Each week leading up to the draft, the Foxboro Blog crew will spend a week breaking down a position on the Patriots' roster.  We'll start with a quick overview and then move onto a discussion involving potential draftees at that spot as well as free-agents that the Patriots may pursue.  Up this week are the quarterbacks...

2010 Recap:  Heading into 2010, there was some legitimate questions about whether Tom Brady still deserved to be ranked among the NFL's elite quarterbacks.  After setting the league on fire with his 2007 performance, Brady subsequently missed the 2008 season with a torn ACL, and then played below his usual high standard in 2009.  Considering that Drew Brees and Peyton Manning had dueled the Super Bowl that February, while Brady's Patriots fizzled out in the most lop-sided home playoff loss in team history, the doubters certainly had material to work with.  Adding to the uncertainty were the facts that Brady's top target, Wes Welker, was coming off of ACL surgery, his deep threat, Randy Moss, was sulking about his contract status, and that the Patriots squad in general was filled with first and second year players. 

So what did Brady do in light of all the haters and nay-sayers?  Well, first, he smashed up his Audi, then he walked into Robert Kraft's office and signed a contract that made him the hightest paid QB in the league, then he spent the next sixteen games destroying his opponents en route to an league MVP award during what can arguably be considered the best regular-season performance by a quarterback in history.  (Brady's only real competition for that distinction being himself in 2007.)

So, yeah, I guess you could say that 2010 was a pretty good year at quarterback for the New England Patriots. 

How do you see the Lockout affecting the Patriots' draft strategy?

Rick:  This question is interesting because this organization always likes to trade their draft picks. I could see Belichick trading some of these 2011 picks for picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. With the lack of an offseason training program, the Patriots will not have to assimilate as many players into their system. I was thinking they could make a big trade like a Steve Smith or someone of that caliber, but until the CBA is resolved ,there is no trades. Look for the Patriots to be aggressive the first two rounds in picking, but then trade picks on Day 3.

With Hard Knocks leaning towards taking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would you want the Patriots to ever take part in HBO's hit series?

Stephen:  I would love to see the Patriots on Hard Knocks. It's one of my favorite series, and it is the most in-depth look fans get at the everyday routine of the NFL offseason. It would be cool to see how these guys interact at training camp, how Bill Belichick is on the practice field and in the film room, and see the inner workings of the draft room and scouting processes.

Football bloggers from across the Bloguin Network will be particpating in the network's first NFL Mock Draft.  Today kicked off the start of the festivities with the Carolina Panthers selecting Auburn DT, Nick Fairley.  Every day for the next 31 days, a new selection will be revealed.  Foxboro Blog will be drafting on behalf of the Patriots for picks #17 and #28.  Click here to check out the mock draft and stop by each day to see the latest selection!

As the 2011 Draft approaches, we're checking in on the Patriots' AFC East rivals to see what's going on behind enemy lines.  Today we're talking to Matthew Stewart from Buffalo Wins.

1. What is the Bills' primary need in this draft? Who do you see them taking in the draft with that number three pick?

What isn't their primary need would probably be a shorter answer. All of the talk has been about a franchise quarterback, though their biggest needs are in the front seven defensively. Aaron Maybin has been referred to everything short of a bust by Chan Gailey now, and he might not even have a roster spot if we have a season this fall. Despite the defensive needs, the overwhelming majority of reports suggest that Nix and Gailey want Auburn QB Cam Newton at the three spot.

2. Each team is affected by the lockout in different ways. In what ways does that affect the Bills positively or negatively?

I think right now because of the limitations of player movement, its sort of worked to the Bills advantage. Buffalo has been a pretty conservative off-season team in recent years, and because the time table from which other teams have to work to build their clubs will be shortened, that will help Buffalo. It's also a thought that Nix doesn't like to trade much at the draft, and since trading players will not be allowed unless a deal is reached, that evens the playing field a bit as well.

For me, the NFL Draft is the most exciting part of the off-season. After months of watching film, conducting medical exams, interviewing and running 40-yard dashes, the day arrives when hundreds of prospects wait to hear their names called.

Every year there are prospects who fall, those who get picked higher than we thought and some who don’t get drafted at all.

