* Ye 2011 Mock Draft Thread!! *

[Off The Grid]

Yes!! It is TIME!!

With the College Season winding down, lady and gentlemen, the time seems ripe, indeed, to fire this up, for the use of any of us who’d like to share ideas, speculation, information, and philosophies.

I have only the one vote on how this Thread goes, of course, but I certainly hope anyone and everyone will feel free to submit absolutely whatever they feel like:

~ 1 Round Mocks
~ 7 Round Mocks
~ Mock Drafts from other Sites
~ OffSeason Needs
~ Drafting Philosophy
~ Random Comments
~ Whatever!!

This will be my last Major Thread for now, I think, besides the 3 Positional ones and the Sleepers.

Oh, YES: I feel I should probably explain something, in view of the next several posts: They actually are NOT the result of 40 straight hours of feverish typing in my Brother in Law’s basement, as I spill welfare-financed Yoo Hoo on my mustard-stained T Shirt…as far as you know.

While the ensuing posts will certainly sweep away the last vestiges of doubt, regarding my insanity, I should note, for the record, that even I have something resembling a life: I actually worked on this Labor of Love for three full months, but only a little bit at a time. And if anyone enjoys perusing it even a tenth as much as I enjoyed the process of putting it together, it will be very gratifying, indeed.

In any case: I sincerely hope every one of you enjoys reading it, while you shake your head in pity at my obsession...And I heartily look forward to reading all of yours.

My already considerably busy life ~ yes, I know that’s hard to believe, but I’m one of those 16 hours a day, every day guys, you see!! ~ is going to be getting considerably busier, almost immediately, so I can’t make any promises: But in the unlikely event that time and energy allows, I’ll keep illustrating your Drafts, for I've always enjoyed doing that.

This whole “Draft” business, you see, is my impersonation of “relaxing”.

 

[Off The Grid]

State of the Patriots: Offense

State of the Patriots ~ December 2010: The Offense

I thought it would be appropriate to review the current status of our Immortal Crew, on a position by position basis, before proceeding. Needless to say, the following are just one man’s opinions, and are, in any case, subject to quite a few changes, between now and then.

An important point: The word in the air is that Rosters are likely to be expanded, as part of the new CBA, which I heartily approve. I hear “58” more often than anything, but for the sake of this purely speculative Draft, I’ll set it at the number that I hope it reaches: 60.

QuarterBack

General Tom Brady is the greatest QuarterBack of his generation, and it’s not even close. It’s not because Peyton Manning’s entire reputation is built on statistics, which is ironic because all of his records have been broken by Tom Brady, despite Manning playing in a Dome, while Brady plays most of his game in the Tundra.

And it’s not because Tom Brady has won 3 Super Bowls ~ and been robbed of at least 2 more ~ while Peyton Manning has won ZERO that haven’t been handed to him by a tainted referee crew, one of whom was forced, by the league, to issue a formal and written letter of apology for a bogus, rancid Pass Interference call on Ellis Hobbs in that infamous Championship Game…

It’s because General Tom Brady commands Processing Speed that DWARFS that of Peyton Manning and all other Pretenders to the Throne.

And it shows in the Big Games…doesn’t it??

Chad Hoyer is an Hockey player in a FootBall uniform, with the QuarterBack skills of Brian Sipe and the testicular fortitude of Teddy Ice Cold Bruschi.

Tom Brady is 33. He won’t be 38 until the end of the 2015 season. A few months ago, you’ll recall, he said he’d like to play “10 more”. Were he to do so, he’d enter the 2019 season 42 years old.

Beyond the 2015 season, therefore, I’d be much more comfortable if we had somebody behind him, locked and loaded. But, frankly, I don’t see a conflict: There’s no reason we can’t troll the late rounds and Free Agents for Field Generals of adequate physical skills and exceptional Processing Speed, sign those guys up, get them trained up, and then have them on hand either to step in, or to trade for yet more juicy Draft Picks, a la Matt Cassell, who was a 7th Rounder in 2005.

If the rosters expand to 60, I’d definitely like to see us snatch up a 3rd QB to develop.

~ 1 Late Rounder QB, he of disdained physical gifts, yet extraordinary Poise and...Processing Speed.

Running Back

Now HERE's a position in BAD need of an overhaul.

And the Gods have blessed us: This particular Draft Class is FESTOONED with Late Round High Ceiling Talent.

Danny WoodHead, for my money, is the only guy we need retain.

The rest'f'm are either as explosive as a SLUG ~ Ben Green ~ or as old as the hills ~ the REST of them, even including The Immortal Kevin Faulk.

With the rosters expected to expand close to 60, and perhaps all that way, I'd love to see us haul in a BOUNTY of late round Backs: 2 Hard Yard Mashers, 2 Tail Backs to back up Danny Woo ~ you can't have too many Blasters on Special Teams!! ~ and one Soul Crunching FullBack, and, yes, I DO mean Owen Marecic!!

~ 2 Mashers ~ HalfBacks who can blast through, cut hard, and Move The Chains. "40" times be damned.
~ 1 Slasher ~ A TailBack with exceptional Fluidity, Agility, and Lateral Velocity.
~ 1 FullBack ~ A Blaster who strikes fear in the hearts of LineBackers.

