The deal will be for four years, and is particularly interesting because it includes no signing bonus.  Instead, it includes a roster bonus of $440,000 and an option bonus for next year greater than $1.6 million.  ProFootballTalk.com has all of the details.

Butler, the 41st overall pick in this year’s draft, is the second Patriots draft pick to sign with the Patriots.  The first was offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger.

A day after introducing Patrick Chung to the media, the Patriots held their annual rookie minicamp.  In attendance were the twelve draft picks, a few tenured players (Ryan Wendell, Angelo Craig, and Brad Listorti), as well as over 10 tryout players.

However the biggest news coming out of rookie camp was the knee injury suffered by rookie inside linebacker and third round pick Tyrone McKenzie.  It has been reported that the injury is a torn ACL and that McKenzie will be done for the year.  McKenzie had been one of my early favorites from the 2009 rookie class, and I’m disappointed to see such a hard worker and charismatic player suffer another setback.

The big question now is who is the fourth inside linebacker?  Is it rookie free agent Antonio Appleby?  Is it veteran and core special teams player Eric Alexander?  The Patriots could also address the position through free agency.  The first name that comes to mind for me is Junior Seau, who is a real hit in the Patriots locker room.  I don’t know about you, but I’d like to see him “finish what we started.”

Soon following Patriots mini-camp, the Patriots signed eight tryout players.  The Patriots signed three Navy rookies: wide receiver Tyree Barnes, receiver/running back Shun White, and fullback/halfback Eric Kettani.  They also signed seventh year veteran Vinny Ciurciu.  Ciurciu is mostly a special teams player, but could possibly earn himself a role in the Patriots rotation.  The only other rookie they signed was Aaron Perez, the punter from UCLA.  However, the also picked up defensive lineman Steve Williams and running back Omar Cuff, two longer shots to make the roster.

The Patriots may have made their biggest signing just a day later when they picked up Brandon McGowan, safety from the Chicago Bears.  McGowan is coming off a season ending injury, but played very well in starting duties in 2007, and should immediately compete for playing time.  The deal is for two years, and that makes it kind of surprising, considering the Patriots already have three slightly undersized safeties in James Sanders, Patrick Chung, and Brandon Meriweather.  They also have rookie free agent Marcus McClinton, as well as veteran strong safety/inside linebacker Tank Williams.

Last but not least, free agent cornerback Ty Law has been “talking” to the Patriots according to Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis.  I don’t buy it.  Ty Law smacked the Patriots in the face after he returned to the Jets last year.  And frankly, I’m just tired of talking about a possible Law return.  With youngsters Terrence Wheatley, Jonathan Wilhite, and Darius Butler in the fold, and the free agent additions of the phyical Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden, would signing Law even help?

That’s all for now, expect more later in the day today.

With four picks in the third round, the Patriots traded two of them (73, 89) for 2010 2nd round draft choices.  Again, these trades solely focused on future value, giving the Patriots 10 total picks for the 2010 NFL draft (3 2’s, 2 7’s).

At 83, they picked up North Carolina wide receiver Brandon Tate.  There is a bit of a controversy surrounding Tate.  For one, he tore his ACL and MCL mid-season.  He also tested positive for marijuana at the combine (which supposedly is a big deal because the players are supposed to know it is coming).  Clearly, there is some risk surrounding Tate.  But the upside, is well, through the roof.  Tate, before the knee injury, was on the verge of breaking the NCAA’s all-time return yardage record, and was considered a better pro prospect than his fellow teammate, Hakeem Nicks.  Tate is well built, with long arms, and is both quick and physical off the snap.  He can adjust his body to make the difficult catch, and he is an improving route runner.  Overall, I like this pick a lot, but only time will tell if he’s the next Bethel Johnson, or the next Deion Branch.

With the 97th pick, a compensatory selection, the Patriots took Tyrone McKenzie.  McKenzie is 6-1.5, 243 pounds and is built in the mold of Jerod Mayo.  But the comparisons between him and Mayo don’t end there.  Like Mayo, Tyrone McKenzie is a very hard worker, great leader, versatile player (all three linebacker positions in college), and very mature, smart player.  Consider this quote by Bill Belichick at his post-draft press conference:

…I would just say of all the players that I’ve talked to and we’ve interviewed this year and even through the years, that Tyrone is amongst the most impressive. Maturity, intelligence, what he’s done with the opportunities that he’s had or that he’s had to overcome, how he’s approached them, how he’s dealt with them, how he’s made the most of them. It hasn’t been easy. Yet, he’s continued to excel, jump over hurdles and overcome obstacles that I think would have derailed a lot of other people and/or football players. I think he’s a very impressive, mature, humble young man.

I think that McKenzie, with hard work and determination, will be able to start by 2010, and will pair up with Gary Guyton and Jerod Mayo to make a young and nasty three man rotation at inside linebacker.

