What a Moment

by Scott Benson
scott@patriotsdaily.com

Jim Nance was the featured attraction at the first Patriots game I ever attended, on a sun-dappled Sunday a long while ago. I caught him at his apex as a pro football player, the reigning league MVP on his way to a second straight AFL rushing title. The rest of the team wasn’t nearly as accomplished as he was, but the mid-60’s Nance could still control a game anyway.

I’m having trouble thinking of a modern-day comparison. I don’t think players like Nance exist anymore. This was a 240 lb. fullback who was the only rusher in AFL history to top 1,400 yards in a single season. At his peak, Nance strung 100 yard games together like popcorn - he’s still the only Patriots running back to lead the league in rushing two years in a row (66-67). Nance was first and foremost a punishing finisher inside (a ball-control machine and the team’s all-time leading touchdown scorer), but he had the kind of speed and elusiveness that lands a guy on the cover of Sports Illustrated (you could look it up). Even today, no Patriots back has had more 50 yard runs.

Truthfully, the Nance described above appeared just briefly during his seven year career with the Pats. He never again matched the dominance of his 66-67 seasons, when he ran for 2,700 yards in 28 games.

But his brilliance in those nascent days of the team makes him the most worthy recipient of your vote for this year’s inductee to the Patriots Hall of Fame.

This year’s vote, which continues through June, presents further opportunity to recognize those men who laid the foundation of the franchise that has since gone on to make NFL history. There can be no question that these are in fact the golden years of the Patriots, but how can we truly understand and appreciate their true significance without knowing - and honoring - from whence they came?

I expect that Ben Coates, the prolific tight end of the mid-90’s, will receive support that is certainly due him, as his feats are the freshest in our minds. No one would argue that Coates shouldn’t walk among the best Patriots ever. Only that Nance should go first, before our fading memories leave him behind forever.

I saw Nance a second and final time on a blisteringly hot and hazy Saturday some two decades later, at an open scrimmage between the Washington Redskins and Dick McPherson’s Patriots. The Patriots were at perhaps the lowest point in their existence, horrible on the field and even worse off it. More and more fans turned their backs, leaving the old Foxboro Stadium as an empty, ugly, gray bowl. They were like the proverbial tree, falling in the forest yet not making a sound. So as they began anew under the enthusiastic McPherson, they opened up the gates to anyone who wanted to show, if only to see Joe Gibbs and the ‘Skins, who would go on to win the Super Bowl.

Inside waited a number of current and former players, rallied to support the wounded franchise that they still viewed, by their actions that day, with pride. They welcomed fans, signed autographs, touted the team and generally lent goodwill at a time when it was needed most, and noticed the least.

Among them was Nance, fending off the heat under one of those floppy terrycloth hats. He didn’t seem a well man, still showing the disabling effects of a heart attack and stroke he had suffered nearly a decade before.

It just so happened this this time, it my son’s first time at a (sort of) football game. It struck me how once again, it was Jim Nance commanding our attention. Well, mine, anyway, and so I said, “Andy, you should go ask that man for his autograph. He used to be a great player when I was your age.” I was already thinking of what a kick my dad would get out of that when we got home.

Nance couldn’t have been more warm and gentle and great, with all of us who gathered around him. Even as the ravages of time and fate were weakening him, Nance lent a credible and dignified presence to a place and time where those things were in short supply, just as he had as a young man.

He was dead less than a year later, just 49 years old.

Now, one of the most successful sports franchises in America builds a football shrine just a few feet from where we beleagured few stood that day. A shrine that now will preserve some of the greatest moments in league history, and the litany of name and faces and teams most responsible for them. Much of it will be dedicated to men whose deeds are so recent we can still recall them, step for step. Good. They should be celebrated, and savored.

So too should be the grandest exploits of those who came before them, and who, even in the most unremarkable times, laid the bedrock on which this new shrine will stand.

Put the great Jim Nance in the Patriots Fall of Fame, where he undeniably belongs.

Off The Clock

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

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.