Wide Receiver

Frankly, I don’t see any particular need to address this spot, beyond a late round pick or Free Agents: I and others have been begging the Patriots to go back to their roots for YEARS…and it’s finally happened, with immediate and STUNNING results.

Wes Welker
Deion Branch
Brandon Tate
Julian Edelman
Taylor Price

We’ve got a really nice crew of young, athletic WideOuts with very few miles on them, and if we need a big target in the Red Zone, we’ve got 2 exceptional talents at Offensive End, one of them a WingBack, if I may presume to take that liberty...And we've got a military kid ~ name of Barnes, if memory serves ~ ready to take an hand, next Spring.

Even so, I wouldn’t mind picking up a 6th Receiver, though if it came down to that or Matt Slater…

~ 1 8th Rounder, should he show himself. But by all means: Let's haul in 3 or 4, if their credentials warrant it. Other'n that, our cupboard is full: Domination of the 10-20 yards beyond the Line of Scrimmage is what wins Championships, not "stretching the field."

Offensive End

Looking awfully good, here, as well.

But I am a FANATICAL advocate of loading up a team with 2 Blocking Ends ~ like Alge Crumpler and Rob Gronkowski ~ and two WingBacks ~ like Aaron Hernandez. For me, winning Championships starts by taking command of the Line of Scrimmage, and having Depth of Talent at this position is vital to that end. For my money, I’d like to see us draft or sign at least one Project WingBack ~ Jameson Konz, last year, would be a good example ~ and at least one Blocking End.

~ 1 WingBack ~ A Freak who can Block and tear up the field.
~ 1 Offensive End ~ A Brute who demolishes Defensive Ends...and catches the occasional pass.

Grizzlies: The Offensive Front Line

Tackle

Sebastian the Terrible is an Ascending Star.

Matt Light is still a good Tackle, and will do, for now, if needs be. I LOVE the guy. Given my druthers, though, I'd haul in a Tackle in this Draft, but ONLY if we can get an Elite Caliber prospect, not merely a good prospect who goes in the first Round just because somebody needs a Tackle.

~ 1 Elite Level Tackle Prospect

Guard

I am ecstatic that Logan Mankins came back two weeks earlier than he needed to, and take it as either a sign of a thawing between the two sides, or an harbinger to one. In any case, I have NO interest in letting a mauling, marauding Beast like Logan Mankins leave town, under ANY circumstances.

Dan Connolly has done an exceptional job, standing in. Ultimately, I see his best role on this team as being a Swing Guard, and I believe he could be the best in all the LAND. I’m not being funny, either: He has shown himself to be exceptionally athletic on the move, and could be an extraordinary weapon in the Run Game as a reserve, yes, but as one who gets a lot of time, each game, and occasionally starts, if the match up calls for it.

As at Tackle, I don’t see any refined, elite level talent at this position, this year. But I do see a particular ~ if unrefined ~ elite level talent, and I think we have a shot at a potentially exceptional player who looks like he may be there in the 3rd round.

We’ll see.

~ 1 Elite Level Guard Prospect

Center

The dearth of Refined Elite O Line Talent is complete: As badly as I would love to draft some to step in for Dan Koppen ~ as well as Steve Neal and Matt Light ~ there is, simply, no 4 Star Fine Tuned Athletic Beast ~ a la Mike Iupati or Marquis de Pouncey ~ coming out, this year, who is worth the Draft Slot he is likely to accrue.

However, there is one guy ~ a Junior ~ who will be worthy of such an investment if he comes out...And the field is SO barren ~ and the prospective dollars so dramatically in favor of coming out this year rather than next ~ that he just might declare.

~ 1 Elite Level Center Prospect

 

[Off The Grid]

State of the Patriots: Defense

State of the Patriots ~ December 2010: The Defense

Nose Tackle

Vince Wilfork is an absolute MONSTER, and we are blessed and privileged to have him representing us.

But in a Sport that is won In The Trenches ~ if you think that garbage about this being a "Passing League" isn't a Myth, I invite you to review the nature of the last 15 Super Bowl Champions ~ Nose Tackle is every bit as vital to our team’s Championship Quest as QuarterBack.

For that reason, I consider it imperative that we make DEAD sure we have at LEAST two High Grade Nose Tackles on the roster. Ron Brace is developing nicely, but there’s no need to count on him, as he might best serve us an Hybrid. MIND you: This year’s Defensive Tackle Draft Class is as shallow as last year’s was deep. But there are always possibilities, and I’d look for Value in the mid rounds and beyond.

~ 1 Sky High Upside BEAST of a Nose Tackle

Defensive End

A VERY interesting position, yes?

Ty Warren. It will be very interesting to see where he is, next Spring. He’ll only be 30 at that point, so I expect he’s got a few excellent years left in him. And the long rest may actually rejuvenate him. However, I’ve learned to not expect a guy to return to his full previous Game, the first year back from a major injury. So I’d prefer to ease him back in with part time duty, if we can.

I see Brandon Deaderick and Ron Brace as good, young, improving players.

But we need more. These are the Front Lines.

"Good" only gets you IN the PlayOffs.

Google "Marty Schottenheimer" if you don't get my point.

