Sports Central

New England Patriots Training Camp - Analyzing the Key Defensive Linemen

After putting together a defensive line from the scrap heap last year and turning it into gold, Bill Belichick is looking to do something similar with this year's group. The defensive line has been a key part of the team's defensive rebuild this off-season with an influx of free agents and draft picks looking to revitalize the roster.

Vince Wilfork:
Not only is Wilfork the leader of the defensive line, but now he is also one of the primary leaders in the whole locker-room. Wilfork's influence in this training camp will be more important for his teammates opposed to his own personal aspirations. Even though he is getting older now, Wilfork is still a distance from fighting with father time for his career.

Trevor Scott:
Much like Mark Anderson did last year, Trevor Scott is arriving in Foxboro as a veteran who has struggled as of late. Scott had only seven tackles in 16 games last year without registering a sack. He has only 1.5 sacks the past two years after notching 12 in his first two seasons. At 27 years of age, Scott will have to earn his playing time for the Patriots but will at the very least benefit from competing with less experienced players at his position.

Jonathan Fanene:
Fanene comes over from the Cincinnati Bengals as a versatile player who can play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. Fanene is an intense player who should provide the team with better interior push in passing situations while not being overly exposed in the running game. Like most on the roster, Fanene is looking to earn as much playing time as possible but leads the way entering training camp.

Rob Ninkovich:
The additions of Dont'a Hightower and Bobby Carpenter could see Ninkovich move back to defensive end more. Ninkovich is the type of player who can fill in where needed and it is clear that the Patriots would benefit more if he could excel as a defensive end. He may not be a superstar, but Belichick knows Ninkovich and what to expect from him on the field. That consistency could see him land a starting spot entering the season.

Kyle Love:
Love was a pleasant surprise for the Patriots last year starting 13 games for the team. After signing his exclusive rights tender to stay with the team, Love is playing for a long-term deal. He likely won't receive that without a quality regular season this year but a good training camp is vital for a player who is still inexperienced and relatively unproven.

Chandler Jones:
Some believed that Chandler Jones was the best pure pass rushing defensive end coming out of college this year. How good of an all around football player Jones will be for the Patriots however is another thing. If Jones is to be a full-time starter, rather than just a situational pass rusher, he will need to prove himself capable over the course of training camp.

Jake Bequette:
Bequette, as the team's third round pick, is entering training camp as one of the most intriguing prospects but still the underdog in the competition at defensive end. Bequette undoubtedly has a lot of talent, but how quickly he adjusts to the professional game will determine the quantity and quality of his early play as a rookie.

New England Patriots Training Camp - Analyzing the Key Offensive Linemen

Ever since Tom Brady has been under center for the New England Patriots, he has gained substantial support from his offensive line. Bill Belichick has always assured that he has had plenty of depth and quality upfront to protect his prized asset. This year, that depth is going to be tested more than in any recent training camp.

Nate Solder:
Solder has the very important task of taking over for Matt Light and protecting Brady's blindside. As a rookie the youngster was very impressive playing both tackle positions, but for a limited time. Now he enters his first season as a full-time starter and will need to prove his consistency from week-to-week. Solder doesn't need to earn his starting spot in training camp, but he does need to solidify his trust with his teammates.

Logan Mankins:
Nobody is sure if Mankins will even play during training camp. If he does see the field, the Patriots will only be looking to evaluate when he can return to the field rather than anything else. If Mankins misses all of camp, he will be less likely to be involved later this year.

Dan Connolly:
After entering last season as a guard, Connolly impressed in Dan Koppen's place as the team's starting center. Connolly should be the favorite entering training camp to be the team's starting center once again, but he will face competition from the returning Koppen. If Connolly loses his place at center, he still has the chance of filling in for Mankins at guard.

Brian Waters:
Waters didn't report to the Patriots on the opening day of training camp, but as a veteran he is likely just taking his time to acclimate back to the team. Waters should still be expected to start at right guard regardless of how little he features in camp.

Sebastien Vollmer:
Vollmer is on the PUP list entering camp with a back problem that has bothered him for over a year. It is a chronic problem that he will likely be forced to play through at times this year. Vollmer is penciled in as the team's starting right tackle without any competition. His health is the only thing standing in his way this year.

Dan Koppen:
Koppen is the most experienced player left on the Patriots offensive line, excluding Waters who is not at camp, but is returning from missing most of last season through injury. Koppen will have to earn his starting spot in training camp but at the very least will be a valuable backup.

