new england patriots

We’ve already made some tweaks to our big board since posting it on Friday, there’s been a lot of great input so thanks to all those who emailed or discussed it on various messageboards. We’re planning on another update later this afternoon so check back for that.

Also we’ve been lining up some great guests for the PatsPropaganda & Frenz podcast so stay tuned over the next few weeks as we’ll be welcoming some of the foremost Patriots experts on the internet.

In the meantime we wanted to just touch on a few different draft items that we’ve been meaning to discuss.

– In Path to the Draft last night Michael Lombardi pegged Aldon Smith as a guy the Pats could target if he slipped through the cracks. There’s no arguing that Smith looks the part but the biggest concern for me, and it’s truly an x-factor that no one really knows for sure, is how smart Smith is. Quotes like “the more I learn about the 3-4 the more I like it” tell you all you need to know. So I like him, but playing OLB in NE requires a high level of FBI, and no one in the media can truly tell us how bright these guys are unless they’ve been in a room with them and put them up on a board and grilled them.

– I’m kind of sick of hearing how the Pats need to find the next Willie McGinest. Guess what guys, there will never be another Willie, so stop trying to find someone with similar physical dimensions and project him as the next Patriots legend. Willie and Richard Seymour were physical freaks, and while it’s always nice to have those guys, they don’t come around very often. Especially when you factor in how great of leaders they were. It’s futile to try and replace someone who can’t be replaced.

– I’m really torn on how big the need at DE is compared to OLB. Originally I thought that getting a DE at 17 like Watt because big guys are always safer. But lately I’ve been thinking what this team really needs more is athletic playmakers at the second level. They might be more of a project, but perhaps instead of going the safe route it’s time to start getting more athletic, even if it’s raw athleticism.

– As the organization formerly known as the NFLPA is encouraging rookies not to attend the draft in April, I will also encourage fans not to attend either. Especially now that the draft is in “primetime” I think it would be an effective message to both sides that fans are not happy if it’s like a funeral instead of the usual raucous atmosphere. Since the Jets always send a large, rowdy contingent I’m really asking a lot of our rival fan base here. Don’t disappoint me fellas.