If we're going to win it ALL...we have to beat the BEST.

If we’re in the business of Winning Championships ~ and we are ~ and if we understand that the best way to do that is not to fill in weaknesses, but to develop Domination, compelling the Enemy to try to scramble to fill in THEIR weaknesses ~ and we do ~ then I say we need to seize the unique opportunity that this deep, deep Draft Class of Defensive Ends offers us…and haul in an ELITE level Defensive End prospect.

We need to shut the Enemy Offensive Front Lines DOWN.

And we’re just the guys to do it.

~ 1 Elite Upside GRIZZLY!!

Flankers ~ OutSide LineBackers

Please, God, let us NEVER again get killed ~ as we did in 2007 ~ on account of not shooting back.

We don’t need 2 Starting Caliber OutSide LineBackers.

We need FOUR.

We’ve got ONE.

Jermaine Cunningham is the real deal, and continues to improve against the Run AND the Pass.

Rob Ninkovich is a Scrapper. He plays his @$$ off, he’s smart, he’s quick, and he’s only going to get better. But Andre Ware, he is not. As a Starter, I admire him, but I fear for how he’ll fare against the best teams. As a #4, though, a guy who can drop in on Sub Schemes and Spot Starts, I LOVE him.

But why speak of Rob Ninkovich, the Flanker??

Rob Ninkovich, ladies and gentlemen...was born to be a MidFielder.

A College Defensive End, undersized, but with exceptional Burst, outstanding Lateral Velcocity, and the Heart of a LION ~ a guy who always, somehow, made the big plays ~ and who was a NIGHTMARE on Special Teams...

A guy who got bounced, initially, to Flanker ~ OutSide LineBacker ~ and then, at last, found his home...as a MidFielder??

As Middle LineBacker??

Teddy Ice Cold Bruschi, ladies and gentlemen.

Rob Ninkovich was born to play Middle LineBacker for the New England Patriots.

PLEASE, Gods Above...Let it be SO.

~ 4 ~ yes: FOUR ~ High Impact Flankers. Why???

In the Immortal Words of Brother Billy RoseWood:

You can NEVER have too much FirePower!!

Safeties

I’m actually in the ~ shrinking ~ camp that says that we should count to ten and just wait and SEE on Brandon Merriweather. MIND you: I’d like to see us sniff around Free Safeties in the later rounds, anyway, because we need Depth of Talent, there. I’m just saying that tales of his demise MAY be slightly exaggerated. My sense is that this process of growth is not yet over, and that, by the end of the season…he’s gonna make us proud.

And the fact that James Sanders continues to evolve in front of our very eyes...assuages my fears.

As for Strong Safety...Well, I and a select few have been pimping Pat Chung as The Second Coming of Rodney Harrison since the moment we drafted the guy. This year's Break Out was ~ without peer ~ THE least surprising thing we've ever seen.

And he's only just STARTED to make his mark.

~ 1 Free Safety
~ 1 Nickel Safety

Even if Stomper does work out ~ as I hope he does ~ you can't have too many guys who can fly around and hit people!!

CornerBacks

I love this crew. When Leigh Bodden returns, to join Ascending Star Devin McCourty, we’re looking at a couple of Smothering, Hard-Hitting SAVAGES on the Corners: Athletic, bone-rattling MONSTERS.

And the ripple effect of having Bodden return will be tremendous ~ though we'll have to keep an eye on him in his first year back ~ because that’ll allow the highly talented Darius Butler to take up Nickel duties, and the hard charging Scrappers, Jon Wilhite and Kyle Arrington, to go Dime and Quarter for us.

Could we use another guy, if the rosters got to 60?? Absolutely, and there are often intriguing Values available in the late rounds and beyond.

~ 1 CornerBack, if we can get'm cheap and talented. There's allways room for one more!!

 

[Off The Grid]

Prelude to a Draft

Prelude to a Draft

In My Dream Scenario…

The Raiders complete their collapse, and drop 4 of their last 5 games, finishing 6-10.

Considering how very little separates #4 from #22, this year, and considering the upwardly mobile prospects of the great majority of the teams, therein, the Raiders could, quite realistically, plunge all the way to #4, itself, or to #6…But I’ll speculate on #8, which, all in all, seems very realistic, albeit with a pinch of Hope.

And I’m figuring on the Panthers coughing up #33, bless them, with #75 being simple robbed from the Vikings!!

PreDraft Trades

1 ~ Ben Green has an hell of a year, behind our line, approaching, even hitting, 1000 yards, blasting more than a dozen TouchDowns, and keeping an iron grip on the FootBall. He's extremely solid, but he is a bit of a SLUG. We need some EXPLOSIVENESS.

Other teams become infatuated with his knowledge of our Schemes, his versatility, his reliability, and his aforementioned iron grip on the FootBall: We’re restructuring, so we RFA him, and then promptly trade him to the highest bidder, scoring a modest yet valuable 4th Rounder. I’ll say #110.

2 ~ Mike Wright has a Career Year, and as he has always wanted to be a starter, and as we are, in turn, getting exponentially younger and better, it’s a classic Win-Win: We trade our still semi-young and extremely versatile and talented Grizzly to the highest bidder for a 4th Rounder, say #108…

X ~ Ben Watson finally does something right: He nabs us a 5th Round Comp Pick: #162.

