Posted by David Pevear, Sun Staff

The Patriots in the third round of the NFL Draft today selected Michigan linebacker Shawn Crable (78th overall) and San Diego State quarterback Kevin O'Connell (94th).
The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Crable has an exceptionally long reach and is projected as a 3-4 rush linebacker. He is the second linebacker added to New England's aging LB group this weekend, joining first-round pick Jerod Mayo of Tennessee, who is projected more as an inside backer.
Crable lived in the foster-care system from age 5 until the Ohio native headed to the University of Michigan.
About his foster mom Ella Kirkland, who took in Crable when he was 11, the linebacker said, "She is an angel. She got me on track. I was a little rough around the edges before I got with her. She took the time, nurtured me and got me on the track to where I thought I could do something in college."
The drafting in the third round of the 6-foot-5, 225-pound O'Connell, who passed for 3,063 yards last fall and also led his team in rushing (426 yards, 11 TDs), does not bode well for Matt Cassel.
The Patriots earlier traded their first pick in the third round (69th overall) to the Chargers in exchange for a second-round pick next year and a fifth-round pick today.