Seeing as Rusty asked at the end of that Jets thread if it's time for an early start to the Draft babble, I say why the hell not?!
While I don't have Mel Kiper on speed dial as Mike does, I'm eye balling some people and ultimately can see the two areas the Pats need to draft heavy on is the D-line to create a fucking pass rush and the O-line to get the new blood going for the future (i.e. Logan Mankins and Matt Light as free agents, Stephan Neal looking to retire after next season, Nick Kazur is all fucked up).
Anything else is just gravy.

is it Sept already

I haven't really done much of the research I do before the draft yet, but the last time I looked at walterfootball.com (his mocks make absolute sense most of the time, which means they're usually wrong because some GMs are dumber than a box of rocks), he had the Pats taking Cameron Jordan (DE, Cal) and Mark Ingram in the 1st...if that came true, I'd be ecstatic

I think Ingram might be gone before then. As much as I'd like him, I'd rather they go overboard on OLB/DE and OT. I'm watching to see if in the 2nd/3rd rounds they snag either Mark Herzlich or Casey Matthews.

Isn't Casey Matthews staying at Oregon?

Mike Pouncey is another option I'd be very happy with

Nah. He's a senior. He's coming out and wants the world to know.

well then, add him to the list of players I want the Pats to take

If they got both Herzlich and Matthews, I'd have to change my undies.

if everyone's healthy (which with football, is never the case, but for arguments sake), they need:

O-linemen - contrary to what most other people say, I believe this is their biggest need because Light, Mankins, and Neal all might be gone and Koppen has a pretty bad year by his standards, Connolly could fill one of those holes, but they obviously need more
OLB - if Cunningham can continue to develop, that'd be a big help, but they need someone on the other side, as much as I like Ninkovich, he's not the answer
DE - Gerard Warren was surprisingly very good, as well as the rotation of Deaderick, Love, Moore, Pryor, and Brace, and Ty Warren and Mike Wright (although I think he's a free agent) should be coming back, but the Warren twins probably won't be around much longer, so someone Warren and Warren can mentor would be great
another RB to mix with Law Firm, Woodhead, and hopefully Faulk - they're probably going to let Taylor and Morris walk, so they'll need someone to add to the RB rotation

people are going to say WR, but I think they think they're fine with Welker and Branch, while they can further develop Edelman, Tate, Price, Gronk, and Hernandez

One guy I've been reading and keeping an eye on for a while that I think would be a great pick in the later rounds, Owen Marecic, Fullback from Stanford.
Tell me this guy is not the type of player Belichick loves.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1174606/index.htm

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/2011-nfl-dr...wen-marecic-most-versatile-prospect

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=2601

If bill keeps building that d and brings some new blood to the o line I'll be happy. A guy who can get to the qb would be nice.

Like I said, those two things are my only main concerns. Everything else is just gravy if it's players worth a damn.

Cameron Jordan is at the top of my list, and had been getting rave reviews for how he looked in his senior bowl practices. He could be a spectacular 3-4 DE or a 4-3 tackle. His ability to bull rush and find the ball is almost on par with some of the top d-line guys in the draft. THAT BEING SAID, I think his draft stock is only going to rise in the coming months and he'll be gone somewhere in the top 15.

It's still early in my draft evals but I'm not impressed with the other Cameron (Heyward). He's still living off his reputation from last year, and has a tendency to disappear some. Even if he wasn't from Ohio State I'd still have to compare him to Vernon Gholston, but like I said it's still early.

As far as o-line goes, I like Gabe Carmini from Wisconsin. He moves really well well a big guy, has long arms, and works great in pass protection.

My thoughts on Mark Ingram have been documented here before. Take a picture, write it down, Ingram will make the non-believers pay.

bump for everybody havin' fun tonight. Everybody Patrick Chung tonight.

Carimi was another one I was looking at. Looks good.

Here's a video of him beating the shit out of Cameron Heyward:

bennyhillifier

Bump for "The Super Bowl is done so now IT BEGINS!"

Exactly. Heyward strikes me as a total stiff right off the bat. And on the other side of the ball here's why I don't want Anthony Costanzo


bennyhillifier

Maybe he's a solid prospect, but to get eaten alive by a NFL ready talent like Quinn has got to get you taken off a few draft boards.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing the Pats go in a different direction this draft and see them use some of their draft picks to trade up. They've laid a nice foundation for themselves by spreading their picks around. With this year's draft not being ultra-deep it might be smart to either stock-pile for next year and/or go after a small handful of impact guys.

I've been watching the offensive linemen at the combine all morning. Carimi is trying way too hard and looks like shit. It might drop his stock just enough to get him to the Pats. I've got a couple lesser known o-line prospects in mind after watching this... but you'll have to read the upcoming blog entry to find out who.

Hahahaha, I've been waiting for that blog update since the super bowl

QB, WR and RB today. Bump

Dion Lewis and Jacquizz Rodgers are killing the RB drills right now

It's always interesting to see people's opinions and draft boards and how they can change after the Combine is over. Sometimes you see A LOT of changes on people's boards, both positive and negative for players.

p.s. Julio Jones KILLED it today.

Bump for D-linemen today.
Also, Looking back a few other guys that might have bumped their stock so far are Ryan Mallett and Jake Locker. They really needed good workouts after the questions about Mallett and Lockers having a bad senior year.
Also, Stephen Paea might have bench pressed himself into the bottom of the first round/top of the second. 49 presses. Holy shit.

Dion Lewis' stats at Pitt were ridiculous. 2,860 yards and 30 TD's (I'm quoting this from memory btw) in TWO YEARS.

Johnathan Baldwin running a 4.45 is also freakish considering his size. I've got a ton of other notes that I'm saving for the blog.

Walterfootball had a good point about Cam Newton's workouts in that almost all the qb's who have recorded top broad jump numbers in recent years are either out of the nfl or rotting at the bottom of depth charts. Have fun Buffalo.

Watching d-line right now. Take the 17th overall and pair it with one of the thirds, move up to the top 10 and get Marcell Dareus.

That too. I really wish Justin Houston wow-ed me some more today. I need to go back and re-watch the linebacker workouts. I saw a handful of really impressive things from him, but a lot of so-so performances.