~ Picks Prior to Draft Day ~

8
32
33
64
75
96
105
110
128

 

[Off The Grid]

OTG's 2011 Mock Draft #99 Part 1!!

Off The Grid's 2011 Mock Draft Version #99 ~ Part 1!!

Being a cold blooded sadist ~ as well as a Genius ~ Coach Bill Trades Down with pick #8, mercilessly fleecing someone obsessed with "Prince" Amukamara:

#8 ~ #16 + #48 + #176

Not satisfied with the torture he has inflicted on Ingram-starved Patriot fans, he Trades Down again, because somebody just HAS to have Cam Newton:

#16 ~ #28 + #60 + #125

As Yankees across New England descend on Patriots Draft HeadQuarters with fully loaded rifles, Coach Bill does the unspeakable: He Trades UP, probably saving his own life in the process:

#48 + #75 + #128 ~ #27

With half the fans focused on Fantasy FootBall, and half focused on Defenders, though, the first pick comes as a bit of a rude surprise to most:


#27 ~ Left Tackle Tyron Smith of USC ~ 6.5/285

Tyron Smith is The 5 Star BLUE Chip Tackle of this Draft.

But because he will barely be 20, and because he has NO experience at Left Tackle...no one else will dare draft him quite this early.

Give Coach Woicik a little time to beef up this phenomenal physical specimen, and give Coach Dante a little time to refine his incredible natural skills...and this kid could be, quite simply, a Super Star.


#28 ~ Offensive Center Mike Brewster of Ohio State ~ 6.5/295

Just like that ~ in 3 minutes ~ the Patriots have laid the foundations for what might become ~ with Logan Mankins and Sebastian Vollmer already in house ~ the greatest Offensive Front Line in HISTORY.

Brewster...has got it ALL. He is to the rest of the 2011 Center class what Tyron Smith is to the Tackles: Far and AWAY the best: Athletic. Explosive. Tenacious. Passionate. And, above all: blessed with Processing Speed that ECLIPSES all other rivals.

Yes: With the guidance of Coach Dante and Coach Woicik, a potential Super Star.


#32 ~ Right Defensive End JJ Watt of Wisconsin ~ 6.6/290

HELL, yeah.

Nick Fairley is absolutely awesome...But he's going too early. Fortunately, he's going to a bad team. And most bad teams stay bad.

Marcel Dareus is fantastic...But he, too, is going too early.

JJ Watt, in my opinion, has greater potential impact in our particular Defense than Dareus, and may very well match that of Fairley, as he is just explosive, in case you haven't caught any of his games. He is a Top 5 Talent.

And, yet ~ once, again ~ he's an extremely raw recruit, who has only played the position for a couple years.

Most GM's ~ with only 1 1st Rounder, and with dubious tenure at their jobs ~ don't DARE spend a late 1st Rounder on a guy who won't immediately start returning a profit.

There, again, lies our advantage: Patience, exceptional coaching, and Vision.

JJ Watt's Skill Set is matched only by his passion and tenacity: He will give us everything he's got.

And after Coach Bill and Coach Pepper ~ and Coach Woicik ~ go to work on him for a while...We will have, yet again, a potential Super Star.


#33 ~ Right Flanker Aldon Smith of Missouri ~ 6.5/260

Again, I say unto you, good gentlemen: HELL, yeah.

Aldon Smith commands a FIRESTORM of Pass Rushing skills: Burst, Agility, Fluidity, Lateral Torque, and Closing Speed.

And he's got the frame ~ and the tenacity ~ to develop into a damned fine Edge Setter, as well.

Dropping into Coverage? If you're talking about a College End, you simply don't know.

But my guess: All those skills project real nicely.

Aldon Smith is a Red Shirt Sophomore, and has a thin resume. In a class with utterly AMAZING Depth of Talent at Flanker, it seems to me that ~ while Smith's raw talent is on par with The Big 3 ~ DaQuan Bowers, Robert Quinn, and himself ~ a LOT of teams ~ particularly those who want tiny, 220 pound Pass Rushing BLAZERS at Flanker, which is most of them ~ will prefer the likes of smaller guys ~ like Bruce Carter, Von Miller, and Travis Lewis ~ and guys with deeper resumes ~ like Jeremy Beal and maybe Akeem Ayers.

Once, again: Having unrivaled Depth of Talent already in place, combined with multiple picks, superior coaching, and unshakable job security...provides Coach Bill a CRUSHING advantage, allowing him to snatch up a guy who might need a little work...but who, in time, has the potential, like the other 3 before him, to become...a Super Star.


#60 ~ Left Flanker Ryan Kerrigan of Purdue ~ 6.4/265

In early December, The Combine seems a long time away; a mystical entity.

But the reality, we all know, is that The Combine dramatically elevates some people's Stock...and CRUSHES others'.

You all know where I'm going with this.

Ryan Kerrigan, who started the year somewhere out in 2nd and 3rd Round land, has rocketed up into mid 1st Round territory.

Well, I'm here to tell you: He is going to TUMBLE.

Ryan Kerrigan is the quintessential Try Hard Guy, the guy who plays over his head CONSTANTLY.

