NFL Fines We'd Like to See

With the NBA implementing fines for flopping next year, we thought of a few fines we'd like to see created in the NFL. We've already got fines for hitting QB's and collaring people by their horses, but you will now be fined for the following things:

• You do the little "throw the flag" dance after some CB brushes you
• You call a fake audible, and you're not Peyton Manning
• You hire Bryant Gumbel to do anything involving the NFL
• The phrase "I think Ricky Williams is ready to play this year" crosses your lips
• You catch yourself singing along to "This is My Country"
• Your chicas booty weighs more than you can rush for in a game
• You line Roy Williams up at safety
• Roy Williams covers you for an entire play
• You wear white Michael Jackson gloves
• Your name is Chris Berman
• You give Tom Brady a dirty look
• You allow Mercury Morris to speak
• You say the word "disrespect" more than once a month
• You celebrate quarterback "hits", even on completions

Please add your own in the comments below!

Check out the NFL Mock Draft 2009!

Read Full Article

NFL: Conference Predictions

With June 1st fast approaching, we get flowers blooming, summer vacations, swimsuits, and some NFL predictions right here. Starting June 1st, we'll start with the NFC West (yuck), and we won't stop until we finish up with the AFC East (much better) in mid-June. By then we'll have just one month until training camps start opening across the country.

Without further ado, here is the order for the upcoming conference breakdowns and predictions. So bookmark the page or subscribe to our RSS feed to come back for more.

NFC West - June 1
AFC West - June 4
NFC North - June 7
AFC North - June 10
NFC South - June 13
AFC South - June 16
NFC East - June 19
AFC East - June 22

Read Full Article

NCAA Players to Watch: Non-BCS Schools

Catch Up: Big 10 / Big 12 / Big East / PAC-10 / ACC / SEC

In the past few years, Non-BCS school prospects have really climbed up draft boards, and there has been the good (DeMarcus Ware), the bad (David Carr), and the jury is still out on DRC and Leodis Mckelvin. This years crop is still changing, but here are few prospects that could go high in the draft.

Rhett Bomar - QB - Sam Houston St.

While he isn't much of an employee, Bomar can still throw the ball pretty well. While comparisons to John Elway are obviously overblown, Bomar does exhibit the creativity with his feet and arm that NFL teams covet and offensive coordinators lose sleep over.

Joe Burnett - CB - Central Florida

From Asasnte's alma mater, Burnett has the potential to become a starting CB in the NFL as well. He shows good instincts in getting to the ball, and plays faster than his 4.45 speed indicates.

Darius Hill - TE - Ball St.

This guy is a YAC machine and would fit in really well with the Colts or Patriots where running good routes is valued.

Corey Lewis - RB - Northern Iowa

Lewis is a beast for the Panthers, averaging nearly six yards each time he carries the rock. The combine will probably determine how high he climbs.

Read Full Article

Sports Blog Job Opportunities

Looking for a job at a Sports Blog? Want to help create or promote some of the great content that you read? Need to fill a position at your blog? Click on over to the Sports Blog Job Board, created by The Sports Dollar.

Right now you can list jobs for 50% of the normal price if you use the following code "nepats", as always, searching and applying for jobs is totally free.

NE Patriots Draft has a marketing assistant job currently open (performance pay available) that you can apply for there.

Read Full Article

NFL: Putting Girls through Med School

Ever wonder what happens with your money when you buy an NFL ticket? We'll be showing you how buying an NFL ticket can impact so many lives.

The Ticket
Meet Joe Six-Pack, a worker in Dallas. According to the US Census Bureau he probably makes about $47,000 a year. When he buys a ticket for $85 (the average Cowboy ticket) that represents about 10% of his weekly paycheck -- a pretty good chunk if you ask us. Let's see what happens to that $85 dollars.

The Owner
NFL ticket sales are split 60% for the home team and 40% for the visitor so Jerry Jones gets to keep $51 initially. Teams like the Jaguars and Cardinals must love playing the Cowboys and other high-revenue teams.

