TOP SHOTS
“Oh, of course. With this offense, there are just so many weapons … why not have another one? You can do so much. We’ll see what happens. It’s like Tom [Brady] was telling me the other day. You just sit at home and think about some of the combinations that can be put on the field together, and it’s like, ‘Wow! If we can get this clicking, that clicking, it can be something special.’”
- Karen Guregian says the Patriots lost out on Jason Taylor but Belichick appears comfortable with the in-house linebackers.
So it appears the final chip has been played in terms of stocking the side opposite linebacker Adalius Thomas with a proven sack master. Where does all this leave the Pats?
For the moment, it suggests Belichick is comfortable with the in-house candidates who, on paper, might not provide the spark or thrust in a pass rush that’s needed.
- Chris Steuber (Fox Sports) votes Darius Butler as the rookie most likely to lead the league in interceptions.
The Patriots identify their weaknesses and address them by drafting players that fit their system perfectly. Darius Butler is exactly what they need in their secondary: a player with great instincts, speed and ball skills to make an immediate impact. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound Butler should help the Patriots improve on their 14 interception total from a year ago. He finished his career at Connecticut with 10 interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns. It appears that Butler will take over the role that Ellis Hobbs had and could be the team's new return specialist this season. Expect Butler to have a rookie season similar to the one that Aqib Talib had last year for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
More Shots after the jump...
LOCAL SHOTS
- Mike Reiss analyzes the Jason Taylor to Miami fallout and offers Taylor's statement to the press.
- Karen Guregian says the Patriots lost out on Jason Taylor but Belichick appears comfortable with the in-house linebackers.
- Mike Reiss shares what he learned from Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio, who spoke at the Hall at Patriots Place and adds some additional stories from the night.
- Karen Guregian offers her take on Nick Caserio's talk at the Hall at Patriots Place last night.
- Shalise Manza Young notes the Patriots' selection of Patrick Chung typifies their approach to the Draft.
- Christopher Price reports Nick Caserio revealed the simple phrase at the heart of the Patriots' scouting system: Just get it right.
- Mike Reiss looks at where the Patriots stand in regards to the salary cap, and finds they're a bit snug.
- Christopher Price says 34 year-old QB Brian Griese could land in New England.
- Mike Reiss breaks down the 92 players currently on the Patriots roster. Part IV: Inside linebackers and Outside linebackers.
- Jeff Howe talks college football and basketball with former UConn Husky Darius Butler.
- John Beattie reports on Roger Goodell and the NFL considering two London games in 2010.
LONG SHOTS
- Len Pasquarelli (ESPN) Lions lead in rookie allocation money. Patriots are 4th.
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Who are the number 1 Wide Receivers?
- Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) Some thoughts on a couple of recent injuries that have flown below the Brett Favre radar. One being Tyrone McKenzie.
- John Clayton (ESPN) Taylor takes less money for Miami return.
- Eddie DelSignore (Bleacher Report) Analyzing the New England Patriots' off-season moves.
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Sources: Bucs ready to cut Griese loose.
- Zach Fein (Bleacher Report) How NFL statistics lead to wins.
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Burress, James among best free agents available.
- Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Labor peace, overseas reach remain high on Goodell's list.
- Ross Tucker (SI) Javon Walker's secret surgeries shines light on growing problem in the NFL.
- Shutdown Corner (Yahoo! Sports) Camp Sunshine: Drew Rosenhaus's twitter feed.