Quarterback

Need Level: Low

The Patriots have a superstar in place with Tom Brady under center for the foreseeable future.  Behind Brady is second year man Brian Hoyer.  Hoyer was an undrafted free agent last season, and really impressed the coaching staff, earning a roster spot as the only quarterback behind Tom Brady, beating out the likes of Kevin O’Connell, Andrew Walter, and Matt Gutierrez.  The Patriots may look to bring in a fresh body to compete for the #2 with Hoyer.

Featured Prospect: Tim Tebow, Florida

Throughout the draft process, the Patriots have constantly been connected to quarterback Tim Tebow.  They held a private workout with him and brought him in for a pre-draft visit among other things.  Analysts have said that the Patriots are the perfect fit for Tebow, as he needs time to develop under a team with a quarterback in place.  While the Patriots may actually be an ideal scenario for Tebow, you have to ask, where would the value be for such a situation?  Is it in the second round?  I sincerely doubt it.  I see Tebow as more of a third round value, and while I like his intangibles, I don’t see the Patriots taking him in the 2nd round.

Running Back

Need Level: Moderate

While Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris, and Kevin Faulk make up a nice rotation at running back, the latter three are all in their 30’s, and there isn’t a single back signed beyond 2010 for the Patriots.  With that said, it looks like running back is a position the Patriots should target in the first two rounds in the draft.  Players the Patriots could target in the first two rounds include Ryan Mathews, Montario Hardesty, Dexter McCluster (more of a WR), and Jonathan Dwyer.

Featured Prospect: Montario Hardesty

Montario Hardesty was a bit of a “one year wonder” for Tennessee.  At nearly 6′, 225, Montario is a bruiser.  He is tough, and constantly drags tacklers after being hit.  He is also a solid receiver out of the backfield, and is just a really tough player overall.  Plus, he’s got a nasty spin move.  If the Patriots took him at some point in the second round, he could be part of the rotation in 2010, before taking over as the lead back in 2011.

Wide Receiver

Need Level: Moderate

While the Patriots just added Torry Holt, the wide receiver position is still a moderate need for the Patriots.  Wes Welker will probably miss a good chunk of time in 2010, and Randy Moss could be in the last year of his contract.  Julian Edelman looks like a solid piece for the future.  Brandon Tate has a high ceiling but is still a relative unknown at this point.  Adding a young receiver with a high pick wouldn’t be such a bad thing for the Patriots.

Featured Prospect: Dez Bryant

There are no questions about Dez Bryant’s talent level: he is a top five worthy player.  However, there are questions about his character that could cause him to slide on draft day.  If he fell to the Patriots at 22, it would make for a very intriguing pick.  Dez could learn under Randy Moss for a year, then take over as the number one in 2011.  The Patriots brought Bryant in for a pre-draft visit, so there is a chance that they could be interested.

Tight End

Need Level: High

The Patriots have only one real option at tight end on their roster in Alge Crumpler (unless you count Rob Agnone or Rob Myers).  There is no question that tight end must be a priority for the Patriots.  If the Patriots want a tight end in the first round, the two most realistic options would be Jermaine Gresham and possibly even Rob Gronkowski.  Dennis Pitta, Aaron Hernandez, Jimmy Graham, Anthony McCoy, and Tony Moeaki all seem to be viable second round options.  If the Patriots don’t come out of this draft with one or two tight ends, I would be very surprised.

Featured Prospect: Dennis Pitta, BYU

I have Dennis Pitta as my third ranked tight end behind Gresham and Gronkowski.  The Patriots already acquired a blocking tight end in Alge Crumpler, so they could use a receiving tight end to complement him.  Dennis Pitta would be perfect in that role.  He has great size and decent speed.  While he may not be the best in-line blocker, he is very willing and can improve.  As a receiver, he may not threaten the seam consistently, but he has great hands, and consistently makes tough catches in traffic.  Pitta has the potential to be a Dallas Clark-type of weapon for Tom Brady.

Offensive Line

Position Need: Low-Moderate

The Patriots look pretty set at tackle with Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, and Nick Kaczur as the top three returning in 2010.  At guard, the Patriots return Stephen Neal and Logan Mankins, with Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell, and last year’s 4th round pick Rich Ohrnberger providing depth.  At center, the starter is Dan Koppen.  Koppen has been regressing slightly as of late, and with Stephen Neal getting up there in age, and Logan Mankin’s contract situation up in the air, there could be a need for a center or guard early in the 2010 draft.

