New England Patriots news and notes

Draft Day decision makers: New England Patriots

So we know that Head Coach Bill Belichick has the final say on all personnel matters. 2009 was the first draft in the Patriots post Scott Pioli era, and Belichick now relies heavily on Director of Player Personnel Nick Ceserio, and football advisor Floyd Reese. For the most part, they are the main brain trust for this team on draft day. One important thing to remember here is Belichick does not keep a full draft board; he only ranks the players he feels can fit his system, and then selects them when the Patriots get on the clock.

What should the New England Patriots do with their first round draft pick?

There seems to be little doubt that the New England Patriots will use the 22nd overall pick in the 2010 draft to address their needs either at DE or OLB. This pick, if the Patriots choose to use it, will definitely be made to add a big time piece to their front seven.

What are New England Patriots team needs heading into 2010?

There seems little doubt the New England Patriots have to fix the defensive front seven. They need depth at the NT position, they need t o find a replacement for Richard Seymour, and they need to fix a pass rush, and improve the run defense.

2009 NFL season in review: New England Patriots

A 10-6 record and Wild Card Playoff birth would be enough to satisfy most NFL fans, in most NFL cities. However, for the New England Patriots and their fans it is somewhat of an under achievement. This is a great football team in almost every way, and the bar for them has been set very high. Sure they won their division, but a first round elimination at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens isn’t good, and given the fact that they lost that game 33-14 suggests that there is some work to do on this roster.

ESPN’s obvious conflict of interest

I am sure most of you have heard about ESPN launching it new regionally focused family of websites. ESPNchicago.com went live a few months ago and earlier this month ESPNboston.com has gone live. Now ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that ESPN has hired the Kraft Sports Group to sell local advertising for the Boston site. The problem with hat is the Kraft Sports Group is owned by the Robert Kraft who also happens to own the New England Patriots.

Tom Brady passes important hurdle

The history books will right this one up and a meaningless 7-6 pre-season loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, but New England Patriots QB Tom Brady this was the game where he passed a very important hurdle. In this game Brady’s surgically repaired knee was finally put to the test.

Tom Brady is back

Tom Brady has been out of action since the first regular season game of the 2008 season. In that 2008 game Brady tore ligaments in his knee and was forced to sit out the remainder of the 2008 NFL season. Last night we saw Brady for the first time in nearly a year, and it looks like he never left.