Ok, in previous years, I had reviewed the Pats picks strictly in terms of Saban because that was the only name being mentioned as part of the "pipeline." I did some more research and have now included the likes of Urban Meyer, Pat Hill, Kirk Ferentz, and Charlie Weis to this list. However, I do not know when the relationships started with Hill, Ferentz, and Meyer so I limited it to the 2005 to current drafts when reviewing them. I'm willing to update the players that these coaches hae potentially provided insight on whom the Patriots actually drafted.
In the past, I have felt that the "pipeline" theory was a myth and, well, it kind of is. However, when you look at it from a broader perspective of whether or not the pipeline coaches might be giving the Patriots information on players they play against, there is much more to it.
Here are the picks that Saban either coached or coached against (Bold are players who have contributed to the Patriots) prior to his joining Miami:
Jarvis Green, Rohan Davey, TJ Turner, Greg Robinson-Randall, Marquise Hill, Ben Watson, Guss Scott, David Givens, Matt Light, Cedric Cobbs, Brock Williams, Jabari Holloway, Tom Brady, and David Nugent.
Since Saban returned to the college ranks, here are the picks he might have had insight on because he coached against them: Jerod Mayo - Tennessee and Jonathan Wilhite - Auburn.
The Patriots have not drafted anyone that Saban has coached since he returned to the college ranks.
Saban could have had a hand in on Eric Alexander and Randall Gay, UDFA, as well.
For the purpose of this post and to keep it in line with other posts on the subject I've done, I am including players came directly from teams or who the coach's team played against. Players in RED mean that more than one coach in the pipeline have seen them play.
Pat Hill - (Started in 1997 at Fresno State. Not sure when he and BB became friends, so I will only go back to the 2005 Draft)
Logan Mankins and James Sanders - Fresno State, Clint Oldenburg - Colorado State,
Charlie Weis (Started in 2005 at Notre Dame)
Mike Richardson - Notre Dame , Shawn Crable- Michigan, Jerod Mayo - Tennessee, Matt Cassel - USC, Dan Stevenson - Notre Dame, Oscar Lua, USC, Matt Slater - UCLA,
Kirk Ferentz - (Started at Iowa in 1998. Not sure when he and BB started their friendship, so I'll limit this to the last 3 drafts)
Mike Elgin - Iowa, Ellis Hobbs - Iowa State, David Thomas- Texas, Shawn Crable - Michigan, Laurence Maroney - Minnesota,
Urban Meyer - (Utah & Florida , Not sure when he and BB became friends)
Chad Jackson - Florida, Jeremy Mincey - Florida, Mike Elgin - Iowa, Jerod Mayo - Tennessee, Jonathan Wilhite - Auburn, Shawn Crable - Michigan
For D-Cleater, Weis' Notre Dame did not play against W. Michigan during the 2005/2006 season, so I am not sure how you can mention Greg Jennings.
What I find interesting is that Shawn Crable, Jerod Mayo, and Jonathan Wilhite show up on the list of at least 2 coaches.
Something else to keep in mind. If these coaches are feeding the Pats info, its not just on the positives of a player. They are also feeding them the negatives. Which could explain other players not having been picked.
