Prisco: Solder will start right away

[Fencer]

Final draft grades: Bucs, Giants, Texans earn top marks - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

He likes Dowling but not Vereen.

None of what he wrote looks like a lot of research went into it. Presumably, he's aggregating other folks' judgments.

Best pick: Second-round corner Ras-I Dowling will be a quality cover corner to go with Devin McCourty.
Questionable move: Taking running back Shane Vereen in the second round. He has big-play ability, but there were better backs on the board.
Third-day gem: Fifth-round pick Marcus Cannon was considered a second-round pick, but he has some illness issues that concerned teams. If he can stay healthy, he's a heck of pick.
Analysis: Bill Belichick had a lot of picks and moved around the board to use many of them. He also added a 2011 first-round pick in a deal. First-round pick Nate Solder will be a starter right away. The pick to watch for in the future is Ryan Mallett, the quarterback the Patriots took in the third round.

 

[serifyn]

i dont get why people think vereen was a weak pick. look at the other runningbacks picked right next to vereen and they early play a soft game (leshoure) or they have fumbling issues daniel thomas.

Vereen is a versatile back much like Woodhead, but vereen tight package who is elusive and strong (with the most weight lifting reps out of all RBs in the draft).

i actually really liked the Vereen pick, especially in the patriots offense where catching the ball makes you a huge threat.

i wouldn't be surprised if the patriots targeted vereen specifically because of his pass catching ability.

 

[randomk1]

i dont get why people think vereen was a weak pick. look at the other runningbacks picked right next to vereen and they early play a soft game (leshoure) or they have fumbling issues daniel thomas.

Vereen is a versatile back much like Woodhead, but vereen tight package who is elusive and strong (with the most weight lifting reps out of all RBs in the draft).

i actually really liked the Vereen pick, especially in the patriots offense where catching the ball makes you a huge threat.

i wouldn't be surprised if the patriots targeted vereen specifically because of his pass catching ability.

I watched some highlights and the first thing that struck out to me were his hands. He's definately going to have an impact for us considering how much we like to use pass catching RB's.

 

[Triumph]

Lee will play right away too.

Crumplers 2011 salary is 2.4 Mil.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I believe Vereen was the #1 RB on the board.

The national guys look at players as a whole.

The better backs simply may not fit the mission specific skillset BB wants.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Lee will play right away too.

Crumplers 2011 salary is 2.4 Mil.

It is not a lock that Crump is cut. Nor is it a lock that Smith sees the field in Year 1

 

[randomk1]

It is not a lock that Crump is cut. Nor is it a lock that Smith sees the field in Year 1

Crump is worth the salary he receives imo...he is a team leader and this young team needs influence like that around.

 

[fluoropolymer]

Lee will play right away too.

Crumplers 2011 salary is 2.4 Mil.

I'm surprised that few fans are commenting on the Lee Smith pick. I think he will could well be the big surprise of the draft. It looks to me that BB made the decision to rebuild the offensive line with big ole boys and get some additional running back talent so that the Pats add a "cram it down your throat" running game to the best passing offensive in the game. The team leverages Smith's exceptional blocking ability and he essentially becomes an additional tackle. I LIKE IT. I think the way you beat an aggressive and scheming (let's admit it, a talented) defense like the Jets is to have a running game that the safeties and the corners have to respect. Being able to get your running backs consistently into the second level of a defense will loosen up the DB coverage and open up the passing lanes. It should also slow up the d-line charge and lessen the beating Brady has been taking.

Consider this: Colts versus Pats; close game (always); 4th Quarter with Pats nursing a small lead with 5 minutes to go; Pats run and O line just bulls over the lighter weight Colts DLine; Over and over again till time runs out. Tell me this wouldn't be a day from heaven.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Crump is worth the salary he receives imo...he is a team leader and this young team needs influence like that around.

No question. Crump has another year with this team.

Smith is a developmental pick IMO.

 

[letekro]

I have never heard Cancer described as an "illness issue" before. Leave it to Crisco.

 

[Shelterdog]

No question. Crump has another year with this team.

Smith is a developmental pick IMO.

Crump is 33, had some kind of major shoulder injury, and while he was in awesome shape last year has apparently been heavy/out of shape coming into camp with the Titans. Good guy or not he might not be able to play at a particularly high level this year.

Lee Smith was drafted to play the Crump role-whether he does that in 2011 or whether he redshirts a year is going to depending on how ready Crump is.

 

[Belgian Patriot Fan]

I'm surprised that few fans are commenting on the Lee Smith pick. I think he will could well be the big surprise of the draft. It looks to me that BB made the decision to rebuild the offensive line with big ole boys and get some additional running back talent so that the Pats add a "cram it down your throat" running game to the best passing offensive in the game. The team leverages Smith's exceptional blocking ability and he essentially becomes an additional tackle. I LIKE IT. I think the way you beat an aggressive and scheming (let's admit it, a talented) defense like the Jets is to have a running game that the safeties and the corners have to respect. Being able to get your running backs consistently into the second level of a defense will loosen up the DB coverage and open up the passing lanes. It should also slow up the d-line charge and lessen the beating Brady has been taking.