As the only team with two first-round picks, the Patriots will be a key player in what should be an exciting three days.

With that said, here are my ten draft thoughts/predictions:

1. New England will move from both the No. 17 and No. 28 selections.

I fully expect Bill Belichick to follow his trend of getting value in the draft. With so many teams in search of quarterbacks, I see the Pats trading the No. 28 selection for future picks and possibly moving up from 17 to get an elite player.

2. Four quarterbacks go in first round

Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton are first-round locks. In fact, they might be gone by pick No. 5. However, with the Redskins, Vikings, Seahawks, 49ers and Cardinals all in need of a franchise QB, I think Christian Ponder and Jake Locker will get selected on day one. While Locker has accuracy issues, his athleticism and intangibles are off the charts. Ponder is experienced, intelligent and would be a good fit in a west coast offense.

3. Adrian Clayborn slips out of round one

The former Iowa Hawkeye had a monster junior season, racking up 63 tackles and 11 sacks, but dropped off considerably as a senior (52/4). Besides that, he is an average athlete and has an arm condition that limits his versatility. With a deep defensive line class, he may not hear his name called on day one.

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Everyone’s favorite NFL game is back and better than ever and its put the fans in charge of who gets the honor to be on the cover of Madden 12. This year, due to the bracket success of the NCAA Tournament, EA Sports has decided to do a 32 player bracket to determine the cover person with the fans voting on each matchup.

Each team was given one representative each, well unless you count Seattle’s 12th man as a player. With New England, you would think the nomination would be Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Vince Wilfork, or even Jerod Mayo. No, Danny Woodhead is on the bracket and as a 4 seed no less. This is an absolute stunner. Being a New Yorker, Woodhead has come a long way. Back in August, it was a question on whether he would make the New York Jets’ roster, but now he has become a key running back in the New England Patriots’ offensive scheme.

He has a great chance to make the third round. In the first round, he takes on Buffalo Bills WR Steve Johnson. Johnson was well known for the drop and the “thanking God” press conference last season, but still had a great season. The winner of that matchup would get either Giants WR Hakeem Nicks or Redskins LB Brian Orakpo, a winnable section for Woodhead until he has to go up against Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers in the third round.

To those asking why Tom Brady is never considered to be on the Madden Cover, especially after his MVP season, Brady has been on the cover for a NFL game before. Other than Backyard Football 2008, Brady was on the cover of 989 Sports’ NFL Gameday 2003. Maybe, if there is a Madden curse, we are better off with a figure like Woodhead viable for the cover than a well known star. I mean, nobody could even recognize Woodhead working at Modell’s in Massachsetts.

Now, if you want to play a role in helping Woodhead or even putting a friendly curse on Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez who is one of the five seeds, go to ESPN.com and cast your vote. Even if the NFL season starts late, at least we will still have Madden.

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After the Daniel Graham and Ben Watson experiments didn’t pan out, Bill Belichick went back to the drawing board last year. He brought in veteran Alge Crumpler, who emerged as a great run blocker and team leader. However, his best work came in the draft when he stole two first-round talents with second- and fourth-round picks.

Former Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski was a red-zone stud and played at a pro bowl level in the second half of the season.

And Aaron Hernandez, one of three Florida Gators selected in 2010, was a real matchup nightmare in the beginning of the season.
While I highly doubt the Pats address the tight end position in the draft, here are the top-five prospects in a weak tight end class:

1. Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame: Often compared to Todd Heap, Rudolph would remind many of Gronkowski. At 6-foot-6, 259 pounds, he is a big matchup problem for safeties and is fast enough to outrun most linebackers. While he has medical red flags because of a torn hamstring, he could be a steal in the second round similar to Gronk. He was a big weapon for Jimmy Clausen in 2009, catching 33 passes in only nine games while adding 28 in six games in 2010.

2. Luke Stocker, Tennessee: While he won’t blow anyone away with his timed speed, Stocker is more of a do-it-all type of player who would be a solid player at the next level. He has good size (6-foot-5, 258 pounds) and strength (27 reps) to go along with average speed (4.71). He is a good run blocker and decent pass catcher, improving his catch total every year. He is probably a third- or early fourth-round pick.

