The NFL Draft--2010--Patriots
by YooperPatsFan on Apr 23, 2010 11:36 PM EDT
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PrintI'm going to give my grades on all of the Patriots draft picks through the day.
Round 1 (27) Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Grade: B+
Analysis: The Patriots get great potential in McCourty, but drafting a cornerback doesn't make sense here. The Pats had a VERY defensive back heavy draft last year, drafting Patrick Chung & Darius Butler. But all in all, he could challenge Shawn Springs for the starting cornerback this year.
Round 2 (42) Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
Grade: A-
Analysis: This is a great looking pick. The Patriots needed a playmaker at Tight End and Gronkowski was one of the best on the board. If his injury problems don't carry over to the NFL, he develop into a annual Pro Bowl canidate.
Round 2 (53) Jermaine Cunningham, DE, Florida
Grade: B
Analysis: An unheralded player on Florida's All Star Team, Cunningham is a solid 2nd round pick. A hybrid DE-LB with good skill set. He's a solid pick for the Patriots needing a defensive end.
Round 2 (64) Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
Grade: B+
Analysis: Spikes is an All Star on the team mentioned above. An old school linebacker that Bill Belichek loves, the Pats needed to add talent to their linebacking corps.
Round 3 (90) Taylor Price, WR, Ohio
Grade: B-
Analysis: A great talent with above average athleticism, Price is a big play threat with the ball in his hands. Though his talent hasn't allways shown through, Price is still a pretty good pick, though when you consider Dez Bryant's potential makes his pale in comparison.
Thanks for reading my first post, leave as many comments as you want and give your opinion. I'll update it tomorrow, hopefully.
The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.
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You underestimate Taylor Price.
from the video we saw, he looks excellent. And his FULL talent hasn’t shown throw simply because of the horrible QB he played with. look him up more, you’ll be surprised.
College WR to NFL WRs can't really be evaluated during the draft
If they were, the list of first-round WR busts wouldn’t be so ridiculously long. Some optimism about Taylor Price is warranted – he looks like he has the skills the Pats want – but then again, so did all those Matt Millen WRs.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Apr 24, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Difference is Millen's guy all came with flashing red warning signs that he ignored.
He was trying to get the next Randy Moss and Moss came with warning signs too. Thing is, Moss can flat out play and he had the advantage of having Cris Carter mentor him on the other stuff.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Apr 24, 2010 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I think that's the part I liked best about Taylor Price's scouting reports
While I like the “sure hands” and “good route running” tags, the “quiet leader” and “lets his performance on the field speak for itself” parts had me decidedly happy.
He sounds like a Patriot. Quiet.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Apr 24, 2010 7:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Right, STFU and work!
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Apr 24, 2010 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I didn't get 'Quiet' from the bits I've been reading.
But I did get lots of positive comments about his character – including vocal leadership traits.
It seems like that is a common theme for several of BBs picks. He seems to have purposely gone after guys who have been elected team captains or who have otherwise demonstrated positive leadership qualities.
I also like just how physically strong Price is. He looks like he has excellent upper body strength – kinda reminds me of Jimmy Smith.
There's vocal and then there's vocal.
You can have a Tedy Bruschi type, who gets his ideas across on the field, but otherwise isn’t a mouth… or you can have a Joey Porter, who’s screaming, spitting and yelling at everyone, everything, all the time, on the field, off the field, in interviews… etc.
One’s a headache, one isn’t.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Apr 26, 2010 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Reckon Koa Misi will be an instant starter?
Or is he likely to be a situational pass-rushing backup in his rookie year? I just wondered what you guys had made of him thus far.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Apr 26, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
My Take On Taylor Price
i decided to do some more research on Price. I think he’ll be a solid reciever. Wecome to New England, Taylor.
Bein a PATS fan means having a horrible draft every year! PASS, PASS, PASS
Im sick of the trading down crap.
I bleed gatorade and poop pigskins
by Yardpenalty.com on Apr 24, 2010 8:07 PM EDT reply actions
Next year we have to pick all 4 please!!!!!!!!!!! Unless we can trade for Suh! LOL
I bleed gatorade and poop pigskins
by Yardpenalty.com on May 2, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
The Pats do the draft their way
Ever since Belichick came here its been that way (10 years). What did we get? The best team of the DECADE. So relax. It should turn out just fine.
Uh, what made this a horrible draft?
They got the guys that they wanted, that fit their system, and they picked up a bunch of extra picks, to boot (including a 2011 second rounder). Bad draft? Where?
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Apr 25, 2010 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Sometimes your bias is clouding your opinions, but that's fine. That's what makes you a fan of the Patriots.
