Revenge Of The Reverend

Maybe he's mad that Obama is trying to distance himself by saying that he slept through his sermons. I'm really not sure how someone could sleep through one of Reverend Wrights sermons though realistically. IF someone in fact could sleep through one, is that person really the person we want to answer [Hillary staffers read this!] the 3am phone call?

Barack Obama

Patriots Draft Day Two Picks

Round 3, Pick 15 (78) (From Saints) Shawn Crable
OLB, University of Michigan

Round 3, Pick 31 (94) Kevin O'Connell
QB, San Diego State

Round 4, Pick 30 (129) Jonathan Wilhite
CB, University of Auburn

Round 5, Pick 18 (153) (From Buccaneers) Matt Slater
WR/KR/S, UCLA

Round 6, (197), Bo Ruud
LB, University of Nabraska

Pats Pick Wheatley

Terrence Wheatley: Cornerback from the University of Colorado. Extremely fast, makes lots of interceptions and is sort of smallish [5-9, 178]. He should return kicks for the Patriots right away and hopefully challenge either Ellis Hobbs or Fernando Bryant for a starting spot. The most likely thing that will happen though, barring injury, is that he will be worked into the lineup has a nickel back. Overall great pick.

More on his college career from NFL.com

Wheatley enrolled at Colorado in 2003, seeing action in 12 games on special teams and in six contests on defense. He started vs. Baylor and Kansas State at right cornerback, coming up with 30 tacklers (22 solo) and five pass deflections. He also gained 57 yards (29.5-yard average) on a pair of kickoff returns. His first start against Baylor was historical, as he joined Sammy Joseph at cornerback, marking the first time in CU history that a pair of freshmen started at the same position in the same game. On special teams, he ranked fifth on the squad with seven points.

He underwent right wrist surgery during the offseason and, even though he appeared in 13 2004 games, he did not win a starting job until the last five contests, taking over at right cornerback. Wheatley delivered 37 tackles (31 solo) with three pass deflections and four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He also gained 357 yards on 16 kickoff returns (22.3-yard average). On kick-coverage units, he was credited with six points. Several additional surgeries on his right wrist forced the NCAA to grant Wheatley a medical hardship for the 2005 season. He returned to action in 2006, earning first-team All-Big Twelve Conference honors from the league's coaches. He started all 12 games at right cornerback, seeing more playing time (776 plays) than any other defender on the team. He produced 58 tackles (43 solo) with 1 1/2 sacks, 4 1/2 stops for losses and four pressures. He caused a fumble, recovered two others and led the team with 11 pass breakups. He also had five interceptions.

In 2007, Wheatley garnered preseason All-American second-team (Scout.com, The NFL Draft Report) honors. He was on the Jim Thorpe Award (nation's top defensive back) Watch List and also received All-Big Twelve first-team preseason accolades. He shifted to the demanding left cornerback position, making 17 tackles (14 solo) with eight pass deflections and two interceptions. He caused a fumble and gained 506 yards on 19 kickoff returns (26.6-yard average).

Through 37 games at Colorado, Wheatley started 25 contests. He participated in 1,933 defensive plays, recording 142 tackles (111 solo) with 1 1/2 sacks for minus-5 yards, 6 1/2 stops for losses for 13 yards and five quarterback pressures. He recovered two fumbles and caused three others. He also deflected 27 passes (tied for ninth in Colorado history). He ranks tied for sixth in school history with 11 interceptions for 124 yards in returns (11.3 avg) and his two touchdowns rank second on the Colorado all-time record list. He ranks fifth in school history with 937 yards on 38 kickoff returns (24.66 avg). He also added 18 hits on the special-teams coverage units.

Jerod Mayo Highlights

Draft Tracker

You can view the picks live here.

And The Patriots Pick Is...

Jerod Mayo... Whoever he is.... Linebacker from the University of Tennessee. More later on this surprise pick.

According to NFL.com

Mayo redshirted at Tennessee in 2004. The following season, he appeared in six games at weak-side linebacker, but was hampered most of the season by a right knee injury that required surgery after the season. He finished with 13 tackles (10 solo).

In 2006, Mayo was a Rivals.com All-American second-team choice, despite being bothered late in the season by a hand injury, in addition to a lingering injury from an August camp, when he had a left knee sprain and ankle sprain. He managed to finish third on the team with 83 tackles (48 solo) from the weak-side linebacker position. He added five sacks, 12.5 stops for losses, a pass deflection and a fumble recovery. After the Outback Bowl, he underwent left knee arthroscopic surgery.

Moved to middle linebacker, the All-American and All-Southeastern Conference selection had a banner '07 campaign. He produced 140 tackles (79 solo) with 1.5 sacks and 8.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He added five pressures with a forced fumble and also had his first interception, returning that pass theft for a touchdown.

In 36 games at Tennessee, Mayo started 24 contests. He recorded 236 tackles (137 solo) with six quarterback pressures, 6.5 sacks for minus-51 yards and 21 stops for losses of 82 yards. He recovered and caused a fumble, as he deflected three passes and intercepted another for a 34-yard touchdown return.

Pats Pick Up Saints Picks In Trade

According to ESPN, the Patriots received New Orleans first (10th overall) and third (78th overall) picks in their trade.

Revenge Of The Jets

Which was a bigger reason why the Jets picked Vernon Gholston? Because they needed a linebacker or because the Patriots wanted him. Hmmmm...

Oh well. Now we're forced into a position of not picking in the top 10 because there's not really anyone worthy of the pick. Hopefully someone decent will still be on the board when the Patriots select next (at #10 overall). My guess is either Keith Rivers or Leodis McKelvin.

