New England Patriots Links 2/22/12 - 2012 NFL Scouting Combine Kicks Off
by Marima on Feb 22, 2012 11:10 AM EST
in New England Patriots Links
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PrintJames Walker (ESPN) AFC East Combine primer.
Pass-rushers at a premium: Every AFC East team, to some degree, needs more help rushing the passer. Keep an eye on athletic defensive ends and/or outside linebackers who really stand out at the combine. The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots, in particular, are two teams looking for a dynamic pass-rusher. Both teams could be aiming to find one in the first round.
Double trouble: The Patriots are one of three teams with two picks in the first round. Traditionally, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick likes to trade back for additional picks. But I have a feeling New England will do the unexpected this year. That could mean either trading up or simply using their two first-round picks in the slots provided. New England has a bevy of needs, particularly on defense. The Patriots could use help at all three levels defensively.
Safety first: The New York Jets need a safety (or two) more than any team in this draft. New York's defense was beat over the middle often last season by pass-catching tight ends. Jim Leonhard is a free agent coming off a season-ending knee injury and isn't expected to sign with a team until he's 100 percent. Starter Eric Smith struggled mightily and the Jets could use an upgrade there. Alabama's Mark Barron is the top safety prospect in the draft and often linked to New York with the No. 16 overall pick. The Dolphins and Patriots also are in the market for a safety.
Watch the interviews: Teams have a chance to interview a certain number of prospects at the combine. Watch for who the Bills, Jets, Patriots and Dolphins decide to spend personal time with next week.
Report (ESPN) Tom Martinez, longtime mentor of Tom Brady, dies at 66.
The Patriots offered their condolences to Martinez's family on Twitter on Tuesday night.
"Our sincere condolences go out to the Martinez family & all those he mentored throughout his incredible career."
Brady's father, Tom Brady Sr., called Tom Martinez's passing "a big loss," and called his son and Martinez "soul brothers."
"Tom was just a terrific guy," Brady Sr. told ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss. "It's just a real sad day because he has coached and mentored and parented so many kids for so many years. He was a tough coach who was extraordinarily well respected. He just loved his kids, loved to get the best out of them. When kids got out of his programs, they all came back to visit him. He was a real wonderful, wonderful guy."
TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino and the PFW crew are back in Indy and reporting what to look for at this year's Scouting Combine.
- Patriots Mock Draft tracker: Updated sample of what the 'experts' are predicting the Patriots will do in the first round come Draft weekend.
- Andy Hart's Ask PFW: Moss, Wallace and the offseason heating up.
- Patriots Today - Franchise tag, Combine, and more. (2.44 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Ian Rapoport is told by a source that Brandon Spikes had successful surgery on his right knee to clean out some cartilage. "It went very well."
- Ian Rapoport says that if Matt Light decides to retire, than he will have wrapped up his 11-year career at the top of his game.
- Ian Rapoport offers two views on Dan Koppen and the free-agent center market.
- Ian Rapoport notes Marcus Cannon will be now considered a tackle, not a guard.
- Mike Reiss notes some stats that show the Patriots could benefit from a big-play receiver outside the numbers.
- Jeff Howe previews the wide receivers available in free agency, and which players might be a fit for the Patriots.
- WEEI profiles WR Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina), DE Chandler Jones (Syracuse) and DE Quinton Coples (North Carolina) as potential Draft picks for the Patriots.
- Mike Reiss offers three perspectives on the possibility of NE making a run at Steelers restricted free agent Mike Wallace.
- Jimmy Toscano traces the history of the 27th pick in the Draft since 2001, to get an idea of what kind of player the Patriots might select.
- Mike Reiss acknowledges the work of the Patriots' scouting staff and is structure.
- Mike Reiss answers his weekly reader mailbag: Starting to scout the potential.
- Tom E. Curran notes Tom Brady and Wes Welker visited Tom Martinez in California during the Wildcard bye week so his mentor could evaluate his throwing motion.
- Christopher Price writes that simply put, you cannot tell the story of Tom Brady without Tom Martinez.
- Amalie Benjamin visited Tom Martinez at his home a few weeks ago, and here is her article from January 28th.
- Jeff Howe thinks Brian Hoyer will continue to receive a lot of attention this offseason and 19 other NFL thoughts.
- The AP reports that the Rams have been allowed by the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau to play their "home" game in London in 2012 vs. the Patriots.
NATIONAL NEWS
- 2012 NFL Scouting Combine: Daily schedule of events.
- Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) What to watch for at the NFL Combine.
- Eric Edholm (Pro Football Weekly) The first fifteen: Scouting Combine edition.
- Jim Corbett (USA Today) 5 questions at the NFL Scouting Combine.
- Bruce Feldman (CBS Sports) Top 10: Best bets to put on Combine freak show.
