Draft Prospect Review - 04/02/2008

[0:32] ..." at it that -- that -- this podcast of the New England Patriots. Which I think people look sank the -- and on this Wednesday lot of schools in this room a lot of schools"...

[1:11] ..." Matt lights is an all pro now back to back pro bowler Logan Mankins by all accounts is developing into one of the -- guards in the game Indian open. Besides being a very productive center on the field has as good relationship with -- quarterback may -- as any. Center in the National Football League yeah Stephen -- coming off a shoulder injury. Had surgery reportedly also had a knee injury in the Super Bowl but. When he's on the field. Is as good as as as Logan Mankins if you want to use the Celtics Hairston right tackle would be the one position and I'd say you could look to"...

[4:57] ..." without the stress sliders and we took it lightly mean Matt Light Logan Mankins Inco and are going to get night and I unit. To be honest with -- catcher is a guy in the it"...

[9:01] ..." starter and I'd been for your all conference Williams on -- protected Bruce Gradkowski obviously. A lot of track record there and and he sort of fallen in those lines but he could be a guy"...

[14:26] ..." the starting job you never know maybe he's not a backup tight. Wesley Britt who brought back as an exclusive rights free agent. -- to be a pretty good swing tackle backup -- per game --"...

[0:10]" This is a -- yeah front yeah. And Venus or any other patriots podcast. Patriots dot --"

[0:24]" and now the leaders of patriots football weekly and -- for rent skis. I -- lightly you look at it that -- that -- this podcast of the New England Patriots. Which I think people look sank the -- and on this Wednesday lot of schools in this room a lot of schools there -- We'd like to think about it I just the you know sort of a good full well guerrilla -- out now in high."

[0:51]" So the offensive line this week and coming off the last game the patriots played the position that fans have been a little. Open roaring about after watching Tom Brady get beat up on in the passing game struggled but I think we do need to remember. That three fifths of that offensive line went to Hawaii for the pro bowl Matt lights is an all pro now back to back pro bowler Logan Mankins by all accounts is developing into one of the -- guards in the game Indian open. Besides being a very productive center on the field has as good relationship with -- quarterback may -- as any. Center in the National Football League yeah Stephen -- coming off a shoulder injury. Had surgery reportedly also had a knee injury in the Super Bowl but. When he's on the field. Is as good as as as Logan Mankins if you want to use the Celtics Hairston right tackle would be the one position and I'd say you could look to upgrade. Couple draft picks they've used -- in the middle rounds in recent years. -- catchers in the start of the last few years but Ryan Callahan has also started some games in measures that since both mid round draft picks who. I think are what they are clearly I don't think either guy is of the pro bowl level. -- some of their teammates along the lines at this point so you know if you're gonna pinpoint one area to upgrade indoor change via the draft and in this off season. My guess is it would be right tackle. That's led some people to speculate as high as the number seven overall there. That the patriots would look offensive line. On for maybe the second best lineman on the board. I'm by all accounts Jake long is going to BA top 12345 -- it. So let's let's start right there with Jake long guy who brought the off the board for the patriots -- I'm of the mind that. He sort of a -- I I don't think he's an elite prospect I don't think he's as good as he's going to be selected in need to be and I would one thing that really jumped out to me was the guy yeah. Compared himself to with the NFL combine. That's Matt Light. Oh and now I think that's sort of the problem with Jake long a lot of people say. Not a dominant guy you know could be right tackle in the National Football League he compares himself to light because the way he works out. I just I'm -- early and I you know Orlando pace Hall of Fame left tackles and I'm looking for. Either of you guys disagree with some of the seems to be a common. Characterization that he's not only left tackle well I I think that if he were on the board at seven. And I were the one making the choice on topic I would take my it would take probably Boise State's Bryant. Ryan Clady. At that spot if that were made just from what I'd seen on film I I agree with your assessment and not being. He might have that killer instinct be definitely. Well on -- I'm still not show doesn't show we've joked about it rob Ryan says toughness jumps off the film. Yeah Jake long doesn't he didn't get beat a lot you know the only guy who -- it was Gholston from Ohio State for a sack. He just doesn't you're right have that appeared to have that killer instinct and that keeping kids and a."

[3:55]" In consideration it's he does it -- on. What I think most people feel will be his problem -- practical you know in the Big Ten he's not a team lead speed off the edge now on we've beat even other -- good solid football conference in a lot of good NFL players come from there in particular a lot of good offensive lineman of confirmation. There I've I don't think that he gained a thing I think is gonna give him a lot of problems in the NFL I think ultimately it's going to lead into the right tackle in that regard I agree a 1000% when when Andy. I don't want to take a right tackle serviceable right tackle in the top ten of the draft and and before we get into all the other offensive lineman. I would even go a step further it I'm not sure. How big need offense line is right now I'd noticed -- casual thing we had -- and he knows this week actually suggests that. If the patriots did make the trade with Francisco. And they had chosen Joe failure. The patriots would now because of the great team of all time they would want and -- find that but without the stress sliders and we took it lightly mean Matt Light Logan Mankins Inco and are going to get night and I unit. To be honest with -- catcher is a guy in the it will up my thinking is clearly the weak link of the -- that's why I picked -- might as well. I don't remember him really doing anything to stand out bad in the superbowl I I -- all the other guys at least one look really bad guy you know I -- as it was."