The biggest things post-combine are gonna be when Bill works out and interviews/quizzes some of these kids to see if they also have the brain power and character to fit in the Pats schemes.

I think Houston will be the only 3-4 OLB/"tweener" guy the Pats consider because out of all of them he has the most experience in coverage

I say that assuming Von Miller goes in the top 5 like he's projected to do, and the Pats wouldn't trade up to get him

Unless there is a guy available at #17 that the Patriots have a SERIOUS boner about, I wouldn't be shocked if they traded down at least once.

I've been saying this to a friend of mine all offseason (cause he always talks about the Pats going to get guys project higher than where they are picking n the 1st), unless the CBA gets done before the draft meaning that there will be a rookie cap for this year, then there is very little chance the Pats move up at all, especially to the top 10

Exactly. I doubt you'll see that cap this year. Next year maybe, but not this year.

Julio Jones did all those drills yesterday with a broken foot.

W
T
F

Remember when Al Davis, the greasy haired neurotic cunthole of the Raiders drafted a kicker with his 1st pick? LULZ..

Actually Guy, the kicker turned out awesome, but that was bizarre.

Took a quick look back at the Janikowski pick in 2000. The next 2 picks were Chad Pennington and Shaun Alexander. Also, Janikowski was under threat of deportation for some sort of legal incident at the time of the draft. How perfect would that have been?

Hey XmikeX, what do you think is the Pats biggest need right now IYO?

A lot of people are over looking it, but a 5 technique DE might be their biggest need. Everyone is clamoring for a pass rushing OLB, and that's great but in a 3-4 your linebackers are conditional to your lineman in terms of getting in the backfield.

I like Mike Wright as much as the next guy. I haven't given up on Ron Brace. I think Brandon Deaderick can have a productive career. But I don't trust Ty Warren going forward healthwise. They don't have a 3 down DE who can consistently collapse the pocket. You've got the best 1 gap nose tackle in the goddamn league, it makes no sense to compliment him with rotational guys like Mike Wright on 3 downs. A dominant DE is going to make Wilfork's job easier, the OLB's job's easier, and the DB's jobs easier.

I'm also getting seriously sick of WEEI retards scoffing at the idea of drafting a d-lineman (the deepest position in the draft) because Ty Warren is going to magically repair himself.

Sounds good. I think their secondary is all set. They have come a long way. I honestly do think though that they are on the other side of the hill as a team. Watching the Jets/Pats game in the playoffs solidified that thought for me.

I still think OL is their biggest need, but I completely agree with all of that.

If they can draft a 5 tech DE, an OLB and a OT with the first three picks, happy fapping indeed. I can see how the Pats signed Stroud today as insurance. They were DYING by the end of the season at DE due to injuries. I still think you could see some improvement from their young guys (Brace, Pryor, Deadrick) but I agree that there's no risk in trying to grab a stud that could be a starting DE as a rookie.
Mike, that Julio Jones combine was disgusting already before the broken foot report came out. That dude is gonna shoot up the boards quick.
I have a feeling you might see more offensive players (QB, RB and WR) jump up the boards leading up to the draft which could help the Pats if more of the defensive players fall closer to the lower half of the first round.

ATTN fellow draftniks

WalterFootball's new mock has Cam Newton #1, Marcell Dareus #2.....





..........and Nick Fairley #8 to YOUR Tennessee Titans

WF is the shit. Carolina is so desperate for a quarterback (how bad does Jimmy Clausen suck) that I can almost see them blowing their wad on Newton. For now I still think they'll go best available, and Newton will go somewhere in the bottom of the 1st.

After watching the Dline combine I'm in agreement with WF's take the Dareus might have leapfrogged Fairley and Bowers. I watched a lot of Alabama last season, and Dareus was pretty dominant.

I like Dan's point about the offensive talent hopefully dropping the defensive talent further down. My problem with going O-Line in the first is that there are really only 2 guys I'd be thrilled about taking at 17: Tyron Smith and Carimi. Costanzo and Solder are both way over rated. I wasn't huge on Pouncey at first, but he was head and shoulders above almost all the interior linemen at the combine. Really, he looked like a veteran. But I don't want him at 17.

Honestly, it cannot hurt at all to have a D-line rotation of Wilfork, both Warrens, Wright, Stroud, Brace, Pryor, Deaderick, Moore (name we all keep forgetting), Love, and <insert name of 1st round pick here>. I think I said earlier in this thread that both Warrens won't be here forever, and when you have as many picks as the Pats do in this thread, what's wrong with getting a talented replacement for them to groom for the time when they're gone?

I hung out with Marc Colombo Friday night. He was even cooler than this story, bros. Bought us shots.

What's Marc Colombo's 40 yard dash time?

Before or after Jager holocaust?

Quick point, We could def get a good OT at #33. I'd rather the first two picks go to defense.

I thought d line was the biggest need until Stephen Neal retired. I am officially flip flopping and saying O line is the biggest need specifically in the interior.

In that case, your boy Pouncey could def happen at #28

Pouncey would be a great pick IMO

So try this out:

The RTTP Patriots Mock-Mock Draft Challenge

The rules:
- Take the existing WF 6 round mock draft and make all 9 selections.
- Every round EXCEPT the first round you're allowed to choose a player WF mocks up to 3 spots up from where the Patriots are drafting (ex. At pick #92 you're eligible to select anyone listed before or after #89). Players taken before the -3 point should be considered drafted and unavailable.
- List an alternate for each pick (built in rule for me because I can't settle on anything)
- Players not listed on the WF mock draft list are also eligible for draft
- Prepare to doubt yourself seconds after posting

Mine:
17. Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin / Adrian Clayborn DE / OLB Iowa
28. Mike Pouncey G Florida / Johnathan Baldwin WR Pitt
33. Stephen Paea DT Oregon State / Rodney Hudson G FSU
57. Jabaal Sheard DE/OLB Pitt / Marcus Cannon TCU
74. Rashad Carmichael CB Virginia Tech/ Greg Jones LB Michigan State
92. Dontay Moch OLB / Kendric Burney CB UNC
124. Marcus Gilbert OT Florida / Darryl Skrine CB/ST UT Chattanooga
156. Chris Carter DE OLB Fresno State / Marcus Gilchrist CB Clemson
188. Jamie Harper RB Clemson / Terrell McClain DT South Florida

Clayborn over Watt just because I like pissing people off. Paea is a must at 33 as far as I'm concerned. Jabaal Sheard is a very under rated 3-4 OLB prospect. Greg Jones is considered more of a 4-3 prospect but he was a tackling machine at Michigan State. Dontay Moch, even though he didn't have the numbers in 2010, is one of the most athletic linebackers I've ever seen. Potentially great value pick. Gilbert impressed me a lot at the combine, and so did Skrine (ran his 40 in the 4.2's). If Chris Carter is available at 156 it's a must. Jamie Harper, all things considered, bombed at Clemson and might not even get drafted but I think he has the raw talent to be a solid NFL player.

