Here are five follow-up thoughts from the Patriots' work in the NFL Draft:
1) The future pick. From this view, the team's best move over the entire draft came early on Sunday. On the clock with the 69th overall selection, the Patriots shipped the pick to San Diego for a 2009 second-rounder and 2008 fifth-rounder. The maneuver of adding at least one future pick -- and moving up a round in doing so -- has become standard operating procedure in recent years for the team, helping sustain a longer-range vision. The Patriots seldom trade future selections, a reflection of how valuable they view them.
2) Economics in focus. One frequent question that has been asked over the last two days is how much money the Patriots saved by trading down from pick No. 7 to 10 in the first round. Consider that last year's No. 7 pick, RB Adrian Peterson, inked a six-year deal with about $17 million in bonuses/guarantees. Last year's No. 10 pick, Texans DL Amobi Okoye, signed a six-year deal with about $12.75 million in guarantees. Since the rookie deals are generally slotted, the savings is about $4 million.
3) Most intriguing selection. San Diego State QB Kevin O'Connell gets the nod. There has been some not-so-positive buzz from emailers that the Patriots took a QB so high -- over other needs. It's a fair debate. It probably comes down to looking at how teams stack their draft boards. For example, at that point, there had been 17 defensive backs selected, and four quarterbacks. So when considering how a team stacks its draft board, you are basically choosing between the 18th DB or the fifth QB. Or the eighth TE against the fifth QB. Also consider that the choice was 94th overall, just a few picks away from the fourth round. If the Patriots take O'Connell in the fourth round, one could argue it wouldn't have been as eye-catching.
4) Re-setting the roster. After making seven selections, the Patriots now have a total of 70 players on their roster. Teams are allowed to have 80 players on their training camp roster. So it likely the Patriots will sign about 5-8 rookie free agents, with a few spots left open for possible veteran signings (e.g. LB Junior Seau). The New Bedford (Mass.) Standard Times reported over the weekend that Seau was soon planning on taking a physical in New England and that he's interested in returning if a deal can be worked out.
5) One need not filled: Tight end. One area that likely concerns the coaching staff is tight end. The Patriots probably wanted to come away with a tight end in this draft, as Benjamin Watson is coming off offseason ankle surgery and David Thomas missed last season with a foot injury. Marcus Pollard and Stephen Spach are next in line on the depth chart. Four top TEs went between the Patriots' first-round pick (10) and second-round pick (62). Had one of them slipped at 62, one wonders if the team would have pounced.
With Wes , Moss,Kelly and Jabber/Chad i think we will play alot more 1TE/2TE packages. As evans comes in as a blocker either as a FB or TE i think we have 5 TE`s to play in the 2 TE packages .Just maybe an evolution of a more open offence .
Reports are that the Patriots have landed the following undrafted free agents:
1) Vince Redd (Liberty) - a tall DE/OLB, former UVA player, strong upside (but for the fact that the patriots seem to have new found depth at the LB position)
2) P Mike Dragosavich (NDSU) - also very tall, known for a strong but not very accurate leg, but great pick up given that some were calling for the patriots to take him in the later rounds of the draft
3) DT Chris Norwell (Illinois) - a big body (6-6, 300) who showed potential in the Big ten, freshman all-america (rivals.com), pre-season all big ten.
Curious to see who else the patriots can swoop up, especially in the OL and TE positions. Any basketball players on the radar?
I agree Mike. On point number 1 from your previous post they got a 2nd rounder and still got the player they targeted. It appears from this draft they got some real ball players - from Mayo to Slater. Let's hope the optimism is justified come training camp.
Ive just read a Jonathan Stupor has been picked up too....a TE
BC's Jamie Silva went undrafted. Would he fit in Pats scheme or Special Teams?
Vince is a stud, he can put on weight if need be (see his UVA days) or stay slimmer and be a roving LB...of course they could always have him workout with Moss to develop his hands as a receiver or TE at 6-7 8-)
#4 Redd Highlights (Liberty)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91hgZT-q0L0
Also, Pats should check out receiver and returner Wynton Jackson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMZM2-_HRqI&feature=user
Mike, thanks for the great work on the draft. Any good online resources you can point fans toward re: rookie free agent signings? We know Belichick guards such information more jealously than his bank account numbers, but what have you heard so far?
I know they signed an OL from East Carolina named Coffman. He is versatile, having started as a TE, moving to G and then T. His dad told me he'll sign with the Pats tonight.
The pats seem to pick a QB just about every year. I think this is a move based on probabilities and risk management and I think it is a smart thing to do. If Brady were to go down, and the pats did not have a quality backup, they would not only be in trouble for the rest of that year, but they would be in a bad draft situation the next year because they would have such a critical need. I think they are mitigating this risk by constantly bringing in QB's who are potential diamonds in the rough. The more QBs they see over the years, the greater the competition for the back up role is and the better the backup/potential-successor is. QB is simply too important to ever say "we're all set at that position".
