Christopher Price, WEEI.com

My buddy Michael spent the weekend just for grins and giggles in Indianapolis Indiana the play at writing and editing about it right -- That forget that there the it it it's the place I think ago when I think if you know -- arrest but. I think it's been a game in Indianapolis with the wind was probably 2. Maybe three today a guy who was paid to go out there and wallets or stuff. Is Crist for priced from WEEI dot com just back from Indianapolis where. He was reporting on -- dot com website extensively sacred site not that I get to this morning and joined Greg. Not all of us. Can have their Patriots book read by Rush Limbaugh well you know what. You need to contact I gotta get benefited and -- wait a minute but any out -- But -- man that's -- hurt pray a -- I'm just hey I'm just I'm just in Michael's way. Well so and Michael in Michael's -- now he's been duties since yesterday. Is this it's so it's so improbable. And out of me if he knew the only good guys and they're little note that -- really did you take the Amazon.com numbers despite a a spike spike a majors by night's game was predict. Only -- 72000 spot -- Saturday will be. Lewdness by -- and -- to book his website that it for crying out you regard because I think. Our. Shining groups that benefit after a well Chris we were talking about the NFL combine in and it really just shoot the breeze here for the -- opened up you're saying. It's a -- unique opportunity to get coaches. In offseason mode where they're perhaps more -- atlas darted. And and you know you'll stand -- talk football with.

Exactly it it's a very unique situation to be and I compare a lot to -- if anyone that's the summer league a few years ago. The NBA some early when he had -- UMass Boston where you could just get coaches and executives in a really low key kind of laid back setting. This was it it's great you also get players the college players who government kind of put through that NFL PR system yet. So they don't really know what they shouldn't shouldn't say and that's good for us in the media. Because they're pretty candid in that regard but it's a great situation if you remember the media you can getting into it I highly suggested because it's a great situation.

And if you talk to people out there Chris and I'm sure you did talk to many people even before you get out there. He got a sense that this draft is extremely deep how do you think the Patriots. Will take advantage of this depth. In the early rounds first and second round because they could have as many as 32 round pick right now --

Basically for you for lack of better turned going to cut the chaser. Nothing dissuaded me from the idea that the Patriots are going to be looking at linebackers and defensive backs of their really specifically guys like different if he falls to them. -- far rightists. Clay Matthews junior I don't think beluga I think a horribly butchered a name horribly retirements our studio you receive it back there is going to be available by the time they -- but guys like that maybe Alfonso Smith. But.

Now how about this that. -- I talk to us out. -- Eat things Lauren -- and this is outraged that let me say this in this what's this make sense coming from me right but I did not say it about where where north -- scope. The -- university. Forty guys in the pros on in -- rosters to aptitude but. A scout at. This you have to James organized this -- thing -- James organized can cover. Better than Brian Lara that -- standing got a bit of mr. now. At at what have you heard if you heard anything about him of that stature because in Beverly -- He's not going to previously.

Going to be 123 exactly know why -- one of the things that are really like about this class a linebackers. Is that the all fairly versatile it is the guys were going at least the people want to the Patriots looked at the first couple rounds. In I think Lauren Titus is one of those guys I don't think he covers with Brian Urlacher. But I think you're going to be able to see this group of linebackers do things the media haven't seen rookie linebackers to in the past first while want to get off the table immediately to. They're not going to find another Jerod -- Look you know Jerod Mayo is a once in a generation guy who's -- I was able to comment. And make an impact in the Patriots line backing corps as a rookie we all know that's very very rare I don't think they're going to find another one of those but I think they're going to be able to find a guy Spears of the linebacker 23 who's going to be able to make a significant impact on this defense. By the embassies in a blatant rip off -- Brad -- Oscar. Nomination you you talk about the curious case of -- bar one. -- sounds like. The perfect Bill Belichick he really does he really doesn't I think the question would -- win right now. Is it he has done so well that the Columbine I don't think they want to make him their number one pick. But I think in a perfect world. They would love it if he was there with one of their 22 round picks right now. You can do a lot of things he was a tight in order -- acquire another second round exact rating of back -- exactly we all know how Belichick loves those graphics going to you know we we have guys and at a year. I don't know. Why this -- like the perfect Patriot he's a really intriguing guy he's he's played first of all know it was quite sure where he should work out of the common future work over the tight -- the you know the linebackers whatever he played tight end as a junior at Cincinnati and caught a thirty something passes was really talented in the red zone to limit a lot of contributions there. The asked him to switch between junior and senior year. He moved over the defensive side of the football at twelve sacks as a senior including three in game against it. He's a guy who really is -- come by and freaked him a lot of really good things during the work out drew the attention of a lot of guys. And again he's not going to be a guy I think who's gonna move up all of a sudden into the top fifteen but he's going to be a guy who's going to provoke a lot of debate undrafted because. You can do a lot of things in you know 1010 those things make the transition you know if a level. If it's all very very interesting he's a guy who I think a lot of teams are going to new president take a --