- Clifton Brown (Sporting News) Sizing up Robert Griffin III among key Combine questions.
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Official Site (NFL.com) 2012 NFL Scouting Combine: Feb 22-28.
- Staff Report (San Mateo Daily News) Longtime CSM coach dies: Tom Martinez, mentor of Tom Brady, succumbs to heart attack at 67.
- Ed Bouchette (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) What is Mike Wallace worth?
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Would you make a run at Mike Wallace?
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Talk heats up in Pittsburgh that Mike Wallace could leave.
- Ross Tucker (ESPN) Franchise tag needs an overhaul.
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) Draftnik Roundtable: Breakind down the prospects of South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery.
- Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Cornerbacks, safeties at a premium with NFL's aerial explosion.
- Brian McIntyre (Football Outsiders) Under the Cap: AFC East Cap overview.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB - Tuesday edition.
- Richard Deitsch (SI) Jon Gruden, Ron Jaworski lead media power list.
- Michael Silver (GQ) The year of magical stinking: An oral history of Tebow Time.
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I linked to Michael Silver's Tebow article
because it’s the offseason and it was interesting, and I liked the Terrell Suggs quote on Tebow vs. “the kid from Foxboro.” Tebow’s real test will come in 2012 and like millions of others, I’ll be watching.
My thinking right now is that Light and Koppen will return, and I want my Benny back, Benny back, Benny back this year too.
Keep the faith!
Just read that.
Quinn sounded snarky.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 22, 2012 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
Tebow is working on his passing in CA.
There was one quote from the mentor (same guy that Rivers uses) that made me think it wasn’t going so well. Don’t remember where I saw that.
He’s also supposed to get some tutoring from Elway. If he can develop any kind of consistency as a pure passer, then he will be every bit as dangerous as Vick was a couple years ago. He’s a lot more sturdily built than Vick.
This year will tell a lot about what’s happening out there. The smartest thing they can do is evaluate how close he has become to a real QB, and design their offense around that. If that’s some spread and some option, and whatever else, then that’s what they’re going to have to do. Unless they’re going to just kick him to the curb and go with someone else.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 22, 2012 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
About the 'kicking him to the curb' option
Tebow got his start because the Bronco’s starting QB was losing and they didn’t have much to lose by starting the guy the fans were chanting for. It wasn’t as if they chose him over another proven starter in the league, as Brady Quinn hadn’t proven himself to be a step up over Tebow either.
He’s such a phenom that I don’t believe the Denver front office will kick him anywhere. They’ll give him some stiff competition (or at least that’s their plan) at camp and let those results decide Tebow’s fate for the start of 2012. That way, they’re not the ones who end up alienating their fan base if Tebow loses out to the other QBs.
Under no circumstances would I want to be a QB on the Broncos though, who isn’t named Tebow. The crowd will be merciless towards him unless the guy wins early and wins often.
Keep the faith!
Fans decide who plays QB
Not good in the long run.
Come see the violence inherent in the system, help help I'm being repressed.
by sweetjesusihatethejets on Feb 22, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
That said, how do you think the Broncos fans will react if (or imo, when) Tebow and the team starts the season like 3-7?
Does he get a longer leash (from the crowd, not the coaches) because of his persona and his accomplishments as a rookie, or will his ridiculous success as a rookie come back to haunt him. It is easy to see Tebow playing better (I mean, as a QB, he can’t really play too much worse without putting up JaMarcus like numbers) but the team not winning as much because it is unlikely they have that type of good luck in close games.
EVH+DLR=BFFs........ God I Hope So!!
I think Tebow will give it all he has
in the offseason to self-scout and improve – both skills-wise and in reading defenses, and there’s really no questioning his work ethic.
How will the fans respond to a 3-7 start? That’s what will be fascinating if it goes down like that. As you suggested, it will also depend on if they’re losing games because he’s inaccurate or taking sacks because he’s still holding onto the ball too long. Opposing teams have a lot more film to study of him too, so he’ll have to improve enough and be prepared to counteract that.
Fans will give him the benefit of the doubt for a while, though.
Keep the faith!
If he can get the whole passing thing down, he could end up being a Vick-like threat
But I think Suggs was spot-on in that Michael Silver article when he said Cam Newton is a way better quarterback. If Carolina didn’t have so many issues in their other positions, facing Cam Newton would worry me a lot more than facing Tim Tebow.
by indy pats fan on Feb 22, 2012 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
Hope Cam stays humble and team oriented.
There are signs that he won’t, and that worries me for my Panthers’ fan son. He also needs some weapons other than Steve Smith. It’ll be an interesting team to keep an eye on.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 22, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
one of my best buds is a die hard auburn fan
and cam is his favorite player of all time (including bo jackson). he followed that team religiously and said that cam was hands down an amazing teammate, leader, and an unselfish individual.
by jamiesinnott on Feb 22, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
That's great.
