We Can Rebuild It

Posted on May 5, 2008 
Filed Under Chris Warner, News | 11 Comments

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 by Chris Warner
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Outside of my cynical outer shell, I am essentially a sentimental creature. I love stories with happy endings for underdogs. I still consider myself president of the unofficial Bam Childress Fan Club (aka “The Bamwagon”), even though he’s gone to the Eagles.

Coach Bill Belichick has taught Patriots fans that sentimentality will get you a biscuit and a pat on the head, but not much more. From Bernie Kosar to Drew Bledsoe to Lawyer Milloy, the coach has eschewed fan favorites to build what he considered a better team.

So, how does New England improve this year? On the negative side, they can’t do any better than 16-0; on the positive, we all know what 16-0 got them last season. In 2008, look for the team to take some chances. Time to rebuild with youth, get better as the season progresses and gain momentum going into the playoffs. Hey, it beats peaking in November at Buffalo.

Hence, some measured (and somewhat unfounded) predictions of where the Pats will make changes, keeping a consistent theme of youth.

Quarterback - The ballad of Tom Brady continues. I like to think of it as a happy, heroic song with many verses yet to be written.

Rookie to watch: Kevin O’Connell. A standout leader on a bad college team.

Replacing: Matt Cassel. More than any other position in football, the role of backup quarterback resembles that of an understudy. If the star goes down, you take the stage and all eyes look to you. Maybe Cassel’s big, it’s the pictures that got small.

(Okay, I’ll make you a deal: no more “Sunset Boulevard” references if you promise to bookmark Patriots Daily. Do it now before I change my mind.)

Running Back – Let’s match the player with his prototype: Laurence Maroney, starting RB; Sammy Morris, backup RB; Kevin Faulk, third-down RB; Heath Evans, utility RB (not quite any of the previous three, but a solid contributor).

Rookies to watch: Benjarvus Green-Ellis, Kenny Cattouse. Green-Ellis runs with power up the middle. Cattouse has great quickness. I’m teetering near my “Patrick Cobbs will make the team!” debacle of 2006, but they need a smaller, quicker RB to backup Faulk. I think Cattouse makes it. (Check this morning to see if I’m already wrong.)

Replacing: Right now, Kyle Eckel is a between-the-tackles-type runner who backs up at least two other between-the-tackles-type runners. Green-Ellis also fits that description. Shouldn’t the most prolific passing team in history get a backup receiving RB? Hello? Is this thing on?

Wide Receiver – Except for Donte Stallworth, the main gang returns: Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Jabar Gaffney. Chad Jackson gets his last chance to make Belichick look like the savvy dealmaker we thought he was when he traded up in round two in 2006 to get him (and by “we,” you know I mean “I”).

Rookie to watch: Matt Slater. He’s fast and he can return kicks. I know so little about him that I’m beginning to suspect a witness protection program at work here.

Replacing: Just as Jackson will get every chance to show what he can do, so shall Slater. He’d have to do something awful – like get videotaped taunting puppies – in order to have the front office fail to justify his selection in the fifth. Slater may take Troy Brown’s roster spot, although he will never take the same spot in our hearts (see the sentimentality?). If New England keeps only six receivers, say goodbye to free agent special teamer Sam Aiken.

Tight End – Do you think Benjamin Watson and David Thomas talk a lot while they’re in the trainers’ room? And if so, do you think they discuss their myriad injuries, or do they ignore them and, for example, list movies they both want to see?

Rookies to watch: Jonathan Stupar caught 40 passes last year at Virginia. Tyson DeVree caught 37 for Colorado. Both arrived last week as undrafted rookies. Thomas needs a backup and either Stupar or DeVree could fill that role. Stupar has a slight advantage as he seemed to stand out more in camp.

Replacing: Not sure where free agent Marcus Pollard fits. If they need a blocker, I see keeping Stephen Spach for a lot less cash. Most of the other TEs on the roster fill the pass-catching role.

Offensive Line – For a while after his last performance, I nicknamed Matt Light “Matt Darkness-Shall-Reign-Over-All-That-Is-Good,” but I’m over it. The starting o-line will stay intact. Maybe this year they’ll excel all the way through, instead of deciding at the Super Bowl to SMEAR FILTH ALL OVER MY DREAMS.

(Deepgreenforest, coolbluelake; deepgreenforest, coolbluelake. There. Better.)

Rookie to watch: Ryan Wendell, the center out of Fresno State, has the reported technique to become a developmental player. Early reviews of Josh Coffman haven’t been as positive, skills-wise.

Replacing: No one that I can tell. Unless the 6-7 Coffman puts on another 40 pounds (a feat he accomplished in college), Ryan O’Callaghan doesn’t have much to worry about.

Defensive End – If Richard Seymour can get back to his old self, he, Ty Warren and Jarvis Green make a ferocious rotation (Actually, they were still pretty awesome with the 2007 version of Seymour). Hang on, Mike Wright fans: he’s listed as a nose tackle below.

Rookie to watch: Casey Tyler. He’s got the proverbial motor of overachieving 3-4 defensive ends (much like Wright does). Would at least contribute as a strong practice squad player.

Replacing: I don’t see anyone. LeKevin Smith is better suited at end than tackle but has too much flexibility for the Pats to let him go (hope I haven’t jinxed him). The Patriots’ defensive line is like a T.V. makeup department: when they don’t do their jobs, it all goes ugly in a hurry.

Nose Tackle – Vince Wilfork plays mountain in the middle, with Wright spelling him for some passing downs. Wilfork has become one of the best in the game and has that certain je na sais quois of 3-4 nose tackles. Actually, no mystery here: he’s huge, quick and strong.

Rookie to watch: Henry Smith comes from Warren’s alma mater (Texas A&M), but that seems to be the only comparison thus far.

Replacing: As great as it would be to give some of Wilfork’s early downs to a younger player, those are some huge shoes to fill. Quick and strong shoes, too.

Inside Linebacker – Welcome back, Tedy Bruschi. Hope you get some help with Victor Hobson aboard. (Hey, you know what I just realized? The Patriots’ linebackers were old last year. Surprised no one said anything about that.)

