New England Patriots Discussion

[descendency]

Originally Posted by Razor

We've signed Koppen. I guess we can forget about Konz.

Good. Just because he's the best center in the draft doesn't mean he's worth where he's going to be drafted.

[Matthew Jones]

Does anyone have any predictions regarding some of the roster battles currently set to take place in camp and throughout the preseason? Some of the ones that stand out are listed below:

FB: Tony Fiammetta vs. Spencer Larsen
WR: Deion Branch vs. Chad Ochocinco vs. Donte' Stallworth
WR: Julian Edelman vs. Anthony Gonzalez
LB: Bobby Carpenter vs. Trevor Scott
LB: Niko Koutouvides vs. Jeff Tarpinian

[AntoinCD]

Originally Posted by Matthew Jones

Does anyone have any predictions regarding some of the roster battles currently set to take place in camp and throughout the preseason? Some of the ones that stand out are listed below:

FB: Tony Fiammetta vs. Spencer Larsen
WR: Deion Branch vs. Chad Ochocinco vs. Donte' Stallworth
WR: Julian Edelman vs. Anthony Gonzalez
LB: Bobby Carpenter vs. Trevor Scott
LB: Niko Koutouvides vs. Jeff Tarpinian

FB: I like both FBs but if I was to guess one it would be Larsen.

WR: Ocho

WR: Edelman, Gonzalez could make the team if he can show he is healthy

LB: Both

LB: I think Bobby Carpenter takes this spot

[Bolt]

Originally Posted by descendency

Good. Just because he's the best center in the draft doesn't mean he's worth where he's going to be drafted.

I wouldn't put it past Belichick to still pick Konz though. I have that sinking feeling..

[descendency]

Originally Posted by Bolt

I wouldn't put it past Belichick to still pick Konz though. I have that sinking feeling..

Eh, I'll never rule out any 1st round position, but I have to think that center is a fairly low priority and that Konz won't impress (he hasn't impressed me) enough to use a first round pick on him.

If I'm using a first rounder on a center, he had better be special.

[Razor]

What happened to EE? Haven't seen him around here since the Super Bowl. Not sure if this is what happened:



EE, we need you back! People are way to positive these days.

[Jvig43]

He said he was taking a break for awhile, I'd imagine he'll be back after the draft or right around the start of the season. In the mean time I'll make sure to keep the pessimism up around here. Part of the reason I have done little posting about the draft this year, I really am not as excited as I should be.

[Blackluck]

Hard to get excited by the talent level in this years draft.
On the bright side if team visits are any indication (don't laugh) at least BB is looking at pass rushers ...
***
Matt's doing the forum mock again. Wonder if he's going to break his record for trade downs like he did last time

[Borat]

FYI, I heard Junior Hemingway on an XM Radio interview mention that he had done a private interview (but no workout) at New England. He said he's being told he's a 5th rounder.

[Blackluck]

Here is a comprehensive link for pre draft contacts. Note the two RBs (Doug Martin, David Wilson). Also a USC player the team sat out in 2011, Armond Armstead (you tube link.) Looks to be a very good potential late round draft choice.

Finally the pass rush prospects:
Melvin Ingram
Courtney Upshaw
Chandler Jones
Nick Perry
Bruce Irvin

(Melvin Ingram is curious, he'll be long gone by 27.)

[Razor]

Originally Posted by Blackluck

(Melvin Ingram is curious, he'll be long gone by 27.)

I really hope so. I will kill puppies, kittens and babies if we select that overrated piece of garbage.

[cmarq83]

Originally Posted by Razor

I really hope so. I will kill puppies, kittens and babies if we select that overrated piece of garbage.

Tell us how you really feel

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by Blackluck

Hard to get excited by the talent level in this years draft.
On the bright side if team visits are any indication (don't laugh) at least BB is looking at pass rushers ...
***
Matt's doing the forum mock again. Wonder if he's going to break his record for trade downs like he did last time

Already exploring trade down/out possibilities with one of my first round picks!

[Blackluck]

You traded up!

[Razor]

Originally Posted by Blackluck

You traded up!

I like it! Kirkpatrick is a great talent and can play either FS or CB. He's big, a great tackler and has good range. Furthermore he's a perfect fit in BB's zone defense. Great pick, Matt.

[Blackluck]

Originally Posted by Razor

I like it! Kirkpatrick is a great talent and can play either FS or CB. He's big, a great tackler and has good range. Furthermore he's a perfect fit in BB's zone defense. Great pick, Matt.

I agree, he'd be a really good fit for us and gives us loads of flexibility on the back end. This isn't outside the realm of possibility either.

[proshoota25]

Dre is really a perfect fit here in New England. Hopefully this comes true on draft day

[descendency]

Why'd you trade up? Who was going to take Kirkpatrick between you and 23 and 27? Arizona? Dallas? Worried about someone else trading up?

I like the pick. I think Kirkpatrick could be a FS/CB for NE and fits our defense. I just don't know that his stock merits trading up right now.

[proshoota25]

Originally Posted by descendency

Why'd you trade up? Who was going to take Kirkpatrick between you and 23 and 27? Arizona? Dallas? Worried about someone else trading up?

I like the pick. I think Kirkpatrick could be a FS/CB for NE and fits our defense. I just don't know that his stock merits trading up right now.

i was talking with him when he debated on trading up. the worry was another team sniping us by trading up and getting him

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by descendency

Why'd you trade up? Who was going to take Kirkpatrick between you and 23 and 27? Arizona? Dallas? Worried about someone else trading up?

I like the pick. I think Kirkpatrick could be a FS/CB for NE and fits our defense. I just don't know that his stock merits trading up right now.

I was worried about another team trading ahead of us for the last top talent remaining on my board. With #31, I worked out a trade down:

Patriots trade:

#31 overall

Browns trade:

#37 overall
#139 overall
2013 third-round pick

[Matthew Jones]

Just selected LB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama with the 37th pick in the draft.

[descendency]

I think it's a good pick. It really hinges on if he can play OLB or not. If he can't, we basically have 3 ILBs or two MLBs (Mayo can play OLB).

[cmarq83]

Hightower and Kirkpatrick are very interesting selections. Not sure that either of them has a natural NFL position though. Very interesting athlete/body types though and I'm sure BB would be able to make it work.

[cmarq83]

Originally Posted by descendency

I think it's a good pick. It really hinges on if he can play OLB or not. If he can't, we basically have 3 ILBs or two MLBs (Mayo can play OLB).

Yeah Spikes and Hightower are very similar. However, I'd pity the fool that tries to run on a 3 LBer set with Mayo, Spikes, and Hightower.

[Blackluck]

I think that's a great pick and the steal of the forum mock. I'm no expert but from what I've read I think he offers great versatility and would really improve our defense.

I posted this on the scouting report thread, but I'll repost it here:

Nawrocki in a draft Q$&A answering a LB question for San Diego:

But honestly, if I had my choice of anyone in the draft, it would be Dont’a Hightower from Alabama. He’s done it before, I think he’s very safe, he’s got the leadership presence you want, he can kick inside if you need him there. He’s very versatile, very tough, very underrated, and he's not being widely considered as a true rush linebacker because he didn’t play it all the time at Alabama, but I think he’s better than Upshaw and far safer than any of the other prospects mentioned. If I were San Diego and I had a chance to land him — which I’m not so sure they will — he’d be the one that I would be most interested in.