Patriots Rookie Draft - Belichick's Thoughts - Day 2

"We had an interesting day today. Things turned out at the end a little different from the way they looked like they were going to start. I’ll just kind of recap things for you from the way they unfolded this morning. We came in and had the four picks in the third round and Jacksonville pretty quickly came after that first third round pick and we pushed that into a second round pick in next year’s draft. And then we selected Brandon Tate. He’s a very versatile player, an explosive returner. He was a very productive player at North Carolina the last couple of years. I think a combination of factors, certainly the injury and other factors, probably led to him being available at that point in the draft and we felt like that was a good value at that point. And then Tennessee was involved in that third pick and we pushed that to the 2010 draft as well in the second round. And then in the compensatory pick we took Tyrone McKenzie. He’s an interesting player that we caught up with at the Senior Bowl. He started off at Michigan State, was a productive player there. He had some family situations so he had to leave Michigan state [and] go to Iowa State. Started in that program -- same thing at Iowa State. Went to South Florida, walked on at South Florida, and again jumped in and was an immediate impact player on that program as well. I think his versatility and being involved in some different defensive systems, how quickly he was able to adapt and be productive and show his flexibility and versatility in those things was pretty impressive at a very high level and really almost immediately he was a positive impact in those programs. So it kind of felt like we were going to have a little lull in the action there and kind of get caught up and get reorganized a little bit and [we] ended up making a trade with Philadelphia for the two fifth round picks at the top of the fifth round. We traded Ellis [Hobbs] there. I’ll just say that the Ellis Hobbs trade was not really something that we anticipated. It was just one of those things that, based on the way things went and where are team was and what the opportunity was with Philadelphia and so forth, we felt that that was the best thing to do for our team. So we made that transaction, and then moved back up into the fourth round to take Rich Ohrnberger. Rich is a strong, physical inside player at Penn State. He’s played primarily guard, but has also worked at center. I think he has some versatility in there. [We] also moved into the sixth round as part of that trade and ended up picking up Jake Ingram, a long snapper from Hawaii. And then we added a couple more big guys along the way with [Myron] Pryor and [Darryl] Richard and [George] Bussey. So we ended up with three offensive lineman, three defensive lineman [in this draft] and I just don’t think you can ever enough of those guys. That’s not any kind of commentary on anybody who’s here or isn’t here, it’s just we had picks, they were available and they’re not usually there and we took them. I think it’s a little bit unusual that we ended up with all three [offensive] linemen who were non combine guys and the fact that they weren’t at the combine and kind of the way that we evaluated them in their private workouts and so forth, I think all of them are pretty impressive, all different. [Sebastian] Vollmer is a big right tackle, a big good-looking right tackle type of guy. Ohrnberger is more of an inside player, center/guard type. Bussey played right tackle at Louisville on the same line as [Eric] Wood and was a very effective player there. And [Julian] Edelman, of course, is another non combine guy who played quarterback at Kent State. A very good runner. We see him as a player who has some versatility, probably as a receiver, maybe a running back. We’ll see how that goes. He also played in the kicking game, so we kind of took him as an athlete and we’ll just see how all that works out. That’s kind of where we are here at the end of the day today. A big day of team building. We’re looking forward to bringing everybody in this weekend and seeing how that crop looks. Sorry for the long-winded recap, but I think that’s most of it."

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Patriots Picks and Trades - Day 1

The rumors of the Patriots moving up in the draft was just that - rumors! The Patriots actually traded out of the first round, adding additional picks in the second and third rounds (that is where the value is based on economics of the NFL). The Patriots definitely did not address the areas of ILB, OLB, or DE day 1, areas whick many felt were the pressing needs of the team. There did seem to be capable players on the board to fill those needs (James Laurinaitis, Rey Maualuga, Everett Brown, and Connor Barwin) at the times when the Patriots were selecting. Most will not question Bill Belichick when it comes to drafting, but I think he could have addressed the needs listed above, and still have gotten many of the players he drafted. In Bill We Trust...