Also, the Clayborn pick is a moot point because if Kerrigan and Carimi are both off the boards Belichick is going to the phones.

umm what?

Allow me to explain with an example.
We're working off of: http://www.walterfootball.com/draft2011.php

According to the WF mock, the second round will go:
Pick 56: Saints Mason Foster
Pick 57: Seahawks Jabaal Sheard
Pick 58: Ravens Christian Ballard
Pick 59: Falcons Randall Cobb
Pick 60: Patriots...

The rules simply state that for the 60th overall pick you can select for the Patriots any player mocked to go 3 spaces before that pick. So I can put down Jabaal Sheard as the Patriots pick, BUT I can't put Mason Foster because he's 4 spots ahead of the 60th overall pick, and therefore should be considered drafted already.

This is acceptable for every round except the 1st round.

It's the only way I could think of to take into account trades without really getting into gritty detail over it.

oooooooooh, this should be fun.

speaking of WF, he's had this s a Pats pick alternative at #17 for a while:

1. Muhammad Wilkerson or Corey Liuget, DE/DT - Cameron Jordan will be the pick if he somehow makes it to No. 17, but I doubt he falls this far. Other five-techniques not named J.J. Watt are options as well.

why would Watt not be an option for the Pats? he has the drive and passion BB loves

Something about the way Watt plays makes me think he's not as automatic for a 3-4 DE as everyone might think. I think he plays more like a pass rushing 4-3 DT than anything.

I think he's more of the 5-technique than Liuget, haven't seen enough of Wilkerson to judge his play

Food for thought on Wilkerson. He had 10 sacks in 2010. 6 of them were between Buffalo (2-10) and Kent State (5-7).

clearly, since there will be a player lockout, first pick in the draft will be none other than Keanu Reeves.

Ok, following Mike's rules, here is my current mock draft.

17. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin/Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
28.Mike Pouncey, G, Florida /Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA
33. Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois / Stefen Wisniewski, C/G, Penn State
60. Jabaal Sheard DE/OLB Pitt /Randall Cobb, WR/KR, Kentucky
74. Jake Kirkpatrick, C, TCU / Rashad Carmichael, CB, Virginia Tech
92. Dontay Moch, DE/OLB, Nevada/ Owen Marecic, FB, Stanford
124. Dwayne Harris, WR/KR, East Carolina / Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida
156. Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College/ Derek Hall, OT, Stanford
188. Chris L. Rucker, CB/FS, Michigan State / Terrell McClain, DT, South Florida

Is it time to take a break when you're scouring the Lindenwood Pro Day?


bennyhillifier

I was looking at Leshoure the other day. His stats are unbelievable, but the guy has such a weird style of running. A lot of time's it's like he has no interest in making defenders miss, and is just waiting to be tackled.

Wisniewski didn't do it for me in the combine. I kept hearing about him as a candidate for 33, but he looked really stiff and sloppy in his drills.

I'm really intrigued by Mark Herzlich, but I've also heard from credible sources that he's a 4-3 guy only.

I'm really glad to see other people aren't taking the bait on Solder. I also don't see where all this supposed desperation to get a starting left tackle is coming from. Vollmer is a better LT than Matt Light is. Whoever we draft is going to RT if anywhere.

lastest WF mock:

#17 - Cam Jordan
#28 - Akeem Ayers
#33 - Mikel Leshore


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not big on Ayers and I don't think Belichick will be either. But Jordan to the Pats at 17 would be a very happy surprise.

Now if we could just get mock drafts to have ANY sort of reflection on real life.

I think if Jordan is there at 17, BB will pull the trigger

I've been wishy washy on Ayers, looks like a straight up 4-3 Will LB to me...I'm more of a Justin Houston fan, but he most likely won't be at 28...I believe Pouncey would be the guy to target there

Upon closer look the latest WF mock sucks for the Pats.

17. Jordan (yes)
28. Ayers (no)
33. Leshore (on the fence)
60. Danny Watkins (27 year old guard prospect everyone is gushing about but I wasn't overly impressed with in the combine. Marcus Cannon and Clint Boling are still on the board at this point.)
74. Joseph Barksdale (if we traded Randy Moss for an OT I've never even heard of I'll lose my mind AGAIN).
92. Edmund Gates (this would make 3 third round receivers in 3 years)
124. Shiloh Keo (I like this guy a lot actually.)
156. Jeremy Beal (great tackling linebacker with great instincts but he's soooo fucking slow)
188. Devon Torrence (Write this down: Devon Torrence sucks. Even for a 6th rounder).

in fact, I'd rather have Sam Acho in the 2nd (he SHOULD be there at #60) than Ayers in the 1st

Dontay Koch would be a great mid-to-late rounder too...dude tore up the Combine from what I saw

excuse me, Dontay Moch

Dontay Boch, come on down!

Word on the street is a Rookie cap has been reached in the negotiations between the Owners and Players. I'll be interested to see if they take effect before this year's draft or next year.

Also, I'm not hot on Danny Watkins. Get Pouncey at #28 and then worry about a OLB in the second. Dontay Moch would be a dude to grab, even if they have to reach a tad.
Mike, make with the BOO-URNS Blog update already!

BTW "Hai guiz! I'm Don Banks and I haz Draft Board!"
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writ...nks/03/09/nfl-mock-draft/index.html
Blaine Gabbard AND Cam Newton in the top three?!
Apparently, he read my mock draft too. Cam Jordan goes JUST before the Pats and he has us taking J.J. Watt and Mike Pouncey.

