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http://news.wbru.com/2010/04/target-practice-the-top-five-most-likely-patriots-draftees/
Target practice; the top five most likely Patriots draftees
By Ethan Hammerman ⋅ April 3, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
Tim Tebow is the elephant in the room...will the Patriots go after him? // Image courtesy of getseengetsigned.com.
The Patriots are one of the most secretive teams in the NFL. However, that doesn’t mean they cannot be completely flgured out.
Last year, some colleagues and I began our first annual cataloging of all the Patriots’ visits as we tried to predict who the team would select with their draft picks. Our studies proved to be quite reliable; out of the Patriots first seven picks, five had some sort of visit or contact to their name. The two who were not visited, as well, were explainable. Ron Brace, taken with the 40th pick of the draft, was a local kid who scouts had undoubtedly kept tabs on over time, so it wasn’t as necessary to bring him in for a special workout. The other undercover prospect, Brandon Tate, was a pure value pick that the scouting staff saw as a first round talent. All the other picks were targeted; Darius Butler was courted for months by the Patriots, Tyrone McKenzie and Patrick Chung were both personally interviewed and had private visits, and even Sebastian Vollmer had some contact before he was selected. Julian Edelman had a visit as well, although it becomes much more of an inexact science with later round picks since teams are more liable to take players with less evidence as the rounds fly by.
Anyway, it does seem that the Patriots’ interview pattern serves as a good predictor of who will end up in red, white, and blue on draft day (or, as it should be known now, draft four day weekend.) From what has been released to the public so far, here are five players who seem to be good bets as future Foxboro stars.
1. Damian Williams, WR, USC
[IMG]http://trojanempire.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/damian-williams-usc.jpg
Damian Williams seems to be a great fit for the Patriots...and they have been pursuing him more heavily than any other player in the draft class. // Image courtesy of trojanempire.wordpress.com.
Who is the most infuriating wide receiver in the NFL to defend? Some may say Randy Moss because of his athletic prowess. Others may point to Steve Smith, Brandon Marshall or Larry Fitzgerald. Teams that do not know the concept of playing a deep safety would probably say Vincent Jackson. However, for my money, it’s Colts catchman Reggie Wayne. He is just so consistent. Every single time the ball is thrown his way, he makes a play. Sure, he has one of the best quarterbacks of all time (not THE BEST, one of the best) pitching him the pigskin every play, but he has still shown a propensity to make big plays and be a reliable number one option. He was targeted seventh most in the NFL last year (Manning threw it his way 146 times) and only dropped three balls, which is pretty darn impressive. He also averaged 13 yards per catch and had ten touchdowns. He was, by my wide receiver metric, the fifth best wide receiver in football last year and that was with a former sixth round pick and Austin Collie getting the snaps alongside him. He should be even better this year now that they have garnered some respect.
So, why do I mention Wayne? I do this because Damian Williams is a carbon copy, and the Patriots have been pursuing him like a bloodhound on a scent for months.
Williams would be a perfect fit in the Patriots’ offense. He would serve as a first-down grabbing possession component to Randy Moss and would force safeties to play a little farther up, opening the playbook for deep passes and short screens alike. His presence would assure that, at any given time, Brady would have three solid options to throw the ball to (four once Welker gets back, five if Tate is completely healed.) Williams may be the key to reenergizing the Patriots offense which, at times, looked complacent last season.
The Patriots have been doggedly pursuing Williams. They interviewed him privately at the NFL Combine, attended the USC Pro Day to watch him workout again, brought him in to Foxboro and even made a miscellaneous visit besides all the on-record meetings. They seem to like him, and he fits the Patriots mold; a guy with great hands and route-running ability who can also create a little bit after the catch.
If Williams is around in the early second, I expect the Patriots to jump on him. If he is taken by another team before the Patriots can pounce, I think Mardy Gilyard could be another option at the receiver position. Still, I think Williams is the number one choice in Foxboro, and the whole situation smells like the Butler love from last draft rather than an elaborate smokescreen.
2. Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State
Jared Odrick could be an idea 3-4 defensive end prospect for the Patriots. // Photo by Joe Hermitt, The Patriot-News
Jared Odrick played defensive tackle in college but seems to translate to 3-4 defensive end in the NFL, especially if he ends up in Foxboro. He is strong, fast and hard-nosed, and the Patriots have a major need opposite Ty Warren. They lost Jarvis Green, Myron Pryor is more of a 4-3 undertackle or a pass rushing 3-4 nose tackle a- la Jay Ratliff, and Ron Brace is, well, an enigma. Mike Wright is OK, but he is not a typical 3-4 defensive end either. Odrick would provide an instant boost on the defensive front, and need may dictate the Patriots selecting him in the first round of the draft this year.
Now, Odrick is not a perfect prospect by any means. He occasionally takes a play off, he is average at rushing the passer, and if he gets too high he can be held up at the point of attack. However, if there is one area on defense where the Patriots are great at evaluating talent, it’s on the defensive line. Richard Seymour, Warren and Vince Wilfork are all former first round picks and once formed, arguably, the most dominant defensive line in the NFL. If the Patriots take Odrick, they would believe that he could be a Seymour or Warren type, and I would immediately jump on that bandwagon.
The Patriots have been pursuing Odrick relatively hard. They have interviewed him and attended his pro day. Soon enough, they will probably bring him in to Foxboro for a private workout. If they see something about him that they like, the Patriots will pounce on Odrick with that 22nd overall pick. They will not draft him, I feel, unless they believe he can start right away, so it will probably come down to the impending private workout.
Then again, they may as well draft Odrick for luck’s sake. The past three times the Patriots have drafted defensive linemen in the first round of the NFL draft, they won the Super Bowl the following year.
3. Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson
Ricky Sapp would provide an instant burst as a 3-4 OLB, providing a pass rush the Patriots did not see last season. // Photo by Mary Ann Chastain, AP
Sapp is a major, major wildcard in terms of draft proceedings. His draft stock fluctuates almost on a daily basis from first round to third round, depending on whom you ask. I have him as a first/second round pick simply because of the athleticism he possesses. It is astounding to see a six-feet four-inch 272-pound linebacker look as fluid and solid in coverage as Sapp does. I see a lot of Demarcus Ware when I look at Sapp.
Now, there are some other options in terms of 3-4 OLBs. Brandon Graham of Michigan has a sensational motor, but I think that, if he is taken by the Patriots, he may serve more as a 3-4 inside linebacker than on the outside. Carlos Dunlap of Florida is a typical elephant, but I think the Dolphins reach on him at 12 overall. Derrick Morgan, Jason Pierre-Paul and Sergio Kindle all should be gone before the 22nd pick. Still, even if they are on the board, Sapp may be the man in the end.
The Patriots brought Sapp in for a personal workout and, apparently, it went really, really well. After the interview, Sapp said to The Boston Globe’s Albert Breer, “But the good thing about all that was … I think they liked me even more after our private workout. I got great feedback from the coach that was there, which really motivated me!” It seems a love affair may be blossoming in Foxboro, and for a player with Sapp’s physical gifts, here’s hoping that the love keeps flowing. I think Sapp would be a fine selection either in the late first round or in the early second round. He would instantly energize the logy Patriots pass rush.
4. Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana
Almost every year, the Patriots target some offensive lineman who is completely off-the-radar with an early round pick. This year, it may be Saffold’s turn.
Rodger Saffold has been a secret to most, but he has amazing skills and could be a second round pick for the Patriots in April. // Image courtesy of cstv.com
I can proudly say that I was on Saffold since the beginning. I had him to the Patriots in the third round of a mock draft all the way back in January (which you can link to by clicking on the Saffold picture.)
Little did I know that he may have to be a second round selection now, considering how impressive he was at the Shrine Bowl and at the NFL Combine. Some teams have to be catching on.
Saffold is 6 foot 5, 320, and ran a 5.1 second 40. He also has shown an amazing amount of versatility by playing both guard and tackle in college, and projects as a perfect swingman in the NFL. Yes, that is something we know the Patriots love; see Kaczur, Nick and Hochstein, Russ. He can stop pass rushers as well as block for the run. He, in all senses, is a prototypical Patriot.
The Foxboro brass has already interviewed Saffold and he seems poised on receiving a workout with the team as well. I think Saffold could be an interesting option in the second round of the draft.