Featured Prospect: Matt Tennant, Boston College

Matt Tennant is thin for a center at 6-5, 300 pounds.  There are some questions as to whether or not he can hold up against NFL nose tackles.  However, he has good awareness, and is very quick off the snap.  He displays good technique, and can get to the second level; all traits the Patriots look for in their centers and guards.  If the Patriots are looking for a center in round 2, or if they acquire a pick in round 3, they could look in Tennant’s direction.

Sunday, Sept. 12 Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 p.m ET
Sunday, Sept. 19 @ New York Jets 4:15 p.m ET
Sunday, Sept. 26 Buffalo Bills 1:00 p.m. ET
Monday, Oct. 4 @ Miami Dolphins 8:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Oct. 10 BYE
Sunday, Oct. 17 Baltimore Ravens 1:00 p.m. ET
Sunday, Oct. 24 @ San Diego Chargers 4:15 p.m. ET
Sunday, Oct. 31 Minnesota Vikings 4:15 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 7 @ Cleveland Browns 1:00 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 14 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 8:20 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 21 Indianapolis Colts 4:15 p.m. ET
Thursday, Nov. 25 @ Detroit Lions 12:30 p.m. ET
Monday, Dec. 6 New York Jets 8:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 12 @ Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 19 Green Bay Packers 8:20 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 26 @ Buffalo Bills 1:00 p.m. ET
Sunday, Jan. 2 Miami Dolphins 1:00 p.m. ET

A few of my thoughts:

• Patriots open up at home against the Bengals, a clash of two playoff teams.  Can’t really remember the last time the Patriots didn’t open at home.
• The Patriots will face the Jets week 2 for the third straight year, as they travel to the Meadowlands as the Jets open their new stadium.
• The week 2 game against the Jets will kick off a round robin of AFC East games.  After week 4, the Patriots won’t play another division game until week 13.
• The Patriots have a very early bye week 5.  While it is generally better to get as late of a bye as possible, as Tedy Bruschi pointed out on ESPN last night, the early bye will give Wes Welker an extra week to recover, and may allow him to return one game earlier.
• Following the bye, the Patriots will have their toughest stretch of the season.  They will face the Ravens, Chargers, and Vikings in back to back to back games.  They will follow that up with a trip to Cleveland, before facing a 2 game home stand against the Steelers and the rival Colts.
• The Patriots will come off a short week after a tough game against the Colts and face the Detroit Lions in a Thanksgiving day match-up.  The last time the Patriots played on Thanksgiving in 2002, a game in which they won.  Not sure how I feel about this, but it’s always cool to see your favorite team on a holiday.
• After the Thanksgiving game, the Patriots will not have another warm game.  They wrap up their season with division games with a contest at Buffalo, and a home game against the Dolphins.

Torry Holt is now a New England Patriot

The Patriots have added another piece to their wide receiver corps.  Today, the team inked a deal with free agent wide receiver Torry Holt. Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston reports:

The Patriots have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran wide receiver Torry Holt, according to a league source. ESPN’s John Clayton reports the deal could be worth up to $1.7 million.

The 33-year-old Holt played for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, totaling 51 receptions for 722 yards. Holt, who spent the first 11 years of his career with the St. Louis Rams, enters his 13th NFL season.

While Holt, who will turn 34 this Junes, won’t be an absolute game breaker for the Patriots, he still could have an impact.  He isn’t the dominating presence he once was in St. Louis, but he could step up and be a solid #3 for the Patriots.  The #3 that Jabar Gaffney was, and that Joey Galloway wasn’t.

Holt will compete with Brandon Tate and possibly a rookie for playing time.  The worst case scenario I see with Holt is him being a great 4th receiver.

This is a low risk, potential high reward deal.  If Holt can return to anything close to his 2007 form, the Patriots will have added another great weapon for quarterback Tom Brady.

The best way to avoid drafting players you don’t really want is to take them on your draft board.

That’s the theory, anyhow, used by Bill Belichick in New England and some of his proteges around the NFL.  Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post has an interesting piece Sunday how Josh McDaniels uses a “short board” when drafting, like his old boss.

Most teams list all potential draft picks on their board.  The Broncos had under 100 players last year, the only ones that fit what Denver wants to do.

“We want the players on our board that we want on our team — that’s the goal,” McDaniels said. “It’s the process we go through to make the best decisions, both short- and long-term for our team.”

Belichick has reportedly had as few as 25 players on his board in a given year, which is remarkable.