Mike, if Jeremy Shockey drinks the Patriots coolaid, plays as a teammate, learns and enjoys to block, he might fill the tight end void. Any thoughts as I think the Giants want to cut their ties.
I was thinking Shockey too: Brady certainly wouldn't be swayed by his selfish ways like Eli was.
Mike - Great reporting on the draft. You are the GO-TO guy in Boston concerning the Patriots. I think that the sleeper - dark horse - win in the draft will be Kevin O'Connell. The kid has the size - the brain - the athletic ability - the ATTITUDE - grteat leadership skills to become the back up to Tom Brady. The Patriots saw that in this young man. We desperately need to get the backup plan rsolved. IMHO Matt Cassell will never do it. I bet Mr. O'Connell is No 2 going onto the 2009 season. You heards it here first.
Great job Mike!
I'm all about giving guys a chance, especially with BB reputation in doing so, but I say leave Shockey where he is.
What about the chances of the Pats putting something together for Jason Taylor? With re-structured contracts what about vets like Colvin and Law coming back to the fold? Any interest there? I heard about Colvin and Indy (where he's from) but they are right against the cap so that'll be tough.
on point #1
We'll have to wate and see about hester and what we do with the #2
before judging. I think hester could have been the Faulk replacement down the road.IMO The pick will be first day vs. second which carrys some weight but will probally only a few pics different when all is said and done.
I am concerned that the Pats did not pick up anyone for the O-Line. Obviously they did not see any value in that position each time it was their turn to pick. Nothing mentioned so far for Free Agent signings either. I hope they have some ideas in mind prior to training camp, or maybe they are expecting some teams to release some ideal candidates now that the draft is over. We have seen what happened since the Philly game, & can expect every team in the NFL to employ much the same tactics for the 2008 season. I don't see where Pioli/Belichick have made any moves to address this. I do like the Mayo & Wheatley picks... Two areas that seem to have been filled with quality/ talented players. I doubt they plan to employ O'Connor in place of Brady in order to escape the rush that the current O-Line will most likely not be able to prevent.
Especially after last season - it looked like BB was a little fusterated with Matt Cassel with his performance and even several failed hold attempts for extra points. It would make sense for the patriots to draft a QB considering that Cassel will leave after this season for FA. They would fill the void on the depth chart with another possible quarterback to play backup under Brady.
Another food for thought - I did enjoy seeing Caleb Cambell being selected in the 7th Round. He was Army's star safety last year and with the selection he wont be deployed to Baghdad. Congrads to him. Any news on Danny Woodhead - the running back from division II school that broke every running record in NCAA history. Suprised there wasnt a team that took a chance on him. Any thoughts?
Do you think that Jamie Silva, safety from Boston College, will get the chance of becoming a free agent signing from the Patriots? I thought he would get drafted late but he didn't. Most importantly, I thought he fit the Patriots mold. He was tough, played with a lot of intensity and tackled well. I thought he could be a good special teams player for New England Patriots.
It may seem like the Pats reached of QB O'Connor but it sounds like they were interested in him but felt that a QB needy team will pick him before the 4th round. So they decided to pick him and still had the guy they targeted (Crable) fall to them with their next pick, so if you swap those picks it's not a reach and people won't be complaining they reached on the QB
Mike, I think Jerod Mayo and Terrence Wheatley are excellant picks for them. Let it be said that there is no shame in drafting for 'need', and I think the Patriots did that here pretty well. Once we get beyond the 2nd-round however, my enthusiasm is not very high. Shawn Crable looks like a gamble (one-dimensional player?). While Kevin O'Connell makes perfect sense as a solid backup QB prospect, looking at things from the broader standpoint of facing a rematch with the (gulp) Super Bowl Champion Giants, I am dissapointed that the Patriots did not do more to help out in the area of pass protection (O-LIne, TE). A guy like Wilhite is not going to be the answer to covering the likes of Plexico Burrass. The rest of the group look to me like special teams/role players at best. I also wish that they had kept Roselvelt Colvin on their roster to help out with their pass rush, which was ineffective against the Giants in the 4th Quarter. Losing both Colvin and Asante Samuel leaves an overall lingering gap that remains a concern.
Tight Ends: Ben Watson (in his prime and should have a breakout season) Dave Thomas (Solid before getting hurt last year) Marcus Pollard (no slouch) Spach, ok jury's still out on him. What's the problem with our tight ends Mike?
the pat's need a big running back a thumper. i was hopeing they picked one up
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