Pats will NOT take Darius Butler

[jefmblrd]

There is a possibility that KC passes on Curry and takes an OT, but I'm not sure he drops to 7. If on the outside chance he does, I'd love to see the Patriots move up and take him.

 

[TriplecHamp]

If, as according to this mock, Aaron Curry is on the board at 7, the Pats will trade up to the Raider's spot. The Pats get the best player in the draft and the Raiders get to move down to select Darrius Heyward-Bey.

This is one of at least 2 trades that I predict that the Pats will be involved in.

I hope and pray you are right!:biggrin2:

 

[mayoclinic]

If, as according to this mock, Aaron Curry is on the board at 7, the Pats will trade up to the Raider's spot. The Pats get the best player in the draft and the Raiders get to move down to select Darrius Heyward-Bey.

This is one of at least 2 trades that I predict that the Pats will be involved in.

Based on our past trading experience with the Raiders, that shouldn't cost us more than a 4th round pick.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I'll agree with the title of this thread. I'm blown away by some of the reaction of the local media and the UCONN pro day. How stupid do they have to be to assume that just because Bill Belichick attended their pro day that he is going to draft one of them? Fact is he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't attend or at least send his own people. They have 4 potential first day picks, he would be an idiot not to.

As far as him attending it himself? This coach travels 10s of thousands of miles per year doing his thing/job. I'm pretty sure his frequent travel miles equal out to a few trips around the globe. UCONN was a short commute, almost a field trip in a sense. A nice relaxing drive through the country.

Maybe Banks has got his source? I doubt lightning strikes twice in the same spot for him.

 

[bagwell368]

#3 Pick:

#23 Pick:

Bulter? I would be excited about this for only one reason: Belichick as openly favored him above all other prospects. That must mean something. Either he has lost his mind or he knows something about him that we will soon find about about. Don't be confused with this interpretation and expect him to win ROY. Bill is obvisouly taking into account where he picks in the first round.

At first I was like yeah sure. But the more I think about it, the more I like it:

#1. He is both athletically and as a football player about as safe a bet to succeed as any player in round #1 - after Curry. Some of the DL/OLB types seem very shakey. Maybin/Ayers/Everette could all be major busts - why risk it?

#2. He puts pressure on the other Pats CB's to do the job, if Bodden can't come through in '09, then his big pay day after his anticipated big year is dead. If Hobbs or Wilhite don't put out 120%, one could be gone. Springs is much easier to cut cap wise after this year, he's another one that has to be great. Nothing like drafting one guy to shape everyone up to the max.

FYI here is my mock:

OK, here is the best board I have been able to assemble. It assumes that no trades will be made (yeah), and that needs of '10, '09, and best athlete available will lead BB to make some picks nobody understands:

#23: Darius Butler - CB - BB doesn't want any mistakes here, foolproof pick
#34: Clint Sintim - OLB/ILB - game ready, unlike English and Barwin
#47: Javon Gilbert - DE - Seymour II, but not right away
#58: Jamon Meredith - OT - quick and smart and big
#89: Chip Vaughn - SS - a masher from day 1
#97: Jasper Brinkly - ILB - a beast (if gone Javon Ringer a Faulk understudy could be drafted)
#124: Cecil Newton - C/OL - nice fit in our OL corps
#170: John Phillips - TE - cut Thomas, this kid is better on day #1
#199: Al Afalava - SS, very fast and tough (DUI in '08, seems cleaned up)
#207: Vaughn Martin - NT great physical ability, very raw
#234: Deon Butler - WR - if gone - Brit Miller - ILB - another developmental body

 

[jays52]

While I think that Butler is the best fit for the scheme out of Saturday's choices, it is unlikely that NE would leak the volume it has if they were intent on drafting him. The more and more I analyze things, the more and more I come to the objective conclusion that they are going Barwin at 23. While I love Barwin as a football player and am sold on him as a NE fit, I think objectively that the signs are pointing towards him being the pick. BB has dedicated rare resources in the evaluation of Barwin. It's no secret that this scheme demands versatility, and given Barwin's post NE visit comments, he is being looked at accordingly. It seems that they are looking to gain immediate contribution in the kicking game and situationally in the offense. Further, he will be one snap away from having to line up at his intended position of OLB. I know there will be plenty of dissent towards this position, but the more I read the tea leaves, the more it seems Barwin will be the pick.

 

[patchick]

They have less information so they're going to waste their precious time interviewing people they have no interest in to throw others off the trail.

To be fair, his point wasn't that the Pats have less information but that the opponents have more...about the Pats. It's not unreasonable to think that BB & co. might attempt to obfuscate in creative ways to deal with the fact that multiple other teams know their January-vintage draft board.

That said, BB attending a pro day featuring as many as 4 day-1 prospects just an hour and a half from Foxboro is no big deal whatsoever.