Patriots Football Weekly Blog

Paul’s Calls: No regrets for Dimitroff

INDIANAPOLIS – The Atlanta Falcons created quite a stir last spring when general manager Thomas Dimitroff boldly climbed from No. 27 in the first round all the way to the sixth spot to take Alabama wideout Julio Jones. Such major leaps are rare – not to mention costly – and the deal attracted attention around the league.

That included New England, where Bill Belichick advised his former director of college scouting against the move prior to the draft. The story was included in Michael Holley’s book “The War Room” and detailed how Dimitroff discussed the deal with Belichick and Chiefs GM Scott Pioli before pulling the trigger.

Dimitroff talked about the events leading to the discussion following his press conference at Friday’s Combine.

“We had a great conversation about it,” Dimitroff said. ”My feeling on that is, organizations have totally different approaches to how they build their team. I respect Bill a great deal, obviously, with his team-building abilities and learned a lot from him. And we definitely talked about a move like Julio. And our feeling was, for our organization, it was right.”

Dimitroff said he spoke with both Belichick and Pioli about a month and a half before the draft. He said he thought he would probably need to make multiple deals in order to get where he wanted to go, first moving to about the halfway point before making another deal to get to No. 6. He also added he felt that process would have been “exponentially more expensive.”

It was a controversial deal (Atlanta gave up second- and fourth-round picks in 2011 and first- and fourth-round picks this year to switch spots with Cleveland) but Jones’ solid performance in his rookie season has at least eliminated some of the criticism Dimitroff received.

Paul’s Calls: Speed kills

INDIANAPOLIS – The wide receivers are starting to filter in for their interviews and one name that’s not likely at the top of most lists is Travis Benjamin. He’s a 5-10, 175-pound speedster out of Miami who not only isn’t expected to be drafted but he’s the third rated wide receiver at his own school behind Tommy Streeter and Aldarius Johnson.

But that may change soon.

In what has become something of a Combine tradition for unheralded players, Benjamin boasted of his potential 40 time and claims he’s capable of running a sub-4.3.

“I feel like I can get there … a sub-4.3 40,” said Benjamin, who has been working out with Cris Carter in Boca Raton, Fla.

When informed the NFL is considering having players run the 40 against each other at the Combine instead of individually, Benjamin smiled.

“I’d love to do that. I feel like my competitive nature if I ran against somebody would boost my adrenaline up more and make me run even faster,” Benjamin said. “That would make me even faster than just against the clock.”

Time will tell – literally.

Quick Kicks: Fisher on Lloyd, London

INDIANAPOLIS — New Rams head coach Jeff Fisher just concluded his “15 minutes of Combine fame” (the allotted time that podium speakers get here at Lucas Oil). He left us a with a couple of items of relevance to Patriots fans.

First, Brandon Lloyd. The free agent wide receiver, who played most recently for St. Louis before Fisher arrived, has been outspoken about his desire to play from now on wherever Josh McDaniels is. And now that McDaniels is back as offensive coordinator in New England, speculation is Lloyd will seek to join the Patriots this spring.

Fisher, though, when Lloyd’s name came up, adding to the intrigue by saying, “There are a number of UFA’s we’re interested in keeping. He would b e one of them.”

So, stay tuned …

Meanwhile, Fisher’s Rams will face the Patriots (with or without Lloyd) this October 28 at Wembley Stadium in London. Our friend/colleague Brian  Lowe from Patriots Today asked Fisher for his thoughts on the contest.

“When it was announced, we were very excited,” Fisher responded with genuine enthusiasm. “We think it’s a great opportunity.”

Fisher then paused, perhaps for effect, as he hit us with his punchline.

“If you’re going to play the Patriots, it’s best not to play them in North America,” he laughed, drawing chuckles from the media as well.

He then added, all kidding aside, “I think it’s a great opportunity for us. There were a number of clubs that were disappointed that they didn’t get the opportunity. We’re in the early stages of evaluating that [trip] and talking to some of the clubs [who've been before] and how they did it and what’s most convenient for the players.”