late first round early second we knew we were we had a phone call yesterday from a guy who said you think the Patriots will draft a receiver. Because there's a need deposition that was his his take on it I was only got Randy Moss. Who is 32 got Wes Welker. So if they do draft the -- I'm guessing it will be third round or beyond what do you think.

I I think I think that they're not going to look specifically at any pass catchers. In the first two or three rounds I think. Really the number one goal -- this draft is going to in the deliberate -- they want to get younger on defense against specifically the linebacker in the defensive back situation. If they do draft a wide receiver it's going to be later you're not going to get one of those guys you're not going to get Michael Crabtree coming in here perceive -- and a -- one of those guys. You're gonna get a guy who is a little bit further down on the board. No one really jumped out at me in terms of guys were a little bit further back in terms of really pass catchers. The tight end from Florida was really interesting guy in a cup all the Florida guys talked about this because they said look. You know we're familiar with the Patriots system were familiar with the Patriot way because Belichick frankly down -- all the time talking Urban Meyer. He's talking to us he's telling us how to do things so in terms the transition. I think would make -- a little bit easier for your wide receiver though but specifically Ellis Florida guys and put this up on the blog over the weekend. A few years ago all those Florida guys. Where were signed others signed or drafted Chad Jackson disaster yet and in none of the work out the only guy on the roster the only -- any active roster right now who's a Florida guy Gaffney is Jabar Gaffney in he lean on me here come next season so what's going to be interesting to see if they go back to that Florida well again. Like him Internet tight end who really wants to plea for the Patriots he talked about it a couple times over the weekend. Be interesting CP decide to make that move but in terms of pass catchers I agree if you Michael they're not going to go after wide receiver tight hander anyone of those as the first opera. Obviously the reason this matters is because of the draft is there any scenario short of Tom Brady announcing that his knee is. Totally messed up again in which Matt Cassel is still on this team on draft day I have not seen and I'm going to echo what Peter King said today in in Monday morning quarterback. I don't think he's going to be here come July 1 but I have many who work out a scenario where I can point to a team and say look he's a perfect fit right there. The teams out of the Columbine for the most part didn't needed a quarterback. Minnesota San Francisco Detroit Tampa Bay the day. Really didn't. Would -- really want all that interest in talking about him and talk about what kind of impact would -- he was really -- he was he was topic they are a lot of others but but those teams specifically. Kind of pulled back when you ask them about -- council specifically we talked to Brad Childress. And one of the reporters asked Brad Childress he's had a what do you think about Matt Cassel was the you know do you think he'd be good fit your system -- or do you think he's a little bit overrated because he was you know he was in the the Patriots this will rated -- judgment in -- In England in in all of that and he visibly pulled back and said you know what I don't want to talk about that Matt -- the Patriots property. Mike singletary said were committed to going forward with the quarterbacks the weed out. Yeah exactly also now wherever. I started. And that might that might be a possibility is why -- like to see them you know -- in the -- that in in in -- always said I have no physical reason -- no physical evidence to this. I can seem. To for next year and be good fit -- and -- good young team I think -- lot of things. But frankly you know you look at a team like Detroit I think he'd be -- that's not to say the Patriots are going to get that first round pick. But again we talked to those -- you -- down. You use you acquire value form I think I think you I think. There's a much greater likelihood of seeing Matt Cassel in Detroit uniform NC Wednesday met -- because -- right now. Is falling a lot of doubt we're really didn't have that great --

Chris there was a report a report over the weekend that. Fred Taylor was going to go to Buffalo first and then lined up in New England him to work with the Patriots. What do you think of Fred Taylor that possibility. In the Patriots back.

