Pats have Andre Smith in for a visit today

[NE39]

Buried in this article about his changing agents is this:

Smith was meeting with the New England Patriots this afternoon and could not be reached for comment.

I wonder how far Smith will fall? It is hard to imagine he would fall all the way down to the Pats, but the fact they are bringing him in means they at least want to know more about him.

 

[BradyManny]

Buried in this article about his changing agents is this:



I wonder how far Smith will fall? It is hard to imagine he would fall all the way down to the Pats, but the fact they are bringing him in means they at least want to know more about him.

I like other tackles better even if he fell to us, doesn't seem to be in our mold, but looks like they are taking the time to find out at least.

 

[mgteich]

Our staff will assess any "character" issues as we did with Meriweather. If the staff is satisfied, Smith will then go to near the top of our value board. The talent is certainly there.

 

[bakes781]

He'd probably project to Guard for us. I'd rather have his teammate, Caldwell at #58.

 

[mgteich]

Why wouldn't he play RT?

He'd probably project to Guard for us. I'd rather have his teammate, Caldwell at #58.

 

[bakes781]

Why wouldn't he play RT?

I just think they would rather have lighter guys on the outside who can go out & block for those screens.

 

[mgteich]

Before the so-called "character" issues, Andre Smith was thought by some as the best athlete in the draft and the possible #1 pick. He would be a great pickup.

 

[LloydBraun]

He's a Top 5-10 talent in this draft. If he pulls a Wilfork and drops to us, that would be great.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I hope that they have doubled the buffet if he is staying for lunch.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I'm not sure what to think about this. During games, Smith looks absolutely dominant--a true franchise tackle. But his off the field behavior and terrible offseason give me pause. Do we really want a young, immature guy who's making poor choices in preparation of the most lucrative career offer in his life? It just seems irresponsible to me.

Maybe he shapes up (literally!), and turns into a good player, but I can think of at least half a dozen guys I would rather have. Remember, we're team-building, not just collecting random talent.

 

[mgteich]

I don't spend much time discussing character issues or assessing them. As with Meriweather, I took Smith off my personal board, and would be more than happy if Belichick judges that the issues are not important.

He's lost millions of dollars because of his dealings with his agent and with regard to the combine. I leave it up to Belichick to assess the person and whether he is worth the bargain basement price for his talent.

I'm not sure what to think about this. During games, Smith looks absolutely dominant--a true franchise tackle. But his off the field behavior and terrible offseason give me pause. Do we really want a young, immature guy who's making poor choices in preparation of the most lucrative career offer in his life? It just seems irresponsible to me.

Maybe he shapes up (literally!), and turns into a good player, but I can think of at least half a dozen guys I would rather have. Remember, we're team-building, not just collecting random talent.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I don't spend much time discussing character issues or assessing them. As with Meriweather, I took Smith off my personal board, and would be more than happy if Belichick judges that the issues are not important.

He's lost millions of dollars because of his dealings with his agent and with regard to the combine. I leave it up to Belichick to assess the person and whether he is worth the bargain basement price for his talent.

Fair enough. I suppose my point was more that if he shows that kind of irresponsibility, then how will he hold up with 1) a pro playbook, and 2) the kind of prestige, power, and money that comes with the NFL? If he just made a few poor choices--that the media ran with, I'll readily admit--but can pull it together, then I think he'll be a good player.

Character concerns aside, does he fit our scheme? I'm not so sure.

 

[Ungeheuer]

I think people are missing the larger issue here. If the Pats are having Smith in for a visit, that means they're thinking about going up and getting him.

There's just no way this guy falls to #23. If you go by on-field play, he's the #1 pick and it really isn't that close. He has had a terrible off-season, but I just don't see how he call farther than the early teens. How could he fall past Washington? He probably wouldn't fall past Cincinnati, but Washington seems like the floor. In the absolute worst-case scenario, I guess, he could get to San Diego, which needs a right tackle, but he wouldn't go any farther.

New England interviewing Smith seems to me like evidence they're thinking about going up to the early teens in case he slides. Which is smart. He's a potentially dominant player. If he checks out character-wise, it's a smart investment.

 

[Revman]

This is interesting. I remember when Wilfork dropped. Patriots would probably be the team to get the most out of his talent. I am sure Belicheck has been given positive feedback from Saban. They are doing their homework. You never know-Smith was the best tackle in collegiate football just 3 months ago. I really don't see him dropping past 14. My bet is the Eagles will maneuver with 2 round one picks-they will try very hard to get him before 15. He just seems like an Eagle to me.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

A trade-up is certainly possible, but would we want Andre Smith? I just don't see how he projects to the Patriots' scheme. He is a far, far cry from the prototypical lineman we go after. I'm not saying he's a poor fit, but I do question whether or not we would get the most out of him given our style of play.

A little off topic, but if we do trade up, I'd rather we draft Jenkins, and save OL for the second and third rounds.

 

[Warren94]

I think people are missing the larger issue here. If the Pats are having Smith in for a visit, that means they're thinking about going up and getting him.

There's just no way this guy falls to #23. If you go by on-field play, he's the #1 pick and it really isn't that close. He has had a terrible off-season, but I just don't see how he call farther than the early teens. How could he fall past Washington? He probably wouldn't fall past Cincinnati, but Washington seems like the floor. In the absolute worst-case scenario, I guess, he could get to San Diego, which needs a right tackle, but he wouldn't go any farther.

New England interviewing Smith seems to me like evidence they're thinking about going up to the early teens in case he slides. Which is smart. He's a potentially dominant player. If he checks out character-wise, it's a smart investment.

Nobody thought Wilfork was going to fall or Steven Jackson was going to be there when we selected either and both were. You just never know.

 

[patchick]

Just want to point out that the title of this thread may be misleading. Nothing in the article says they're having him into Foxboro for a visit; for all we know, they just took him to the Tuscaloosa Starbucks for a cappuccino.

 

[patsfan13]

Our staff will assess any "character" issues as we did with Meriweather. If the staff is satisfied, Smith will then go to near the top of our value board. The talent is certainly there.

Wonder if BB got the lowdwon from Saban?

 

[Seneschal2]

Just want to point out that the title of this thread may be misleading. Nothing in the article says they're having him into Foxboro for a visit; for all we know, they just took him to the Tuscaloosa Starbucks for a cappuccino.

Confirmed.

Patriots host Andre Smith - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

The Patriots are hosting offensive tackle Andre Smith on a pre-draft visit today, according to the Birmingham News.

The Boston Globe has confirmed the report.

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I just want to say, that obviously if the Pats drafted him, this means there's no doubt about his character and maturity as far as Belichick is concerned. Between the Saban connection, and the Pats own coaches, NE will have answered all questions.

In addition, I can confidently say, GMs would be collectively shaking their heads saying, "That team just continues to get better and better, as they just added the best OT in the draft -- and in the middle of the round to boot."

 

[patchick]

Confirmed.

Thanks!

I feel a bit sorry for the guy...doesn't seem like a jerk so much as somebody in way over his head.