I am a fan too! I’m just not oblivious to reality! I’m just saying what everybody else sees outside of the PULPIT and is scared to say here. The TE pick was a reach, the CB pick made the JETS laugh their butts off, and we got two FL LB’s that doesn’t make one great one. I hope you guys are right, but I am a realist and a realist would say all and all they have had better drafts and maybe next years will be this year’s reward?
I bleed gatorade and poop pigskins
by Yardpenalty.com on Apr 27, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Eh?
Gronkowski was a solid first-round talent who slipped because of ‘injury concerns’; he was scouted by the Pats medical staff and cleared. I don’t see that as a reach.
If you’re talking about Hernandez, he was a second-round talent who dropped because he tested positive for weed. Guess what? Randy Moss did, too, he slipped down the draft a bit… and turned into Randy Moss. Hernandez slipped to the fourth, which is a great value pickup. That’s not a reach either.
I couldn’t care less what Jets fans think. The CB pickup was clearly prompted by Marshall and Santonio Holmes being brought into the division; plus he’s a 4-down guy. If you’re going to rate the average intelligence of a Jets fan over that of Belichick, I’d just remind you how many Rings the collective Jets organisation/fanbase/players have. Yeah. That many.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Apr 27, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually didn't see who we picked in day 3 until now, due to having severe strep throat.
I must say with the draft pick of Aaron Hernandez and Gronko makes that alot better. Matter of fact I secretly wanted them to get him even though they picked Gronko, hence some of my frustration, while lying in my death bed. Come to find out right after I posted my frustration I came across the final picks on Yahoo!. I was estatic! I love the Punter pick too! I guess the only thing that could make me happier would of been Kyle Smith at CB, but hell maybe he will be a bust. I do like this years draft alot better now. I know that ‘Bionic Man’ will make up for the slack anyways. I’m out
I bleed gatorade and poop pigskins
by Yardpenalty.com on Apr 27, 2010 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Hah, make sure you get better, then
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Apr 27, 2010 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks, but now lymphnode swollen to the size of a golfball!
I bleed gatorade and poop pigskins
by Yardpenalty.com on Apr 30, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel for you
I have a tendency towards strep and wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy (Jets trolls, maybe). Hope you get rid of that and feel better soon.
Keep the faith!
Thanks M, at about 80% health....
FireFox I used to say the same thing as you lol! This is the worst I’ve been since i was a child. I think it was much worse because: A: have my tonsils still at 31 B: have my wisdom teeth at 31! There is no room for error in my mouth not to mention I have a lockjaw issue from grinding my teeth in my sleep.
WooHoo!
I bleed gatorade and poop pigskins
by Yardpenalty.com on May 2, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Dear Yard,
I empathize with the frustrations….. I too get tired of entering every draft knowing there’s little chance the Pats will utilize their highest picks. I wanted them to either stay put or (dare I say) break away from the regular BB mentality and TRADE UP. That didn’t happen. Oh well. My opinions have been stated about one tenth as strongly stated as yours but stated none the less.
I respect ANY opinion but need to say you are significantly overstating your point and YOU seem to be the one clouded by your emotions and biases. Calling it a “horrible draft” is way overboard. We’re talking about one of the most successful coaches in the history of the league. A guy who is not afraid to let people go and bring people in no matter who they are. He’s done it with immense success over the last decade and it seems to be an emotional reaction to call it horrible. Therefore, difficult to take serious.
by Bills friend on Apr 27, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Re:Horrible I mean as a fan watching the draft i thought you might have caught that I guess I will be more specific.
I bleed gatorade and poop pigskins
by Yardpenalty.com on Apr 27, 2010 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I am one of BB's biggest fan, does that mean I am going to agree with him on everything?
The Patriots didn’t win the Superbowl every year as far as I remember? The NFL is very competitive and even the best can be outdone (Brett Favre’s season was upset by 7 fumbles). For you to sit here and ask me to be a yes man, I won’t do it.
I bleed gatorade and poop pigskins
by Yardpenalty.com on Apr 27, 2010 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not a yes man either
I spent the better part of the last two days having gentlemanly arguements with other bloggers and I was the one seemingly in the shoes you’re in now. I was disappointed the Pats didn’t do more with what they had. I watched about 7 hours worth of draft coverage waiting for them to make a move I deemed assertive and away from the stereotypical BB. It didn’t happen and I too was disappointed.
Coming into the draft, I was convinced they were not going to make room for 12 rookies on their roster. I saw about 6 making the roster tops. Last year they had 12 selections and about one third ever saw the field even a little. I figured they’d use that memory and chart a new course this draft….. NOPE, DIDN’T HAPPEN!!!!
As result, I was bummed too. With that said, I’m still thinking the draft was a success, but an x’s and o’s type success as opposed to what the fan in me hopes for.