Now, onto the last and most controversial player of all…
5. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Yes. Tim Tebow. The Chosen One.
Let me preface this by saying that I greatly respect Tim Tebow as a person. I really, truly do. He seems like an extremely thoughtful, mature and respectable guy. However, I do not think he is an ideal fit in New England, and I hope that the Patriots do not draft him.
Sure, he is versatile. He is hard-nosed and a consummate leader. He has good arm strength and accuracy. And, who knows, maybe this newfangled windup will be effective.
I am just squarely in the Brian Hoyer camp. I think Hoyer is a future starter in the NFL, many teams overlooked him in the draft last year, and it would behoove the team to groom Hoyer as a future starter when Tom Brady inevitably retires.
However…from what the Patriots are showing, unless it is a smokescreen of epic proportions, Tebow could be a pretty good bet to end up in New England.
Tebow and Brady? Must have been an interesting meal. // Image courtesy of cnn.sportsillustrated.com.
They have gone to his Pro Day in Gainesville. Bill Belichick is good friends with Urban Meyer. Tebow had a private workout in New England and even went out to dinner with Brady. That has to mean SOMETHING, right? This all cannot just be smoke and mirrors.
I think that Tebow would be taken by the Patriots if he is, by far, the best player available at some point during the draft. I do not think that they would trade up for him, nor do I think that he would be taken over the other four players on this list.
At least, I would hope not. Then again, these are the Patriots.
So, these are the five guys who could certainly end up in Patriots colors after the four-day behemoth of a vacation that is now known as the NFL Draft. The first four I would love immensely; the fifth one, not so much. We already tried to take a project quarterback a few years ago in Kevin O’Connell, and he failed. We should not take another one, especially with what Hoyer has shown thus far.
On the other hand…he is the Golden Child. He is an Urban Meyer kid, and the Patriots seem to love him. He is a man of good character in a society that consists of far too few quality human beings. And he is, of course, a tremendous physical specimen.
The Temptation of the Tebow may turn out to be the story of the 2010 NFL Draft. And I cannot wait to see what happens.
- Ethan Hammerman
Target practice; the top five most likely Patriots draftees
By Ethan Hammerman ⋅ April 3, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
Tim Tebow is the elephant in the room...will the Patriots go after him? // Image courtesy of getseengetsigned.com.
The Patriots are one of the most secretive teams in the NFL. However, that doesn’t mean they cannot be completely flgured out.
Last year, some colleagues and I began our first annual cataloging of all the Patriots’ visits as we tried to predict who the team would select with their draft picks. Our studies proved to be quite reliable; out of the Patriots first seven picks, five had some sort of visit or contact to their name. The two who were not visited, as well, were explainable. Ron Brace, taken with the 40th pick of the draft, was a local kid who scouts had undoubtedly kept tabs on over time, so it wasn’t as necessary to bring him in for a special workout. The other undercover prospect, Brandon Tate, was a pure value pick that the scouting staff saw as a first round talent. All the other picks were targeted; Darius Butler was courted for months by the Patriots, Tyrone McKenzie and Patrick Chung were both personally interviewed and had private visits, and even Sebastian Vollmer had some contact before he was selected. Julian Edelman had a visit as well, although it becomes much more of an inexact science with later round picks since teams are more liable to take players with less evidence as the rounds fly by.
Anyway, it does seem that the Patriots’ interview pattern serves as a good predictor of who will end up in red, white, and blue on draft day (or, as it should be known now, draft four day weekend.) From what has been released to the public so far, here are five players who seem to be good bets as future Foxboro stars.
1. Damian Williams, WR, USC
[IMG]http://trojanempire.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/damian-williams-usc.jpg
Damian Williams seems to be a great fit for the Patriots...and they have been pursuing him more heavily than any other player in the draft class. // Image courtesy of trojanempire.wordpress.com.