Bill Belichick has recently said that the team has interviewed or worked out upwards of 200 prospects in this year’s draft.  It’s hard to think that the Patriots could work off such a short board (and I imagine it will be longer than 25 with 12 picks in stow), but considering Belichick’s “expectations” in his players, it doesn’t surprise me that Belichick would refine his draft board so much.   The Patriots not only fit their scheme skill-wise, but players that have high football IQ’s, are good character guys, etc.

Therefore, when a player like Dez Bryant comes in for a pre-draft visit, it’s not a clear indicator he is on the Patriots draft board.  At a visit like that, the Patriots would not only assess his character, but assess his football IQ through quizzes and things of that nature.

Whether Bryant remains on the Patriots’ draft board is anyone’s guess.

The Patriots have signed veteran defensive tackle Damione Lewis

The Patriots have added a new face to their defensive line.  According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots have agreed to a contract with former Panthers and Rams defensive tackle Damione Lewis.

The deal will reportedly contain a low amount of guaranteed money, but shouldn’t be worth more than the $755,000 Lewis earned last season.

At 6′2″ and just over 300 pounds, Damione Lewis has played exclusively defensive tackle in the 4-3 for his career.  He has put up some decent sack numbers, but was primarily a run stuffer last year in Carolina when he started all sixteen games.  For the Patriots, Lewis should be able to play multiple positions.  While his size would project him the defensive end in the Patriots’ 3-4, he could probably slide inside over nose.  Assuming he makes the roster, the majority of his contributions will probably come as a rush defensive tackle in four man fronts, likely on third downs.

While this isn’t a blockbuster signing, it is certainly a solid pickup, as Lewis should be able to find himself a niche in the Patriots defensive line rotation.

Round 1, Pick 22: Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan

Round 1, Pick 22: Brandon Graham

I really flip-flopped on this pick between Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate and Michigan outside linebacker Brandon Graham.  The Patriots have shown interest in both, they both fill needs, and they both are terrific players.  My hunch is that one of them will be drafted by a team before the Patriots pick at 22, but because I think he is the better prospect and fills a bigger need, I went with Graham.  While Graham only reaches about 6′2″ in shoes, he has excellent quickness, strength, and an array of pass rushing moves.  He is explosive off the edge, and uses his hands extremely well to disengage blockers and turn the corner.  He is scrappy and gets to the quarterback well, using a variety of pass rush moves.  He also has elite strength, and while he isn’t 6′4″ or 6′5″, he has the potential to be very good at setting the edge against the run, an area of his game that is very underrated.  As a rookie,

Round 2, Pick 44: Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson

Round 2, Pick 44: Ricky Sapp

Yes, I understand that I have the Patriots taking Brandon Graham with their first pick, but hear me out on this one.  Ricky Sapp fits the “Belichick mold” of outside linebackers.  At 6′4″, 250 pounds, Sapp has an excellent burst combined with elite speed off the edge (4.65 40 yard dash).  While Sapp may struggle to set the edge, he has the frame to add another 10 pounds, potentially allowing him to bulk up and fit that role.  His rookie year, he would compete with Brandon Graham and Rob Ninkovich/Derrick Burgess for a starting outside linebacker spot.  He has enough skill in coverage, and enough speed off the edge that he could very well be in the game on all passing downs.  He would be an excellent nickel rusher at the least.  Considering the troubles that the Patriots have had getting to the quarterback, and considering the high bust rate of rush linebackers, getting Sapp and Graham wouldn’t be such a bad thing.  You can never have too many pass rushers.

Round 2, Pick 47: Damian Williams, WR, USC

Round 2, Pick 47: Damian Williams

With the Patriots going defense their first two picks, they turn their focus to wide receiver here.  At this point, I narrowed the choice down to two players: Mardy Gilyard of Cincinnati and Damian Williams of USC.  Gilyard is a good player.  Not the fastest, but dangerous with the ball.  He’s a hard worker and he had great production in college.  However, I decided to go with Damian Williams here because he is the more polished player and I think he would be more comfortable on the outside as a rookie (although he would see time in the slot as well).  Like Gilyard, Williams doesn’t have elite speed, but he is dangerous after the catch.  He also has very good hands and consistently produced big plays while at USC.  Williams, unlike Gilyard, is already an excellent route runner, and that will serve him well coming to New England.  Bottom line, I think Damian Williams is an NFL-ready receiver, and he could come in and contribute from day one.  The chance of him being a bust are pretty low.

