Bill Belichcik breaks down each of the Patriots picks on Day 2:
"[Rob] Gronkowski, certainly an interesting player. Excellent size. Very well thought of down there by Coach [Mike] Stoops and his staff. We visited him a couple of weeks ago. I think as we saw there at New York, he's kind of a fun-loving guy with a sense of humor who enjoys having a good time. He plays like that too. He plays with a good attitude and aggressive and seems to be having fun out there. He was a good playmaker for Arizona in the '08 season.
"[Jermaine] Cunningham is a guy in some ways got a little less hype than [Carlos] Dunlap but was really an outstanding player for Florida. He's had an excellent career down there. Tough guy. Hard-working guy. Very well respected on their football team and that program. I think he was one of the real leaders for them on defense, along with [Brandon] Spikes and [Joe] Haden.
"And, of course, [Brandon] Spikes came next. Big guy. Big for an inside linebacker. I really have a lot of respect for Spikes, the way he went back to school and finished his career there to try to win some more games down there. I think he showed a real commitment to his teammates and the school and the program there. Very well thought of, very highly respected. And, of course, he came with a good recommendation from Doc [Rivers, whose daughter dates Spikes], which I appreciated. So Doc can keep an eye on him here, move his daughter a little closer to home.
"And then in the third round, Taylor Price. A receiver who is a talented kid. Played in not a great offensive system last year and he certainly showed that he could have a variety of skills as a receiver. Big kid. Runs well. Shows the ability to play multiple positions. Inside. Outside. Has the size to block. Run after the catch. Good hands. So he's an interesting player that didn't have a lot of production, certainly in part to the offensive system that he was in."
TEAM TALK
- Paul Perillo dubs Day 2 a success, with several quality moves that should pay immediate dividends.
- Erik Scalavino reports on the wheeling and dealing in the 2nd round, as the Pats come away with four quality selections.
- Patriots Today - Friday night analysis. (3.15 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss notes Belichick thinks "there's still a decent amount of depth in this draft."
- Ian Rapoport analyzes how the Patriots moved around and toughened up on Day 2.
- DJ Bean reports the Patriots deny Jason La Canfora's report that they were going after Everson Griffen.
- Mike Reiss offers some sound bites from Gillette Stadium on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
- Albert Breer sees the Patriots picking players 'of certainty' so far in this year's draft.
- Ian Rapoport notes Brandon Spikes is dating Callie Rivers, the daughter of Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. Go figure.
- Mike Reiss says Belichick was sold on McCourty after they watched film and talked football together at Rutgers.
- Christopher Price says the Patriots defense gets dose of Gator-aid with Spikes and Cunningham.
- Mike Reiss offers his instant analysis of Rob Gronkowski, Jermaine Cunningham, Brandon Spikes and Taylor Price.
- Mike Reiss details how draft strategy - leapfrogging the Ravens - affected the Patriots selection of TE Rob Gronkowski.
- Mike Reiss offers his instant analysis of the 2011 trade.
- WEEI offers the transcript of Bill Belichick's Q&A with the media Friday night.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Belichick is NFL's master draft pickpocket.
- Steve Wyche (NFL.com) Always-aggressive Patriots continue to rely on draft-day trades.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Patriots add LB Brandon Spikes, OLB Jermaine Cunningham and trade up to get TE Rob Gronkowski.
- Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) Plenty of examples of value slipping through the cracks during draft.
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) The 2nd Round Rundown.
- Peter King (SI) Friday Morning QB: Jaguars make huge reach, plus 32 things I think.
- Joe Posnanski (SI) The morning after: When draft daydreams give way to reality.
- Richard Deitsch (SI) Goodell enjoys primetime NFL buzz. Not the boo birds in the audience though.
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Tim Graham (ESPN) Report: Jets to cut Pro Bowler Faneca.