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New England Patriots
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:53 p.m.
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos | School |
|---|
| 2 |
52 (from NY Jets) |
Tony Simmons |
WR |
Wisconsin |
* compensatory pick
QB - Every time Drew Bledsoe looks like he is going to become a prime time QB, he fails to produce in a big game. Never was this more apparent than their playoff loss last year... Even in the playoff games they have won the past few seasons, it has been the defense that has carried this team. Bledsoe's job may even be tougher this season with the loss of RB Curtis Martin. Bledsoe has all the tools, but has to become more of a leader. Backup Scott Zolak has been on this team forever, and knows the system as well as Bledsoe. #3 Tom Tupa makes this team because he is their punter. Zolak is a veteran type now... need to start grooming a young QB.
RB - The loss of Curtis Martin will hurt this team... they point to their end of the season wins without Martin as reasons he won't be missed, but they didn't run the ball very effectively in those games... it was the defense again that carried this team without Martin. Backup Derrick Cullors is a FB/RB tweener. #3 RB Sedrick Shaw developed poor practice habits last season, and wasn't ready late in the season when they needed him. Dave Meggett is strictly a nickle RB, and is having all kinds of off the field problems this offseason. If the Patriots don't take a RB left in FA in the draft, you can bet they will draft one with one of their 2 1st rd. picks.
WR - Solid unit when they can get everyone healthy. This unit really struggles when big play threat Terry Glenn is out with an injury. Glenn missed a lot of action last season. Shawn Jefferson is a nice complimentary WR, but can't be counted on as a go-to guy when Glenn is out. Vincent Brisby has fallen off the map the past 2 seasons, and probably won't be back. Bledsoe loves WR Tony Brown, and he has been their go-to guy when Glenn is out. Glenn can't be relied on as a 16 game guy... they need to add a big play threat in the draft.
TE - Ben Coates continues to be one of the best pass catching TE's in the NFL. Despite a lot of double coverage, he finds ways to get open and make plays... he also showed a lot of heart last season, playing through injuries. Coates being nicked up from time to time, has also allowed them to develop backup Lovett Prunell... he caught the ball much bettter this season, and became a factor when they used him inside the red zone... need to add a big blocking type TE in the draft.
OL - From top to bottom, it has to be the deepest unit in the NFL... they re-signed FA's Max Lane, Todd Rucci, and Bruce Armstrong, keeping their solid starting unit intact. Backups Ed Ellis, Heath Irwin, Damon Denson, and Scott Rehberg are all young guys who are developing. This is a unit that needs absolutely no upgrading this offseason.
DL - Biggest concern is DT, where they are looking for a big run stuffer. They courted Dana Stubblefield but lost out to Washington, and also had some interest in Sean Gilbert who went to Carolina. With 2 picks in the 1st rd., they could try to move up and grab Nebraska's Jason Peter, or UNC's Vonnie Holiday. With no starting RB on their roster though, this is highly unlikely. They are pretty solid on the outside with DE Willie McGinest... he was
re-signed this offseason, and needs to start living up to expectations. McGinest has also had problems staying healthy the past few seasons. Could add another DE opposite of McGinest.
LB - This is a pretty solid unit. Ted Johnson is one of the most underrated MLB's in the NFL, and should have been a Pro Bowl selection last season... he has exc. toughs, and does a solid job of getting off blocks, and making plays. SLB Chris Slade is best suited as a rush guy, and they need to start bringing him off the edge more often. Though solid, this is not a real athletic unit. Look for them to add some depth/AA in the upcoming draft.
DB - Solid/deep unit. This is a fundamentally sound unit, they did a much better job of coming up with big plays late in the season. They are solid at DC with starters Ty Law and Jimmy Hitchcock, backed up by Steve Israel and Chris Canty. Hitchcock is a RFA that has drawn a lot of attention from teams this offseason... he is tendered at a 3rd rd. pick. Canty was a rookie last season, and their exc. depth allowed them to bring him along slowly. Lawyer Milloy and Willie Clay are a solid duo at safety. This unit doesn't need to be addressed in the upcoming draft.
ST - PT Tom Tupa and PK Adam Vinatieri are a solid duo... Tupa can also double as the teams #3 QB. The return game is in good hands with RS Dave Meggett. However, Meggett has been in all kinds of trouble this offseason, and may not return. Don't be surprised if they add a RS in the upcoming draft, should Meggett's off the field problems persist. This is a deep football team, and it shows on their cover units.
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