Rookies to watch: Jerod Mayo, Bo Ruud. Despite dealing with the inevitable condiment jokes, Mayo appears to be the right find. He’s a heavy-hitting, intense player who should see lots of playing time. In other words, they won’t go light on the Mayo. (Ha! See? No one can resist!) Ruud, at 234 pounds, seems out of position in the middle but took reps there during mini-camp.

Replacing: I assume that Junior Seau shall continue to enjoy surfing. Eric Alexander hasn’t seen significant playing time since he started the 2006 AFC Championship (go figure). If someone can explain why Mayo shouldn’t be a part of the ILB rotation from day one, I’ll listen. (Then I’ll scoff. Fair warning.)

Outside Linebacker – Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel make the type of bookends you want to see in Gillette. Pierre Woods has been a strong special teams player but hasn’t made strides on defense that some expected (again, by “some,” I mean “I”).

Rookies to watch: Shawn Crable, Vince Redd. We’re looking at two tall, rangy athletes with experience in hoops (Crable in high school, Redd briefly at Virginia). Though New England’s defense is only slightly less difficult to figure out than cold fusion, each player’s versatility should accelerate the process.

Replacing: Woods and Ruud may not find their happy-ever-after in Foxboro. Crable could get the Wolverine welcome over Woods. Redd’s build and experience in a similar 3-4 college system mean that a UDFA will make the roster over sixth-rounder Ruud (look forward to the headline “Ruud Awakening”).

Cornerback – This position has seen more shifts than a hospital intern. Asante Samuel and Randall Gay left. Free agents Fernando Bryant, Jason Webster and Lewis Sanders arrived. Ellis Hobbs remains, along with practice-squad member Antwain Spann and second-year player Mike Richardson. Hmm. My chest hurts.

Rookies to watch: Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite, whom I shall officially nickname The Dubs (you read it here first, people). Small and fast, like rabbits but with better awareness, we hope. Of course, as rookies they’ll get burned – it’s only a matter of how badly, how often, and how quickly they learn.

Replacing: Wheatley and Wilhite (I won’t really call them “The Dubs” – it’s a little too skater-speak for me. But please, feel free to do so at home) will take over for Spann and Sanders. At over six feet tall, Sanders no longer belongs in Foxboro. They actually have signs outside the locker room that say, “You must be this short to play corner.” Richardson could stick around because he’s another young, quick guy whom the coaches seemed to like last year before his arm injury.

Safety – At free safety, James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather make up a strong duo. While Meriweather has been rumored to take over cornerback duties, the rookies will allow him time to develop at safety. Tank Williams will step in to relieve Rodney Harrison, who’s approaching his fiftieth birthday (I’m not exaggerating as much as I’d like to be).

Rookies to watch: They signed Mark Dillard (La. Tech) to a contract, but it’s tough to make a dent in the above rotation. Other than that, it’s possible that Slater will take the defensive side of the ball. Shoot, they’ll try Slater out at option QB to make sure he sees time on the field.

Replacing: Eugene Wilson signed with Tampa Bay (or, as I like to call it, Massachusetts South. You snowbirds know what I’m saying). The description of Willie Andrews as “blazing” refers to more than his speed after his February charge for marijuana possession. They’ll miss his special teams prowess, but the Patriots have paid a lot of attention to getting those types of players this off-season. Speak of the devil…

Special Teams – Longsnapper Lonnie Paxton and kicker Stephen Gostkowski have little rookie competition as yet (although TE Stupar reportedly snapped the ball over the weekend). The battle for punter has been ongoing for over two seasons now, with a virtual posse passing through Gillette. Incumbent Chris Hanson will face off against free agent Scott Player.

Rookies to watch: Mike Dragosavich had a successful tryout over the weekend, booming his punts inside the practice bubble. Out of 158 career attempts at North Dakota State, he had 47 over 50 yards and 61 inside the 20.

Replacing: Belichick and Co. want youth. Player is 38 and Hanson is 31. The situation looks solid for so-called Drago. Besides, any specialist with a nickname that involves “Rocky IV” is fine with me.

Here’s to a younger team with the leeway to rebuild. All the way to the Super Bowl.

(Deepgreenforest, coolbluelake. There. Better.)

Practice Squad (PS, I Love You)

Posted on April 29, 2008 
Filed Under Chris Warner, The Draft | 8 Comments

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 logoby Chris Warner
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As opposed to NFL draft weekend, which moves at the pace of a Victorian novel (tortoise-like, with too much detail), the frenzy of signing undrafted free agents (UDFAs) gets us involved like a mystery: Where do we get our information? Once we get it, how trustworthy is it? What does it mean?

And why are we spending so much time with it?

As of this writing, New England has picked up seven UDFAs, reviewed below. After those, I’ve included a wish list for Foxboro this summer. My apologies in advance if any one of them has been picked up by another team in the interim.

The new Pats rookies, from the best available info:

P - Mike Dragosavich, North Dakota State

Why undrafted: He’s a punter. The term “specialist” gets thrown around a lot to describe punters, yet they aren’t too hard to come by, apparently. Also, name may prove difficult to fit on the back of a jersey.

PS, the Pats love: Averaged almost 45 yards per punt last year, with a long of 70. Dropped 11 punts within the opponents’ 20. Has experience with lousy weather.

OLB – Vincent Redd, Liberty

Why undrafted: While “Liberty” as a theme is immeasurable, Liberty the school is tiny. Redd played at Virginia but Coach Al Groh dismissed him over undisclosed reasons so he transferred. Lacks upper-body strength.

PS, the Pats love: Redd was named in this space last week as a potential Pats pick-up. (I’ve never been more proud. Sad, really.) He played in Groh’s 3-4 system in Virginia and has textbook size (6-5, 263) and speed (4.63 40) for the position. Might give sixth-rounder Bo Ruud a ruun for his money.

DE – Chris Norwell, Illinois

Why undrafted: Not overly productive (32 total tackles) for a less-than-great team. Lacks speed. Unflattering facial hair.

PS, the Pats love: Has ideal 3-4 end measurements (6-6, 295). Had strong games against Michigan and Iowa (five tackles each), and probably hit the Patriots’ radar while they watched films of players on those teams.

TE – Jon Stupar, Virginia

Why undrafted: Has suffered some injuries. Just under ideal height at 6-3. Not the most stout on the line of scrimmage. Only the second-best all-around TE out of UVA this year (Tom Santi was drafted in the sixth by the Colts. Which is fine. I never liked him anyway).