I think for short money I think could be greater investment I don't think that LaMont Jordan is going to be your next year so I think if you basically. Plug Mark Taylor and that is the mutate or you plug Fred Taylor and assistant to take on Jordan it's system. I -- it would make a lot of sense he's not an every down back Indian he has a minute redundant for a couple of years in the injury thing still scares me a little bit about -- But if you use him as a situation weapons of views him as a situation running back. I think -- the -- to an awful lot of things I think if he's healthy. He could push Laurence Maroney and we've spent almost the entire -- offseason discussing help but Tom Brady and and that you know surgically repaired left knee. We've done very little talking about the help the Laurence Maroney. Who you know was another huge question mark what here I could literally do I could talk about Lawrence for -- Laurence Maroney is a fascinating guy. Because. I just don't know that you look at Laurence Maroney and he's never been in the number one back. Wherever he's -- going back to school. In that brings up questions at her ability you know ability -- when he's been good he's been very very good. You know he's put up some fantastic numbers when he's healthy and frankly when -- heads on street but when it's not there when it's not work and forum. He can be Adrian on that offense I have not heard anything about him going forward right now. But. Put this way it wouldn't surprise me he's an X I I wouldn't surprise me if the clock is -- Laurence Maroney when you say well. -- all that is -- your next year's tournament for the 2009 season and a 2009 season you are you surprised debate if if if they toss them overboard if they if if if the price of different -- got a trade form somewhere. Traditionally those guys have it's a short shelf life in the Belichick's system you know running backs -- yet you look at running back him when he hits. -- backseat in dog years. You know if for for for for -- offer for every single year that we. For a regular folks like proceed at seven years for them because they get it so much -- so -- punishment. But I could understand Maroney having to drop off if he's been around for 567 years. But he is confounding to me he he's amazing to me and I think. I think he really confounds a lot of his teammates there was an incident a couple of years ago -- on diapers in the locker you know questioning his toughness. He's just it's an interesting guy and it is an interesting situation with him because I don't think anyone. Outside of your organization really knows what they have been him going forty.

Well here's a million dollar question Laurence Maroney if he's not on the field because is. He's unlucky and runs and injuries or team on the field because he doesn't prepare well enough. To stay on the field.

That's that's the question but it but again I think a lot of it comes back to the fact that he hasn't been. The number one feature back wherever he's been he's always shared carries with guys and I think that please into and I really do I think that please new and having to please into the system. You gotta be tough to -- for Bill Belichick and in I think that there's a real question. At this stage of his professional career there's a real question about stuff that's.

We know that the system doesn't change at Gillette when the personnel does. We know that however they operate their draft preparation and their draft day operation will not be different. But the guy a sit -- are making the decision -- Bill Belichick will be different how all that change things in the organization.

You're talking specifically about Canada tag team of fassero and -- stepping in for for Scott pioli yeah. Then that basically the Patriots template the way they do things has been kind of spread out throughout the league now even more so than it's been in years past because you know but now -- Kansas City. Yeah Josh mcdaniels and Denver. You have promised him a trough in Atlanta. The way they do things loses is it's going to be a little tougher to get things done because they have guys with similar mind sets. Now running other teams in having a big hand in in in controlling the fortunes of other teams. So when it comes to. Specific guys when it comes to their skill set. There's still going to be able to go and get those guys but when it comes to finding a specific type of player. That Patriots the you know that Patriots system you know that the mission statement that that Scott pioli Republican for strong tough disciplined football players. It's going to be a little bit tougher to find those kinds of guys because so many of those guys have been you know so many of those -- from a personal department. Now spread out throughout the league does the relationship between Belichick and pioli. Make it harder for those two guys to do a deal or easy I think initially makes it a little bit harder. Until they're both until you know there on the same needs luck you know Patriots fans are really lucky because Belichick and pioli essentially shared a football brain. You know going back the last 89 years I think -- that a few years ago the only the only disagreement painfully guys handful personnel decisions. And so it's sold far policy that so far. What you know who weren't what 12 months and we haven't seen any of those classes yet it'll be interesting to see if you we'd get to the draft and all of a sudden the Patriots are drafting. You know guys that did that we should that you and I don't think they're going to take you know is that would signal radical departure in the overall system but having so far with the limited track record that we have. Things are going well so far -- so far. It's going to be interesting to see go report. How -- department rules about about that at all.

