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Mike Reiss
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:
1.Woodson’s nickname: The Patriots have been in a fascinating place when the third day of the NFL draft started in late April.
Proudly owning the fourth total decide of the fourth spherical, they’d Friday night time and Saturday morning to reset their board whereas being assured they’d land a minimum of their fourth-rated prospect. Because it seems, it seems they obtained their first in College of California security Craig Woodson — aka “The Eraser.”
“That was a nickname I gave him as a result of he was all the time going to make us proper,” former Cal defensive backs coach Tre Watson informed ESPN.
“Any week we went right into a recreation plan, if there was a matchup or a formation or personnel, he was going to be the one adjusting and cleansing up all the things for us, as a result of he might deal with it. In addition to his presence within the publish, we did not get lots of pictures in the midst of the sector as a result of Craig was all the time going to be again there to erase it. If a play obtained busted, he was going to get it on the bottom.
“That is the place it began, his nickname as ‘The Eraser’ as a result of he was our clean-up man.”
Woodson’s clean-up expertise have already proven up at occasions throughout the Patriots’ voluntary organized crew actions the previous two weeks. He has displayed a knack for being in the suitable place — from the deep a part of the sector to nearer to the road of scrimmage — which included breaking apart a cross from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs in Wednesday’s apply.
“I like him. Sensible. Savvy,” veteran security Jabrill Peppers mentioned. “He is doing an excellent job absorbing what the coaches need him to do. Totally different methods. School ball is a little bit totally different than the league — particularly within the Pac-12; he is undoubtedly doing an excellent job, although.”
Given the excessive quantity of sub protection performed within the NFL, the 6-foot, 200-pound Woodson might discover his approach onto the sector shortly, particularly along with his background taking part in on a number of particular groups items at Cal.
Peppers and Kyle Dugger (recovering from offseason ankle surgical procedure) are the projected starters at security, with Woodson, sixth-year veteran Jaylinn Hawkins, 2024 undrafted free agent Dell Pettus and seven-year veteran Marcus Epps amongst these vying for roles behind them.
“I do not suppose anyone’s actually sorted out something so far as roles but,” coach Mike Vrabel mentioned of the protection corps. “I just like the individuals. I just like the gamers. You have not seen Dugger on the sector simply because he is working by means of one thing, which isn’t unusual within the spring. I like Jabrill’s power. I like his ardour for the sport. I like his power when he comes within the constructing. These issues are all very constructive, after which the brand new gamers and the brand new additions are attempting to carve out a task as effectively.”
The 24-year-old Woodson spent six seasons at Cal, elevating to a beginning position in his remaining three years whereas taking part in in a system recognized for its number of coverages. He missed the 2021 season with a torn ACL, and that is when he and Watson started to develop a more in-depth connection.
“He spent lots of time arising, watching further movie, and actually wished to advance his psychological a part of the sport,” mentioned Watson, who has coached NFL draft picks Patrick McMorris (2024 sixth spherical, Dolphins), Daniel Scott (2023 fifth spherical, Colts) and Elijah Hicks (2022 seventh spherical, Bears) and this 12 months moved on to turn out to be TCU’s defensive backs coach.
“Then you definitely continued to see his recreation transcend — how environment friendly his actions are and how briskly he performs as a result of he is studying his keys rather well.”
The Patriots spent as a lot time with Woodson within the months main as much as the draft as another crew. They have been the one membership to formally interview him on the NFL mix, in keeping with Woodson, and later hosted him on considered one of their allotted 30 out-of-town prospect visits.
When the fourth spherical of the draft arrived, the Patriots knew they have been in placing distance to pick out him, and it grew to become a actuality when Florida receiver Chimere Dike (103, Titans), Virginia Tech operating again Bhayshul Tuten (104, Jaguars) and Arizona State operating again Cam Skattebo (105, Giants) have been the primary three picks.
The Patriots had already chosen Ohio State operating again TreVeyon Henderson (second spherical) and Washington State receiver Kyle Williams (third spherical) and have been dedicated to going protection at that time — which displays how Woodson was their top-rated participant getting into Day 3 of the draft.
“I believe the most important factor is the onerous work and character of the particular person,” Watson mentioned. “His diligence to be a professional. His capacity to sort out in open area. Simply physicality and ending. I believe he exemplifies what the Patriots group has all the time been as a competitor, as a human and as somebody blue-collar who’s going to indicate up day in and time out.”
2. Rookie contracts: Left sort out Will Campbell, the No. 4 decide within the draft, is considered one of seven first-round picks but to signal his contract. The perimeters are working by means of particulars on money stream, in keeping with sources accustomed to the talks.
Henderson, the No. 38 total choice, is amongst 30 second-round picks who’ve but to signal. The highest two picks within the second spherical obtained absolutely assured offers, a rarity, which has slowed issues down as groups and brokers decide at what spot the complete ensures will finish.
