New England Patriots Links 5/01/11 - Weekend Bonus Links: Is it 'Mayday!' on May Day?

by Marima on May 1, 2011 11:20 AM EDT in New England Patriots News

Mike Rodak recaps the Patriots' nine selections in this year's draft.

* Round 1, 17th overall -- OT Nate Solder (Colorado)

* Round 2, 33rd overall -- CB Ras-I Dowling (Virginia)

* Round 2, 56th overall -- RB Shane Vereen (California)

* Round 3, 73rd overall -- RB Stevan Ridley (LSU)

* Round 3, 74th overall -- QB Ryan Mallett (Arkansas)

* Round 5, 138th overall -- OL Marcus Cannon (TCU)

* Round 5, 159th overall -- TE Lee Smith (Marshall)

* Round 6, 194th overall -- OLB/DE Markell Carter (Central Arkansas)

* Round 7, 219th overall -- CB/S/ST Malcolm Williams (TCU)

Bill Belichick addresses the media following the final day of the Draft.

We've got another one in the books here. We started off the day kind of waiting through that fourth round. When Marcus Cannon was on the board there in the fifth, we felt like that was a good value for that pick. He's a very highly-rated player and obviously we felt comfortable enough to take him at that point, so that was that. Lee Smith was an outstanding blocker at Marshall. Actually, I crossed paths with his father when I was at Cleveland the first season there. We finished up with Markell [Carter] who has had a very productive career at a smaller school. And then of course, Malcolm [Williams], a fast, physical back that has been very productive in the kicking game. That's where we're at. Now we're kind of in a different mode for right now. We'll see how all that works out. This is one step in the team building process. I'm sure there will be others to come, but maybe not for a while. We'll just have to wait and see.

TEAM TALK

Eric Scalavino recaps New England's action on Day 3 of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Conference Call Transcripts: TE Lee Smith - OL Marcus Cannon - CB Ras-I Dowling - RB Shane Vereen.
Bill Belichick Saturday Press Conference (15 min. video) plus Transcript.
Patriots 2011 Final Draft Board: Check out all the picks.
Patriots Today - Words from Pats' second-round picks. (1.11 min. video)
Patriots Today - Pats add OT & TE. (2.58 min. video)
Patriots Today - Mallett chats at Gillette Stadium. (1.19 min. video)
College highlights: OL Marcus Cannon (5 min.) and TE Lee Smith (5 min.)

LOCAL LINKS

Mike Reiss offers a few quick-hit thoughts on the Patriots 2011 Draft.
The Boston Globe offers a photo gallery of the Patriots 2011 draft picks.
Tom E. Curran talks about how Bill Belichick has the nerve and clout to repeatedly pull the lever on risk-filled selections when others would shy away.
Jim Donaldson says only time will tell what Belichick has reaped.
Greg A. Bedard compares each player drafted by the Patriots to see how they measure up to their physical positional profiles from previous drafts.
Mark Farinella analyzes the Patriots draft that has raised more than a few eyebrows this year.
Mike Reiss highlights Bill Belichick's wrap-up of the final day of the draft.
Ian Rapoport notes the draft picks were on a whirlwind timetable to get to Gillette, tour the facility and meet their coaches before the lockout window shut again.
Shalise Manza Young reports the Patriots took full advantage of the small window of opportunity, bringing their 2nd and 3rd round draft picks in to Foxboro yesterday.
Shalise Manza Young reports on Patriots draft picks Ras-I Dowling and Shane Vereen arriving in Foxborough Sunday, touring the facility and meeting coaches.
Karen Guregian sees one of the fallouts of the NFL lockout will be the impact on the rookies, who figure to be way behind when the dust settles.
Christopher Price notes rookie TE Lee Smith feels "humbled" to be a part of the Patriots tight end crew.
Karen Guregian tells us how Lee Smith emerged from a troubled period in his life to blossom into one of the best in-line blocking TEs in the draft and a respected leader.
Christopher Price says Marcus Cannon is unlike any draftee in the history of the Patriots' franchise.
Ian Rapoport notes OL Marcus Cannon was prepared to see his draft stock slide and is appreciative of being picked at all.
Shalise Manza Young recaps the Patriots final four picks of the Draft, noting OL Marcus Cannon as a surprise choice.
Mike Reiss tells us his thoughts on yesterday's picks: DB Marcus Williams (Texas Christian) - DE/OLB Markell Carter (Central Arkansas) - TE Lee Smith (Marshall) - OL Marcus Cannon (TCU).
Tom E. Curran takes a closer look at Ryan Mallett after his meeting with the press in Foxboro.
John Connolly reports BC LB Mark Herzlich was passed over in the draft and must wait for free agency to open up before he knows if he'll be playing football again.

