In response to mbeaulieu07's comment:

In response to PatsEng's comment:

So, NE was at Florida States pro-day and a bigger note that McDaniels was there. Which O player could McDaniels be scouting? I'd imagine it's not OL because they'd be sending Scar. Reliford maybe as a UDFA? 

Of course they could be scouting D players as they have Carradine, Werner, Jenkins, Rhodes but I have a feeling it's one of the smaller names we have seen yet and why send McDaniels to scout D?

Another interesting to note was reports Rhodes was having issues with the wet field conditions. If he has issues with wet field conditions I'd hate to imagine what he'd do in NE's condition. That's a big red flag for me. That he could compensate for the adverse field conditions

BTW came across this, a confirmed list of games the Pats visited:

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2013-nfl-draft-patriots-scouting-targets

My guess is he was taking a look at the below:

QB EJ Manuel (had this kid on my Big 53 Board for a short time, but he's getting talked up like a Top 50-64 kid, not sure BB is looking to go that high on a QB yet, but his big and skilled), WR Rodney Smith (this kid is 6-5 I believe, surprised Bred isn't on him yet, he loves him some tall WR's... could be a late round type kid with some upside), OT Menelik Watson (British, former basketball player with one year of D1 experience, heck I'm not sure he's played more than a year or two of football and some publications have him as a Rd 1 kid... though I think more Day 2).

Hey Man. I'm glad you mentioned Rodney Smith. I remember watching him a few times last year and thinking that he looked pretty good.  Agree he could be a late-rounder w/ nice upside.

In response to Faucetman's comment:

In response to mbeaulieu07's comment:

In response to PatsEng's comment:

So, NE was at Florida States pro-day and a bigger note that McDaniels was there. Which O player could McDaniels be scouting? I'd imagine it's not OL because they'd be sending Scar. Reliford maybe as a UDFA? 

Of course they could be scouting D players as they have Carradine, Werner, Jenkins, Rhodes but I have a feeling it's one of the smaller names we have seen yet and why send McDaniels to scout D?

Another interesting to note was reports Rhodes was having issues with the wet field conditions. If he has issues with wet field conditions I'd hate to imagine what he'd do in NE's condition. That's a big red flag for me. That he could compensate for the adverse field conditions

BTW came across this, a confirmed list of games the Pats visited:

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2013-nfl-draft-patriots-scouting-targets

My guess is he was taking a look at the below:

QB EJ Manuel (had this kid on my Big 53 Board for a short time, but he's getting talked up like a Top 50-64 kid, not sure BB is looking to go that high on a QB yet, but his big and skilled), WR Rodney Smith (this kid is 6-5 I believe, surprised Bred isn't on him yet, he loves him some tall WR's... could be a late round type kid with some upside), OT Menelik Watson (British, former basketball player with one year of D1 experience, heck I'm not sure he's played more than a year or two of football and some publications have him as a Rd 1 kid... though I think more Day 2).

Mayock said teams are salivating over the chance to coach up Watson.  He said Watson showed amazing movement skills and while raw, could develop into a top OT in the league.  Given our situation with Vollmer, proved by the signing of Svitek and our reported interest in Winston, it's clear the Pats are interested in the OT position.  Watson is moving up board.  CBS has him at 63 right now.

I could see us going WR, OT, WR with our top 3 picks.  Or DT, OT, WR.

I keep hearing that they love Cannon and Svitek is more of a backup swing guy (one reason they wouldn't mind letting Vollmer leave). But, even if they do go OT in the draft I can't see them not taking a CB. There are too many reasons for them not to take one:

• Talib is on a one year deal with no certainty he'll be back. Getting a young player who can develop over a year in a nickel position and take over next year makes sense (ala Solder with Light)
• Arrington is almost purely an inside guy. Arrington has shown he can't handle outside duties on a regular basis so having him as the main outside backup right now would not make much sense
• McCourty is a starting FS. I've heard the logic "you can always move McCourty back to CB" and while true McCourty is a much better FS than CB so you would essentially be weakening two positions because of lack of depth
• Talib's never completed a full season. Going back to Arringtons not an outside guy point, Talib has yet to finish a 16 game season so at some point he's more then likely going to miss time. Right now if you keep Arrington on the inside that leaves Ras, Cole as the replacements?
• Cole is a STer only. The few chances he had to play CB proved this point
• Ras has less of a chance to complete a season then Talib does. Ras I wouldn't even consider a backup at this point because he's to unreliable to be a backup. If he can last more then 3/4 of a season that would be icing

Right now as I see it we have Talib, Arrington, and Dennard. I don't even consider Ras and Cole as reliable CBs at this point. We need another CB and imo it would be best to grab a young CB with high upside in the draft and cross our fingers. 

