Draft Preview for the Pats

[Muse]

New England Patriots 2008 Draft Preview
By Tony Moss, Sports Network
The Sports Network

There is rampant speculation that the Patriots have their sights set on running back Darren McFadden (Arkansas) with the No. 7 pick, but even if he is available (unlikely), that move wouldn't make a heck of a lot of sense. New England's record-setting offense returns fully intact, the Patriots used a first-round pick on a still-developing Laurence Maroney just two years ago, and the club has many more pressing needs on defense. Following the free agent losses of Asante Samuel (Eagles) and Randall Gay (Saints), the team's first target has to be a cornerback, and the Pats should get the best one in the Draft at No. 7. The second and third rounds should be about shoring up an aging linebacking corps, and specifically finding a pass rusher with double- digit sack potential. In the middle-to-late rounds, New England might try to locate a third-down back to succeed 32-year-old Kevin Faulk, and could also attempt to find a diamond-in-the-rough receiver following Donte' Stallworth's free agent departure.

2007 Record: 16-0

First Pick: No. 7

Number of Selections: 8 (1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2007 - Brandon Meriweather (DB, Miami-Florida); 2006 - Laurence Maroney (RB, Minnesota); 2005 - Logan Mankins (OL, Fresno State); 2004 - Vince Wilfork (NT, Miami-Florida), Benjamin Watson (TE, Georgia); 2003 - Ty Warren (DT, Texas A&M); 2002 - none; 2001 - Richard Seymour (DT, Georgia); 2000 - none; 1999 - Damien Woody (C, Boston College), Andy Katzenmoyer (LB, Ohio State); 1998 - Robert Edwards (RB, Georgia), Tebucky Jones (S, Syracuse); 1997 - Chris Canty (CB, Kansas State); 1996 - Terry Glenn (WR, Ohio State); 1995 - Ty Law (CB, Michigan); 1994 - Willie McGinest (LB, USC); 1993 - Drew Bledsoe (QB, Washington State); 1992 - Eugene Chung (OL, Virginia Tech); 1991 - Pat Harlow (OL, USC), Leonard Russell (RB, Arizona State); 1990 - Chris Singleton (LB, Arizona), Ray Agnew (DL, North Carolina State).

http://www.kansascity.com/491/story/561026.html

[Tchok13]

Think the Pats trying to generate interest in Mcfadden to get trade talks?

Although you could you say McFadden would be sick even operating out of the slot. Kidna like a Stallworth, just wicked fast.

[Muse]

Think the Pats trying to generate interest in Mcfadden to get trade talks?

Although you could you say McFadden would be sick even operating out of the slot. Kidna like a Stallworth, just wicked fast.


Your right, there is no doubt Darren is wicked fast. I don't see us going for him but hey only BB and SP knows that :)

[Tchok13]

If it is a ruse, its a thin one, other coaches can easily look at our roster and longterm needs and see RB isn't one of them.

[Muse]

If it is a ruse, its a thin one, other coaches can easily look at our roster and longterm needs and see RB isn't one of them.



Good point indeed

[Box_O_Rocks]

McFadden is overpriced at #7. So he runs the 40 a tenth of a second faster than Maroney, if speed truly killed Oakland wouldn't be a joke and Wes Welker would be in Cleveland and not Stallworth.

I think the discussion about shopping for Faulk's replacement is valid. Look at the contact list PatriotsDaily is compiling http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p-vlTwwovyEZFSR__LVEXLQ:
RB:
Darren McFadden 6'1" 211
Chris Johnson 5'11" 197
Thomas Brown 5'9" 204
Jacob Hester 5'11" 230
Justin Beaver 5'8" 196
Ray Rice 5'8" 199
And let me add one other name to this list; Darius Reynaud 5'10" 205

Faulk is listed at 5'8" 202 on the Pats' roster. From his bio "Faulk finished his collegiate career ranked fifth in NCAA history with 6,833 career all-purpose yards and 53 total touchdowns … Trails only Georgia running back Herschel Walker in SEC history in rushing yards (4,557) and rushing touchdowns (46)."

So who on the list above gives you a similar feel?