I hope he stays that way.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 22, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
Are there really signs he won't?
I’m not disputing what you know because you may have heard things that I have not, but every time I hear him speak or go on radio shows and the like, I come away nothing but completely impressed. I heard him on NYC’s WFAN after the season, and he seemed anything but accepting of his great rookie season, saying that he felt he played badly with way too many turnovers and not enough wins.
I was scared about him coming into the league (not that he would be JaMarcus, but that one year of starting is really not enough to judge a QB) but he exceeded my expectations completely. Cam was really brilliant. The Carolina offense went from terrible to awesome. I did think he had arguably the best position for a #1 QB ever, with a team with a, when healthy, beast of a WR, and two good running backs, but he seemed to be Michael Vick but more advanced (and probably not as good of a rusher is Vick in his prime) at this stage.
EVH+DLR=BFFs........ God I Hope So!!
There was an interview where he was questioning the Panthers commitment to success.
Was kind of calling out teammates. Not that that’s bad, but that’s usually a “behind closed doors” kind of thing around here. My son pointed it out to me. Don’t know where he found it.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 22, 2012 3:13 PM EST up reply actions
I think I kind of remember what you are talking about
but I saw it more like he was dissatisfied with losing.
EVH+DLR=BFFs........ God I Hope So!!
Yeah, that does come across a bit arrogant
but I think it was just him using the wrong phrasing. It comes across that he wants the rest of the team to be as good as him, but I think he more meant that he wants everyone committed to winning, he wants everyone to be upset with losing. Personally, I think he’s a leader. He does seem a little arrogant, but that’s okay.
EVH+DLR=BFFs........ God I Hope So!!
Yeah, you could take it a couple different ways.
I hope he meant it in a positive way (though, yeah, he did sound arrogant), but my point is it should have stayed behind closed doors.
Of course, he’s young, the coach may have chatted with him about it, and going forward he may be golden. I really hope so. The kid’s got a promising career. I want to see him prove his detractors 100% wrong.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 22, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
I honestly never cared for Cam when he was at Auburn
but ever since the first time the JaMarcus comparison was brought up, and he handled that great, I’ve rooted for Newton. To me, the best thing about Newton is that from everything I have read, he works really hard, wants to get better and wants to win.
The worst thing JaMarcus ever did was get that contract (or, if you read certain articles, it was his, I believe, grandmother dying, which put him in a spiral which ended with addiction to sizzurp and other stuff that ended what was actually after the 2008 season, a decently promising career). The best thing Newton ever did was actually get drafted #1 so more and more people could make the comparisons.
EVH+DLR=BFFs........ God I Hope So!!
Yeah, I don't watch college ball, so I don't know about what he was like at Auburn.
I’m pulling for him, though.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 22, 2012 7:16 PM EST up reply actions
Did Russell have a bad life?
If you gave me 40mill and let me get wasted every weekend I’d say I hit the jackpot.
by quadruple option on Feb 23, 2012 1:18 AM EST up reply actions
Don't know about his personal life.
I’ve just heard he didn’t study, didn’t work out, and didn’t make an effort.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 23, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
Lets jump over the Jets and get the draft's only decent safety
Killing two birds with one stone: solving our biggest need, and (hopefully) ensuring Gronk will have at least another year to do whatever he wants in the middle.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/J53D
by New Century Silver on Feb 22, 2012 1:07 PM EST reply actions
really dont want barron
let them have him. lets go after landry or goldson or griffin.
F the pics of Landry on yahoo are real....
He has David Boston written all over him. ESP with a history of injuries. Beware.
by gnatecolby on Feb 24, 2012 7:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
F the pics of Landry on yahoo are real....
He has David Boston written all over him. ESP with a history of injuries. Beware.
by gnatecolby on Feb 25, 2012 10:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
why is Barron the draft's only decent safety?
Come see the violence inherent in the system, help help I'm being repressed.
by sweetjesusihatethejets on Feb 22, 2012 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
We don't need an ILB do we?
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/J53D
by New Century Silver on Feb 22, 2012 2:52 PM EST reply actions
It's funny that it's called a combine.
When farmers use the combine, it’s time for harvesting. It really fits.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 22, 2012 3:08 PM EST reply actions
The Jets will
draft Safety Mark Barron in the first round. They have no choice. The Jets biggest hole on their defense is covering the middle of the field. Jets know they will meet the Pats twice in the regular season. The AFC east will be controled by the Pats again in 2012 and the Jets know it. They have to address the Safety position or get beat by the Pats twice again in 2012. Gronk, Hernandez, Welker and a FA WR to be named later (Lloyd) will kill the Jets over the middle. Only Feb. and I already have a big smile on my face.
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