In a recent edition of the News Blitz, you may have read about USC linebacker Thomas Williams and his personal account of his private workout with the Patriots.
Today, in the Boston Herald, Williams' college coach (and former Patriots boss) Pete Carroll raves about him and how he might fit in with Carroll's old pro club.
"He's a really well-versed player. He played all three linebacker spots. He was also a great special teams player for four years," Carroll said.
"He has a great understanding of the game. He'll come in with a lot of smarts right off the bat. He's the kind of guy who will fit into [the Pats'] program and their style; the way they want guys to be thinkers. He can handle everything. He's made adjustments. He's played in all defensive situations. He's a very well-versed player with excellent size and all of the right skills."
Carroll also comments on other USC players who might look good in a Patriots uniform.
The Boston Globe notes that Ohio State phenom **Vernon Gholston** had a private workout with New England on Wednesday.
A defensive end at Ohio State, Gholston, it's been said, would likely play outside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 defensive scheme.
Gholston may not even be on the board when New England's 7th overall pick comes up, and they do have a need at cornerback. Which may explain why so many mock drafts have them picking one in the seven spot.
NFL.com's mock draft has the Pats picking a corner from a small school, and FOXSports.com seems to agree.
There seems to be consensus at NFLDraftCountdown.com and Ourlads as well that corner will be the way the Pats go in the first round.
Meanwhile, with a Super Bowl loss and several free agent losses this offseason, many are predicting doom for the Pats. But an NBCSports.com writer says rumors of the Patriots' demise have been greatly exaggerated.