The Team
NFL Players receive 60% of revenue, so forgetting about expenses the Cowboys players would receive $31 of the original $85. The owners are going to try and lower that percentage by opting out of the CBA, but that is going to be easier said than done. This year the salary cap clocks in at $116,729,000, but each team has a slightly different number due to incentives. Dallas, for example has $117,727,443 in space for 2008.

The Player
Pacman Jones will earn an average of about $3,000,000 per year during his four contract years in Dallas, provided that he is reinstated prior to the 2008 season. That is 2.5% of the Cowboys' cap room, so Jones would receive about $1 of the original money that Joe Six-Pack

The Girl
We all know what Pacman Jones likes to do with $1 bills, and most girls that would receive that buck are studying for Med School, so I hear. So there you go Joe Six-Pack, keep buying those tickets!

Read Full Article

NCAA Players to Watch: SEC

Catch Up: Big 10 / Big 12 / Big East / PAC-10 / ACC

We could have done five parts just on the SEC, so it was very difficult to narrow this list down to just seven prospects. The SEC always supplies the NFL with loads of first-day talent, and 2009 will not be any different.

Tim Tebow - QB - Florida
Big Game: Oct. 11 vs LSU

There isn't much that hasn't been said about Tebow. Girls love him, guys want him on their team, whether they admit it or not. Urban Meyer's golden boy should bring a new wrinkle to a more progressive offense in the NFL, although he probably wouldn't fit in too well in a traditional offense. (See Alex Smith)

Percy Harvin - WR - Florida
Big Game: Oct. 11 vs LSU

Tebow's best remaining target, Harvin is a threat on returns and reverses as well. If he can stay healthy, Harvin could easily be the first WR off the board in 2009.

Matt Stafford - QB - Georgia
Big Game:

Some people have Stafford as their #1 QB prospect and I can't argue with him. While not as dynamic or exciting as Tebow, Stafford is ready now for an NFL offense, with his great arm and savvy playmaking.

Michael Oher - OT - Ole Miss
Big Game: Oct. 25 @ Arkansas

Teams at the top of the draft are always looking for a safe pick. Last year it was Jake Long, this year it will be Michael Oher, as he is easily the best OL prospect, while going up against some of the best pass-rushers in the nation.

Brandon Spikes - LB - Florida
Big Game: Oct. 11 vs LSU

Spikes is a great leader at MLB for the Gators. He led the team in tackles and has a nose for the ball in coverage as well, averaging almost a deflection per game. His 6'3/240 size will allow him to play in the 3-4 or 4-3 on Sundays.

Knowhson Moreno - RB - Georgia
Big Game: Oct. 11 vs Tennessee

It will be a tossup as to whether Moreno or "Shady" McCoy from Pitt is the first RB taken next spring, but either one will prove to be a versatile addition to any backfield.

Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU
Big Game: Oct. 11 @ Florida

Jackson should be a top-15 pick next year as defensive ends become more and more valuable. Tyson is a force on the outside and plays well versus the run and the pass.

Read Full Article

Lombardi Trophy For A Day

There has been a lot of talk about the Stanley Cup lately, but we must ask, where is the love for the Lombardi trophy. We get to see it on the field after the Super Bowl and maybe at the parade, but then it goes under lock and key. We can only speculate then, what these players, coaches, and owners would do if they were granted 24 hours with the most prized possession in the NFL.

Chad Johnson: The Lombardi trophy would undoubtedly be part of some lame touchdown celebration.

Maurice Jones-Drew: Shine it up real nice and use it as a full-length mirror.

Ricky Williams: We know it is cliche and all, but we're pretty dang sure he'd try to smoke it.

Shaun Alexander: He probably wouldn't, but he should melt it down and make a knife and spoon to go with the big fork sticking out of his back.

Peyton Manning: About 16 different commercials.

Al Davis: Two words: Vertical routes.

Jon Gruden: He'd give it a tryout for the 8th and final QB on the roster.

Reggie Bush: He'd cut right, then left, and lose three yards with it.

Donovan McNabb: This is too far-fetched, we know #5 isn't ever going to win this.

Matt Leinart: One Word: Kegstop.

LT: They would stay classy. It's a full-time job people.

Herm Edwards: Sign it as a starting right guard.

Vince Young: Probably something NSFW.

