50-yard-line
Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal
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I was at Gillette last night for Caserio's recap of the draft. Very interesting discussion. Easley was there - it's not hard to see what they like about the guy, both on tape and in hearing him talk. Calm, measured, clearly intelligent, ready to be a pro and act like a pro. I loved the pick before - he was the guy I was hoping for in round 1, and now I feel even better about it.
He brings an interior disruptive force to that DL that I haven't seen here in a long time, and I won't add the caveat "if he can stay healthy," because that's a caveat for every player in the NFL. Easley tore both his ACL's - last time I looked, you only have two, and the BtB repairs are phenomenal and unlikely to ever have an issue again.
The pick I was most edgy about was Garopollo, but after hearing Cassario, I get why they did it (still not sure I like it, but I get it). They brought him in and ran him through the wringer - hit him with everything mentally and physically to see what he could absorb, how he could adapt, etc. At the end, everyone involved was impressed by his smarts, his willingness to learn and work hard, and his toughness. He clearly really impressed all of them with his ability to "get it" and work his butt off.
I don't know that he'll ever play a down for the Pats - a huge part of me hopes not, at least not on his rookie deal. So the way I look at it, they swapped #62 for the insurance they need to save 3-4 million on the cap each year for the next 4 years. Their measure of Garopollo, clearly, was that he could quickly come up to speed and be ready to run THEIR offense in short order.
Like everyone else here, I thought that all along, but the reason I'm more okay with it now is because I get the feeling they got the center they wanted anyway in Brian Stork (he was the one I wanted, too). I read a rumor the other day on this board, quoting Reiss, I think, that the Pats had Stork ahead of Martin. Could very well be. Casario seemed very pleased with the additions they made to the OL (loves Fleming - says the guy is absolutely brilliant), and couldn't say enough good things about Halapio's toughness. He played pretty seriously hurt (pectoral) all year. Halapio and Easley were teammates, and Easley was glad to have him here.
It was clear that White was picked because he can do everything well...sounds like a perfect #3 for this team, particularly since he's a very good pass blocker, too. Protects the ball, protects the QB, can run any play in their book - a BB kind of guy.
Zach Moore was drafted because of his physical talent, obviously. He sounds like a project since he came from much weaker competition, but his raw physical abilities line up right next to players who were drafted many rounds earlier. He's built like Chandler Jones, with those way-too-long arms.
Jamea Thomas...smart, versatile, can play anywhere in the DB. Likely will be competing with Tayvon and Chung as a back-up safety.
Gallon, small but explosive and very productive. I liked the tape on him a lot. He plays "bigger" than he is. I don't know that there'll be room for him, but we'll see.
He got into the UDFA, but only briefly.
To summarize: the Pats seemed methodical this year. It seems clear to me that they liked what they had entering the season and had a few boxes to check off in the draft, and so they did exactly that.
Hard to argue.
He brings an interior disruptive force to that DL that I haven't seen here in a long time, and I won't add the caveat "if he can stay healthy," because that's a caveat for every player in the NFL. Easley tore both his ACL's - last time I looked, you only have two, and the BtB repairs are phenomenal and unlikely to ever have an issue again.
The pick I was most edgy about was Garopollo, but after hearing Cassario, I get why they did it (still not sure I like it, but I get it). They brought him in and ran him through the wringer - hit him with everything mentally and physically to see what he could absorb, how he could adapt, etc. At the end, everyone involved was impressed by his smarts, his willingness to learn and work hard, and his toughness. He clearly really impressed all of them with his ability to "get it" and work his butt off.
I don't know that he'll ever play a down for the Pats - a huge part of me hopes not, at least not on his rookie deal. So the way I look at it, they swapped #62 for the insurance they need to save 3-4 million on the cap each year for the next 4 years. Their measure of Garopollo, clearly, was that he could quickly come up to speed and be ready to run THEIR offense in short order.
Like everyone else here, I thought that all along, but the reason I'm more okay with it now is because I get the feeling they got the center they wanted anyway in Brian Stork (he was the one I wanted, too). I read a rumor the other day on this board, quoting Reiss, I think, that the Pats had Stork ahead of Martin. Could very well be. Casario seemed very pleased with the additions they made to the OL (loves Fleming - says the guy is absolutely brilliant), and couldn't say enough good things about Halapio's toughness. He played pretty seriously hurt (pectoral) all year. Halapio and Easley were teammates, and Easley was glad to have him here.
It was clear that White was picked because he can do everything well...sounds like a perfect #3 for this team, particularly since he's a very good pass blocker, too. Protects the ball, protects the QB, can run any play in their book - a BB kind of guy.
Zach Moore was drafted because of his physical talent, obviously. He sounds like a project since he came from much weaker competition, but his raw physical abilities line up right next to players who were drafted many rounds earlier. He's built like Chandler Jones, with those way-too-long arms.
Jamea Thomas...smart, versatile, can play anywhere in the DB. Likely will be competing with Tayvon and Chung as a back-up safety.
Gallon, small but explosive and very productive. I liked the tape on him a lot. He plays "bigger" than he is. I don't know that there'll be room for him, but we'll see.
He got into the UDFA, but only briefly.
To summarize: the Pats seemed methodical this year. It seems clear to me that they liked what they had entering the season and had a few boxes to check off in the draft, and so they did exactly that.
Hard to argue.
