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HOT TOPIC
When the Patriots had the good fortune of selecting wide receiver Chad Jackson in the second-round of April's draft, one of the draft's top-rated pass catchers and a guy the team contemplated picking with its first-round pick that eventually went to running back Laurence Maroney, it was obvious that the Florida standout would have the chance to earn a key role with the three-time defending AFC East champs. With Tom Brady's previous No. 2 target, David Givens, having moved on to Tennessee through free agency, most expected that Jackson and free agent addition Reche Caldwell would compete this summer for Givens' open slot.
But when the Patriots got together for the team's mandatory veteran mini-camp earlier this month without No. 1 wideout Deion Branch in attendance, it became obvious that Jackson's role could be even more important than previous expected come fall.
Blessed with the size, speed and breathtakingly soft hands that are characteristic of elite No. 1 NFL receivers, Jackson has already impressed his coaches and teammates in his short time in New England. And with Branch's status up in the air as negotiations have apparently stalled on a contract extension as the former Super Bowl MVP heads into the final year of his rookie deal, Jackson may quite literally have to hit the ground running in his pro career. Although it often takes many rookie wideouts a while to adjust to the complexities and increased physical strain of life in the pros, it looks like time is not a luxury the Patriots can really afford to give Jackson as he embarks on his rookie campaign.
The 6-2, 202-pound Jackson, selected 36th overall and yet to even sign his rookie contract, is well aware of the urgency.
"Right now as a rookie they are looking for me to come in and make big plays and step up, be a team leader and be one of those go-to guys," Jackson said summing up the expectations that face him this fall.
He certainly produced to those levels in college. In three seasons with the Gators, Jackson caught 120 passes for 1,586 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also served different roles in Gainesville. As a sophomore he was a big-play specialist averaging a school-record 22.3 yards a catch on 29 receptions. Last year, playing inside receiver position in Urban Meyer's spread offense Jackson was more of a possession-type player, catching 88 balls for 900 yards and nine scores.
Regardless of what his role ends up being for the Patriots Brady's initial reaction to Jackson, a guy he knows he may have to count on this fall, has been positive.
"I like him a lot," Brady said after his first mini-camp practice working with Jackson. "He's a smart kid. He's really willing to learn. He's excited. He had a great, productive college career. He's coming in and he's really working hard, which I think everybody is impressed by-his work ethic. I wish I had gotten him the ball a little bit more today. I was walking off the field realizing I've got to start getting him the football. I'm excited about him, and I know he's excited about being here."
Having Brady excited about you as a receiver is a good thing at this point. Now the only question is whether Jackson can live up to the high rookie season expectations that will likely be thrown in his direction as often as the ball this fall.
PLAYER NOTES
--Third-year tight end Benjamin Watson was Tom Brady's favorite target throughout the team's three-day June mini-camp. After missing most of his rookie season with a knee injury in 2004 the former first-round pick caught 29 passes for 441 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Brady has already said he expects a breakout season from his ultra-athletic tight end, and if the recent camp action is any indication the duo is already building a very strong relationship heading into the new season.
"It's one of those things where you have to spend time with him," Watson said of his ever improving relationship with his two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback. "He has to have confidence in you that you are going to be where he wants you to be. Tom knows where everybody is supposed to be at all times. If he expects you to be somewhere you better be there if you want the ball. So I'm just getting used to doing those things."
--Confident Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs might be just a year removed from his own rookie status, but that hasn't stopped him from sharing some pretty pointed thoughts on rookies with New England's 2006 crop of newcomers.
"I told the rookies that right now you do not play for us, you practice for us," Hobbs said. "Nobody has gotten into a jersey. Nobody has stepped on the real game field for us so they don't know what it's like.
--The Patriots waived a pair of rookie free agents just after the completion of the team's mandatory mini-camp on June 16, parting ways with defensive lineman Remi Ayodele and wide receiver Jakari Wallace. Interestingly, the two players got their walking papers not long after Bill Belichick said in a press conference that mini-camp action was about teaching, not evaluation, and that it would be hard to lose a job wearing shorts in June.
