Official Pats Prospects Workouts/Visits... - New England Patriots Forums

Seneschal2 · 03-08-2008, 08:44 AM

Last draft, we kept track of all visits and workouts in one handy thread. Thought we'd do so again. One serious guideline: Please post links and pertinent quotes for each prospect. Please sticky if deemed worthy.

First up -- DE/OLB Cliff Avril, Purdue.

Purdue Pro Day

Quote:

Purdue linebacker/defensive end Cliff Avril stood on his combine times and just participated in the vertical jump, posting 37 inches and timed 4.23 seconds in the short shuttle. He was also run through a battery of defensive line and linebacker drills.

Avril has gained a ton of interest since the combine and nearly a half dozen teams have set up times for individual workouts. The New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots will all be flying out to individually workout Avril over the next two weeks while the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills will fly the Purdue defender into their facility.

PonyExpress · 03-08-2008, 09:13 AM

Here's a comparison between Cliff Avril and Demarcus Ware

Ware: 6' 3.5" /251 lbs /4.56 40/1.62 10/27 reps/38.5" VJ/4.07 ss /6.85 3-cone
Avril: 6' 2.7"/ 253 lbs/4.59 40/1.51 10/27 reps/ 37" VJ/4.23 ss/6.90 3-cone

1.51 is maybe the fastest 10-yard split by a pass rusher in 9 years.

Considering his college production, pedigree and athleticism, it's hard to argue that Avril shouldn't be taken in rd 1 as a 3-4 OLB. Right now I'd wait in the mid-high teens and pick whoever is still on the board between Harvey, Groves, and Avril.

Seneschal2 · 03-08-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PonyExpress

Considering his college production, pedigree and athleticism, it's hard to argue that Avril shouldn't be taken in rd 1 as a 3-4 OLB. Right now I'd wait in the mid-high teens and pick whoever is still on the board between Harvey, Groves, and Avril.

I've liked him primarily because of his LB experience, which gives him an edge in that category over some of the other DE/OLB candidates. And that 1.51 split gives him a serious first step as an edge rusher. Thanks for the numbers.

VJCPatriot · 03-08-2008, 05:02 PM

Nice performance. I hesitate to lump EVERYONE who runs a fast 40, and weighs 250 lbs with Demarcus Ware though. I believe this guy was rated as a 2nd/3rd round pick?

Seneschal2 · 03-10-2008, 08:41 AM

http://www.eastcoastsportsnews.com/AlsHotNwsRms.html

Quote:

Groves also has private visits scheduled with the New York Jets and New England Patriots this week.

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The list:

Code:

DE/OLB Cliff Avril, Purdue (on location individual workout)
DE/OLB Quentin Groves, Auburn (private visit)

***ctpatsfan77*** · 03-10-2008, 08:58 AM

I'm not 100% sure if this counts, but it sounds like you might want to add your own post about RB Justin Beaver.

Seneschal2 · 03-10-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctpatsfan77

I'm not 100% sure if this counts, but it sounds like you might want to add your own post about RB Justin Beaver.

Almost. Not an official visit or private workout.

KevinFaulk-33 · 03-10-2008, 09:53 AM

It's interesting that we are visiting two DE/OLB for the moment. BB and Pioli are going to draft plenty of LB?

sebman2112 · 03-10-2008, 11:45 AM

I know the Patriots have already at least interviewed Cason, DRC, and a number of other prospects.

Just keeping track of workouts/visits isn't good enough. In the past some of their selections have been players they simply interviewed at the combine or the senior bowl. They had multiple meetings/workouts with Meriweather last year though.

Oh, and the Patriots already scheduled a Gillette visit for Chevis Jackson, too.

Quote:

One of our sources has informed us that the New England Patriots really like L.S.U. cornerback Chevis Jackson. According to the source, they liked the way he looked in his workouts in Indianapolis and have even had their scouts at Baton Rouge twice since November. We are told they are flying him up to Boston before his pro day to meet with Bob Kraft, so they think highly of the talented Tiger.

DD.comment: We'd guess Jackson, who is a better true football player than a workout warrior, is a 3rd or 4th round prospect. Although he could move up a bit with an impressive pro day showing.

http://www.draftdaddy.com/blog/nfldraft.cfm

Seneschal2 · 03-10-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebman2112

Just keeping track of workouts/visits isn't good enough. In the past some of their selections have been players they simply interviewed at the combine or the senior bowl. They had multiple meetings/workouts with Meriweather last year though.

Common sense Sebastian. We know the listed prospects aren't guaranteed a Pats roster spot, but it can't hurt to have a floating thread available which we can reference leading up to the draft. It's too late to change the thread title, but you're welcome to add interviews, etc. as you see fit -- just provide necessary links.