[should have been/wanted to be a Patriot]

Chiefs & Pats Swap?

This morning I wrote that the Patriots may consider swaping places with the Kansas City Chiefs to draft Vernon Gholston with the 5th overall pick of the first round. Well, in the latest NFL.com mock-draft, that trade in fact does happen. I guess that means either 1) Pat Kirwan reads this blog or 2) I'm just happened to think the same thing. Anyways, if the Patriots find a way to draft Gholston he will probably be someone that can step right into the Patriots defense and start right away. He is a huge kid who can run like a wide receiver and has All Pro potential. Now the question is what the Raiders will do with the 4th overall pick [the Rams seem set to pick Chris Long].

Mocking The Draft

My predictions for who the Patriots will draft tomorrow in the 1st & 2d rounds of the NFL Draft.

If the Patriots keep the 7th overall pick
[note: these are the only guys I consider with high enough value to use the #7 pick on. I have no idea if any of them will still be available]
1. Vernon Gholston
2. Sedrick Ellis
3. Keith Rivers
4. Leodis McKelvin
5. Darren McFadden

If the Patriots trade down to the Chiefs 5th overall spot.
1. Vernon Gholston

If the Patriots trade up and out of their 7th overall pick
1. Leodis McKelvin
2. Keith Rivers
3. Antoine Cason
4. Dominique Rogers-Cromartie

If the Patriots Keep Their Second Round, 62d overall pick
1. Cornerback (Tracy Porter)
2. Linebacker
3. Tight End (John Carlson)
4. Offensive Lineman

SpyGate Saga Continues

Matt Walsh will talk with NFL officials regarding his alleged knowledge of the Patriots video taping scandal. Apparently, Walsh claims that the Patriots taped a pre-game walk through [of plays] by the Rams in Super Bowl XXVI. And you just thought Ty Law just made that interception just because he was in the right place. Hah!

Hey, maybe the NFL will take away the Patriots next 100 first round picks or something (and why not also send Tom Brady to the Rams too?).

In other Pats news; the Patriots signed former Colt tight end Marcus Pollard [2007 stats with Seattle: 28 rec, 273 yds, 2 TDs], defensive lineman Kenny Smith and a punter that's been around since the flood, Scott Player [still uses the one bar helmet]. My best guess is that only Pollard actually has a realistic chance of making the team and the other two are just to push the guys in training camp [assuming they make it that far].

Was King Henry VIII right after all?

Ok, we've all heard the story. Henry the Eight executed his wives because they didn't give birth to sons. This happened even though it was really his fault that he had daughters, since the male determines the gender of the child, right?

But maybe it was his wives' faults after all. A study reported in today's NY Times found that the mother's diet at the time of conception can influence the gender of the child. So was it the wive's fault after all?

Perhaps not. The study found that the mothers who had higher-energy diets tended to have male children: "High levels of glucose encourage the growth of male embryos while inhibiting female embryos." So maybe Henry would have had a son if he had only fed his wife better.

Patriots Schedule Released

From Reiss' Pieces,

Sunday, Sept. 7 – Chiefs at Patriots (CBS, 1 p.m.)
Sunday, Sept. 14 – Patriots at Jets (CBS, 4:15 p.m.)
Sunday, Sept. 21 – Dolphins at Patriots (CBS, 1 p.m.)
Sunday, Sept. 28 -- OPEN
Sunday, Oct. 5 – Patriots at 49ers (CBS, 4:15 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 12 – Patriots at Chargers (NBC, 8:15 p.m.)
Monday, Oct. 20 – Broncos at Patriots (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 26 – Rams at Patriots (Fox, 1 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 2 – Patriots at Colts (NBC, 8:15 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 9 – Bills at Patriots (CBS, 1 p.m.)
Thursday, Nov. 13 – Jets at Patriots (NFL Network, 8:15 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 23 – Patriots at Dolphins (CBS, 1 p.m.*)
Sunday, Nov. 30 – Steelers at Patriots (CBS, 4:15 p.m.*)
Sunday, Dec. 7 – Patriots at Seahawks (NBC, 8:15 p.m.*)
Sunday, Dec. 14 – Patriots at Raiders (CBS, 4:15 p.m.*)
Sunday, Dec. 21 – Cardinals at Patriots (Fox, 1 p.m.*)
Sunday, Dec. 28 – Patriots at Bills (CBS, 1 p.m.*)

* subject to flexible schedule
-2007 playoff teams are in bold

Flickr

For all of you out there who dig through the archives daily (hah!), you can now view many of my photos on either of my two filckr accounts. One, Two.

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Patriots Sign Hobson

The New England Patriots signed former New York Jets linebacker Victor Hobson to a one year contract today. Hobson has played in the NFL for the last six years and was drafted by the Jets in 2003 (second round) out of the University of Michigan. Last season, Hobson started 14 games at outside linebacker for the Jets and made 62 total tackles and two sacks. Over his entire NFL career he has played in 76 games (57 starts) and made 343 total tackles, 11 sacks and three interceptions. He is expected to battle for a starting spot at inside linebacker with the Patriots.

[Hobson tackling Corrie Dillion]

Paul Perillo, writer for Patriots.com, wrote about Hobson shortly after the beginning of the free agency and indicated that he thought Hobson would have the size and versatility to play in the Patriots defense. He said, "I do think he has the size to play both inside and out in the 3-4 and he could be a fit for New England because of that versatility. But I’m not as high on him as some others are, although he was quite productive in 2006 before a down season last year."