In the meantime, Woodson is amongst a gaggle of high fourth-round picks who’re vying for above-minimum compensation, just like third-round picks whose base salaries can enhance by not more than 25% every season. Whereas most fourth-round picks obtain commonplace minimal base salaries, some excessive fourth-round picks have not too long ago obtained modest further compensation, and that has slowed the method as groups and brokers proceed talks in that space.
3. Diggs’ deal: At least, the Stefon Diggs boat video was an unwelcome distraction for Mike Vrabel.
The primary-year coach has famous {that a} core a part of his philosophy is to deal with gamers the best way they deal with the crew, and the video — together with Diggs being one of many few gamers who hasn’t commonly attended voluntary exercises — sparks a query of how Vrabel views Diggs’ first two months on the job since signing him to a three-year, $69 million deal.
Diggs’ contract consists of $16.6 million absolutely assured, though as a part of a clause within the contract, he should cross a bodily to obtain the cash (and different bonuses). Diggs remains to be recovering from a torn ACL sustained in Week 8 final season.
4. D-line tees off: Vrabel emphasised some extent final week that defensive linemen have a determined benefit in spring voluntary non-padded practices, as each play is “third-and-10” with no menace of the run. In order a lot havoc as Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Harold Landry, Okay’Lavon Chaisson & Co. have created at occasions — which sparks promise for a protection that wishes to play on the alternative aspect of the road of scrimmage — Vrabel’s remarks additionally present vital context.
5. Eyes on left guard: One of many shocking developments on the Patriots’ most up-to-date apply open to reporters was seeing Tyrese Robinson at left guard, aligning subsequent to Campbell, who has been a fixture at left sort out. The 6-foot-3, 319-pound Robinson was claimed on waivers from the Vikings final November and appeared in a single recreation. The Oklahoma College alum entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022 — operating again Rhamondre Stevenson famous his effectiveness as a run blocker in faculty — and is among the many candidates the Patriots are contemplating at arguably essentially the most wide-open place on the roster.
6. Boutte’s spot: Assuming nothing goes off the rails with Diggs, receiver Kayshon Boutte famous the straight-up math on the place when he mentioned, “We obtained 12 of us 1748808928. On the finish of the day, there’ll most likely be six of us if we’re being trustworthy. So everyone knows we’re in competitors.”
Diggs, fellow free agent signing Mack Hollins, third-year slot DeMario Douglas and 2025 third-round decide Kyle Williams mission on the high of the depth chart, which leaves Boutte, nine-year veteran Kendrick Bourne and 2024 draft picks Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker amongst these vying for what may very well be simply two spots.
Of Boutte, Vrabel mentioned, “He is gotten in higher form as we began to go on to the OTAs, and I believe that is actually began to assist him as we stack performs collectively. Within the recreation, you do not simply take a play on and simply come off after which trip. Hopefully, you possibly can string collectively 4 or 5 performs as we work down the soccer discipline. So, I believe that he is working to try this. I like his perspective. I take pleasure in his willingness to proceed to enhance and perhaps do some issues a little bit in another way.”
7. Peppers-Vrabel historical past: When Peppers took a recruiting go to to Ohio State in 2012, Vrabel was in his second season as a Buckeyes assistant. Vrabel shocked Peppers that day by operating a profitable route towards him, one thing Peppers wasn’t anticipating as a result of he wasn’t conscious of Vrabel’s historical past as a situational tight finish within the NFL.
Vrabel remembered it after they reconnected 13 years later — Peppers (who ended up at Michigan) getting into his fourth season in New England, and Vrabel in his first 12 months as Patriots head coach.
“That was one of many first issues he mentioned to me once I obtained right here,” Peppers mentioned, laughing.
8. Highlight on Kuhr: Patriots assistant coaches are scheduled to reply questions from reporters at Monday’s apply. Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr figures to attract important consideration as he fills in for defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who stays away from the crew (however related by means of Zoom) after a well being scare.
Kuhr, 36, principally flew beneath the radar the final time assistants spoke with reporters in early April. He labored beneath Vrabel in Tennessee (2020-23) and spent final season with the Giants as a defensive assistant. Williams referred to as him a “celebrity” within the making.
9. They mentioned it: “I ain’t ever had a successful season. I would be the primary one to let you know I am bored with that.” — Peppers, getting into his ninth 12 months within the NFL, on his motivation to win
10. Did You Know: Hunter Henry enters this 12 months with 199 receptions as a Patriot, and with another catch will be a part of Rob Gronkowski (521), Ben Coates (490), Marv Cook dinner (210) and Russ Francis (207) as the one tight ends in franchise historical past with 200 or extra receptions.
