As a longtime Patriots fan, I am well aware that Bill Belichick likes smart, diverse football players. I also know that he isn't very keen on "wasting" a roster spot. While this is true, this might be the year that Belichick decides to keep a return specialist on the team. While he doesn't ever want to be viewed as just a return man, undrafted rookie V'Angelo Bentley's skills in that department might be what keeps him on this year's team.
Why would this be the year that Belichick decides to use a roster spot for a return specialist? Possibly because he doesn't have anyone on the team besides Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman who can both handle the responsibility and possibly take one to the house. After rolling the dice for far too many seasons with key players also serving as return men, this is probably as good a time as any for Bill to give the return job to someone whose health will not determine how far the team goes in the postseason. If you take a second to think back to that miserable game in late November when the Patriots went from having the top seed locked up to giving home field back to Denver due to a muffed punt return, you'll consider how important the role of return man is for the Patriots.
So who is this V'Angelo Bentley and why do I like him already? V'Angelo is an undrafted DB from the University of Illinois. As a senior he averaged 9.8 yards per punt return and 22 yards on kickoffs. His junior year he recorded touchdowns by four different methods: punt return, kickoff return, interception, and fumble recovery. The guy likes the endzone. As a senior he also got a few reps on the offensive side of the ball with 2 rushing and 1 passing attempt.
V'Angelo played high school ball for Ted Ginn Sr. at Glenville High School in Cleveland while he attended The Ginn Academy, an all male public high school founded by Ted Ginn Sr.. The former Tarblooder had several schools offer him scholarships, including the Air Force. Getting a scholarship offer from the Air Force is proof that this kid has some smarts. Additionally, the Air Force had a lot to do with Bentley's upbringing as his mother served two tours in Afghanistan with them. Bentley keeps himself humble by surrounding himself with positive people and serving as a mentor to a boy whose physical condition does not allow for him to participate in sports.
Based on everything I've read about this young man, he will not need to learn the "Patriot Way", as he's already been living it.
V'Angelo played high school ball for Ted Ginn Sr. at Glenville High School in Cleveland while he attended The Ginn Academy, an all male public high school founded by Ted Ginn Sr.. The former Tarblooder had several schools offer him scholarships, including the Air Force. Getting a scholarship offer from the Air Force is proof that this kid has some smarts. Additionally, the Air Force had a lot to do with Bentley's upbringing as his mother served two tours in Afghanistan with them. Bentley keeps himself humble by surrounding himself with positive people and serving as a mentor to a boy whose physical condition does not allow for him to participate in sports.
Based on everything I've read about this young man, he will not need to learn the "Patriot Way", as he's already been living it.
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