Pats show interest in two more CB prospects...

[Seneschal2]

Well, further interest in Cason, and new interest in Jack Williams. Previously, Cason was listed as having a Combine interview and private visit. Now it's reported that he has also had a private workout:

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

Patriots | Cason to visit in April
Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:27:27 -0700 J.J. Pesavento, of Next Level Scouting, reports University of Arizona CB Antoine Cason has had a private workout with the New England Patriots and will visit the team in April.

Patriots | J. Williams has private workout scheduled
Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:58:14 -0700
J.J. Pesavento, of Next Level Scouting, reports Kent State CB Jack Williams has a private workout scheduled with the New England Patriots.

[Seneschal2]

Don't know how we missed this (dated 3/16), but here's the original source for Cason's workout:

http://www.kffl.com/player/16706/nfl/news

Patriots | Team expected to workout Cason - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:44:50 -0700
John Tomase, of the Boston Herald, reports the New England Patriots were expected to work out University of Arizona CB Antoine Cason Sunday, March 16, at Arizona's campus, according to a source.

Side note: Cason is far and away ahead of the 14 CB prospects the Pats have reportedly shown interest in. He was interviewed at the Combine, worked out, and is scheduled to visit. Of course, the pre-draft workouts and visits continue, and more CBs may join him.

As most know, he's my favorite CB among the top ranked. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing for so much interest to be expressed. Either way, he's the one player I'm hoping for in the trade down.

[dryheat44]

I'll tell ya, the choice between taking DRC in the first round or taking Jack Williams in the fourth is really no choice at all. Opposite ends of the value spectrum right now.

[alvinnf]

Originally Posted by dryheat44

I'll tell ya, the choice between taking DRC in the first round or taking Jack Williams in the fourth is really no choice at all. Opposite ends of the value spectrum right now.

What does this mean?

[dryheat44]

Originally Posted by alvinnf

What does this mean?

That we have two cornerback prospects who played in lesser conferences. Based on height and last name (and supposedly the Scouting Combine), one has been discussed as being worthy of the #7 overall pick. The other one, whose performance at the Combine was better almost across the board, can probably be had in the fourth round. Which is the better value?

Domininque Rodgers-Cromartie Tennessee St 6-2 184 4.33 (1.49, 2.51) Bench 17 Vert 38.5 Long 11.06 Broad 10 11 Short 4.14 3Cone 6.63

Jack Williams Kent St 5-9 177 4.32 (1.47, 2.53) Vert 41 Bench 18 Broad 10 6 Short 4.21 3C 6.61

[mike100915]

I really like Antoine Cason a whole lot. His has gone a bit under the radar in most mock drafts. He could very easily be the best corner in this draft. If the Patriots could walkout of day one with Vernon Gholston and Antoine Cason, I think that would be the best scenrio possible.

[Seneschal2]

Originally Posted by dryheat44

I'll tell ya, the choice between taking DRC in the first round or taking Jack Williams in the fourth is really no choice at all. Opposite ends of the value spectrum right now.

Assuming you mean Williams is the better value -- I agree. Not only is he a really good 'football player', the Pats DC Dean Pees, recruited him at Kent St.

Prior to joining the Patriots in '04, Pees spent six seasons as the head coach at Kent State ('98-'03). Williams' freshman year was '03; he was redshirted...and was named Outstanding Defensive Scout by the coaching staff. I would think -- Pees remembers. Imagine recruited a player on the college level, then plugging him into your defense on the NFL level -- must be quite a thrill as a 35-year coaching veteran (goosebumps).

And for those concerned by Williams lack of height (5' 9"), he was just timed at 4.32 and 4.33 at his Pro Day. Wouldn't mind that speed in the Pats sub-packages.

Even if we draft a CB early, I'd still strongly consider guys like Williams and Wheatley later on in the draft. Knowing Belichick -- he can't have enough CBs.

[alvinnf]

If neither can play, neither have value.... DRC is the classic late riser prospect, I honestly think he is a risky proposition. Lets just say four corners get taken in the 1st, more than likely only 2 of them will be good pros, one of those two a pro bowl type player. Of those four names the one that scares me most is DRC. Would I value wasting the fourth round pick over the first round pick, hell yeah! This years crop of CB's is loaded which a nice way of saying no one player has distinguished themselves.

[VJCPatriot]

There's a big difference between drafting a fast, short, nickelback and drafting a #1 corner type talent. That's why Williams will be available in the 4th round instead of the 1st. I know a lot of guys here harbor an anti-DRC sentiment, but it's ridiculous to keep bringing up these 4th rounders to try to knock him down. I don't see any of that venom directed towards guys like McKelvin, Jenkins, Talib, Cason, Flowers, etc. who all also rate 1st round grades. So why all the hate for DRC?

Originally Posted by Seneschal2

Assuming you mean Williams is the better value -- I agree. Not only is he a really good 'football player', the Pats DC Dean Pees, recruited him at Kent St.

Prior to joining the Patriots in '04, Pees spent six seasons as the head coach at Kent State ('98-'03). Williams' freshman year was '03; he was redshirted...and was named Outstanding Defensive Scout by the coaching staff. I would think -- Pees remembers. Imagine recruited a player on the college level, then plugging him into your defense on the NFL level -- must be quite a thrill as a 35-year coaching veteran (goosebumps).

And for those concerned by Williams lack of height (5' 9"), he was just timed at 4.32 and 4.33 at his Pro Day. Wouldn't mind that speed in the Pats sub-packages.

Even if we draft a CB early, I'd still strongly consider guys like Williams and Wheatley later on in the draft. Knowing Belichick -- he can't have enough CBs.

[kas]

That 41 inch vert by Williams is very impressive. That's how you can get by as a short corner in this league. He could be a nice mid round pick for the pats