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FOXBORO - Here’s an easy way to temper the excitement over wide receiver Reche Caldwell’s impressive first week of training camp with the Patriots: Look at the interest the Chargers showed in retaining him.
Reportedly, there was none.
Last season, ball security became such a problem that San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer said Caldwell was on his “last chance” after he lost fumbles during critical points of consecutive losses to the Jets and Chiefs. He disappeared for long stretches of games, taking eight weeks to notch 10 catches. He wasn’t disciplined in running routes. And he failed to build a rapport with quarterback Drew Brees.
Yet, if there’s a star in the Pats camp to this point, the fifth-year pro may be it.
Through eight days, Caldwell looks like he’s ready to assume a major role in an offense that sorely needs receivers. Deion Branch is holding out, Chad Jackson is fighting injuries and David Givens, Andre’ Davis and Tim Dwight are gone via free agency.cw0
“Reche can take advantage of that opportunity,” said quarterback Tom Brady, who seems to have built a rapport with Caldwell after working with him extensively in the offseason. “He’s very exciting and is going to be a really great playmaker for us this year.”
The potential for Caldwell, an all-SEC player at Florida and second-round draft pick of the Chargers in 2002, always was there. But somehow, things never worked out.
There were 22 catches his rookie year. Eight catches in just nine games in his second. And 18 catches in six games of an injury-riddled third.
Still, four years after being drafted, the tools haven’t left the box. And that’s clear to his new teammates.
“He has great hands,” said cornerback Ellis Hobbs, who’s covered him in practice. “I asked him one day what he focuses on when the ball’s coming at him. He said he focuses on the point of the ball.
“He has a Juggs machine at the house. He says when he comes out here, it’s like child’s play, the ball’s moving so slow to him. When in real time, Tom, he has a hose on him. It’s nothing to him.”
Evidently, work ethic hasn’t been a problem. Nor has been his ability to pick up the scheme.
“He has done a good job of coming in here and learning a couple of different positions,” Pats coach Bill Belichick said. “Our offense is quite a bit different than the one he was in, terminology, some of the route conversions. . . . He’s made a good adjustment there.”
Primarily, Caldwell has been working at the split end position Branch has held. Chances are, he won’t stay there.
But after just a few days of work, there seems to be little question the Patriots will find a spot for him. And he likely will earn the chance San Diego no longer wanted to give him.
“He’s made some sweet catches out there this whole training camp, running some great routes and he’s coming along,” Troy Brown, the Pats’ dean of receivers, said. “He’s doing pretty darn good, he’s holding his own right now.”
FOXBORO - Here’s an easy way to temper the excitement over wide receiver Reche Caldwell’s impressive first week of training camp with the Patriots: Look at the interest the Chargers showed in retaining him.
Reportedly, there was none.
Last season, ball security became such a problem that San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer said Caldwell was on his “last chance” after he lost fumbles during critical points of consecutive losses to the Jets and Chiefs. He disappeared for long stretches of games, taking eight weeks to notch 10 catches. He wasn’t disciplined in running routes. And he failed to build a rapport with quarterback Drew Brees.
Yet, if there’s a star in the Pats camp to this point, the fifth-year pro may be it.
Through eight days, Caldwell looks like he’s ready to assume a major role in an offense that sorely needs receivers. Deion Branch is holding out, Chad Jackson is fighting injuries and David Givens, Andre’ Davis and Tim Dwight are gone via free agency.cw0
“Reche can take advantage of that opportunity,” said quarterback Tom Brady, who seems to have built a rapport with Caldwell after working with him extensively in the offseason. “He’s very exciting and is going to be a really great playmaker for us this year.”
The potential for Caldwell, an all-SEC player at Florida and second-round draft pick of the Chargers in 2002, always was there. But somehow, things never worked out.
There were 22 catches his rookie year. Eight catches in just nine games in his second. And 18 catches in six games of an injury-riddled third.
Still, four years after being drafted, the tools haven’t left the box. And that’s clear to his new teammates.
“He has great hands,” said cornerback Ellis Hobbs, who’s covered him in practice. “I asked him one day what he focuses on when the ball’s coming at him. He said he focuses on the point of the ball.
“He has a Juggs machine at the house. He says when he comes out here, it’s like child’s play, the ball’s moving so slow to him. When in real time, Tom, he has a hose on him. It’s nothing to him.”
Evidently, work ethic hasn’t been a problem. Nor has been his ability to pick up the scheme.
“He has done a good job of coming in here and learning a couple of different positions,” Pats coach Bill Belichick said. “Our offense is quite a bit different than the one he was in, terminology, some of the route conversions. . . . He’s made a good adjustment there.”
Primarily, Caldwell has been working at the split end position Branch has held. Chances are, he won’t stay there.
But after just a few days of work, there seems to be little question the Patriots will find a spot for him. And he likely will earn the chance San Diego no longer wanted to give him.
“He’s made some sweet catches out there this whole training camp, running some great routes and he’s coming along,” Troy Brown, the Pats’ dean of receivers, said. “He’s doing pretty darn good, he’s holding his own right now.”
