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Patriots Daily Draft Review

April 26, 2010 By 6 Comments

by Patriots Daily Staff

Chris Warner: Impact players? Maybe a couple. Solid guys? Plenty of them. Value picks? Looks like it.

Successful draft? Time will tell.

Dan Snapp: The days after draft always feel barren. There’s so little to do. You can scour the Internet for proof – and you can always find this proof somewhere – that your guys were steals and rivals’ guys were reaches. But in reality you have a spectrum of five months to never (Alas, Shawn Crable, you peaked in your leaping-over-linemen Michigan photo) for any evidence of what they’ll truly yield.

There’s extra emptiness this draft when it dawns that the biggest need – pass rush – still went woefully neglected.

Chris: The Pats’ spring haul resembles most things in life: we have little idea of how it’s all going to pan out. Below, your humble PD staff (hah!) shares what they like, don’t like, and still don’t quite understand.

Before we get into detail, the picks, by round and overall selection:

1 (27) – Devin McCourty, DB, Rutgers (5-11, 193)

2 (42) – Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona (6-6, 264)

2 (53) – Jermaine Cunningham, OLB, Florida (6-3, 266)

2 (62) – Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida (6-3, 250)

3 (90) – Taylor Price, WR, Ohio (6-0, 200)

4 (113) – Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida (6-2, 245)

5 (150) – Zoltan Mesko, P, Michigan (6-4, 240 – whoa!)

6 (205) – Ted Larsen, C, N.C. State (6-2, 304)

7 (208) – Thomas Welch, OT, Vanderbilt (6-6, 307)

7 (247) – Brandon Deaderick, DE, Alabama (6-4, 314)

7 (248) – Kade Weston, DT, Georgia (6-5, 317)

7 (250) – Zac Robinson, QB, Oklahoma State (6-2, 214)

Second, the trades, by round:

1 – 22 to Denver for 24 and a fourth (119); later, 24 and 119 to Dallas for 27 and a third (90).

2 – 44 and a sixth (190) to Oakland for 42; 47 to Arizona for 58 and a third (89); 58 to Houston for 62 and a fifth (150).

3 – 89 to Carolina for a 2011 second.

7 – 229 and 231 to Washington for 208.

Now, our rankings, more or less, based on what was overheard in our respective living rooms during the exhaustive, 72-hour bonanza that was Draft Weekend 2010:

WOOHOO!

Chris: Though no single selection caused me to exult, I’m thinking about giving 2010 a top grade overall. Needs met, playmakers found, potential gathered. Yes, I would have liked a few different picks here and there (a running back late, a defensive end earlier), but this draft provided more potential playmakers than last year’s, which was solid.

Greg Doyle: I’ll say Spikes. I have been all around the gamut on him. I thought he was one of the best linebackers in college football when I merely watched him play. But then, I admit, the whispers got to me. I started hearing about a history of ankle problems. Then the slow 40 times. I admit, they got me to severely downgrade him and not even seriously think of him until possibly the final day. But my immediate reaction upon them taking him? YES! That is a football player! Maybe it’s my Patriots bias, but I don’t think so. I was similarly down on Gronkowski and while I may have lightened up abit on him, I still have reservations I’ll explain below. Spikes? There is just no way a guy that productive, that passionate, that much of a playmaker and that smart won’t do well for a Bill Belichick coached team. He’ll likely become a 2-down plugger. That means he is the guy taking on the lead blockers most of the time and it’ll free up Mayo to take less of a beating and be more of a playmaker. The inside now with Mayo, Spikes, McKenzie and Guyton as a nickel backer (the perfect role for him) now looks stocked with young guys with potential.

Dan: Mesko – The perfect storm of need, talent, and right round converge. And then they all sold some game jerseys. Some think the Pats grab these special teamers too high – Ghost with a 4th in ’06, Ingram in the 6th last year, and now a fifth for the Zoltan – but one round too early is a negligible price to pay if that player eliminates a need at the position for the next four years.