[5:21]" Main culprit it came from from the from the other -- and -- up and up the middle rebels are athletes but you mentioned to him Eric got ranked lady a lot of people believe that in terms of measurable and upside. Could be a franchise type left tackle the National Football League I thought he he looked every bit of that. On tape I was very impressed with his his -- and and I think he plays under control but does play with that -- that -- the anger and and violence I think he's a guy that can run -- pass block I really was impressed with his tape and I wouldn't be done if the patriots go that direction at seven you know I won't be stunned -- pretty much anything they -- with seventh and -- Entire top YL draft is why don't air India but. If you take him I think you are taking him for. Maybe a year right tackle and then left tackle it -- over the right and I think his future in the NFL as Wednesday. -- elite tight left tackle or even though Matt -- at all bro I'm not sure anyone would really argued recently left."

[6:19]" But hey if that works out and you have a guy in -- who becomes. At least if not at all probe but at least yeah. You know he set a serviceable. Starting left tackle you can -- girl -- the other -- and I -- and I have it -- that's -- I think if I had to choose between the -- I would agree with -- I think the -- I think long -- he could be left tackle and I'm not sure -- and I -- long -- in the running game and -- the stuff that -- but not impressive I don't -- applied by all accounts very -- offensive line crop field -- was was quoted coming out of the owners' meetings talking about it. On you good analyst Chris Williams can at Vanderbilt I think is another very good offensive tackles as -- I think he's a guy that could be better than Jake long. I think Jake -- is going to be fine you'll be in the league. You know 1015 years -- the -- brain -- if -- do you like him as he but he you know that he can play very much he's not enough playing football that line that's going to be -- that the and it -- in the guys yeah that's going to knock him down but that in terms of the rock ability I think it might be there Jeff oh there's that -- out owed owed. Yeah I I think that he did. Probably not mean he's not -- in the top ten. The talk and -- later and later on right draft. Well -- I mean he's a guy that's right on the border of the first Brian picked his development and I don't think he's nearly as -- some of these other guys yeah I think Clady is the most ready and Clady Williams -- both committed beat you know. Pretty good tackles in the NFL right away. But as they sit deep draft -- dad's Felix Ian baker at USC -- electrical tape -- out of BC we know that history be the offensive -- it's pretty it's cool to come from I know they fired the dollar he -- the offensive line coach so to different guys this year but he played under him for a portion of careers there in the track record's pretty good at BC tell us pretty good athletes and and he's had he's had a good stretch these last few weeks since. The senior bowl and come on he's his stock has arisen yet he's borderline for -- And you know just as we always do NFL draft scout dot com somewhere in the -- when he five tackles they see. Being drafted seven rounds of the draft. Basically talking about. You know somewhere around seventy years 65 often that a lot of lining it drafted we've we've seen that here guys like. Clint Oldenburg in the random names will be crap that might not end up with this team. May end up elsewhere on one guy I brought with you Paul John Greco is a close out the tackles the united Toledo you know we're talking about catcher yeah. He was -- badgers replacement basically it Toledo at a very nice career for himself but was forever being compared to new catcher it is friendly with the catcher because. No matter what will be after year. You know directly or not it to a four year starter and I'd been for your all conference Williams on -- protected Bruce Gradkowski obviously. A lot of track record there and and he sort of fallen in those lines but he could be a guy who knows. You know we are is just and a throwing names out there late in the round meekly in the draft off the line -- you go to -- now how hard is it for Marbury go Albert. In on -- you Virginia. I'm I'm very -- my dad he's a guy that's on the rise as much as almost anyone in the draft I think because some people think you know he -- a guard. But some people think he could be NFL tackles and obviously we know your value shoots up if you're going to be attack you'll. Hyper like who you a very forward you know very close -- like well girls we talked me at times and -- at 1030 at night. Set yup always talks about himself he's very very hot talk about girls you must talk about a no hitter he's now -- and now I mean I mean. Is he a guy top after the first -- I think he's a top fifteen tight and I think it's an objection your ticket guide and -- he's going to be a tackle then. Okay and I hit it I tell when I didn't see that. On the film. I'd get that impression that he had that sort of versatility restaurant I don't know very surprised and they say it's circumstantial why he wasn't -- Virginia because of you know to recruit on month things going on -- But I'm always a little hesitant mean the guy's an NFL left tackle and I think he'd be a pretty good college and I mean you would think yes so. Especially -- that we use as ball as you're talking about. After the first round there's money involved there you'll look in the internal probe. Type player there but some of the other guys Oregon State shooting and Bruno on interesting it is the get out of southern cal Rachal. On the island Shiloh who no one expected to come out and I think there. It's it's a tough -- with him because everybody thinks -- gone back to school he'd be would have -- prospect next year. But now he's not as polished as he would've been in in -- yeah do you take him. For what he could be a year and a half from now or you comparing him to a guy like Albert whose. More polished in his prospect legitimate upside this year so he's an instinct I think nine on policies and USC player and you know as our our colleague compass I'll say if there's a year he players there. Draft always you know there's a number of southern cal offensive -- ran out -- a -- I was somewhat impressed with -- the Columbine. Because he has certainly that edge he reminded me of someone who could be a future serial killer how based on his looked at his approached everything. -- I'd love to have in the trenches for my team. Another -- guy Eric Young at Tennessee. Coming off an injury. I want to say -- born. Law a major leg injury on that is very easily quads still listed as like a fourth round -- prospect. But as the guy many people think would have been a first round -- process -- it worked out so -- and it's another one where you you have to -- the injury verses you know what his natural talent is when healthy. How healthy Willie B by another name that's out there in terms a local prospects out of UConn. Donald Thomas is day. Third fourth fifth round type prospect as offensive lineman so that I would be the area I would think."