PS, the Pats love: Broke out in his senior season with 40 receptions (actually four more than Santi). Comes from a TE-friendly system. Has been called a high-character guy.

C – Ryan Wendell, Fresno State

Why undrafted: Small (6-2, 286) and slow (5.35 40). Lacks great strength and athleticism. Fresno State plays in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), which isn’t a top-tier league.

PS, the Pats love: Started all four years at guard or center. Has solid technique and knows how to use leverage in one-on-one battles. Could fit as a back-up lineman with position flexibility, much like Russ Hochstein.

RB – Kenny Cattouse, Troy

Why undrafted: Gained less than 800 yards for Troy. The Trojans share a mascot name with USC but not their reputation for talent. Unremarkable size at 5-10, 205. Last name has similar spelling to a place of ill repute.

PS, the Pats love: These Trojans don’t run much, but Cattouse still managed to gain 5.9 yards per carry. Also caught 37 passes for 235 yards (6.4 avg.), making him worth a look as a third-down back.

OT – Josh Coffman, East Carolina

Why undrafted: A little light at 292 pounds, Coffman lacks a reputation as a path-blazing lineman. Has played tackle for only two years: went to ECU as a tight end but took a redshirt season after his sophomore year to put on 40 pounds (Take that, “Freshman 15”).

PS, the Pats love: Coffman’s height (6-7) gives him a lot of potential. Though not powerful, he has good speed and quickness. His reach makes him a promising pass-blocker.

DL – Casey Tyler, Portland State

Why undrafted: Played well at the Division II level, but may not have the ability to measure up in the pros. Since when is Portland a state?

PS, the Pats love: At 6-5, 305, Tyler has the size to play a 3-4 DE or 4-3 tackle. Had 43 stops and three sacks his senior year. Possesses solid straight-line speed to get around the edge.

With only one or two spaces left for this spring’s 80-man roster, New England can keep slots open for potential free agents signings or fill them with fresh-faced rooks. Below, five UDFAs to mull over:

RB – Hugh Charles, Colorado

Why undrafted: Diminutive at 5-8, 190, he played for a losing team (6-7) and, as a starter, compiled less than 1,000 yards rushing in 2007. Also, has two first names.

PS, I love him: Gained 5.3 yards per carry and caught 24 passes. Strong (25 reps of 225) and fast (4.43 40), with insane leaps (36.5 inch vertical).

WR – Paul Raymond, Brown

Why undrafted: “Small” reasons, including his stature (5-8) and school. Just a coincidence, but again: two first names. Might be more of a track sprinter than a football player.

PS, I love him: Fastest guy in the Ivy League, which is a little like being the smartest guy in dummy camp, but whatever. Notable quickness and return experience make him a Bam-Childress-in-waiting, the type of player who hangs around and forces coaches to consider him.

OLB – Curtis Gatewood, Vanderbilt

Why undrafted: Played DE in college, but at 6-2, 242, lacks ideal size for a 3-4 OLB. Doesn’t have great upper-body strength. Name sounds like a preppy movie character played by James Spader.

PS, I love him: With his quickness, would perform well on special teams and could contribute in pass-rushing situations.

CB – Jonathan Zenon, LSU

Why undrafted: Slow and a little stiff. Not the best tackler. When spelled with an “X,” last name merely becomes an inert gas.

PS, I love him: Played for the champion Tigers; started for three years. Has the knack for being around the ball. High Randall Gay factor.

K – Chris Gould, Virginia

Why undrafted: See the “K” next to his name? He’s a kicker. Who drafts kickers? (Oops.) Also, needs to work on his accuracy.

PS, I love him: His older brother Robbie kicks for the Bears – very well, we might add - and spent the 2005 camp with the Pats. It says here that Belichick has rued cutting the older Gould in favor of keeping Adam “Veni, Vidi, Vici” Vinatieri, who a year later moved to the creatively-named Indianapolis (roughly translated: The City of Indiana).

We will know more by the end of the week. And by “more,” I mean “possibly something, but don’t get your hopes up.”

Getting Scooped: A Reaction to the Draft

Posted on April 28, 2008 
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logoby Chris Warner
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As a Patriots fan, the 2008 draft felt like I arrived late to an ice cream party and the only choices left were French vanilla and rum raisin. I mean, it was a party and all, but I don’t plan on reminiscing much.

Once the Jets took Vernon Gholston, most of the excitement left the room. With few high-impact players left, the Pats did the right thing in trading down and filling a position of need. Linebacker Jerod Mayo seems like a solid footballer (if he didn’t, the headline would read “Stinko de Mayo”). The Patriots did what they could; the store just ran out of mint chocolate chip.

Below lies a quick review. Trades have been left out because if you really cared, you’d know them already. (Suffice to say the Pats get SD’s second-rounder next year.) Each pick comes with requisite second-guessing.

Round One (10 in round/10 overall) – Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee.

Second guess picks: Hard to say. Once Gholston got plucked, then Rivers, this looked like the way to go. The ESPN experts (aka Scott Benson’s dartgun targets) thought the Pats would pick one of the top defensive backs. Glad they were wrong. I would have been fine with a lineman like Branden Albert (OT, Virginia) or Ryan Clady (OT, Boise St.), but no complaints.

What’s to like: A productive guy (140 Tackles) out of the competitive SEC. He could be the most talented Patriots rookie linebacker since Andy Katzenmoyer … yeeesh. Let’s rephrase: he could lead a much-anticipated youth movement during the Belichick era.

Round Two (31/62) – Terrence Wheatley, DB, Colorado.

Second guess picks: Wait a minute… second round? In last week’s column I hoped to pick up Wheatley in the fifth (maybe I could work for ESPN). I would have considered either Charles Godfrey (CB, Iowa), a big-bodied corner from a friendly system, or John Greco (OT, Toledo), who looks and plays the part of a solid right tackle (cue the Nick Kaczur comparison).

What’s to like: Speedy corner had five picks and 10 passes broken up his senior season. Always considered him a sleeper, but I guess the Pats rustled him awake. He has demonstrated enough ability to help the team as a rookie; has experience as a kick returner, which makes their fifth-round choice even more confusing.

