Patriots Conduct In-Depth Interviews In Mobile

[Seneschal2]

Patriots doing some pregame grilling - BostonHerald.com

Excerpts:

In Mobile early in the week, Rapoport asked several players for their impressions of interviews with Patriots staffers.

“They come at you hard,” Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon said. “They want to hear, you know what I’m saying, they want to see you draw plays, they want to see you draw your play, they want to see you line a defense up, they want to really get to know you, they want to get to know you, they go deep into your life and all that type stuff. I just tried to be as honest as I could with them and answer what they wanted to know.”

Was that session tough?

“Yeah, it did get tiring,” Dixon said. “I had to run back upstairs and get me a couple Gatorades in between (sessions) because I was running low on energy doing all that talking. I just did what I could with it.”

Dixon said the Patriots didn’t hint at any interest in adding a running back?
“They didn’t tell me about their needs at running back. They just came to me with questions and just tried to get to know me,” he said. “They didn’t stress what they needed or were they even going to take me. They just asked me questions.”

Mardy Gilyard, an All-American wide receiver from the University of Cincinnati, said the Pats “just picked my brain to see what my football IQ was ... I think I handled it pretty good.”

Part of the brain-picking dealt with his past. Gilyard, projected as a potential first-round pick, had an incident during high school involving drugs. The Patriots staffers pressed him about what happened. They were all over it.

...

“That’s the thing (the Patriots) liked most about me. I didn’t have no issue talking about my past. Some guys might try to sugarcoat it or cover it up. I don’t ... I’m a straight shooter. You know what I mean? I shot it to them straight and they respected me for it.”

Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, described his session with the Pats as “building a foundation for who you are.”

Sean Weatherspoon, a Butkus Award finalist as best collegiate linebacker in the nation last season, said he first met with Jonathan Robinson, the Patriots director of college scouting.

The Missouri product said the Pats seemed to be looking for guys who really loved football. And there was another message that was obvious.
“They talk about how they only have one voice, and that’s Bill Belichick,” Weatherspoon said. “They talk about social media (networks), they talk about everything. It was a good meeting.”

Well, all four have been on my Pats board...and all but Dixon I have highly ranked. Odrick I've mentioned is a #22 consideration. Gilyard is one of my top 3 WRs. And I won't say much about Spoon.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Spoon is my #2 SILB prospect for us and Gilyard is a solid choice in the second, Im liking this.

 

[mayoclinic]

Spoon is my #2 SILB prospect for us and Gilyard is a solid choice in the second, Im liking this.

I just can't project Weatherspoon to SILB for us. It would just be another example of playing a guy out of position. He's a WILL in a 3-4, and a WLB in a 4-3. He gets all over the field and makes plays, but it would be a waste of his skills to play him at the Mike, IMHO, and I don't think he would be very good at it.

 

[NePatriots]

I just can't project Weatherspoon to SILB for us. It would just be another example of playing a guy out of position. He's a WILL in a 3-4, and a WLB in a 4-3. He gets all over the field and makes plays, but it would be a waste of his skills to play him at the Mike, IMHO, and I don't think he would be very good at it.

I would love to have Spoon at WILB, but then, I'd also like to put Mayo there and get a SILB.

 

[mayoclinic]

I would love to have Spoon at WILB, but then, I'd also like to put Mayo there and get a SILB.

Exactly. Why draft Weatherspoon so that we can keep Mayo out of position at the Mike?

I've been pro Weatherspoon all season. I started the first thread discussing him as a possible early round draft choice. I think he could be a terrific player. But I don't see how he and Mayo help fix the main issues we have, unless we almost exclusively run a 4-2-5 or 4-3 defense.

 

[Badluck]

"spoon" has said himself he feels like hes been playing to heavy and wants to cut some weight and has and he apparently likes it so i dont see us drafting him, we dont have a need for another mayo

 

[TriplecHamp]

I just can't project Weatherspoon to SILB for us. It would just be another example of playing a guy out of position. He's a WILL in a 3-4, and a WLB in a 4-3. He gets all over the field and makes plays, but it would be a waste of his skills to play him at the Mike, IMHO, and I don't think he would be very good at it.

SILB is a need correct? We need a leader correct? Spoon is my number two prospect at SILB. Spikes is probably a close number three. He projects to play a Mike in the 3-4 according to what hes heard from NFL scouts at the senior bowl. From what Ive seen and from whats written about him he will be able to play Mike. From scouts inc: "Is blessed with an excellent combination of size and speed. Is thickly-built and has the top-end speed to play inside or outside depending on NFL scheme." I dont think you can rank a conversion prospect over a guy whos played the position before.

 

[mayoclinic]

SILB is a need correct? We need a leader correct? Spoon is my number two prospect at SILB. Spikes is probably a close number three. He projects to play a Mike in the 3-4 according to what hes heard from NFL scouts at the senior bowl. From what Ive seen and from whats written about him he will be able to play Mike. From scouts inc: "Is blessed with an excellent combination of size and speed. Is thickly-built and has the top-end speed to play inside or outside depending on NFL scheme." I dont think you can rank a conversion prospect over a guy whos played the position before.