I think Banks is a draft hack personally

Mark my words. The Bills are smoke screening with Cam Newton. They want to move down, and get more picks and are trying to get someone (Seattle, Arizona,) to bite with a nice bounty. The Browns did it with Sanchez. Hopefully for Buffalo they can draft better than Mangini.

fixed.

100% true

Opinions:
One big massive 50+ player profile

OR

Series of 10 at a time entries?

so how bout them bruins

Depends.......if you did the 10 at a time, how often would you be able to update it?

pretty much constantly until the draft. the thing is, the more research I do the more I change my mind on guys. so I run the risk of constantly flip flopping.

Eh, do the ten, but have a part for your official flip-flops should any happen. That why you don't have to keep correcting the blog, but people can still reference back to the original posts.
BTW Bump for Lockout.

ITT: Dan White, Slavedriver

AHEM...



laugh at my fucking joke, raviolimen

WF mock update for Pats:

17. Cam Jordan
28. Mike Pouncey
33. Akeem Ayers
60. Ryan Williams (RB, Virginia Tech)
74. Joseph Barksdale (OT, LSU)
92. Edmund Gates (WR, Abilene Christian)
124. Shiloh Keo (SS, Idaho)
156. Jeremy Beal (DE/OLB, Oklahoma)
188 Devon Torrence (CB, Ohio State)

I personally like this one A LOT better than the last one. Like I've said before, I'm wishy washy on Ayers, but getting him at 33 would be a steal.

I'd fap to that. If we didn't get Jordan but came away with J.J. Watt, I'd still fap. That's a solid draft.

Jordan at 17 would be incredible, but I'm really confused with how WF expects him to drop that low. He was originally mocked to go in the 17-20 range, but since then he's done everything possible to put his stock sky high. Let's not get our hopes up.

The story on Barksdale I guess is that going into this year a lot of people thought he'd be a top 3 OT consideration but his last year at LSU wasn't anything pretty. His footwork is really sloppy, and at times he looks like he doesn't know what he's doing.

The Pats have already worked out 3 WR's: Jeremy Kerley TCU, Chris Matthews Kentucky, and potential 1st rounder Torrey Smith from Maryland. Smith has some pretty elite physical gifts, but his hands are really small and he catches with his body. Matthews is 6-5 219 lbs and ran a 4.5 at his pro day. I think Kerley was more of a return guy.

I was gonna say, aside from him dropping that low, they had J.J. Watts going #12 overall. That's a big reversal between those two players. I just don't see that happening.

Bump for slave driving!

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/neweng...-list-of-patriots-private-workouts/

New blog title, possibly?

hahaha nice!

Approved!

updated WF mock gives Pats WR Titus Young at #60 instead of Ryan Williams, James Brewer (OT, Indiana) instead of Barksdale, and Jordan Todman (RB, UConn) instead of Gates, first 3 picks stay the same

also gives the Pats Marecic at #124, you're welcome Dan

Saw this today: http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/...olts-eyeing-one-of-pats-extra-picks
So the Chargers want the Pats #28 and are willing to trade for it? Interesting.
Chargers have two 2nd round picks, so I have a feeling it would take one of those plus another lower pick this year or next year.

1. Fuck Titus Young. He's all Boise State hype and catches with his small intestine.

2. If I'm Belichick and San Diego wants 28 from me for a 2nd and a 4th, I'd tell them I want next year's first. As it stands I want Pouncey, Brooks Reed, or Stephen Paea at 28 unless it's a deal too good to pass up.

edit fail.

also, I now own www.patskrieg.com and have a nice running start on the blog (8 entries so far, another dozen plus already ready to go not online yet). If I had been able to map my wordpress blog to my domain tonight it would have been up by now.

I would agree with that, partly because San Diego doesn't even have a 4th to give. According to Walter Football (and I could have read it wrong) but it looks like the Chargers have no picks in both the 4th and 5th rounds and one pick towards the middle of the 6th round. Soooooo, they're a bit limited for this year unless they went nuts and traded both second rounders. Otherwise, Pouncey, Reed or Paea would be awesome catches, moreso when you think about that #33 just waiting behind. You could have two of those three by the start of the 2nd round.

Well that would clinch it then.... b'oh!

www.PATSKRIEG.com

up and running. enjoy.

WF mock update:

17. Jordan
28. Pouncey
33. Mikel Leshore
60. Chris Carter, DE/OLB, Fresno State
74. Titus Young (!!!, I know Mike doesn't like him, but that's highway robbery at that spot)
92. James Brewer, OT, Indiana
125. Marecic
159. Beal
193. Justin Rogers, CB/KR, Richmond

I like Chris Carter a lot. He can stop on a dime and plays like a maniac. But all the teams that have worked him out thus far have been 4-3 defenses.

Titus Young at 74 would be a classic value pick, but WF also leaves Ras I Dowling and Edmund Gates on the board at that time. I'm very high on Dowling who could have been a first round pick if he had played last year.

As much as we're all routing for Marecic, this mock gives us a Fullback at 125 and the Jets Kenrick Ellis at 126. The Pats haven't had a real fullback in years and their offense has carried on fine. That sequence of picks would come back to haunt us huge.

Putting up a post on Muhammad Wilkerson tonight.

I like how this thread has "devolved" to Mike, Dan, and I...I post the WF updates, Mike provides analysis, and Dan agrees lol

LOL we are a bunch of asses, aren't we? I have to say, the more I think about it, If Brooks Reed is available at #33, the Pats should jump on that. Sure, people wanna sweat Houston and Ayers more, but I think a tandem of Jordan, Pouncey and Reed with the first three picks would be damn good for their needs.
Mike, if the Pats didn't land Jordan and they have to pick between J.J. Watts and Ryan Kerrigan, who would you go for? Both are guys who's names have been thrown around a lot involving the Pats.

if the Pats made out with Jordan, Pouncey, and Reed, I might skeet all over the place

I personally like Houston more than Reed (I do like Reed a lot), but Jordan at 17 and Reed at 33 would be steals

Wilkerson

Well played, Mr. Shea............well played.

Kerrigan gained 7 lbs between the combine at his pro day, putting him at 274. He seems pretty committed to playing heavy and we already know that he's too stiff and un-athletic to play in space. I think the hopes of him being a 3-4 OLB are slim at this point.