Round Three (15/78) – Shawn Crable, OLB, Michigan

Second guess picks: I found it ironic that, instead of a defensive end, the Patriots surprised fans by choosing an outside linebacker to play outside linebacker. (Okay, it’s not exactly a twist from “Gift of the Magi,” but I say it qualifies as irony.) Antwuan Molden (CB, Eastern Kentucky) might seem redundant after the Wheatley pick, so I’ll bring up Jeremy Thompson (OLB, Wake Forest) here as the DE who could’ve been an OLB contender.

What’s to like: Crable had 28.5 tackles for loss in 2007, a school record. He has size (6-5) and speed (4.64 40), plus character (team captain).  Crable will compete with Pierre Woods as Wolverine-in-waiting for backup OLB spot; he could be ready to pounce.

Round Three (31/94) – Kevin O’Connell, QB, San Diego State

Second guess pick: Many (including myself) saw him as a sleeper. Is round three too high for him? A name that popped out at me five spots later was Oniel Cousins (OL, UTEP), who has the size (6-4, 301) and speed (5.11 40) typical of New England linemen.

What’s to like: Big numbers for SDSU last year (15 TDs, 8 INTs, 3,063 yards). Tall at 6-6. With his ability to run, he could be the most athletic QB in Foxboro since Michael Bishop. I hope my comparison doesn’t doom O’Connell’s career.

Round Four (30/129) – Jonathan Wilhite, CB, Auburn

Second guess picks: Did I just hear a needle scratch a record? (Or, for the kiddoes: Did I just hear my ipod crash?) Of all the cornerback names I looked at, Wilhite’s rested on the outer ledge of noticeable. I had a better feeling for Orlando Scandrick (CB, Boise State). Also, DeMario Pressley (DT, N. C. State) looked like a strong backup DL (6-3, 301).

What’s to like: Has good speed (4.37 40), but if he only started six games during his senior year, how can we tell what type of player he is? This is a situation where I’m hoping the Pats brass knows much more than I. (Of course they do. That goes without saying. In fact, I’ll just be quiet.)

Round Five (18/153) – Matt Slater, WR, UCLA

Second guess picks: Before this past Saturday, I probably could have named a couple dozen receivers I’d have liked. Matt Slater was not one of them, because he played mostly at CB. (Want a treat? Search online for Slater’s pro day results. You’ll more likely find Belichick blogging about his vacation.) WRs taken after Slater include Marcus Henry (Kansas), Josh Morgan (Va. Tech) and Kevin Robinson (Utah St.). And if Pierre “don’t call me boy” Garcon (Mt. Union) rips up the turf for the Colts this year, well… let’s just say that New England’s slogan for Round Five (“Koppen, O’Callaghan or Bust”) will remain safe from retirement.

What’s to like: Slater averaged 29 yards per kickoff return and scored three KOR TDs. He also had 25 tackles as a CB and special teamer. On a personal note, at least I’ll get to read columnist Bill Simmons’ upcoming references to “Slater,” Mario Lopez’s character from “Saved by the Bell.”

Round Six (31/197) – Bo Ruud, OLB, Nebraska

Second guess picks: He’s light at 234 pounds and will have difficulty taking on blockers in a 3-4 defense. If we’re talking linebackers, I liked Joe Mays (ILB, N. D. State) as a backup and special teamer, as well as Andy Studebaker (OLB, Wheaton) as a Pats apprentice. WR Garcon was also available later in the round.

What’s to like: Speedy (4.60 40), lanky (6-4) linebacker had 54 tackles and ran back two INTs for sixes as a senior. Should be able to contribute on special teams right away, even though New England’s special teams are already pretty strong and don’t necessarily need the rookie help. (Okay, okay. I’m just saying.)

That adds up to seven players; what they will add up to remains to be seen. Think of the face you make when you have a delicious scoop of ice cream. Did you make that face this weekend? I think most fans appeared as if they were tasting the gourmet stuff: unusual, maybe unexpected, but it was supposed to be good, so they nodded and acted appreciative. I mean, the ice cream maker knows a lot more than we do.

Tomorrow, a look at some undrafted rookies who I hope get a call to participate in New England’s camp.

Off The Clock

Posted on April 27, 2008 
Filed Under Scott Benson, The Draft | 5 Comments

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logoby Scott Benson
scott@patriotsdaily.com

The 2008 NFL Draft is over for the Patriots, and it’s time to put the clipboards and highlighters away for another year.

The draft was more condensed this year but it still seemed to last forever. Especially day two, with the added round. I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for at least three months but by the time the Pats chose corner Jonathan Wilhite with the 129th pick, I’d had enough. As I lie in a semi-comatose state, the Pats completed their selections by taking a reported special teams ace (UCLA’s Matt Slater) and then finally, their third linebacker of the draft (Nebraska’s Bo Ruud, who will play inside).

The Pats had selected a total of seven linebackers in the previous eight drafts before this weekend, when they took nearly half that many in two days.

That’s the story of this weekend, at least for me. Did the Patriots draft for need, or what? Three linebackers and two cornerbacks in seven picks. We can agree that timing is everything, and location of selections also plays a role, but come on. They lose Asante Samuel and Randall Gay in free agency and then just happen to pick two corners in the next draft? They release Rosevelt Colvin and his contract and then just happen to draft another Big Ten defensive end who will stand up and rush the passer in the pros?

Most importantly, three players over the age of 35 led the defense in total snaps played in 07, including the two inside linebackers, and they just happened to spend the #10 pick on a player they saw as the best inside linebacker in the draft? And then took another one later, albeit a much longer shot?

I’m not finding fault with any of this. In fact, I love it. Do I love the individuals they picked? No idea. You can certainly see good qualities in the reports on each, and if you’re inclined that way, you can find something negative too. Those words are of no further use, though, because there will be plenty to judge when these players hit the field in late July. Any reasonable jury takes the summer off first, at least.

But you have to love the intent. It reassures me that the Pats aren’t going to squeeze one more year out of the vets before trying to address the inevitable - they cannot play forever. This time, they used real draft capital acknowledging that the inevitable is coming sooner than later. It reasures me that they weren’t content to add a couple of capable yet traveled one-year vets at the corner position, with their eyes fixed on 08 alone; they directed more capital that way in a draft that was said to hold several players of future promise.

The two positions that cried out for the most attention got exactly that. So in that sense, I couldn’t be more satisfied as a fan.

It’s also important to remember that part of the take this weekend was San Diego’s second-round pick in 2009, which you can guess will fall somewhere towards the end of the round, unless Norv surprises everybody and has a mediocre year. I’m being droll here.   

Still, most of the early reaction to this draft will be directed towards the individual players. Based on what I read about Mayo, I can see where he’d fit within the middle of the defense (the Junior role, clearly), bringing new speed and athleticism to the position. And come on….do you really think Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli just blew the 10th pick in the draft? Based on what? If there’s anything that these guys can do, it’s pick first rounders.

Wheatley does, as NFL Draft Scout opined, sound a lot like Ellis Hobbs, except maybe with better straight-line and short-area speed and quickness. If he can prove to be as durable as Hobbs (who played through various injuries by years end) then its possible Wheatley could be a factor right away. You can never have too many corners, as Mike Mayock instructs (more later).

Crable was touted as a Pats possibility all along, as the prototypical tweener that the Pats have transitioned in the past. Here’s the thing about this - I wonder how much influence Dom Capers is having on the Patriots, and on this draft. I admit I have a dog in this hunt. Will the Pats grant my fondest wish and move towards a faster and more aggresive, attacking defense? And look at these picks - a versatile, mobile linebacker to put in the middle, two blazers outside the hashes, and with this pick, the McGinest-elephant type that is best suited to go straight up the field to the quarterback. What do all these guys have in common?  

I read a few things on Matt Slater and decided to back out of those links because I had already convinced myself the Pats just drafted Hanik Milligan or Kasim Osgood or somebody. We should be so lucky that the Patriots mine instant special teams gold with a pick in the 150’s. But if you remember that Willie Andrews and Antwan Spann both played special teams roles last year, you can see an opening for Slater (son of THE Jackie Slater) this fall, if he comes as advertised.

The quarterback pick was typical Patriots - it kicked off a wild argument on the NFL Network between Jamie Dukes (who thinks the Pats should be trying to win NOW instead of drafting a quarterback that Jamie Dukes has never heard of) and Belichick-pal Mayock (who thinks Jamie Dukes is full of it). Man, the way Mayock got his back up at Dukes questioning Belichick - well, it was just one of those harmonic moments. I think I heard angels singing. And listen - Mayock was nothing short of brilliant all weekend. He was step for step with nearly every selection, articulating clearly why certain prospects fit for each team.

Often, he nailed it, and when he didn’t, Adam Schefter often did. Mayock was batting something like .900 over the first one hundred players that came off the board. Never has an NFL Draft analyst performed at anything even approaching this level - he was like Gretzky or Jordan out there. And then he pitches a nutty at Dukes that would have befitted even the most strident Pats partisan. I don’t think I’ll bother listening to anybody else from now on when it comes to the draft, or anything else, for that matter. I wonder what Mike thinks about my investments?

As far as O’Connell - it sounds as though we’ll have to be awfully patient with him, but promise exists here as well. He fits the physical profile of Pats quarterbacks, has the mental makeup they prefer (he was captain as a freshman?), and he adds the Cassel-like element of mobility. There will be those who claim he went too soon, and there isn’t much we can say until he actually does something. I don’t think the Patriots like Matt Cassel all that much anymore, frankly, so I expect O’Connell to stick around. They’ll never be able to slide him to the practice squad, not if the reports of his ascending pre-draft status are true.

I really think the Patriots took Bo Ruud to appease those local supporters of his brother Barrett, who was a pre-draft sweetheart of some Pats fans a few years back. I like that they’re listening to us. Let’s make them take an offensive lineman next time.

The Pats didn’t take an o-lineman, even though their own got rag dolled the last time we saw them. Branden Albert was seen as one possibility here, and I admit the thought occured to me that a huge, athletic guard to challenge Stephen Neal was appealing. As was the thought of one that may also challenge Matt Light, or Nick Kaczur. But in the end, was it a high priority when compared with other needs? No. They’ll be back choosing offensive linemen soon, I’m sure; maybe with the mid-to-early second round pick Norv Turner is determined to give them next season.

As Belichick acknowledged himself, the Pats also didn’t draft other staples like tight end and defensive line. There were some needs there, but with the seven picks they had, I’d argue the Patriots had their priorities correctly in order.

Now if these guys can just play.

That’s it for me for a few days. Chris Warner will be along shortly with his reaction to this weekend’s events, and maybe a few undrafted free agents for Pats fans to look for over the next few days.

Thanks to all who have checked in over the weekend and who still continue to visit this page some three months after the season ended. I hope you had an enjoyable draft and I look forward to chatting with you again when the mini-camps commence in a few weeks.

On The Clock: Stream of Self-Consciousness, Day Two

Posted on April 27, 2008 
Filed Under Scott Benson, The Draft | 5 Comments

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logoby Scott Benson
scott@patriotsdaily.com
 

1:20 PM

The Patriots’ fourth round choice is CB Jonathan Wilhite of Auburn.

The Pats now have addressed their two most obvious areas of need by picking two linebackers and two cornerbacks in their first five selections.

Here’s what the draft pubs say about Wilhite.

Scouts, Inc.

Wilhite has the athleticism and toughness to become a quality sub-package corner or starter in a Cover 2 scheme. However, he’s been unable to stay healthy and he’s been inconsistent when he’s been on the field so he projects a fifth round pick.

NFL Draft Scout

Compares To: JAMAR FLETCHER-Houston…Outside of nickel and dime packages, Wilhite does not seem to be a player destined for starting at the next level. He has excellent speed, but lacks field awareness and seems very hesitant to make plays vs. the run. He lacks playmaking ability and even though he has eight interceptions, he lacks natural hands and struggles to track the ball in flight. He has good recovery speed when the receiver gets behind him, but poor anticipation skills and a lack of instincts make him a liability playing in the zone. Outside of his timed speed, he would have problems joining a team, even as a camp player.

Another smallish speedster, with measureables almost identical to Terrence Wheatley. Doesn’t seem he has the same cover skills at all, though. Another thing: like Wheatley and every other Pats pick, Wilhite was tagged with the ‘INJ’ label on the draft profiles. The Pats clearly believe that each one of these players have recovered and moved on from those struggles. We’ll see if they are right.

That’s it for me for now. I’m hitting the couch for the rest of this. I’ll be back with a few wrap-up thoughts later on.

