his playmaking ability. Butler will surely be tested this upcoming season, and cornerbacks are expected to make a large jump from Year 1 to Year 2. If Butler makes that jump, I think he could have the potential to be a top five cornerback in the NFL. Remember, we’re talking about potential STARS here, and Butler is a star in the making. He has a perfect blend of athleticism and instincts. If he can make that jump, I see special things in his future.

3. Aaron Hernandez, TE

Rob Gronkowski is going to be the tight end that gets all of the love from football purists, but Hernandez is the one most ready to contribute in the Patriots’ spread scheme. He was the most athletic tight end in last year’s draft, has great hands, and is a mismatch no matter who covers him. He has a natural ability to find seams down the field, and has an overall skillset reminiscent of Dallas Clark. Why did he slip then?

Because he tested positive for marijuana at the Combine.

Aside here: I understand that marijuana is a drug and, is technically, illegal. However, that should not be a serious red flag for a professional athlete. They could be doing much worse than smoking weed. Tyreke Evans has never been caught for puffing a joint, but went 130 miles per hour and crashed his car yesterday. Which one is dumber? There was no reason for guys like Hernandez and Tate to slip two rounds after they were supposed to be drafted due to smoking marijuana.

Anyway, Hernandez is going to be a key component of the Patriots offense this year. I think he could have around 700 yards receiving and 5 or 6 touchdowns. His skillset will be crucial for Brady’s offensive arsenal.

4. Brandon Spikes, ILB

Ah yes, my old nemesis Brandon Spikes. We meet again.

Spikes has apparently looked quite good in practice. His toughness has been noticeable, and he has instilled a new attitude into the middle of the Patriots defense. Coach Belichick has even taken him aside for tutoring, something he rarely does for players, much less rookies. He clearly sees something special in the former Gator; a nastiness, a quality that this defense lacked when Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi left last year.

Spikes reminds me a bit of Ray Lewis when he came out for the draft. Lewis, of course, was considered one of the top players in the country. However, he slipped in the eyes of many because of his size. Spikes, on the other hand, slipped due to a perceived lack of speed.

At the end of the day, Lewis proved his doubters wrong by playing in a 3-4 defense (where size is usually at a premium) and excelling. Spikes, combined with Mayo, should have a similar impact. It might not be noticed on the statsheet, but what will make him a legend will be all the plays he creates for guys around him. He will be a rare breed; a darling of advanced metricians who will love the role that he will play on the Patriots defense, as well as old-school guys who will enjoy his hard-nosed, sock-it-to-’em style.

5. Jermaine Cunningham, OLB

Cunningham is the final guy on this list, though I do think guys like Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty, Zoltan Mesko, Taylor Price, Tyrone McKenzie and Myron Pryor can be very good in the NFL. Heck, I think they all could be stars sometime down the road. That’s why I love this new philosophy that seemingly set in the past couple of drafts; all of these guys are extremely athletic and I can see them busting out and putting us right back on the map.

However, Cunningham gets the nod here just because of how primed  he should be for an impact.

The Patriots are deathly thin at OLB. Tully Banta-Cain, the guy I said was a good number two passrusher but not a number one, is now our number one option for rushing the passer. Rob Ninkovich has never started a game, and though he is gritty and could probably succeed as a two down OLB, I’m not sure I see a speed rusher when I look at him. Derrick Burgess might retire, and even if he stays we cannot expect too much.

That leaves Cunningham, the Gator who ran one of the fastest three-cone drill times at the draft. The three cone drill, of course, is a great predictor of future pass-rushing success.

Cunningham, who had eight sacks last year at Florida.

Cunningham, who has been compared by some to Clay Matthews III of Green Bay, the rush linebacker who could have won Defensive Rookie of the Year last season if Brian Cushing had not roided up.

Cunningham is still definitely learning the position, and it will take some time for him to get acclimated to the NFL. However, at least as a third down pass rusher to start, he gives the team the best chance to get pressure on the quarterback. His ability to both blitz by looping inside of blockers and being able to run around the tackle is second to none on this team, and his large stature also lets him set the edge on running plays. He could very well be the key to a successful season for the Patriots.

Cunningham has great measurables and could be the next Willie McGinest. Time will tell of course…just ask the last “next big thing,” Shawn Crable, who never had a down of legitimate football as a Patriot. However, the ability is there.

Now we just wait and see if it will shine through.

