I recently participated in a Q&A with the Patriots Foxboro Blog that should be posted on their site shortly. Having taken the time to answer some of their questions, it prompted me to ask them to return the favor for eveyone hear at Buffalowins. Ricky Keller from the site was gracious enough to take the time to answer my questions:
1. Entering the NFL Draft with 3 of the top 33 picks, how would you rate the outcome?
I give the Patriots a B+ in the Draft. I thought they made some picks to help their team now and in the future, especially taking Nate Solder in the first round. I’ll admit it was upsetting to see them trade away the 28th pick when they had the chance to get a sure fire playmaker in Mark Ingram. They did not get a pass rusher in the first round, or in any round for that matter. But, with the offensive line potentially losing 3/5 of what they had in 2010, they made a smart pick getting a big lineman in Solder who can either start right away or can learn from one of the best left tackles out there in Matt Light. The pick of Cannon was a steal and I think they got some okay playmakers offensively for the next couple of years.
2. What role do you expect Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley to play in the offense in the short-term?
In the short-term, I like Shane Vereen more than I like Stevan Ridley. The reason for this is that Vereen is a multi-purpose running back. He can run the ball with both speed and a little power as well as catch out of the backfield. He is not a Ryan Williams, Mikel LeShoure, or Mark Ingram, but he can definitely contribute to a championship caliber team at the next level. I am not a fan of Ridley. In fact, that pick puzzled me the most because they had just taken a running back a few picks before. Ridley didn’t stick out to me during his time at LSU. Honestly, he reminds me of another Danny Woodhead and we don’t need two Woddheads. I would put the depth chart at Green-Ellis, Woodhead, Vereen, and then Ridley.
3. How quickly do you think Marcus Cannon can make an impact and will he end up being the steal of the draft for the Patriots?
If Marcus Cannon can beat Non-Hodgkins-Lymphoma and we all pray for him each and every day, he will be the steal of the draft for this Patriots’ team. If not for the devastating circumstances Cannon has to face, he would have been a first-second round pick. With Logan Mankins gone in the next year or two, Cannon and Solder could form a solid left side of the offensive line for the next few years. With all the young players, we will tend to focus attention on Sebastian Vollmer who might have to become the veteran leader on that young line with Neal, Mankins, and Light all potentially gone and with Nick Kaczur’s injury history.
4. What was your reaction to selecting Ryan Mallett?
My gut reaction was that I was stunned looking at the text that said New England took Ryan Mallett. He was a guy who I thought would actually go sooner to the Miami Dolphins because of the talent that he has on the field. If that talent can translate to the NFL, Mallett can do well in New England under Tom Brady the way Aaron Rodgers did under Brett Favre. I love the kid’s arm strength and he can throw downfield. What concerns me about Mallett is he did not play well in big games, whether it was the collapse against Alabama or the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State. Going in the third round was humbling for Mallett and under Belichick, he will get time to hone his craft, but Brady does want to play ten more years. Maybe, Mallett will be good trade bait like Kevin Kolb is right now, so that could also be a great reason for this pick in the long run.
5. Once the CBA is in place, do you expect the Patriots to be on the market to upgrade any particular position(s)?
I expect the Patriots to look at some pass rushing options at outside linebacker, whether it be a big playmaker like a Lamar Woodley or a Tamba Hali, but a more realistic option my fellow Foxboro Blog writer Stephen threw out to me was Manny Lawson of the 49ers and that would be a nice system signing. But, I think wide receiver is a huge need for the Pats. When Randy Moss was traded, it helped the team in the locker room, but they lost that stretch the field, make 40 yard receptions kind of player. My ideal fits for that would be Chad Johnson, Steve Smith (via trade), and in a last resort option, Plaxico Burress. The reason I make Burress a last option is because he makes plays down the field and will be extremely motivated out of prison to prove he can still play in the NFL, similar to Michael Vick. He will get a second chance somewhere and we already see the Eagles want him, so I would not surprised if New England gave him a look if everything else falls through.
6. What was your reaction to the draft classes around the division?
I thought your Bills had a nice draft with the pick of Marcell Dareus to their defensive line. They will be strong up front and are definitely on the rise once they get their franchise quarterback. The Miami Dolphins had a decent draft, but they did not get a quarterback either. I do like their pick of Mike Pouncey to their offensive line and they got some speedy players like RB Daniel Thomas and WR Edmund Gates later in the draft. The Jets had a nice draft and its tough for me to say that as a Patriots’ fan in New York. They got Muhammad Wilkerson, who is a nice fit on their defensive line, Bllal Powell, who can be a nice complementary running back to Shonn Greene, and Kendrick Ellis, who will also help that defensive line. Rex’s defense just got a whole lot better, but we will know more about the Jets once free agency begins.
7. With the lockout still looming over our heads, how do you expect it to affect the on the field product early in the season, if at all?
I do not think the lockout will have a bad effect on the teams that don’t have as many rookies in prominent roles because the veterans know how to keep themselves in shape for the regular season. It does concern me that Tom Brady and Wes Welker have not found time to work out together, but I love that Jerod Mayo is leading workouts at Foxboro during the lockout. It is a huge step in his development as the leader of this defense. New England will have basically the same defense as last year, so I don’t expect them to be affected in a negative way. If a team needs a rookie to make an impact right away, the lockout will hurt them due to the lack of reps they would get with their team.
8. What are some of the burning questions you are going to address about the Patriots in the coming summer months that Bills fans will want to make sure to check in on?
Well, my partners at Foxboro Blog have done such a great job looking at this Patriots’ post-draft. Stephen is working on the state of the Patriots from each position on the football team. Jason has some comedic rumblings about the NFL news of the week, Derek has done some awesome pieces on Drew Bledsoe and Tedy Bruschi and we have a new partner named Jake, who will help us with articles as well. As for me, in the next few weeks, I will be doing Q+A’s with other NFL blogs and teams who the Patriots will play this season. An article I might do in the coming weeks is looking at Randy Moss, Plaxico Burress, and Chad Johnson, and deciding which cheap soon to be free agent would be the best fit for the Pats. Plus, we do round tables each week on the hot topics of the Patriots, so keep an eye out for our opinions!
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