Patriots Football Weekly Blog

Paul’s Calls: McDaniels well received

When Josh McDaniels met with the media Friday at the outset of rookie mini-camp at Gillette Stadium, he offered some thoughts on a variety of topics. One that stood out was his relationship with newly signed wide receiver Brandon Lloyd.

Lloyd enjoyed a renaissance of sorts after joining forces with McDaniels in Denver. He struggled bouncing from team to team until he found his home operating as an outside threat in the Patriots offensive system while with the Broncos, and largely for that reason he was brought to New England.

McDaniels spoke about the chemistry between he and Lloyd, who also worked with the Patriots offensive coordinator last season after being traded to St. Louis.

“He’s a guy I’m familiar with from the last few years,” McDaniels said. “He gives us an outside receiver to compete with a lot of the guys that we have here. Brandon is certainly a guy who is familiar with our system, first of all. He understands what we ask of the receiver position. He’s brought a skill set on the outside, on the perimeter, that has definitely been helpful to the offenses that I’ve had a part in the last few years. How he fits in, and what we end up doing with him along with the other receiving corps, we’ll find out as we go through the spring and the summer. I’m excited to have an opportunity to coach him again.”

McDaniels alluded to the crowded group of receivers in addition to Lloyd and talked about the process of whittling down the group to a more workable number for the regular season.

“Not only do we have a lot of people that have been successful and provided some results individually, but a lot of them have some real background and knowledge of our system too, which is a little bit of a unique situation,” McDaniels said, referencing Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney and Donte’ Stallworth – all newcomers who have played in the system.

“I think that makes for great competition. I know every year we talk about having great competition at every spot, and the receiver position is certainly going to be filled with that. We have a ton of guys here, working hard, and making sure they’re ready for OTAs in the spring. We’re going to give them all an opportunity. I don’t think you want to assume too many things. Let them go back out there and demonstrate what they know, what they can do, what they can provide our team, and let the competition play out.”

In addition to the 11 wide receivers McDaniels is currently working with, he also will have the luxury of a pair of weapons he didn’t have when helping to set records with the Patriots offense in 2007 – namely a pair of tight ends. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez will offer McDaniels another dimension to work with, and he’s excited about the possibilities.

“They certainly can do some things similar, but I still think that the tight end position is defended differently than the receiver position is,” McDaniels said, when asked about the matchup nightmares the tandem creates.

“It depends on what personnel groupings we have on the field and what the defense has on the field. You know, what are the matchups? If they’re being played with safeties and linebackers – which many times they are – then certainly it’s more of a tight end-oriented position for them. At times, they’re covered by defensive backs and you can do some different things with them there. The versatility they provide our offense is really unique. The skill sets they’ve demonstrated in the first two years are pretty special. It’ll be exciting to see how this year evolves and what we can do to continue to challenge – they all can continue to grow and get better.”

Paul’s Calls: Thumbs up on Ebert

It wasn’t long ago that the Patriots used a seventh-round pick on a small wide receiver with some quarterback experience in his background. Late in last month’s draft, they did it again.

Jeremy Ebert, a 5-11 speedster out of Northwestern, was tabbed by New England with its final pick two weeks ago. But unlike Julian Edelman, who was similarly chosen in the seventh-round back in 2009, Ebert made his transition from quarterback to receiver went he jumped from high school to college – not college to the pros like the Patriots jack-of-all-trades.

“Having quarterback experience does help you understand the game from a different perspective,” Ebert said as he prepared for rookie mini-camp at Gillette Stadium. “As a receiver, I try to be more cognizant of not constantly complaining to the quarterback about being open and wanting the ball all the time. Viewing the game through a quarterback’s eyes is definitely helpful in terms of being a receiver.”

Ebert enjoyed a highly productive career with the Wildcats, working almost exclusively out of the slot similar to the manner in which Wes Welker has terrorized NFL defenses. It’s a role he definitely envisions himself in and he’s looking forward to soaking up as much as he can from all the Patriots wideouts.

“All the wide receivers here, they’re all great,” Ebert said. “They’re playing in the NFL, so learning from all these guys is going to be awesome. I’m just really excited to meet them and be a sponge and soak up all I can.”

Despite Ebert’s background at such a prestigious academic school as Northwestern, he admitted to being a tad intimidated by the prospect of learning the Patriots cumbersome offensive system while also finishing up his studies.

“It’s stressful but it comes with the territory,” he said. “I want to get my degree so I am happy to stay there and get that. It’s Northwestern, you kind of have to take it seriously. School comes first, not athletics. It’s a great academic school and I wanted to get a degree from the best place I could. I know that football is not going to last forever.”

Interestingly, Ebert donned a sweatshirt with the number 80 on it. He was predictably asked if he was aware of the digits’ history in New England, and while he was he displayed some rookie nerves when answering.