Paul’s Calls: Elway backs Tebow … sort of

INDIANAPOLIS – Broncos Executive Vice President of football operations John Elway just stepped to the podium to kick off Friday’s Combine and it didn’t take long for Tim Tebow’s name to surface.

“Tim Tebow, your thoughts?” said Denver Post Broncos beat writer Mike Klis, drawing laughs from around the rook and Elway himself.

“What took you so long?” was Elway’s quick response before he offered a few on his much-talked-about quarterback.

“He added a great spark for us. We went 9-9 after a 1-4 start and were able to win a playoff game and we were really happy with his progress,” Elway said. “We’re hoping he’s going to be our guy for a long, long time.”

Elway went on to credit coach John Fox for leading his team through such a difficult transition, citing his leadership as a main reason for the team being able to win so many close games, which Elway said is an especially difficult task for a team that’s not used to winning.

The Broncos have reportedly stated a desire to add two quarterbacks this offseason and Elway would only say he’d need to wait to see the process play itself out before deciding which kind of style player he’d prefer. He did mention some areas that Tebow would need to improve upon in order to continue building.

“There are things we have to get him to do in order to be more successful,” Elway said. “We have to get better throwing the ball down the field from the pocket. Things like that.”

Tebow has been working out trying to improve his throwing mechanics but Elway was quick to explain none of that was under the direction of the Broncos since CBA rules prevent such practices at this point.

Quick Kicks: Carter interested in returning to Patriots

INDIANAPOLIS — On Friday here at the Combine, many of the more influential agents for players are gathering in Indianapolis at a location away from Lucas Oil Stadium. Our friends and colleagues Shalise Manza Young of The Boston Globe and Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com just reported an interesting bit of news from one such player rep.

Carl Poston, the agent for Patriots defensive end Andre Carter, said his client, who underwent surgery in December to repair a torn quadriceps muscle in his left leg, is rehabilitating “ahead of schedule,” and that he (Poston) has had discussion with Patriots brass about Carter possibly returning to the team in 2012.

Poston added that Carter was immensely pleased with his 2011 experience in New England. He signed with the Patriots last August after 10 previous NFL seasons in San Francisco and Washington. Carter was the 7th overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft and revealed during the middle of last season that he thought his pro career was over before New England called and offered him a job. Carter went on to tie for the team lead in sacks (10) in 2011, despite missing the final two-and-a-half games of the regular season with the quad injury he suffered at Denver.

Patriots placekicker Stephen Gostkowski suffered a similar injury the year before, in November of 2010, and was sufficiently healed by the start of training camp to reclaim his job. So, it’s entirely possible for Carter to be ready to go for the start of next season, if not sooner. Poston cautioned, though, that it is still far too early in the process to say definitivelywhether or not Carter will  be part of New England’s 2012 plan.

Quick Kicks: Combine sked, Day 2

INDIANAPOLIS — The first day of the NFL Combine is always the busiest, but after that, things begin to brake just a bit. “Only” 16 coaches and GMs are scheduled to talk with the media this Friday, highlighted by Denver’s front office boss John Elway at 10:30, to start the day. New Rams head coach Jeff Fisher is at 11, old friend Thomas Dimitroff (Atlanta’s GM) goes at 11:45, followed at 12:15 by the Giants’ head coach, Tom Coughlin. Two other executives with Bill Belichick connections — Baltimore’s Ozzie Newsome and Kansas City’s Scott Pioli — are at 2:15 and 2:30, respectively.

In addition, we’re expected to meet the top QBs, wide receivers, and running backs in the 2012 draft class throughout the day today.

Paul’s Calls: Rex no longer in guarantee business

INDIANAPOLIS – If Patriots fans were hoping to spend the next several months mocking Rex Ryan for making another brash Super Bowl prediction, they’re going to be disappointed. Drawing the largest media crowd of the day, Ryan opened his press conference by making sure he wouldn’t fall into the same pattern he has in recent years.

“All right, I know what you’re all thinking, the return to the infamous Super Bowl guarantee,” Ryan began. “It was [made] here. In all seriousness, looking back, obviously it was a huge mistake to make that guarantee. At the time, we were coming off two championship games. I really thought it would be a thing that would actually motivate our team, to really talk about the Super Bowl, focus on the Super Bowl, but in hindsight I think it put undue pressure on our team. We kind of lost focus and really we lost focus on what we do best.

