Here’s a collection of Patriots linkage to get you feeling good about the Patriots today, not that you should need this linkage, but every little bit helps right?
First we begin with the somewhat expected news that Tom Brady should be fully ready to go at the start of training camp, whenever that might be.
Wes Bunting gives the Pats a B- for their draft saying:
I like what the Patriots did in the draft more so toward the mid/late round range as opposed to their first two picks. TE Lee Smith will be their in-line blocking tight end from day one, OL Marcus Cannon could be a steal once he’s healthy and I love RB Shane Vereen in that offense. QB Ryan Mallett is a boom or bust guy in the 3rd, as are their first two picks in my mind, OT Nate Solder and CB Ras-I Dowling.
I feel pretty good about taking a boom or bust chance on a guy when they have the character and work ethic that Solder and Dowling have.
Ryan Mallett said he’s a lot like Tom Brady.
“I think it’s a perfect fit after watching film with the coaches when I was there. And me and Tom are kind of the same,” Mallett said per the Providence Journal. “We’re not fleet of foot, obviously. We don’t run fast. We pick defenses apart and we know what’s going to happen before the snap or we react post snap and that’s why I think I’m like him a lot.”
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe plays devils advocate and says we shouldn’t “pass” rush to judgement on the Pats draft haul. Yeah Chad, that’s an understatement.
Speaking of abbreviated careers, the most immediately gratifying draft for me was the Lawrence Maroney-Chad Jackson-David Thomas trio in 2006. Now that was a flashy draft with name recognition. Finally, Tom Brady had some weapons! Turns out they were weapons of self-destruction. Five years later, Thomas is a contributor in New Orleans, but Jackson and Maroney will be lucky to take their talents to the UFL.
Belichick’s worst draft was arguably the one most of us liked the best. That’s pretty telling, I’d say, and hopefully reason enough to keep the howling to a minimum next year when he ruins everyone’s mock draft yet again. Hopefully we will learn, one of these Aprils. Because this won’t be the last time he drafts another class of promising players we’ve barely heard of over a player or three whose name recognition and position are enough to foolishly convince us he’s just the elixir the Patriots need.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com has the Patriots as the rich getting richer.
Bill Belichick is masterful at manipulating the draft to address needs, while also adding picks for the future. This year, he continued to follow that strategy as he moved up and down to land three first-round talents: Nate Solder, Ryan Mallett and Marcus Cannon. The Mallett pick, in particular, could pay off handsomely down the road considering his potential as a pure pocket passer. Cornerback Ras-I Dowling is another intriguing prospect with the skills to outplay his draft status. After producing another stellar draft class, it appears that the rich continue to get richer in New England.