“I know it was Brown, Tim Brown,” he said, confusing the former Raiders perennial Pro Bowler with Mr. Patriot, Troy Brown before immediately correcting himself. “Troy Brown. He was obviously a great player. I don’t even know if this is going to be my number. They just gave me a sweatshirt and I put it on.”

Paul’s Calls: No name calling

You’ll have to forgive third-round pick Jake Bequette if he’s been wondering why people in Boston are so upset with him. After all, the pass rusher out of Arkansas has been in town for barely 48 hours and during that time all he’s heard on sports radio is how “Beckett needs to go.”

Of course, the object of the fans’ ire is Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, not the team’s rookie defensive end. On Friday before practice for the start of rookie mini-camp, Bequette (same pronunciation) mentioned that he enjoys golfing as well as football.

A follow-up question asked if he’d been playing with the embattled Red Sox pitcher, who was caught in a firestorm this week when it was learned he went golfing two days before having to miss a start due to a strained lat muscle. Bequette laughed it off.

“It’s funny. Everyone’s asking me how to pronounce my last name. I said, ‘just like Josh Beckett.’ Different spelling but same pronunciation,” he said with a big smile.

There will be plenty of time for everyone to understand the difference, but until then the “new” Bequette is content following orders and working toward his goal of succeeding in the National Football League.

“It’s very exciting for me and my fellow rookies. We’re just looking forward to going to work, we’ve already started and we just want to keep it going,” Bequette said. “I just want to do whatever I can to help the team. Just kind of be here, be seen and work as hard as I can to establish myself.

“For me it’s very exciting. It’s been a lifelong dream to play in the NFL, especially for an organization like the Patriots. Like I said, it’s awesome and I can’t wait to get started.”

Bequette comes to New England with a pretty solid resume as a pass rusher. He was used in a variety of ways as a Razorback and has an understanding of what it takes to succeed when it comes to getting after the quarterback.

“Any good pass rusher has to have a great, quick first step, has to keep their pads down, have a couple of good moves and countermoves,” he said. “If I can incorporate that into my game, learn from the coaches and veterans, I’ll have a great chance.

“I was able to do a bunch of different things at Arkansas. Here I’m going to do what I’m told.”

Sounds like a good plan.

Paul’s Calls: Jones soaks it in

The Patriots made several of their rookies available to the media just prior to their first on-field practice on Friday. First-round pick Chandler Jones was among those who spoke, and one word he used to describe his plans for the weekend was echoed by virtually every other player – “sponge.”

“I need to learn all the dos and don’ts. Just be a sponge,” Jones said when asked about meeting with his new teammates in the near future. “Know your role and just earn respect from everyone.”

Jones, the 21st overall pick and the Patriots top selection, said he didn’t have much of an idea of how things would go once he got on the field but was only concerned with taking his directions from the coaches.

“I have no idea what to expect,” Jones said. “I’m just going in there blind and just taking it a day at a time. A lot of people tell me I only get the opportunity to make one first impression. This week is my opportunity to make a first impression. What I’m trying to do is learn this playbook and impress the coaches.”

Jones worked with other edge players attacking a sled working on tackling technique under the watch of new coaching assistant Joe Judge (who has a special teams background) and safeties coach Brian Flores during the brief period open to the media at practice.

Paul’s Calls: Pats on the move? [Update!]

It seems like every year at this time the Patriots are tied to a rumor that has them discussing a bold move up the draft board. With just hours remaining before the first round is set to kickoff at 8 p.m. this evening, NFL Network’s Albert Breer cites “a source with direct knowledge of the situation” saying the Patriots are engaged in talks with Seattle to make just such a trade.

The Seahawks sit at No. 12 and the Patriots two first-round choices (27 and 31) would be enough to move that far. It doesn’t seem like a move Bill Belichick would make, but having the information out there for the rest of the league to ponder certainly does. Belichick routinely discusses a variety of moves with virtually every team each year at draft time. While this particular move appears to be out of character for the Patriots, it does create some interest and intrigue in the final hours before things get underway.

Breer’s report offers Alabama safety Mark Barron as one potential object of desire at 12. He’s considered the best player at the position and does his best work at or around the line of scrimmage. On the surface it wouldn’t seem that type of description would be worth such a huge investment considering New England already has a similar player in Patrick Chung, but stranger things have happened.

Shortly after, NFL Network’s Stacey Dales, who is currently in Foxborough in preparation of tonight’s festivities, tweeted the following: “Pats tell me there has been NO discussion with Seattle about the 12th pick. Not with Coach, Caserio or anyone else.” So, any potential trade is far from a done deal at this point.