In December, that makes him The Draft's Darling.

In April, I strongly suspect, that will make him Mister "Do His Limited Physical Skills Translate into NFL Success?? I Don't Think So!!"

He could be the 3rd Flanker drafted...But I think it's far more likely that he's the 10th.

And, my GOD, would I love to have him.

Because his Quickness, his FootBall Wisdom, his Technique, his Tenacity, his Relentlessness, his PASSION...and his Processing Speed...DO translate into NFL Success.


#64 ~ RG Benjamin Ijalana of Villanova ~ 6.4/320

This is an All Pro Caliber prospect: A perfect blend of Brute Force and Athletic Agility. He's raw ~ notice a theme, here? ~ which is why this 1st Round Talent should be available, around here: everybody else can't AFFORD to draft "projects" in the first two rounds. That makes him, in my humble opinion, our 6th All Pro Caliber prospect, in the Top 64.

#96 ~ NT Phil Taylor of Baylor ~ 6.4/340

Wes Bunting offered some very rare insight into this guy, before the season: He anticipated that this guy would look ineffective this year, due to being miscast in a conference ~ The Big 12 ~ that spreads things out and forces him to cover a lot of space, which is not his forte.

But he is an exceptionally athletic man for his size, he's incredibly strong, and he's got an explosive Launch. He is raw and unrefined, and will need some coaching...But the thing of it is, with him and the others, above: He is blessed with unteachable instincts, intrinsic Fluidity and ~ dare I say it?? ~ Grace. This blesses him ~ as it blesses the others ~ with an exceptional innate ability to wield explosive Force at the Point of Impact. And that...is what makes the difference between simple athleticism...and potentially explosive Impact.

And we've got just the Coaches to help him and the others harness that.

This guy has the Skill Set to be a Top 10 Pick at Nose Tackle.

The Tactical possibilities he could bring to our Defensive Formations...are IMMENSE.

Trade Exchange

At this point, Coach Bill goes Trade Happy ~ again ~ and parlays two of his 4th's ~ #105 and #110 ~ for 2 5ths and 4 6ths. This takes a couple of trades with teams that develop a Jones for this or that guy in the 4th Round ~ and possibly a couple more, frankly, but the Value is certainly there ~ and is doubtlessly a point of no interest for anyone. But just in case anyone's curious:

#105 ~ #135 + #168 + #180
#110 ~ #144 + #175 + #189

#128 ~ HalfBack Roy Helu of Nebraska ~ 6.0/220

Now it's time to go to work, loading up the BackField.

With the rosters expanding to possibly as many as 60, I'd love to see us take advantage of this Draft ~ which offers numerous late round options ~ to load our backfield UP.

Helu is an Hard Yard Masher: What we want here is guy who can read the Blocks, read the Defense, make one Cut, and Blast Away. Nothing fancy. Just Move The Chains and beat the Defense into paste.

 

[Off The Grid]

OTG's 2011 Mock Draft #99 Part 2!!

Off The Grid's 2011 Mock Draft Version #99 ~ Part 2!!


#135 ~ Right Flanker Cliff Matthews of South Carolina ~ 6.4/265

Matthews has had a bad year, which of course plays into our hands, but he's got a relentless motor, and he commands some serious Pass Rushing Skills: A combination of an explosive Launch and Gravitational Integrity when he's Attacking the Edge. And he's got the build, as well, to Set the Edge when it's coming the other way.

#144 ~ Left Flanker Ryan Winterswyk of Boise State ~ 6.4/265

Like Matthews, he's had a disappointing Senior year. But, again like Matthews, he's an hard charging SCRAPPER, and he's certainly got the build and the tenacity to Set the Edge. I'd like to know more about him, but at this early juncture, he looks like a damned good lottery ticket.

#162 ~ HalfBack Bilal Powell of Louisville ~ 6.0/215

Hard Yard MASHER. Will Cut. Will Attack. Will Break Tackles. Will Move The Chains.

That's all I'm looking for to win Championships, 5 Yards at a time.

Helu OR Powell??

Why not have both??

Depth of Talent...is GOOD.

#162 ~ FullBack Owen Marecic of Stanford ~ 6.1/245

A Brutal Blocker and a relentless, tenacious, passionate FootBall Player.

I've already run my mouth aplenty about Owen Marecic. The guy is a blocking BEAST...And he can even catch the ball and fight for a 1st Down, if he needs to.

Not to mention: he plays a MEAN MidFielder.

This guy was simply BORN to be a Patriot.

#168 ~ Free Safety Mark LeGree of Appalachian State ~ 6.0/200

This guy is precisely the kind of guy I love to draft: An Instinctive, Quick, Aggressive player who shows tremendous Processing Speed and extraordinary Ball Hawking Instincts...who'll probably be available extremely late in the Draft because he's not only from Appalachian State ~ wherever that is!! ~ but runs a sluggish "40"!!

I like Stomper Meriweather, and if I had to make a bet, I'd say he's going to continue to improve, and develop into the kind of Force we've always wanted him to be...However, I see absolutely no reason not to load up on Free Safeties with Range, Instincts, Processing Speed, and a penchant for making The Big Play.