11:38 AM

The Patriots chose their first offensive player of the 08 Draft when they selected San Diego State QB Kevin O’Connell with the 94th pick.

O’Connell is a quarterback that often caught my attention as I read through draft materials over the last several weeks. Here’s what the pros say:

Scouts, Inc.

Overall: O’Connell’s play has substantially improved over the past two years and there is a high ceiling on his potential. He possesses the size, mobility and arm strength of an NFL starter. However, O’Connell is a developmental prospect that did not play the highest level in college and still has lots to learn in terms of footwork and the mental portion of the game. In order to reach his full potential at the next level, O’Connell will need a patient organization with a bright quarterback coach. O’Connell is worth the risk for such a team in the final few rounds but no higher than Round 5.

NFL Draft Scout

Compares To: MATT CASSEL-New England…O’Connell is a more mobile passer, but like Cassel, he is going to need time and patient coaching to add technique and mechanical refinement. He is a rare-sized athlete with great mobility in the pocket, but his delivery is a mess and his footwork leaves a lot to be desired. He forces a lot of throws and needs generate better touch on his short-area throws and improve the zip on his deep passes. If a team preaches patience and has an established veteran in place to allow O’Connell several years to develop, he could be a good one. Rushing him, however, might render any pick used on O’Connell a wasted selection.

How about NFL Draft Scout’s comparisons so far?

Looks like a long-term prospect who may push Matt Gutierrez to #2 and his draft likeness out the door. Or maybe the other way around, though that wouldn’t figure based on their play last year. As noted, I (and many others) often wondered if O’Connell would be a Pats selection , based on his size, measureables, leadership and production over the last couple of seasons. However, the draft pubs weren’t prepared for him to come off the board at this point in the process.

Another 30 picks and I’ll be back.

10:40 AM

My daughter calls the minute the Pats went on the clock.

So the Pats traded the 69th pick to San Diego in exchange for a second-round pick in 09 and a 08 fifth-rounder to replace the one they lost yesterday. Those of us who expected a third round three-pack will be disappointed today, but not so much next year.

The Pats have just selected Michigan OLB Shawn Crable with the 78th pick, adding the pass-rushing linebacker type that many expected in this draft. Here’s what the experts have to say:

Scouts, Inc.

Overall: After suffering a shoulder sprain in the fall of 2003, Crable redshirted his first year at Michigan. In his first three active seasons (2004-’06), he appeared in 34 games (eight starts) and notched 58 tackles, 14.5 tackles for losses and 8.5 sacks. As a senior in 2007, he started 12 of 13 games at strongside linebacker and turned in 90 tackles (including 28.5 for losses, second-best in the nation), 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Crable spent most of 2004 and 2005 playing on special teams. Crable’s outstanding combination of size and speed are intriguing in terms of pro potential but he is a straight-line player so he may have to move to end where he will have to bulk up his considerable frame to become an every-down player. With that in mind, he projects as a fourth round pick.

NFL Draft Scout

Compares To: SHAUN PHILLIPS-San Diego…Crable is not as bulky as Phillips, but his frame has the potential to carry 260 pounds. He is a very good edge rusher and blitzer who relies a lot on his quickness to surprise a lethargic blocker. He lacks the sand in his pants to generate a good anchor and must do a better job of using his hands to protect his body from combo blocks and cut blocks. He is quick to see the play develop, but it is rare for him to come out of his area to make a play. He is too stiff in his hips to get good depth in his pass drops and struggles with ball recognition when playing in the zone, as he does bite on play-action. He will need to improve his lower body strength for the next level, as his only value right now is as a pass rusher.

It looks like the Pats liked Crable over Purdue’s Cliff Avril, another edge rusher that often mentioned in connection with the Pats. It’s also notable that all three Pats draftees entered the draft with the dreaded ‘can’t stay healthy’ tag from the draft publications.

Pick 94 is next, at least as far as we know.

6:45 AM

Every year there’s a debate amongst Pats fans as to whether the list of players the Patriots invite to Foxborough prior to the draft, such as our own Rumor Inventory, holds any special significance when the team goes on the clock to make their selections.

Most years, it hasn’t; yesterday it seemed to.

First round LB Jerod Mayo of Tennessee visited the team on April 11th (the only time he was formally linked to the Pats before the draft), and second round CB Terrence Wheatley of Colorado came to Foxborough at about the same time. Wheatley also spent time with the Pats at the Combine, and New England scouts later worked him out privately at Colorado, perhaps in part to determine if he would hold up physically in the NFL.

It’s almost certain that the Pats will break that trend with one or several of their picks today, but while there’s a lull, here’s the remaining players on the board who visited Foxborough before this year’s draft:

CB Charles Godfrey, Iowa 
DE/OLB Darrell Robertson, Georgia Tech

Short list. Both players are expected to come off the board early today, so maybe they’re still in the mix when it comes to the Pats, who have picks 6, 15 and 31 of the third round.

But since the Pats also drafted a player (Wheatley) who they had privately worked out, here’s a list of the other private workout warriors still on the board:

DE/OLB Cliff Avril, Purdue
CB Jack Williams, Kent State
OLB Marcus Howard, Georgia
CB Trae Williams, South Florida
QB Josh Johnson, San Diego
OG Mackenzy Bernadeau, Bentley
C Jamey Richard, Buffalo
LB Stanford Keglar, Purdue
CB Zack Bowman, Nebraska
LB Thomas Williams, USC
C Drew Miller, Florida
LB Durell Mapp, North Carolina
LB Hilee Taylor, North Carolina

For what it’s worth, coach Bill Belichick conducted the private workouts for both South Florida’s Williams and Florida’s Miller during his annual post-season sojourn to the Sunshine State. 

I’ll be back around 10.

On The Clock: Stream of Self-Consciousness

Posted on April 26, 2008 
Filed Under The Draft | 9 Comments

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by Scott Benson
scott@patriotsdaily.com

9:20 PM

The second round pick is Terrence Wheatley, the speedy but oft-injured cornerback from Colorado.

Surprise - most draft pubs had Wheatley slated to go in the third round at the earliest. The Pats continue to confound the draftniks.

Here’s the scoop on pick 62:

Scouts, Inc.

