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Patriots Off-Season: Monitoring the Progress of Brandon Spikes

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Brandon Spikes Patriots

Through ups and downs, Brandon Spikes has still been great value as a late second-round pick. (Photo: US Presswire)

NEPD Staff Writer: Oliver Thomas

In 2010, the New England Patriots invested a second-round draft pick in Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes. Three years have since passed, and the polarizing tackler is now entering the final chapter of his rookie contract.

Needless to say, 2013 is a big year for No. 55.

Spikes has trudged through his share of peaks and valleys during his time in Foxboro. And his unpredictability makes it all the more critical that he finishes his fourth season on a good note.

With that in mind, let’s track his development.

(more…)

Tags: Brandon Spikes, Jamie Collins
Posted in NFL Draft | 6 Comments »

Patriots sign coveted UDFA Mark Harrison

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
Mark Harrison NFL Draft

Mark Harrison is the newest member of the Patriots from Greg Schiano’s 2009 recruiting class at Rutgers.

NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko

You can never have too many Rutgers players seems to be the theme of this off-season in Foxboro. Just when it looked like the Patriots were done adding former Scarlet Knights to the roster Bill Belichick strikes again, this time adding WR Mark Harrison to the roster. Harrison was a projected mid-round draft pick, but landed with the Patriots due to circumstances outside his control.

Let’s learn more about Mark Harrison the player.

(more…)

Tags: Mark Harrison, Patriots Draft Picks, UDFA
Posted in NFL Draft, Patriots | 8 Comments »

Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley: The Symbiotic Patriots Backfield

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

Why did Shane Vereen get passed on the depth chart by Brandon Bolden? (Photo: US Presswire)

NEPD Staff Writer: Oliver Thomas

Alabama head football coach Nick Saban once said, “Everything that Bill Belichick does has some purpose.”

That was precisely the case when the New England Patriots selected California running back Shane Vereen at pick 56, then Louisiana State running back Stevan Ridley at pick 73 of the 2011 NFL draft.

Two years later, we now know that double-dipping at halfback was not a redundant move for New England. Both men have served a purpose. Yet thus far, one has gotten more opportunities than the other. That man has been Ridley.

(more…)

Tags: Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley
Posted in NFL Draft | 12 Comments »

Film Room: Josh Boyce vs. Boise St. (2011)

Sunday, May 12th, 2013

Josh Boyce was a critical component of Texas Christian’s 2011 upset of Boise St. (Photo: US Presswire)

NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones

The new England Patriots spent their fourth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, #102 overall, on Texas Christian wide receiver Josh Boyce. After the jump, take a look at some film cutups of Boyce in action against Boise St. during 2011, his sophomore season.

(more…)

Tags: 2013 NFL Draft, Film, Josh Boyce, New England Patriots, NFL
Posted in College Football, NFL, NFL Draft, Patriots | 3 Comments »

Previewing New England’s 2014 NFL Draft Needs: Defense

Friday, May 10th, 2013

It will be interesting to see how New England plans to employ Armond Armstead in 2013. (Photo: US Presswire)

NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones

On Sunday morning, we took a look at New England’s potential 2014 NFL Draft needs on the offensive side of the ball, which you can read here; today, we’ll consider some of their possible areas of weakness on the defensive side of the ball, taking into account as diverse a range of possibilities as possible, including potential free agent losses, 2014 salary cap hits/savings, and player performance.

(more…)

Tags: 2014 NFL Draft, New England Patriots, NFL
Posted in NFL, NFL Draft, Patriots | 8 Comments »

Report: Felix Jones Visiting with the Patriots

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

NEPD Staff Writer: Tony Santorsa

The New England Patriots might have Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden, LeGarrette Blount and Leon Washington to make up their running back corps—but you can always improve.

The way that I look at it: You can never have enough running backs.

(more…)

Tags: Felix Jones, Free Agency, Julian Edelman, LaVelle Hawkins
Posted in NFL Draft | 4 Comments »

Patriots Off-season: Where Do We Go From Here?

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

Tom Brady is the elder statesmen of an otherwise youthful Patriots team. (Photo: US Presswire)

NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko

Now that the NFL Draft and the majority of the free agent signing period has passed, the Patriots 2013 roster is starting to take shape. A clearer picture of the roster is beginning to take shape, although this roster is far from a finished product. There is still almost three months until the start of camp and plenty of time to add more pieces to the roster.

Where can the Patriots afford to add more help? What positions still need some depth? What moves could the Patriots still make?

I examine what types of moves might be made between now and the start of training camp.

(more…)

Tags: 2013 NFL Draft, John Abraham, Tom Brady
Posted in NFL Draft, Patriots | 25 Comments »

« Older Entries

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    • Recent Posts

    Projecting New England’s Opening-Day Wide Receiver Depth Chart

    Patriots Off-Season: Monitoring the Progress of Brandon Spikes

    Patriots sign coveted UDFA Mark Harrison

    The Five Most Intriguing Veteran Players in 2013

    Report: Rob Gronkowski May Need Back Surgery

    Major 2012 Contributors on the Roster Bubble in 2013

    Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley: The Symbiotic Patriots Backfield

    Patriots Sign Veteran Guard Tyronne Green

    Bill Belichick’s Affinity for Greg Schiano, Rutgers Should Be Questioned

    Film Room: Josh Boyce vs. Boise St. (2011)

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