Patriots Looking to Trade Up?

With the 2009 NFL Draft looming just days away, the New England Patriots find themselves in a favorable situations. After a year of stockpiling draft picks, the Patriots hold eleven picks the seven-round draft, including six in the first 97 selections.

The Patriots are known for patience in the Draft, trading down and making suave maneuvers to aid them for years to come. Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli's theory always seemed to be "Wait until next year". But now with Pioli running the Kansas City Chiefs, Belichick is left to handle the draft alongside Nick Caserio and Floyd Reese.

Reese is known for his share of draft booms and busts while operating the Tennessee Titans. While with Tennessee, Reese drafted three NFL Rookie of the Year winners: Eddie George (1996), Jevon Kearse (1999) and Vince Young (2006). Reese also took a chance on a little-known quarterback named Steve McNair, who would lead the Titans to within one yard of a Super Bowl championship. However, Reese was also responsible for drafting Adam 'Pac-Man' Jones, who, despite success as a return specialist in Tennessee, couldn't avoid off-field troubles and is now out of the league.

With the Patriots holding so many picks, it is obvious that they will not use each picks. Belichick's mantra has always been "quality, not quantity", so if the Patriots covet a player, the Brain Trust know that they can swing some deals to get such a player.

However, the question needs to be asked; that with so many picks, are the Patriots willing to move up into the top ten on Saturday evening? Past logic says no, as the Patriots often refuse to give a high-priced, guaranteed deal to a player who has never stepped foot onto an NFL field. However, there seem to be a handful of can't-miss players that the Patriots may be looking to trade up for.

Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas: Nearly every mock draft has Orakpo going in the top ten, some as high as sixth overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. Orapko is a genetic freak, a 6-foot-3, 298 lb. defensive nightmare. The Longhorn was a first-team All-American and Nagurski Award recipient in 2008 with 11.5 sacks and 40 tackles. At the Combine, Orakpo wowed everyone, benching 225 lbs. 31 times and running a 4.63 40-yard dash. With Richard Seymour and Jarvis Green's contracts expiring following the 2009 season, a young defensive end like Orakpo would fit seamlessly into the Patriots defensive line.

Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest: Most draft analysts have Curry as a can't-miss prospect, a player who would make an immediate impact with any team, much like Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers. Curry ran a 4.56 40 at the Combine and has exceptional strength and a burst of speed that would make any NFL quarterback cower in fear. Curry's intelligence and leadership makes him a player that the Patriots would love to welcome into their organization, and into the 'Backerhood, alongside Tedy Bruschi, Adalius Thomas and Jerod Mayo. In trading Mike Vrabel, the Patriots made it clear that linebacker was a position of need, and acquiring a player like Curry would allow for the Patriots to have a deep and frightening linebacking corps.

Andre Smith, OT, Alabama: There may be no bigger quagmire in the NFL Draft than Smith. A consensus top three pick, Smith showed up grotesquely out of shape at the Combine, leaving before the event concluded. Prior to that, Smith missed Alabama's appearance in the 2009 Sugar Bowl after being suspended following allegations regarding communication with an agent. Smith may forever be remembered for his awful 5.28 40-yard dash, ran without a shirt, as Smith jiggled down the sidelines at Lucas Oil Stadium. Smith has been called a classic boom-or-bust lineman, but many feel that with good coaching and a strong locker room, Smith could keep his head on straight and become a tremendous presence on the offensive line. The Patriots aren't unfamiliar with offensive line busts, as Bill Belichick will forever rue the day he drafted Kenyatta Walker.

Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech: You're probably thinking "A receiver? Why? The Patriots have Moss, Welker, Galloway and Greg Lewis!" Let's be honest; Randy Moss and Joey Galloway aren't getting any younger, and one day teams will cover Wes Welker appropriately. Tom Brady can make any receiver look sensational, as seen by Jermaine Wiggins in 2001, David Givens from 2002 through 2005 or Reche Caldwell in 2006. Crabtree is currently dealing with a leg injury that will cause him to miss some of the 2009 season, and this is causing Crabtree to drop down some draft boards, behind Missouri's Jeremy Maclin. I cannot say this enough; MICHAEL CRABTREE IS A SURE THING. He may have played in an offense revolving solely around passing at Texas Tech, but Crabtree is as good as they get. He has amazing speed, is freakishly strong for his size, and can out-leap any defensive back. Adding Crabtree would make Tom Brady salivate and would strike fear in the secondaries of the Patriots 2009 opponents.

Obviously to swing trades for players of this caliber, the Pats would need to let go of one or two of their second round picks. Also, Bill Belichick would have to go against everything he stands for and give guaranteed money to a player that is anything but a guarantee. But the Patriots are known for taking risks and reaping the benefits. Remember the 2000 NFL Draft, when the Patriots threw a sixth-round pick at a relatively untalented quarterback out of Michigan. Nine years later, Tom Brady has already found a space in Canton and is arguably the best quarterback of his generation.

Does the 2009 NFL Draft have a Brady in it? Only time will tell.