Eng,

if you can't rely on cole and Ras, and the idea is to draft a young cb who we  might not be able to rely on due to youth unless we land a nugget like Dennard, isn't our best shot to acquire another FA cb?

my bigger concern right now is at WR. As much as I want us to take a DT early, I would rather have us double up on wr's early because we need them. i think we can get by with who we have On the DL.  I would feel even better if we grabbed Abraham. Not optimal, but we have limited picks and big holes. give me Rogers and Bailey at WR and we will be good to go. Trade back in round 1, take Rogers round 2, take a cb/DT with other round 2 pick, take bailey in round 3. Sign Abraham. Sign another ot or draft one late for depth. Lets get busy!

I'm interested to see if BB will target Army QB Trent Steelman on Day 3-URFA as an Edelman type QB convert (same goes for Denard Robinson)... Both Steelman and Robinson are tough, productive kids that dont' have the skill set to remain as QB's at the NFL level, but have displayed the athleticism to potentially contribute on ST as they get more comfortable at WR.

Robinson has gamebreaking speed and ability in the open field, while Steelman has demonstrated a ton of versatility and willingness to do whatever he can to help the team (believe he was long snapping at the shrine game?).

You know BB loves these military kids, which is one of the big reasons that I've added Steelman as a late round option... his pro-day is Thursday.

QBs:  I think it is smart and good business to draft one.  Of course Mallett is NE's investment now.

Pittsburg may go get one:

http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-interest-in-tyler-bray-nothing-to-look-to-deep-into-or-is-it/2914/

Does anyone thing with our 5 picks we draft a QB or is it UDFA ? or none ?

QBs:  I think it is smart and good business to draft one.  Of course Mallett is NE's investment now.

Pittsburg may go get one:

http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-interest-in-tyler-bray-nothing-to-look-to-deep-into-or-is-it/2914/

Does anyone thing with our 5 picks we draft a QB or is it UDFA ? or none ?

So, to sum it up, an extra pick is worth more to me this year than grabbing Jenkins or sWilliams at the end of round 2....based on the way things stand today.

no love for marcus trufant, MB?

In response to PatsLifer's comment:

So, to sum it up, an extra pick is worth more to me this year than grabbing Jenkins or sWilliams at the end of round 2....based on the way things stand today.

I doubt that either of those will be available at 59.

Trading out is easier said than done. The only teams I can imagine trying to move up from early 2nd to late first are the ones concerned that another team beats them to a QB they want.

Assuming PHI takes Geno. The teams that could remain QB-needy are...

JAX - I don't think they will look for a QB. Between Henne and Gannert, they probably feel they can wait another year before jumping into the draft again for a QB

ARI - Barring a trade happens elsewhere, has first dibs on any QB they want. They can stay where they are and feel comfortable that they will get their choice of QB

CLE - Does not have a 2nd rnd

NYJ - Probably won't be in a trade with NWE

BUF - Probably won't e in a trade with NWE

OAK - Does not have a 2nd

Moreover, STL's and MIN's second first rounders are probably more attractive to anyone considering moving up to the first round.

A trade could still happen, but perhaps for a 2013 third + 2014 first. Potential partners are CLE and OAK.

In response to mbeaulieu07's comment:

In response to Godvernment's comment:

no love for marcus trufant, MB?

Guess I prefer Rhodes in the Rd 1 range.  Kid can cover and has some swagger, but I'm not too high on his ability vs the run, or at least from what I've seen on tape.  He doesn't shy away from contact, but he takes on ballcarriers a bit too high and I just think there are others that are better in this area.