- Ethan Hammerman

Major moves in the world of pitching today. After 10 years of dedicated service to the Houston Astros, Roy Oswalt has been traded to the philadelphia phillies, becoming the third wheel behind aces Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels. Oswalt indicated his desire to be traded on May 22, when the Astros were at a national league worst 14-27. Like every star athlete these days, Halladay wanted to be traded to a contending team. The Phillies are certainly that.

Sensational rookie Right hander Stephen Strasburg went on the 15 day DL today. The Washington Nationals head coach commented, “If he’s at 90 percent, we shut him down.” The team is taking every precaution with the annointed one, who in his major legue debut has gone 5-2 with a 2.32 ERA. Strasburg made his major league debut on June 8th, where he struck out 14 in a victory over the Pirates.

Ryan may be annoying, but he knows his defense. // Photo courtesy of the New York Daily News

Follow Ethan on Twitter @ethanhamm!

Number one defense in the NFL? Check.

A berth in the AFC Championship game with a lackluster, rookie quarterback on the back of said defense? Check.

A player in the top twenty in sacks? Barely. Calvin Pace was tied for the spot with 8.

The New York Jets, no matter how much one may dislike them, did something relatively amazing. They tricked the entire NFL into fearing their pass rush. The Jets were only 18th in sacks last year, yet for weeks pundits marveled the ferocious Jets defense and, most importantly, the ingenious blitz packages of Coach Rex Ryan.

The Patriots, on the other hand, were absolutely abysmal rushing the passer. They were 23rd in the NFL in sacks and even lower in hurries. Their top pass rusher, Tully Banta-Cain, is a former seventh-round castoff that may not be able to sustain his past production. Even with him playing as well as he did last year, he needs help. I still have visions in my head of Chad Henne getting eight seconds to throw the ball every play on that final drive vs. Miami.

Coach Belichick has always been a proponent of “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Sammy Morris ran all over us as a Bill until we picked him up. Wes Welker had the biggest game of his career as a Dolphin, so we traded for him. He is constantly scouting, looking for angles, trying to improve this team.

The next thing he needs to do is learn from the Jets’ blitz package how to pressure the quarterback. Because, frankly, the Patriots should be at least as good as harassing the signal-caller as the Jets are.

Look at the personnel. The Jets’ top pass rusher is Calvin Pace, an overrated first round bust who will be turning 30 this year and never had a season above eight sacks until last year. On the other side is Bryan Thomas, who is slow and unathletic. He is a pure run stopper at this point of his career. The middle linebackers, David Harris and Bart Scott, are very good, but Jerod Mayo and the Guyton/McKenzie/Spikes cadre is similar talent-wise.

The Patriots need to get the memo about how the Jets run their defense. Rex Ryan, for all of the blubber and bluster, knows what he’s doing with his exotic blitz packages. It makes life easier for all of his cornerbacks and safeties, our major weakness this past season.

The first step in implementing such a plan is to increase blitzing up the middle of the defense. The Patriots have sensational athletes up the gut. The front line is manned by Vince Wilfork, who’s body is built to take up multiple blockers. Then, the quartet of middle linebackers can knife through the gaps and get to the QB. Three of the four middle linebackers who are expected to be in the rotation ran sub 4.6 40s and even faster 10 yard times. And Spikes, the slowest of the bunch, was called by Belichick “the quickest middle linebacker from hash to hash since Jerod Mayo.” Not exactly light praise from one of the most cagey coaches in the game.

Having more blitzes up the middle will serve to open up lanes from the outside where our slightly lackluster pass rushers can reach the quarterback. It will let them take on blockers on a one-by-one basis rather than getting double teamed consistently. Tully is a good speed rusher, but he has a bit of trouble taking on blockers. Getting more one-on-one matchups will only help minimize his weaknesses. Derrick Burgess heated up a bit as the year went on, and though it may not be prudent to ask for too much from Burgess, 6 to 7 sacks is a distinct possibility. Jermaine Cunningham could be special; he has a Clay Matthews like ability to cut to the inside, and I think he also has the speed to blow by guys on the outside as well. He could be the most contributory player of the Patriots’ defensive rookie class.

How should the Patriots blitz? CROSS BLITZING OF COURSE! The Jets were well-known last year for, let’s say, crossing the streams on their blitz packages, not letting the offensive line get a chance to communicating vis-a-vis who would be blocking who. Utilizing Mayo and company in cross-blitzes would serve to confuse the interior offensive lines of opponents, letting Big Vince get under them to open up rushing lanes. It is perfect for the Patriots defensive system; even better than for the Jets since Kris Jenkins is primarily a penetrating nose rather than a space eater.

