Happy Patriots
1. Laurence Maroney/BenJarvus Green-Ellis- I wasn't too worried about the Pats taking an RB early, but that probably would have been bad news for Laurence. Not taking a back at all significantly boosts Law Firms chances of making the team.
2. Jarvis Green- He's scheduled to make a lot of cash this year and he has to be breathing a sigh of relief that the Patriots didn't draft a DL with a skill set similar to his.
3. Pierre Woods/Shawn Crable/Vince ReddTully Banta-Cain- The Patriots not taking an OLB allows them to compete for a starting position and/or increases there shot to make the roster. This would be no.1 on my list if I was convinced that there wasn't going to be a veteran addition here.
4. Dave Thomas- Thomas is going in to the final year of his contract and there was a handful of intriguing TE prospects who, like Thomas, are more known for their receiving skill. The Patriots passed on the position entirely which was good news Thomas.
5. Mike Richardson/Antwain Spann- These two had to be sweating bullets after the Patriots took 2 DB's in round 2. That brought the roster locks at the position to 9. Not only did the Patriots not take a DB on day 2, but they traded away one of those locks. It's still an uphill battle to the 53 for both of these guys, but the weekend went about as well as they could have hoped.
6. Matt Gutierrez- Probably reaching here, but there was talk of Pat White possibly being a 3rd QB or drafting Stephen McGee. I think he's happy his biggest competition for the 3rd QB spot will be UDFA Brian Hoyer.
Nervous Patriots
1. Nathan Hodel- If there were any kids in his house, they probably needed to put on their "earmuffs" when the Patriots 6th round selection of Jake Ingram was announced. Only the very best long snappers get drafted and teams rarely have a training camp battle at the position because camp bodies at more contact positions are needed and an emergency snapper needs to be developed.
2. LeKevin Smith- The selection of Ron Brace, makes LeKevin the teams 7th DL, which is not an enviable place to be on a team that may only keep 6. Even if the Pats keep 7, LeKevin will have to battle late round picks Pryor and Richard. I have a feeling LeKevin finds a way to make the team, but he certainly has his work cut out for him.
3. Wesley Britt/Ryan O'Callaghan- Vollmer will make the team and his selection makes it tough for either of these RT prospect to make the team. LeVoir certainly has a leg up on both of them because he has shown he can play LT.
4. Billy Yates/Russ Hochstein/Al Johnson- Rich Ohrnberger should make the team as an interior lineman and George Bussey probably will be tried at guard. It's possible neither draft pick makes the team, but the competition for the backup jobs inside got more intense.
1. Laurence Maroney/BenJarvus Green-Ellis- I wasn't too worried about the Pats taking an RB early, but that probably would have been bad news for Laurence. Not taking a back at all significantly boosts Law Firms chances of making the team.
2. Jarvis Green- He's scheduled to make a lot of cash this year and he has to be breathing a sigh of relief that the Patriots didn't draft a DL with a skill set similar to his.
3. Pierre Woods/Shawn Crable/Vince ReddTully Banta-Cain- The Patriots not taking an OLB allows them to compete for a starting position and/or increases there shot to make the roster. This would be no.1 on my list if I was convinced that there wasn't going to be a veteran addition here.
4. Dave Thomas- Thomas is going in to the final year of his contract and there was a handful of intriguing TE prospects who, like Thomas, are more known for their receiving skill. The Patriots passed on the position entirely which was good news Thomas.
5. Mike Richardson/Antwain Spann- These two had to be sweating bullets after the Patriots took 2 DB's in round 2. That brought the roster locks at the position to 9. Not only did the Patriots not take a DB on day 2, but they traded away one of those locks. It's still an uphill battle to the 53 for both of these guys, but the weekend went about as well as they could have hoped.
6. Matt Gutierrez- Probably reaching here, but there was talk of Pat White possibly being a 3rd QB or drafting Stephen McGee. I think he's happy his biggest competition for the 3rd QB spot will be UDFA Brian Hoyer.
Nervous Patriots
1. Nathan Hodel- If there were any kids in his house, they probably needed to put on their "earmuffs" when the Patriots 6th round selection of Jake Ingram was announced. Only the very best long snappers get drafted and teams rarely have a training camp battle at the position because camp bodies at more contact positions are needed and an emergency snapper needs to be developed.
2. LeKevin Smith- The selection of Ron Brace, makes LeKevin the teams 7th DL, which is not an enviable place to be on a team that may only keep 6. Even if the Pats keep 7, LeKevin will have to battle late round picks Pryor and Richard. I have a feeling LeKevin finds a way to make the team, but he certainly has his work cut out for him.
3. Wesley Britt/Ryan O'Callaghan- Vollmer will make the team and his selection makes it tough for either of these RT prospect to make the team. LeVoir certainly has a leg up on both of them because he has shown he can play LT.
4. Billy Yates/Russ Hochstein/Al Johnson- Rich Ohrnberger should make the team as an interior lineman and George Bussey probably will be tried at guard. It's possible neither draft pick makes the team, but the competition for the backup jobs inside got more intense.
