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Pats Pre-Draft Visits and Workouts

April 21, 2010 By 2 Comments

by Scott Benson, Patriots Daily Staff
April 21, 2010

With the 2010 NFL Draft just hours away, let’s take a final look at the list of college prospects that have had significant contact with the Patriots over the last several weeks.

For these purposes, we define ‘significant contact’ as either a prospect site visit to Foxborough, or a private workout with Pats coaches and scouts. Interviews at post-season all-star games, the Combine, or at college pro days are not tracked. We’ve only included contacts that could be confirmed by media report (links).

There are those that will tell you that any interest on the part of the Pats that is made public is simply a ruse, or a ‘smokescreen’, to mask their interest in another, unnamed player.

As we’ve asserted many times before, that’s just untrue. Last year, Patriots Daily tracked visits by Patrick Chung, Brandon Tate, Tyrone McKenzie and Rich Ohrnberger before they were selected by the Patriots. In 2008, pre-draft contacts with Jerod Mayo, Terrence Wheatley and Shawn Crable were also noted.

Okay, so maybe there are some mixed reviews there, but that’s not the point. When the Pats make their picks later this week, it’s likely that two or three of the selections – if not more – will come from this contact list.

Note – if you see any that we’ve missed, please speak up in the comments section, and include a link to the reported contact.

Team Visits – Offense

QB Tim Tebow, Florida
RB Montario Hardesty, Tennessee
RB Charles Scott, LSU
WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois
WR Eric Decker, Minnesota
C Maurkice Pouncey, Florida

Private Workouts – Offense

QB Tony Pike, Cincinnati
QB Mike Kafka, Northwestern
QB Zack Robinson, Oklahoma State
QB Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic
RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech
RB Manase Tonga, BYU
RB Dexter McCluster, Mississippi
RB James Starks, Buffalo
WR Andre Roberts, Citadel
WR Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati
WR Scott Long, Louisville
WR Taylor Price, Ohio
TE Dennis Pitta, BYU
TE Aaron Hernandez, Florida
TE Nate Bynam, Pittsburgh
TE Scott Sicko, UNH
OT Nic Richmond, TCU
OG Phil Costa, Maryland
C Jim Cordle, Ohio State
OT Daniel Baldridge, Marshall

Team Visits – Defense

DE Brandon Graham, Michigan
DE Corey Wootton, Northwestern
DE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, Washington
DE Hall Davis, Louisiana-Lafayette
DE Chris McCoy, Middle Tennessee State
DT Dan Williams, Tennessee
DT Tyson Alualu, California
DT Brian Price, UCLA
DT Cam Thomas, North Carolina
OLB Sergio Kindle, Texas
OLB Jerry Hughes, TCU
ILB Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State
LB Donald Butler, Washington
CB Kyle Wilson, Boise State

Private Workouts – Defense

DE Antonio Coleman, Auburn
DE Alex Daniels, Cincinnati
DT Al Woods, LSU
DT Torell Troup, UCF
DT Arthur Jones, Syracuse
DT Corey Peters, Kentucky
DT Aleric Mullins, North Carolina
DT Jeff Owens, Georgia
DT Ricardo Mathews, Cincinnati
LB Brandon Spikes, Florida
LB Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech
LB Ricky Sapp, Clemson
LB Kavell Conner, Clemson
LB Thaddeus Gibson, Ohio State
LB Dekoda Watson, Florida State
LB Matt Mayberry, Indiana
S Earl Thomas, Texas
S Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech
S Myron Lewis, Vanderbilt
CB Kareem Jackson, Alabama
CB Chris Cook, Virginia
CB Dominique Franks, Oklahoma
CB Nolan Carroll, Maryland
CB Robert McClain, Connecticut
CB Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest
CB Sherrick McManis, Northwestern
P Brent Bowden, Virginia Tech
P Zoltan Mesko, Michigan

Even if the Pats don’t select any of the players from this list, the direction of their efforts may tell us something. For example, by our count, the Pats have made ‘significant contact’ with 66 draft prospects. 39 of them, or nearly 60%, are defensive players.

Of the defensive contacts, more than half were defensive linemen (18 contacts). Linebackers represented 28% of all defensive contacts.  20% of contacts were with cornerbacks. Safety was apparently the only defensive position not focused on (just 2 of 39 contacts).

Nearly half of the 27 offensive contacts were either running backs (22%) or receivers (26%). Oddly, only 4 of 27 offensive contacts were with tight ends, a position that is considered a top need for New England. Offensive line contacts were concentrated on late round or priority free agent prospects. The Pats also looked at 5 quarterback hopefuls, including Tim Tebow.