After the McKenzie selection, the Patriots weren’t scheduled to be on the clock until pick 170 in the fifth round.  However, the Patriots then acquired two additional fifth round selections (137, 141) from the Eagles in a trade for Ellis Hobbs.  Hobbs was an underrated cover man in New England, but with the logjam of young talent at the position (Darius Butler, Jonathan Wilhite, Terrence Wheatley) this trade shouldn’t have come as a surprise. However, Hobbs was also undoubtedly one of the best kickoff return men in the NFL.  Naturally, this opens up a spot on special teams as the primary kickoff return man.  A few candidates: Brandon Tate, Matthew Slater, Jonathan Wilhite, Terrence Wheatley, Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk.

Soon after acquiring those two fifth round picks, the Patriots packaged them together to move up into the fourth round (pick 123).  They also acquired a sixth rounder, pick 198.  With the fourth round pick, the Patriots selected Penn State guard Rich Ohrnberger.  While this pick may have been a slight reach, I think the Patriots found themselves a solid player.  At 6-2, 297 pounds, Ohrnberger is undersized.  However, he is a fearless, smart player.  He is a great blocker on the second level, and can pull effectively and get out in front on screens.  He has quick feet and will never give up on a play.  With both Stephen Neal and Logan Mankins having their contracts expire after the season, Ohrnberger may be able to step into a starting role as soon as 2010.

In the fifth round (170), the Patriots selected guard/tackle George Bussey from Louisville.  Bussey is a tough player who started for all four years at Louisville.  He is undersize for a tackle at only 6-3, so he will likely move to guard at the pro level.  Bussey is good in pass protection, and will always finish his blocks.  With almost every offensive lineman a free agent after 2009, Bussey could become a good role player down the road.

With their first pick in the sixth round (198) the Patriots took a long snapper in Hawaii’s Jake Ingram.  Ingram was the consensus #1 long snapper in this year’s class, and he will compete with Nathan Hodel for the “starting” spot.  But, with the cost of a sixth round pick, I hope Ingram wins.  Poor Nathan Hodel, the man has never missed a snap in his eight year NFL career and he is already get pushed out.

At pick 207, the Patriots selected another nose tackle in Kentucky’s Myron Pryor.  I like Pryor a lot, although I would have liked this PICK more if the Pats hadn’t already selected Ron Brace in the 2nd round.  Still, Pryor is a work horse who is known for making big plays, but is a solid run stuffer.  I think Pryor would be more of a practice squad candidate for year one (consider that the Pats already have Vince Wilfork, Mike Wright, and Le Kevin Smith who can all play nose tackle too), and then could compete for playing time by year two.

At pick 232, the Patriots may have found a potential steal in Kent State’s Julian Edelman.  Edelman was a quarterback at college, but could play a variety of positions in the NFL.  He has shown enough altheticism, speed, and agility to be developed as a receiver or even a running back.  He could also return kicks.  And if the Patriots want to use a Wildcat formation, Edelman would be an obvious candidate to run that show.

With their final pick in the seventh round, at pick 234, the Patriots selected Georgia Tech defensive end/tackle Darryl Richard.  Richard is a two gap run stuffer who could play end or tackle for the Patriots in the 3-4.  If he’s a nose tackle, I don’t like this pick because of the prior Brace and Pryor choices.  However, if he’s an end, where the Patriots may need future depth, I think this is a solid pick.  Richard is a hard worker and a smart player, and can take on double teams.  He could compete for a roster spot or practice squad spot year one.

Overall, a solid second day for the Patriots.  My favorite pick?  Tyrone McKenzie.  All in all, through both days of the draft, the Patriots picked up seven potential starters (Patrick Chung, Ron Brace, Darius Butler, Sebastian Vollmer, Brandon Tate, Tyrone McKenzie, and Rich Ohrnberger) as well as some potential quality role players.  Did I even mention that they picked up two additional second round picks next year?

Eric Kettani reminds me of Kyle Eckel, as he will be a hybrid halfback/fullback.  I’m not sure he will be our starting fullback, but I wouldn’t rule it out.  He can really run, but is effective as a quick lead blocker, and has decent hands as well.

Barnes was never a go-to option because of the option offense at Navy.  Nevertheless, he put up some nice numbers for a receiver in that system, and he has some good size and decent speed.

Update: These deals have been denied by the agent for both players.  Patriots are not ruled out from signing these players, but they haven’t, as of yet.

Agent Sunny Shah said Sunday night that Virginia inside linebacker Antonio Appleby from Virginia Beach has accepted a free-agent deal with the New England Patriots.

“We were in dialogue the whole time,” said Shah, who also represents UVa offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, a first-round pick.

“He was one of the first [free agents] they signed. He was a priority.”

I absolutely love this signing.  He doesn’t have Gary Guyton speed, but is a real thumper inside and could be the developmental two-down (possibly three down as well) inside linebacker the Patriots are looking for.  He may also be able to develop into an outside linebacker, because he has excellent size and strength.

After the draft, I wanted the Pats to pick up either Antonio Appleby or Frantz Joseph, and I’m glad they got one of them.  The Appleby signing could solidify the future at inside linebacker, as the team now has four young players at the position.