Yeah and with that said Chris they have had some opportunities are some instances where there have been glitches in the matrix. I think Chad Jackson is the number one glitch in the -- exactly he's not one of their guys -- paint. You'd go out there and get a guy who is. A little immature and he had those questions in college. And even though we had some production in college. There was still questions about a they went out and got an eagle and a guy like that was that bill Johnson and other thing immature so they've had some. Some some people some accepts.

That's a bad things yet been objective they've had some bad picks in in in their the first people to add to go to got to cop to it. They need in in that regard they need to you know of the kind of fix the system a little bit you know being out once they get back on track because they've also a lot of really good guys. But but in terms of weeding out the tough decisions that the bad decision that they made. I think that speaks the relationship specifically now going forward again. The relationship between Reese to stereo and telecheck I know we don't know a whole lot about nick if certain pitchers kind of -- for an organization. A little bit we're starting to get a better picture of who he is and has overall football philosophy after talking to. Talking to pioli and talking to -- trough and talking to Josh mcdaniels. Com oh no recent political back a long long way. Politics at recently mentored him when he came two weeks of this relationship there that goes back -- It -- suggest to me that Floyd Reese is kind of grooming because scenario at this point to speak that full time job to eventually step into the roll the same role that Scott pioli have when he was here before you heard. Bill ballots or talk about Floyd -- real surprised when the Patriots said. Floyd Reese is coming on staff I was a little bit surprised -- because you mean in in you know you've you've talked to both before it least informs the public persona there are two very different guys Floyd -- is very. You know genial easygoing guy and real low you know Belichick's public face. They do work well together and you know from from from what I've seen so far. Again I was and couldn't come back to -- so far he worked very well together. They go back a long ways. All the -- back to Detroit thirty plus years ago. There is history there there is a track record their you know working the other -- believing in the same thing going forward sort of interest in the CIA it be interesting to see again. What they do now as a team is a franchise when it comes to major personnel decisions how much of an impact. Is and consider going to how much of an impact is Floyd -- going to have one of the great things about the Patriots. You know one of the reasons I think for their success was. They had before most important power groups. In that franchise the owner the coach the GM in the superstar -- all working the other on the same page for mama did the only other franchise in professional sports that has that. Is the San Antonio Spurs don't think it's any coincidence that the Spurs and Patriots have had the success that the do we know what happened to Andre Smith. Offensive lineman who by some accounts cost himself as much as 23 point eight million dollars over the weekend in Indianapolis he wasn't ready. He wasn't ready an -- being that he walked into the situation. Thinking it was going to be one thing and it turned out to be radically different PGA rod you said it over the weekend look at the business. You gotta handle this like the business you know you you gotta make sure you have your you know what together in it was clear that Andre Smith didn't have his you know what together for.

Alou don't know some some draft boards Adam going as high as third overall out. Now all best case scenario that I've seen is at the end of the first round he just he just left Indianapolis for no apparent reason didn't work out. Dunn didn't do when he of the stuff the other people did did do some of the interviews from. And then just packed up the stop didn't tell anybody and just left another thing is deal if it was a one time thing with them if it was a one time problem. I think a lot of teams will look past NC you know what it just had a bad day just -- out left but this is a guy with some real serious character issues here he was suspended for the Sugar Bowl. For inappropriate contact with a -- agent. In he just shows up he hasn't been working out he shows up and he just kicks off UT took off on Saturday morning no one knew where it was checked out of -- hotel in went home. That's the kind of thing that can cost you millions of dollars dinner violence in BC dot company had a great story about that. In. Its amazing to think did you walk into a spiritual as you walk into a situation like that in you're not prepared. I I don't get and I don't understand where it's coming from maybe there's some other story going on their but again if it was a one time thing. It was a one time glitch in the system then I could understand you know what okay. He's not a drop all that much but given his history I think -- doing you -- and a little later --

The first round early second round -- yesterday. Based on what I saw at the confines maybe we need to start paying more attention. To Boston College here in town and to UConn because they both have some guys who going to play and at least especially you can.