This would seem to indicate the Pats will focus on their front seven and their offensive skill positions in this draft.

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Patriots Daily Mock Draft, Part 2

April 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

by Patriots Daily Staff

After a productive first two rounds in yesterday’s post, the PD Mock continues with our Saturday picks (Rounds Four through Seven).

FOURTH ROUND

Greg Doyle: Andre Roberts, WR, The Citadel. As Scott indicated yesterday, Roberts is a polished, professional sounding receiver with good triangle numbers and production, albeit at a lower college

Scott Long

level. He can return kicks and is fearless as a receiver. I did see him drop an easy pass in the Senior Bowl, but that could happen to anyone. As an alternative and since I’ll be selecting another receiver later, I’m very partial to UCLA’s CB Alterraun Verner who may not have the greatest speed numbers, but was very productive in college and is a playmaker at cornerback.

Chris Warner: That’s makes three of us for Mr. Roberts. What’s not to like? Good 40 (4.4), very strong shuttle numbers, plus a metric ton of versatility (returner, running back, Wildcat QB), make him an intriguing, low-risk pick here.

Scott Benson: You guys will lose out on Roberts if you wait until the fourth. Remember where you heard that. Anyway, I haven’t read more than a stitch on this year’s late round prospects, so I’m afraid I can’t help much with the picks today. Where I may be of assistance is in highlighting some of the third day players that the Pats have either worked out privately, or hosted for a Foxborough visit over the past several weeks. I’ll slot them per Pro Football Weekly’s most recent draft value chart. Fourth round prospect visits included DE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim and LB Donald Butler; private workouts included DT Arthur Jones, CB Dominique Franks, RB Jonathan Dwyer, WR Scott Long, and QB Mike Kafka. There’s always a chance that one of them will wind up being the pick here.

FIFTH ROUND

Chris: Okay, I’ll go ahead and pair this with a third-rounder for 2009 Derrick Burgess… (Damnit!)

Scott: Maybe the Pats will end up replacing that fifth rounder after all, Chris. If they do, they may be targeting Foxborough visitors like DE Hall Davis or RB’s Monatrio Hardesty and Charles Scott; or perhaps a player they privately worked out like DT Corey Peters. I’ll also note Kam Chancellor here; Greg liked him much higher, but Pro Football Weekly is anticipating a 5th round slot for the big safety.

SIXTH ROUND

Scott Sicko

Greg: Sherrick McManis, CB, Northwestern-McManis is a good zone corner that the Patriots have reportedly shown interest in. He reminds me a bit of Asante Samuel coming out of college and has room to grow.

Chris: I like McManis, but find myself intrigued by running back Deji Karim of Southern Illinois to continue the reconstruction of New England’s backfield. Kevin Faulk signed a one-year deal. Karim is small, strong and quick, and would benefit from Faulk’s tutelage – especially in pass protection. Originally I had him as a seventh-rounder, but an exceptional pro day (4.4 in the 40) bumped him up a round.

Greg: Scott Sicko, TE, UNH. Sicko is a very productive college tight end who played at a lower level but was extremely productive. Known for his outstanding hands, he has improved hisstanding this post-season with great 40 times at his Pro Day. He is a hard-working kid who has the athletic ability to become a good NFL tight end and may just need to bulk up slightly.

Chris: Because I address tight end concerns in Round 7, I’m going with UCLA linebacker Reggie Carter. We like Reggie, and not just because he gave PD our first interview this season. He’s tough, strong (31 reps of 225 at his pro day), and has leadership qualities (elected a captain of the defense at the East-West Shrine Game). An under-the-radar guy who will bolster special teams.

Scott: In this range, the Pats may also be looking at OT Nic Richmond, who they worked out, or RB James Starks and S Kurt Coleman, who both got special attention from New England after their respective pro days.

Chris: Because the Pats have close to a million picks in the seventh, let’s just put them out there in a bunch. You first, Greg.

SEVENTH ROUND

Greg: (229) Zac Robinson, QB, Oklahoma State. A productive college quarterback who is tough and can move effectively in the pocket.

(231) Darius Marshall, RB, Marshall. A good college back with a nice size/speed combination and some power behind him.

(247) Thomas Welch, OT, Vanderbilt. Athletic former tight end works hard and is smart. Only been a lineman for a few years and plenty of room to improve.