Robert Gallery:
Gallery is a former first round pick as a left tackle who has since been moved to guard. He signed a massive deal in Seattle prior to last year but was released after only starting one season. Gallery was signed by the Patriots as a veteran presence to potentially fill in for Mankins if he misses time in the regular season. His versatility will be valuable also as Gallery could potentially back up Solder at left tackle.

Marcus Cannon:
Considering Sebastien Vollmer's back issues and Nate Solder being a first time starter at left tackle, Marcus Cannon could see the field this season as the backup swing tackle. Cannon needs to continue to develop in training camp and prove himself worthy of playing significant time during the regular season.

Ryan Wendell:
Without Mankins or Waters in training camp, guard/center Wendell will see some time running with the starters in camp. Bill Belichick will obviously want to keep some continuity on his offensive line entering training camp, but if Wendell excels he could push his head coach's hand.

New England Patriots Training Camp - Analyzing the Tight Ends

 The New England Patriots' tight ends have become the most feared unit in all of professional football as Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski have taken over the NFL. Gronkowski and Hernandez are still only entering their third season but played last year like seasoned veterans. Their value to the offense cannot be understated.

Rob Gronkowski:
The Patriots don't appear to have any qualms with Gronkowski's health coming off of a severe ankle injury that was suffered at the end of last season. During the off-season they gave the star tight end the richest contract for a tight end in NFL history and haven't made any special efforts to add reinforcements to the depth chart for training camp.

When Gronkowski was drafted he fell out of the early rounds because of a back injury. It's still very early, and the Patriots shouldn't be worried just yet, but a training camp without any health issues for Gronkowski would go a long way to reassuring the fan base that his career is not going to be ruined by injuries.

New England Patriots Training Camp - Analyzing the Wide Receivers

Even though the New England Patriots' wide receivers are no longer the focal point of the team's passing attack, they remain a pivotal part of Tom Brady's passing attack. The receiver position in New England has undergone significant transition this season with the release of Tiquan Underwood and Chad Johnson to go along with the new acquisitions of Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth.

The fight for the remaining wide receiver spots is one of the most intense in training camp.

Brandon Lloyd:
Lloyd is guaranteed his roster spot after signing with the Patriots to rejoin Josh MacDaniels after the pair excelled in Denver with the Broncos. Lloyd's fit in the offense is clear and he should quickly pick up the scheme as he is an intelligent, polished receiver. Lloyd's crisp routes and assured hands should allow him to quickly forma  bond with Tom Brady.

New England Patriots Training Camp - Analyzing the Running Backs

One of the most interesting training camp battles for the Patriots entering the 2012 NFL season is at the running-back position. The Patriots have had somewhat of a turnstile approach to the position over recent seasons as Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, amongst others, have all moved on.

This year the Patriots have two exciting second year players, a long with a maligned veteran who is looking to prove himself all over again, one veteran carry over from last season and an undrafted free agent.

Stevan Ridley:
Entering camp, the former LSU product is the odds-on favorite to win the starting job. Ridley showed in college and during his rookie season that he has a lot of talent. However he needs to prove that he is 100 percent comfortable in the system and that he can be a consistent every down back. Ridley has the edge over fellow second year player Shane Vereen after playing more as a rookie. Nothing is guaranteed entering Patriots' training camp however and Bill Belichick will have no problem giving Vereen a greater role if he proves to be the better player.

New England Patriots Training Camp - Analyzing the Quarterbacks

The New England Patriots will begin Training Camp this week as players and coaches convene at Foxboro on Wednesday 25th of July. Like the 31 other teams in the NFL, the Patriots have a lot of wrinkles in their roster to iron out before they begin the regular season.

Whether you are a long-time veteran and perennial all-pro or an undrafted rookie clinging to the last string of your professional career, every single player in camp will have various goals and expectations that they will look to meet.

In the first of the Sports Central positional preview, I'm going to take a look at each of the Patriots' quarterbacks on the roster entering camp.

The New England Patriots are Right not to pay Wes Welker on Franchise Tag Deadline Day

The New England Patriots have less than 24 hours to sign Wes Welker to a long-term deal or he will have to play out this season under the franchise tag. Despite the approaching deadline, the Patriots appear to have no interest in tying up Welker for the long-term.