Scott Benson: Brandon Spikes, definitely. They didn’t make that pick by some textbook measureable or abstract projection (see tight end Meathead Stivic, two picks earlier) but by pure football-playin’ track record. They didn’t make that pick based on the best player available theory but on raw, bald-faced need. If this guy doesn’t play more defensive snaps this fall than everyone but Jerod Mayo, I’ll eat my fucking hat. I also loved Aaron Hernandez because of the same things. I love that they didn’t pass on a tight end that can find space AND catch/run just because he didn’t meet some in-line blocking metric. Aren’t they already paying the offensive line a shitload of money to do that? Anyway, if I had my druthers, every single pick every single year would be just like these two.

COOL.

Chris: I liked the Gronkowski pick (They filled a need! Finally!), and I enjoyed the aggressive way they traded up to get him. I also gave the ol’ nod to Hernandez filling out the TE spot, as well as Mesko in the fifth and QB Robinson rounding out the seventh (called by PD’s own Greg Doyle in his mock draft, by the way). Strong investments, all.

Greg: That was my reaction to the Hernandez pick. Being a big SEC fan and with the success of Florida as a program, I saw him play a lot and he is very good. I thought he was one of the top 3 tight ends in the draft and to get him in the 4th round is excellent. He has great hands, can move after the catch and is pretty quick for his size. I think he’ll fit into this offense as a “move” tight end from day one.

Dan: Spikes – Just felt etched in stone this guy would be a Patriot. Production, toughness, leadership and a fortuitously bad 40 time to drop him within their grasp.
Gronkowski – I admit it, the measurables wowed me. I was thinking Kyle Brady before Belichick said “Kyle Brady” when asked afterward for a comparable. Yeah, yeah, the back. I know. I’ll blithely choose to ignore that for the time being, and just keep repeating “Kyle Brady, Kyle Brady”.
Hernandez – Belichick hedging his bets on Gronkowski by grabbing a guy rated almost as high (and in some instances higher). Hope it also signals a new commitment to the tight end in the passing game.

Scott: I flipped when they made this pick (it’s all there on Twitter – I’m not proud of it), but after a couple of days I’ll put Devin McCourty in this group. Nothing I read anywhere over these last several weeks contradicted that this was a solid, versatile player with promise who deserved to be picked in the precise range in which he was chosen. And nobody ever said the Patriots don’t need to get better in the secondary. If he comes along like Darius Butler, for example, then what the hell would be wrong with that? Besides the whole Jerry Hughes thing, I mean. I also liked that the Patriots picked a punter bigger than the late Reggie Roby.  As a tribute, Zoltan Mesko should wear a wrist watch while kicking. And by the way – isn’t it funny that after all the bitching about Chris Hanson, they picked a punter that is a left footed, directional, rugby-style kicker who lives on hang-time? I think it’ll be funny when this eventually dawns on the people who are still crying for that Todd Sauerbrun blast-it bullshit.

OKAY.

Chris: The Cunningham pick satisfied another need, which I appreciated; it just felt like it took a long time to get there (see my above Gronkowski parenthetical). The trade to the Panthers for a second-rounder made a ton of sense, but I wonder if we’ll end up wishing we had another pass-rusher this season instead of a high pick in 2011? Regarding Larsen and Welch, I only kept track of the latter because, once again, Greg “Bull’s Eye” Doyle picked him in his mock (nice job, Greg!). Though I wished they’d gotten D-line help sooner, I thought Deaderick and Weston provided a couple of pleasant late-round surprises.

And just as an aside, “Gronkowski Parenthetical” would be an awesome alternative band name.

Greg: The Deaderick pick seemed very logical. Played in the same system and really was graded higher than a 7th rounder. He was a productive guy who isn’t much of a pass rusher but a stout 3-4 end run defender. He’ll fit in and to find that in the 7th round is great.