Tom Brady: Put it back on his mantel.

Please comment and add your own!

Read Full Article

NCAA Players to Watch: ACC

Catch Up: Big 10 / Big 12 / Big East / PAC-10

Long home to top basketball prospects and FSU, things have gotten a bit topsy-turvy lately down in ACC country. Only one Seminole graces this list, while Duke has the same. Let's get to the prospects:

Myron Rolle - S - FSU
Big Game: Nov. 29 vs Florida

If you'd like your son to be a d-back in the NFL, it wouldn't hurt to change your last name to Rolle. This Rolle, of the Myron variety, provides smart football instincts and a great speed and athletecism.

Michael Johnson - DE - Ga. Tech
Big Game: Oct. 25 vs Virginia

Our #1 Pick for 2009, Johnson brings explosive power and speed from the edge for the 'Wreck. We are predicting a breakout year from MJ, a la Mario Williams a few years back.

Vince Oghobaase - DT - Duke
Big Game: Oct. 18 vs Miami

Vince doesn't have good low-post moves or a sweet j, so most scouts have overlooked this Duke prospect. We feel he could provide good run support and eat some blockers on Sundays.

CJ Spiller - RB - Clemson
James Davis - RB - Clemson
Cullen Harper - QB - Clemson
Big Game: Nov. 1 @ BC

These three should be fun to watch in 2008-9. Harper is a quality QB prospect that should fight to be #2 on the board, while Davis and Spiller remind us of the duo at Arkansas last year, as both could be 1st Rounders.

Eugene Monroe - OL - Virginia
Big Game: Oct. 25 @ Ga. Tech

The latest product to be emerging from the First Round O-Line factory(Ferguson, Albert), Monroe brings a mean streak that shows he belongs in the same paragraph as those two players.

Read Full Article

NCAA Players to Watch: Pac-10

Catch Up: Big 10 / Big 12 / Big East

This could easily be called "Players to Watch: USC". They have that much talent just on the defensive side of the ball. The other nine schools also have some good players, just not on par with the Trojans. Here are three Trojans and three Non-Trojans:

Fili Moala - DL - USC
Big Game: Sept. 13 vs OSU

Moala is a big disruptive force that makes it easier for those around him. We feel he can play in either the 3-4 or 4-3.

Rey Maualuga - LB - USC
Big Game: Sept. 13 vs OSU

Umm, yeah, wow. This guy hits, runs, covers, leads, and mows your lawn when he is done. Rey would be an insane addition as an OLB in any NFL defense.

Brian Cushing - LB - USC
Big Game: Sept. 13 vs OSU

Didn't get the accolades that his teammates Rivers and Maualuge received, but Cushing is a solid prospect whose versatility will bring him up into the first round.

Alex Mack - C - California
Big Game: Sept 13 @ Maryland

Perhaps the top center in the NCAA, Mack is a cerebral center than can make the line call and begin to maul.

Max Unger - OL - Oregon
Big Game: Oct. 4 @ USC

Hands down the best OL in the PAC-10, Unger should have his work cut out for him vs USC. Good footwork and strength make him a solid top 25 pick.

Jairus Byrd - CB - Oregon
Big Game: Sept. 13 @ Purdue

A good fit in a cover-2 system, Byrd is raw but could develop into a solid nickel/#2 corner as a rookie.

Read Full Article

Matt Ryan > Tom Brady

Why would I say that Matt Ryan is better than Tom Brady? Well, according to the AP, the Falcons QB just sigend a 6 year, 72 million dollar contract. He is set to receive 34 million in guarantees over the life of the contract, almost five million more than Jake Long, the first pick in the draft. Both Chris Long and Darren McFadden should be very happy with what just transpired. Tom Condon, Ryan's agent, should be buying tonight...

Tom Brady, however, is sitting here making a paltry salary of 5 million dollars, with a 3 million dollar roster bonus, although due to prior bonuses, his cap number is nearly 15 million dollars.

How can a rookie QB that has never taken a snap in the NFL be making more than arguably the greatest QB of all time? Moreover, why is Gene Upshaw and the NFLPA okay with this? If I were a veteran NFL player, I would be clamoring for my piece of the pie, rather than idly watching GM's throwing cash at unproven rookies.