Round 2, Pick 53: Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU

Round 2, Pick 53: Dennis Pitta

One of the things I love about this year’s draft is all of the value it has in the second round at the tight end position.  My favorite of all of those guys with the round two value is Dennis Pitta of BYU.  Pitta is an excellent receiver.  He has worked some out of the slot, can run good routes for a tight end, is excellent at making catches in traffic.  While he doesn’t have elite speed to burn linebackers down the seam, he makes up for it with his toughness.  He sort of reminds me of Dallas Clark of the Colts.  He is also willing as a blocker, although that isn’t the strongest part of his game.  Still, with Alge Crumpler as the blocker, Dennis Pitta would make the perfect complement.

Round 4, Pick 119: Al Woods, DL, LSU

Round 4, Pick 119: Al Woods

At nearly 6′4″ and 311 pounds, Al Woods is a major sleeper for me when it comes to 3-4 defensive ends.  To be honest, I have a 2nd round grade on Woods, but placing him as a second round pick probably wouldn’t go over too well with you guys.  Woods is a guy with ridiculous strength.  He holds his own against double teams at the point of attack, and can drive offensive linemen back into the quarterback.  While he lacks explosion out of his stance, and isn’t the most athletic, Woods could immediately make an impact in the defensive line rotation, and could be a starter by year two.  With his size and strength, would could play nose or end in the 3-4, and could be a two-gap defensive tackle in the 4-3.  The Patriots have already worked him out privately; definitely would be a solid pick.

Round 6, Pick 190: Marcus Easley, WR, UConn

Round 6, Pick 190: Marcus Easley

A bit of a “one year wonder,” Marcus Easley has the ultimate combination of size and speed.  He can threaten vertically, and while the former walk-on only had one really productive year, he had an excellent pro day, showing he can make catches outside his frame.  In the sixth round, the risk would be low, but the potential reward is sky high.

Round 6, Pick 205: Sherrick McManis, CB, Northwestern

Round 6, Pick 205: Sherrick McManis

A cornerback prospect with good size, instincts, and willingness in run support, although he can sometimes be caught out of position.  While he has good speed, he isn’t an elite athlete.  However, with his frame, you have to be intrigued.

Round 7, Pick 229: Nate Byham, TE, Pittsburgh

Round 7, Pick 229: Nate Byham

The Patriots, having already selected Dennis Pitta, need another blocking tight end, as Alge Crumpler will not be around forever.  Byham lacks the athleticism to be a big receiving threat, but is great as a blocker, and could be the team’s goal line/3rd tight end as a rookie.

Round 7, Pick 231: Armanti Edwards, QB/WR, Appalachian State

Round 7, Pick 231: Armanti Edwards

The Patriots took a risk on a quarterback/receiver conversion last year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they did it again.  However, unlike Edelman, Edwards has some legitimate skill at quarterback.  He has a nice over the top delivery, and is pretty accurate with his throws.  While he faced mostly inferior competition, he had big games against some 1-A schools (Michigan and LSU).  He is super athletic.  Very fast.  He could become a heck of a weapon for some team late in the draft.  Plus, the Patriots already worked him out privately (and gave him some run at QB).

Round 7, Pick 247: LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon

Round 7, Pick 247: LeGarrette Blount

Well you might be a little shocked about this name.  Character issues aside, LeGarrette Blount is a heck of a talent.  If he gets in shape, he could be one hell of a bruiser, in the form of a Corey Dillon.  And lets be honest, if the pick doesn’t pan out, it won’t matter much, it’s only a seventh round pick.

Round 7, Pick 248: George Johnson, DE/OLB, Rutgers

Round 7, Pick 248: George Johnson

Johnson has excellent size, great strength, and average speed.  He is a team leader who can set the edge and make plays in the backfield.  He might not be an elite pass rusher yet, but he could develop with time.

Round 7, Pick 250: Brad Bustle, OG, Louisiana-Lafayette

Round 7, Pick 250: Brad Bustle

With so many picks in the draft, I’m assigning the Patriots their own Mr. Irrelevant.  Never heard of Bustle?  Neither have I.  And don’t worry, I haven’t watched tape on him.  Bustle is a 6′3″, 300 pound athletic guard, built in the frame of a Stephen Neal.  The Patriots worked him out privately.  Who knows?

