In this week’s edition of the NFL Notebook, we look at some New England-based players who could hear their name called on draft weekend, visit with a former Patriots’ cornerback who has made quite a name for himself in his post-playing career, and speculate on the release date for the 2019 regular-season slate. But first, we have three things you have to know when it comes to New England's team-building process at this time of year.
1. Three things to keep in mind about the Patriots at this time of year:
a) This point on the calendar is often used to dot the i’s and cross the t’s when it comes to the whole story on a prospect. You want to make sure that everything is taken care of — no stones left unturned, no questions unanswered. It’s also a chance to maybe surprise some prospects. To that point, my favorite pre-draft evaluation story might have been Nate Solder, who was put through a workout in Colorado by offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia the week of the draft. Solder later said that was the first time he knew the Patriots were interested in him. Wouldn’t be surprised to hear if some of the New England braintrust was doing the same sort of last-minute check-ins across the country over the next week-plus.
b) These pre-draft visits to Foxborough can mean many things. There is some legit draft-related tire-kicking, and some of the information can be part of a smokescreen. (There are also agents who are aware of the fact a pre-draft visit with New England can create buzz around their client, and they have no problem letting people know their guy is taking a meeting with the defending Super Bowl champions.) Finally, these sessions can also provide some intel on a future opponent, either as part of a pre-game scouting report or down the line. In their eyes, everything is a teachable moment.
c) Their five remaining unrestricted free agents — linebackers Albert McClellan and Ramon Humber, defensive tackle Danny Shelton, running back Jeremy Hill, and offensive linemen Ulrick John — are all in what might best be described as a holding pattern right now, according to multiple sources. Right now, the focus for the front offices is more about the draft than it is what’s out there when it comes to free agency. That’s not to say there won’t be any signings between now and then, but for the free agents who remain, it’s a bit like a game of musical chairs, and they’re the ones who have been left standing at this point on the calendar. I can tell you that sources close to John and McClellan have made it clear they would welcome a return. At the same time, their fates may be tied to the draft and some of the younger players who were on the roster last year — if the Patriots believe someone like Christian Sam could provide what they got from McClellan or Humber last year, that could mean the veterans are out on the street. Ultimately, there’s the chance for a lot of movement at the back end of the roster at this time of year, and things will start to come into sharper focus over the next month-plus.
2. Patrick Chung’s new deal — and the looming 10-year anniversary of the 2009 draft — should serve as the latest reminder to avoid knee-jerk assessments when it comes to the process. At the time, many believed the Patriots’ came up lacking that year, and pointed to players like Ron Brace, Brandon Tate, Myron Pryor and George Bussey who never clicked in Foxborough. But Chung, Vollmer and Julian Edelman all went on to lengthy careers in the NFL; in the case of Chung and Edelman, it took them time to find their footing before they became vital parts of a Super Bowl champion. Just a reminder when those immediate post-draft grades start to pop up moments after the 2019 draft is done.
3. Former Patriots cornerback Shawn Springs continues to make inroads into the tech field with his company, Windpact. Springs and his company are trying to create safer technology for athletes, military, construction, medical, automotive industries, or whoever might be a risk when it comes to head trauma. For him, it was a natural move.
“I got the tech bug when I was drafted by the Seahawks and Paul Allen,” he said. “I’ll never forget that time — it was exciting being in Seattle and experiencing the tech boom. Everything was exploding. Microsoft. Amazon. Starbucks. It was a special moment, being an athlete and just being around that type of innovation.”
Springs and his company recently won the HeadHealthTech Challenge for the second year in a row, and were awarded $148,820 to tailor their Crash Cloud padding technology for use in Schutt's AirXP Pro Q10 helmet. In addition, Springs’ company is working on what he calls an “advanced combat helmet,” as well as fine-tuning protection products for a wide range of sports like baseball, lacrosse, hockey, skiing and cycling, all while continuing to make advancements in football safety.
“The truth is, I don’t know in our lifetime anyone will solve the concussion issue, but I believe we can lessen the impact,” Spring said.
