2011 Patriots Draft Preview

Went to a cool event today at Gillette. A draft preview party for season ticket holders. Former Patriot's Roland James (this is old school people) and Joe Andruzzi were present - along with Pat's cheerleaders (Good lord!) and Pat Patriot. Due to inclement weather the visit on the field was canceled, but there was a draft expert panel consisting of Mike Reiss, Todd McShay, Andy Hart, Michael Smith, and Tedy Bruschi. Not a heck of a lot NEW (to avid readers of this site) info that I culled to share, except: Bruschi - nailed the Gronkowski pick last year and claims he has been in Belichick's ear about Brooks Reed. Bruschi LOVES Brooks Reed. Arizona Wildcat connection. Hart and McShay both think Robert Quinn is a real possibility as a trade up for that OLB pass rusher the Pats have been desperately seeking - BUT ONLY if he slides to about 10th. Washington with the Shanahan connection (FOB - Friend of Bill) is looking for more picks as they have zero 3rd and 4th rounders. McShay seems to think that Quinn is not a character issue and had he played last year probably would go number one overall. As we all know Von Miller is too small for OLB in the Pats 3-4. My new man crush is on Robert Quinn. He is my new binkie and I am not afriad to say it publically. The room got real quiet when the Brady tearjerker interview came on. They asked Bruschi what his take was on it and he relayed a story I had never heard, let me share it with you. After the 3rd Super Bowl in four years Bruschi, Brady, Izzo, and Vinatieri were at the Pro Bowl. Apparently, at the Pro Bowl each team's players are introduced as a unit (welcome the Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowlers...) with the Super Bowl teams going last. After all the other AFC teams had been announced only the four Patriots were left in the locker room. They were shooting the breeze about football, just about to be called onto the field, when Brady said to the other three - "you know guys - no team has ever won three in a row." Bruschi was amazed that rather than taking a break and basking in his laurels - Brady was already thinking about the next season and the duck boats engines were not even cooled off. Bruschi said that typifies Tom Brady - always focused on winning. Always. And thats why Bruschi feels Brady is the best ever. Jonathan Kraft in his opening remarks all but guaranteed the Patriots trading some draft picks for 2012 AND 2013 draft picks. Reiss underscored that by emphasizing that the Pats only have 5 2012 draft picks at this current time. If I remember more I will post it in replies.