Is DJ Hayden worth the risk for the Patriots? (USA Today Sports Images)
NEPD Editor: James Christensen
The Patriots have a history of making risky picks in the NFL Draft. Are they primed to make some more “questionable decisions” during the 2013 NFL Draft?
Wiil he have to change his name to Ras-IR? (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Staff Writer: Dan Hope
The Patriots made a surprising decision when they selected Ras-I Dowling, a gifted but also inconsistent cornerback coming off of an injury-riddled season with the 33rd overall selection in the 2011 NFL draft.
His career with the Patriots has been a disappointment thus far, and for the second consecutive year, his season ended early when he was placed on injured reserve Friday, this time with a thigh injury.
Will we see more of Ras-I Dowling against the Seahawks? (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Staff Writer: Joon Lee
To ask questions for the weekly mailbag, follow me on Twitter @iamjoonlee and tweet me questions throughout the week!
Aaron Hernandez will be missed – but for how long? (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: James Christensen
Come back every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as I choose my five favorite New England Patriots and NFL Draft links to share. Feel free to submit your own links in the comments.
Can Ras-I Dowling and the Patriots secondary stop Larry Fitzgerald? (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Staff Writer: Matthew Jones
Entering the 2012 season, the Arizona Cardinals were considered a team in the midst of a downward spiral. Their division rivals were being lauded for improvements at key spots: San Francisco had upgraded their offense by signing Mario Manningham and Randy Moss at wide receiver, Seattle had added not one but two potential starting quarterbacks in Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson, and the St. Louis Rams had begun a complete organizational overhaul under highly-regarded head coach Jeff Fisher, who brought in talent at wide receiver (Brian Quick), along the offensive line (center Scott Wells), and especially on defense (tackles Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford, cornerbacks Cortland Finnegan, Janoris Jenkins, and Trumaine Johnson.)
However, the Cardinals are tied for first in the division after a 20-16 week one victory over the more highly-touted Seattle Seahawks in which Arizona made a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback behind second-string quarterback Kevin Kolb.
How much of a threat do they pose to a New England team coming off of a dominant 34-13 victory at the Tennessee Titans?
UDFA Marcus Forston was a force to be reckoned with Thursday night in Foxboro. (Credit: USPresswire)
NEPD Editor: Doug Kyed
I’ve been waiting six months to be able to write this column again and let me tell you, it was a joy to watch a Patriots game again.
Even though it was a lowly preseason game, I’ve watched every snap three or four times now and I feel like I’ve fully dissected the action. There were good and bad things to take away from the 7-6 win, but today I’ll concentrate on all the good things.
My six keys to victory after the jump.
How did Ras-I Dowling perform in his first game back from injury? (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko
For those of you that are fans of our NCAA film room reports, I will be breaking down the Patriots during their four pre-season games. These reports consist of a stream of constant observations, both good and bad, of what players did during the game.
These posts will give readers an idea who stood out and who struggled after reviewing the game film.
Profiling New England’s Potential Offensive Line Reserves in 2013
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