McFadden (Junior) - In 38 games at Arkansas, McFadden carried 785 times for 4,590 yards (5.85-yard average) and 41 touchdowns. He grabbed 46 passes for 365 yards (7.9 avg) and two scores, as he also returned 38 kickoffs for 926 yards (24.4 avg) and a touchdown. He completed 14-of-22 passes (63.6%) for 205 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception while recording five solo tackles with a fumble recovery. McFadden totaled 268 points with 44 overall touchdowns and amassed 5,881 all-purpose yards (154.76 yards per game). He ran for 100 or more yards in 22 games, but had 23 fumbles, losing nine.

Johnson - In 47 games at East Carolina, Johnson became the 11th player in school history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a career, amassing 2,982 yards with 32 touchdowns on 624 attempts. He holds the school career-record for running backs with 125 receptions for 1,296 yards and 10 touchdowns. He became the first player in school history to amass more than 5,000 all-purpose yards in a career, totaling 6,993 yards.

Brown - In 40 games at Georgia, Brown started 27 contests. He ranks fifth in school history with 2,646 yards on 529 carries (5.0 avg), scoring 23 times on the ground. He snared 39 passes for 372 yards (9.5 avg) and two scores, adding 749 yards and a touchdown on 33 kickoff returns (22.7 avg). He completed one pass for a 9-yard score and recorded four solo tackles, as he amassed 3,767 all-purpose yards, an average of 94.18 yards per game.

Hester - In 51 games at Louisiana State, Hester started 29 contests. He carried 364 times for 1,780 yards (4.9-yard average) and 20 touchdowns, fumbling just once during his career. He gained 459 yards with four scores on 62 receptions (7.4 avg), five yards on a kickoff return, 11 yards on a punt return and 22 yards on an interception return. He registered 35 tackles (20 solo) with a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and one blocked kick.

Rice (a junior) - In 38 games at Rutgers, Rice started 37 times. He holds the school career marks with 910 attempts for 4,926 yards (5.41-yard average), 49 touchdowns and a long run of 90 yards. He made 37 catches for 334 yards (9.0 avg) and a score, setting another school record by piling up 300 points. He recorded five tackles (four solo) and amassed 5,260 all-purpose yards, an average of 138.42 yards per game.

Beaver - 15 GP, 444 rush - 2552 rush yards, 97 loss, 2455 NET, 5.5 YPC, 15 rush TD's, 74 long, 163.7 yards per game, *Net Yards of 2455 is a DIII national Rushing Record in 2007...10 GP; Rush: 266-1369-5.1-4; Rec: 4-29-7.2-0; All-American, 1st team All-Wisconsin in '06. 14 GP; Rush: 428-2420-5.7-24; All-American, 1st team All-Wisconsin in '05. 8 GP; Rush: 50-340-6.8-1 in '04.

Reynaud (Junior) - While most of the media attention has been focused on West Virginia's ground game in recent year, Reynaud was considered to be that unit's most irreplaceable player. The talented and speedy open field runner is actually a running back disguised as a receiver, but whether carrying, catching or returning the ball, he has put up impressive numbers. Reynaud started 32 of 38 games for West Virginia, including 13 at split end, 13 at flanker and six sat slot receiver. He hauled in 133 passes for 1,550 yards (11.7 avg) with 19 touch-downs. He carried 34 times for 410 yards (12.1 avg) and two scores. He returned 42 kick-offs for 1,126 yards (26.8 avg) and a touchdown. He also recorded two solo tackles, as he became the tenth player in school history to gain over 3,000 all-purpose yards (3,086) in a career.

Brown, Beaver, Rice, and Reynaud are all Faulk clones as far as size and production. Johnson would be a better fit as a third down back - look at his receptions - and his weight is more in the Faulk range; now can he block? Hester is a young Heath Evans. McFadden has Faulk-like college numbers, including the fumbles.

I believe the Pats are checking out McFadden because he is considered an elite talent and they want to grade him properly, but I can't see the value in drafting him.

Rice and Johnson are expected to be second round picks, either would be productive as thrid down backs if they can develop as blockers. I can also see drafting a Johnson to develop behind Randy Moss as your deep threat - KR to start while he learns how to play WR in the NFL.