Would I be against drafting him?  Definitely not.

nooooowww your'ee on rhodes..........? :)

didnt likey when i first brought the rhodes love?

jj - I don't see Bolden making it through camp. After the suspension his performance decreased, his playing time took a major hit, and he just didn't look like the same runner to me (not the same burst or power). If PEDs were a reason for his performance early in the season and he no longer has them then they might be looking for a short yardage replacement. Though Rouse confuses me. He's to small to be a FB and to slow to be anything more then a 1-5yrd guy (think BJGE when he was here).

In response to Faucetman's comment:

In response to mbeaulieu07's comment:

In response to PatsEng's comment:

So, NE was at Florida States pro-day and a bigger note that McDaniels was there. Which O player could McDaniels be scouting? I'd imagine it's not OL because they'd be sending Scar. Reliford maybe as a UDFA? 

Of course they could be scouting D players as they have Carradine, Werner, Jenkins, Rhodes but I have a feeling it's one of the smaller names we have seen yet and why send McDaniels to scout D?

Another interesting to note was reports Rhodes was having issues with the wet field conditions. If he has issues with wet field conditions I'd hate to imagine what he'd do in NE's condition. That's a big red flag for me. That he could compensate for the adverse field conditions

BTW came across this, a confirmed list of games the Pats visited:

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2013-nfl-draft-patriots-scouting-targets

My guess is he was taking a look at the below:

QB EJ Manuel (had this kid on my Big 53 Board for a short time, but he's getting talked up like a Top 50-64 kid, not sure BB is looking to go that high on a QB yet, but his big and skilled), WR Rodney Smith (this kid is 6-5 I believe, surprised Bred isn't on him yet, he loves him some tall WR's... could be a late round type kid with some upside), OT Menelik Watson (British, former basketball player with one year of D1 experience, heck I'm not sure he's played more than a year or two of football and some publications have him as a Rd 1 kid... though I think more Day 2).

Mayock said teams are salivating over the chance to coach up Watson.  He said Watson showed amazing movement skills and while raw, could develop into a top OT in the league.  Given our situation with Vollmer, proved by the signing of Svitek and our reported interest in Winston, it's clear the Pats are interested in the OT position.  Watson is moving up board.  CBS has him at 63 right now.

I could see us going WR, OT, WR with our top 3 picks.  Or DT, OT, WR.

I keep hearing that they love Cannon and Svitek is more of a backup swing guy (one reason they wouldn't mind letting Vollmer leave). But, even if they do go OT in the draft I can't see them not taking a CB. There are too many reasons for them not to take one:

• Talib is on a one year deal with no certainty he'll be back. Getting a young player who can develop over a year in a nickel position and take over next year makes sense (ala Solder with Light)
• Arrington is almost purely an inside guy. Arrington has shown he can't handle outside duties on a regular basis so having him as the main outside backup right now would not make much sense
• McCourty is a starting FS. I've heard the logic "you can always move McCourty back to CB" and while true McCourty is a much better FS than CB so you would essentially be weakening two positions because of lack of depth
• Talib's never completed a full season. Going back to Arringtons not an outside guy point, Talib has yet to finish a 16 game season so at some point he's more then likely going to miss time. Right now if you keep Arrington on the inside that leaves Ras, Cole as the replacements?
• Cole is a STer only. The few chances he had to play CB proved this point
• Ras has less of a chance to complete a season then Talib does. Ras I wouldn't even consider a backup at this point because he's to unreliable to be a backup. If he can last more then 3/4 of a season that would be icing

Right now as I see it we have Talib, Arrington, and Dennard. I don't even consider Ras and Cole as reliable CBs at this point. We need another CB and imo it would be best to grab a young CB with high upside in the draft and cross our fingers. 

In response to PatsEng's comment:

jj - I don't see Bolden making it through camp. After the suspension his performance decreased, his playing time took a major hit, and he just didn't look like the same runner to me (not the same burst or power). If PEDs were a reason for his performance early in the season and he no longer has them then they might be looking for a short yardage replacement. Though Rouse confuses me. He's to small to be a FB and to slow to be anything more then a 1-5yrd guy (think BJGE when he was here).

He took Adderal. That isnt steriods. It wont affect him like that.

Svitek is nothing more than a warm body in training camp.  Odds are he doesn't make the team.  I agree Cannon seems to be liked at RT.  However, there is no back up at LT.  Svitek is not a legit backup.  So, we have no back up at LT if Vollmer leaves which is appearing more likely the longer this goes.

