Tom E. Curran reports Mark Herzlich and Anthony Costonzo headline the group of college players scouted by NFL teams at Boston College Wednesday.
Herzlich was one of several players from New England-area schools who worked out for NFL coaches and scouts at B.C.'s pro day.
"No one's guaranteed to get drafted," said Herzlich, who is expected to be taken in the later rounds of the NFL Draft. "No one's guaranteed to play football. It's kind of like recess in elementary school. They say it's a privilege to get to recess. "Being able to work as an NFL football player, that's a privilege. Football's been a great thing and a great privilege to play, and if I get to keep on playing, that's the best thing I could ask for right now."
Also at the workout was B.C. offensive lineman Anthony Castonzo, who could be taken as high as the first round in this year's draft.
"I was talking to a coach the other day and he said, 'Would you be adverse to us drafting you,' " said Castonzo, who started every game during his college career. "I'm like, 'Are you kidding me? I'm not adverse to anybody drafting me.' "
The Patriots had four representatives at the Heights for the workouts, including offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, who helped run offensive linemen drills.
Kirk Minihane highlights former NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira's guest appearance on The Big Show yesterday. Pereira sees a significant flaw in the new rules on booth review for scoring plays.
"I'm not OK with the way the rule is written," Pereira said. "The rule — as it stands — says that you can review a play, the replay assistant can review it, if a touchdown or field goal or a safety is in fact ruled a score. But you can't review if it's not. So a pass that's ruled complete in the end zone for a touchdown can be reviewed but a pass that's ruled incomplete in the end zone cannot be reviewed. … If you get to a three-minute mark in the fourth quarter and a team is out of challenges, either out of timeouts or challenges, and all of the sudden that play happens, ruled incomplete but it's clear to everyone in the world that is complete, you can't review it? That to me is not very consistent with the fact that if it was ruled a touchdown you can reverse it to incomplete."
TEAM TALK
- Vote now for Danny Woodhead to be on the cover of EA Sports' Madden NFL 2012.
- NFL Network: Roger Goodell on CBA. (5.18 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Chris Gasper says Tom Brady's name on the NFLPA's lawsuit may sting the Patriots' organization, but they better than anyone should know it's just business as usual.
- Ian Rapoport reports Colts president Bill Polian supports the 'Patriot Way' and has nothing but praise for Bill Belichick's draft method.
- Tom E. Curran notes how the Patriots may benefit from the new kickoff rule, especially with having one of the best kickers in the biz on the team.
- Mike Reiss takes a look at a seven game snapshot of Brandon Tate's 2010 kickoff returns.
- Christopher Price tells us what went on at Boston College Pro Day, where 40 area college football prospects worked out at Alumni Stadium.
- Mike Reiss looks at the personnel and teams that attended Boston College's Pro Day Wednesday.
- Mike Reiss notes Patriots OL coach Dante Scarnecchia put the offensive linemen through drills at BC's Pro Day.
- Christopher Price reports BC's Anthony Castonzo could face a big decision when it comes to attending the NFL Draft.
- Mike Reiss analyzes the latest mock draft from Chad Reuter of NFLDraftScout.com and who he selects for the Patriots in the first round.
- Greg A. Bedard offers some additional Patriots-related comments from Rex Ryan.
- Ian Rapoport notes the labor dispute leaves coaches with idle time with no offseason conditioning program.
- Karen Guregian notes it's dream-like but still unsettling for prospective draft picks amid the NFL lockout.
- Ron Borges has sunk to eavesdropping in the men's room to flush out the "truth" at the Owners Meetings.
- AP reports this is a difficult welcome to the NFL for new coaches.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Pat Kirwan (NFL.com) Wealth of picks gives Pats shot to add to already talented roster.
- Frank Tadych (NFLN) A few minutes with Rob Gronkowski. Pretty cool Q&A.
- NFL Total Access (NFLN) Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski chats with Rich Eisen about fitting into the Patriots' system and his family of athletes. (3.57 min. video)
- Eli Kaberon (Pro Football Weekly) Kickoff changes hurt the sport.
- Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) Top 10 kick return touchdowns of 2010.
- Chase Stuart (Pro-Football Reference) NFL Kickoff rule changes: Impact on offense.
- Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Will talent conquer character concerns for draft prospects?
- Charlie Campbell (Fox Sports) BC teammates eye NFL after beating cancer together.
- Adam Rank (NFL.com) Pick Six: Better choices for HBO's 'Hard Knocks'.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Rex knows Jets are NFL's hot destination.
- NFL Films (NFL.com) 2010 Season in six minutes. (6.11 min. video)
LABOR LUNACY
- Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) Prelude to April 6: primer on NFL's brief. Readers guide to NFL arguments.
- Jim Corbett (USA Today) Ending the lockout: how can a deal be forged at this point?
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Rookies who attend draft should point to veterans who appear on NFL Network.
- Paul Kuharsky (ESPN) For new deal, 'disrespect' must dissolve.
- Dave Anderson (NY Times) The grime and the emptiness of NFL labor disputes.
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Judge's ruling could force league, players to talk.
- Sean Leahy (USA Today) Roger Goodell to players: Offer may get worse as lockout goes on.
- Adam Caplan (Fox Sports) Long lockout means no development for NFL rookies.
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Without playbooks, rookies will suffer in lockout.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Prior CBA has clear offseason rules.
- Gerry Fraley (Dallas Morning News) Cowboys players illegally met with Rob Ryan; Roger Goodell issues fine.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Jerry Jones holds firm on financial information.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Trent Dilfer echoes view that 2006 CBA was a great one for players.