Nfl Draft

After the dust settled and all the trades were counted, the Patriots came away from the draft with a dozen selections. But not one of them was a running back. They could have a chance to select one July 15th. 

Continue reading "In the Running for Unga?"

According to published reports, fourth round steal, TE Aaron Hernandez, was excellent escaping press coverage during mini camp. He did not speak to the media at all. With the help of the Patriots staff, Hernandez was escorted off the field after every practice, away from the microphones, recorders, and a possible distraction. 

Continue reading "Hernandez Up in Smoke?"

Welcome to the land of no guarantees. Once you cross the border from the third round into the fourth round, these unfortunate residents understand they have to perform well just for a chance to make the roster or hope for a position on the practice squad. 

Continue reading "See For Yourself Part 2"

I needed a little decompression time after the draft to take a step back and see the whole picture. After pouring so much of my time tracking free agency, trades, monitoring player’s stock going up or down, and producing three mock drafts, I needed some time off and assimilate myself back into society. 

Continue reading "See For Yourself Part 1"

Only two players that I listed as players of interest were selected by the Patriots during the three-day NFL Draft. But I will say I’m happy with the two they got. 

Despite the number of trades executed, the Pats still made 12 selections. But what really draws attention is that New England now has two first round picks and two second round picks in 2011. 

Continue reading "The Whole Draft"

I think Bill Belichick has the draft all wrong. You don’t win anything by having the most picks. As expected, the head coach of the Patriots traded down multiple times in the first round, and continued to do so in the second and third. But he did break the routine by going the aggressive route in the second. A quick look at the first two days of selections: 

Continue reading "Quick Glance"

It’s not holiday-worthy like the first full Sunday of NFL games, but it’s almost as important. The NFL Draft begins Thursday as teams hope to find building blocks for years to come. 

Continue reading "Dream Draft"

I've made no secret about the fact that I despise the new draft format. Partly because I will be sitting in my office, wrapped up in work while most of the first through third rounds take place, instead of sitting on my couch at home, relaxed with a beer, enjoying the drama as it unfolds. Yes, it's almost as if Roger Goodell has killed my off-season Christmas.

Continue reading "NFL Draft Viewership Already Down ..."

LB Brandon Spikes – Florida

 

The former second rated inside linebacker in the draft. He fell out of the first round after clocking a 5.0 in the 40. But with his size and production, Spikes will likely go in the second round. He’s a football player, not a sprinter. That’s what coaches care about. 

Continue reading "The Visitors Part 5"

WR Dez Bryant – Oklahoma State

 

He’s the consensus top receiver in this year’s draft, but likely won’t get drafted as high as he’s rated. From day one he was considered a character risk. I don’t think Bryant is as bad of a person as he’s been painted. I respect his talent, but there’s another wide out I’m enamored with. 

Continue reading "Ths Visitors Part 4"

DE/LB Sergio Kindle

 

He’s been compared to his former teammate Brian Orakpo, who was drafted in the first round by Washington. The results: Eleven sacks. After watching Kindle’s performance in the National Championship game, I do believe he has potential equal to Orakpo. Kindle is on my wish list. 

Continue reading "Ths Visitors Part 3"

The Patriots are taking a serious interest with some of the available punters. This is something that is long overdue. Chris Hanson had a decent average in ’07 and ’08, but it dropped to 39.7 last year. 

Continue reading "The Visitors Part 2"

In an effort to track the Patriots’ actions leading up to the draft, The Boston Globe reports on players New England visited, invited to Gillette Stadium, or worked out. Not all of the prospects are the household names circulated over and over in the numerous mock drafts across the inernet. 

Continue reading "The Visitors Part 1"

 

Everyone is so quick to analyze and project draft selections (myself included), What about finding out the selections for the Patriots? 

For the second year in a row, New England has 12 draft picks spread over seven rounds. They started with eight, and the league awarded four compensatory selections at the end of rounds six and seven. The compensatory selections can not be used in any trades. 

Continue reading "Count to 12"

I just completed the second edition of my mock draft, and just like the first, I project the Patriots selecting Penn State DT Jared Odrick. It makes practical sense, considering the need along the defensive line. But this choice goes against what I’d hope the Pats do, which is select Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham. 

Continue reading "Need or Best Player Available?"

For football fans another very exciting time is coming up soon.  The NFL Draft is mere weeks away and for many this begins another exciting NFL season.  This is when teams address needs that were evident last season or try to fill holes left by a retirement, trade, or losing a player to free agency.  This is when hope springs eternal and every team is destined for Super Bowl glory.  This is also the time of year when fans get to first guess (before their teams drafts) and then second guess (after their teams has drafted) the players that are available this year. 

Continue reading "Should the Patrots Draft Tim Tebow?"