“Obviously, it was a big mistake. I go back, and look at it, and I think it contributed to the season we had. Realistically, it’s something I’ve been thinking about a great deal and obviously we had a terrible season. I’ll take full responsibility for it. I think part of that guarantee really contributed to that.”

While Ryan wasn’t ready to make any promises about championships, he did maintain his trademark confidence.

“But I will say, we’re going to have a team now, that I think is going to have the potential to do great things,” he said.

So, Patriots fans will have to find something else to criticize Ryan about, but fortunately for everyone in New England the Jets coach will surely provide it. Even while clearly trying to change his approach, he often cracked wise on various topics — “We’re a fast team, not as fast as the Raiders but they’re a track team” would be a prime example. It’s in his nature to express his confidence and even in the face of a disastrous season he doesn’t seem to have lost much.

Ryan may be quieter about his feelings in 2012, but they will come out be heard – much to the delight of his critics.

Paul’s Calls: Show him some Love

Mississippi St.'s Quentin Saulsberry

INDIANAPOLIS — The Patriots could very well find themselves in the market for some interior linemen in the draft given the uncertain future of free agents Dan Koppen and Dan Connolly, not to mention the possibility of veteran Brian Waters’ days with the team coming to an end.

The crop is deeper at guard than center but one interesting mid-round possibility at the pivot is Mississippi State’s Quentin Saulsberry. The 6-2, 304-pounder has the versatility the Patriots like along the interior having played both guard and center as well as in varying zone blocking schemes while with the Bulldogs.

He also played with Patriots defensive lineman Kyle Love, and as is the case with most who cross paths with the young behemoth, he enjoyed the experience.

“He’s a happy guy and a real close friend of mine,” Saulsberry said of Love. “I talk to him every chance I get and admire everything that he did and all the advice he gave me too. I talked to him before and after the Super Bowl but I haven’t talked to him much about the Combine and stuff.”

He added one other note. As Love’s legend has grown in New England and the comparisons with Vince Wilfork have increased, Love explained how people at Mississippit State referred to him as Baby Vince.

When asked about it, Saulsberry laughed: “We called him Love Boat and Love Machine but I never heard that.”

Quick Kicks: Schiano praises Belichick as ‘special’

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano, late of Rutgers, spoke glowingly of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Several current Patriots are former Scarlet Knights, thanks in considerable part to the relationship that has blossomed over the years between Belichick and Schiano.

“Bill has been an incredible person for me professionally, but I’ve gotten to know Bill – his son, Stephen, played lacrosse at Rutgers,” Schiano explained. “Thus, Bill was down there a lot. He’d come work out some of our players. Every time we visited, I learned a ton, number one, and number two, I felt very comfortable with him. He’s a no-nonsense guy. I think that’s what I am, and it’s fun to be with people that … it is what it is. No agendas.

“As these things began to [happen with the Bucs], I called and asked him for some advice and he was great,” Schiano continued. “I look forward – I know we’re competitors, I know there’s 32 teams – but I look forward to – we’re in different divisions, different conferences – hopefully we’ll continue to help each other grow. Certainly, he’ll help me more than I’ll help him, but it’s been a very good relationship. I know it’ll change now a little bit. But he’s a special coach, as we all know, and to me, a very special person.”

Quick Kicks: Wallace staying put?

INDIANAPOLIS — NFL teams could begin assigning their respective franchise tags to players starting this past Monday. As of today, however, no teams had done so. One player who could get so designated is Steelers restricted free agent (RFA) Mike Wallace.

Pittsburgh’s prolific wide receiver is another player who has been discussed lately as a possible target for acquisition by the Patriots. However, GM Kevin Colbert told reporters covering the Combine that he intends to retain Wallace’s services.

“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure Mike Wallace remains a Pittsburgh Steeler,” asserted Colbert, who added that he believed that was the player’s hope as well.

Colbert disclosed that Wallace will likely be offered the highest tender offer, with the franchise tag also a possibility.