#175 ~ Offensive End Lee Smith of Marshall ~ 6.6/267

Lee Smith is a brutal, destructive, demolishing Blocker. He destroys people in the Run Game, and approaches it with a real appetite for punishing others.

On top of that, he has good instincts in the Passing Game.

Reminds me a lot of one of my Super Binkies from last year: Steve Maneri. As you know, Brother Maneri is being converted to a Tackle, under the exceptionally sage guidance of Coach Dante and Coach Woicik. And it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if we drafted ~ or stole ~ Lee Smith, and took the very same approach with him. Indeed, Wes Bunting has broached that very subject, and many of my first 98 Versions have included that conversion.

I don't believe you can ever have too many brutal, athletic, disruptive Grizzlies. I consider Alge Darius Crumpler to be an Offensive End who can catch, whereas I consider Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to be WingBacks who can block...And I'd love to get Crumpler a partner.

#176 ~ TailBack DaRel Scott of MaryLand ~ 5.11/205

Just what we need to share the burden with Danny WoodHead, and provide some Depth of Talent at a cheap, cheap price. As the extraordinary Wes Bunting of the NFP puts it:

"An explosive back who can really accelerate into daylight at the drop of a hat."

Sounds like a perfect compliment to Danny WoodHead and the rest of the crew: His running style is more like that of Helu and Powell, but his big play potential is enormous.

As with Helu and Powell, I need to learn more about his Blocking and Receiving skills, but this is just a speculative Mock Draft, of course.

#180 ~ Right Flanker Steven Friday of Virginia Tech ~ 6.4/250

Hah!! Needless to say: My dream ~ if, indeed, we expand the rosters to 60 ~ and we'll certainly get close ~ is that we go 6 Deep in our Flanker Depth Chart. How does that expression go??

You can NEVER have too much FirePower!!

Yeah, I've got issues.

But I believe that this particular Draft Class is so incredibly deep with Flanker Talent ~ I'd even go after Christian Anthony of Grambling as an 8th Rounder!! ~ that we should seize the opportunity and simply LOAD UP.

Friday is just emerging as a Pass Rushing Threat, these last two years, and is continuing to improve his Game. Wes Bunting thinks he's got enormous upside, and that, frankly, is good enough for me.

#189 ~ QB Greg McElroy of Alabama ~ 6.2/225

This guy is the ULTIMATE "Off The Grid" pick. A QuarterBack who :

1 ~ Can't do 40 Yards in less than 4.8 if he's falling off a cliff.
2 ~ Can't throw the ball 50 yards if there's a Typhoon behind him.

But, OH...that Processing Speed Under Pressure.

I'd love to see the Patriots continually troll the late Rounds and Free Agents for guys just like McElroy. If we can continuously develop guys like him ~ and Brian Hoyer!! ~ it works out perfectly: We've always got one ~ and usually two ~ guys who can step right in and execute at an high level, if need be, we're constantly developing late Picks and Free Agents into High Caliber Trade Assets, and, when the day comes ~ I'm hoping for 2018 or 2019, but perhaps as early as 2015 ~ when General Tom Brady decides to step down, we'll have his replacement locked and loaded.

 

[Off The Grid]

OTG's 2011 Mock Draft #99 Round 8!!

Round 8 ~ The Undrafted Free Agents!!

Just a few guys who I would LOVE to see us scoop up from The Ether...

NT Harold Ayodele of Emporia State ~ 6.1/340

A long shot, with attitudinal history...but an immense talent, to be sure.

NT Alameda TaAmu of Washington ~ 6.3/330

Yes, I LOVE those Super Grizzlies!!

WB Jerrod Johnson of Texas A&M ~ 6.4/245

Yes, THAT Jerrod Johnson!! The same guy who was considered an Heisman candidate QuarterBack 12 weeks ago, and who lost his job after a rocky start!! I don't think he'd make much of a QuarterBack, frankly, but, my GOD, he could make one HELL of a WingBack!!

WB Brett Brackett of Penn State ~ 6.6/245

Like I allways say: You can never have too many WingBacks.

Brackett has already made the conversion from Wide Receiver. He's raw as hell, but he's huge, he's quick, he's tough, and he's a demolishing Blocker. He could actually turn out to be awfully, awfully good.

FS Mitchell Evans of Indiana ~ 6.1/205

What we have here is a very recent conversion from Wide Receiver and WildCat QuarterBack!! It's fair to say that this guy is RAW...But he's extremely fluid, he's incredibly instinctive, and, by GOD, does he command exceptional Processing Speed!!

NS Eric Hagg of Nebraska ~ 6.2/210

He's just one of those guys.

Slow as MUD in the "40", which makes him a borderline 8th Rounder ~ and we could always Trade Down with one of our 6th Rounders, pick up two 7th's, and snag DaRel Scott one round later, along with Hagg, if need be.

But Hagg commands an enthralling combination of skills: He assaults the Line of Scrimmage, he's a brutal open field tackler, and he's an instinctive and voracious Ball Hawk.

He just makes plays.

***

All of the above would be Practice Squad candidates, of course...But considering the attrition rate in this Great Game, they might very well make the 60 man roster!!