Day One Summary:
Patriot traded out of the first round

(Round 1 - Pick 23 - 23d overall - The Patriots acquired a 2009 first-round selection (No. 26 overall – LB Clay Matthews) and a 2009 fifth-round selection (No. 162 overall) from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2009 first-round selection (No. 23 overall – T Michael Oher).

(Round 1 - Pick 26 - 26th overall - The Patriots acquired a 2009 second-round selection (No. 41 overall – DB Darius Butler), a 2009 third-round selection (No. 73 overall) and a 2009 third-round selection (No. 83 overall) from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2009 first-round selection (No. 26 overall – LB Clay Matthews) and a 2009 fifth-round selection (No. 162 overall).

Round 2 - Pick 2 - 34th overall - From Kansas City - Patrick Chung, S, Oregon

Round 2 - Pick 8 - 40th overall - From Oakland - Ron Brace, DL, Boston College

Round 2 - Pick 9 - 41st overall - From Green Bay - Darius Butler, CB, UConn

(Round 2 - Pick 15 - 47th overall - The Patriots acquired a 2009 second-round selection (No. 40 overall – DL Ron Brace) from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a 2009 second-round selection (No. 47 overall), a 2009 fourth-round selection (No. 124 overall) and a 2009 sixth-round selection (No. 199 overall)

Round 2 - Pick 26 - 58th overall - Assigned - Sebastian Volmer, OL, Houston

Patriots now have four third round picks for Day 2

My Patriot draft would have looked more like this:

#34 - ILB - Rey Maualuga or James Laurinaitis
#40 - DT Ron Brace - like the pick in case things with Vincent Wilfork do not work out
#41 - CB Darius Butler - love the pick, many had him going in the first round
#58 - S - Rashad Johnson - Since the Patriots picked a safety with their first pick, I picked one here. I did not want to make an assumption that Patrick Chung would be available at this pick. I am sure the Patriots are preparing to replace Rodney Harrison's role.

I do think that Sebastian Volmer would have still been available in the third round for the Patriots to draft.

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Patriots Rookie Draft - Belichick's Thoughts - Day 1

"We had an interesting day today. I think, as I said in the pre-draft press conference, we’ve never really gone into a draft, kind of like the way we did today, with the late first-round pick [and] three second-round picks with a lot of flexibility. We started off the day with six picks in the first three rounds and we ended up with eight picks in the first three rounds. It felt like that was a good area to be in this draft from a depth standpoint and the quality of the players we were getting with those picks. So we felt like that kind of worked out. We didn’t know it was going to go that way, but it worked out that way. We’ll see how the day goes tomorrow. I wouldn’t rule out any movement tomorrow either. We’ll just have to see how that goes.

The first pick, Patrick Chung, the kid has had a lot of production at Oregon. [He’s] a good solid player. I think he does everything pretty well. He plays the run, plays the pass, man coverage, had a real good Senior Bowl, good in the kicking game. So he’s a strong player on all three levels of the field [and] on special teams. And then let’s talk about the other defensive back, [Darius] Butler. [He’s] a real good athlete and another good Senior Bowl guy. He had an excellent workout at UConn. He’s a high-quality kid, smart, a very good understanding of the defense, [and is] a well conditioned athlete. The two big kids — [Ron] Brace and [Sebastian] Vollmer – Brace is an inside player, big man, powerful, explosive. So he gives a good element of size and power. Vollmer is a big offensive tackle. He’s played both sides. He’s played left side and also played right side at the East-West game. All those guys are mature guys. [They’re] guys that have had full good careers, played in all-star games [and] have had a good track record all the way through their college careers. So we are looking forward to getting them on the field and letting them compete for the opportunities that we have on our team. [There are] a couple local connections. It’s coincidental, but it’s always good to build your roster with guys from BC, UConn and the New England area. It’s a little added cherry on the top." -- Patriots' media relations department

Day One Summary:
Patriot traded out of the first round

(Round 1 - Pick 23 - 23d overall - The Patriots acquired a 2009 first-round selection (No. 26 overall – LB Clay Matthews) and a 2009 fifth-round selection (No. 162 overall) from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2009 first-round selection (No. 23 overall – T Michael Oher).

