New England Patriots Links 5/12/14 - Digesting the Draft

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart asserts that having a talented quarterback depth chart in New England is about more than just life after Tom Brady.
• Paul Perillo analyzes the Draft with Belichick pulling off a shocker by selecting QB Jimmy Garoppolo in the 2nd round.
• Erik Scalavino recaps New England’s action on Day 3 of the 2014 NFL Draft.
• Saturday Press Conference: Bill Belichick (21.26 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Exclusive: Inside the draft room rounds 2 and 3. (2.14 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Analyzing the 2nd round pick: Jimmy Garoppolo. (3.03 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Happy Mother's Day from the New England Patriots. (2.21 min. video)
• From the NFL - Dave Dameshek talks with a proud Garoppolo family. (1.58 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian was left underwhelmed by the Patriots' decisions in this year's Draft.
• Jeff Howe reports the new draft picks arrived Sunday at Gillette and immediately began working with the veterans.
• Zuri Berry introduces us to the Patriots 2014 Draft class and where they project to compete on the roster.
• Erik Frenz puts together a projected post-Draft depth chart.
• Christopher Price tells us five things we learned about the Patriots after the Draft: The focus is on the transition game at quarterback.
• Jeff Howe gives us five takeaways from the Patriots' draft: Easley might be the rookie class' best interior pass rusher.
• Doug Kyed points out the Patriots' draft haul includes the typical value picks and head-scratchers.
• Erik Frenz says the Patriots may not get an immediate return on investment in their 2014 draft class, but they loaded up their depth chart with an eye to the future.
• Jim Donaldson concludes that only time will tell with these curious picks.
• Karen Guregian grades the Patriots (C-) and their AFC rivals: Broncos (B), Ravens (A-), Bengals (A-), Colts C-).
• Tom E. Curran grades the Patriots 2014 Draft. Overall: C. (3.09 min. video)
• Jeff Howe relays an assessment of Dominique Easley that when he "straps it up, the nasty DT looks to make opponents bleed."
• Mike Reiss breaks down the selection of Dominique Easley in the first round of the Draft. (1 min. video)
• Field Yates analyzes the tape of Dominique Easley.
• Mike Reiss notes Dominique Easley declares that he's healthy.
• Mike Reiss spotlights Ryan Mallett's status.
• Karen Guregian reports Dan Marino believes Tom Brady is not done and his backup will have a long wait.
• Mike Reiss reports the Patriots have begun thinking about a QB succession plan.
• Tom E. Curran takes note of the Patriots acknowledging their 'situation' at quarterback.
• Christopher Price tells us how Brady's late QB guru impacted the development of Jimmy Garoppolo.
• Mike Reiss wraps up the Patriots Draft - Best move: Reinvesting in the O-Line.
• Jeff Howe believes the focus on the O-line may help Brady, who was sacked the 2nd-most times in his career last year.
• Rich Thompson notes DE Zack Moore comes out of a Division 2 college program, plays with a chip on his shoulder and is always trying to improve.
• Mike Reiss serves up some leftovers from the Patriots Day 2 of the Draft: Character counts.
• Mark Farinella tells us RB James White has family ties in Attleboro.
• Mike Reiss analyzes the Pats' Draft picks: QB Jimmy Garoppolo (93), C Bryan Stork (105), RB James White (130), OT Cameron Fleming (140), G Jon Halapio (179), DE/OLB Zach Moore (198), DB Jemea Thomas (206) and WR Jeremy Gallon (244).
• The Herald Staff thumbnails each of the Patriots draft picks.
• Mike Loyko (NEPatriotsDraft.com) 2014 New England Patriots UDFA Signings and Analysis.
• The Kevin Faulk Celebrity Softball Game will be held Saturday, May 17th, 6 pm, at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton. /Always a lot of fun.
  

NATIONAL NEWS

• Andrew Rosin (SB Nation Bucky's 5th Quarter) Why James White will be the greatest NFL running back in modern Badgers history.
• Bob Condotta (Seattle Times) After long wait, Seahawks trade first-round pick. /Seahawks had their eye on Florida DT Dominique Easley.
• Chris Wesseling (NFL.com) Seahawks traded down after Patriots picked Easley.
• Louisa Thomas (Grantland) Rocket Science: Cameron Fleming is a 320-pound monster NFL prospect with a Pac-12 pedigree.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Belichick suggests Garoppolo could be Brady's successor.
• Greg A. Bedard (The MMQB) Keep an eye on these guys. QB Jimmy Garoppolo (2nd): Less about the pick and more about whom they passed on.
• ESPN Radio (ESPN) QB Jimmy Garoppolo shares his thoughts on his selection by New England, his development, hearing his name in the media, what impresses him about Tom Brady. (5.23 min. video).
• Peter King (The MMQB) MMQB: The 2014 NFL Draft: Sealed with a kiss.
• Mike Tanier (Sports on Earth) Mandatory Monday: Draft wrap.
• Don Banks (SI) Snap judgments: Musings, observations and the occasional insight on Day 3 of the 2014 NFL Draft.
• Aaron Gordon (Sports on Earth) A new NFL Draft venue.
• Staff Report (SI) 2012 NFL Draft pick-by-pick analysis.
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) 2014 NFL Draft: Final team grades and analysis. Patriots: B -.
• Bryan Fischer (NFL.com) Quick-snap grades for all 32 teams. Pats get a 'Good job, good effort' grade.
• Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) Best and most worrisome picks in 2014 NFL Draft.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) NFL Draft 2014: Rounding up the winners and losers of Round 1. Broncos, Patriots were 'losers'.
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Patriots plan ahead: 13 takeaways from Day 2.
• Ben Watanabe (Fox Sports) As Brady's backup, Garoppolo will turn to Rodgers playbook.
• Mike Tanier (Sports on Earth) NFL Draft: First round - Day two.
  
• Staff Report (Fox Sports) Winners and losers. Winner: Dominique Easley.
• Doug Farrar (SI) NFL draft Day 2 steals and reaches.
• Robert Mays (Grantland) The six rich-get-richer moves of the NFL Draft's first round.
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Buccaneers, Raiders get high early draft grades.
• Chris Wesseling (NFL.com) Ten plug-and-play starters from Day 2 of the Draft.
• Aaron Gordon (Sports on Earth) A new NFL Draft venue.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) It's time for draft picks to take a stand and demand contracts.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) League needs to adopt a waiting period for signing undrafted free agents.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) CBS, NFLN using hybrid lineup for Thursday Night Football pregame.