Yeah -- the other road Roger was the guy in righty has been the guys. He's really peaking at the right time I think he's a great example of a guy who got better as you know you really wasn't thought of much -- it is his first years in college. Sat out his junior season because of an academic from it wasn't explicitly an academic problem it was it was a problem but credits for class in it was a miscommunication. But got better and has continue to get better his senior year and now he's gonna go I talked to Mike mail from the NFL network he could go with highs numbers every. In the draft and make himself a ton -- money he did nothing to dissuade people. From thinking that he was a guy who is at the very least a top ten guy the theme that I keep in the team that I keep -- associate with -- is Denver. Because -- we all know has a lot of problems on the defensive side of the football and and -- big body right there in the middle would make an awful lot of sense from going forward.

Final point from me as we as we wrap this up and I know everybody's got their gases this early in the proceedings and nobody knows. Assuming the Patriots pick at 23 where they are right now. The guy that just jumps out of me is clay Matthews you know I grew to completely -- is that guy I mean there's the relationship between -- checked and is bad. He knows he. Any bit of knowledge he can gain is is is have an important piece for him. And he's the kind of player that just seems to me fits what Belichick wants to.

I've been accused of having a draft -- dinky. Every year where you talk yourself into a guy and you think okay this is the guy I think I could totally see him. It in this system in for me that guy right now is clay Matthews junior -- you go down the list of guys. -- you say okay look he's over achiever. He made his bones specifically on special teams to USC so you know Belichick has gotta be impressed by that. The bloodlines are there. Because Belichick talks about his dad with him -- that a teenage girl talks about the Jonas Brothers it's fantastic it's it's amazing the -- of -- talk about clay Matthews senior. He fits all of those systems you know he's he's he's very good -- you very good when it comes to pass rush he's reversible. In the Indio and when it comes to playing linebacker he complains that he can play outside we talked to in the become my and he said he's comfortable -- you know -- the way. I agree with I think Matthews of the -- the question is is he. A first round guy I think a lot of people think that you know he may be a second round guy he may be a bit of -- reach at 23. That being said you know for for me if I'm a Patriots fan I I you know I think he's.

My gut houses. A terrific that being said the Patriots are not beyond. Reaching exactly they believe that this is our guy we don't care what anybody else thinks government we think. I can help us here at number 23 and he won't be there. Say with a fifteen -- around in the world that there's a couple of the guys or able to back a little bit you know back you know if if if it's possibly -- back for five spots.

and you're able to pick him there there's a couple of guys that are like that are that are on the I think they're on the radar the Patriots consequence intimate Alphonso Smith. I think they have a shot at -- that is as well you know guys like that. Really strong tough physical cornerbacks safeties Rashad Johnson out of Alabama has been mentioned in the couple different areas. Dude there's a lot of guys out there -- there anything you can -- in happy series impact would be his defense going forward you know if picking a 23. Self serving though it maybe I will say that it was a great get for WEEI dot com. I'm Brock Christopher price on board -- write about the Patriots in the NFL was fun talking football with it's fun -- and reading your stuff as well. Check out -- thanks guys I think coming up on W yeah -- economic that people should be looking forward to do well every every week every Tuesday we're going to have some called hot list in the offseason we just run down a list of five. In this week is the five favorite storyline from the combine you know going for group. You know five Patriot through going to have an eventful offseason you -- five fever offseason moments in Patriots history stuff like that and of course. When the football c.'s rules -- we're going to have that and things -- for -- can read stuff on WEEI dot com you'll hear from time to time on these airwaves as well.