Hear Springs explain more about his company and what they are doing:
4. Springs spent one season with the Patriots (2009), and while that team fell short of the ultimate goal, he still treasures the time he spent in New England, especially with Tom Brady.
“He’s the ageless one. What can you say?” Springs said of Brady. “I was lucky enough to have one year playing with him, and I was in awe of his ability and professionalism to take things to another level. Coach (Bill) Belichick, he’s a plug-and-play guy, especially at corner. Whether it’s Jason McCourty or (Stephon) Gilmore, whoever he puts into that system, people buy in. It’s about winning, not the individual, and everyone sharing a common goal.
“For me, the thing that sticks out the most about my time there was that we didn’t win a Super Bowl. At the same time, while I think Bill is one of the greatest coaches of all time, it seems like he hit another gear in coaching after that year, and now, he’s even better as he continues to evolve.”
5. You want a small-school New England kid to root for? How about Thomas Costigan, a linebacker from Bryant College who impressed at a recent Pro Day workout. The 6-foot-2, 231-pounder from Connecticut was a tackling machine the last few years for Bryant, and had some good numbers, including a 6.96 3-cone time. Not saying he’s going to be a Pro Bowler, but a New England kid who could be a late-round or undrafted free agent pickup. Two other under-the-radar names starting to gain steam this week — Kentucky cornerback Chris Westry, a big (6-foot-4, 205 pounds), rangy defender who ran a 4.31 40, as well as North Dakota State Bruce Anderson, a running back who can offer significant value on special teams (specifically as a kick returner) and in the kicking game. Anderson wouldn’t be more than a Day 3 possibility, but his skill set strikes me as a late-round/UDFA pickup for New England who could blossom into something greater down the road.
6. Here are five other New England-based college players who should hear their name called on draft weekend:
Boston College OL Chris Lindstrom: One of the best offensive linemen in this draft, the latest Lindstrom to star at BC figures to be a first- or second-round pickup. He’s played both guard and tackle, but the 6-foot-4, 308-pounder is projected to be more of an interior lineman at the next level.
Boston College DE Zach Allen: The 6-foot-4, 281-pounder, who currently projects as a Day 2 selection, was a second-team all-conference choice last year, leading BC with 15 tackles for loss while totaling 61 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, one interception, seven pass breakups, and two blocked kicks in 12 starts.
UMass wide receiver Andy Isabella: We’ve written about the speedy Isabella before, and while we still believe he’s probably more of a Day 2 or 3 pickup, I believe the 5-foot-9, 188-pounder is going to make some team out there very happy, regardless of where he’s taken. The Biletnikoff Award finalist as the nation's top receiver and second-team AP All-American had 102 receptions and 13 touchdowns in 12 starts. In addition, he led the FBS with 141.5 receiving yards per game (1,698, 16.7 per catch).
UConn quarterback David Pindell: The 6-foot, 198-pounder might have to do a little bit of everything if he wants to make it at the next level, but he certainly has an intriguing skill set — he’s worked out for teams as a quarterback and receiver. Last year, he passed for nearly 2,000 yards and ran for more than 1,000 more, and topped that with a 4.54 40. You can’t teach that kind of speed.
Maine TE Drew Belcher: A 6-foot-3, 250-pounder out of Reading, Belcher has a really versatile background, having started nine games at quarterback in his first two years for the Black Bears before moving to tight end and posting 63 catches for 590 receiving yards and three touchdowns his last two seasons. You toss in an electric 3-cone time (6.65), and you have a guy who could be very attractive to some teams in the late stages of the draft or as a UDFA.
With top prospects A.J. Brown & Deebo Samuel visiting NE, are the @Patriots eyeing WR early in the #NFLDraft?
Well, in 19 drafts with the team, Bill Belichick has never taken a WR in the 1st round.
And all the Pats 1,000-yd WRs since 2000 have come by trade or late-rd pick. pic.twitter.com/eLA2KxdmfP
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) April 12, 2019