 

[Off The Grid]

60 Man Roster

This is how I see the 2011 Patriots 60 Man Roster projecting, in My Dream Scenario:

***

Pro Bowl Caliber Talent
Starting Caliber Talent
Scrapper

***

LT Tyron Smith ~ ST Steve Maneri
LG Logan Mankins ~ SG Dan Connolly
OC Mike Brewster ~ C/G Rich Ohrenberger
RG Ben Ijalana ~ G/T Nick Kaczur
RT Sebastian Vollmer ~ T/G Quinn Ojinnaka

QB Tom Brady ~ QB Brian Hoyer ~ QB Greg McElroy

FB Owen Marecic
HB Roy Helu ~ HB Bilal Powell
TB Danny WoodHead ~ TB DaRel Scott

OE Alge Crumpler ~ OE Lee Smith

WB Aaron Hernandez
WB Rob Gronkowski

SE Deion Branch ~ WR Taylor Price
SR Wes Welker ~ WR Julian Edelman
OF Brandon Tate

K Steve Gostkowski
P Zoltan Mesko
S Matt Katula
G Matt Slater

~~~

LE Ty Warren ~ E/T Ron Brace
NT Vince Wilfork ~ NT Phil Taylor ~ NT Myron Pryor
RE JJ Watt ~ DE Brandon Deaderick ~ E/T Gerald Warren

LF Jermaine Cunningham ~ LF Ryan Kerrigan ~ LF Ryan Winterswyk
MF Brandon Spikes ~ MF Rob Ninkovich
MF Jerrod Mayo ~ MF Gary Guyton ~ MF Dan Fletcher
RF Aldon Smith ~ RF Steven Friday ~ RF Cliff Matthews

LC Devin McCourty ~ CB Jon Wilhite
SS Pat Chung ~ SS Sergio Brown
FS Brandon Meriweather ~ FS Mark LeGree
RC Leigh Bodden ~ RC Kyle Arrington

NB Darius Butler
NS James Sanders

 

[serifyn]

If the patriots are in a position to draft Prince Amukamara,, you gotta pull the trigger. he and Patrick Peterson are 2 of the best CB prospects to come out of the draft in a long time and with Mccourty and Amukamara you would have the best Cornerback tandem in the league for half a decade.

 

[Off The Grid]

If the patriots are in a position to draft Prince Amukamara,, you gotta pull the trigger. he and Patrick Peterson are 2 of the best CB prospects to come out of the draft in a long time and with Mccourty and Amukamara you would have the best Cornerback tandem in the league for half a decade.

Two thoughts:

1 ~ What would you do with Leigh Bodden? Make him or the Rook a Nickel Back?

2 ~ I prefer to deploy our drafting resources elsewhere. But the notion of having:

Devin McCourty
Patrick Peterson
Leigh Bodden
Darius Butler

...as our 4 Corners...brings joy to my heart.

 

[jsull87]

1st off let me say... love the post and will be working on a mock.

But i think you undervalue a couple of the vets a little. Namely Matt light and to a lesser extent BJGE (saying he's slow then saying you want to draft big rb's 40 times be damned? when BJGE's main asset is hitting the hole hard... just lacks the 40 time). You want to start a rookie LT there to protect brady's blind side?

Once again not a go at you just some of the thoughts late at night on the draft. But its hard to be critical... i dont see this team with a whole bunch of needs and they have more than enough picks to make moves.

love the work tho

 

[Patriot Missile]

I agree with most of his post. However I think BJGE should be retained as a backup as well as Danny Woodhead.

Don't kid yourselves, BJGE is adequete but not explosive. He gets the job done and I like him plenty. Great backup imo. But honestly it would be nice to see a homerun threat brought here to further improve this offense. It keeps the defense honest and makes the QB play better while moving the chains on the ground.

Brady has evolved so much over the years. When Brady had Dillon in the lineup he had only been a starter for 3 seasons. Imagine what he could do with an elite back in his prime? How do you defend both? How does that change the defensive fronts you see game to game?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Prelude to a Draft

1 ~ Ben Green has an hell of a year, behind our line, approaching, even hitting, 1000 yards, blasting more than a dozen TouchDowns, and keeping an iron grip on the FootBall. He's extremely solid, but he is a bit of a SLUG. We need some EXPLOSIVENESS.

Other teams become infatuated with his knowledge of our Schemes, his versatility, his reliability, and his aforementioned iron grip on the FootBall: We’re restructuring, so we RFA him, and then promptly trade him to the highest bidder, scoring a modest yet valuable 4th Rounder. I’ll say #110.

OK, we've been through this before: you don't completely overhaul a position simply because you can. Yes, the Patriots did it with WR and TE, but that was because they had hit rock bottom. I can't imagine Green-Ellis not being a Patriot next year unless someone were willing to cough up at least a 2.

2 ~ Mike Wright has a Career Year, and as he has always wanted to be a starter, and as we are, in turn, getting exponentially younger and better, it’s a classic Win-Win: We trade our still semi-young and extremely versatile and talented Grizzly to the highest bidder for a 4th Rounder, say #108…

Umm, he was a FA last year, and nobody wanted him then, so I can't really see anyone ponying up a pick for him now. Again, I think he stays.

 

[jsull87]

Re: Prelude to a Draft

OK, we've been through this before: you don't completely overhaul a position simply because you can. Yes, the Patriots did it with WR and TE, but that was because they had hit rock bottom. I can't imagine Green-Ellis not being a Patriot next year unless someone were willing to cough up at least a 2.



Umm, he was a FA last year, and nobody wanted him then, so I can't really see anyone ponying up a pick for him now. Again, I think he stays.

I basically agree here. Mike Wright has been invaluable this year as one of the only guys getting any pressure up the middle in our sub packages.

