At #78 the Pats go with Shawn Crable, a linebacker from Michigan.  Not a guy we had targeted, but another defensive pick as expected.

Ben’s take: Real big for a linebacker at nearly 6′5 and 245 lbs.  Had 13.5 sacks over the past two seasons and does a great job rushing the passer and containing the run.  Much better going forward than in pass coverage, but work ethic a little questionable which is why he drops this far.

Matt’s take: Looks like a bit of a project player.  Love his size and athleticism, but we’ll see if he can make the mental leap from college to the pros.

Pats traded their first pick in the third round (#69 overall) to San Diego.  No worries though, New England’s got two more third rounders so Matt and I will be offering our thoughts on those picks soon.

As we correctly predicted, Terrence Wheatley goes to the Pats.  A little bit of a reach at the end of the second round, but with three third round picks, there’s plenty more opportunity to improve the defense.  Anyway, here’s the take.

Ben: Don’t mind the pick, especially with the run on defensive backs at the end of the first round.  Wheatley could be first round talent anyway, remember the all Big 12 selection in 2006.  If he can recover successfully from his injury issues, he could be a great pickup, plus he adds value as a kick returner.

Matt: I’d personally rather see the Patriots trade up and acquire a player in the upper tier of the cornerback crop. This pick either  means that the Pats had no trade partners or the talent difference between him and the “upper tier” isn’t that significant. 

My bad, I blame patriots.com, they traded #7 and a fifth rounder for #10 and New Orleans third round pick.

Quick update on the Pats-Saints trade.  New England gave away #7 and and third rounder for #10 overall and a fifth rounder, all for this year.

OK here we go.  #10 overall is…… Jerod Mayo, a linebacker from Tennessee.

Ben’s take: Hmmmm, interesting.  Thought the Pats would address the need for a top cornerback here.  I guess they like some of the offseason pickups enough to go linebacker.  Pretty versatile guy, should fit right into the Pats system and that’s really what matters.

Matt’s take: Why trade down? Don’t we need a corner?  All questions I asked, but in the end I can’t question Pioli and Bellichick’s pick.  With the Pats signing several CB’s in the offseason, this selection looks to fill the gaps most necessary to the Pats.  I think Gholston to the Jets hurt the Pats plans (why do you think the Jets took him?) but he seems to be the next best linebacker in the draft.

As expected (and predicted), no Gholston, so the Pats move down the line thanks to the Saints.  In return New England gets the 10th pick, here’s our take.

 Ben: Good move, no one really worth taking at 7 that you can’t get at 10.  Keep your eyes on Keith Rivers or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, they should both be there.

Matt: Straight up 7 for 10?  I’ll take it, the Pats will save a little money.  There doesn’t seem to be a player on the board worth a 7th overall.

Once again, here’s the list of player who have been scouted by the Patriots.  Guys to keep an eye on down the line late in the draft Saturday and Sunday.

1. Antwaun Molden, DB, Eastern Kentucky
2. Justin Beaver, RB, Wisconsin-Whitewater
3. Josh Coffman, OL, East Carolina
4. Terrence Wheatley, DB, Colorado
5. Jack Williams, DB, Kent State
6. Marc Magro, LB, West Virginia
7. Lavarus Giles, RB, Jackson State
8. Jo-Lonn Dunbar, LB, Boston College
9. Terrell Thomas, DB, Southern Cal
10. Lawrence Jackson, DL, Southern Cal
11. Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego
12. Quentin Groves, DE/LB, Auburn
13. Thomas Williams, LB, Southern Cal
14. Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
15. Jamey Richard, C, Buffalo
16. John Greco, OL, Toledo
17. Drew Miller, C, Florida
18. Steve Johnson, WR, Kentucky
19. Gary Barnidge, TE, Louisville
20. Trae Williams, DB, South Florida
21. Stanford Keglar, LB, Purdue
22. Orlando Scandrick, DB, Boise St.
23. Charles Godfrey, DB, Iowa
24. Chevis Jackson, DB/KR, LSU
25. Patrick Lee, CB/KR, Auburn
26. Al Phillips, DB/KR, Wagner
27. Thomas DeCoud, S, Cal
28. Zach Bowman, CB, Nebraska
29. Marcus Howard, LB/DE, Georgia
30. Jason Jones, DL, Eastern Michigan
31. Cliff Avril, DE/LB, Purdue
32. Hilee Taylor, DE/LB, UNC

There’s the list.  Again, this is not everyone the Patriots have scouted, but a good deal of these players have worked out for the Patriots, and the team seems more serious about some than others (Drew Miller, for example).  However, don’t be surprised if these names pop up on Sunday or even in the second or third round in some cases.

Found out today that one of Senator Arlen Specter’s major campaign contributors happens to be Comcast.  A cable company that just happens to be in a financial struggle with the NFL.  But Mr. Specter’s push for more info on Spygate is completely unbiased.  Right, just a coincidence.  I think not.

He’s at it again.  Apparently, the NFL’s investigation into Matt Walsh’s involvement with the Patriots isn’t enough.  Forget that the team agreed to ignore his contract forbidding him to discuss his terms of employment, now an interview with the Comissioner of the league, you know, the guy who doles out penalties and handles these kinds of investigations, isn’t enough for this nosy punk from Pennsylvania (nothing against the Keystone state).  Arlen Specter wants his own interview with Walsh and says he might recommend that Congress investigate further into Spygate.  I will repeat, in bold capital letters so perhaps Mr. Specter will understand better,

SPYGATE WAS A ONE TIME OFFENSE!!!!!!!!!!.

One time, that’s it.  This is not a situation where the government needs to get involved.  There’s no major union issue, no drug scandal pervasive throughout the league.  Congress is a last resort.  There’s a reason these leagues have governing bodies in the first place, to deal with situations like this one.  As supposedly one of the leading Senators in the country, you’d think Specter would know this.  Instead he wants to grandstand and soap box and attach his name to a scandal that doesn’t exist.  Senator Specter, this may be hard to get, but the Eagles actually did lose that Super Bowl, there was no conspiracy, and if you’re not careful you may lose your next election.

Enough ranting, Matt and I are back later this week diving into the deep end of the draft (we turn from Owen Schmitt haters to lovers).  Also this weekend, keep checking the website as Matt and I offer our thoughts on every new Patriot, that way you don’t have to be distracted by Mel Kiper Jr’s hair.