Anyone who covers the Patriots and the NFL for a living is in Indianapolis this week, where all the NFL's power brokers are stationed for the annual Scouting Combine. There's a lot of coverage of that event in general, and the Patriots in particular, from all the various media, but you won't find any more comprehensive than right here on patriots.com.Â
In other Patriots-related news, however, the Boston Herald declares that New England won't be getting its confiscated draft picks back from the NFL this year and as a result, the top talent in the draft is out of the Patriots' reach.
"No, the Pats won't be scooping up a stud tackle in the first round to help protect Tom Brady," the author states. "And to make it worse, a talented outside pass protector could end up landing with the Broncos, who also have a major need at that position and will be ready to pounce with their pick at No. 31."
On the other hand, The Boston Globe asserts that Bill Belichick still rules the day at the Combine.
Meanwhile,* The Providence Journal *believes the Patriots are all set at cornerback, as that paper continues its position-by-position breakdown of the current roster.
"Cornerback was the most scrutinized position on the Patriots heading into last season," the ProJo author explains. "After losing all their starters from the Super Bowl — Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner and Kyle Arrington — the Patriots didn't spend a high draft pick or a lot of money in free agency. They relied on player development — and it actually worked."
ESPN has a blog post about director of player personnel Nick Caserio's vital role to the Patriots.
"Part of what makes the 40-year-old one of the most unique pieces in the NFL is that he is part personnel man, part coach, often taking active parts in practices. In 2007, he served as the team's wide-receivers coach after spending the prior three seasons as director of pro personnel. He is set to begin his 16th season with the franchise and he's been director of player personnel since 2008, overseeing both pro and college personnel."
A complete interview with Caserio at this year's Combine can be seen and heard right here on patriots.com. Keep checking back to patriots.com the rest of this week and through the weekend for continued coverage of the Combine and all Patriots-related news from Indianapolis.