Watt... I dunno, I've got to do more research. The legend of JJ Watt has already far exceeded the player. Mike Mayock called him the best 5 technique DE he's ever seen which just seems really premature and ridiculous to me. Russ Lande didn't even have him in his 1st round draft (as I mentioned in the blog: http://draculamountain.wordpress.com/2011/03/18/mock-draft-critique-russ-lande-sporting-news/). He did the same thing with Vernon Gholston who was a similar style player. Gholston had a lot more red flags, but was still considered a lock to be at least a successful player.

For the time being, something about Watt just doesn't add up for me.

the differences between Gholston and Watt from what I saw in each pre-draft are 1) Gholston was projected to be a 3-4 OLB, and Watt won't play that position except for MAYBE on a situational basis, and 2) Gholston had questions about his desire and drive, and by all accounts, Watt doesn't have those problems...Michael Holley is an Ohio State mark, and HE said multiple times before the Gholston draft that Gholston regularly would take plays off, or even whole games

I think a Gholston/Watt comparison is completely unfair, these two players couldn't be more different in my eyes

Wilkerson profile is up on Patskrieg.

Who are more players you guys want to see on there? I have a pretty lengthy list. So far I've been trying to work with just guys I know the Pats have worked out or talked to. But I'm flexible.

fascinating development: Patriots have a workout scheduled this week with Prince Amukamara.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you don't like Watt, so post a Watt profile

Indeed! How about guys that we've mentioned a lot, like in those mock drafts we did a lil while ago.

I've got an Amukamara profile going up tomorrow morning that I couldn't resist. I think I've got to bite the bullet and take my stance on Watt.

Good profile. I liked a few of those faults you saw in his play. I honestly haven't heard much criticism directed towards Amukamara, so that was refreshing.

Also, there will be plenty to chew on as these pro days wrap up. I was just reading about the Hawaii pro day that finished today. Paea solidified himself as a low 1st/high 2nd pick and Hawaii's WR Greg Salas apparently snuck up on a lot of people and is looking like a solid 2nd rounder. Good speed, hands and ran very tight routes.

Paea had 25 - 35 locked up when he broke the bench press record. I was waiting for his Pro Day to get done so I could write his profile. He's a guy I'm really excited about, and a solid option at 33 if they don't want to go D-line before then. My only initial flag about him was that he talks like an absolute moron in his interviews. He's like a Hawaiian Johnny Damon with a microphone in front of him.

Now if anybody would read this stupid blog it'd be a lot more rewarding.

WF April Fools Mock has the Pats taking Dareus, and Blaine Gabbert. And the Jets vowing to win a Super Bowl without drafting anyone.

Cameron Jordan profile up
http://draculamountain.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/profile-cameron-jordan/

WF UPDATE (THIS ONE'S A DOOZY):

17. Jordan
28. MARK FUCKING INGRAM
33. Randall Cobb (WR, Kentucky)
60. Jabaal Sheard (DE/OLB, Pitt)
74. Clint Boling (G, Georgia)
92. Johnny Patrick (CB, Louisville)
125. Demarcus Love (OL, Arkansas)
159. Beal
193. Cedric Thornton (DL, Southern Arkansas)

I think Mike just fainted

I would do backflips if the Pats landed Ingram. The thing is, if he's available at 28 there's a 60/40 chance he'd be available at 33. Green Bay is the only team from 29-32 that's a threat to grab him. If that's the case I'd rather take Brooks Reed, Derrick Sherrod, or Stephen Paea at 28. Ingram at 33.

Randall Cobb, like I mentioned in the blog: http://draculamountain.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/305/ , is maybe one of the best receivers in the draft, but he's a slot guy mainly. He's not a big overpowering wideout who can threaten with the deep ball.

And then if you take Reed at 28 you don't need to take Sheard at 60. I think Sheard will be a great NFL player, and he's very similar to Reed. But that would give the Pats their choice of Marcus Cannon and Danny Watkins at Guard which would be 2 solid value picks for 60.

So that of course negates the need to go Guard again in the 3rd and gives the Pats their choice of deep threats Edmund Gates, or Greg Little both of which are natural wideouts. Little isn't the most agile dude, and he's kind of a moron but he's a 230 lb wideout who runs a 4.4 and has brilliant hands.

Johnny Patrick is a solid pick for 92... although I might want Jaiquawn Jarrett instead, but corner is of course a bigger need than safety.

Love is a solid depth move, and an interesting sleeper pick. Chris Hairston might be a better move if you're looking for a tackle.

Beal, tough to argue with a big name that deep. But I'd also consider Denuta Williams.

So yeah, close... but not perfect.

Question: If the Pats take a quarterback anywhere in this draft, who do you want?

I don't like this QB class at all...wait one more year to groom a Brady replacement

I'm reading a book about the Billick era Ravens. It has a story from Art Modell where the Browns were looking at 2 guys with the same name. One was a WR then other was a defensive lineman. They drafted the wide receiver, but accidentally called the defensive lineman to congratulate him.

I can't wait till the Jets trade up ahead of us to draft USC's Jordan Cameron.

Here's today's blog entry, along with an argument in favor of moving Dontay Moch to inside linebacker:
http://draculamountain.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/profile-dontay-moch/

roar

Also.....

"First play, comes up the gut, sheds a block and assists on a tackle. Sergio Kindle wouldn’t have been able to get off the block."

Were we the only two that pointed that out before the draft last year when everyone else wanted the Pats to draft Kindle?

I remember getting into fights with people over it last year lol

...and another thing....

I finally found out why WF said Watt isn't an option for the Pats. He did a "Not Draft" today, meaning these are players that these teams will definitely not pick contrary on popular picks he's seen in multiple other mocks. Here is what he put for the Pats at 17:

New England Patriots: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
J.J. Watt is a popular pick here in 2011 NFL Mock Drafts, but it's not going to happen. Bill Belichick has an incredible disdain for Watt's agent, Tom Condon, and hasn't drafted a Condon player since Ben Watson in 2004.