Brown and Reynaud are round 4-6 guys, proven players at the college level who may be overlooked.

Beaver is UDFA fodder who might make the club and be our next "feel good" story.

I think the Pats will be hoping Rice is still there at #69. :coffee:

[Hawg73]

Hester - In 51 games at Louisiana State, Hester started 29 contests. He carried 364 times for 1,780 yards (4.9-yard average) and 20 touchdowns, fumbling just once during his career. He gained 459 yards with four scores on 62 receptions (7.4 avg), five yards on a kickoff return, 11 yards on a punt return and 22 yards on an interception return. He registered 35 tackles (20 solo) with a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and one blocked kick.



Having seen more LSU football than probably any other college team over the last two years, I kept noticing Hester and my internal dialogue about him went something like this:

H: That kid is pretty slow

73: Yeah, slow but he averaged almost 5 a carry in the SEC and gets to the sticks like nobodies business.

H: Yeah, playing behind Herman Johnson and the rest of those monsters. I could get 3.5 and I'm over 50 with 3 heart attacks under my belt.

73: Oh, stop. You couldn't get 0.1, much less 3.5. Hester knows how to run.

H: Typical overachieving white RB. College stud, NFL dud.

73: He does everything well and does it when his team needs it. He's got the intangibles that don't show up in a 3 cone drill.

H: Well, maybe he can play somewhere, but we already have Heath Evans and that's all he could ever hope to be.

73: There is just something about him. He's a leader. A clutch player. A Patriot type for sure.

H: Yeah, we thought the same thing about the kid out of Tulsa who was supposed to be some kind of football genius and is now on the Vike's bench.

73: Hester is a much harder inside runner than that guy and practically smells the goal line.

H: Are you sure that man crush isn't only because he is a honky underdog?

73: I admit I sometimes like honky underdogs, but Hester is simply a good football player at any level. I don't know how I can put it any plainer.

H: Let's agree to disagree. Pass the cheese curls.

[Dwight Schrute]

[QUOTE=Box_O_Rocks;677176]
Beaver is UDFA fodder who might make the club and be our next "feel good" story.
QUOTE]

:blink::blink::blink::huh::shrug::spock:WTF?


Beaver and "feel good" in the same line?

[Box_O_Rocks]

[QUOTE=Box_O_Rocks;677176]
Beaver is UDFA fodder who might make the club and be our next "feel good" story.
QUOTE]

:blink::blink::blink::huh::shrug::spock:WTF?


Beaver and "feel good" in the same line?:rockon:

[Box_O_Rocks]

Having seen more LSU football than probably any other college team over the last two years, I kept noticing Hester and my internal dialogue about him went something like this:

H: Let's agree to disagree. Pass the cheese curls.:choices:

[Dwight Schrute]

Can you imagine the cult following Beaver would get in Foxboro?:blink:

I mean, if Larry Whigham can have a corner of screaming fools, what is in store for Mr. Beaver?:shrug:

[ParanoidPatriot]

Having seen more LSU football than probably any other college team over the last two years, I kept noticing Hester and my internal dialogue about him went something like this:

H: That kid is pretty slow

73: Yeah, slow but he averaged almost 5 a carry in the SEC and gets to the sticks like nobodies business.

H: Yeah, playing behind Herman Johnson and the rest of those monsters. I could get 3.5 and I'm over 50 with 3 heart attacks under my belt.

73: Oh, stop. You couldn't get 0.1, much less 3.5. Hester knows how to run.

H: Typical overachieving white RB. College stud, NFL dud.

73: He does everything well and does it when his team needs it. He's got the intangibles that don't show up in a 3 cone drill.

H: Well, maybe he can play somewhere, but we already have Heath Evans and that's all he could ever hope to be.

73: There is just something about him. He's a leader. A clutch player. A Patriot type for sure.

H: Yeah, we thought the same thing about the kid out of Tulsa who was supposed to be some kind of football genius and is now on the Vike's bench.

73: Hester is a much harder inside runner than that guy and practically smells the goal line.

H: Are you sure that man crush isn't only because he is a honky underdog?

