North Carolina's Brandon Tate (87) brings down a touchdown pass next to James Madison's Jamaris Sanders (1)

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If Bill Belichick loves a project, loves to coach up players and loves getting the most bang for his drafting bucks, then the 2009 Draft was a huge success.

After trading out of the 1st round, ultimately turning their 23rd overall pick over to Green Bay in exchange for the 83rd overall pick, the Patriots selected North Carolina wide receiver Brandon Tate.  Projected to go in the first round and rated by the experts as a top ten receiver, Tate's value dropped after tearing two ligaments in his right knee during his senior year and testing positive for marijuana use during the Combine.  One "Belichick Special" coming up.

The injury brought a close to his college career, but Tate was highly regarded by North Carolina head coach Butch Davis.

"The good news is that he will be back, and he will recover from this. I shared with him that two of the best receivers that I ever had the opportunity to be around as a coach both had equally significantly damaging injuries," Davis said on the injury to Tate, referring to his experiences with former Miami stars Michael Irvin and Reggie Wayne.

Here's how the Draft experts at NFL.com and draftcountdown.com sum him up:

Why he will succeed:

• Long lean build, can high-point passes over smaller CBs.
• Good quickness, size and hand strength to get off line of scrimmage against press coverage.  Good acceleration.
• Emerging route runner with quick feet and balance to ultimately be quite good in this area. 
• Elusive in the open field and has the vision to set up blocks.
• Able to separate and be a vertical threat.
• Soft hands.
• Good body control and flexibility to contort body for poorly thrown pass.
• Can extend to make the diving grab.
• Excellent returns with NFL ability for punt and kickoff returns.

Why he might fail:

• Torn ACL and MCL in October means he won't be able to answer questions about  his straight-line speed.
• Primarily a return specialist until flashing as a receiver as a senior.
• A bit raw as a route runner, relies on athletic ability rather than precise footwork.
• Lets too many passes get into his pads.
• Needs to add some weight and bulk up.

Most praised for his sensational return abilities, Tate could turn out to be what Bethel Johnson never quite was, and who the Patriots are still hoping Matthew Slater will become.

With the wide receiver postion already a bit top heavy for 2009, Belichick has the luxury of red-shirting Tate for the season, placing him on IR where he will have time to fully rehab his knee, build some bulk under the guidance of the Patriots' trainers, and learn the playbook without taking up a precious roster spot.  Sounds like a win-win all around.

Jake Ingram LS was selected by the New England Patriots with the 198th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Ingram, 6'4" 245lbs, played four seasons for the University of Hawaii.

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Mission Accomplished.

The Patriots had been well served by LS Lonie Paxton, who snapped on every punt, extra point and field goal attempt in the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons.  In 2003 he missed the last three games of the season plus the playoffs when he tore his right ACL, and Russ Hochstein had to fill in.   When Paxton agreed to a $5.3 million deal with the Broncos last February, the Patriots picked up veteran Nathan Hodel from Arizona to replace him.

Belichick also addressed the long snapper position in this year's Draft, picking Jake Ingram from Hawaii in the 6th round.  Here is what his Patriots.com player bio has to say:

A former defensive end switched to long snapper during the 2005 season, head coach June Jones believed Ingram was too valuable to be a reserve on defense. Ingram is clearly the top prospect in the country at the vital, if underappreciated, position. He's not a big bruiser who could play center in a pinch but his accuracy and velocity will be valued by teams looking for a reliable snapper.

The experts at NFL.com and Draftcountdown.com offer a glimpse into his strengths and weaknesses.

Why he will succeed:

• Excellent velocity on punt snaps, with ball consistently reaching punter in less than 0.7 seconds.
• No wasted motion in snap.
• Very good accuracy, punter rarely has to work to secure the snap.
• Works hard to maintain his lane on punt coverage.
• Decent athleticism, outstanding balance.
• Not fazed by pressure.
• Strong work ethic, team leader.

Why he might fail:

• Not especially quick getting downfield on punts and didn't make many coverage tackles.
• Lacks great size although there are snappers his size in the NFL.
• Inconsistent accuracy on placement snaps, puts them high at times.
• Needs to get stronger, not real fast.

Results?  The Patriots now have two long snappers, one a proven 8-year veteran with the Cardinals and the other a newbie with positive reports out of Hawaii.  Lonie Paxton was picked up as an undrafted rookie free agent and the Patriots haven't had to think about that position in years.  It's easy to see Belichick repeating that plan with his pick of Ingram, while relying on the immediate veteran services of Hodel.

As it stands, Stephen Gostkowski remains the uncontested starting kicker.  Until someone else is signed, I take it as a sign that Gostkowski will be offered a new contract before his ends in 2010.  Chris Hanson appears to be the starting punter, with the only competition coming from Tom Malone, who was signed to the practice squad last season.

Not too many changes.  We needed a long snapper and got one.  What remains to be seen is who the kickoff return man will be, as Matthew Slater's job performance was less than stellar in '08.

Oregon's all-conference safety Patrick Chung (15) turns the corner and returns a punt for a touchdown.

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With the 34th pick in the Draft the Patriots selected their first actual player, Oregon Safety Patrick Chung.   This is a grade A pick.  The comparisons to Rodney Harrison's hard hitting style have been numerous, and what makes this an especially good choice is the current uncertainty of whether Harrison will return or retire.  Rodney will not be easy to replace on the field or in the locker room in terms of his leadership, intense work ethic and impeccable character, but the experts at NFL.com and Draftguys.com's Sigmund Bloom feel Chung might just fit the Harrison mold.

Why he will succeed:

• Well-built, versatile athlete who has seen time at cornerback and as a returner.
• Flashes explosive hitting ability; accomplished blitzer.
• Durable, instinctive punishing presence in the secondary.
• Receivers are cognizant of him when going over the middle.
• Attacks underneath routes and rarely allows the receiver to cross with the ball unscathed.
• Few have Chung's ability to explode into ball carrier while wrapping their arms securely.
• Reads the action quickly and is seemingly always around the ball.
• Among the more reliable open-field tacklers in the country.
• Limits the yards gained at the point he meets the ball carrier.
• Consistently swarms the ball.

Why he might fail:

• Questionable deep speed and is a bit shorter than scouts prefer because of their coverage duties against tight ends.
• Physical player who can get a bit grabby while in coverage, leading to some holding calls.
• Attacks the line or underneath routes too quickly, leaving room for the deep ball behind him.
• At his best facing the quarterback and running downhill towards the ball.
• He'll be exposed if he's put on an island in coverage.

Quite frankly, he had me at "explosive hitting ability" and "punishing presence" but it all looks good, and his positives vastly outweigh any negatives - at least on paper.  As the roster currently stands, Patrick Chung joins James Sanders, Ray Ventrone, Brandon Meriweather, Antwain Spann and Tank Williams to secure the Safety position -- but it may not be enough.

It's a good bet that Bill Belichick will continue to sign free agents to add depth or just to increase the competition in the pre-season workouts, leaving the position in flux until the final roster cuts in early September.  Bolstering a solid base by drafting Patrick Chung was a terrific way to start.

Grading a draft pick this early is like a kid evaluating his Christmas loot on December 23rd.  The intriguing packages are right there in front of him - wrapped, tagged, peered at and examined a million times as best he can through the paper.  But no matter how often the presents are picked up, squeezed or shaken, unless it's a Lego set there's no way he can be completely sure of what he's getting.

With their 41st pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected what they hope will be as sure a thing as Legos:  UConn CB Darius Butler.  Projected to be a first-rounder, Mike Reiss didn't think he'd still be on the board for them to take at number 23, which in my book makes him a steal at number 41.  NFL.com and Draftguys.com's Sigmund Bloom provide a quick look at Butler's pros and cons.

Why he will succeed:

• He's the top two or three all around athletes in this class of corners.
• Elite vertical and lateral explosion, and excellent straight line speed.
• Has a great feel for the game.
• Gets his shoulder on the ball to force fumbles.
• Holds off blocks to force quick screens inside.
• Closes quickly and wraps up to prevent gains after catch.
• Returns kicks; caught 8 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown as a receiver in '08.

Why he might fail:

• Very lanky.  He might get pushed around by bigger, thicker receivers.
• Trusts his athleticism too much at times, giving receivers too big a cushion.
• Unproven in his ability to defend against the run.
• Not particularly strong on the line or able to get off blocks.

It's no secret that Patriots Nation was hoping for a couple of young and speedy Linebackers to fill the void left by Vrabel and an aging Bruschi, but the Butler pick looks better and makes more sense each day.   With Ellis Hobbs traded to the Eagles, Butler joins 3-year veteran Mike Richardson, 2008 Draft picks Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite, and the recent free agent signings of Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden.

Can the Patriots now cross Cornerback off their list?  It all looks good on paper for now.  Minicamps, OTA's, training camp and the end-of-summer pre-season games will unveil more of the story.  Barring any Fernando Bryant-like repeats of waltzing opposing team's receivers into the end-zone, I'm pretty sure Darius Butler and the rest of the corner crew has this position covered.

And you thought it was over... Silly, silly Patriots fan. ;-)  One day after the draft, Belichick and crew are working their magic to yank in more players.  Some (most?) could be training camp fodder - just more meat to bang around - but they're needed, right?

Leading off is Kentucky Safety Marcus McClinton.  Jimmy Trodglen, Leaf Chronicle Newspaper reporter, tells us:

McClinton was in Lexington, Ky. over the weekend taking in Saturday's UK spring football game. He had a strong showing in the NFL Combine and the UK Pro Day, and had spoken with 22 of the league's teams leading up to the draft. If he makes the cut, McClinton would be the first player from the Fort Campbell/Clarksville area to play for an NFL team since Harry Galbreath played into the late '90s, owning stops with the Dolphins, Jets and Packers.

via www.baltimoresun.com, That would be Marcus saying, "Hello!"

From draftcountdown.com:

Was arrested in 2007 and charged with first-degree wanton endangerment after an incident involving the use of household products to make crude bombs...Solid all-around prospect with decent measurables who has the ability to contribute as a backup in the pros.

Oh boy.  Bombs?  Maybe he belongs on the special forces or...at safety.  That's it, we'll put him at safety.  Who knows.  Why we'd pickup a late round/FA is beyond me unless we need some training camp fodder or special teamers.

Next up: LB Antonio Appelby.  Big and fast (6-3 245 lbs, 4.67) he lacks the physical skills, but seems to know when it counts.  Apparently, he improved his draft stock with excellent workouts.

via image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com, That's the Antonio "mean face"

draftcountdown.com says:

Was a three-year starter for the Cavaliers...Played immediately as a backup in every game as a true freshman in 2005...Helped his draft stock by working out much better than expected...Played inside in a 3-4 scheme at Virginia and that will be his optimal fit at the next level.

Antonio is vying for a spot at ILB.  Luckily, the program is run by a former Patriots coach and the 3-4 should be familiar to Appelby.  Again, more training camp muscle to play with, but who knows what the kid can do.  Belichick has the answers.  Hopefully, we all learn how to spell his last name (is it "le" or "el"?).

More photos » by Stew Milne - AP

6 months ago: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick answers questions concerning The Patriots 2009 NFL Draft choices at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Saturday, April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)

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Scott Pioli's gone and what did we find for the 2009 NFL Draft?  Business as usual.  There were no bumps in the road to speak of.  Belichick went about his business like the cold, calculating winning machine he is.  It's true that scouting for 2010 starts today and the same could be said for the previous year; Pioli presided over nine months of player activity in 2008, preparing for 2009.  However, this was the first Pioli-less draft.  These two days, as well as the week leading up to the Draft, are were the rubber hits the road and the decisions are made.

Leading into the draft, many felt as if we could've fielded a team almost immediately.  If you recall, the Patriots were one of the busiest free agent teams in the NFL, and I'm not talking about losing players.  They added depth and plugged up some holes with experienced vets from around the league - typical Belichick. 

From a strategic standpoint, I feel as if the Patriots did three things: a) provide insurance in the way of depth at key positions, b) get young guys in before contracts are up in 2009, and c) provide leverage during those 2009 contract negotiations.  With no glaring holes, Belichick and crew had the luxury to do that.  We even explored this last week with the story Drafting for 2010 free agency: who should the Patriots worry about?  I think Belichick did a masterful job of preparing for the future.

Draft Grade: B- or A

Let me explain.  If you look at it from the perspective of how many top players the Patriots picked up, it's a B-.  According to www.draftcountdown.com, the highest rated guy is Darius Butler and he's ranked third of all the CB's out there.  From a strategic standpoint, Hoodie gets an A.  I waffled between A and A- because we didn't pick up a pass rushing OLB.  Yes, I know Tyrone McKenzie is listed as an OLB, but as many of you pointed out to me during the Open Threads, Tyrone projects to be an ILB in the NFL.  So, here's my reasoning for the A: I think Belichick's got something up his sleeve.  Either he's confident in Pierre Woods, Adalius Thomas, Shawn Crable, and Vince Redd OR he has his eye on a UFA.  Another possibility?  S Patrick Chung is an "in the box" guy; he could end up being our pass rusher.

It was never about picking the best player at that point in the draft; the Patriots don't work that way.  How else can you explain trading down 23 and not grabbing Rey Maualuga, Alphonso Smith, or Louis Delmas?  Top guys, all within reach of the Patriots' picks.  The answers will work themselves out in the coming months, but I'm convinced it's for the following reason:

There's more to come.

With the 170th pick, the New England Patriots select OL George Bussey, Louisville

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Bill Belichick and crew continue to draft the big men, shoring up their offensive line.  All our OL starters and backups are healthy so one could wonder why we'd use picks on the 300 pounders.  Well, 11 of 14 OL's have contracts expiring in '09.  The New England Patriots are doing a masterful job of putting in place insurance policies and creating leverage.

A guard and tackle at Louisville, Bussey will line up as a guard in the NFL. 

With the 123rd pick, the New England Patriots select OG Rich Ohrnberger, Penn State

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Stocking up on the big men is always a good thing.  The wear and tear on these guys is outrageous and it never hurts to have a collection of 300 pounders around.  A work in progress, he won't grab a starting role right off the bat, but can be developed and will provide rotation for starters.  From Reiss's Pieces:

Ohrnberger, a player who took a pre-draft visit to Gillette Stadium, adds youth to the interior of the offensive line and provides a fallback, longer-term option with starting guards Logan Mankins (left) and Stephen Neal (right) entering the final year of their contracts.

The Patriots’ top backups at center/guard – Russ Hochstein and Billy Yates – also have contracts expiring after the 2009 season.

draftcountdown.com says:

A three-year starter for the Nittany Lions...Has experience on both the right and left sides...Was named 2nd Team All-Big Ten as a junior and 1st Team as a senior...Could project to either guard or center at the pro level...Best fit will most likely come in a zone blocking scheme.
 

 Again, a work in progress, but it's good to have another young guy in the pig pile.