(248) Steven Turner, WR, Bishops Queen College (Canada). Who, you say? A truly under the radar player who caused a buzz when he was at the CFL Evaluation Camp (The CFL’s equivalent of the Combine) and shattered records for that camp by running a 4.31/40. Also posted numbers in other tests that would have placed him near the top of the wide receiver class at the NFL Combine. Suddenly, the NFL wanted to know who this guy was. Well, he’s a pure burner and project with the skills to develop. He wasn’t overly productive in college, but then again, he’s playing with guys at quarterback who aren’t that talented. He did show some skills as a kick returner. His times could make him as high as a 4th round pick and a month ago even NFL scouts hadn’t heard of him. Says here the Patriots roll the dice on this project.

7(250) Pat Angerer, LB, Iowa. A very productive and quick but undersized kid who works extremely hard and, at the least, will be a great special teams player in the NFL.

Chris: I like ‘em. Robinson would be an interesting guy to watch in camp, while Turner looks like someone worth finding oot more aboot (sorry – couldn’t resist).

Mickey Shuler

I got mostly offensive-minded in this round, but I’m starting with (229) Brent Bowden, P, Virginia Tech because if the Pats can use a sixth to draft a long-snapper last year, they can use a seventh to secure their punter. Bowden’s one of the best.

(231) Mickey Shuler, TE, Penn State. No one likes the old school more than Bill Belichick, and Shuler reeks of that era: he’s a blocking TE who sees himself as a receiver, with an NFL vet father.

(247) Chris Maragos, S, Wisconsin. If you have speed and quickness as a safety, great. If you have brains, even better. Maraga has them all and would, at the very least, add to the special teams unit.

(248) Jameson Konz, TE, Kent State. This round’s the best time to take a chance on a player, and considering the Patriots got Julian Edelman here last year, I’m heading back to Kent State for a receiver/athlete type.

(250) Bill Cundiff, QB, Ashland. I’m stealing your guy, Greg. I like his 24 TDs vs. one interception. Those are great numbers at any level, even Pop Warner (no relation).

Scott: I’m just thinking of how exhausted we are every spring after tracking 250+ draft picks; it’s the only time of the year when I don’t want any more football. That only lasts a few hours, though, because by the next day I’m combing the web for UDFA signings. Anyway DE Chris McCoy was the only site visit in this range, but workouts included DE’s Antonio Coleman and Alex Daniels; DT’s Aleric Mullins and Ricardo Matthews; LB Matt Mayberry; CB’s Nolan Carroll and Robert McClain; FB Manase Tonga; QB’s Zac Robinson (mentioned earlier by Greg) and Rusty Brown; and G Phil Costa and C Jim Cordle. The Pats also visited with UMass receiver Jeremy Horne after his recent pro day.

Chris: So, readers, give us your picks in the comment section below. We’ll pay special attention to the under-the-radar guys New England should take – be the first on your block to say “I told you so!”

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College Scout – December 5, 2009

December 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

By Greg Doyle, Patriots Daily Staff

This is our last regular season week of College Scout, though we hope to be back with a special Bowl Edition or two in a few weeks. Thanks for reading, I hope it proved useful for watching some games and perhaps later checking back on at draft time. Once again, it was enjoyable bringing it to you.

East Carolina vs. Houston (Noon ESPN2)

This is the Conference USA Championship Game with the winner slated to go to the Liberty Bowl. East Carolina has been playing very well of late, but slowing down the Houston offense is a very tall task for them. Should be a fun game.

DT Linval Joseph (#97):

Linval-JosephJoseph is a very big man who was born in the US Virgin Islands. He checks in at 6’6″ 322 lbs. and has been dominant along the interior of the Pirates defensive line this year. For the season he has 54 tackles, and 3 sacks. He’s not a great pass rusher, but can occasionally chip in there. Run stopping would be Joseph’s forte and he is quite a large, physical and strong presence in the middle of the line. While only a junior, there is some thought Joseph will enter the draft this year and could be as high as a second round pick with the possibility of moving up. He’d appear to be a fit with the Patriots given his size, strength and production as an interior lineman who’d fit in the 3-4. At one time Joseph weight as much as 371 lbs. and he has lost anywhere between 50 and 60 lbs. since 2007. He does play with high effort, something the Patriots will appreciate.

DE C.J. Wilson (#95):

Wilson is Joseph’s teammate on the end of the Pirates defensive line and for the season has racked up 53 tackles and 5.5 sacks. That brings his total to 27 sacks for his career. He has been a starter for ECU since midway thru his freshman year and has always been a very productive player. Was first team Conference USA last year as a junior. Checks in at 6’4 278 lbs. Perhaps that is too small for the Patriots, but if he can bulk up a bit they may consider him.Wilson is a natural pass rusher who holds his own against the run and also gets involved in special teams and has had several blocked kicks in his career. Right now he looks to be about a mid-round choice.