By now you're probably reaching the saturation point for draft coverage and good news, we've still got a whole month to go. As we saw a couple days ago with the conflicting reports regarding Tim Tebow wanting to say a pre-Wonderlic prayer and being shot down with a firm STFU, we're reaching the point where alot of misinformation is being released. I have little doubt the Tebow story was exaggerated by a team hoping to see him fall to them on draft day. Because no one wants a prayer-leading rookie who doesn't know when to shut up on their team, right?

Continue reading "Four Different Ways the Patriots ..."

I'm starting to see a pattern with Roger Goodell's leadership as commissioner of the NFL, and the cliched phrase that comes to mind is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Or maybe a better choice would be "mo' money, mo' money, mo' money!".

Continue reading "Roger Goodell and the NFL Ruin The Draft"

I know this is overdue, but the Sunday before the draft, I appeared on Young Sportscasters to discuss the upcoming NFL Draft and the Patriots possible selection.

In case the video isn't showing, just folow this link.

Continue reading "NFL Draft Talk"

I was fortunate enough to talk with former Northeastern University tight end Brian Mandeville. This was supposed to be a big weekend for him, but a heart condition discovered during the NFL Combine meant he had to give up on playing in the NFL. This is interesting because you get a little behind the scenes information about how the Combine is conducted, as well as hearing a personal story unfiltered and void of cliches and rehearsed answers.

Continue reading "Brian Mandeville Interview"

The countdown to draft weekend is a long and tedious one from the moment your favorite NFL team's season finishes.

For most of us, the season comes crashing to a bitter and disappointing end. While the start of Free Agency and the release of the NFL season schedule are dates to look forward to, it's the draft that is the ultimate start of the new season, and the first gold star day to put on the calendar.

Continue reading "Draft Day is Christmas For NFL Fans"

It's been a long void but alas the draft is upon us and with 11 picks Bill Belichick will be like a kid in a candy store with a fistful of cash. Who knows what the Pats will do this weekend, I don't even think they do but one thing is for sure and that is that they will be active.

Continue reading "Draft Week is Here Patriots Fans"

I’ve already completed my second edition mock draft. And just like the first one, I have the Patriots selecting LB Clint Sintim from Virginia. The selection makes complete sense. He played outside, but scouts project him as an inside ‘backer. If he can play both, he has the versatility that head coach Bill Belichick wants. 

Continue reading "In the Minority about Matthews Jr"

In the world of journalism, it's the greatest compliment when an article you wrote inspires others to express their own opinion on the same subject.

Back in February, I wrote an article asking the question should teams draft tight ends in the first round. It was a relevant question because Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew could be the only TE selected within the first 32 picks.

Continue reading "Great Minds Think Alike"

It’s no secret that the NFL draft draws worldwide interest. In fact, next to the Super Bowl, it is the most watched football-related event of the year. Now, it’s true that some of this mass appeal can be attributed to scheduling: its late April arrival each year serves as an oasis of sorts to the average football fan in the barren emptiness that separates the end of the Super Bowl and the start of training camp. Plus, it is the one true event that merges the collegiate and professional levels–thus, unifying two enormous pools of fans. So, this is all to say that I fully understand the inherent appeal of the system. The yearly NFL Combine, however, I believe to be an entirely different animal.

Continue reading "The 2009 NFL Meat Market"

Ok, in honor of my editor restoring my interest in actually, you know, typing things on this website, I'm going to post something.

This is for my loving fanbase... all three of you.

So, today was the draft. And all people care about that happens in the draft come down to a few things:

Continue reading "Maybe I'll Finish This One..."

He was one of the toughest quarterbacks I've been fortunate to watch his whole career that's not named Brett Favre or Drew Bledsoe.

Steve McNair was a warrior. He played through pains we will never know about. And through it all, he carried the Tennessee Oilers/Titans when he was on the field. Before New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning made a unbelieveable escape in Super Bowl XLII, McNair broke away from the grasp of two St. Louis Rams defenders as part of one of the most memorable drives in Super Bowl history. Of course McNair's final slant pass was one yard short, but he willed the Titans to the brink of victory thanks to that great escape.

Continue reading "Chain Reaction"

This morning Patriot fans have two reasons to be happy. First, of course, is the resigning of wide out Randy Moss. It took longer than most wanted, leading to days of anxiety as various news outlets put out stories that Moss was insulted by the Pats' offer and was fielding other offers. There was even the story that he talked to Daunte Culpepper, his former quarterback when they were in Minnesota, about reuiting for a team. How true were these stories, we might never know (although, upon reflection, that Moss-Culpepper package deal is really absurd). The point is the record-breaking combo of Brady-to-Moss should continue to connect for at least three more years.

Continue reading "Good News Times Two"