"I guess if it was bad enough you probably could (lose a job)," Belichick said. "To me, the real competition starts in training camp."
--The Disney move "The Game Plan", staring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, that was supposed to start filming at Gillette Stadium this week has been postponed after Johnson ruptured his Achilles tendon preparing for his role in film. In the movie Johnson plays the beloved quarterback of a football team, although no league or Patriots logos will actually be used in the film because the studio couldn't reach a deal with the NFL, who suddenly finds himself caring for a seven-year-old daughter he didn't even know existed.
The delay in filming, scheduled to take place at both Gillette Stadium and Boston College's Alumni Stadium, could throw a wrench in the production schedule as the professional and college football seasons get underway. Disney hopes to get the project going again sometime this fall after Johnson rehabs from surgery to repair the rupture and filming could take place in late October when the Patriots have a bye week and two consecutive road games that would free up Gillette for a taste of Hollywood glitter. The Patriots have already said they will work to accommodate the rescheduled filming, and the former WWE star of movie vows to make a quick recovery to get back into action.
"I know many people of this city depended on this movie for work," Johnson said in a statement, "and I promise that after surgery, I'll work my butt off in rehab to make this movie happen and make this city proud."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--WR Michael McGrew, a rookie free agent, spent the whole season on injured reserve. At least he's got size (6-2, 201).
--OL Gene Mruczkowski has been a part-timer for two seasons and could be in the hunt for a starting job if Neal leaves as a free agent.
--DL Santonio Thomas comes from the right program (Miami) but spent almost all of his rookie season as a practice squad curiosity.
--OL Billy Yates, a three-year veteran, appeared in four games after being called up from the practice squad.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--WR Troy Brown: UFA; $1.1M/1 yr, $265,000 SB.
--WR Bam Childress: ERFA; $275,000/1 yr.
--LB Don Davis: Potential UFA; $795,000/1 yr, $25,000 SB; 2006 cap: $485,000.
--FB Heath Evans: UFA; $626,160/1 yr, $25,000 SB/$6,160 WO; 2006 cap: $456,160.
--CB Randall Gay: ERFA; terms unknown.
--DB Artrell Hawkins (had been released; 2 yrs, terms unknown).
--OG Stephen Neal: UFA; $10M/4 yrs, $3.2M SB.
--CB Hank Poteat: Potential UFA; $545,000/1 yr, $6,100 WO; 2006 cap: $466,100.
--CB Chad Scott: UFA; $1.66M/2 yrs, $200,000 SB.
--S Guss Scott: ERFA; terms unknown, had been tendered at $425,000.
--OL Ross Tucker: Potential UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--WR Reche Caldwell: UFA Chargers; terms unknown.
--LB Barry Gardner: FA Jets; terms unknown.
--PK Martin Gramatica: FA; terms unknown.
--S Tebucky Jones: FA Dolphins; terms unknown.
--S Mel Mitchell: UFA Saints; $1.5M/2 yrs, $250,000 SB.
--DT Johnathan Sullivan: Trade Saints.
--CB Eric Warfield: FA Chiefs; $1.51M/2 yrs, no SB; $31,000 WO.
PLAYERS LOST
--OT Tom Ashworth; UFA Seahawks; $13M/5 yrs, SB unknown.
--LB Chad Brown (released).
--LB Matt Chatham: UFA Jets; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--WR Andre' Davis: UFA Bills; $1.3M/1 yr, $500,000 SB.
--WR Tim Dwight: UFA Jets; $4.2M/4 yrs, $750,000 SB.
--TE Christian Fauria: UFA Redskins; $2M/2 yrs, $190,000 SB.
--QB Doug Flutie: UFA; retired.
--WR David Givens: UFA Titans; $24M/5 yrs, $6M SB/$2M RB '07.
--WR Cedric James (released).
--WR Bethel Johnson: Traded Saints.
--LB Willie McGinest (released).
--CB Tyrone Poole (released).
--CB Duane Starks (released).
--S Michael Stone: UFA Texans; terms unknown.
--PK Adam Vinatieri: UFA Colts; $12.5M/5 yrs, $3.5M SB.
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