2009 Schedule Unveiled

The National Football League released the 2009 regular season schedule earlier this evening. We already knew that the Patriots would open the season against the Buffalo Bills and meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in London on October 25. Now we know how the remaining fifteen weeks will be played out.

Here is the Patriots' 2009 schedule (all times Eastern):

Mon. September 14 - BUFFALO - 7:00 p.m.
Sun. September 20 - at New York Jets - 1:00 p.m.
Sun. September 27 - ATLANTA - 1:00 p.m.
Sun. October 4 - BALTIMORE - 1:00 p.m.
Sun. October 11 - at Denver - 4:15 p.m.
Sun. October 18 - TENNESSEE - 4:15 p.m.
Sun. October 25 - Tampa Bay - 1:00 p.m. (in London)
BYE WEEK
Sun. November 8 - MIAMI - 1:00 p.m.
Sun. November 15 - at Indianapolis - 8:20 p.m.
Sun. November 22 - NEW YORK JETS - 4:15 p.m.*
Mon. November 30 - at New Orleans - 8:30 p.m.
Sun. December 6 - at Miami - 8:20 p.m.*
Sun. December 13 - CAROLINA - 1:00 p.m.*
Sun. December 20 - at Buffalo - 1:00 p.m.*
Sun. December 27 - JACKSONVILLE - 1:00 p.m.*
Sun. January 3 - at Houston - 1:00 p.m.*

(* - denotes the possibility of flex scheduling)

Obviously a few things jump out at you in merely reading the schedule. The Patriots hit a very difficult stretch from week three to week seven, when they face the Falcons and Ravens at home, then travel to Denver, a locale that has never treated them well, before coming back home to face the defending AFC South champion Titans, and concluding the first half of the season by traveling across the Atlantic Ocean for a meeting with the Bucs at Wembley Stadium.

However, the Patriots will receive a much needed and much-deserved bye week following their international excursion. Following the bye week, the Patriots will face AFC East foes Miami and New York, with a trip to Indianapolis sandwiched between the two. The road trip to Lucas Oil Stadium marks the third consecutive regular season game that the Patriots will play in Indianapolis.

The end of the season is no gift for the Pats either, as they play four of their last six away from Gillette Stadium. However, only one of the road trips involve the possibility of inclement weather, that of course being the trip to Orchard Park to meet the Bills on December 20.

Statistically the Patriots have the third most difficult schedule in the NFL. However, they will welcome the return of Tom Brady on September 14 and start the season with five of their first eight games at home. In theory, they could get off to a very hot start behind some good old fashioned home cooking, despite the challenging first half that they face.

But as a wise man once said, "That's why they play the games."

Is Laurence Maroney On the Outside Looking In?

When the Patriots signed former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor on the first day of free agency, it made clear one thing: that the New England Patriots are starting to lose faith in Laurence Maroney.

Since drafting him in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Patriots have tried desperately to find a niche for Maroney. The 24 year-old out of Minnesota has had two productive seasons in his three years with the Patriots, however, he has not panned out as expected.

Maroney has been riddled with injuries in his three years with the Patriots, missing two games in 2006, three games in 2007 and thirteen games in 2007. His season rushing totals have gone from 745 to 845 to 93. He seemed to be turning it around in the latter portion of the 2007 season, including the run to Super Bowl XLII, but injuries and inconsistency ended his 2008 campaign. In 2008, his season-high for rushing yards was a measly 51 yards in the season opener against Kansas City.

Obviously, the Patriots aren't shy about cutting their losses. However, they have been adamant that Maroney is ready to explode onto the scene since drafting him in April 2006. However, his on-field performance has not lived up to his off-field hype. He seems tentative to hit the hole when given the ball, and his propensity to dance behind the line of scrimmage has driven Patriots fans and coaches crazy. He's blessed with tremendous speed and great strength, but he has been unable to show those skills in his three years with the Patriots.

With that in mind, the question has to be asked; are the Patriots ready to cut ties with Maroney? He is owed over $5 million until his contract expires after the 2010 season. The running back position is a strength for the Patriots, who have a platoon of Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, Fred Taylor and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Will the Patriots look to trade Maroney and make a move for someone like Chris Wells in the upcoming Draft? Or will they outright let Maroney go and allow for Morris, Faulk and Taylor to battle for snaps? Or will they try to trade for malcontent Kansas City running back Larry Johnson, who is desperately looking for a new team?

One thing is for sure; if Maroney is on the 2009 Patriots roster, this is his last chance. If he suffers through another injury plagued season or battles inconsistency and loses his job to Morris or Taylor, expect him to be gone following the season. That is, if he's even on the 2009 team.

Patriots Looking to Run Wild?

Next Monday and Tuesday, the Patriots will play host to former West Virginia quarterback Pat White. White's draft stock has risen substantially in the eyes of the Patriots, following White's tremendous performance at the Scouting Combine. The Patriots have looked into the prospects of playing White at wide receiver, where his incredible speed (4.55 40-yard dash) and tremendous running ability would make Tom Brady salivate at the thoughts of throwing in his direction.