[EDIT: @Patriots, the official Twitter handle of the team, tweeted out at around 5 pm: "The Patriots have not spoken w/ Seattle about moving up to the #12 pick. #NFLDraft"]

Bill Belichick is expected to to an interview on NFL Network at 7 pm.

There are obviously a number of other players who potentially would be available in that area as well. This particular draft may prove to be as unpredictable as any in recent memory when trying to determine which players will be chosen. Beyond quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, the rest are anyone’s guess.

Personally, I’d rather see a cornerback (Stephon Gilmore or Dre Kirkpatrick), an edge rusher (Melvin Ingram) or a defensive lineman (Fletcher Cox) than Barron if the Patriots were to be so bold as make the move.

What player would you like to take at No. 12 if the Patriots indeed make the jump?

Mock Draft Contest

When it comes to the NFL draft, everyone thinks they’re the next Mel Kiper or Mike Mayock. Well, as we do every year, Patriots Football Weekly offers everyone a chance to prove it.

Our annual Mock Draft Contest is wrapping up but you still have time to participate. Go online to and fill out the form with your predictions for tomorrow night’s first round for a chance to win Patriots apparel. But you only have until 5 p.m. tonight to do so.

So make sure you prove to all your friends that you really are capable of doing better than Kiper — well, except for the hair of course.

Preseason slate announced

The Patriots will once again appear on national television during the preseason when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. in front of the ESPN cameras. The game will take place in Week 2 of the preseason and marks the third straight year one of New England’s exhibitions will be shown nationally. Last year the team’s preseason loss at Detroit was a nationally televised affair, as was 2010′s win in Atlanta.

The Patriots will open the preseason with a home game against the New Orleans Saints. After staying in Foxborough to take on the Eagles, New England will finish the summer slate with road trips at Tampa Bay and the New York Giants. Dates and times for the remaining three games have yet to be determined.

Paul’s Calls: New Coach Belichick hits Gillette

Patriots fans are used to seeing Bill Belichick patrolling the sidelines at Gillette Stadium. Now they’ll get the chance to see another Coach Belichick in action.

The Patriots coach’s daughter, Amanda, will be at the stadium on Saturday as she leads the Ohio State women’s lacrosse team in action against Northwestern (which is coached by Hingham, Mass., native Kelly Amonte) at 3 p.m.  Amanda is an assistant coach for the Buckeyes and she’ll be part of the second game of tomorrow’s doubleheader which also features Harvard and Syracuse at noon.

This marks the first-ever women’s collegiate athletic event at Gillette Stadium. Tickets are $15 at the Ticket Office on Saturday. Parking is free.

Report: Larsen latest addition

The Patriots just keep adding players as free agency wears on. The latest to agree to terms was former Denver fullback/linebacker Spencer Larsen, who agreed to a two-year deal according to the Boston Globe.

Larsen is another versatile player in the Bill Belichick mold. He’s spent time on both sides of the ball with the Broncos, starting games at both fullback and linebacker during his time playing for Josh McDaniels during the latter’s time as Denver’s head coach.

Larsen, a 6-2, 243-pounder, started six games last season and is also considered a strong special teams player. He becomes the 11^th newcomer to sign with the team this offseason.

Paul’s Calls: Dowling eager to return

FOXOBOROUGH – The Patriots have been busy during the first week of free agency with six newcomers already in the fold but there’s been some activity involving current players as well.

On Monday second-year cornerback Ras-I Dowling took the short trip from the Gillette Stadium to the Foxborough Charter School to address about 500 students ranging from second through fifth grade as they prepared to take MCAS tests later in the week.

Dowling talked stressed the importance of preparation – both mentally and physically – as well as good old fashioned hard work as keys to academic success.

“It’s a good way to get ready,” Dowling said of his role in kicking off the school’s rally. “It’s a great opportunity for me to go back and give back to the kids the way I had the opportunity to listen to others when I was growing up in Virginia.”

Dowling, who is coming off hip surgery to repair a torn labrum that landed him on injured reserve midway through his rookie year, is eager to return.

“I’m just trying to get better every day,” Dowling said. “You can never stop working hard around here. It was great to be around such a great group of guys last year, and going through the experience of the Super Bowl was great. But it was also frustrating to not be able to be a part of it. Of course you want the chance to get out there and help your teammates win.”

He figures to get that opportunity in 2012. Assuming he returns to full health, Dowling will be in the mix at cornerback with last year’s starters Kyle Arrington and Devin McCourty, as well as playoff hero Sterling Moore. With Steve Gregory, one of the aforementioned six free agent additions, set to join the fray at safety the secondary could have a different look if Dowling is able to stay healthy.

“Obviously you keep track of the moves the team is making and how they will help the team,” Dowling said of the offseason activity. “I’m just going to keep working to get ready and am looking forward to being part of it.”