Draft Thoughts

I could speculate forever about who the Patriots will draft this weekend. Trying to predict Coach Belichick is like trying to invest in the stock market. I read an interesting article the other day in the Boston Globe about the four drafts where the Patriots had four picks in the first two rounds.

Those drafts produced stars such as Drew Bledsoe, Tim Foxx, Andre Tippet, Mike Haynes, Raymond Clayborn, Stanley Morgan, Chris Slade and Pete Brock. They also produced the likes of Tony Simmons,Trevor Matich, Ike Forte, Ben Thomas and Daryl Haley. This latter group of players contributed during their tenure with the team, but did not live up to their billing as a high draft choice.

There are two draft stories I always remember. In 1996, fans were told by a local sportscaster that we would love the 3rd round pick because his name sounded like "brewski." Number 54 has already punched his ticket to the Patriots Hall of Fame.

In 2000, many assumed that the QB drafted on the 6th round was a throw away pick. Already we had Drew Bledsoe entrenched as the starter, with the capable John Frieze as his back-up and fans were clamoring for more playing time for the incomparable Michael Bishop. Why did we need to draft that guy from Michigan, Tom Brady?

I find the draft to be very exciting. Who will be on the team on opening day? Will anyone have a major impact this season? Will we be talking about them five years from now? Will one of them have an emotional press conference some day to announce their retirement? Is anyone destined for Canton?