As silly as this sounds….. I liken this draft to a 4th and inches on the opponents 40….. The fan in me screams for them to “go for it” while the smart, safe play is to pin them inside the ten yard line with a punt.
The way I see it…… the Pats used this draft to “punt”. Certainly not a scientific example but a “fan’s anology” none the less.
by Bills friend on Apr 27, 2010 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
You don't have to be a yes man
With Belichick, I realize he’s forgotten more about football than I know. I give him the benefit of the doubt, and instead look to see if there is something I overlooked. More often than not there is. He is human, though, and sometimes I catch him making mistakes. He owns up to those in press conferences, and it makes me feel a little better.
For now, I’m in a sit and wait mode looking for scraps from OTA’s, mini-camps and training camp to see how these jokers are going to work out.
Maroney is serviceable but not outstanding (sometimes out dancing), Crable can’t stay healthy and is a disappointment to date, but Mayo, Edelman, and Vollmer are much better than I expected. I’ll wait and see, but now I’m quietly optimistic. Oh, and a homer.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Apr 27, 2010 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions
My thoughts exactly.
I see you understand my frustration as well as anyone on this site. Like you stated for me just cause you get 12 draft picks instead of six doesn’t make your draft successful. I am not disappointed as I could be from this draft, but I not as satisfied as I thought i was going to be either considering the upper echelon of talent there was available in the first three rounds. Maybe the organization thought that there was going t better a better class of impact rookies next year?
I bleed gatorade and poop pigskins
by Yardpenalty.com on Apr 30, 2010 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Or they think the rookies will be cheaper!
2011 first-rounders are likely to be less risky than 2010 first-rounders, because the money involved will be less if there’s a rookie pay-cap in place via a new CBA.
In other words, 2011 first-rounders (and probably second-rounders) are worth more than the 2010 equivalent, because when you draft a player, while the chance of them being a bust is the same, you’re wagering less money on it. So there’s arguably more incentive on Hoodie to, say, draft a boom-or-bust guy like Dez Bryant in 2011 than in 2010 (or, more likely, to scalp the teams that want to take boom-or-bust players).
The other thing is, there’s not quite the financial incentive to skip down the draft hoping players fall to you, meaning he can afford to draft the guy he really wants instead of dipping down a few picks and hoping one-of-several falls to him.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Apr 30, 2010 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions
The more I learn about McCourty, the more I see him as an 'A'.
Based on his pure metrics, he looks to me to be AT LEAST on a par with (and arguably the best of) the other top 5 cornerbacks taken in the draft. The most important stats for evaluating a CB out of college are probably pure 40 speed (#1), yds per attempt against (#1) and games played while in college (I don’t have that # on all 5 guys, but McCourty played a lot. ).
I now am beginning to buy in to the idea that he could legitimately challenge Butler & Springs to be the regular #2 CB. As a rookie. Even if that doesn’t happen, at a minimum he is going to be on the field a LOT as either the #2 or #3 cover corner. Not just in nickel packages.
But then, on top of that, he should provide big play upside to our kicking games, not just as a returner, but also in both kick blocking and kick coverage.
The fact is, McCourty should end up playing right away on the vast majority of snaps for both Defense and Special Teams. That, to me, is what you want your #1 draft pick to do for you.
Even if he's only a 'backup' and nickel and ST teams guy...
He’ll be on the field more than half the time – probably closer to 60-70%. And that’s assuming he doesn’t even crack the starting lineup; if he does, rachett up the snap count (although his ST duties might get scaled down).
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Apr 26, 2010 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know...
JaMarcus Russell could get a vast majority of snaps on both Defence and Special Teams… as a Nose Tackle. 300lbs+!
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Apr 28, 2010 6:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Good draft it seems
But as always the final analysis is yet to come. Hard to complain about it, but I think two TEs is a bit overdone. I think the Gronk pick could have been better used. Seems BB relies on “friends” analysis rather than pure scouting. To date that has shown mixed results.
BB has certainly tried to pick some good DBs. Perhaps expending 5 picks in the 1st or 2nd round in the last 3 years tells us he is not so sure he is connecting with his choices in that area.
Bottom line is; last years draft and this crop are going to be the definitive factor in which direction this team is going. I wouldn’t hazard a guess as to which way that will be, but I’m hoping for the best.
Fire BB.
I wouldn't worry about the DBs too much
You need 5 starting-quality guys, more or less – FS, SS, LCB, RCB, and now (especially given the increase in decent receivers in the Division) slot CB. It’s no coincidence that quick shut-down CBs became so rare and so valuable and so draftable after Polian’s pass-happy rule changes.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on May 5, 2010 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions
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