Crable likes the fit

Linebacker Shawn Crable, the first of the Patriots' third-round selections, held a conference call with New England reporters today and indicated that he's excited to reunite with former Michigan teammate Pierre Woods.

Woods had previously provided him a scouting report on what to expect in New England.

"He told me it's a nice program. It takes a lot of discipline and things like that," Crable said. "They ask you to do what you can do and do that well."

Crable said he doesn't have experience in a 3-4 alignment after playing linebacker in Michigan's 4-3 scheme, but he has experience playing in a three-point stance as well.

He also enjoyed meeting Patriots first-round Jerod Mayo in the pre-draft process.

"I talked to him down at the Senior Bowl and the combine and I had a chance to meet with him and talk to him. He's a funny guy," he said. "I think we will get together and try to learn together and try to watch people. ...I think we'll be very competitive with each other."