Think that the NFL owners voting to opt-out of the CBA had anything to do with this?

Read Full Article

Specter vs. Eight Belles

According to breaking reports, Senator Arlen Specter, along with executives from ESPN and Comcast, was seen digging up the grave of the late Eight Belles this past weekend. Eight Belles recently was euthanized after a terrible on-track accident at the Kentucky Derby. There has been much gnashing of teeth as to the cruelty of horse-racing, but Specter's actions really have taken cruelty to a new level.

Eyewitnesses state that after exhuming the horse, Specter and his buddies proceeded to beat the horse repeatedly. According to the Pennsylvania Senator's staff, he plans to continue this odd practice for "the forseeable future".

Washington experts are still struggling to find a motive for the odd behavior, although some point to the involvement of Comcast and ESPN as a clue to the man's actions. While Comcast and ESPN have had serious issues with the NFL, Monday Night football and DirecTV, there is no known connection between them and the horse in question.

Roger Goodell, commisioner of the NFL, stated that "If he would just re-bury the horse, this whole thing would go away". PETA and the ASPCA were unavailable for comment.

Read Full Article

NCAA Players to Watch: Big East

Part 3 of 7

Catch Up Here: Big 10 Players to Watch / Big 12 Players to Watch

The Big East isn't teaming with players that are going to go during round one next April, but here are a few prospects to hold your interest. Pac-10 coming up on Wednesday!

Lesean McCoy - RB - Pitt

Big Game: Sept. 30 vs Iowa

McCoy has a nose for the goalline and is big enough to handle 15+ carries per game on Sundays. He could still work on his power, but his hands and vision are very good. He would fit very well complimenting a Marion Barber or Laurence Maroney in the NFL.

Hunter Cantwell - QB - Louisville

Big Game: Dec. 4 @ Rutgers

Although he has played behind Brian Brohm, Cantwell's mind and arm are projected to be even better than his predecessor. He also has the size that NFL GM's covet. With the lack of tape on Cantwell, we wouldn't be surprised if he went in the top 5 or round 5.

Pat White - QB/WR - West Virginia

Big Game: Oct. 23 vs Auburn

White won't play QB at the next level, but offensive coordinators are already drawing up plays to use his freakish ability, a la Randle El and others from the same mold. Expect White to work out as a WR at the combine.

Mike Mickens - CB - Cincinnati

Big Game: Sept. 6 @ Oklahoma

Tall, but light, Mickens uses his 4.4 speed very well. He rarely takes a false step and therefore isn't out of position very often. He could play in a cover 2 or a man defense on Sundays, and his value is increased by his return abilities.

Read Full Article

NCAA Players to Watch: Big 12

Catch up with the part 1 of 7 here: NCAA Players to Watch: Big 10

After the Big 10, we'll take a look at his cousin to the south, the Big 12. The usual suspects are at work again, with Oklahoma and the Texas schools producing a lot of pro prospects.

Duke Robinson - G - Oklahoma

Big Game: Oct. 11 vs Texas

This big 6-5/335 bruiser has been a load for the Sooners, as he notched almost 100 pancake blocks last year. His smart, mauling style would fit well in any pro offense, especially one from some team in New England.

Michael Crabtree - WR - Texas Tech

Big Game: Nov. 1 vs Texas

This guy just flat-out scares people. He's a big target and people just don't seem to be able to cover him or tackle him. Watch him every chance you get.

William Moore - S - Missouri

Big Game: Oct. 18 @ Texas

Moore is a solid safety that plays smart enough to step in on day one and contribute. His instincts are a pretty thing to watch.

Nic Harris - S - Oklahoma

Big Game: Nov 22 vs Texas Tech

In a similar fashion to Moore, Harris brings solid fundamentals and athletecism to the defensive backfield. He hits like a linebacker at times, but doesn't cover like one -- looking at you Roy Williams.

Brian Orakpo - DE - Texas

Big Game: Oct. 11 vs Oklahoma

"Rak", seen taking down Reggie Bush as a freshman above, is a dynamic playmaker coming off the edge. At 6-4/255, this Longhorn is best suided coming off the edge in a 4-3 and getting to the quarterback. He gets to the quarterback often, but could work on finishing the sack and holding up against the run.