....and I now bow down to Walter and kiss his rings

1. Called it on Watt. Didn't want him anyways.
2. Kindle is proof of what reactionary hype can do to public perception. That guy was never a football player, and I'm amazed he even went as high as he did to a team that is historically great and grading defensive talent.
3. In early retrospect, Gronkowski was far and away the best pick in the 2010 second round.
4. I'd be suspect about anyone who backed Ben Watson too.

That's a tough call because McCourty looks to be a beast as he matures and Aaron Hernendez is looking like THE steal of last years draft.

Also, that updated WF mock blew my mind. Weird role reversal of the Miami $15 pick nd our #28 prior to the mock. I can say, if the draft went down like it looks on that mock, with Brooks Reed going JUST beforehand to Atlanta, I'd figure the Pats would be in a trading mode with #28 because of what would probably be available at #33 (including possibly Ingram). The Randall Cobb at #33 makes no sense to me. WAY more quality O-line and D-line prospects available then a talented slot receiver the Pats don't need.

2nd round Dan, 2nd round. McCourty was a first.

There's a 340 point trade point difference between the 16th and 28th picks. If the Pats wanted to trade for the 16th overall it'd cost them (best case scenario) 28, 60, and 125 to get it. Otherwise it's New England's 28 and 33 for the 16th plus another 180 points worth of Miami picks.

And I say no way does BB give up 33. He loves that spot.

I'm hoping beyond hope they stand pat in the 1st 2 rounds because it seems like this draft is rather top heavy and having 4 picks could prove to be better than getting the most "value" this year

B'OH!

Also, no no no, you misunderstand. I mean trade DOWN from #28.

Wow I'm all over the place today. I was mixing it up with the talk that Miami wants out of 15 to get picks in the 2nd round. In my head I'm thinking if they traded down to 28 it would give them 15 and 17, which of course would open up a whole new world of trade possibilities because there's no way they'd do that.

I agree with Rusty, this is a top heavy draft. That's why I don't think San Diego is in business for the Pats #28. UNLESS it was for San Diego's #50 plus next year's 2nd round. 2 extra picks in Belichick's favorite round. That would go over nicely.

In short, if any of the earlier WF mocks plus our ideas happened with those first three picks, fapping would be in order.

gimme a Jordan, Reed, Ingram combo platter and I might have a massive coronary of joy

Jordan, Pouncey and Reed and it's a good day.

WF UPDATE (THIS ONE'S A DOOZY):

17. Jordan
28. MARK FUCKING INGRAM
33. Ben Ijalana (OL, Villanova)
60. Chris Carter (DE/OLB, Fresno St.)
74. Clint Boling (G, Georgia)
92. Johnny Patrick (CB, Louisville)
125. Jeremy Kerley (WR, TCU)
159. Beal
193. Brandon Bair (DL, Oregon)

not as nice as last week's

ehhh...

Ijalana could probably play RT in the NFL although I might like him best at guard. He's not the most physically imposing player, and looks kind of stiff. There's no way he competes for a LT spot.

Chris Carter I like, but I think the NFL is largely convinced he's a 4-3 rush linebacker.

Boling might be a steal at 74, the same with Patrick at 92. Like I said in the blog (http://draculamountain.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/johnny-patrick/) get him some muscle milk and a summer in the gym with jerod mayo and he'd be really promising.

Kerley I think is mostly a return guy.

Brandon Bair is too goddamn slow and uncoordinated to ever compete in the NFL.

I don't totally hate this mock, but I stand by my belief that Bill will look to trade #28 unless there is someone he loves and doesn't think will survive for him to snatch at #33. I'd rather see a guy like Brooks Reed then Ingram land in the Pats laps due to need, even though I do see this guy being a burner in the NFL. If we do get Mark Ingram, I won't bitch in the least unless the guy somehow manages to suck, which I doubt, but hey, stranger things have happened.

Also, I still stand by the Pats taking a chance in the 4th with Owen Marecic then Kerley.

I left THIS ONE'S A DOOZY in by accident...def not a doozy this week

Reed could be off the board long before 28. I think his stock is hot enough to maybe even put him in the top 20. There are too many question marks on a lot of guys in the 20-32 range, and Reed looks like a sure thing.

I could also see a scenario where Newton and Gabbert come off the board in the top 15, and all the QB needy teams decide to wait till the 2nd to go QB... except for 1 team dumb enough to want to leapfrog everyone, trade into the 28th spot and draft a guy like Kaepernick, Mallett or Dalton. Possible dummies include Tennessee, Washington, Cleveland, Minnesota, and Denver. I think Buffalo will stick with Ryan Fitz contrary to popular opinion.

Teams get nervous because then they have to wait a whole day to draft their franchise QB, so they panic and trade back into the 1st to "get their guy." I will not be surprised if this happens, and the Pats benefit from it.

That would be amazing if that sort of panic swept the QB needy teams. Bill would be doing his best evil genius laugh from the depths of the Pats bunker if that went down.

Come find out what the fuck this means:


...only at www.Patskrieg.com

"I think we can get similar value and production out of less dazzling prospects like David Thomas or Kendall Hunter in the 3rd or 4th round. " Mike Shea

err ummm Daniel Thomas

.....Jacquizz Rodgers too

btw, WF's mock for Green Bay sounds pretty great:

32. Cobb
64. Watkins
96. Moch
129. Curtis marsh (CB, Utah St.)
131. Lawrence Guy (DL, Arizona St.)
163. Herzlich
197. Greg McElroy (QB, Bama)...this pick is under the scenario that they trade Matt Flynn to a team that needs a QB

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/04/10/mmqb/1.html
Peter King is chuggin' the Patriot's trading kool-aid.

ITT: Peter King steals my fucking ideas.

Cobb over Baldwin in the first seems like a terrible idea at first, but they already have 2 dominant wideouts. Cobb could be a huge weapon for them. Herzlich at 163 is a mega steal, but he's supposed to be a 4-3 guy only. Lawrence Guy (kehd) is a good depth move at 131 too.

something a little different. Ras-I Dowling profile to come later tonight.

http://draculamountain.wordpress.com/2011/...r-peoples-crappy-football-opinions/

WF UPDATE!!!
http://walterfootball.com/draft2011.php

17. Cameron Jordan, DE/DT, California
28. Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA (Booooo this with Brooks Reed picked at 32 by Green Bay. FALSE!)
33. Benjamin Ijalana, OT/G, Villanova
60. Will Rackley, OT/G, Lehigh
74. Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State
92. Johnny Patrick, CB, Louisville
125. Jeremy Beal, DE/OLB, Oklahoma
159. Jeremy Kerley, WR, TCU
193. Mark Herzlich, ILB, Boston College (!!!!!!!!!)

