Mike Reiss has some Patriots-based leftovers from four days at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis:
Patriots like depth of front-seven talent in draft. One theme that was repeated by NFL general managers and coaches was that the 2011 draft is deep along the defensive line and at outside linebacker. Count the Patriots in that category as well. "Like any draft year, there are certain positions that are a little deeper than others. The front-seven group of players is a solid group, there's no question about it," Patriots Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio told the team's website.
Patriots media contingent leads the way. The media center at the Combine was jam-packed, to the point that extra tables were set up in one corner to accomodate the overflow. This is one of the events where it's a unique mix of media members -- from team websites, to draft publications, to more from the traditional mainstream outlets. By an informal count, no team had more outlets covering it than the Patriots. The New England roster looked like this: Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Patriots.com, Comcast SportsNet, WEEI and ESPNBoston.com. Others with New England ties included Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders and Brian McIntyre and his must-read "Mac's Football Blog."
More on the running back group and Patriots' need. In speaking with one evaluator focusing on running backs, his opinion was that this group is deep, with the chance to select a contributor as late as the fourth and possibly fifth round. His feeling was that one player who really helped himself was Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray. With their bounty of picks, this is an area I expect the Patriots to tap between rounds 2-4. Last running back drafted by the Patriots: Justise Hairston of Central Connecticut in 2007.
Christopher Price reports that QB Greg McElroy (Alabama) is all about Tom Brady.
"He’s the most fun guy to watch in the league right now,” McElroy said of Brady. “There’s a lot of efficient quarterbacks, but as far as his control, his balance, the way he sets up in the pocket, the way he is so mechanically sound, it really is such a joy to watch. It really is such a joy to watch. He’s so fluid. He never gets flustered. Just his subtle movements, all of his subtleties, every little detail is addressed."
“Coach [Nick] Saban would never let me watch another quarterback play. He thinks that’s soft or something, but yeah, I obviously have spent time watching Tom Brady. He’s a hero of mine and a guy who I would love nothing more than to try to pattern my game off of.”
Would be mind backing up Brady? “In a heartbeat, absolutely.”
TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino wraps up the final day of the Combine with a few quick thoughts.
- Andy Hart does the Draft-math to figure out if DE/OLB Robert Quinn (North Carolina) is worth it for the Patriots to trade up to get him with the first pick overall.
- Patriots Today - Final thoughts from Indy. (2.02 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Caserio at the Combine. (1.41 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Jim Miller discusses QBs. (1.48 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Behind the scenes at the Combine. (2.35 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Ian Rapoport ntoes that if the NFL and the union fail to reach an agreement, draftees won't be able to have contract with their teams or their coaches.
- Mike Reiss offers a few final thoughts, some with a Patriots twist, from the NFL Combine.
- Mike Reiss reports OL Dan Connolly reached incentives in his contract that will boost his pay in 2011 from $725k to $1.025 million.
- Shalise Manza Young reports CB Kyle Arrington received an exclusive-rights free agent tender offer from the Patriots for $480k.
- Ian Rapoport posts the 40-yard-dash times of the DLs at the Combine. Nick Caserio called this year's participating defensive linemen "solid".
- Christopher Price reports edge rusher Akeem Ayers (UCLA) thinks he would be a great fit for the Patriots defense.
- Tom E. Curran reminds us about forgotten T Steve Maneri, stashed away on the practice squad, who could be ready to move up the depth chart if Kaczur is released.
- Mike Reiss notes DE Justin Houston (Georgia) might be an easier projection as an OLB because he played in the 3-4 last season.
- Jeff Howe asserts Tom Brady's replacement shouldn't be on the mind of Bill Belichick or the Patriots front office any time soon.
- Tom E. Curran said DE Ty Warren had not been approached by the Patriots about taking a pay cut, and wouldn't be inclined to take one if offered.
- Boston Gobe looks at Patriots' possible free agent targets.
- Jeff Howe reports NFL owners have enough money to withstand two-year lockout.
- Tom E. Curran offers Part One in a series breaking down the NFL labor situation with National Football Post's Andrew Brandt. (2.16 min. video)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Chad Henne indicates Dolphins broke rules. Miami defied a league MEMO? Cheaters!
- Armando Salguero (Miami Herald) Henne's meeting with Daboll, Dorrell apparently violates CBA contract rules.
- Howard Balzer (Fox Sports) Plenty of unknowns in a work stoppage.
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Uninformed agents could hurt NFLPA.
- Manish Mehta (NY Daily News) Jets release Vernon Gholston, Kris Jenkins, Jason Taylor and Damien Woody, may re-sign some.
- Wes Bunting and Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) Combine confidential: room service!
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) DBs on display in Indy: Five things to watch .
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) NFL Combine notes: LB breakdown.
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) Combine notes: Breaking down the DL. Winners and losers from a very talented defensive line class.
- Adam Caplan (Fox Sports) Monday marked the day the defensive linemen and linebackers worked out at the Scouting Combine.
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Can QBs from the spread offense adapt to the NFL?
- Steve Wyche (NFL.com) QBs beware: Draft's strength is its 'nasty' pass rushers.
- Andrew Struckmeyer (Pro Football Weekly) No Combine test for team chemistry.
- Steve Mariucci (NFL.com) A mock by Mooch. Top ten players to be taken in this year's Draft (4.05 min. video).
- Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Nnamdi Asomugha to be most coveted free agent.
- Staff (Pro Football Weekly) AFC East free-agent preview.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB: Uncertainty rules the day at the NFL's annual Combine.
- Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) The (CBA) end is near: A primer.
- Judy Battista (NY Times) Week of uncertainty and import for NFL negotiations.
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Team websites caught in labor fallout.
- Nancy Gay (Fox Sports) Saints embrace evaluation technology.