Typically, Patriot fans only want to see the punter when he is holding for extra points and field goals. With Mike Brandtner in the game, however, the fans can rest a little easier knowing that they are in good hands. Chris Hanson will be an unrestricted free-agent, meaning that the Patriots might look to spend a 7th-rounder on a punter. The best fit will be found in Ames, Iowa. When asked if, as a punter, he liked dome football, Brandtner stated, “I think I’d be more of a midwest or northeast states guy… More appealing to play there.”

Brandtner, who averaged 41.6 yards per punt at Iowa State, states that his accuracy is the biggest strength in his game. “I played in the Texas vs the Nation game last weekend, we put two punts at the 1-yard line, one punt went out at the 5-yard line, and we downed one at the 12-yard line.”

His accuracy also comes in handy dealing with dangerous punt returners. “Dez Bryant, Yamon Figurs, Quan Cosby… we just directionaled everything out of bounds, kept the field narrow for the coverage guys.” Brandtner didn’t give in either, as punt returners only had 34 return yards all year.

If a dangerous returner did get his hands on the ball, Mike wouldn’t be totally lost trying to make the tackle. “Coach Rhoads put all the specialists through tackling drills each week. I’m not a headhunter, but I could probably trip someone up.” Brandtner is pretty athletic, leading the Cyclones with 20 first-half rushing yards against Nebraska after a fake-punt.

Brandtner has never had a punt blocked during his career at Iowa State, and is very adept at holding. “We had a left-footed kicker at the Texas v Nation game… now I can hold for both lefties and righties.”

He might not have the strongest leg in the NFL Draft this year, but he just might have the smartest.

Last time we talked with Austen Lane (DE/OLB, Murray State), he told us, “It’s not where you’ve been, it’s where you’re going.” Well, let’s check where he’s been these last few weeks, and figure out where he is going.

One of Austen’s big selling points is his versatility. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to showcase that much at the Senior Bowl. “I played strictly at defensive end. No linebacker.” He did confirm that he will get the chance to perform in both the DE and OLB drills at the NFL Combine coming up later this month. While he’s there, Lane plans on excelling at “The forty. Also the broad jump and shuttle run… I don’t like predictions, but I’d like to run in the low 4.6′s.” Austen Lane is currently working out at API in Pensacola, FL with the likes of Terrence Cody, George Selvie, and Jon Jerry.

Even without the ability to show off his OLB skills, Lane did draw the attention of some 3-4 teams, including the New England Patriots. “I met with the Patriots on Wednesday night. It was great, met with a scout. We talked about basic stuff, where I was raised, my background. We went through plays I ran in college, some of the looks. (note: Murray St. ran a base 4-2-5 and a 3-4 on occasion) What I gathered was that the scout was interested in me as an OLB, but also as a DE. They would see where my body takes me.”

Mike Iupati (OG, Idaho), Brandon Graham (DE/OLB, Michigan), and Jared Odrick (DL, Penn State) were the three players that stood out most during his time at the Senior Bowl. “Iupati has great size, and really long arms – huge wing-span… Graham’s pass rush is so sound. He’s not the biggest, but his hands and technique are so good… Odrick is dominating. Really fast off the ball.”

If Austen keeps improving, his feelings on draft day will emulate the feelings after scoring a touchdown in the 2010 Senior Bowl. “I think I did a chest bump. I was just in shock.” However, if Austen’s name is called in the first 50 names of the draft, we won’t be shocked.

Like the Cougar which represents his college team, NFL fullbacks are an endangered species. NFL fullbacks now have to be incredibly versatile. Manase Tonga (FB, BYU) can run the ball, blocks well, and catches the ball like its second nature. “I feel really comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield. It’s one of my biggest strengths.” Cougars can kill prey over seven times their size, which would also come in handy for the 5-11 fullback.

When Tonga isn’t working on improving his forty time, which he thinks will be real good, or shuttle-run skills, Manase is dreaming about blocking for Frank Gore. “I really like his explosiveness. He’s physical, but has the speed to work outside. He knows how to follow his blocks real well.”

To get into the mind of the beast, Tonga took us through a hypothetical run-call on 2nd down and 8. “My fain focus is on identifying the guy I’m going to block. Once that happens, I focus on getting there fast and beating him to the spot. I’ve got to explode my hips, get the linebacker out of the way, and make room for the running back to work.”

It’s obvious that Manase Tonga is a fierce competitor, and just like his school’s mascot, in staying versatile he has adapted nicely to his environment.

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Other than Reggie Corner, cornerback for the Buffalo Bills, there might not be a more aptly named football player than Pat Angerer. He doesn’t play angry on the field, he plays angerer. Taking a few moments off disrupting the offense and giving opposing coaches fits, Pat was kind enough to chat with us for a little while:

Your name always seems to be on the PA system, with a tackle, a fumble recovery, a pass breakup, a pick, etc… What gets in you the right spot at the right time? Coaching, instincts, film work?
I think it is a lot of both. However, the biggest thing is the coaches. They do such a good job of putting us in the right positions. They put so much time and effort into the game that it really makes our jobs easy. Not to mention, I have been blessed to play beside a lot of hard working great players.

Playing at the next level, what system do you feel is your best fit? The Patriots run a 3-4, would you feel comfortable at the SILB position?
I am not really sure, I’d like to think that I could play any position. However, I will play whatever position the coaches want me to play and I will do my best to help the team.

What NFL player can you identify with? Why?
I have been told I remind people of Zach Thomas. That is definitely a big honor, he is such a great player and a great person. Personally, I think he is a million times better than me. I think the thing I identify with him is the fact that we are over-achievers and play with great passion.

Tell me what you think about what you think about your fellow defenders Amari Spievey and AJ Edds, what are NFL teams getting in these players?
They are both great players and good people. Amari is a freak athlete and one of the best corners in the nation as far as I’m concerned. AJ plays very smart. On top of that, he is big, fast and strong. They both are going to make an NFL team very happy.

What was your highlight from your time spent at the University of Iowa?
There have been so many great moments playing for Iowa. The thing that will stick out for me is seeing the joy on the coaches faces after we won the Orange Bowl. The coaches do so much for us and to be able to make them happy means a lot.

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