Monthly Archives: April 2009

Another interesting draft for Patriots

Posted on April 27, 2009 by jamie

When it comes to the draft you never know what you will get with Bill Belichick. He tends to play by his own rules and this year was no exception. It reminded me of the 2007 draft when the Patriots seemed to select a high number of players that never made it to the roster.

That is not to say this years draft class by the Patriots is bad, it just appeared as if the Patriots again were not enamored by most of the players on the board.

This is a preview of Another interesting draft for Patriots. Read the full post (668 words, estimated 2:40 mins reading time)
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Patriots move up and take OG with in the 23rd pick in the 4th round

Posted on April 26, 2009 by jamie

Yes the Patriots continue to make news with draft moves and with the players they choose.

After trading away Ellis Hobbs, the Pats grouped a couple of picks to move up and select Penn State’s offensive guard Rich Ohrnberger.

Ohrnberger is projected to be a center in the NFL, but may be a solid back up as he participated in Penn State’s zone blocking scheme and should fit in with the Pats.

IN BILL WE TRUST!!

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Patriots making more trades – Ellis Hobbs goes to the Eagles

Posted on April 26, 2009 by jamie

The New England Patriots still are moving around the NFL Draft board by trading cornerback Ellis Hobbs to the Philadelphia Eagles for two fifth round picks the 137th and 141st.

Hobbs joins former Patriot Asante Samuel with the Eagles defensive backs.

Hobbs has been fairly productive although not a full on starting shut down cornerback as Samuel was with New England. Hobbs is well known in his kick return ability and has been a game changer for the Patriots in the past few years. The Patriots save $2.2 million in the cap.

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Patriots finally pick an OLB

Posted on April 26, 2009 by jamie

…and once again, I don’t think anyone would’ve guessed this one. This is a position of need for the Patriots since Mike Vrabel was traded to Kansas City, but I don’t think Tyrone McKenzie was high on anybody’s draft boards. Clay Matthews and Larry English seemed to be the highest-rated players going into the draft.

But if there’s been one clear message from Bill Belichick in this draft, it’s that the players ranked in the higher rounds were overrated. He has obviously been marching to the beat of his own drummer, passing over, as Jamie put it, “a pass-rushing beast” in English to take McKenzie, whose scouting report is lukewarm.

The key may be the line “great footbal IQ”. The Patriots are looking to replace not just a body but a leader in Mike Vrabel, although I think this pick shows the Patriots think someone further up the depth chart, like last year’s draft pick Shawn Crable, will be stepping into that role.

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Another surprise pick: WR Brandon Tate

Posted on April 26, 2009 by jamie

North Carolina v Rutgers

Tate could be a classic example of value pushed down to later levels of the draft. Were it not for a knee injury (granted, a significant knee injury in which he tore both the ACL and MCL), the consensus among the talking heads on ESPN is that the speedy, versatile Tate would’ve been a first-round pick.

This is a preview of Another surprise pick: WR Brandon Tate. Read the full post (165 words, 1 image, estimated 40 secs reading time)
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Bill Belichick looks amused in ESPN interview

Posted on April 26, 2009 by jamie
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Bill Belichick was just interviewed by Chris Berman on ESPN, looking like the most uncomfortable person on the planet in a necktie, yet with an expression on his face at the same time like the cat who ate the canary. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was smiling.

If the Patriots were going to take a tackle, I think most expected it to be one of the first-rounders like Andre Smith or Michael Oher. Instead, the Patriots selected Sebastion Vollmer with the 58th pick. Belichick said the 6′ 8″ OT from Houston is “a big man who works hard” and added that he has the versatility to play either left or right tackle

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Patriots select offensive lineman with the 58th pick

Posted on April 26, 2009 by jamie

Although the Patriots have future need at offensive lineman, choosing right tackle Sebastian Vollmer from Houston with the 58th pick seems to be a reach. He was a projected 3rd/4th rounder and there were a few other picks of better value like Jamon Meredith OT/OG from South Carolina.

At 6-7 he is a huge man along the Patriots line and will be a quality back up and possibly could start at some point down the road with all the contract due to expire at the end of 2009.

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Patriots deepen DB roster with new CB Darius Butler

Posted on April 26, 2009 by jamie
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This is not a position of need for the Patriots, but this drafting is another sign that Belichick & Co. are deadly serious about beefing up the defensive secondary this year – even if it’s by adding another corner after signing Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden in free agency.

This is a preview of Patriots deepen DB roster with new CB Darius Butler. Read the full post (264 words, 1 image, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)
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Patriots take local Worcester native and BC lineman Ron Brace at #40

Posted on April 26, 2009 by jamie

When the Patriot decide to get younger on defense and go with Safety, Defensive Lineman and Cornerback, you may think something is a miss with all the issues at linebacker.

But no one knows talent for the Patriots system more than Bill Belichick.

Choosing defensive lineman Ron Brace from BC. He is s bit too big to move out to defensive end, bu now the Patriots have a big guy to back up Vince Wilfork or maybe this means Wilfork will be moving on after his contract ends in 2010.

This could also mean a few more 4-3 packages for the Patriots in 2009.

This is a preview of Patriots take local Worcester native and BC lineman Ron Brace at #40. Read the full post (130 words, estimated 31 secs reading time)
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Patriots move up to have back to back defensive picks!

Posted on April 26, 2009 by jamie

Patriots are trading with Oakland to move up to #40 in exchange for #47 and #124 and #199. Patriots have the next 2 picks.

You have to love Al Davis!!

First of the back to back picks is Boston College’s DL Ron Brace at #40 and next is UCONN’s CB Darius Butler with the 41st pick.

Belichick sticks with two defensive guys from the New England area. Will have an update on the picks a bit later.

IN BILL WE TRUST!!

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