Who is the most infuriating wide receiver in the NFL to defend? Some may say Randy Moss because of his athletic prowess. Others may point to Steve Smith, Brandon Marshall or Larry Fitzgerald. Teams that do not know the concept of playing a deep safety would probably say Vincent Jackson. However, for my money, it’s Colts catchman Reggie Wayne. He is just so consistent. Every single time the ball is thrown his way, he makes a play. Sure, he has one of the best quarterbacks of all time (not THE BEST, one of the best) pitching him the pigskin every play, but he has still shown a propensity to make big plays and be a reliable number one option. He was targeted seventh most in the NFL last year (Manning threw it his way 146 times) and only dropped three balls, which is pretty darn impressive. He also averaged 13 yards per catch and had ten touchdowns. He was, by my wide receiver metric, the fifth best wide receiver in football last year and that was with a former sixth round pick and Austin Collie getting the snaps alongside him. He should be even better this year now that they have garnered some respect.
So, why do I mention Wayne? I do this because Damian Williams is a carbon copy, and the Patriots have been pursuing him like a bloodhound on a scent for months.
Williams would be a perfect fit in the Patriots’ offense. He would serve as a first-down grabbing possession component to Randy Moss and would force safeties to play a little farther up, opening the playbook for deep passes and short screens alike. His presence would assure that, at any given time, Brady would have three solid options to throw the ball to (four once Welker gets back, five if Tate is completely healed.) Williams may be the key to reenergizing the Patriots offense which, at times, looked complacent last season.
The Patriots have been doggedly pursuing Williams. They interviewed him privately at the NFL Combine, attended the USC Pro Day to watch him workout again, brought him in to Foxboro and even made a miscellaneous visit besides all the on-record meetings. They seem to like him, and he fits the Patriots mold; a guy with great hands and route-running ability who can also create a little bit after the catch.
If Williams is around in the early second, I expect the Patriots to jump on him. If he is taken by another team before the Patriots can pounce, I think Mardy Gilyard could be another option at the receiver position. Still, I think Williams is the number one choice in Foxboro, and the whole situation smells like the Butler love from last draft rather than an elaborate smokescreen.
2. Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State
Jared Odrick could be an idea 3-4 defensive end prospect for the Patriots. // Photo by Joe Hermitt, The Patriot-News
Jared Odrick played defensive tackle in college but seems to translate to 3-4 defensive end in the NFL, especially if he ends up in Foxboro. He is strong, fast and hard-nosed, and the Patriots have a major need opposite Ty Warren. They lost Jarvis Green, Myron Pryor is more of a 4-3 undertackle or a pass rushing 3-4 nose tackle a- la Jay Ratliff, and Ron Brace is, well, an enigma. Mike Wright is OK, but he is not a typical 3-4 defensive end either. Odrick would provide an instant boost on the defensive front, and need may dictate the Patriots selecting him in the first round of the draft this year.
Now, Odrick is not a perfect prospect by any means. He occasionally takes a play off, he is average at rushing the passer, and if he gets too high he can be held up at the point of attack. However, if there is one area on defense where the Patriots are great at evaluating talent, it’s on the defensive line. Richard Seymour, Warren and Vince Wilfork are all former first round picks and once formed, arguably, the most dominant defensive line in the NFL. If the Patriots take Odrick, they would believe that he could be a Seymour or Warren type, and I would immediately jump on that bandwagon.
The Patriots have been pursuing Odrick relatively hard. They have interviewed him and attended his pro day. Soon enough, they will probably bring him in to Foxboro for a private workout. If they see something about him that they like, the Patriots will pounce on Odrick with that 22nd overall pick. They will not draft him, I feel, unless they believe he can start right away, so it will probably come down to the impending private workout.
Then again, they may as well draft Odrick for luck’s sake. The past three times the Patriots have drafted defensive linemen in the first round of the NFL draft, they won the Super Bowl the following year.
3. Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson
Ricky Sapp would provide an instant burst as a 3-4 OLB, providing a pass rush the Patriots did not see last season. // Photo by Mary Ann Chastain, AP
Sapp is a major, major wildcard in terms of draft proceedings. His draft stock fluctuates almost on a daily basis from first round to third round, depending on whom you ask. I have him as a first/second round pick simply because of the athleticism he possesses. It is astounding to see a six-feet four-inch 272-pound linebacker look as fluid and solid in coverage as Sapp does. I see a lot of Demarcus Ware when I look at Sapp.