Sam Bradford - QB - Oklahoma

Big Game: Nov. 29 vs Oklahoma St.

After getting the chance to step in for Rhett Bomar and others, Bradford has shown that he belongs at the highest level. He will be in a small group of QB's fighting to hear their name called in the first round next April.

Read Full Article

NCAA Players to Watch: Big 10

First in a 7-part series, NE Patriots Draft takes a look at who NFL fans should be watching in the NCAA games coming this fall. First up today is the players from the Big 10 Conference.

Part 2: Big 12

Malcolm Jenkins - CB - Ohio St.

Big Game: Oct. 18 vs Michigan

This OSU corner would have been a top-20 pick in this year's draft and should top the corner rankings in 2009. He has great speed, quickness, and ball-skills, as well as being able to recover quickly. Jenkins is a complete player.

Curtis Painter - QB - Purdue

Big Game: Oct. 11 vs OSU

Looking to become the next Drew Brees to come out of Joe Tiller's pass-happy offense, Painter had an impressive 2007 campaign where he toned down his miscues. If he keep his TD/INT ratio high again this year, he could compete to be the first quarterback taken next year.

Travis Beckum - TE - Wisconsin

Big Game: Sept. 27 vs Michigan

Travis is more Kellen Winslow Jr. than Tony Gonzalez, as he isn't known as an in-line blocker. He can stretch the field and keep safeties busy though. Beckum would fit well in a spread offense in the NFL.

Mitch King - DT - Iowa

Big Game: Nov. 8 vs Penn St.

Mitch King isn't a household name, yet. He is undersized, but his motor never stops and he just seems to make plays. He would fit well in a 4-3 defense that stunts often and has a deep rotation.

James Laurinaitis - LB - Ohio St.

Big Game: Oct. 18 vs Michigan

We aren't as high as most with Animal Junior, but he is a very solid prospect. We can't see him playing inside in a 3-4, as he doesn't shed blocks well at all. He is very tough to block, but when he is, he will disappear from the play. Inside in a 4-3 would be an ideal spot where a couple of massive DT's can protect him and allow him to use his athletecism to make plays.

Vontae Davis - CB - Illinois

Big Game: Nov. 15 vs OSU

Vernon's little brother jumped on the Ron Zook recruiting train and has excelled with the Illini. His great CB size while keeping the requisite speed will make his stock soar. He is still a little rough around the edges, but should continue to develop into a solid corner.

Read Full Article

Time Right for NFL Early Entry?

With the rash of recruiting scandals involving Reggie Bush and OJ Mayo at the forefront of the national consciousness, it is time for us again to revisit why we make some aspiring NFL players jump through the hoops at the college level. Maurice Clarett and Mike Williams both found out the hard way that the NFL is as tough in the courtroom as they are in between the white lines, but should the fresh Commish take a fresh look at this situation?

The NFL purports that they are keeping the quality of play higher by not allowing players that haven't completed three years out of High School. Most teenagers aren't ready for the physicality on Sundays, but the Texans' Amobi Okoye showed that it is possible to excel at so young an age. Smart teams won't draft players that aren't ready to play.

One way around the problem of quality of play would be to grant each team a 54th roster spot, while keeping the active roster at 45. That would allow for each team to keep another "project player" if they so wish., with out the risk of floating them on the wire before signing them to the practice squad.

In order to keep the NFLPA and the NFL owners happy, there would need to be some salary restrictions on these players. Perhaps there would be a lower league minimum for those players that wouldn't meet the current age requirements.

The increased freedom would be beneficial to the University set and to the NFL set alike. Colleges would be able to put more focus on academics and less emphasis on babysitting athletes that only wish to jump from the NCAA to the NFL. The NFL would get to groom prospects in a pro-system while keeping them out of trouble with the presence of a professional support staff and veteran leadership.

One might ask, if it isn't broke, why are we fixing it? The question we ask is, what if the NFL was even better?