[12:14]" That -- and be keeping an eye on I mean I -- always possible that they. They they utilized that seventh pick on -- off line but I would tend to think more that they are looking to depth. And I think -- a pretty good offensive line Super Bowl not with standing. I would agree with that -- I don't think it anywhere in the air the top of the list in terms of problems. I would look -- to death like they always do right and you know they they drafted three you know three guys -- rightly afraid but Oldenburg and Hilliard in Belgian -- and right you know and none of those guys obviously out panned out budget you know I think that you it's one of those positions where you'd I think you do well to try to stockpile young guys and develop."

[12:56]" now move under the center position not as many senators get -- you're talking about a dozen guys maybe the top by most accounts Arizona State's -- lock. -- Pollock whenever I pull off a couple Archie bunker field it would it wait for the job this John tells in my -- Which you know but I don't know either Doug bugger yet marshals -- reiser senators -- position is usually little undersized coming out they. Often play in the NFL and I mean the ankle but is what to 95 maybe somewhere in that range couple names I wanna I wanna talk about all the matter Notre Dame you know we always like through the pipeline guys and then a guy who's not projected to be drafted is -- down -- them. Out Ryan Wendell out of Fresno state. 62286 which is undersized out of my point oh what a pipeline guy and we know pat hill basically ran bill -- tech's offensive line development program Evelyn and you know Elgin and undersized technicians and they take out of Iowa last year. Yet another guy in the in this -- family tree. He's a name I would keep an eye on as maybe even a day of a free agent you know priority free agent they bring in the camp. But he is as they sit down with the little bit but. How many we look at -- couple I would think there and an -- so too offensive line responsibility because at some point here. Some of these guys are going to start to did you know they come into the system in the going to leave this system. Whether it -- whether -- you know -- not catcher but if he loses the starting job you never know maybe he's not a backup tight. Wesley Britt who brought back as an exclusive rights free agent. -- to be a pretty good swing tackle backup -- per game -- have -- right -- that that have at least some -- I only -- one game but -- I'm starting experience and -- a lot of -- that's pretty -- and Britain and -- all -- high -- thing in the -- in the -- so you know Billy Yates might -- honestly sort of you know there's -- is not a lot of wiggle -- making -- roster -- help because this -- says you know an offensive -- you can't do a lot of things that linebackers and tight -- special teams. So you're gonna have your -- one interior back up one you know outside backed up and that's about it so. You know be a -- if they can sort of because these guys haven't stuck over the last couple years in the development program in Stephenson out of Notre Dame -- are these guys have been here they're gone. Whereas in previous years. That -- his of the world's in the hopes -- of the world the Tom Ashworth of the world. They were brought in whether BS free agents or whatever and they stayed for a while united Europe practice squad a year of an active. On they have been able to do that as much lately and I think it's because they had that's such success with some of those guys like brick like Neal who came and you know not having played college football. And they've had to they've been able to have to have that program worked for them and now they have -- stable guys like well. We can develop any particular Harris spot for right so it'll be interesting to see what they do but you know obviously at the top of the draft as we said. Jake long is the big name you know ESP NS -- yesterday question with a long and long could go one and two in some quarters saint Louis and you know has some need them both lines so -- possibility. The end -- in the and along and along. Going first along in the sort of and then if that line -- if the kicker out of -- statement or is -- ever longest gets -- longest. To be the long RL and the longest vitamin. But did you know this guy really it doesn't make it up -- head -- anyway that's going to -- to -- when you know we're talking offensive line we need to spice up."

[16:28]" Little shoddy Hewitt -- Archie bunker joke to show you that really brings it all together when talking about the trojans don't know who's good or not. I figured that you can look at it took her took her to go -- that. Let's let that -- the host of the show -- habits that gets a great."

[16:48]" Paid well thank you guys -- only a few weeks left until the draft -- every Wednesday for the draft prospect preview. Thanks for listening and gopac."

[17:03]" for downloading this podcast from patriots dot com. All time anytime for more news and more podcast from yours favorite team. And patriots dot com"