Christopher Price attempts to figure out when the rest of the Pats' rookies will sign.
On the surface, the fact that the Patriots have less than half their picks done with training camp a month away might be cause for concern. But when stacked up against the rest of the league — and when you consider the circumstances that surround the players that are unsigned — Brian McIntyre of "Mac’s Football Blog" says the Patriots are pretty much in line with the rest of the league.
"With the exception of a handful of teams who appear to be waiting until after the Fourth of July to get going, rookie signings league-wide are ahead of schedule," he wrote in an e-mail to WEEI.com on Tuesday evening. "Ninety (of 256) players had signed contracts by June 29, 2009. As of today, 115 of 255 have already signed. New England is no exception."
When it comes to the Patriots, McIntyre notes that a year ago, the Patriots only had one of their 12 picks, fourth-round guard Rich Ohrnberger, signed to a contract by June 29. This summer, they’ve already got five of 12 signed, and three more should fall in short order.
"Three more (Brandon Deadrick, Kade Weston, and Zac Robinson) are clumped together so tightly (picks 40, 41, and 43) in the seventh-round that their deals shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to finalize. Once those three sign, they’ll be able to focus on [first-rounder] Devin McCourty and the three second-round picks."
McIntyre also believes that when it comes to getting New England’s second-rounders signed, they will be helped by the fact that Drew Rosenhaus — who McIntyre describes as a "proactive" agent — reps one of their three second-round picks, tight end Rob Gronkowski.
"Like most first-rounders, McCourty should be signed a day or two before, or directly on the reporting date for training camp," he said. "No rush right now from either side, who’ll be waiting for as many dominoes to fall before hammering out a deal."
TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino profiles rookie DL Brandon Dederick.
LOCAL LINKS
- Jeff Howe sees a depth on defense that will give the Patriots more options in 2010.
- Albert Breer comments on the ESPN Magazine ranking of New England as 46th among pro franchises.
- Albert Breer reports six Patriots ranked among the elite in EA Sports Madden '11.
- Ian Rapoport looks at how the Patriots players fared in Madden 11.
- Albert Breer notes Vince Wilfork shipped "Help Vince" T-shirts out to the media. The question is, "why?"
- Mike Reiss notes Vince Wilfork and the Patriots have something fun in the works for July 15th, but no one's revealing what it is just yet.
- Mike Reiss looks at the Safety position and how the Patriots compare with the rest of the NFL.
- Albert Breer reports Devin McCourty's twin, Titans Jason McCourty, is in the lead for a starting spot with Titans.
- Ian Rapoport thinks Cedric Benson's arrest might lead to a suspension and leave Cincy without it's best runner for the first game of the season.
NATIONAL NEWS
- ESPN Madden NFL '11 Ratings - New England Patriots.
- ESPN Madden '11 AFC East Gallery: 20 new screens of the AFC East in action.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Madden '11 ratings revealed for AFC East. Highlights and analysis.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East mediocre in Ultimate Standings.
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Tim Graham (ESPN) Best Patriots team ever: 2004. Absolutely.
- Ross Tucker (SI) NFL teaches rookies the ropes at annual symposium. A look at what's being taught behind the scenes.
- Eric Edholm (Pro Football Weekly) Tight ends deserve the love, too.
- David Whitley (NFL Fanhouse) Vick, Roethlisberger, Young: The new Three Stooges.
- Sean Leahy (USA Today) Antonio Pierce: 'All [NFL] players are talking' about potential Roger Goodell discipline for Lions president Tom Lewand.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Personal Conduct Policy applies to all, but does it?
- Paul Daugherty (SI) Concussions and football: Is the game too dangerous for our kids?
- Aaron Wilson (Nat'l Football Post) NFL, union eying eventual six-year deal. No deal in offing at this point.