Shots Heard 'Round The Web - Patriots Links 4/23/09

TEAM SHOTS

• Top Draft selectors studied, emulated by peers.
• Patriots Mock Draft Tracker: Patriots.com has collected a wide-ranging sample of what the "experts" are predicting the Patriots will do in the first round come draft weekend.
• Draft Prospect Report: Running Backs.
• Vote for the 2009 Patriots Hall of Fame enshrinee.
  

LOCAL SHOTS

• Mike Reiss explains the hot new hybrid linebacker position in the NFL and previews the Draft prospects who can play it.
• Karen Guregian analyzes the Patriots at the safety and cornerback positions, and looks at who might interest them for added depth in the Draft.
• Mark Farinella previews the safeties available in the Draft and says Belichick may be interested in adding a hard-hitting rookie with the physical and mental abilities to be ready to play in a short amount of time.
• Mark Farinella previews the offensive line class in this years Draft and notes the Patriots would do well to select from this talented crop of players.
• Mike Reiss breaks down the current Patriots roster by Draft round and then follows it up with how the Patriots' roster numbers rate compared to the rest of the league.
• Mike Reiss offers a snapshot look at the team's all-time draft history - by position - in the first round.  29 offensive, 21 defensive.
• Christopher Price mocks the NFL with his Draft: version 2.0. Has NE taking Connor Barwin.
• John Chandler says good luck handicapping the Patriots' Draft; offers some names to look out for.
• Mark Farinella previews the wide receivers available in the Draft, noting this position is not a priority for the Patriots this year.
• Mike Reiss shares his media Mock Draft scenario and how he picked Robert Ayers when his first choice, Larry English, was off the board.
• Shalise Manza Young scouts Draft prospect Texas Tech's Darcel McBath.
• Herald Staff offers a quick look at what the Patriots' NFL division rivals are thinking as the annual selection extravaganza looms.

LONG SHOTS

• John Czarnecki (Fox Sports) Best and worst Draft decision makers.
• Adam Gretz (NFL Fanhouse) The Perfect Draft: New England Patriots.
• Steve Wyche (NFL.com) Best available vs. need: Philosophies clash on Draft day.
• Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk) Salary cap space as of 4/22.  Patriots at 4.67 million.
• Andy Staples (SI) Educated Guess: College expert takes stab at predicting prospects.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East will avoid Madden curse.
• Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) A Draft Day Tale.
• Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) Why do players sometimes become upset only a couple of years after agreeing to long-term contracts?
• Jack Betcha (Nat'l Football Post) Great Expectations Part III.
• Michael Hiestand (USA Today) ESPN, NFL Network take different approaches to Draft coverage.