This blog has been running for over a year and a half, and I’ve only had two other writers write for this blog, both of whom are no longer contributing. That being said, if you want to write for the blog, shoot me an email at patriotsblog@aol.com. All I need is a quick blurb about yourself and any writing experience you have. As well as a writing sample about the Patriots. This could range from a short paragraph to a full article. The best thing is, if you’re accepted, there are no obligations. You can write as much as you want, or as little as you want, it’s all up to you. ”Write” now (haha, get it?), we’re looking for: General Writers| Someone who can provide daily links | Game Recaps (for during the season) | Pro and/or college “scouts”
Patriotsblog.net Needs More Writers!
March 31, 2008
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2008, PatsBlog | 
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Posted by Greg
Rumors Confirmed: McFadden Will Visit
March 31, 2008A couple of days ago, I posted a rumor that Darren McFadden was scheduled to visit Gillette stadium this April.
According to McFdadden’s agent, Darren will visit the team early next month.
Clearly, the Patriots believe that McFadden may fall to them, and they want to see what he could bring to the team if he is available at number seven.
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2008, Draft 08, General / Analysis, Offseason, Reports, Rumors | 
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Posted by Greg
Rumor: McFadden to Visit Patriots?
March 28, 2008 
This rumor doesn’t have much of a backbone, but I thought I’d throw it out there anyways. According to sources, the Patriots are planning a pre-draft visit with Darren McFadden.
I couldn’t find anything reliable to support this, but there are some sources saying it. Also, consider this: prior to Maroney’s breakout at the end of last year, the Patriots were strongly considering drafting McFadden. I think that McFadden will either end up with the Raiders at number four, the Jets at number six, or… he could fall to us at number seven.
Would the Patriots draft McFadden if he fell to them? That remains to be seen. The Patriots (as shown by their scouting records) have at least some interest in McFadden, and a visit would prove that the interest is legitimate.
However, would McFadden fit into what the Patriots are doing? Honestly, I’m not sure. He has a similar style to Maroney. Both are fast, explosive through the hole, have big frames and can break tackles, are great in pass protection, are elusive, etc. However, the Patriots could keep Tom Brady’s arm rested, while keeping the backs rested as well. Also, Maroney has been oft-injured his first two years, so maybe McFadden does make sense.
One more thing to consider. If the Jets were on the clock at number six, and it looked like the Patriots might take McFadden at seven, a team might want to trade up with the Jets to acquire McFadden. This could allow the Patriots to swoop in and take Gholston, assuming he was still available.
Right now, this is all speculation and rumor. Things will begin to clear up during the next few weeks.
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2008, Draft 08, General / Analysis, Offseason, Reports, Rumors | 
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Posted by Greg
Patriots Schedule Workouts With Rivers, Others
March 28, 2008One of the largest barometers of a team’s interest in a prospect are the pre-draft visits the team holds. For example, in 2006, the Patriots hosted Laurence Maroney, and in 2007, Meriweather. However, the team can also use the visits to further evaluate players with injuries, like Michael Bush last year. A team can schedule up to 30 visits before the draft.
As of the last few days, the Patriots have started making arrangements to fly players down. Mike Reiss reports:
The Patriots are scheduled to host Southern California linebacker Keith Rivers on a pre-draft visit at Gillette Stadium. Rivers, who is expected to be picked in the first round, is set to come to town in the second week of April.
The Patriots are also scheduled to host Virginia Tech CB Brandon Flowers, Iowa DB Charles Godfrey, USC CB Terrell Thomas and Georgia Tech DE/LB Darrell Robertson.
Brandon Flowers, Charles Godfrey, and Terrell Thomas are all cornerbacks that could go at 62 or 69. While Godfrey and Flowers are players with a lot of talent and potential, Terrell Thomas is a guy I really like. He has size at six one, and can play a physical game at the line.
I am also intrigued that we’re looking at Keith Rivers. If he was around at 13, and Ryan was around at seven, could we see a possible trade with the Panthers? I recently analyzed Keith Rivers, so take a look at that post for more.
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Posted by Greg
2008 Patriots NFL Mock Draft Version 3
March 26, 2008I haven’t done a mock draft in a long time, so I thought I’d give it a shot again. It’s kind of hard to do, because you don’t know who’s going to be aroud, but this is what I’ve got:
Round 1, Pick 7: Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
If Gholston is available, I think he’ll be the pick. Gholston is exactly what the Patriots need on the outside. He can fill the pass rushing void left by Rosey Colvin, but he also provides strength and speed (4.5 40!), he can get off the edge, shed blocks, and make big hits. I think the big thing is that he can easily transition from DE to OLB in the Pats’ 3-4 system. There are a lot of other guys that I think would be great fits, but they may be too much of a stretch at this point.