NATIONAL NEWS

Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East draft analysis.
Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) New England adds some "nasty" at tight end.
Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Patriots comfortable with pass rushers on roster.
Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Patriots place focus on long term.
Aaron Wilson (Nat'l Football Post) Marcus Cannon: 'It's just a blessing'.
Suzy Kolber (ESPN) OL Marcus Cannon on joining the Patriots. (4.45 min. video)
Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Brady says he plans to play 10 more years.
Doug Farrar (Yahoo! Sports) Ten things we learned from the 2011 NFL Draft.
Adam Caplan (Fox Sports) 2011 NFL draft grades for each team.
Clark Judge (CBS Sports) Lockout uncertainty leads to draft filled with reaches.
Len Pasquarelli (CBS Sports) No middle ground when it comes to drafting QBs.
Don Banks (SI) NFL's have-nots improved, Chiefs roll the dice, and more from Saturday's draft action.

LABOR LUNACY

Michael McCann (SI) Sports Law: NFL's court-ordered stay of lockout doesn't guarantee permanence.
Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Q&A after NFL granted temporary stay.
AP (SI) Return of lockout frustrates players.
AP (SI) Rookies wallow in lockout limbo.

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Comments

I think KC's selections reveal a lot about the difference between Pioli and BB.

Under Pioli’s reign, the Pats drafted guys like Maroney, Meriweather and Samuel – not known for their high character or ruthless work ethic. This year, Pioli drafted a diva WR and and a guy that failed a drug test at the combine, while the Pats drafted one of the hardest workers in the draft in Solder and a guy who said his position is whatever the Pats want it to be in Dowling. Since Pioli’s departure, the Pats have drafted only very, very high character, team-first guys. Makes you wonder what sort of influence Pioli had on the Pats personnel dept while he was here and why so many of those players didn’t work out under Belichick’s tutelage.

by nbradley07 on May 1, 2011 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Um or TE Smith is currently under allegations

of having sex with his high school assistant principle.

WE ARE PENN STATE

by Cameron O on May 1, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

*while he was still in high school

and it may have boosted his marks.

WE ARE PENN STATE

by Cameron O on May 1, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

So?

He’s not at school now.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on May 1, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Not exactly the highest of character

if you “do it” with your high school assistant principal for extra marks.

WE ARE PENN STATE

by Cameron O on May 1, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I question the lateness of these accusations.

If he ‘did it’ in high school, why is it only being bandied about now? Unless he (or she, more likely) gets charged with something, I’d file this under rumor mill and move on.

by 108 on May 1, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

It's not just being handled now

they’ve been in court.

WE ARE PENN STATE

by Cameron O on May 1, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

so?

he was 17 at that time. The teacher, 36 and eww, should have known better.

Non Sibi Sed Patriae ;I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life.
In Bill We Trust.

by NinjaZX6R on May 1, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

If he can bleed, he can breed...or, something like that

I wouldn’t call it a major character concern. Show me an athlete who hasn’t gotten caught with his pants down under questionable circumstances, and I’ll show you a guy who’s good at covering his tracks.

Shawn Camp earned my dog several beatings back in 2007

by wtbudlight on Aug 30, 2010 5:54 PM PDT

by IntrepidX on May 1, 2011 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

And what was revealed last year?:) You know, when both teams took 5 college captains;)

Plus this year Pats took Mallet., who was sliding because of alleged character issues. BTW as much I recall Hernandez last year with 1st round talent slipped to the 4th, because of character issues.

The Pats in mid rounds often gamble on players who were 1st or 2nd round prospects, but slipped becaue of “haracter issues(Mallet, Hernandez)” or injuries(Tate, Tyrone McKenzie)

Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. If you have a strong team and constant success, you can try this for the ptotential high reward. If it fails…well, you are a winning team anyway, so next question:)

by frogfromthemud on May 1, 2011 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions