by Patriots Daily Staff
feedback@patriotsdaily.com

Believing sincerely that a watched pot never boils, our own Chef has been passing the time in the PD Kitchen (idle this week with a road game on tap) by perusing the Intertubes for choice meat on this Sunday night’s Colts-Pats matchup.

He shoots, he scores. It seems the Pro Football Hall of Fame has designated the game as its Throwback Game of the Week, and with that comes all kinds of cool archival materials from the many memorable battles fought by these two rivals over the years.

We thought you might find something of interest there. Remember to compliment the Chef and tip the waitstaff.

Addition:

Some more appetizers in the form of NFL.com video clips about Colts/Patriots

Week 9: Patriots vs. Colts Preview

Weather update: Patriots vs Colts

Belichick ready for Colts

Cassel a bona fide starter

Colts’ concerns

Generally Speaking: Bill Polian on Colts

Colts not sharp

by Bruce Allen
bruce@bostonsportsmedia.com

If Tom Brady hadn’t gotten hurt, you might not even have noticed it so much this season.

With his injury however, more attention is being paid to the defensive side of the ball, and even then, it’s not getting a whole lot of attention.

Don’t look now, but almost the entire Patriots defense is being remade. It’s getting younger, faster and more athletic. The growing pains are there, we’ve seen them. This sort of transition is going to have its bumpy parts, but the move is being made nonetheless.

At linebacker, for years the starters seemed to play the whole game, every game. For a long time it was Tedy Bruschi, Ted Johnson, Roman Phifer and Mike Vrabel, with Willie McGinest alternating between outside linebacker and defensive end. When Phifer, Johnson and McGinest all either retired or went elsewhere, Junior Seau came on board for the last two seasons. Only Bruschi and Vrabel remain today, and they were joined last season by Adalius Thomas. During those years, the only young linebacker to see the field was Tully Banta Cain, and he was allowed to leave via free agency, being deemed not worthy enough to keep around.

by Kevin Henkin
feedback@patriotsdaily.com

(Editor’s Note: This morning we welcome this guest contribution from old friend Kevin Henkin, who has an idea on how the Patriots can quickly return to the top of the NFL heap. We cannot believe we didn’t think of this first. But that’s Kevin Henkin, folks. A visionary.)

While I may not be a football “expert” along the lines of Tony Kornheiser or Glenn Ordway, I know at least this much: The Patriots need to steal Condoleeza Rice away before the San Francisco 49ers get their grubby little brie-encrusted hands on her.

It’s not all that surprising that the 49ers have Condi Rice in their sights. Perhaps more than any other team in the NFL, the 49ers enjoy a proud tradition of being a great football team a long time ago. That’s why this choice is so savvy for them. Football is, after all, is a game of war and Condi Rice is battle tested in managing two wars at once! Talk about multi-tasking.

Condi also brings a lot of other qualifications to the table. For example, she has been photographed on multiple occasions holding a football during photo-ops. Anyone who brings a football along to a press conference is clearly a student of the game. (Ever see Rich Kotite carrying around a football to press conferences? I rest my case.)

Also, it is said that when Condi served as Provost at Stanford University, she played a large role in landing Dennis Green as Head Coach of the football program. Yes, folks, the same Dennis Green who subsequently elevated the team back to above-average prominence (culminating in an exciting Aloha Bowl loss!). Heady days for the Cardinal football program indeed.

There is also the fact that Ms. Rice has often spoken of her ultimate of goal of one day becoming the NFL Commissioner. Suffice it to say that, considering the robo-nazis who currently occupy the NFL front office these days, the Patriots could really use a friend in the big chair the next time a huge cheating controversy happens.

Also consider the executive experience that Condi Rice can brag about. With her firmly in charge, she wouldn’t be allowing things like having her starting quarterback’s knee being operated on over and over again by some quack hippie doctor using a dirty steak knife out in California. Rest assured that the shenanigans would be over and order would be restored in this once proud Patriots organization.

Lastly, when it comes to “the way things are done” in Foxboro, Condi would obviously fit right in, what with her long track record of denying obvious truths to the press and treating important reporters very rudely.

For the sake of summation, let us recap the Condi situation: Carries football around. Wants to be Commissioner. Hired Denny Green. Takes no mess. Soon to be unemployed. Hates reporters. Wow. Honestly, do we need to hear anymore, folks? This is a win-win for everyone involved (except maybe for incompetent surfer-boy doctors out in California). It is what it is. As they say out in Texas (where people really love football!), let’s get’r done. In Condi We Trust!

 by 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.”

by Chris Warner
feedback@patriotsdaily.com

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.

by 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.

by 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.