"I think we can get similar value and production out of less dazzling prospects like David Thomas or Kendall Hunter in the 3rd or 4th round. " Mike Shea

HEY, THAT'S MY JOB!!!

you trade Ayers for Reed and that's one hell of a draft

I've done some re-examining of Kerley. He's mostly a kick returner but he's capable of some Percy Harvin-esque moves when he catches passes in space. TCU has such a weird offense. Kerley was their 2nd leading receiver in 2010 and he didn't even have 600 yards. I've already said Randall Cobb is the best slot receiver in the draft, but Kerley has the elite agility that Cobb lacks.

BUMP FOR THESE LISTS ALWAYS FASCINATING ME. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writ...s/04/15/wes-welker-watch/index.html

Yeah scouts love sub-300 linemen.

Took a look at a guy off Banks' Welker list: Kris Durham a 6-4 WR with 4.46 speed who made the best of being the obscure white guy opposite AJ Green:

http://draculamountain.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/weekend-sleeper-kris-durham/

Mark Ingram profile just went up. Next Corey Dillon or next Corey Dillon?

NFL Schedule went public last night. The Jets have the Chiefs, Eagles, Giants, and Dolphins. Knowing the way the NFC East works the Eagles and Giants will be in a dogfight till week 17 trying to eek out a 10-11 win season. Looks like no free rides this year for Sanchez. Tom Coughlin isn't going to pull his starters in week 16. If the Jets want another playoff shot they're going to have to earn it this year.

I know I'm making this a 1 man thread but... I just got a comment on this entry from what looks to be Durham's brother saying that the Pats are working him out on Thursday and having dinner with him.

DRAFT SWAMI!

Surprising name of the day: Da'Quan Bowers apparently the Pats met with him last week?

I had a conversation Wednesday with Chris Price of WEEI about the Kris Durham tip. I think he's trying to track Durham's agent down for confirmation but I still haven't seen him post it yet.

Mike Shea: NFL Insider

Waiting for Mel Kiper to be confirmed on speed dial.

It might just come true!!!!!!
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/...-quarterbacks-moving-up-draft-board

ATTN NFL: Please move as many quarterbacks as far up the draft boards as possible. Teams that couldn't develop a quarterback worth shit can have a piss poor QB crop to pick from to fail at developing a QB again. Meanwhile the Pats and every other team that actually built from the inside out can reap the benefits.

lol @ the Redskins being in love with Jake Locker. He's basically Jason Campbell in the same situation. Talented raw QB who likes to run & gun.... with no wide receivers, and a shit coaching staff. It'd be a death sentence for Locker.

I'm working on a QB Uberprofile of short writeups of every QB I think the Pats could possibly take... assuming to myself that they wont take any of them.

Andy Dalton has grown on me....but the rest of the QBs in this class ain't worth a shit

::cough cough:: Ricky Stanzi in the 4th-5th ::cough cough::

btw, WF UPDATE (and it's NOT the best yet):

17. Castonzo (BOO BOO BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO)
28. Houston (great pick, but BOO to Castonzo still)
33. MARK FUCKING INGRAM (outstanding pick, but still BOO to Castonzo)
60. Rackley
74. Patrick
92. Romeus
125. Guy
159. Kerley
193. Herzlich

on the Castonzo pick, Walter mocked Cam Jordan to the Bucs saying that the Bucs are going to leapfrog the Pats to draft a DE, either Jordan or Kerrigan (in his scenario Tampa goes to 15, ahead of the Pats and Jags)....but he says all the time he doesn't predict trades in his mocks, so......................

but if Jordan is at 17, and the rest of the draft played out like that....CHA and CHING

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/foot...5/judge.lifts.lockout.ap/index.html
Lock out is ending! So, free agency could start at the same time as the draft. Shit's gonna get rowdy.

Walt is clearly losing his mind this deep into one of the most complicated/unpredictable drafts in years. Lawrence Guy still sucks. Kerley probably won't last until 159 given how many teams are interested in him. I wouldn't hate Romeus at 92 but he's way more of a project than people realize.

AT LEAST he doesn't have the Pats drafting a quarterback like every other crackpot does. BTW here are my thoughts on the QB situation as succinctly as I know how to do it:

http://patskrieg.com/2011/04/26/quarterbacks-uberprofile/

the thing about this year's draft is that it comes off of one of the best draft classes in history, and this year's isn't nearly as good

think about how many rookies across the league have already made an impact on their respective teams...this year's class seemingly won't have nearly as much success, so I think teams and mock drafters alike are having a hard time finding logical spots for some players...you'll see a shitload of reaches this year, me thinks

As of today it's Tyron Smith at 17, Houston at 28, Ingram at 33, Rackley at 60, Curtis Brown at 74, followed by Lawrence Guy, Cecil Shorts, and Josh Bynes ILB from Auburn as the last pick.

I would be psyched about the tandem of Tyron Smith and Mark Ingram. I think Smith has a huge ceiling and could be a dominant RT. Curtis Brown has the best ball skills of any corner in the draft, but he'd have to learn to be more physical to play in the AFC east.

I highly doubt Smith falls to 17...I think he's too good to fall that far...but Smith/Houston/Ingram is a fantastic first 3 picks

a good friend of mine LOVES Cecil Shorts, but I have yet to check him out

Well the thing with Smith is that he's not quite good enough to go top 10. But everyone assumed for so long that the Lions are going to take an offensive lineman at 13. That assumes that the Lions know how to draft, which they never do. St. Louis, Miami and Jacksonville all need O-line help, but again they're 3 famous first round choke artists. I think it's an almost 50/50 chance that Smith is on the board at 17.

Oh, and Justin Houston tested positive for marijuana at the Combine. And as we all know, no one who smokes weed can ever be a professional athlete.