Getting to the quarterback is the key of a good defense on a successful team. The Colts have Freeney and Mathis, the Saints have Will Smith. The Vikings have Ray Edwards, Jared Allen and Brian Robison. For teams like the Jets and the Patriots, however, they need everyone to contribute. The Jets have figured this out, and they were buoyed by this strategy to the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots, on the other hand, languished all season as a mediocre defense. Maybe it is time for them to take a page from the enemy’s book.

After all, if you can’t sack them, you might as well sack LIKE them.

- Ethan Hammerman

They're here...// Image courtesy of the Associated Press.

- Follow Ethan on Twitter @ethanhamm!

I said this exact scenario many months ago, right after his team lost to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Playoffs; Lebron James, if he wanted to win a championship and salvage what was left of his legacy, had to go to Miami and play with Dwyane Wade. Some of the details may have been wrong (re: Beasley and O’Neal being on the team, and even I did not expect Bosh to jump to the Heat), but the crux of the piece that I previously wrote was right on the money.

It was a no-brainer. And now that it has come to fruition, I think I am owed a thank you.

All joking aside, this was the right move for Lebron. By a mile. Staying in Cleveland would only have resulted in the further denigration of the franchise and would have solidified the “King’s” legacy as a great player who would never have won a championship. Chicago was a riskier bet, a team without a coach and with a huge shadow looming over Lebron’s work. New York would have been the flashy choice, but there is simply not enough talent to make it happen there. If Amare could not win with the best point guard of the past ten years piloting his team, what’s to make us think he could have won with Lebron? And then, of course, the Nets and Clippers both stink.

Going to Miami was the only logical choice that Lebron could make. He, Wade and Bosh are immediately the best trio in the league. “Miami Thrice,” as I (and everyone else) will/should now call them. I expect championship contention to follow for many years to come.

The move itself, though, is not what many people are calling into question. Many more are upset with the spectacle of the whole matter, the perceived “back-stabbing” that Cleveland fans felt once Lebron said that he would be taking his act to South Beach. They are upset that Wade, Bosh and James worked together to make this happen. And, even worse, they think that this new supertrio could ruin the game of basketball.

Wow, that’s a lot of hyperbole for a paragraph.

Anyway, I do not have a problem with the players speaking together and deciding on which team to play. That’s camaraderie in a world where players constantly fight one another, cheat with each other’s girlfriends (and, in one notable case, each others’ mothers), and keep guns in the locker room. Alone, Bosh, Wade and James are not the best players of all-time. They are great in their own rights, two of them surefire future Hall of Famers (sorry, Chris), but not Jordan or Russell. Heck, they are not even Kobe at this point. However, when combined, Miami Thrice, along with the other ancillary parts, could be the best team of all time. They could go 78-4 and I would not be surprised. Your grandchildren will be watching old NBA highlights in the future and, when the video scrolls to the 2010s, the first highlight will be a James alley-oop to Wade.

That is another aspect of this move that is being a little bit undervalued. Lebron is, if nothing else, a team player, almost to a fault. The ball flows through him, but he does not need to chuck shots. He is just as adept as finding the open man down low or passing back to the perimeter. A combination of Wade, James and Bosh could provide the most entertaining TEAM basketball in NBA history, even above the Celtics with the Big Three + Rondo. Too often, fans are drawn to great individual performances, but if this year’s playoffs should have taught anything it is that no player is an island. Everyone needs a good team around them to succeed, and James now will finally have decent support behind him.

As a player, it made a ton of sense, but now we get the whiners saying that he ripped the heart out of the city of Cleveland in the process. I understand the sentiment, I do. Cleveland is one of the unluckiest cities in professional sports. Nothing goes right down there. Nothing. It stinks. Lebron was their perceived savior, and not even he could bring them to that stratosphere reserved for NBA Champions. The closest they would get to that golden trophy is by playing on Easy Mode in NBA Live 10.

However, I do not think that Lebron backstabbed them by leaving. They had opportunities to get him young talent and did not deliver. All of their acquisitions were old fogies who could not hold their own. Past his prime Shaq? Yes please. Overrated Antawn Jamison? Bring him on. Mo Williams? Enough said.

This team had a chance to build a young nucleus around Lebron and, time and time again, eschewed that impulse. In the 2004 Draft, instead of taking high school big man Al Jefferson, they took college senior Luke Jackson (who, by the way, played the same position as Lebron.) The next season, when they did not have a first round pick due to a prior trade, they chose not to go after any free agents rather than make an aggressive play to get a weapon, even though Joe Johnson was available. The same old story happened time and time again. They never gave Lebron any young talent that he could mature with, and that caused friction between the ownership and the star. Had Lebron been given toys with whom to grow, he might still be in Cleveland now.

Speaking of the ownership, owner Dan Gilbert published a letter to the Cleveland public that lashed out at Lebron and may be the single most unprofessional thing that I have ever seen someone do in such a position of power. The letter read like a suicide note that some emo 15 year old girl would post on her Myspace page, and had numerous grammatical errors and context mistakes. It showed me that the front office is absolutely incompetent and they had clearly put their eggs in the Lebron basket because they did not know what else to do. Once again, stinks for Cleveland fans to have such shoddy management. (Here’s a link to the letter. Yes, it was written in Comic Sans.)

However, despite the pain I feel for Cleveland fans, I still think they are acting unreasonably toward Lebron. He played his butt off for seven seasons in Cleveland. He tried his hardest to bring them to the championship. He could not cross that plateau, but that was as much a function of the talent around him as his own issues. Disparaging Lebron for leaving Cleveland is the wrong thing to do. He did more things for that city than anyone could imagine and he tried to make the situation work. Unfortunately, it did not.

As for the way that he announced his decision, I was not such a huge fan. The ESPN special was tedious and dumb. That was a mistake on Lebron’s part. It drew too much attention toward him and made him seem like an ungrateful guy, which I do not think he is at all. It was grandstanding, pathetic and boring as heck. I turned it off after he made the announcement because I was so tired of hearing about him.

However, and this will bring me to the end of my rant, the last point is what bothers me the most. A trio of Lebron, Bosh and Wade will not ruin basketball. People are just upset about it because it is different from what they know. And when people see something different, they get scared. They are threatened that these three men would be able to put some cash aside and team up to dominate the NBA. They are threatened that so much talent could be compressed on one team. They are threatened that Lebron, a player known for his unselfishness and willingness to pass the ball, now has a potent inside option on his team. They are threatened that Wade and Lebron could play together. Heck, Chris Paul could eventually wind up in Miami as well if one believes the rumors. What would happen then?

My take? These guys want to win. That is why they teamed up. If Cavs fans lived in Miami, they would be ecstatic right now. It stinks for the teams that got ravaged, but one cannot help but feel somewhat inspired that these three men decided to put past conventions aside and play together. I do not see this as a sign of weakness at all; I see this teaming up as a sign of intelligence and, also, a sign of a willingness to sacrifice for the good of the whole. I think this relationship is going to work out splendidly.

Jordan and Pippen. Bryant and O’Neal. Garnett, Allen and Pierce. James, Wade and Bosh.

Hold onto your hats folks. This could get exciting.

- Ethan Hammerman

Amidst a discouraging 9-2 loss to the Rochester Red Wings tonight in Pawtucket, wherein Red Wings pitcher Glen Perkins absolutely dominated, there was without a doubt a silver lining for the Paw Sox. Their leadoff man and centerfielder Ryan Kalish, just 22 years old, impressed with both the stick and the glove. He went 4-5 from the dish, all well-placed singles. His only out was a screaming liner to left that former Major Leaguer Jacques Jones just barely managed to haul in. In the third inning, Rochester third baseman Brendon Harris hit a deep fly ball to left-centerfield that looked like it was destined for the grassy knoll just over the wall, but Kalish, sprinting from the moment of contact, jumped and snagged it out of their, crashing into the wall. The vibrant Paw Sox crowd cheered him all the way in to the dugout.

Problem is, the Red Sox organization is stacked with outfielders: young phenom Jacoby Ellsbury (signed through 2013), journeyman Daniel Nava, Darnell McDonald, and Josh Reddick (who will most likely all be resigned this off-season), J.D. Drew (signed through 2012) and Mike Cameron (signed through next season). The plethora of outfielders means Kalish will not be in the majors until 2012, at the earliest. The good news: Kalish is just 22 years old, and he was called up to AAA Pawtucket on June 1st. A couple more years with the Paw Sox and who knows, he may just be the Sox centerfielder of the future.