NFL Network Adam Schefter reports that Kevin Jones and the Patriots met last week.
During his rookie year, Jones led the Lions with 1,133 rushing yards while scoring five touchdowns. But foot and knee injuries slowed him down during his next three seasons in Detroit and contributed to his release in March. Now, after four seasons in the NFL, Jones’ career is at something of a crossroads.
The speedy Jones, a first-round draft choice of the Lions in 2004, is recovering from a torn ACL. The Patriots had been high on Jones when he was coming out of Virginia Tech, and were prepared to scoop him up with the No. 32 overall selection in that draft, but the Lions swooped in with a trade and picked him at No. 31
Jones appears to be a couple of months away from recovering from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered late last season, but he is far enough along that the Patriots brought him in for a look.
I think that Kevin Jones would be a great add, giving depth and competetion to the RB position. If Jones can become something of what he was in his rookie year, itll be a big upgrade. While he wont threaten Maroney as a starter he would add competition to Morris and Faulk as backup, change of pace and/or third down back.
In 46 games at Nebraska, Ruud started 33 contests. He registered 216 tackles (117 solo) with 4 ½ sacks for minus-43 yards, 25 stops for losses of 84 yards and 16 quarterback pressures. He caused six fumbles and recovered two others, returning two for a total of 53 yards. He deflected 13 passes and intercepted five others for 208 yards in returns, including three touchdowns
Positives: Has a solid build and lean and defined upper- and lower-body muscles, broad chest and room to carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk to help his body mature at strong-side linebacker … Quick to key and diagnose the play and is active vs. the run, showing the functional strength to take on blockers and the hand usage to shed blocks … Uses his hands effectively to control and reroute tight ends and short-area receivers … Instinctive player with good vision and shows good tackling form, using his hands effectively to take on, shed blocks and make the play … Has a decent change of direction, showing a nice spring in his step and while not quick-twitched, he does have enough of a lateral flow to the ball … Opens his hips properly and is fluid in his pass drops, staying low in his turn-and-go action … Doesn’t always play with leverage to contain vs. plays directed at him, but has enough chase speed to pursue plays away from his territory, as he can sift through trash quickly … Shows the initial first step as a blitzer to generate decent backside pursuit, but needs to improve his strength to be more effective with his inside gap responsibilities … Stays close to the tight end and runs with acceleration in man coverage … Not a natural mover in pass coverage with sudden change-of-direction agility, but can plant and drive cleanly in transition and close on plays in front of him … His vision and awareness let him get a good jump on the ball and he does a decent job breaking down in space … Takes good angles shortening his path to the ballcarrier and while he might bite the runner’s ankles at times, he has the hand strength to hold on until help arrives … Has good hip snap and arm extension, timing his leaps well to compete for jump balls … Catches the ball cleanly and runs with a good stride on interception returns … More of a blitzer than a pass rusher, but does have a nice spin move to slip off blocks.
Negatives: Has good straight-line quickness, but struggles to redirect, showing some hip stiffness when attempting to change direction … Will lose leverage on inside run plays when he leads with the wrong shoulder … His lack of bulk causes him to get engulfed by the larger blockers and while he needs to add more weight, it could impact his timed speed … Needs to use his hands better when attempting to chase and drag down the ballcarriers (can grab, but lacks the strength to jerk to the ground, needing help to complete the play) … Good wrap-up tackler, but needs to play under control more, as he tends to over pursue … Gets a little out of control in his backside pursuit, causing him to miss some tackles behind the line of scrimmage … Moves well when covering, but needs to show better sideline range, as he has a tough time weeding through traffic … Can control the tight end and mirror his moves in the short area, but was rarely asked to drop back in zone coverage until shifting to the strong-side as a senior … Flashes a good spin move, but his swim moves are negated by his short-arm approach (needs to extend his arms better to stave off blockers trying to latch on to his jersey) … Has good speed to mirror short-area receivers, but is sluggish redirecting and lacks the second gear to trail on deep routes.. Might still be nursing a knee injury he suffered late in the year.
Son of Jackie Slater, tremendous special teams player who was rising up draft boards
Mike Reiss:
The selection of jack-of-all-trades Matt Slater of UCLA in the fifth round — following a trade up the board — was reflective of the value the Patriots place on special teams.
While Slater has experience at safety and receiver, he made his mark in college on special teams. He had three touchdowns on kickoff returns last year, setting a single-season UCLA record. So this is a choice that will make special teams coach Brad Seely happy.
The Patriots obviously had strong feelings for Slater, as they traded fifth-round and seventh-round selections to move up the board. It’s an interesting move considering Slater’s primary value figures to come on special teams, and not on offense or defense.
The Patriots’ coverage units were statistically solid last year — ranking second in the NFL in punt coverage and 11th in kickoff coverage. Their return units were also solid — fourth on kickoffs, and 11th on punts.
The team’s continued focus in this area could be connected to the Jets and Dolphins employing a similar style of special teams play — with big, physical players. In a division that appears to be getting better, special teams could take on added importance
Strengths: Good athleticism…Great speed and quickness…Excellent feet…He has fluid hips to turn and run in coverage…Pretty tough and physical..Has good body control…Very aggressive with a terrific motor…Has a lot of experience against elite competition.
Weaknesses: Average height and bulk…Poor awareness…Lacks a burst to close..Sub par hands and ball skills…Doesn’t make many big plays…Not a great tackler…Work ethic has been questioned..Needs technique work…Has durability issues…Upside is limited.
Notes: Transfer from Butler County Junior College…A three-year starter in the SEC…Was overshadowed by David Irons and Patrick Lee during his college career but he’s a fine pro prospect in his own right…He probably profiles as more of a nickel or dime type at the next level…Underrated player who could be a nice late round surprise.