Last month, the Patriots hosted White for a workout at both quarterback and receiver, and rumor has it that the Pats were enamored with White's proficiency at receiver, a position he never played in his four years as a Mountaineer. White's options as a receiver and as a possible running option have opened up the possibility that the Patriots may explore the 'Wildcat' offense in 2009.

The Wildcat offense was debuted by the Dolphins in Week Three of the 2008 season, when Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams ran roughshod over the Patriots defense. The Wildcat allowed for the Dolphins to completely change their offensive outlook and helped to pave the way to a division championship for Miami.

Look at what the Patriots have as possible options if they do in fact attempt the Wildcat. They have backup quarterback Kevin O'Connell, who ran a 4.61 40-yard dash at the 2008 Combine, and has won over many Patriots assistants, who feel that his combination of speed and throwing ability make him the perfect backup to Tom Brady.

At running back, the Patriots have all-purpose back Kevin Faulk, who has completed a pass in his career (a 23-yarder to Brady in 2001). Alongside Faulk, the Patriots could utilize Laurence Maroney and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, both of whom have pass attempts in their college careers.

At receiver, don't underestimate the abilities of Wes Welker, Randy Moss, Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis, all of whom have explosive speed that could be used in the option formation of the Wildcat.

In drafting White, the Patriots would add another piece to an already formidable offense. However, selecting White could also bring a brand new offensive formation to the usually conservative Patriots.

4. November 3, 2003 - Patriots 30, Broncos 26

The NFL rulebook describes a safety as "The important factor in a safety is impetus. Two points are scored for the opposing team when the ball is dead on or behind a team’s own goal line if the impetus came from a player on that team." To think that a team would intentionally hand points to their opponents is simply ridiculous. To do it within the final minutes of a game in which you are trailing, it's borderline insanity. But that is exactly what Bill Belichick did on a cold Monday night in 2003 against the Denver Broncos.

The Patriots were 6-2 entering Invesco Field at Mile High to face the 5-3 Broncos in front of a prime time, nationally televised audience. The Patriots were ravaged by injuries coming into the game and that fact only got worse when Richard Seymour was scratched just minutes before kickoff. The Broncos weren't about to show any sympathy, as they were trotting out career backup Danny Kanell as their starter.

On New England's first possession, a botched snap led to a Kenoy Kennedy fumble recovery. Four plays later, the Broncos were on the board when Clinton Portis scampered for a fifteen-yard touchdown. On the Patriots next possession, Brady was intercepted by Kennedy at Denver's 35. The Broncos drove down the field with ease, but were unable to get into the end zone. The usually reliable Jason Elam missed a 44-yard attempt, and the Patriots took over, still down by seven.

On the very next play, Tom Brady found Deion Branch streaking down the middle of the field for a 66-yard touchdown and a 7-7 tie. After the teams exchanged field goals, Kanell found Mike Anderson for a one-yard touchdown reception, giving the Broncos the 17-10 lead. Adam Vinatieri nailed a 46-yard field goal as the clock struck zero to pull the Patriots within four, 17-13, going into halftime.

The Patriots grabbed a temporary lead in the third quarter, when Tom Brady found a diving Daniel Graham for a 4-yard touchdown catch.

The score stood at 20-17 when the teams exchanged three-and-outs. Ken Walter shanked a wobbly punt and Deltha O'Neal returned it all the way for the go-ahead score, to take a 24-20 lead. After the teams went back and forth again, Denver punter Micah Knorr downed the Patriots inside their own 1 with 3:06 remaining in the game. After a run for no gain and two incompletions, the Patriots were forced to punt. It was at this time that Bill Belichick made a call that would cement his legacy in Foxboro.

Instead of kicking the ball to Denver and giving them good field position with a one point lead and 2:49 remaining, Belichick opted to give Denver the points. Long snapper Lonie Paxton snapped the ball off the upright, giving the Broncos a safety and a 26-23 lead. The call was questioned by fans and players alike. It was the kind of call that could potentially cost a coach his job. But Belichick knew what he was doing, and his genius shined on this night.

The Patriots caught a little bit of luck when the Broncos muffed the ensuing free kick. Denver was downed inside their own 15-yard line. The Patriots defense held the Broncos to four yards on three plays, forcing a Knorr punt with 2:20 remaining. Knorr's punt was shaky, and the Patriots had the ball at their own 42 with 2:15 left and one timeout.

Brady hit Kevin Faulk three times on the final drive, helping to move the Patriots to the Broncos' 18. With 30 seconds remaining, Brady calmly dropped back and fired to the sideline, hitting David Givens, who fell into the end zone for the go-ahead score. A stunned Broncos crowd and fan base were dejected, and Asante Samuel put the cherry on top, intercepting a last-ditch bomb by Kanell.

On this night, Bill Belichick was unquestionably the best coach in the league. Who else would have the brilliance to hand their opponents points in the waning moments of a game? His confidence in his defense and offense showed, and the Patriots took that confidence and ran the table in 2003, en route to their second Super Bowl victory in three years.