Many Prognosticators Have Rex Ryan and the Jets De-Throning the Patriots as the Kings of the AFC East in 2010

2009 record: 9-7
2009 record vs. Patriots: 1-1

Defense:

The Jets defense was impressive last season, finishing as the top ranked unit in the NFL. Outstanding play from cornerback Darrelle Revis was a large factor in their success, as was their constant pressure on the quarterback using exotic blitz schemes. In Rex Ryan’s 3-4 defense you’re never sure who will blitz, or where they will come from, which can put the offense back on their heels. The fact that Revis can cover the opponent’s top receiver on his own makes this scheme even more effective. Ryan’s approach is to blitz more players than the offense can block, and Revis essentially gives him a one man advantage. Instead of having to assign a safety to help in coverage, that safety is free to blitz or pick up another player’s assignment, allowing that player to blitz.

The Jets run defense finished ranked 8th in the league, giving up an average of only 3.8 yards per carry. This was mostly without nose tackle Kris Jenkins who missed 10 games last season with an ACL tear. If he returns at full strength he should make the Jets even more difficult to run against. They could do with some fresh pass rushing talent, especially at the DE position where starters Marques Douglas and Shaun Ellis are 33 and 32 respectively. Their outside linebackers Bryan Thomas, 30, and Calvin Pace, 29, performed well last season, but there is little depth behind them, and Vernon Gholston has not performed well. The Jets will probably try their luck at these positions again in April’s draft.

New York traded with San Diego for cornerback Antonio Cromartie this offseason which caused an immediate stir. The Jets gave up a 2011 third round pick that will likely become a second round pick depending on how much Cromartie plays. Antonio was outstanding in 2007 when he snared 10 interceptions, but slipped on the depth chart last season, and has been branded with a poor attitude. He is very athletic and the Jets hope he can rediscover his form in a new scheme. He will get plenty of chances to prove himself as quarterbacks look to avoid throwing at Revis.

The Jets also sent safety Kerry Rhodes to Arizona for a 4th round pick in the 2010 draft and a 7th rounder in 2011. Rhodes was excellent under former coach Eric Mangini, but fell out with Ryan and was unhappy due to lack of playing time. Brodney Pool, who has a history of concussions was signed to a one-year contract, but it remains to be seen how much he can contribute.

There is no doubt the Jets defense will be good again next year, and the return of Jenkins should not be underestimated. However, their moves in the secondary seem very high-risk, and I am not convinced that area of the defense has been improved. Relentless pressure on the quarterback made the secondary’s job easier last season, but the bar has been set very high. Their defense was the deciding factor in a number of wins, and opponents will try to adapt in 2010. Should the unit slip at all, New York will find it hard to repeat last season’s success.

Offense:

The Jets power rushing game was very effective last season, and led the NFL with 172.2 yards per game on average. Thomas Jones was the workhorse, with Leon Washington and rookie Shonn Greene also making significant contributions. Greene is a powerful runner whose best games came toward the end of the year. He supplanted Jones as the favored back for New York’s playoff run and his 304 rushing yards were the most by any player in the postseason.

The Jets will rely heavily on Greene this year as Jones was allowed to sign with Kansas City at a modest price and Washington will be recovering from a devastating leg break suffered mid-season. The loss of Jones is big, and Greene will have a tough time filling his shoes. He is one of the most consistent and durable backs in the league, totaling over 1,000 yards in each of the past five seasons while only missing one game. LaDainian Tomlinson was brought in to share the load, but he averaged only 3.3 yards per carry last season, and has shown signs of decline.

Part of the Jets reliance on the run last season was due to the inexperience of their rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sanchez was so highly coveted that New York traded up to make him the 5th player selected in the 2009 draft. Sanchez started the season by winning his first three games, including a home victory over New England in Week 2. The Jets then proceeded to drop six of the next seven contests, with Sanchez racking up 14 interceptions and five fumbles in those games.

Sanchez was given a much shorter leash and less responsibility over the final six games as he focused on limiting mistakes. He finished the regular season with an average of 162.9 yards per game, 12 passing TDs, 3 rushing TDs, 20 interceptions and 10 fumbles (3 lost). While it is no small feat to reach the conference Championship as a rookie quarterback, 2009 was very much a mixed bag for Sanchez. He has weathered the brutal scrutiny of playing in New York, but is still a long way from the franchise quarterback he was drafted to be.

Part of the problem is the Jets lack of quality receiving targets. Tight end Dustin Keller has emerged as a reliable target over the middle, but Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery are too inconsistent, and there is very little depth behind them. Edwards is only signed to a one year deal, so the Jets are in the market for an elite pass catcher. They may try to trade for Denver’s Brandon Marshall, draft a WR early, or perhaps both.