Other options: Aqib Talib, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Derrick Harvey, Keith Rivers
Round 2, Pick 62: Curtis Lofton, ILB, Oklahoma
The key word with Lofton is INSIDE linebacker. Lofton is accustomed to the 3-4, and would make a great addition on the indside. He is strong, has good instincts, can shed blocks, and might just be an ideal fit. And don’t give me the old: “Belichick doesn’t draft linebackers early!” Although it hasn’t happened, it doesn’t mean it won’t. Belichick has been privately working out a lot of linebacker prospects, and Lofton would make a lot of sense if he is around here. If he’s not, J Leman is another option.
Round 3, Pick 69: Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
Orginally, I had the Pats selecting Ray Rice here. And even if he was around, we need a cornerback desperately. Thomas is big at 6′1″, he is fast, and has good hands. If Thomas is around here, he would be perfect. I think he would be starting by the end of the season.
Round 3, Pick 95: Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech
As shown by the outcome of the Super Bowl, one of the Patriots big weaknesses is right tackle. Brown might not be around, he might not be the best answer, but he could compete to start his rookie year, and with his size and strength, would be able to be a starter down the road.
6 Comments | 2008, Draft 08, General / Analysis | Permalink
Posted by Greg
Patriots Draft Prospects: Keith Rivers
March 25, 2008Keith Rivers, Linebacker, USC
6′2″, 240 lbs, Senior, 4.6
Strengths: Versatility. In the Senior Bowl, Keith Rivers was able to play three linebacker positions. Rivers’ versatility should allow him to move to insider linebacker in the 3-4, should he be drafted by a 3-4 team. He is also very althletic. He ran a great 40, can get sideline to sideline, make great plays in pursuit, and is good in coverage. Rivers is also good off the blitz, and is aggressive player who has the ability to make big hits.
Weaknesses: Although Rivers doesn’t have much downside, he sometimes gets too hasty and out of control. Sometimes, he prefers to make a Rodney Harrison hit (goes for the knockout rather than the form tackle), than doing form tackling. His other weakness is strength. If he were to add a few pounds of strength, he would be much better at shedding blocks and playing a complete physical game.
Role: Simply stated, the Patriots need linebacker depth, and Rivers could provide that. Although he would project as an inside linebacker in the 3-4, his quickness and versatility could allow him to play all over the field. If he added some weight, Rivers could be a fixture on the Patriots defense for the next 10 years.
What the experts say: D.J. Boyer, Football.com
I didn’t have Rivers at the top of my linebacker charts at the beginning of the year but he has worked his way up there even though he statistically didn’t have as good of a season in 2007 as he did in 2006. A natural leader who shows flashes of brilliance and reads and reacts to plays better than any other linebacker in this class. Looks like Rivers has the frame to bulk up and add weight without affecting his speed. Seems to explode through ball carriers and is one of the better linebackers in pass coverage that is available. Has the range to play on the outside or in the middle and the team that takes him will likely try him at both positions. Has dropped some weight at USC was a little heavier when his playing days began and actually saw time as a pass rushing defensive end as a freshman. Played through nagging ankle injuries all season so toughness shouldn’t be questioned.
Videos:
2 Comments | 2008, Draft 08, General / Analysis | Permalink
Posted by Greg
Pats Not After Pacman
March 25, 2008According to various sources, the Patriots will not pursue Titans cornerback Pacman Jones.
This comes admist reports that the Pats had some level of interest in Jones, and that Jones wanted to be a Patriot.
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Posted by Greg
Patriots Likely to Sign Fernando Bryant
March 20, 2008When Fernando Bryant was released a month ago by the Lions, I was wondering if the Patriots would take a look at him.
Well apparently, they have. Bryant visited with the team today, and is expected to sign a contract with the Patriots.
UPDATE: According to profootballtalk.com, the deal is signed, and will be a one year deal.
This siging will certainly qualify as the biggest of NE’s offseason. At 5′11″, Bryant, a nine year veteran, will have the easiest path to being a starter next year. He has some speed, with good cover skills, and can support the run. Last year, Bryant had 69 tackles with two interceptions with the Lions.
The Patriots have made five signings this offseason, four of which have been in the defensive backfield.