I understand that "Spoon" is your #2 prospect at SILB. What I don't understand is why. Mayo can play outside or inside too, but he's not well suited to the Mike. Same for Patrick Willis. It's a different position from the Will, with totally different requirements to be effective, and I have yet to see anything about Weatherspoon's game that is particularly suited to playing the Mike for us. Apparently you do, so please elaborate. A generic "can play outside or inside" doesn't cut it for me.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I understand that "Spoon" is your #2 prospect at SILB. What I don't understand is why. Mayo can play outside or inside too, but he's not well suited to the Mike. Same for Patrick Willis. It's a different position from the Will, with totally different requirements to be effective, and I have yet to see anything about Weatherspoon's game that is particularly suited to playing the Mike for us. Apparently you do, so please elaborate. A generic "can play outside or inside" doesn't cut it for me.

Nicknamed 'Spoon'. He's the unquestioned leader of the Missouri defense. Has shown toughness in willingness to play through injury. No off-the-field issues to our knowledge

He is big and has adequate overall strength. He does not shy away from contact and he is not afraid to enter the phone booth with bigger blockers.

Overall tackling skills are adequate-to-good but not great. Does a nice job of breaking down in the open field. While it's not always pretty, he consistently wraps up and gets his man down. Only real knock here is that he does not display explosive initial pop as a hitter, which is partially a byproduct of his lack of elite closing burst.

He doesnt have good hand usage inside but I think thats coach able and could be fixed quickly because of his High football IQ. I rank him Second because he is better in coverage than spikes but they are equal in leadership value IMO. Spikes could just as easily be number two but I question his speed. I also think Spikes was exposed a little in coverage this year making him a two down backer.

 

[mayoclinic]

Nicknamed 'Spoon'. He's the unquestioned leader of the Missouri defense. Has shown toughness in willingness to play through injury. No off-the-field issues to our knowledge

He is big and has adequate overall strength. He does not shy away from contact and he is not afraid to enter the phone booth with bigger blockers.

Except for the nickname, sounds like Mayo or Patrick Willis, neither of whom is a good fit at the Mike. Being tough, being able to play through injury, and have adequate size and strength aren't sufficient.

Overall tackling skills are adequate-to-good but not great. Does a nice job of breaking down in the open field. While it's not always pretty, he consistently wraps up and gets his man down. Only real knock here is that he does not display explosive initial pop as a hitter, which is partially a byproduct of his lack of elite closing burst.

He doesnt have good hand usage inside but I think thats coach able and could be fixed quickly because of his High football IQ. I rank him Second because he is better in coverage than spikes but they are equal in leadership value IMO. Spikes could just as easily be number two but I question his speed. I also think Spikes was exposed a little in coverage this year making him a two down backer.

I agree that Weatherspoon is a better LB than Spikes, with better speed and much better coverage ability. But neither is particularly well suited to SILB. Weatherspoon doesn't have the hand usage or the trench warfare skills to stack and shed blockers effectively. He has a high football IQ, but his game just isn't oriented that way, and his playing weight is on the high side for his style of game.

I would take Koa Misi of Utah, Eric Norwood of South Carolina and AJ Edds of Iowa ahead of Weatherspoon and Spikes as SILB candidates.

 

[furley]

I think this is all preliminary and I don't expect the Patriots to select any of the players they'd initially interviewed. Perhaps, it's a smokescreen or what have you. These players shouldn't get their hopes up if they've a desire to play for New England.

Belichick and company probably have their eyes on specific players but no one who's obvious to the media or fans.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Except for the nickname, sounds like Mayo or Patrick Willis, neither of whom is a good fit at the Mike. Being tough, being able to play through injury, and have adequate size and strength aren't sufficient.



I agree that Weatherspoon is a better LB than Spikes, with better speed and much better coverage ability. But neither is particularly well suited to SILB. Weatherspoon doesn't have the hand usage or the trench warfare skills to stack and shed blockers effectively. He has a high football IQ, but his game just isn't oriented that way, and his playing weight is on the high side for his style of game.

I would take Koa Misi of Utah, Eric Norwood of South Carolina and AJ Edds of Iowa ahead of Weatherspoon and Spikes as SILB candidates.

I dont know much about Misi but Id probably go McClain at about a 96 for SILB, Weatherspoon at about 84 and Spikes at about 82. Edds is a third round prospect at the highest and Norwood is a mid to late second. I cant really grade either because I havent seen enough yet. I wouldnt take any of these guys untill the second if they are playing SILB with the exception of McClain obviously.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I think this is all preliminary and I don't expect the Patriots to select any of the players they'd initially interviewed. Perhaps, it's a smokescreen or what have you. These players shouldn't get their hopes up if they've a desire to play for New England.