Read Full Article

2009 NFL Draft: Players to Watch

During the next two weeks, NE Patriots Draft will be giving a conference by conference look at the 2009 NFL Draft prospects. Each part in the series will detail the top 6-8 prospects to watch from one of the BCS conferences, and we'll have one special day on the other conferences and divisions as well. These are the players that should glue you to your seats as you salivate for them to be on your team next year. Here is the schedule:

May 16th: Big 10 NFL Draft Prospects

May 18th: Big 12 NFL Draft Prospects

May 20th: Big East NFL Draft Prospects

May 22nd: PAC-10 NFL Draft Prospects

May 24th: ACC NFL Draft Prospects

May 26th: SEC NFL DraftProspects

May 28th: Small School NFL Draft Prospects

Read Full Article

How You Know Your Offseason is Sucking

Chiefs fans have had fun, Patriots fans feel ok. Other people, teams, and fans haven't had such a great offseason. Here are a few ways you know that your NFL offseason is sucking:

1. Rex Grossman is still your starting quarterback.


2. You're a Bengals fan, but not a bondsman.


3. You had Pacman Jones in the "NFL Player to get arrested at Lake Travis" pool.


4. Mel Kiper Jr. says you are having a great offseason.


5. You are the Senior Senator from the great state of Pennsylvania.


6. Desean Jackson is your new go-to receiver.


7. You're a mustard salesmen, and you were hoping to get a boost from the NFL Draft.


8. J! E! T! S!


9. Two words: Tomase, John.


10. You know Adarius Bowman, but you're not his dealer.


11. You're Adarius Bowman.


12. Matt Leinart didn't help you with any of your kegstands.


13. (Afraid to insert Marvin Harrison joke)


14. Your team president didn't even draft a WR. (Lions Fans only)


15. Mario Manningham beat you in truth or dare.


16. Last but not least: No more #4

Thanks to my friends at Razzball.com for the idea for this post.

Read Full Article

2008 NFL Rookie Salary Cap

The Patriots will have just over 4.3 million dollars of room to sign their rookies, both drafted and undrafted, this summer. The Rookie Pool was created to slot 1st round selections and keep rookie contracts under control, but agents have countered with option bonuses and escelators. The Patriots rank 14th out of the 32 NFL teams in Rookie Salary Cap space. Expect all the 2nd-6th round choices for the Pats to sign first, therefore allowing Scott Pioli to know what he has to work with to sign Jerod Mayo.

KC $8,221,790
ATL $7,918,670
MIA $6,538,400
STL $5,997,510
CHI $5,791,190
CIN $5,555,750
CAR $5,371,570
BUF $5,351,820
BAL $5,045,770
NYJ $4,903,030
DEN $4,877,060
DET $4,815,910
WAS $4,543,890
NE $4,344,990
NO $4,295,240
PHI $4,256,320
OAK $4,119,700
DAL $4,095,120
GB $4,076,190
ARI $3,919,230
TEN $3,822,960
JAX $3,721,960
PIT $3,719,450
TB $3,699,370
SEA $3,674,960
NYG $3,521,820
HOU $3,477,820
SF $3,413,020
IND $3,305,300
SD $2,627,940
MIN $2,055,780
CLE $1,789,980

Read Full Article

Patriots Rookies: New Numbers

Here are the numbers that Patriots Rookies are wearing:

QB Kevin O'Connell -- 5
WR/DB Matthew Slater -- 18
CB Terrence Wheatley -- 22
CB Jonathan Wilhite -- 24
S Mark Dillard -- 30
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis -- 42
OLB Vince Redd -- 47
ILB Gary Guyton -- 48
ILB Jerod Mayo -- 51
NT Henry Smith -- 62 (blue)
C Ryan Wendell -- 62 (white)
DE Casey Tyler -- 64
DL Chris Norwell -- 76 (blue)
TE Jonathan Stupar -- 85
ILB Bo Ruud -- 91
OLB Shawn Crable -- 98

DT Carlos Feliciano and OL Josh Coffman, both UDFA's, have been released.

