Sunday's New England Patriots Links 4/29
The Patriots made a couple more interesting picks on Saturday, and here are today's top stories from around the internet that break them all down:
BOSTON GLOBE:
ON FOOTBALL: As a whole, the parts seem to fit the Patriots - Greg Bedard
Bedard has a good column this morning and writes that the team made enough trade downs and 'off the wall picks' to make it a normal selection weekend for coach Bill Belichick.
Patriots add three players, Last picks include two DBs, receiver - Shalise Manza Young
Young takes a look a the three players New England took on Saturday, which included defensive back Nate Ebner of Ohio State, cornerback Alfonzo Dennard of Nebraska, and receiver Jeremy Ebert of Northwestern.
NOTEBOOK: Tavon Wilson Introduced, Wilson definitely flew under radar - Michael Whitmer
Whitmer files his notebook this morning, and has comments from the surprise pick from his press conference yesrterday.
BOSTON HERALD:
Additional Picks Conclude Draft - Karen Guregian
Guregian has a great wrap up this morning on New England's final selections, with some good insight into each guy selected yesterday.
NOTEBOOK: Vrabel a Team Player - Karen Guregian
Guregian has a good article on former Patriot Mike Vrabel, who as an assistant coach at Ohio State was apparently instrumental in helping Nate Ebner make the transition from rugby to football.
Ebner Gets a chance - Rich Thompson
Thompson has a good feature on Nate Ebner, who talks about his love for special teams and told him “I just love it for some reason. Maybe I’ve got a screw loose.”
ESPNBOSTON.COM:
Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats - Mike Reiss
Reiss ponders some interesting topics this morning, and wonders if Belichick was frustrated at not being able to trade down judging by some of the selections they took on Saturday.
Bill Belichick Crafts a New Tune - Mike Reiss
Reiss has a good article this morning on the draft that leads off with the fact that last July, when Bill Belichick was answering a question about life in the modern-day NFLhe said, "Everything is changing. Bob Dylan talked about that a few years ago." That more or less sums up what went down during this year's draft.
Belichick Highlights Denard as a Value Pick - Mike Rodak
Rodak has comments from Belichick on his selection of Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard from yesterday.
IOWA TE Herman Agrees - Mike Reiss
Reiss reports that Iowa tight end Brad Herman has agreed to terms on a free-agent contract with the Patriots, citing a league source.
Agent: UDFA OT Zusevics to Pats - Mike Rodak
Rodak reports that the Patriots will sign undrafted Iowa offensive tackle Markus Zusevics, according to his agent Jack Bechta.
South Florida OL Warren agrees - Mike Reiss
Reiss reports that Patriots and South Florida offensive lineman Jeremiah Warren have agreed to terms.
Ebner: 'Maybe I got a screw loose' - Mike Rodak
Rodak has his feature on defensive back Nate Ebner, who spoke to the media for the first time on Saturday.
WEEI.COM
A Special Journey for Nate Ebner Continues with the Patriots - Christopher Price
Price has a great feature on Ebner, with a great read on the sixth round draft choice.
A Closer Look at 7th Round Pick Alfonzo Dennard - Christopher Price
Price takes a closer look at Dennard, and doesn't expect him to be a devolpmental player in the way that most 7th round picks are considered to be.
NESN.COM:
Patriots Conclude Draft by Selecting Northwestern Slot Receiver Jeremy Ebert - Jeff Howe
Howe offers up some interesting highlights and details on Ebert in this entry.
Alfonzo Dennard Could Be Seventh-Round Steal for Patriots if Attitude Issues Subside - Jeff Howe
Howe writes that the Patriots could have gotten quite a player if Dennard can settle down and avoid any off the field issues now that he's in New England.
Tom Brady Became Patriots' Compensatory Pick in 2000 Due to Loss of Four Free Agents - Jeff Howe
Howe has an interesting read on how the Patriots came to select Tom Brady back in 2000.
CSNNE.COM:
Dennard already guilty of 1st-degree dumb - Tom E. Curran
Curran has an article on Dennard, and notes that the draft choice was in jail as recently as last Monday, but writes, "the time comes when his talent makes him worth the risk."
Ex-Rugby Player Ebner: 'Maybe I got a screw loose' - Mary Paoletti
Paoletti has a good feature this morning on Ebner, who has an interesting story on how he managed to become a football player at Ohio State.