Now, there are some other options in terms of 3-4 OLBs. Brandon Graham of Michigan has a sensational motor, but I think that, if he is taken by the Patriots, he may serve more as a 3-4 inside linebacker than on the outside. Carlos Dunlap of Florida is a typical elephant, but I think the Dolphins reach on him at 12 overall. Derrick Morgan, Jason Pierre-Paul and Sergio Kindle all should be gone before the 22nd pick. Still, even if they are on the board, Sapp may be the man in the end.
The Patriots brought Sapp in for a personal workout and, apparently, it went really, really well. After the interview, Sapp said to The Boston Globe’s Albert Breer, “But the good thing about all that was … I think they liked me even more after our private workout. I got great feedback from the coach that was there, which really motivated me!” It seems a love affair may be blossoming in Foxboro, and for a player with Sapp’s physical gifts, here’s hoping that the love keeps flowing. I think Sapp would be a fine selection either in the late first round or in the early second round. He would instantly energize the logy Patriots pass rush.
4. Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana
Almost every year, the Patriots target some offensive lineman who is completely off-the-radar with an early round pick. This year, it may be Saffold’s turn.
Rodger Saffold has been a secret to most, but he has amazing skills and could be a second round pick for the Patriots in April. // Image courtesy of cstv.com
I can proudly say that I was on Saffold since the beginning. I had him to the Patriots in the third round of a mock draft all the way back in January (which you can link to by clicking on the Saffold picture.)
Little did I know that he may have to be a second round selection now, considering how impressive he was at the Shrine Bowl and at the NFL Combine. Some teams have to be catching on.
Saffold is 6 foot 5, 320, and ran a 5.1 second 40. He also has shown an amazing amount of versatility by playing both guard and tackle in college, and projects as a perfect swingman in the NFL. Yes, that is something we know the Patriots love; see Kaczur, Nick and Hochstein, Russ. He can stop pass rushers as well as block for the run. He, in all senses, is a prototypical Patriot.
The Foxboro brass has already interviewed Saffold and he seems poised on receiving a workout with the team as well. I think Saffold could be an interesting option in the second round of the draft.
Now, onto the last and most controversial player of all…
5. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Yes. Tim Tebow. The Chosen One.
Let me preface this by saying that I greatly respect Tim Tebow as a person. I really, truly do. He seems like an extremely thoughtful, mature and respectable guy. However, I do not think he is an ideal fit in New England, and I hope that the Patriots do not draft him.
Sure, he is versatile. He is hard-nosed and a consummate leader. He has good arm strength and accuracy. And, who knows, maybe this newfangled windup will be effective.
I am just squarely in the Brian Hoyer camp. I think Hoyer is a future starter in the NFL, many teams overlooked him in the draft last year, and it would behoove the team to groom Hoyer as a future starter when Tom Brady inevitably retires.
However…from what the Patriots are showing, unless it is a smokescreen of epic proportions, Tebow could be a pretty good bet to end up in New England.
Tebow and Brady? Must have been an interesting meal. // Image courtesy of cnn.sportsillustrated.com.
They have gone to his Pro Day in Gainesville. Bill Belichick is good friends with Urban Meyer. Tebow had a private workout in New England and even went out to dinner with Brady. That has to mean SOMETHING, right? This all cannot just be smoke and mirrors.
I think that Tebow would be taken by the Patriots if he is, by far, the best player available at some point during the draft. I do not think that they would trade up for him, nor do I think that he would be taken over the other four players on this list.
At least, I would hope not. Then again, these are the Patriots.
So, these are the five guys who could certainly end up in Patriots colors after the four-day behemoth of a vacation that is now known as the NFL Draft. The first four I would love immensely; the fifth one, not so much. We already tried to take a project quarterback a few years ago in Kevin O’Connell, and he failed. We should not take another one, especially with what Hoyer has shown thus far.
On the other hand…he is the Golden Child. He is an Urban Meyer kid, and the Patriots seem to love him. He is a man of good character in a society that consists of far too few quality human beings. And he is, of course, a tremendous physical specimen.
The Temptation of the Tebow may turn out to be the story of the 2010 NFL Draft. And I cannot wait to see what happens.
- Ethan Hammerman