Overall: Wheatley suffered a right wrist dislocation in ‘03, undergoing three surgeries over three years to repair the injury (including 2005, when he sat out the season and was granted a medical redshirt). In September ‘06, he broke the metal plate in his wrist but continued to play (he had another surgery after the season). In ‘07 he missed the Buffaloes’ final three games because of a hairline fracture in his foot. He also left games early in ‘06 (concussion) and ‘07 (knee sprain) but didn’t miss any more time as a result.Wheatley has the cover skills to develop into an effective sub-package corner and he is a lot tougher against the run than his size would indicate. However, his upside is limited by his lack of size and he is going to have problems matching up with bigger receivers. In addition, his inability to stay healthy at the collegiate levels coupled with his size raises questions about his ability to stay healthy over the course of a 16-game season.

NFL Draft Scout

Compares To: ELLIS HOBBS-New England…Like Hobbs, Wheatley is a solid shutdown cornerback, thanks to outstanding timed speed and a good understanding of route progression. He is fully recovered from wrist problems that hampered him earlier in his career and showed much better tackling form and power behind his hits as a senior. He has excellent timing and leaping ability competing for the ball in flight and brings added value as a kickoff returner. He makes good adjustments on the move and is an efficient cut tackler who knows how to lower and drive with his shoulder to take the blockers out of action. He will need to continue adding bulk to his frame, but that should not impact his exceptional acceleration. Like Hobbs, he is smart enough to play a variety of roles in the secondary and his versatility will be a plus earlier in his pro career.

I don’t know how some Pats fans are going to take that Hobbs comparison, but if I had to pick between the two of these blurbs, I’m favoring the second. Wheatley ran a blistering 4.37 forty recently, which may explain in part why the cornerback-needy Pats turned to a player with a spotty (oh, let’s face it, blighted) history with injuries. I’m guessing this pick doesn’t do a lot for Pats fans at the moment. I’ll reserve judgement, except to say that I kind of like Ellis Hobbs.

So if I’d told you a week ago that, with their first two picks the Patriots would add a linebacker and a cornerback, would you have been okay with that? That’s what they ended up doing, though by - characteristically - drafting players that had for the most part gone unnoticed by local draft chatters, namely me, who listed several other corners above Wheatley on the faux draft board posted here Friday. Naturally, this means less than nothing.

By the way, here’s something that does mean something - both Mayo and Wheatley were among the players to visit Foxborough in the run up to the draft, proving (like Brandon Meriweather before them) that sometimes those draft rumors aren’t just blowing smoke.

The Pats are going to be one of the major players right of the bat tomorrow, and there’s the added dynamic that for the first time, these will be third round choices. And they’ll be three big ones for the Pats, as they have just single choices in the 4th, 6th and 7th to follow. Will New England trade one or more of those third round picks for additional choices in the 4th or 5th, or will they lay all their cards on the table in the third round?

I’ll be here in the morning to find out. Before I go, I’ll just mention that Adam Schefter is saying that Bill Parcells may now be willing to deal Jason Taylor for a third round pick tomorrow after an earlier deal with Tampa fell through. Perhaps they’ll trade him to a team that just happens to have a third round pick to spare.

8:15 PM

Seven picks before the Pats return to center stage of the 2007 NFL Draft,.

So far the Pats haven’t traded up, and as a result, it looks like they will start tomorrow with three picks in the opening round (the 6th, 15th and 31st). Any trade up at this point would be very minor and probably wouldn’t involve a pick of that value.

It’s their iconoclastic nature that makes it difficult to know in what direction the Patriots are headed with their second round pick. Linebacker, not cornerback, was addressed in the first round, so will a defensive back be up next? Five of the top ten corners on Pro Football Weekly’s prospect list are already off the board, and maybe the Pats will choose from a short list of Oklahoma’s Reggie Smith, Iowa’s Charles Godfrey, Patrick Lee of Auburn, or Terrence Wheatley of Colorado.

Safety DeJuan Morgan of NC State is seen as another top secondary prospect, but most obervers saw him as a safety.

An edge rushing linebacker could still be a need (maybe Purdue’s Cliff Avril, or Georgia Tech’s Darnell Robertson), and NFLN’s Mike Mayock is saying that now is the time to get value at the receiver position. One possibility may be slot man and kick returner Dexter Jackson of Appalachian St., though Andre Caldwell of Florida could fit as well.

Tight end Martellus Bennett of Texas A&M offers versatility and upside.

6:24 PM

“Okaaaaaay, Jets fans!”

The little fellas have traded up to #30 in order to draft a tight end named Dustin Keller. You know the Jets and their ability to draft tight ends, especially early, so I’m sure we’ll remember this day for a long time.

The Jets fans seemed to like the pick, or I’m totally misunderstanding the red faces and clenched fists.

So much for Cason. He ended up as a first rounder too, to San Diego.

Pick #31 would have been next. Thankfully, the hole it left has been sandwiched by New York picks, and of course by now half the Jets fans have left, vowing never to return.

5:09 PM

First, a little contract conjecture in respect to the Patriots’ Jerod Mayo, the 10th pick in the 2008 draft.

The 10th pick of the 2006 Draft was Matt Leinart of the Cardinals, who got a six-year, $50.8M deal with $14M in guaranteed money.

Of course, that was a quarterback. The 10th pick in the 07 Draft was DT Amobi Okoye of the Texans, who signed a six-year deal worth $17.7M, with $12.8 in guarantees.

But first, where do the Patriots go next? It says here cornerback, where there are a number of second and third round prospects who are considered potential NFL starters. The question is whether they can sit tight and get their man at 62, or even 69, or if they’ll have to give up one of their three third-rounders to cut another suitor off at the pass. If I had to put money on someone, it would be Antoine Cason of Arizona, who the Pats seemed to take an interest in.

After that, they could still use some youth and speed at outside linebacker, and there’s a ton of waterbug wide receivers-kick returners that make sense in the middle rounds.

4:13 PM

It’s the apparent reach.

The Patriots have chosen LB Jerod Mayo of Tennessee with the 10th pick.

The Patriots actually used a first day pick on a linebacker. Before this, the earliest selection the Bill Belichick Patriots have used on a linebacker was Ryan Claridge, the 170th pick in 2005.

The buzz on Mayo to the Pats has been pretty strong the last few days, and now he’ll be expected to bring youth and speed to the middle of the Patriots defense. Here’s the quick skinny from the web sites:

Scouts, Inc.

