Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff
Try saying that three times fast!
It’s time for our annual contest to see who can correctly predict the Patriots first selection in the 2007 NFL draft. This time, the winner(s) will get a pair of tickets to a Lowell Spinners game this summer. We tried this last year (with Lock Monsters tix as a prize), but to no one’s surprise, Bill Belichick outfoxed us all by taking Laurence Maroney with the first pick.
This time around, most people are guessing the Pats will select a LB or DB. Some think a WR, TE or RB to add depth. Perhaps even an OL or DL to groom for the future. It’s really not that complicated, to be honest. I may not know the player’s name, but I know exactly what position the Patriots will draft: BAP.
For those who haven’t figured it out yet, that’s Best Available Player, the one constant in Belichick and Scott Pioli’s draft strategy. They simply draft the best football player on their board when they decide it’s the right time/value to select him, regardless of how much depth they seemingly have at that particular position. That’s why, year after year, New England manages to survive and thrive despite a rash of injuries that cripple most other teams. They draft good players and find a role for them.
So hop to it all you Mel Kiper wannabes. Tell us who will be the first name called out by the Pats on draft day. To help us out, please include a college and position, and be sure to leave some way for me to identify you and contact you should your guess be correct. (If you don’t want that info public, drop me a note at tpanos@lowellsun.com)
Good luck!
I'll say Reggie Nelson, Safety, University of Florida.