Belichick and company probably have their eyes on specific players but no one who's obvious to the media or fans.

can we atleast get Gillyard...PLEASEEEEE!!

 

[mayoclinic]

I wouldnt take any of these guys until the second if they are playing SILB with the exception of McClain obviously.

Absolutely. Other than Dansby (FA) and McClain, there are no elite SILBs. And Weatherspoon is the best overall LB out of all those mentioned, he's just not a great fit at SILB. I'd take Misi, Norwood or possibly Edds in the 3rd round, not higher.

 

[furley]

can we atleast get Gillyard...PLEASEEEEE!!

Me, I would rather take a flier on Demaryius Thomas. The intrigue comes from the fact that he played in a run first system. I want to see what he can provide a team that will throw it.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Absolutely. Other than Dansby (FA) and McClain, there are no elite SILBs. And Weatherspoon is the best overall LB out of all those mentioned, he's just not a great fit at SILB. I'd take Misi, Norwood or possibly Edds in the 3rd round, not higher.

So what we are saying is that Weatherspoon may project as the Jack,but we would all prefer Mayo there, provided we secure a better option at the Mike?

Also that Weatherspoon, Edds and Misi project best as Jack linebackers.?

In conclusion: Option #1 is for If BB to sign Dansby as the Mike linebacker, if option #1 fails, then drafting McClain as the Mike linebacker becomes option #2 and if option #2 fails, then we may go into next season Mayo as the Mike.
However we still have a chance to upgrade the Jack position by drafting a Weatherspoon or Edds or Misi to compete with Guyton.

 

[Seneschal2]

In conclusion: Option #1 is for If BB to sign Dansby as the Mike linebacker, if option #1 fails, then drafting McClain as the Mike linebacker becomes option #2 and if option #2 fails, then we may go into next season Mayo as the Mike.

However we still have a chance to upgrade the Jack position by drafting a Weatherspoon or Edds or Misi to compete with Guyton.

This is exactly my point. There can be an upgrade from Guyton (or anyone else) -- who are not current impact players on the Pats D.

So often we sit here and read numerous posts about adding more impact players, and the primary area of focus seems to be with our starters (as it should be). But in the Pats D, role players receive lots of reps, and are a huge part of the Pats gameplanning. Having enough quality players who allow BB the option of employing 4-3, 3-4, or any other scheme imaginable -- and can properly execute said scheme, makes for a successful gameplan. And having assigned players who can be matched up at a moments notice, during in-game adjustmets, gives Belichick the flexibility to brainstorm at will.

Be it Spoon -- or anyone else, an upgrade is an upgrade -- not a duplication of current roster players. The Pats are looking to add players who fill the void with whatever was missing from this past season's defense.

If in doubt -- read my sig.

 

[BradyManny]

Exactly. Why draft Weatherspoon so that we can keep Mayo out of position at the Mike?

I've been pro Weatherspoon all season. I started the first thread discussing him as a possible early round draft choice. I think he could be a terrific player. But I don't see how he and Mayo help fix the main issues we have, unless we almost exclusively run a 4-2-5 or 4-3 defense.

Unless we're really huge up front...ie, Cody + Big Vince.

I basically look at it this way: if you're going to play 3-4, you just need a certain amount of weight and sand-in-the-pants in your front 7. How that weight is distributed might ultimately be a matter of taste. Last season, we weren't big enough.

 

[mayoclinic]

Unless we're really huge up front...ie, Cody + Big Vince.

I basically look at it this way: if you're going to play 3-4, you just need a certain amount of weight and sand-in-the-pants in your front 7. How that weight is distributed might ultimately be a matter of taste. Last season, we weren't big enough.

Absolutely. Play a 4-3 or 4-2-5 with Wilfork and Cody/Williams up front, and then having Mayo and Weatherspoon (or even Mayo and Guyton) running around covering a lot of territory behind them is a totally different story. I've been saying that all season.

 

[mayoclinic]

So what we are saying is that Weatherspoon may project as the Jack,but we would all prefer Mayo there, provided we secure a better option at the Mike?

Also that Weatherspoon, Edds and Misi project best as Jack linebackers.?

In conclusion: Option #1 is for If BB to sign Dansby as the Mike linebacker, if option #1 fails, then drafting McClain as the Mike linebacker becomes option #2 and if option #2 fails, then we may go into next season Mayo as the Mike.
However we still have a chance to upgrade the Jack position by drafting a Weatherspoon or Edds or Misi to compete with Guyton.

No, that's not what I'm saying. I think Misi and Norwood project well to the Mike. So I'd say:

Option 1: Sign Dansby.
Option 2: Trade up for McClain.

Both options 1 and 2 would give us an "elite" ILB corps for 2010, and would make us really solid up the middle.

Option 3: Draft Misi or Norwood in the 3rd and have then share time with McKenzie at the Mike. This is a backup option if we can't make one of the first 2 options work out.