Dan: McCourty – This poor guy gets his parade rained on because he’s not an outside linebacker. And when you think about it, a pretty damn good response to Santonio Holmes and Brandon Marshall entering the division. I saw this stat this morning: “Leading tackler among NCAA cornerbacks.” So yeah, I’m on board. But would it really have killed them to draft Jerry Hughes?
Cunningham – The pros: hard worker, great program, BB’s ties to Meyer for the inside scoop, and mostly, that he has the right capital letters following his name. But this is it? Even if he proves a capable rusher, it’s still a position of need. Which is more of a concern: Gronkowski’s back or Sergio Kindle’s knee?

How about this, Bill? Make the “Scheme vs. Production” Zen riddle your own little Darwinian experiment and draft both Hughes and Kindle. While you’re jotting down arm length and optimum frame notes alongside nuthatch sketches in your journal, maybe at least the pass rush will finally evolve.

Scott: I’m putting Jermaine Cunningham right here, as in “okay, getting someone who can raise hell on the edge is your biggest need, and is critical to your defensive prospects in the short and long-term, and if you don’t hit this right you’ll go a long way to another year(s) of maddeningly passive third-down defense, and you’re telling me that Jermaine is the tonic for this, so…..okaaaaaaay. We’ll see if you do any better than you did with Crable.” I’ll add to this group everybody picked after Mesko. I know, I know…. “Tom Brady was a sixth round pick.” Yeah, for every one of those there’s six hundred million Oscar Luas. I guess what I’m saying is who cares. If a once-in-a-lifetime player shows up after being picked in that range, I’m okay with finding out about it when it happens. I’m not spending any time on it beforehand.

WAIT: WHAT?

Chris: Their first pick, McCourty, fit this category on Thursday night. A solid overall player, sure, but some of the pass-rushers available at the time looked mighty enticing.  Now, when it comes to Spikes, I have to admit I got confused. One could argue that his 5.04-second 40 unduly soured me, but it does bring up the question of his ability at the NFL level. I’m looking forward to him proving me wrong.

Greg: Gronkowski has everything you want in terms of size and athletic ability. But the injury stuff scares me. He’s got a bad back for crying out loud and a big part of his job is going to be to help block 320 lb. guys in the running game. I know it’s easy for us to say, well, they had to check out his health thoroughly. And yeah, they obviously did. But you know what, I remember sort of taking that approach with Terrence Wheatley a few years back, a guy with a friggin’ metal rod holding his wrist together. That SOUNDED like a concern to me, but I got swept up in the “well, if they used a 2nd rounder on him, he must be healthy….” Know what? He has had injury problems since he’s been here and undoubtedly that has slowed his improvement and now, even when healthy, he can’t get on the field. I just don’t want to see a repeat of that with Gronkowski.

Dan: Price – No idea about this guy, and given the Pats were his only workout, that may be true for the rest of the league. This is one of those “In Bill We Trust” picks, hoping Belichick had Chad O’Shea put the guy in witness protection, wheat farming in Idaho ’til the draft safely ran its course.

Scott: No real comer at right defensive end (that’s an ’11 thing, evidently), and Taylor Price is the only wideout picked. I do like that Price is going to play outside the numbers instead of inside them – not everyone can be a slot receiver – but he certainly wasn’t in the upper echelon of prospects there. This causes me to reflect back on a realization I had a week or two ago – even with all the picks they had, they were probably not going to scratch every itch. There were (are) quite a few, after all.

OH, FOR CHRIST’S SAKE!

Chris: Despite a nice highlight reel vs. Tennessee, I watched Price play a couple of times this year and failed to come away impressed. Of course, I’m bitter that the Pats missed out on a PD favorite, Andre Roberts, whom we all chose in our mock. Also kept waiting for a big running back late (Joique Bell, Wayne State, or even LaGarrette Blount, Oregon/Boxing School).

Greg: I didn’t really have a problem with any pick in that regard. The Price pick is a pure talent thing. He has it. And he did play in a Neanderthal offense. It’ll likely take him some time to get up to speed on something like the Pats offense. If any pick gave me that reaction, I guess it’s the Larsen pick which proves to me that Dante is held in such high regard by Belichick, he’ll be allowed at least one pet rock in the draft each year (last year he got three: Ohrnberger, Vollmer and Bussey… guys he worked out personally and that he liked). I don’t have a problem with the pick, it just makes me laugh when it comes to O-linemen Dante is doing the personnel now and picking somewhat obscure guys he thinks he can work with.