73: I admit I sometimes like honky underdogs, but Hester is simply a good football player at any level. I don't know how I can put it any plainer.

H: Let's agree to disagree. Pass the cheese curls.

Hawg, if Hester is still sitting there in the 6th round ( maybe 5th) and we take him, we will always remember that as an excellent pick up. The kid is a football player from his head to his toes and I don't care what his measurables are.

He will get us the tough yard or two. He will block. He will be a ST's demon. And he will catch out of the backfield. Both Evans and Faulk are looking at the last couple of years of their carrers. And this kid gives us a better player than Eckles.

[Hawg73]

Hawg, if Hester is still sitting there in the 6th round ( maybe 5th) and we take him, we will always remember that as an excellent pick up. The kid is a football player from his head to his toes and I don't care what his measurables are.

He will get us the tough yard or two. He will block. He will be a ST's demon. And he will catch out of the backfield. Both Evans and Faulk are looking at the last couple of years of their carrers. And this kid gives us a better player than Eckles.

Despite my bi-polar meandering there, I really do think he is a ballplayer and I would be more than happy to see him in Foxboro. Some guys you just know have enough and he seems that way to me.

I do think that it will take a little bit more than a 5th to get him, though. His intanglibles are off the charts.

[Box_O_Rocks]

On his 2007 gang, he had FS Brandon Meriweather. Rob Rang
Senior Analyst
NFLDraftScout.com

April 8, 2008 - In scouting hundreds of players each year in preparation for the draft, it is impossible not to develop some favorites. Before explaining what "Rang's Gang" is, let me explain what it isn't. The following list isn't a ranking of the best talent per position. It isn't a projection for the 2010 Pro Bowl. It isn't necessarily even a list of underrated prospects.

Rang's Gang is the collective answer to the question
I'm most often asked: "If you were running a team
and you needed a (insert position here),
who would you take?

Of course, anyone could compile a list of the top
prospects per position and call them the surest things
of the draft. There is a reason, after all, that those
are the players teams pick first.

Therefore, there is only rule for eligibility
on Rang's Gang: No first round prospects.FS Thomas DeCoud
SS Tyrell Johnson
OLB Wesley Woodyard
ILB Curtis Lofton
OLB Bryan Kehl
CB Reggie Smith
DE Johnny Dingle
DT Trevor Laws
DT Lionel Dotson
DE Tommy Blake
CB Justin Tryon

WR Jordy Nelson
OT Mike McGlynn
OG Eric Young
C Mike Pollak
OG Chad Rinehart
OT John Greco
TE Jermichael Finley
WR Dexter Jackson
QB Chad Henne
RB Ray Rice
FB Jacob Hester

[patsin°°]

On his 2007 gang, he had FS Brandon Meriweather.FS Thomas DeCoud
SS Tyrell Johnson
OLB Wesley Woodyard
ILB Curtis Lofton
OLB Bryan Kehl
CB Reggie Smith
DE Johnny Dingle
DT Trevor Laws
DT Lionel Dotson
DE Tommy Blake
CB Justin Tryon

WR Jordy Nelson
OT Mike McGlynn
OG Eric Young
C Mike Pollak
OG Chad Rinehart
OT John Greco
TE Jermichael Finley
WR Dexter Jackson
QB Chad Henne
RB Ray Rice
FB Jacob Hester

good findz

[ctpatsfan77]

[QUOTE=Box_O_Rocks;677176]
Beaver is UDFA fodder who might make the club and be our next "feel good" story.
QUOTE]

:blink::blink::blink::huh::shrug::spock:WTF?


Beaver and "feel good" in the same line?

I have to borrow this one from PF (warning--you may want to consume any liquids currently in your mouth first :) ). . . .

But just imagine . . . Gil and Gino reacting to young Justin's first receiving touchdown in the NFL . . .

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Touchdown New England, as Brady finds a wide-open Beaver in the end zone! ROFL

[ctpatsfan77]

Touchdown New England, as Brady finds a wide-open Beaver in the end zone! ROFL

I can't believe I missed the obvious pun here . . . so I get to 'fix' my own post:

Touchdown New England, as Brady finds a wide-open Beaver for the score! :rimshot: