Mike Reiss offers his thoughts on the Patriots drafting a running back in the first round.
I went back through Bill Belichick's drafting history in New England and Cleveland and he's done it twice (Tommy Vardell in 1992, Laurence Maroney in 2006) and those players were not hits. I don't think that would stop him from taking Mark Ingram if that opportunity was there, but it is something to consider. I think most are in agreement that the biggest thing this team needs in the draft is an improvement to the pass rush. So that should be priority No. 1, but if it's a force at No. 17, and Ingram is the best value/choice based on the scouting process, I'd make the pick knowing that pass-rush help is coming over the next few picks.
If not a RB in round 1, I think it's 2 or 3. I see this as the year the Patriots draft a running back for the first time since 2007.
Zoltan Mesko was a guest on ESPN's First Take, talking about his "lockout job" doing an internship for Graham Partners, a Philadelphia-based equity firm.
"I’m just putting my degree to use," the Michigan graduate said. "One day football is going to end for all of us. I’m just trying to land on my feet once it’s all over, once it’s all said and done. I just want to hit it running once it finally ends."
Mesko rises around 5:30 a.m. to get in a workout, before heading to work. At noon, he skips out to practice his punting.
"Around lunchtime, I’ll sneak out for a little punting session, so hopefully, I won’t get in trouble with my boss," Mesko said. "I finish the day around 8 or 9 o’clock, then do it all over again. So I’m a big fan of routines."
TEAM TALK
- PFW in Progress - 4/07/11: In this edition we discuss the latest Mock Drafts and newest trial news.
LOCAL LINKS
- Greg A. Bedard reports both the league and the players launched their public relations campaigns after the court hearing, but otherwise nothing has changed.
- Tom E. Curran reports the players and owners remain at a standoff on mediation, with neither side looking to budge soon.
- Mike Reiss finds that in his 11 drafts with the Patriots, coach Bill Belichick has selected just six running backs.
- Ian Rapoport notes Danny Woodhead is sticking with his original agent, just not his original agency.
- Mike Reiss reports the Patriots are hosting RB Mikel Leshoure (Illinois) on a pre-draft visit at Gillette Stadium, a source confirmed.
- Tom E. Curran looks at potential Patriots draftees: OG/OL/C Danny Watkins (Baylor).
- Jeff Howe thinks Mike Pouncey could the the right insurance if Logan Mankins' Patriots career comes to an end.
- Jeff Howe offers his tenth mock draft effort, with the Patriots selecting DE J.J. Watt (Wisconsin) at 17 and C/G Mike Pouncey (Florida) at 28.
- Mike Reiss posts some quick hits from the Patriots Draft release to reporters.
- Ian Rapoport gives us the link to the Patriots 2011 draft release to give fans something to check out besides labor issues.
- Christopher Price looks at how Tom Brady stacks up against other sixth-round bargains.
- Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat.
- Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: RB Mikel Leshoure (Illinois) was brought in to Gillette Stadium for a pre-draft visit; Zoltan Mesko talks about his "lockout job" on ESPN; Bill Belichick will be inducted into Phillips Academy's Athletics Hall of Honor on June 11th.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Draft Watch: AFC East.
- First Take (ESPN) Patriots punter Zoltan Mesko was a guest on ESPN's First Take this morning, talking about his unique offseason. (5:11 min. video)
- Path to the Draft (NFL.com) Why the Patriots are consistently successful each year in the draft. (3.49 min. video)
- Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) Who I love, who worries me, what baffles me in this draft.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) "The Brady 6" documentary reminds us what Pennington could do.
- Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) Could Ricky Stanzi be the next Tom Brady?
LABOR LUNACY
- Don Banks (SI) Through mediation and litigation, NFL is right back where it started.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) League, players to talk mediation with Judge Nelson today.
- Staff (Sporting News) Players, NFL owners to discuss mediation in conference call.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) What's next with the NFL lockout case? NFL Business analyst Andrew Brandt lays out the key issues. (2:23 min. video)
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Players publicly express desire to start mediation.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Players aren't interested in NFL's offer to meet with Cohen.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Boies makes compelling case for using Cohen as mediator.
- AP (SI) NFL, players disagree on who should oversee mediated talks.
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Time for players to turn off court vision.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) The key to currying favor with Judge Nelson.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) League issues statement on the possible resumption of mediation.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) League sends a letter of it's own.
- Brian Billick (Fox Sports) Young clubs, new coaches lockout losers.
- Mike Freeman (CBS Sports) Current, former players squabble.