Also i think BJGE suits this offense just fine... but i can accept people arguing for a home run RB because i think some of the 11-15 yarders BJGE had could have been 30-50 yard td's with a CJ or AP. But then again AP has fumbleitis and BJGE doesn't so everyone has their different strengths.

I also probably don't agree with getting the picks for those 2 but hey that's what mocks are for... bit of fun and what you think you can get in next years draft.

Personally i think our run game hinges on how well we keep our OL stocked. But that for me doesn't mean replacing light and mankins with rookies right off the bat. For me you try keep those 2 vets then work in 2-3 new rookies in the lineup with kazur and o'connel as the 2 replacements unless rookies out perform them.

 

[Water Boy]

Great job OTG. Your mock raises some interesting things to be considered.

Expanded rosters under a new CBA would give teams the option of loading up on draft picks and taking chances on RAW talent that can be carried on an expanded roster. This is especially true for the Pats who, thanks to BB, don't have major holes to fill and have a bundle of draft picks. It would be interesting to see how BB expands the roster - veteran FAs vs draft picks. I personally hope that BB doesn't use all of his draft picks this year. I don't think he will. I'd like to see him continue to pick his spots, stock the shelves for 2011 and trade back and increase our draft value for 2012.

 

[serifyn]

Two thoughts:

1 ~ What would you do with Leigh Bodden? Make him or the Rook a Nickel Back?

2 ~ I prefer to deploy our drafting resources elsewhere. But the notion of having:

Devin McCourty
Patrick Peterson
Leigh Bodden
Darius Butler

...as our 4 Corners...brings joy to my heart.

Not that it matters, because the raiders just won against what should have been the lock win of the season and now i cant see them going any worse than 2-2 the rest of the way.

but if you draft Amukamara (you couldent possibly be in position to draft peterson), you get all these guys in camp and see what happens, maybe Amukamara needs more time to develop and you put him in the nickel, maybe theres a lockout and bodden has been away from the game long enough that he needs some more time to get better.

either way you have a cornerback who should be one of the best in the league for quite some time, and as good as bodden was in 2009, remember that he will be 2 years removed from that season once he finally suits up again and with upcoming obstacles like a potential lockout, that might be extended further.

 

[ZoisKing]

Love your mock OTG! I'd be in love with the idea of getting Kerrigan in the 2nd-but don't see him lasting that long, but you may be right about combine times.

 

[The Coon]

We have to get another WR somewhere in the draft right? I like where your heads at regarding the building of the OLINE and front seven, i just think additions at RB as well as WR are mixed in as well.

 

[PatsFanStnfrd]

Yes!! It is TIME!!

With the College Season winding down, lady and gentlemen, the time seems ripe, indeed, to fire this up, for the use of any of us who’d like to share ideas, speculation, information, and philosophies.

I have only the one vote on how this Thread goes, of course, but I certainly hope anyone and everyone will feel free to submit absolutely whatever they feel like:

~ 1 Round Mocks
~ 7 Round Mocks
~ Mock Drafts from other Sites
~ OffSeason Needs
~ Drafting Philosophy
~ Random Comments
~ Whatever!!

This will be my last Major Thread for now, I think, besides the 3 Positional ones and the Sleepers.

Oh, YES: I feel I should probably explain something, in view of the next several posts: They actually are NOT the result of 40 straight hours of feverish typing in my Brother in Law’s basement, as I spill welfare-financed Yoo Hoo on my mustard-stained T Shirt…as far as you know.

While the ensuing posts will certainly sweep away the last vestiges of doubt, regarding my insanity, I should note, for the record, that even I have something resembling a life: I actually worked on this Labor of Love for three full months, but only a little bit at a time. And if anyone enjoys perusing it even a tenth as much as I enjoyed the process of putting it together, it will be very gratifying, indeed.

In any case: I sincerely hope every one of you enjoys reading it, while you shake your head in pity at my obsession...And I heartily look forward to reading all of yours.

My already considerably busy life ~ yes, I know that’s hard to believe, but I’m one of those 16 hours a day, every day guys, you see!! ~ is going to be getting considerably busier, almost immediately, so I can’t make any promises: But in the unlikely event that time and energy allows, I’ll keep illustrating your Drafts, for I've always enjoyed doing that.

This whole “Draft” business, you see, is my impersonation of “relaxing”.

Thanks for your thoughts. Well researched. Enjoy your posts! Have fun at work and life!

 

[ctpatsfan77]

We have to get another WR somewhere in the draft right? I like where your heads at regarding the building of the OLINE and front seven, i just think additions at RB as well as WR are mixed in as well.

I can't say that it's necessary. Perhaps desirable if someone slips, but given that the offense is clicking right now, I see no reason go back to the toss-it-up, feast-or-famine style offense the Pats had with Moss.