Scott: Four words: Meat-head-Stiv-ICK. At least when Rob finally proves that his Charles Atlas physique won’t hold up any better to the NFL than it did to Division 1, he’ll be marginally entertaining as That Guy who sits in the stands with a replica helmet and no shirt on. WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF.

Stay tuned to PD this week for a rundown of Patriots rookie free agents.

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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, September 5, 2009

September 5, 2009 By 2 Comments

by Greg Doyle, Patriots Daily Staff
September 5, 2009

Welcome to another year of College Scout. As usual, we’ll be spotlighting mostly senior top players in two nationally televised games, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. We’ll see who projects as particular fit for the Patriots and in some cases who doesn’t. Later in the year, we’ll look at some of the best juniors too, as some will undoubtedly enter the draft next April. I hope this weekly column adds to your enjoyment of the great sport of college football and your feedback, as always, is much appreciated.

Georgia at Oklahoma State, Saturday at 3:30 PM EST on ABC

Georgia heads to highly regarded Oklahoma State’s home turf a decided underdog, an unusual position for the Bulldogs. Georgia did lose a lot this offseason, such as their All-American quarterback and running back, but the cupboard is far from dry and there is a lot of talent left over. If they can pull off the upset here, this will be the last time all year they’re overlooked. Oklahoma State looks to be explosive on offense against this year. Here is who to keep your eyes on:

Georgia QB Joe Cox (#14)

Cox is a 5th year senior who has never had the chance to be the starter. He does now that Matt Stafford has gone on to the NFL. Cox has one previous career start. The highly recruited Cox has sat patiently waiting for his chance. He is a guy who was 31-0 as a starting QB in high school. Has thrown 58 career passses at Georgia, showing nice touch and a solid 5-1 TD/INT ratio. He doesn’t have the big arm Stafford has, nor the size, coming in at only 6’1″ 198. That size will hinder him getting a shot in the NFL, but he does have smarts and accuracy and moves around the pocket well. May project as a potential NFL backup. He has had the flu heading into this game, but is expected to play. Reportedly, Cox is a very well liked and respected teammate, and people appreciate the hard work he put in while waiting 5 years for his chance. He is a bit of an unknown, his size is a concern, but was well-regarded coming from high school and could play himself into being an NFL prospect. Asked this year after spring practice to name one pick as the team leader, 107 of 110 Georgia Bulldogs picked Joe Cox. That is a pretty impressive statement about his leadership as well.

Georgia DT Jeff Owens (#95)

The 6’3″ 300 lb. Owens came into last season a consensus All-SEC candidate only to be injured early in the first game. He  missed the rest of the season. He has started 24 games in his career and has been a very effective gap plugger, the type the Patriots would like. What he hasn’t done is make a lot of plays or sacks. He has only gotten to the QB 3.5 times in his career. Now recovered from injury, the very strong Owens has a chance to play himself into the first round of the NFL draft if he can add a bit of playmaking to his stout, physical mauling of offensive linemen. Owens may fit best at end in the NFL in a 3-4.

Georgia DT Geno Atkins (#56)

Atkins is a 6’1″ 290 lb. sparkplug for the Bulldogs whose play has him listed on many preseason All-Conference first team lists. Atkins, unlike his fellow lineman Jeff Owens, has been a consistent playmaker for the Bulldogs in his previous 3 years, generating 16 career sacks. He also has 73 career quarterback hurries. His size makes it questionable if he’d fit with the Patriots and may be more suited with his speed (4.8) and quickness to a Warren Sapp type role in a 4-3 one gap defense.

Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson (#11)

The 6’3 218 lb. Robinson directs the high powered Cowboys offense heading into a senior year of a college career that has already seen impressive statistical accomplishment. The mobile Robinson also possesses an excellent arm and the ability to step up in the pocket and throw on the move. He already is first in all-time career offense for OSU. He does have an NFL future and has the arm strength to play at that level. Playing in a spread offense, it’s difficult to tell how easily or quickly he could adapt to the NFL, but he has the size and strength missing in a lot of college spread quarterbacks. Reportedly he runs a very impressive 4.62. At the moment he is probably a mid-round choice and the offense he plays in hurts him. But if he shows in preseason the ability to adapt to other offenses and play under center, he could move up. Certainly for now, he remains one of the most exciting offensive weapons in college football.

Oklahoma State LB Patrick Lavine (#4)

The smallish Lavine checks in at 6’2″, 226 which is probably too small to play linebacker for the Patriots. But he is a tackling machine who could end up with more tackles than any player in OSU history. He relies on speed to get to the ball carrier and is also good in coverage. Lavine has NFL potential, but probably in a different type defense. For today, let’s see if he can back up his words as he has said he has waited two years to avenge OSU’s 2007 35-14 loss to Georgia.

Oklahoma State CB Perrish Cox (#16)

The 6’0″ 198 lb. Cox is not only one of the better cornerbacks in the country, he may be one of the best kick returners. Has taken 4 kickoffs back to the house and one punt in his first three years. A very exciting returner. But what’s more, he is a top-notch corner who makes plays there as well. Already, Cox is almost a sure-fire first day pick who intrigues with his size/speed combination. He is also a willing participant in run defense. Keep your eye on him as this is one guy on OSU that would fit the Patriots defense (and special teams) and could be a very high pick next year.

Virginia Tech vs. Alabama at the Georgia Dome, Atlanta 8:00 PM EST on ABC

Two very well coached teams face off with Alabama expected to be a national title contender and a touchdown favorite over the Hokies. The Hokies have some things to figure out on offense, having just lost last year’s freshman sensation running back Darren Evans to a season-ending injury a few weeks ago. Defense is the strong point for each team. Expect a close, hard fought, physical contest. Here is who to watch for:

Virginia Tech TE Greg Boone (#8)

Somewhat of a freak size-wise for a tight end, Boone checks in at 6’3″ 280 lbs. But he does have some pass catching ability, having pulled down 38 catches for 513 yards in his career. He has good hands and obviously can block at his size. There may be some consideration for using him at tackle since he has obvious athletic ability. The Pats could conceivably consider a project like this, as they have had other converted tight ends come thru their system as tackles before. Probably would never be more than a second tight end in the NFL and thus a late round choice.

Virginia Tech CB Stephen Virgil (#22)

Became a starter as a junior in 2008 and had a very impressive year with 6 INTs. Also returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Has 2 career blocked kicks. Has good corner size and runs a 4.39. He comes into the year as VT’s top cornerback and could move way up into the first round with improvement.

Alabama DE Brandon Deadrick (#95)

The 6’4″ 287 Deadrick has the height to possibly fit at end in the kind of 3-4 the Patriots run. Has started 21 career games heading into the year and has 6 career sacks. Will only be 22 at draft time. Has the frame to put on a bit more weight and one senses he hasn’t quite finished improving as a player. Possible first day pick who, under Nick Saban, has familiarity with a system similar to what the Patriots have.

Alabama NT Terrence Cody (#62)

The massive 6’5″ 365 lb. Cody dominates the middle of the ‘Bama line at nose tackle. So massive, he makes Vince Wilfork look tiny. Nicknamed “Mount Cody”, he’s on every first team All-American list as the nose tackle. Was a big part of Alabama having the second best run defense in the country last year. Just a massive man who should clog up the middle of lines in the NFL for a long time. Perfect fit for the Patriots in a 3-4. He is a bit more athletic than you’d think, as big as he is. Strong and works hard. Keep your eye on him. Should be interesting to see how he plays against a spread-type team and if that is one way to neutralize his dominance.

E-mail Greg Doyle at [email protected]

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