Comment today from Bedard:
Patriots haven't drafted well because the WRs they take early are dumb. Woods is no dummy.
He also had this to say when asked about WR Markus Wheaton:
Good, solid players. One of the guys they could take. But the difference to me, between Woods and Wheaton, is Woods needs less development. He's ready right now. Wheaton isn't. If I'm the Patriots, and especially if I pick up a two for Mallett, I'm double dipping at WR. I'm taking the surer thing in round one, and then I'm going for the freak athlete in 2 or 3.
Another comment from Bedard in his chat this morning:
I think you're mistaking the Patriots wanting and exploiting the other team in base defense for conservatism. Just because a team isn't in shotgun with five wide doesn't mean they're being conservative. That being said, the lack of a functioning X receiver has really hurt this team since Moss left. Deion Branch gives you little. Brandon Lloyd had zero toughness and no YAC. There has to be at least one receiver in this draft that can give you what Lloyd gave you, if not top it. If you're the Patriots, go find him. You've had all year to scout these guys.
There is also this, which echoes the opinion of several people on this forum:
Nothing to some people. I've consistently said the offense needs to be addressed. Offense (14.3 points) has been the problem in recent playoff losses, not the defense. And with Welker gone and Gronkowski slow to heal, I definitely feel offense is the more needy area.
Lastly, in regards to the Pats' philosophy with evaluating wide receivers, and what needs to change:
Well, they went wrong in many different directions on Jackson. If you want all the details, I suggest you read War Room by Michael Holley. Basically, every scout and WR coach Brian Daboll (who is back now) hated Chad Jackson. Said he was lazy and not very bright. But Belichick completely overrode them in favor of Urban Meyer. And instead of drafting Greg Jennings, the Patriots traded up and made the worst pick of Belichick's tenure.
The constant theme is the Patriots have chosen athletic ability over football smarts. People like to rail against the Wonderlic, but, I'm sorry, it's not just a coincidence that the only star the Patriots have drafted at WR -- Deion Branch -- also scored the highest by far at the position (don't know Edelman's, but I'm guessing it was also high).
The Patriots look for two things first: ability to catch, and to gain separation. Sorry, but they need to change it to: catch, ability to process the game/smarts and then go from there. There is no point drafting a guy who is not going to do what Brady wants because he's not going to get on the field. EVER
NFL Draft chat with Greg A. Bedard Thursday at 11 a.m. - Extra Points - Boston.com
https://twitter.com/GregABedard