Check out the official rookie free agent list for analysis.

Solid build and size.  Is fast and aggresive.  Has good instincts and is always around the ball.  Reads the quarterback well and makes frequent breaks for the ball in coverage.  Is a natural playmaker and a hard hitter.  Can take bad angles and sometimes goes for the big hit and misses.  He also has some off the field concerns, and has been ravaged with injuries throughout his collegiate career.  This looks to be a solid pickup for the Patriots, as McClinton could have been drafted.  McClinton actually has a high celing, although he could bust just as easily as he could boom.  If McClinton can prove himself on special teams, he will have a chance to make the roster.

Brian Hoyer, QB, Michigan State

On my draft board, I had Brian Hoyer as the sixth best quarterback in this draft, and getting him in rookie free agency is a steal.  Hoyer will compete with Matt Gutierrez for third string quarterback, and could develop into a quality player down the road.  He has above average arm strength and can make all the throws, and shows great accuracy in the intermediate range.  He has decent height at 6-2, but isn’t mobile.  He makes good reads and has a nice release.  However, he doesn’t really stand out as a special player in any one particular area.

Jamar Love, CB, Arkansas

Has signed, according to the HogBlog.  Love has great size, at just over six feet tall and 191 pounds.  He ran a 4.39 and a 4.35 at his pro day, so he obviously has great straight line speed.  He also showed good agility and overall athleticism. Love is a raw prospect, he never recorded an interception in limited playing time during his career at Arkansas.  Still, he looks to be a very intriguing prospect to watch, because of his physical tools.

Antonio Appleby

Appleby was a guy, along with Frantz Joseph, whom I wanted to see the Patriots take a flier on as a developmental inside linebacker late in the draft.  However, the Patriots drafted Tyrone McKenzie in the 3rd round, so the Patriots look like they have their Tedy Bruschi replacement.  However, they did go out and sign Antonio Appleby, a 6-4, 245 pound inside linebacker who played in the 3-4 under Al Groh in Virginia.  Antonio Appleby has excellent size and strength.  He is a very physical player and square up and make big hits.  He is willing to take on any block, and won’t get pushed back, although he sometimes has trouble disengaging from blocks.  He also might be a little bit raw in coverage, as he doesn’t have great speed (4.7) or lateral fluidity.  Ultimately, if Appleby gets it all together, he could be a steal as a rookie free agent, and could develop into an excellent four man rotation down the line with Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton, and McKenzie.

In one of the most frantic times of the year, known as rookie free agency, a majority of prospects who are not drafted are scooped up by NFL teams.

The Patriots have been very good at picking up rookie free agents in the past.  Last year, they picked up Gary Guyton, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Vince Redd.  In the past, they’ve picked up players such as Randall Gay, Mike Wright, and Eric Alexander.

Expect the Pats to be active in rookie free agency again this year.  Here are some names to keep an eye on:

Quarterback:

Jason Boltus, Hartwick

Brian Hoyer, Michigan State

Halfback:

Ian Johnson, Boise State

Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern

Devin Moore, Wyoming

Fullback:

Marcus Mailei, Weber State

Brannan Southerland, Georgia

Conredge Collins, Pittsburgh

Brock Bolen

Wide Receiver:

Aaron Kelly, Clemson

Travis Shelton, Temple

Kevin Ogletree, Virginia

Tight End:

Brian Mandeville, Northeastern

Offensive Line:

Alex Boone, Ohio State

Jason Watkins, Florida

Dan Gay, Baylor

Phil Trautwein, Florida

Defensive Line:

Chris Baker, Hampton

Adrian Grady, Louisville

Khalif Mitchell, Eastern Carolina

Outside Linebacker

Sherman Logan, Richmond

Inside Linebacker:

Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic

Antonio Appleby, Virginia

Cornerback:

Domonique Johnson, Jackson State

Safety:

Tyler Lorenzen, UConn

Specialists:

None

With the 234th pick, the Patriots took Georgia Tech’s Darryl Richard, a defensive lineman.  Richard is most likely a nose tackle, but could play some defensive end.  I don’t understand this pick at all.  Richard isn’t a bad player, the pick is not a reach at all.  However, the Patriots already picked up two nose tackles in Ron Brace and Myron Pryor.  Getting a third defensive lineman just doesn’t make sense to me.  Richard doesn’t even seem like a fit.  He played in a 3-technique, shoot the gap system at Georgia Tech.  I don’t see how both he and Pryor could make the practice squad, yet even the team.

It looks like these two picks will close out the draft, a very solid draft overall for the Patriots.  Full recap of the second day later tonight.

Pryor has great lower body strength and is a good run stuffer with surprising initial quickness.  However, he lacks upper body strength, lateral quickness, and has some character concerns (suspended for one game for a violation of team rules).

I don’t understand this pick much.  The Patriots already picked up Ron Brace who will play nose tackle, and is a much better prospect than Pryor.  In Belichick we trust, but a couple of these past several picks have been a little bit disappointing.