Even with the addition of a quality receiver, second year players Greene and Sanchez will be the key for the Jets offense in 2010. The team knew who they wanted in last year’s draft and gave up a lot to take both players. We will soon find out if their gamble was a good one.

New York will be competitive this year, and should push the Patriots for the top spot in the AFC East. The Jets had a memorable postseason run, but only stumbled upon the playoffs when teams like Denver, Jacksonville and Miami collapsed down the stretch and because the Colts and Bengals laid down for them in the final two weeks. I am not convinced their team has been improved thus far in the offseason, and if their luck from 2009 doesn’t hold, they could be in for a difficult year. The good news is their schedule is not as brutal as other teams in the division, and they have favorable road matchups. The Jets will be right there if New England slips up, but without a quality quarterback to count on they will still finish a step or two behind.

2010 Schedule:

Home: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Green Bay, Minnesota, Houston

Away: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Detroit, Denver

2010 record prediction: 9-7 (second in AFC East)

Alge Crumpler joins a depleted Patriots TE Coprs

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced today the signing TE Alge Crumpler. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Crumpler, 6-2, 262 pounds, is a veteran of nine NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (2001-07) and the Tennessee Titans (2008-09). He has stated 122 of 139 regular season games and has accumulated 367 receptions for 4,691 yards with 37 touchdowns. Among active NFL tight ends, Crumpler (12.8) ranks second in average yards per reception to Antonio Gates (13.0). In addition to his pass-catching skills, Crumpler is also known for his physical presence at the line of scrimmage, helping the Falcons offense lead the NFL in rushing in three of his last four seasons in Atlanta.

Crumpler originally joined Atlanta as a second-round draft choice (35th overall) out of North Carolina in 2001. He signed with Tennessee as an unrestricted agent prior to the 2008 season. Crumpler earned four-straight Pro Bowl honors from 2003 through 2006. He enjoyed one of his best seasons in 2005 when he registered career-highs with 65 receptions for 877 yards. Crumpler followed that campaign with a career-best eight touchdowns in 2006.

Last season in Tennessee, Crumpler started 14 of 16 games and finished with 27 receptions for 222 yards and one touchdown.

Picking up Crumpler fills a huge need for the Patriots at tight end.  Crumpler is an excellent blocker, especially in the running game.  He is listed at 6′2″, 262, but it has been reported that at times he has weighed in at close to 300 pounds.  By bringing in Crumpler, the Patriots are bringing in not only a blocker, but someone who can contribute in the receiving game as well.  While Crumpler likely won’t be matching the production he had in Atlanta, he will get some opportunities to catch some passes.

In addition to his play on the field, Crumpler will also provide a great locker room presence for the Patriots.  All week, former coaches and teammates lauded Crumpler’s leadership, intelligence, and professionalism.  That’s the type of player the Patriots were missing last year, and hopefully, Crumpler’s leadership will help fill that void.

Now, the Patriots could choose to add another veteran tight end before the draft.  However, I think it’s more likely that the Patriots bring in a tight end in round two (Rob Gronkowski, Dennis Pitta, Dorin Dickerson), and possibly another in the 6th or 7th rounds.

Kevin Faulk Back in 2010 | Courtesy Patriots.com

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reports:

The New England Patriots announced Wednesday afternoon that they’ve agreed to terms with running back Kevin Faulk.

The team did not release the terms of the deal, but a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter the deal was for one year and will be signed Thursday. Another source said that Faulk will receive a $1 million signing bonus and can earn an additional $2 million in salary and incentives.

Faulk, who has been with New England since 1999, has been one of the Patriots’ most reliable veteran receivers. While he’s slowed down a bit of late, he remains productive. Faulk averaged 5.4 yards per carry last season, with 335 yards on 62 carries, while tying for fourth on the club with 37 receptions.

Another great deal for New England, as they return yet another key veteran from 2009.  Faulk, who will be 34 this coming season, hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.  Although he may be the oldest running back under contract in the NFL, Faulk has avoided the wear and tear of your typical every down back, and should be back to his usual third down and passing back role in 2010.

A lot of people were worried that, considering the time it took to get this deal done, Faulk might be contemplating other options.   However, that was never the case.  According to reports, Faulk deflected interest from up to five different teams (even receiving offers from the Redskins and Eagles), but never really considered leaving the Patriots.  2010 will be Faulk’s 12th year with the Patriots.  He still wants to win, and he still has a lot to offer.