Christopher Price highlights what the Patriots Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio had to say about the Pre-Draft process.
•On draft day, Caserio described things in the draft room as being "pretty tame" for most of the time. "When you’re not picking, things are pretty quiet," he said. As for trades, most of them occur on draft night, with most discussions usually picking up between five and eight picks out: "There are [trade] possibilities examined the week before, but things don’t really manifest themselves until the draft," he said.
•Where are things right now? Caserio said that most of the Pro Days have been completed to this point, with most of the players who will be drafted having worked out. He added that the time frame for the 30 allotted visits expires next Wednesday, April 20. However, you can work a player out until the day before the draft — he recalled an instance a few years ago where he flew out to work out a player a day or two before the draft.
•The private workouts are important for getting a handle on a prospect, but they can be invaluable for trying to figure out if a small school prospect, an injured player or a non-combine invitee might fit into your system. Caserio used wide receiver Julian Edelman and offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer as examples of two guys the Patriots were able to get a much clearer picture of as a result of private workouts, as both were not invited to the combine. When it comes to private workouts, "We’re just trying to make sure we have the most accurate picture of the player possible." (Caserio added that when they were working out Edelman prior to the 2010 draft, they had multiple private workouts with him, including as a wide receiver, running back and return man.) "In the end, the goal is to have it right. Is it perfect? No. There are players where it hasn’t worked out," Caserio said. "[But] it’s a projection element. You are talking about the unknown."
•When asked about the preconceived ideas some people have when it comes to the Patriots and the outside linebacker spot — and if they have adjusted them somewhat — Caserio replied: "I think you’re always looking at different things. In terms of the players and the types of players and the standards … the most important thing is finding good football players that can help our football team, whatever shape and form they come in. Danny Woodhead is the perfect example. I’d say he falls short in some of the ‘standards,’ but … that’s something we’re always evaluating across the positions, the different standards and where we are relative to the rest of the league. That position, there’s more teams that are looking for similar-type players, and in college, maybe the pool of players isn’t that big to begin with, so everybody’s looking at the same players and ultimately, you just have to make the decision on who you feel like is best for your team."
TEAM TALK
- Nick Caserio Pre-Draft Press Conference: Transcript of Q&A plus 35 min. video.
- Erik Scalavino catches up with special teams coach Scott O'Brien, who offers his unique insight as the Patriots prepare for this month's NFL Draft.
- Erik Scalavino notes Scott O'Brien says kicker Stephen Gostkowski was rehabbing and feeling pretty good the last time he saw him before the lockout.
- Erik Scalavino updates the Patriots prospect list as of 4/14.
- Patriots Today - Caserio gives unique glance at the draft. (2.44 min. video)
- Patriots Today - 2011 Draft Preview: Safeties. (4.27 min. video)
- The New England Patriots 2011 Hall of Fame finalists are announced. Drew Bledsoe and Bill Parcells join Houston Antwine as this year's class of nominees. Vote here.
- Watch video clips for QB Drew Bledsoe (1.40 min.), HC Bill Parcells (1.32 min.) and DT Houston Antwine (1 min.)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian notes QB Drew Bledsoe, HC Bill Parcells and DT Houstin Antwine are the three finalists for the Patriots Hall of Fame. Fans have one month to vote.
- Mike Reiss believes Drew Bledsoe is the right call for the Hall.
- Shalise Manza Young reports the Patriots are locking in on draft prospects.
- Tom E. Curran says that with workouts nearly done, the Pats enter the grading process.
- Mike Reiss reports how Nick Caserio, in a media tutorial on the draft process, detailed the elements of a fictional draft card.
- Mark Farinella gives his take on the seminar delivered by Nick Caserio yesterday.
- Paul Kenyon writes about Nick Caserio's pre-draft primer for the media yesterday.
- Jeff Howe notes that the Patriots won't change their draft strategy because of the labor uncertainty.
- Karen Guregian reports DE Da'quan Bowers (Clemson) was spotted making a visit to Foxboro yesterday.
- Mike Reiss focuses on the draft picks available at the wide receiver position for the Patriots, beyond the first round.
- Greg A. Bedard breaks down where the 2010 opening day starters on each NFL team came from in the draft: Inside Linebackers.
- Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Draft Watch: AFC East.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Power Rankings show AFC East is terrible.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Kiper: Window closing for Pats, Tom Brady.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Report: Mayock will replace Theismann and Millen; Gus Johnson in mix for role too.
- Steve Wyche (NFL.com) First round gets hype, but second-round crop offers value.
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) Mr. safe pick: they might not be the sexiest of selections, but these prospects will make NFL rosters better.
- Clifton Brown (Sporting News) Moving down in the NFL Draft is sometimes the best way to move forward.
- Dan Pompei (Nat'l Football Post) Players as consultants.
- Russ Lande (Sporting News) NFL draft analysis: Defensive tackles.
LABOR LUNACY
- Albert Breer (NFL.com) Round 2 of NFL-player mediation begins with 'fence-mending'.
- Josh Katzowitz (CBS Sports) NFL, NFLPA will continue mediation Friday.
- Minneapolis, AP (SI)) Mediation resumes in labor dispute.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Only two of the 10 named plaintiffs attending mediation.
- Vic Carucci (NFL.com) If lockout persists, UFL ready to pounce on undrafted rookies.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Goodell holding lockout conference calls with season-ticket holders.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Goodell discusses contingency plans for Super Bowl.