Surprising pick but a solid future pick. Will compete for the back up position.
NFL Network was saying that the could either groom him for five years down the road or show case him in the preseason, get teams attention and work a trade ala Matt Hasselbeck.
Mel Kiper said that some teams have him as high as a first round pick.
Most teams had him in the second tier of QBs
I think it was a smart move by the Pats.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225 | 40-Time: 4.61
Strengths: Has excellent size and a big frame…Terrific athleticism…Great timed speed…Arm is strong enough to make all the throws..Nice touch and timing..Is mobile enough to buy time in the pocket and make plays with his feet…Can throw on the run…Hard worker…Very competitive…Team leader…A lot of experience…Has a ton of upside.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent with his accuracy..Mechanics need some refinement..Struggles under pressure and makes poor decisions…Does not read defenses well..Still raw and is probably a better athlete than quarterback…Could have some durability concerns.
Notes: Was essentially a four-year starter…Missed time with a thumb injury that required surgery in ‘06..Has everything you look for in terms of physical tools as well as top intangibles…An extremely intriguing prospect with the talent to eventually start at the next level..Not a finished product and will require some patience but you have to love his potential..Appears to be the quintessential developmental signal caller.
Big and Fast will compete with fellow Michigan Wolverine Hobson at OLB and be a solid special teams player.
6-47/8
245
4.64
Strengths: Has excellent size and a big frame with long arms…Very athletic…Fantastic timed speed…Nice quickness and agility…Strong and powerful…Terrific pass rusher and blitzer…Makes a lot of plays behind the line…Offers some versatility…He does an adequate job in coverage…Still improving and has upside…Had a big senior year.
Weaknesses: Does not have a great motor…Work ethic has been questioned…Intelligence may be a concern…Slow to read and react…Needs to play with better leverage…Was only a starter for two seasons…Sub par ball skills…Pass rush repertoire is limited.
Notes: Was a highly-regarded recruit coming out of the prep ranks…He could project to a 4-3 (SAM) or 3-4 scheme…A real interesting prospect with a unique set of physical tools…Presents a rare combination of production and triangle numbers…Talented but may need to be pushed in order to fulfill his potential…May have played out of position in college…His best fit might be a pass rushing outside linebacker in a 34.
Wierd pick. I had a lot more CBs on the board ahead of him but of course we always defer to the Pats front office.
CBs I had ahead: Justin King Penn State, Charles Godfrey Iowa, Tyvon Branch Uconn, Terrell THomas USC, Dejaun Tribble BC to name a few.
Terrence Wheatley CB Colorado
Strengths: Very fast with good quickness and a burst to close…A fantastic athlete with great agility…Smooth with fluid hips…Playmaker with good hands and ball skills…Smart with good instincts…Physical and always plays hard…Has special teams potential.
Weaknesses: Does not have the ideal size or bulk that you’d prefer…Needs to get stronger…A marginal tackler…He’ll struggle when matched up against big pro wideouts…Has some pretty serious durability and health concerns…May not have a lot of upside.
Notes: His father, Randolph, ran track at Arizona State…He was plagued by a wrist injury that required multiple surgeries early in his career…Probably profiles as more of a nickel or dime guy at the pro level…Good cover guy with solid intangibles who will be held back by his size…Will enjoy a nice career as a backup and special teamer.
I really like the Pick. Plugs a need for us. Top ILB on board.
Mayo can play anywhere. Inside or Outside.
Led SEC in tackles
6′1 242 Lbs
140 tackles this season
8 games of 10 tackles plus in 2007
Smart player
Great character
2007 All Sec
Ran 4.5 40 dash
NFL Draftcountdown scouting report:
Strengths: Very athletic…Has excellent timed speed and quickness..Physical and plays bigger than he is…Has terrific range and does a great job in pursuit…Reliable tackler and will deliver the big hit…Smart with good awareness and instincts…Has a non-stop motor…Fluid & smooth in coverage…Versatile…Productive..Nice program pedigree.
Weaknesses: Undersized and doesn’t have either the ideal height or bulk that you look for..Has trouble taking on and shedding blockers…Needs to be protected up front…Just a marginal blitzer…Durability may be an issue…Probably not a good fit for everyone.
Notes: The next in a long line of top Volunteer linebackers…Can project inside or outside depending on the defensive scheme and has experience at both…Best fit may be as a middle ‘backer in a Cover 2 or on the weakside..Not a traditional thumper but he will prove awfully attractive to teams that are willing to sacrifice some size for
Today I will attempt to live blog during the nfl draft. My reactions, projections, anaylisis, links video ect.
If you leave your comments and or questions Ill publish them in the Live Blog
12:50- Start of the Live Blog.
Quick Rumors- St Louis will select Long, Falcons are decieding between Dorsey and Ryan, but leaning towards Ryan and Raiders are going to select Mcfadden
1:06 – Pro Football Talk rumors that the Colts have high intrest in former Pats LB Rosie Colvin, giving him a homecoming from when he sold beer in the stands.
ESPN Coverage of Draft: Patriots-
Chris Morentsen ” Pats definatly want to trade down and stock pile picks, theres a lot of possibities”
Merril Hodge ” They have options because they play both 3-4 and 4-3.”
1:41- NFL Network reports that the Ravens are working hard to move up into the number 2 spot to grab Matt Ryan
comment-I don’t think that the Rams are trading down that far- Brian Alexander
2:00- Raiders talking about moving from 4 to 10.
2:43- Ravens not moving up because Rams offer was too rich
v