(Round 1 - Pick 26 - 26th overall - The Patriots acquired a 2009 second-round selection (No. 41 overall – DB Darius Butler), a 2009 third-round selection (No. 73 overall) and a 2009 third-round selection (No. 83 overall) from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2009 first-round selection (No. 26 overall – LB Clay Matthews) and a 2009 fifth-round selection (No. 162 overall).

Round 2 - Pick 2 - 34th overall - From Kansas City - Patrick Chung, S, Oregon

Round 2 - Pick 8 - 40th overall - From Oakland - Ron Brace, DL, Boston College

Round 2 - Pick 9 - 41st overall - From Green Bay - Darius Butler, CB, UConn

(Round 2 - Pick 15 - 47th overall - The Patriots acquired a 2009 second-round selection (No. 40 overall – DL Ron Brace) from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a 2009 second-round selection (No. 47 overall), a 2009 fourth-round selection (No. 124 overall) and a 2009 sixth-round selection (No. 199 overall)

Round 2 - Pick 26 - 58th overall - Assigned - Sebastian Volmer, OL, Houston

Patriots have four third round picks on day 2

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What do the Patriots Need?

Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe breaks down all of the positions...

Quarterback:
Short-term need: Depth. With Tom Brady returning from his left knee injury, adding a fourth option to the depth chart -- either in the form of a veteran or a developmental prospect -- seems like a smart move as extra insurance.

Long-term need: Moderate. Brady is signed through 2010, O'Connell through 2011 and Gutierrez through 2009.

Running Back:
Short-term need: Lead blocker. The Patriots didn't run many two-back sets with a standard fullback in 2008 -- they're more of a one-back team -- but had Heath Evans in that role when needed (e.g. Denver game). The late-season emergence by Russ Hochstein in that role could lead them to not directly fill Evans' void.

Long-term need: Moderate-to-high. Kevin Faulk's contract expires after the 2009 season, so keeping an eye on a possible pass-catching type of back could be on the radar. Taylor, Morris, Maroney and Green-Ellis all have deals that expire after the 2010 season.

Wide Receiver:
Short-term need: Answers at No. 3. The Patriots' base offense is a three-receiver set, and Jabar Gaffney -- who was on the field for 66 percent of the snaps in 2008 -- has signed with Denver. So filling the void at the No. 3 receiver spot, with Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis top candidates, is the top question.

Long-term need: Moderate-to-high. Galloway is on a one-year deal. Moss is signed through the 2010 season, while Welker and Lewis are inked through 2011.

Tight End:
Short-term need: Minor. The free-agent signing of Chris Baker should make the Patriots stronger at the line of scrimmage, and deeper than they were last season.

Long-term need: Moderate-to-high. Watson and Thomas enter the final year of their contracts. Baker's deal includes an option bonus after 2010 that essentially makes it a two-year deal.

Offensive Tackle:
Short-term need: Minor. Every offensive tackle on the roster from last season returns.

Long-term need: Moderate-to-high. Kaczur, the starting right tackle, has a deal that expires after the 2009 season. Light is signed through 2010. While LeVoir, Britt and O'Callaghan have been utilized in short stretches, and have proven to be effective, questions remain if they would be long-term answers.

Offensive Guard:
Short-term need: Minor. Every offensive guard on the roster from last season returns, with the addition of veteran C/G Al Johnson.

Long-term need: High. Both Mankins and Neal, the starters, enter the final year of their contracts. While Hochstein and Yates have filled in when called upon, they aren't considered long-term answers.

Centers:
Short-term need: Minor. The Patriots return the same personnel from 2008, with the addition of Johnson (1 year deal, $950,000) in free agency.

Long-term need: Minor. Koppen, the starter, is signed through 2011.

Nose Tackles:
Short-term need: Minor. Wilfork has become a top-flight player in the Patriots' base 3-4 scheme and seldom comes off the field on early downs. Wright is a prototype short-term fill-in.