Overall: Mayo has experience playing inside and outside linebacker at Tennessee. While he showed NFL potential in both spots, he seems like a more natural fit on the weak-side where he will get more protection. Mayo is far from a finished product. He is blessed with an outstanding combination of size, speed and athletic ability, which was on display at the combine. But in order to become a good starting linebacker in the NFL, he needs to be more consistent as an open-field tackler and learn to take on blocks more effectively. Mayo has too much potential to last long in Round 2 and that’s if he doesn’t sneak into the bottom of the first round.

NFL Draft Scout

Compares To: RANDALL GODFREY-Washington…During his prime, Godfrey’s ability to play on the outside or inside proved invaluable. While Mayo proved that he has the field smarts to handle middle linebacker, he might lack the bulk to do so at the next level, unless the team has big defensive tackles to absorb the blocks and protect him. With his range and closing speed, he could be a better fit on the weak side, whether aligned outside in a 4-3 or inside in a 3-4. He could be a perfect fit to team up with David Harris in New York’s 3-4 defense. Still, with his history of injury problems, one has to wonder if he can survive a full season at the next level.

Either there was another team lurking in the weeds of the next several picks, or the Pats couldn’t trade back any further without losing the shot at Mayo, who they clearly placed a priority on.

I’m going to let some picks come off the board for awhile, but we better stay on our toes - the Pats now have three third-round picks, and there may be someone else in the mid-first to mid-second range that they have their eye on.

4:06 PM

Pats are back on the clock again, as the Bengals have taken Keith Rivers, who was thought to be a top Pats prospect.

Who would the Pats consider here? McKelvin or one of the other corners? Albert or Clady? An apparent reach, like Jerod Mayo?

Or is another trade on the way? Is there anybody here that Dallas would want?

4:01PM

The Pats have traded the seventh pick to the New Orleans Saints. Details have not yet been announced, but it’s safe to assume the Pats are now choosing tenth. I’d like to think the Pats also got the 40th pick in return for the right to draft Sedrick Ellis, but it’s probably more like the Saints third-rounder, number 78.

Schefter just said the Pats gave up a fifth rounder (#164) for the 10th choice and pick #78. So after the first round, the Patriots pick 62nd, 69th, 78th and 94th. Unless they trade again in a few minutes.

The Ravens have traded #8 to the Jags, who selected Derrick Harvey, the DE/OLB from Florida. So it wasn’t him who the Pats were sliding back for.

3:45 PM

Thank God it’s finally here because I can’t keep this up.

“Okay, Jets fans,” says Goodell. You bleeping son of a……

It’s Gholston, and I think I just saw Ron Borges telling a bunch of Jets fans that they outmaneuvered the Pats.

I think I just heard some booing, so here we are. You can’t say this draft has fallen too well for the Pats so far, and the thoughts of a major deal are evaporating.

3:39 PM

Oh, Herm. Well, Dorsey is off the table, and now its likely that the Jets soon take Vernon Gholston away too. The good news is that the Saints weren’t able to move up to grab Dorsey, so they are still in the market for a DT. That keeps the trade options open for the Pats, who are moments away from being on the clock.

3:28 PM

I don’t know why I always think of Al Davis as being unpredictable when he does the same thing every time. The Raiders take McFadden, and Dorsey and Gholston are just two picks away. How likely is it that they go in exactly that order right now?

Herm, you have got to build from that offensive line out. You know that.

3:12 PM

I just realized this thing is going to run backwards if I keep putting the new posts at the top. Think of it like that reverse episode of Seinfeld, I guess.

No trade at number two. Chris Long is off the board. I wonder how real the Pats’ reported interest in him was. Now he goes to St. Louis, and its great tradition of defensive………oh. What is it about the Rams since they moved to St. Louis? I just tried to think of one great St. Louis Rams defensive player, and I couldn’t. DeMarco Farr? Holy smoke. Good luck with all that, Chris.

Now its Matt Ryan at three to Atlanta, and now the NFL’s crazy uncle hidden in the attic holds a ton of chips at four.

3:01 pm

Welcome to the second annual PD draft blog. NFLN is playing its intro package now, so I’m going to go watch for awhile. Adam Schefter is reporting that both Oakland and Kansas City are entertaining offers for the 4th and 5th pick from teams that want to draft LSU DT Glenn Dorsey.

There’s Goodell, and in a fit of mercy, he announces Jake Long right away. That puts them Rams on the clock and the Ravens at the door.

On The Clock: First Round Starts Early?

Posted on April 26, 2008 
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by Scott Benson
scott@patriotsdaily.com

Various sources have reported early this afternoon that the first four picks of the NFL Draft have already been determined.

ESPN’s Michael Smith and NFLN’s Adam Schefter, among others, have reported that the Rams will select Chris Long, the Falcons will choose Matt Ryan, and the Raiders will grab Darren McFadden with the fourth pick.

Of course, this could all be a new kind of smokescreen too, brought upon by the later start.

If its all true, though, that leaves only the Chiefs and the Jets between Glenn Dorsey, Vernon Gholston and Sedrick Ellis, along with offensive linemen Branden Albert and Ryan Clady.

The linemen are significant in that Kansas City has been rumored to be in the market for one at the top of the draft. They could also take advantage of being presented with Dorsey, who is being called the best player in the draft, either through choosing him or trading their pick to someone who will. But if they elect to stand pat and grab their choice of Albert or Clady, that sets up a mindroasting ten minutes with the New Yorks, my friends.

If the Jets are offered their choice of Dorsey or Gholston, who will they take? And what will it mean for the Pats? If through a series of unforseen event Glenn Dorsey slides all the way to number 7, would the Atlanta rumor of the other day (three second round picks for #7) be revived? It was based in the Falcons’ reported desire to own both Ryan and Dorsey. Or would the Patriots find Dorsey irresistable after six others have not?

Schefter is back again, claiming the Rams say a deal with Baltimore for the second pick is close. The Ravens deny it. That would be for Ryan, which would change Atlanta’s direction, as well as, perhaps, New England’s.

One thing for sure, there every chance that Sedrick Ellis will be on the board when the Pats pick, and there are teams behind them that covet the Trojan behemoth. That may end up being the most realistic possibility.

Just a few minutes left now.

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