Patriots Trade Down: Draft Defense Early

It was funny watching the talking heads and reading blowhards talking about the Patriots trading into the top ten to get talent for a lot of money, and might be good NFL players, but overpaid ones. The most ridiculous I saw was the idea the Patriots would trade up to get the pot head and head case Percy Harvin of Florida, a headache we don’t need. Another was the idea of picking up Michael Crabtree. But for top ten money? Not for us.

Now, picking up Tyson Jackson, DE from LSU maybe.

But, Bill B and his brain trust, minus Scott Pioli traded down for more picks, future picks and went for defensive backs.

So far I love what the Patriots have done in the draft. It is too bad that we are still struggling to shore up the defensive backfield, but that is life.

In the second round we’ve now picked up Patrick Chung, the tough little safety from Oregon. I love the kid. I think he has a much better attitude and football smarts than Brandon Merriweather, who I think, if not a bust, a bit disappointing.

We picked up a back-up and maybe future starter at nose tackle with the OTHER defensive tackle from Boston College in Ron Brace.

And I love the pick of cornerback Darius Butler from Connecticut.

There will be a lot of competition in the defensive backfield next year with all these young defensive backs.

Eventually, I hope one will emerge as another top flight defender in the pass happy NFL.

Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez: Two New Rookie Starters in 2009

Last year Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco had great seasons as rookie starters in the NFL.  I was pretty high on both of these quarterbacks coming out of college, especially Ryan who I saw more of watching ACC football.

Both Stafford and Sanchez will no dobut be starters for their teams given the quarterback situation on both clubs. 

I don’t think that either Stafford or Sanchez have the same chance to be a success.  All things being equal I like both Ryan and Flacco better as NFL quarterbacks.  Stafford goes to sorry team, although he should have Calvin Johnson to throw the ball to.  That does not bode well for a rookie starter.  Sanchez goes to a team with better skill around him, but I am not convinced he is ready to step in and be more than an average NFL starter, or worse.

It will be interesting to see if they can duplicate the success of Ryan and Flacco.  My money is against it.

Brian Orakpo, DE Texas Taken By Redskins: What A Steal

No wonder the Redskins took no time to pick up Orakpo.  That he was still available at the 13th pick amazes me.  Great pick.  I guess Jason Campbell can rest easy now.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, MD: Bad Choice in the Top Ten

Heyward-Bey is a perfect choice for the sorry Raiders.  Al Davis loves speedy recievers.  But Heyward-Bey has questionable pro football skills outside his speed.  This is way to high to take this player.  I’m looking, at best, at a James Jett type career.

Those [Expletives Deleted] Jets and Chiefs

Well, I am not too surprised the Jets traded up to get Mark Sanchez.  They desperately need a QB. 

And it’s not too surprising that the Scott Pioli, um, I mean the Chiefs, took DE Tyson Jackson from LSU that word on the street indicated the Patriots might move up and pick. Pioli and Belichick are two peas in a pod.