QB Case Keenum (#7):

Keenum is another junior that could come out this year and be a very high draft pick after what can only be looked at as one of the better seasons for a quarterback in NCAA history. Though a junior football-wise, he did have a redshirt year so is on-track academically and that is another clue he may come out this year. Really there isn’t much left for him to prove at the college level. He’s completing over 70% of his passes. He’s thrown 38 touchdowns versus only 6 interceptions and over 4,900 yards this season. While he could probably stand to put on a little weight at the NFL level, he does have decent size, can move around the pocket and throw on the run and has a very good and accurate arm. If he comes out, there is a decent chance he’ll be a first round pick. Keenum is the son of a football coach. While its unlikely the Patriots would spend a high draft pick on a quarterback, they would like Keenum if they had the need in that direction. Some team will be lucky to get him, though he may take a year to adjust to an NFL offense.

CB Brandon Brinkley (#21):

Brinkley is a slim cornerback with good ball skills but who needs to shore up his run support abilities. His strength comes as a cover man, which he excels at. He came into the season with 7 career interceptions and has added 4 more this year. Brinkley has good times speed and a nice frame, but probably could add a few lbs. to make him more a fit for the mold of an NFL corner. Right now he probably projects as around a 5th round choice.

California at Washington (6:30 PM EST FoxSports Networks)

Washington is out of bowl contention but hoping to end on a two-game winning streak. California still has a chance for a 10 win season if they win this game and their bowl game. There really is no pressure here for anything, so it should be an entertaining game in which both teams let it all hang out, Washington hoping to go into next year on a positive, Cal hoping to head into their bowl game the same way.

WR Nyan Boateng (#8):

Boateng is an extremely gifted receiver with very good size at 6’2″ 211 lbs. A physical receiver, he can also very good speed. He was born in Ghana and came to the USA when he was 8 years old. Boateng started his college career at Florida and had some success there as a freshman, but got into some personal difficulties that led to him transferring to California after that season. After sitting out 2007, he returned for the Golden Bears last year and had a very solid season for a run-based team with 29 catches for 439 yards and 5 touchdowns. This year Boateng broke his foot and missed some time, so only has 10 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. Despite his modest college production, Boateng has a ton of talent and has reportedly matured a lot since his days at Florida. It was unfortunate he broke his foot this year, which has really held down his production. Perhaps a big bowl game will help his draft standing. But the talent is there and some team could get a late round steal if they take a flyer on him.

CB Syd’Quan Thompson (#5):

Thompson is one of the best cornerbacks in the country and a possible first round pick next year in the NFL draft. Some draft analysts have Thompson in the top 15 players in the entire draft and the top cornerback, though a lot of that is subject to change as there are all-star games, workouts and combines still to take place. Slightly undersized height-wise, Thompson is solidly built at 191 lbs. and very athletic. He is a dangerous punt returner for the Golden Bears. Has 7 career interceptions despite teams avoiding him this season. Thompson is reportedly a very high character guy, a team leader and extremely productive. If he falls towards the end of the first round or into the second, perhaps this is a direction the Patriots would look to go in.

LB Donald Butler (#9):

A smart, 6’1″ 235 lb. inside linebacker who is a very good college player, but may be a fringe NFL player. Butler is having a very solid season this year, leading the Huskies in tackles with 88 and also showing good coverage ability. This will be one plus in his favor in getting into the NFL. While Butler probably doesn’t fit with the Patriots, he could possibly fit somewhere else and get himself onto another team that runs a different type system. The issue will be proving his speed and athletic ability in the post-season.

DE Daniel Te’O-Nesheim (#66):

This guy is as relentless a football player as you’ll ever see. He just keep playing and playing and playing and harasses quarterbacks all day long. He is a 6’4″ 263 attacking type defensive end who came into the season with 19 sacks which he got thru a combination of speed, power, determination and just pure never giving up on a play. He’s added 7.5 more sacks this season and forced 3 fumbles. Te’O Nesheim not only has one of the more intriguing names in college football, he is also a very interesting prospect. It seems doubtful he could convert to linebacker for the Patriots and will likely have to play down in the NFL. While he lacks great athletic ability, he makes up for it in hustle and effort. It is likely he’ll only be a mid-round choice as he will test average at the combine, but some team could get a steal and a player who eventually terrorizes NFL quarterbacks in the right scheme.

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