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Posted by Greg
A Look At Free Agency 2008
March 19, 2008The 2008 free agency period has been nothing what 2007 was like. The Patriots have scheduled few visits, made only a few moves, and haven’t pursued any big name free agents.
Still, the team has made some moves, including the signings of three defensive backs, Tank Williams, Jason Webster, and Lewis Sanders as well as wide receiver Sam Aiken.
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Tank Williams
Tank Williams has played safety his entire career. He most recently played for the Vikings. Last year, he didn’t do much, but I think he could be a good fit for our system. Williams is simply a hard hitter. He isn’t too good in pass coverage, but he can be helpful in run support. I would expect him to be part of the safety rotation, with Harrison, Sanders, and Meriweather. The Patriots could potentially run a package of Meriweather (better in coverage), Harrison or Sanders, and Williams. Williams could be used as a blitzing safety, or he could cheat up and play linebacker. Remember Matt Stevens? I think Williams could have a role similar to him.
Jason Webster
Webster is a true wildcard. Last year, with the Bills, Webster was injured for just about the entire season, even though he was projected to be a starter. If he can get past his injuries, Webster could be a potential starter or nickel back. Webster has speed and cover skills, although he lacks size. Webster’s future with the team relies 100% on his training camp performance. If he’s healthy, plays well, and learns the system, he could be a starter, or at least a backup. If he’s still hurting, and/or struggles, he could be out of town before September.
Lewis Sanders
Lewis Sanders has one thing that no other corner on the Patriots roster has: size. Sanders has been injured, but was healthy for just about all of last season. Sanders is a good tackler, decent in man coverage, and as I said before, has size. He is also an exceptional special teams player. He could play his way into a starting position, but I would expect him to be more of a role defender, and a full time special teams player.
Sam Aiken
Sam Aiken certainly wasn’t signed to take over Donte Stallworth’s role, but he was signed to contribute on special teams. Aiken is a special teams ace, and can also play some receiver (although I wouldn’t expect him to take on that role with the Patriots.) I would expect him to make the team.
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Although the Patriots haven’t signed any big name guys, they have taken a look at one, and another look at an interesting prospect.
Adam Seward
Seward has played in the Carolina’s 4-3 defense as a backup and special teams player since being drafted in 2005. However, at UNLV, he gained a lot of experience in the 3-4. He is a restricted free agent, and the Patriots would have to give up a fifth round pick if they signed him to an offer sheet (and the Panthers didn’t match). I think that the Patriots will, and should sign Seward to an offer sheet. It would be low risk, and could be high reward, as Seward could develop into a star in the Patriots 3-4 system.
Ty Law
Ty Law has been mentioned multiple times on this sight. Simply stated, he wants to be a Patriot. He and Belichick have had discussions, and there is a possibility a deal could get done. If signed, Law would likely begin to transition to free safety, although he would still see a lot of time at corner. The obvious sticking point will be money.
Pacman Jones
According to sources, the Patriots are one of five teams interested in the services of Pacman Jones. Is he what we need? Yes. Is he what we want? Probably not. People say that the Patriots have had a tendency of bringing in “bad” players, and turning them around. But that’s simply not true. Randy Moss and Corey Dillon never had legal issues like Pacman, they were both disgruntled from losing. There’s a big difference. If the Patriots could get Pacman for a sixth or seventh round pick, I say go for it. If the Titans want more, it’s simply not worth the risk.
Hank Poteat
The Patriots have had preliminary discussions with cornerback Hank Poteat. We all know what Poteat can provide. But has he lost a step? Still, I’d like to bring him into free agency and give him a shot.
8 Comments | 2008, General / Analysis, Offseason, Transactions | Permalink
Posted by Greg
Troy Brown Visits With Jets
March 18, 2008According to ESPN.com, Troy Brown is visiting with the New York Jets today. This comes less than a week after the Patriots didn’t see Brown in their plans going forward.
Football gods, don’t let this happen. In my heart I just want Troy Brown to return, but I’m pretty sure it won’t happen. Troy was meant to retire a Patriot, they can’t let him go now. I don’t care whether or not the Jets actually want him, the Patriots need to make a move to get him before he signs with them.
The problem is, Troy still wants to play, but the Pats aren’t letting him. I figured that with Stallworth gone, Troy had a chance to make the roster… I just could never imagine Troy in another uniform, it would be too depressing.
This is probably the worst article I’ve ever written, but I don’t care. The only thing I want is for Troy to end his career where it started.
2 Comments | 2008, General / Analysis, Offseason, Reports, Rumors | Permalink
Posted by Greg