Read Full Article

Patriots Rookie Mini-Camp Reflections

Draft Picks

The first day picks impressed in their first two days on the field as Dom Capers liked what he saw with Wheatley and Mayo played well, although he got out of position in coverage a time or two. Wilhite made some plays, but also seemed to get nicked up at the end of practice. O'Connell was inconsistent, showing flashes of brilliance while making rookie mistakes a minute later. A lot was made of Shawn Crable's "Moss-like" skinny legs, hopefully they help him run even half as fast. Matt Slater played on defense as well as returning kicks, which Terrence Wheatley did as well.

UDFA's

If Vince Redd makes the team, we at NE Patriots Draft would like to make a rule that he can't hit anyone during practice as he is one big (6-6/260), scary, dude. Redd is a longshot to make the team as he has two pro-bowlers (Vrabel and Thomas) starting at OLB. Pierre Woods is a solid backup and special teams standout, and a 3rd round pick in Shawn Crable ahead of him as well. Two things that Redd does have going for him is that he has experience in a 3-4 both with Virginia (Al Groh) and Liberty, and he loves hitting people.

Mike Dragosavich brought the rain indoors as he hit the roof repeatedly with his punts. Here's hoping that he never has to kick the ball once this year -- even when the Patriots are up by 40.

It seems like the Patriots feel comfortable with what they have on Offense, as the nine prospects brought in on a tryout basis area all on the offense. RB from Troy Kenny Cattousse seems like he has the best chance of earning a practice-squad jersey.

Read Full Article

Patriot Defense: Depth Chart Prediction

This is our post-draft prediction of what the defensive depth chart will look like come week one versus the Chiefs. As of right now, we have Bo Ruud not making the team and no undrafted free-agents making the team. The leaders to make the defensive unit out of the UDFA lot would be Gary Guyton (GT) and Vince Redd (Liberty), both linebackers who could beat out Larry Izzo or Eric Alexander.

Starters in Bold

Defensive Ends:
Richard Seymour
Ty Warren
Jarvis Green

Defensive Tackles:
Vince Wilfork
Mike Wright
LeKevin Smith

Outside Linebackers:
Adalius Thomas
Mike Vrabel
Shawn Crable
Pierre Woods

Inside Linebackers:
Tedy Bruschi
Jerod Mayo
Victor Hobson
Eric Alexander
Larry Izzo

Cornerbacks:
Ellis Hobbs
Fernando Bryant
Terrence Wheatley
Jonathan Wilhite
Jason Webster
Lewis Sanders

Safeties:
Rodney Harrison
Brandon Meriweather
James Sanders
Tank Williams
Raymond Ventrone

Read Full Article

Drago: I Will Break (dance) You

Welcome to Mike Dragosavich, the odds-on favorite for most jerseys ever sold by a punter. Not only can he punt, tackle, and dance, he can also clean up after the game. Provided that the UDFA Dragosavich can beat out the weak-legged but steady Chris Hanson, and the once retired Hulk Hogan, he could easily become one of the most popular punters to ever play the game. Drago, as mentioned earlier, has an odd 3-step technique that Belichick may try to change. It would be playing with fire to give NFL athletes that extra half-second to get to his feet, even though as we can see in the video, his feet are pretty quick.

Read Full Article

May-o Day

"I’m a hard worker and I’m coming here to contribute to this team in any way that I can, whether it be with special teams or with the starters. I’m coming to make a contribution and help with a championship.”

May 1st marked the day when Jerod Mayo was formally introduced to the Patriot family. Sort of like meeting your girlfriend's parents for the first time, first impressions are incredibly important. A careless word or two in your first few days as a Patriot can earn you the scorn of an entire locker room of veterans. Coming off sounding like a seasoned veteran himself, Mayo passed his first test as a member of the Patriots family. Papa Belichick was undoubtedly pleased.

Mayo will be put to the test May 3rd on the field during the first day of Patriots Minicamp, where he will be wearing no. 51. He and his fellow rookies will be looking to impress the coaching staff by picking up schemes quickly and learning from their mistakes. A total of fifteen undrafted free agents, listed here, will be joining Mayo and his fellow draftees. Most prominent among them is Mike Dragosavich, the big-man-on-campus at NDSU and a heckuva punter. He has an odd technique, but you can't argue with his results.

Read Full Article