Long-term need: High. Wilfork enters the final year of his contract, so if the team re-signs him, the long-term need is negated. Wright is a hard working backup who doesn't project as a full-time starter at nose. Adams spent last year on the practice squad.

Defensive Ends:
Short-term need: Minor. The top of the depth chart returns from 2008.

Long-term need: High. Seymour, Green and Smith are entering the final year of their contracts.

Outside Linebacker:
Short-term need: Moderate to high. The Patriots traded Mike Vrabel, creating a void at one of the starting outside linebacker spots. It's possible the replacement is on the roster -- either in the form of one player or a combination of players -- but it remains an unknown.

Long-term need: Moderate to high. It is difficult to project without seeing the year 1-to-2 progressions from Shawn Crable (2008 third-round pick) and Vince Redd (2008 rookie free agent). Woods will be on a one-year deal once signing his restricted free agent tender and Banta-Cain is also on a one-year deal.

Inside Linebacker:
Short-term need: Moderate. The Patriots return their top three players from 2008. Mayo hardly came off the field, while Bruschi (early downs) and Guyton (third down) split time.

Long-term need: Moderate to high. Bruschi enters the final year of his contract, so grooming a future replacement is likely on the radar.

Cornerback:
Short-term need: Moderate. Hobbs returns after starting last season and free-agent signees Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs -- as well as 2008 draft choices Terrence Wheatley (second round) and Jonathan Wilhite (fourth round) -- figure to challenge for starting cornerback spots as well.

Long-term need: Moderate to high. Hobbs and Bodden have contracts that expire after the 2009 season, and if they're not back, it creates more openings at the position.

Safety:
Short-term need: Moderate to high. Meriweather and Sanders, who started as a tandem throughout the second half of last season, return in 2009. The Patriots entered last season with Rodney Harrison, Meriweather and Sanders at the top of the depth chart, so they aren't as deep at this point. Springs would probably be the third option, but he's more of a cornerback.

Long-term need: Moderate to high. Sanders and Meriweather are signed through 2011. Springs is also signed for three seasons.

Specialist:
Short-term need: Moderate. Gostkowski is coming off a Pro Bowl appearance and Hodel was signed to fill the void as snapper when Lonie Paxton signed with the Broncos. The competition to watch is at punter.

Long-term need: High. Each specialist enters the final year of his contract.

Patriots' 2009 schedule

A look at the Patriots' 2009 schedule, as seen on Patriots.com, the team's official Web site:

Sept. 14 (Monday) -- vs. Buffalo (7 p.m., ESPN)
Sept. 20 – at N.Y. Jets (1 p.m., CBS)
Sept. 27 – vs. Atlanta (1 p.m., Fox)
Oct. 4 – vs. Baltimore (1 p.m., CBS)
Oct. 11 – at Denver (4:15 p.m., CBS)
Oct. 18 – vs. Tennessee (4:15 p.m., CBS)
Oct. 25 -- at Buccaneers (in London, 1 p.m.)
Nov. 1 -- BYE Week
Nov. 8 – vs. Miami (1 p.m., CBS)
Nov. 15 – at Indianapolis (8:20 p.m., NBC)
Nov. 22 – vs. N.Y. Jets (4:15 p.m., CBS)*
Nov. 30 (Monday) – at New Orleans (8:30 p.m., ESPN)
Dec. 6 – at Miami (8:20 p.m., NBC)*
Dec. 13 – vs. Carolina (1 p.m., Fox)*
Dec. 20 – at Buffalo (1 p.m., CBS)*
Dec. 27 – vs. Jacksonville (1 p.m., CBS)*
Jan. 3 – at Houston (1 p.m., CBS)*

* subject to flexible scheduling

No opponent is coming off a bye before facing the Patriots.
No opponent is coming off a short week before facing the Patriots.

Patriots.com lists the four prime-time games:

Home: Buffalo (Monday night)

Away: Miami (Sunday night), Indianapolis (Sunday night) and New Orleans (Monday night)