I too would love to add a top CB in the draft.  If Trufant makes it to 29, he would certainly be a player of interest and could be our pick depending who else is there.  However, after Milliner, Rhodes and Trufant, I see a fairly big drop off in talent.  This isn't to say we couldn't target a Poyer, Slay or Alford type with our 2nd but let's say we go a completely different direction with 29.  Let's say we draft a DT for example.  Let's say Vollmer is gone.  Then when our 2nd round pick comes up and you have one of these 2nd tier corners on the board and Armstead, Long and/or Watson on the board, wouldn't you rather take a LT back up vs. a back up CB?  I would.

I would rather move DMC back to corner back fill for him at FS then I would moving Mankins to LT if Solder gets hurt or putting a Svitek in there.  Keeping Brady upright is of utmost importance.  OL shuffle, especially at LT is more worrisome to me then DB suffle.

In response to APpats21's comment:

In response to PatsEng's comment:

jj - I don't see Bolden making it through camp. After the suspension his performance decreased, his playing time took a major hit, and he just didn't look like the same runner to me (not the same burst or power). If PEDs were a reason for his performance early in the season and he no longer has them then they might be looking for a short yardage replacement. Though Rouse confuses me. He's to small to be a FB and to slow to be anything more then a 1-5yrd guy (think BJGE when he was here).

He took Adderal. That isnt steriods. It wont affect him like that.

that's what every player says includig Cunningham, Spikes, and Talib. What's with all these players taking ADHD medication? But it seems everytime a player tests positive it's because of Adderal, go figure. You would think with dozens of players a year all testing positive for the same ADHD drug over and over again they would check with their well paid team doctors if it's ok or call the free hotline and services the NFL has setup to check common medications used to treat things like ADHD.

Since the NFL doesn't release what they actually tested positive for we won't actually ever know.  All I can go by is what the eye test says and the eye test says he lost that explosive step and couldn't shake that first hit like he did before he was caught 

In response to APpats21's comment:

In response to PatsEng's comment:

jj - I don't see Bolden making it through camp. After the suspension his performance decreased, his playing time took a major hit, and he just didn't look like the same runner to me (not the same burst or power). If PEDs were a reason for his performance early in the season and he no longer has them then they might be looking for a short yardage replacement. Though Rouse confuses me. He's to small to be a FB and to slow to be anything more then a 1-5yrd guy (think BJGE when he was here).

He took Adderal. That isnt steriods. It wont affect him like that.

that's what every player says includig Cunningham, Spikes, and Talib. What's with all these players taking ADHD medication? But it seems everytime a player tests positive it's because of Adderal, go figure. You would think with dozens of players a year all testing positive for the same ADHD drug over and over again they would check with their well paid team doctors if it's ok or call the free hotline and services the NFL has setup to check common medications used to treat things like ADHD.

Since the NFL doesn't release what they actually tested positive for we won't actually ever know.  All I can go by is what the eye test says and the eye test says he lost that explosive step and couldn't shake that first hit like he did before he was caught 

In response to PatsEng's comment:

In response to APpats21's comment:

In response to PatsEng's comment:

jj - I don't see Bolden making it through camp. After the suspension his performance decreased, his playing time took a major hit, and he just didn't look like the same runner to me (not the same burst or power). If PEDs were a reason for his performance early in the season and he no longer has them then they might be looking for a short yardage replacement. Though Rouse confuses me. He's to small to be a FB and to slow to be anything more then a 1-5yrd guy (think BJGE when he was here).

He took Adderal. That isnt steriods. It wont affect him like that.

that's what every player says includig Cunningham, Spikes, and Talib. What's with all these players taking ADHD medication? But it seems everytime a player tests positive it's because of Adderal, go figure. You would think with dozens of players a year all testing positive for the same ADHD drug over and over again they would check with their well paid team doctors if it's ok or call the free hotline and services the NFL has setup to check common medications used to treat things like ADHD.

Since the NFL doesn't release what they actually tested positive for we won't actually ever know.  All I can go by is what the eye test says and the eye test says he lost that explosive step and couldn't shake that first hit like he did before he was caught 

Brandon Bolden is a fine back and prediction that you will see plenty of burst and yards from him this season - especially if Ridley keeps fumbling.