FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts. – Quick thoughts and notes about the New England Patriots and the NFL:
1. Generational Effect: Former Patriots linebacker Brent Williams saw a photo from South Dakota’s last pro day, and everything about it seemed familiar to him.
Sitting downstairs by the metal bleachers is his son Camryn, wearing a blue jersey with “Patriot” on it, the same logo Williams had on his helmet during his playing days from 1986 to 1992. He tilts his head forward, mouth closed keeping a close eye on the Sioux Falls running back Thuro Reisdorfer in a workout.
“It’s always locked in,” said Brent Williams. “I tell him, ‘You have to smile every now and then.'” Let people see that you have good teeth! “
He’s joking, of course. He knows full well that Laser Focus is intensity because he’s handed it to his son, who is entering his eighth season in the Patriots’ personnel department and second in the all-important role of college scouting director.
The photo, in many ways, sums up what this time of year is like for NFL scouts. They relentlessly travel around the country gathering the latest info leading up to the NFL Draft on April 27 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, and the ESPN App), then hope their next trip is on time (Camryn’s trip, it turns out, it’s done). Cancel leaving South Dakota).
It also highlights how, three decades after Brent played his last snap with the Patriots—who totaled 48.5 sacks with him after being selected in the seventh round by the University of Toledo—Camren continues the family’s relationship with the organization.
“One of the cool things is that [director of scouting administration] Nancy [Meier] He’s the one who called me to tell me the Patriots were drafting me. also hosted [my son] Brennan on his visit [in 2013] And she took him to the car when I picked him up because he was staying here. I’ve known Nancy Cam since he was a child, and for him to work for her now is really a special part of my experience and connection to the organization,” he said.
But the connections go only so far.
“I discover things just like normal fans do,” Brent said. “I feel like I should have known more sooner, but that’s the Patriot way. Nothing comes out of there, not even for my dad!”
The 29-year-old Camryn, who has risen from assistant scout to area scout, national scout and now college scouting director, is expected to be one of the few from the personnel department in the team’s small recruiting room — joining player personnel director Matt Groh, director of scouting Elliott Wolfe, professional scouting director Steve Cargill and probably a few others.
Brent credits the influence of former Patriots/current Dolphins assistant general manager Marvin Allen, who is Camryn’s godfather, as well as Camryn’s time as a four-year letterman (2012 to 2015) on the Ohio State football team under head coach Urban Meyer, for paving the way for his career.
The family keeps a collective text chain, and Brent and his wife, Jackie, have one small request for all of their children: Send a message when you reach your destination.
We just want to know that they got to where they’re supposed to be safe, so we have this “reached” text that you’re told to send. Obviously, during this time period, Camryn’s “landing” texts dominate the family group text, because He moves from one city to another.
It’s all hoping for the best odds for the Patriots, the franchise whose family ties run deep.
2. O’Brien’s introduction: The Patriots hired Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator on January 26, and head coach Bill Belichick made him (along with the rest of the staff) available to reporters for the first time on Tuesday. That would generate a new round of headlines about the team’s signature move in the offseason, which owner Robert Kraft opined should go for quarterback Mack Jones. Some close to the Alabama program, where O’Brien has served as OC for the past two seasons, believe Jones’ presence is one of the top reasons the job attracted O’Brien.
3. Vrabel Time?: Former linebacker Mike Vrabel, and current Tennessee Titans coach, is a finalist for the Patriots Hall of Fame for the seventh straight year, joining coach Bill Parcells (five times) and offensive lineman Logan Mankins (two Finalists in his first two years of eligibility). a vote will determine the winner. My thoughts? There are no right or wrong answers in the Team Hall of Fame, because there are no set criteria for each voter. Best player/coach? Contributions to Super Bowl championships? most influential in society? Do you prefer fans?
Parcells is the most polarizing candidate, and it’s not even close. His arrival in 1993 changed the way many viewed the ragtag franchise and set the stage for what was to come in the decades since his (messy) departure. Vrabel is a no-brainer, which bothers me that it took so long. Adequate! The Mankins and Wes Welker (losing finalists) should be in; I think its just a matter of time.
4. Gesicki signs in: Put this under the category of jumping early but don’t get called for a false start – Mike Gesicki arrived in town last week before the team started. Voluntary offseason program Monday. The first phase of the offseason program, the first two weeks, is all strength and conditioning work. The second phase, covering weeks 3-5, allows coaches to be on the field. Then the third phase, covering four weeks, includes 10 structured group activities and a mandatory mini-camp (June 12-14).
5. O’Shea’s Passion: An uplifting gesture from fourth-year Patriots defensive end Josh O’Shea, who joined Jones on Wednesday to address hundreds of local high school students at the Kyle Cars Conference, dedicated to promoting open and honest communication about the mental health of today’s teens and young adults. Community. O’Shea is passionate about this topic and has developed a mental health app specifically for athletes.
6. Local talent: The Patriots had about a dozen draft-eligible players in town for their home pro day last week, with defensive tackle from Coastal Carolina Jerrod Clark (Brighton, MA) and UCLA/Duke receiver Jake Bobo (North Andover, MA) is among the outstanding leads located. Harvard, Holy Cross, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Oconne, and Merrimack were among the schools represented in some form, reflecting how Patriots ensure they have a covered backyard on their trail exploration.
7. McSorley QB3…for now: The Patriots’ signing of third-string quarterback Trace McSorley on Thursday makes sense so he can join Jones and Bailey Zappe from the team’s voluntary offseason program start this week. The 27-year-old fills the spot created by the release of veteran Brian Hoyer, and his long-term viability will be conditioned, in part, on whether the team creates a quarterback for the third year in a row.
8. Vollmer in the Draft: Former Patriots offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer will announce the team’s second and third round picks in the NFL Draft, as part of the league’s initiative to connect former and current players. German-born Vollmer was a gem second-round pick in 2009, and with the Patriots slated to play in Germany this season (reciprocal opponent/date), he’s a perfect choice.
9. Patten Legacy: Before the late David Patten won three Super Bowls as a member of the Patriots (2001 to 2004), he was chasing his dream as a member of the Arena Football League’s Albany Firebirds. A poignant reminder of this comes Sunday when he dresses his son, Daquan, as receiver/defensive linebacker for Albany (now called the Empire) in the team’s season opener. Daquan will temporarily wear number 8 before his retirement in the hopes that he will wear his father’s old number 86. Vinny Testaverde’s son, Vincent, is also in the team.
10. Did you know?: The Patriots’ final five first-round picks have been on the offensive side of the ball. Defensive Tackle Malcolm Brown (2015) is the last defender selected by the team in the opening round.