Interest and Gamesmanship

It's been all over the news, both locally and nationally. The Patriots invited Arkansas running back Darren McFadden for a visit later April 10-11. It means one of two things: They are considering the Razorback with the seventh pick overall or they want to entice possible trade partners interested is the top rated ball carrier in this draft.

Could the Pats really be interested is McFadden with Lawrence Maroney backed up by Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk in his typical role? It wouldn't seem likey. M&M make for a good 1-2 backfield punch of a shifty big play runner with a tough between the tackles thumper.

But that's when both are healthy. Morris deserves the benefit of the doubt with his chest injury. Maroney on the other hand is yet to play a full regular season. Sure it's a short two-year body of work but it doesn't take much to be ruled as injury prone.

Adding McFadden would make for an imposing backfield trio. It would raise the question whether those three could share the ball or would either Maroney or Morris be traded/cut?

That all depends on if the Pats are serious about McFadden. For those teams drooling over McFadden (hello Dallas?), New England taking a closer look at Darren quickens the heart rate of the teams in love with Run DMc.

Maybe the same can be said about the Keith Rivers visit.

Rivers is the top rated linebacker in the draft and there isn't any question about the Patriots' need for the versatile athlete. Sideline-to-sideline speed, can play the run or the pass equally well, and smart enough to play either inside or outside.

He sounds like an ideal player to add to the roster, especially considering the age and lack of depth on the Patriots at the position. But his scouting report says otherwise.

Rivers is great at slipping blocks to make plays, but that approach consistently won't work for a 3-4 LB. He has to be able to engage and shed blocks. Rivers gets swallowed up by blockers if they get their hands on him. Rivers lacks the size and strength to be a 3-4 linebacker. He doesn't sound like a fit for the Pats, but maybe New Englnad sees otherwise.

Every team in the league can bring in 30 prospects for private visits before the draft. Some are because they truly have an interest in the player (like Ohio State's Vernon Gholston and Georgia Tech's Darrell Robertson) while others are to play games with other teams.

Everyone believes the Patriots want to trade down. What better way to draw possible suitors than to fein interest in wanted players?

lordrc@netzero.net