Detroit has done A LOT better since they kicked Matt Millen to the curb...I have much more faith in them now than I did before...they do have some holes besides OT, so who knows

St. Louis desperately needs a weapon, so I doubt they take Smith...Miami could, but I have far less faith in them than I do in Detroit...I doubt Jacksonville will though, they love Kerrigan from what I understand

So I do see your point, but I still doubt Smith will make it to 17

Let's examine the first 3 rounds Post-Millen in Detroit

2009: 1. Matt Stafford QB - Difficult to mess up the 1st overall pick but it's happened.
1. Brandon Pettigrew TE - Coming off an 0-16 season there is no excuse for drafting a tight end in the first round. Michael Oher was still on the board. In the same round they drafted a franchise QB and doomed him.
2. Louis Delmas SS - Great pick
3. DeAndre Levy ILB - Starting middle linebacker, probable benchwarmer anywhere else. The next 3 picks after this were offensive linemen.
3. Derrick Williams WR - 82 yards in 2 seasons.

The Lions wouldn't draft an offensive lineman until the 7th round.

2010:
1. Suh - The clear cut best player in the draft, and a gift from God that the Rams needed a quarterback. This pick was impossible to fuck up.
1. Javid Best RB - Detroit gave up a 2nd, a 4th, and a 7th to get Best plus Minnesota's 4th. If they wanted him that bad they could have waited 4 picks. He spent the year behind Maurice Morris on the depth chart and averaged 3.2 yards per carry.
3. Amari Spievey CB - Mildly productive DB who was moved to safety

They drafted an offensive lineman with the 128th overall pick who is now the backup RT, appearing in 4 games in 2010.

Don't forget. Martin Mayhew, the guy who "replaced" Millen was a Millen hire, and protege. He's also already said there's a distinct possibility that their 1st round pick might not be a starter right away. That to me says corner, defensive end, or their favorite... wide receiver.

Best was hurt all year, playing on a bad leg

Round 3 picks are hit or miss for any team

How many teams miss on #1 overall? almost all of them really...the percentage of boom players taken #1 is staggeringly low, and Stafford has had injury problems, but when he's in, he's shown flashes...did they know he was injury prone? (that's a serious question, I honestly don't remember)

ITT: The Rusty and Mike Sports Show Extravaganza.

HAR DEE HAR HAR

btw, good news on the Castonzo front, he is also a Tom Condon client, so no New England for that guy...KABLAMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I like Stafford. But he's going to be useless every year until they protect him. Same thing with Best. Loved him at Cal. But he was coming off a huge concussion. If they can't find a way to make life easier for him he'll keep getting hurt.

I just read a Lions blog that said the Lions aren't actively scouting many offensive linemen because they might be concerned with upsetting fan favorites Domenic Raolia and Jeff Backus. Raolia... the guy who openly challenged boo-ing Lions fans to come to his house and fight him.

Tom Condon might be the saving grace of this football team. No JJ Watt, no Castonzo, and no return of Ben Watson although Watson managed that one on his own.

and TCU guard Marcus Cannon just tested positive for lymphoma.

Well, I will agree that the Raolia/Backus news is straight up foolish...they could move Backus to RT, where he would probably be much more effective

The Houston Chronicle is throwing around some awesomely reckless speculation that the Texans would give up their 1,3,4,5 and Amobi Okoye to move up to #2 in order to get Von Miller. Okoye is expendable if they're moving to a 3-4 but either way what an absolutely stupid thing to even pose.

hahaha wtf? Denver would be sprinting to give Goddell the trade on draft night

honestly, where do they come up this shit?

WF UPDATE, and its a rather crazy one:

17. Tyron Smith
28. Ayers (Walter drops Houston cause of his positive drug test, but wait, it gets better)
33. Ingram
60. Rackley
74. JUSTIN HOUSTON
92. Christian Ballard, DL, Iowa
125. Buster Skrine, CB, UT-Chattanooga
159. Shorts
193. Adrian Moten, LB/ST, Maryland

On the Houston pick, Walter says:
"I mocked Justin Houston to the Patriots at No. 28 in my previous update. It was revealed Tuesday morning, however, that Houston failed a drug test at the Combine, so he's likely to fall to Rounds 2-3.

With that in mind, the Patriots could definitely still be interested in Houston if he falls to this spot. Last year, they took a chance on Aaron Hernandez, who similarly failed a drug test in Indianapolis. Houston presents incredible value here, and he's a great fit in Bill Belichick's defense."

Again, I'm not high on Ayers, but if they are able to somehow land Smith, Ayers, Ingram, AND Houston in this draft, that's just ridiculous

Also, Ballard falls because of a failed drug test

I'm definitely with you on this. Failed drug tests don't drop your stock by 2 rounds if you have the kind of status Houston and Ballard do. Ballard was already the most under rated DT on the board. For Walt's sake I'm glad the draft is tomorrow. Another week worth of this and he'd be mocking Clyde Drexler and Tugboat to the Pats.

The Raiders sold the naming rights to their stadium for a bargain basement $1.2 million a year and will henceforth be playing at the... Overstock.com Colosseum.... hahahahahaha!

Houston at #60 makes way more sense, but I don't even think he drops that far...hell, I didn't even think this positive test would hurt his draft stock at all until I saw that mock this morning

Houston's too good of a player, and pot would be a stupid reason to not draft him

does anyone knwo if Ballard failed for pot too, or was it something else?

Both those picks of Houston and Ballard would be ridiculous in terms of value. I'd be surprised if both dropped that far AND we drafted them, but hey, Aaron Hernendez was a bottom First/high Second lock until him smoking some blunt dropped him to the fourth round and made him the steal of last year's draft.

I don't remember Hernandez being in the 1st round conversation. I remember everyone saying that he was a really talented pass catcher who couldn't block for shit... and anyone who said that was 100% correct. I think he got lost in the whole Florida thing, where there were so many great players stealing the spotlight, which is what drove his stock down so much.

Since it's getting so close to crunch time I've decided to do this with the blog... 3 players from every position, 3 short profiles. 1. A guy I don't want. 2. A guy I do want. 3. A guy I'd be satisfied with.

I did OT's first: http://patskrieg.com/2011/04/27/zero-hour-threes-offensive-tackle/

Don't Want: Castonzo
Rather Have: Sherrod
But I'd take: James Carpenter