Welker has been quite vocal during the off-season about his displeasure after being tagged, but the Patriots have very few reasons to give Welker a new deal.

After signing his franchise tag, instead of holding out, Welker gave up any leverage he was ever going to have over the Patriots. Welker believed that he was doing things the Patriots way by signing his one year contract for a guaranteed $9.5 million. What Welker didn't realize is that he was allowing the Patriots the option to completely fore-go negotiations ahead of this year.

Donta Hightower should be a Perfect Fit for the New England Patriots Defense

During the three seasons in which Bill Belichick won his Super Bowl rings as the New England Patriots head coach, he relied on a strong defense to carry his team. That defense's success was predicated on the play of very athletic, but also very intelligent, linebackers.

This year, the team's defensive strength appears to be at the linebacker position once again.

It should have come as no surprise that the Patriots drafted Donta Hightower in the most recent NFL draft. Hightower is the exact type of linebacker that Belichick desires for his ideal defense. He is overwhelmingly athletic, incredibly versatile and more intelligent than most players of the same age.

Boston Celtics - Jajuan Johnson Must Prove Celtics made Right Decision Passing on Marshon Brooks

The NBA Summer League began today in Las Vegas with the Boston Celtics facing off against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With many players partaking in the tournament who the Celtics expect to participate in the regular season, the Celtics interest in the tournament is relatively high.

Now that Ray Allen is with the Miami Heat, the Celtics will cast a keen eye over their two rookies from last season's draft for different reasons.

E'twuan Moore is a young guard who will need to make an Avery Bradley type of leap before next season if he is to be on the team's active roster. With rumors surrounding Courtney Lee and Jason Terry already aboard, the Celtics are stacked at Moore's position: Shooting Guard.

How the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets have Reacted to the New England Patriots this Off-Season

The New England Patriots' dominance of the AFC East appears to finally have become too much for their closest neighbors. This off-season the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets have made significant moves to counter-act the Patriots' greatest strengths.

Moves made in Buffalo by the Bills have been well publicized with the arrival of Mario Williams and the addition of Stephon Gilmore, however the Jets have made a more understated addition to their arsenal to counteract Tom Brady and co.

In the 1980s, Rex Ryan's famous father Buddy Ryan was the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears. Ryan was a boisterous character, just like his son, who didn't fear anyone or anything. His approach to football was as aggressive as anyone's which was emulated on the field by his players.

Boston Celtics - Ray Allen's NBA Decision will be Determined by a lot more than Basketball

Ray Allen, outside of Derron Williams and maybe Steve Nash, is the most talked about free agent in the NBA right now. The Boston Celtics free agent is visiting with the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat this week as a queue of championship contenders is forming outside his agent's office.

There are two destinations that would be expected to be clearly ahead of all others.

The Miami Heat can offer Ray Allen a pitch like no other. If Allen, as one would expect, does intend on making this decision based on maximizing his potential to add one more championship ring to his fingers, then there is no other option than the Miami Heat.

Boston Celtics Expected to sign Jason Terry but still want Ray Allen

The Boston Celtics appear to be on the verge of adding veteran shooting guard Jason Terry to their roster for the coming season.

Terry is a soon to be 35-year-old free agent formerly of the Dallas Mavericks. He is expected to fill the Celtics' mid-level exception and sign a three year $35 million dael. With Avery Bradley already penciled in as the team's starting shooting guard, Terry is expected to fill the sixth man role which he did so well with the Mavericks.

As a former sixth man of the year winner, the Celtics will expect Terry to fill what was a massive need for them last season. Despite some upstart performances from Mikael Pietrus and Keyon Dooling in spurts and Ray Allen's presence at times from the bench, the Celtics primarily had to rely on their five starters to put the ball in the basket last year.

Kevin Garnett's Massive Contract with the Boston Celtics is Worth it for his Experience Alone

Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge shocked the world this week by re-signing Kevin Garnett to a massive deal. Garnett received a three season deal from the Celtics worth $34 million. The deal will actually pay Garnett more per season than he received last season.

Bringing Garnett back wasn't a major shock, but giving him that big a deal and also making efforts to re-sign Ray Allen is.

Allen, as a premier shooter in the league, is tempted to join the Miami Heat who have offered him a two year deal worth $6 million. The Celtics have tried to off-set Allen's flirtation with Miami by doubling their offer with $6 million per season on a two year contract.