INDIANAPOLIS - The Patriots could very well find themselves in the market for some interior linemen in the draft given the uncertain future of free agents Dan Koppen and Dan Connolly, not to mention the possibility of veteran Brian Waters' days with the team coming to an end.
The crop is deeper at guard than center but one interesting mid-round possibility at the pivot is Mississippi State's Quentin Saulsberry. The 6-2, 304-pounder has the versatility the Patriots like along the interior having played both guard and center as well as in varying zone blocking schemes while with the Bulldogs.
He also played with Patriots defensive lineman Kyle Love, and as is the case with most who cross paths with the young behemoth, he enjoyed the experience.
"He's a happy guy and a real close friend of mine," Saulsberry said of Love. "I talk to him every chance I get and admire everything that he did and all the advice he gave me too. I talked to him before and after the Super Bowl but I haven't talked to him much about the Combine and stuff."
He added one other note. As Love's legend has grown in New England and the comparisons with Vince Wilfork have increased, Love explained how people at Mississippit State referred to him as Baby Vince.
When asked about it, Saulsberry laughed: "We called him Love Boat and Love Machine but I never heard that."