3. D.J. Williams, Arkansas: Playing in the SEC, speed is the name of the game. Although he’s undersized at 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, Williams is very athletic. He ran a 4.59 forty and compares to Hernandez and Dustin Keller as h-back types at the next level. He was extremely productive in the best conference in college football, finishing as the NCAA’s all-time leader in receptions (147) and receiving yards (1,817) by a tight end. He could come off the board in the third round.

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Matt Spaeth (PIT)

I will preface this by saying that I think the chances of the Patriots acquiring another tight end with Gronk, Hernandez and Crumpler already on the roster are remote at best. However, if they do sign someone, it would likely be a tough blocking TE who could contribute in short-yardage situations. Spaeth was overshadowed by Heath Miller in Pittsburgh, but he’s a serviceable TE in his own right.

Daniel Graham (DEN)

Graham is more valuable as a blocker than as a receiver. He’s also quite familiar with the system as a former Patriot. Because Denver’s incoming coach Jon Fox values good blocking tight ends, I think it’s probably likely that he stays in Denver.

Donte Rosario/Jeff King (CAR)

Carolina signed Jeremy Shockey this offseason to give their young quarterback (whoever that might be) an effective safety valve in the passing game. Rosario and King are both above average run-blockers and were part of the reason for Carolina’s success on the ground the past few seasons. At least one of these two will likely be available and would suit the only available role for another TE in New England.

David Thomas (NO)

Thomas was originally drafted by New England before being traded to the Saints. He played well down the stretch for the Saints in relief of Shockey. He’s an underrated player who could start for a number of teams. If the Saints don’t resign him, he won’t have any trouble finding a new home.

Leonard Pope (KC)

Pope also fits the mold of an adequate pass-catcher whose primary value is as a blocker. He is still young at 27 and would be an effective player in goalline packages.

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Each week leading up to the draft, the Foxboro Blog crew will spend a week breaking down a position on the Patriots' roster.  We'll start with a quick overview and then move onto a discussion involving potential draftees at that spot as well as free-agents that the Patriots may pursue.  Up this week are the tight ends...

2010 Recap:  After an abysmal performance in 2009 from the tight end position, Bill Belichick decided it was time for wholesale changes.  He completely revamped the roster by signing veteran free-agent Alge Crumpler and drafting two promising prospects in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.  These new additions revitalized the New England offense, as the tight end corps went from being utterly impotent, to perhaps the most impressive part of the Patriots' attack. 

The two rookie tight ends had very productive, but very opposite seasons.  Early in the year, it was Aaron Hernandez, the NFL's youngest player, who was burning past opposing defender and racking up yards.  Unfortunately, he was hampered  with a hip injury towards the end of the year, which caused his production to dip.   In almost a complete contrast to Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski started the year slowly, but then picked up steam as the year went on.  By the end of 2010 he was arguably Tom Brady's top red zone target, hauling in 7 TD receptions in the final 8 regular season games.  It was an impressive run that put him on the cusp of being named to the Pro Bowl. 

While the rookies garnered much of the attention and stats, it would be an absolute crime to gloss over Alge Crumpler's impact in 2010.  Not only was he an unsung hero in the blocking game, but by all accounts, he was a tremendous mentor to both Gronkowski and Hernandez.  Crumpler made a point of taking the two rookies under his wing and teaching them how to survive in the NFL.  I think it's safe to say that the huge leap forward the Patriots saw at tight end in 2010 was a direct result of Crumpler's hard work and mentorship. 

Not to be lost in all the praise, is also the fact that major gaffes by the tight ends played a role in two of the Patriots' three losses.  In Week 9 against Clevelend, Gronkowski botched the return of New England's first kickoff, resulting in a fumble.  Then with the opportunity to bring the game close right before halftime, Gronkowski fumbled the ball at the goal line, preventing the Patriots from hanging up seven points.   In the playoffs, it was Alge Crumper who dropped a touch down pass from Tom Brady early in the game.  The Pats were forced to kick a field goal and were unable to get the early lead they had wanted to put some serious pressure on New York.  The Jets were able to maintain their confidence, and, well...  let's just move on.