I agree. Also to take in account is running the ball more will increase the Patriots' time of possession. Allthough they had the best scoring offense in the NFL, time of possession took a huge dropback in comparison to previous seasons:

2010 27:59 28th
2009 32:55 2nd
2008 32:09 3rd
2007 32:35 2nd
2006 31:35 6th


Patriots W-L by Time Of Possesion, last 30 years

30:00 or more 173-67
Under 30:00 80-142



Sure, having troubles getting off the field on 3rd down doesn't really help to improve your time of possession, but an improved running game will help to set the tempo of the game. Maybe last season the offensive was sometimes TOO explosive to help the defense out. More TOP will mean fewer defensive snaps, fresher legs to rush the passer, less wear and tear when the game and the season goes on. So I really believe that by improving the running game in last week's draft, the pass rush will eventualy be helped as well.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Crump is 33, had some kind of major shoulder injury, and while he was in awesome shape last year has apparently been heavy/out of shape coming into camp with the Titans. Good guy or not he might not be able to play at a particularly high level this year.

Lee Smith was drafted to play the Crump role-whether he does that in 2011 or whether he redshirts a year is going to depending on how ready Crump is.

Yea that injury did seem significant based on this article.

Crumpler rehabs from shoulder surgery - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[JoeShmoe]

I'm surprised that few fans are commenting on the Lee Smith pick. I think he will could well be the big surprise of the draft. It looks to me that BB made the decision to rebuild the offensive line with big ole boys and get some additional running back talent so that the Pats add a "cram it down your throat" running game to the best passing offensive in the game. The team leverages Smith's exceptional blocking ability and he essentially becomes an additional tackle. I LIKE IT. I think the way you beat an aggressive and scheming (let's admit it, a talented) defense like the Jets is to have a running game that the safeties and the corners have to respect. Being able to get your running backs consistently into the second level of a defense will loosen up the DB coverage and open up the passing lanes. It should also slow up the d-line charge and lessen the beating Brady has been taking.

Consider this: Colts versus Pats; close game (always); 4th Quarter with Pats nursing a small lead with 5 minutes to go; Pats run and O line just bulls over the lighter weight Colts DLine; Over and over again till time runs out. Tell me this wouldn't be a day from heaven.

I think this was mentioned before but against the Colts you lineup a 2TE, 2RB set, run right side behind Cannon\Vollmer and its 5 yards every time, then change up and run behind Mankins\Solder\Crump or Gronk or Smith. Few of them then PA to Vereen or Woodhead

Gravy all day long

 

[vyrago]

I have never heard Cancer described as an "illness issue" before. Leave it to Crisco.

One of my pet peeves is the stupid over-use of the word "issue." In most sentences it is completely unnecessary, or it takes the place of the once completely respectable "problems" as in, he has alcohol issues.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with this analysis.

Lee Smith is insurance. If Crumpler is fine, then he stays. Smith can be our 4th TE. If that bothers you, consider Hernandez as our #4 WR. Our TE's are then Gronkowski, Crumpler and Smith.

Crump is 33, had some kind of major shoulder injury, and while he was in awesome shape last year has apparently been heavy/out of shape coming into camp with the Titans. Good guy or not he might not be able to play at a particularly high level this year.

Lee Smith was drafted to play the Crump role-whether he does that in 2011 or whether he redshirts a year is going to depending on how ready Crump is.

 

[RobertWeathers]

consider Hernandez as our #4 WR. .

Not far off, mgteich. I consider Hern an H-back, WR, slot-type of receiver. Very versatile.

 

[townes]

I believe Vereen was the #1 RB on the board.

The national guys look at players as a whole.

The better backs simply may not fit the mission specific skillset BB wants.

I don't think Belichik really wants to depend on a bellcow back and prefers to run them on and off the field changing sets with them. Mark Ingram will almost certainly put up bigger numbers than Vereen but he's going to get alot more touches as well and will be a bigger piece of the saints offense than Vereen will be NE's. It would be interesting at some point if the Patriots had a high first with an Adrian Peterson quality back available to see if Belcihik would go with the one star back approach.

 

[BlueThunder]

Not far off, mgteich. I consider Hern an H-back, WR, slot-type of receiver. Very versatile.

Using Hernandez as a WR makes sense as his blocking skills are behind Alge's and Gronk's....Smith is supposedly a very good blocking TE who can take over for Alge for a breather and get mentored by a very good veteran TE.


Hernandez' value is in his multiple position skills....let him take over Slater's slot as all Slater is used for is ST. Hopefully one of the drafted youngsters can cover Slater's ST duties with minimal loss of talent....

speculation...sure...but what else can we do this time of year?

 

[RobertWeathers]

I don't think Belichik really wants to depend on a bellcow back and prefers to run them on and off the field changing sets with them. Mark Ingram will almost certainly put up bigger numbers than Vereen but he's going to get alot more touches as well and will be a bigger piece of the saints offense than Vereen will be NE's. It would be interesting at some point if the Patriots had a high first with an Adrian Peterson quality back available to see if Belcihik would go with the one star back approach.

At his core, BB will give the guy the ball who makes the most productive plays for the team. My statement is a general one, but looking back at the history....

2001- A. Smith, Brady, T Brown
2002- Brady
2003- Faulk, Brady
2004- Dillon, Brady
2005- Brady, Branch
2006- Brady, Dillon, Maroney.
2007- Brady, Welker, Moss
2008- Moss, Welker
2009- Brady, Moss, Welker
2010- Brady, Welker, and to an extent BJGE

I believe that once BB notices evidence of TB falling off, he will either have found a game-breaking WR or a 300- carry 1500 yd 15 TD back to make the plays on the ground./