2011 NFL New England Patriots Draft on Day 2: A Plus, After an A on Day 1!

The Patriots outdid themselves on Draft Day 2 after a fabulous Day 1. With 20/20 hindsight, I can say the following.

On Day 1, I wanted Prince Amukamara as the shutdown cornerback to complement Devin McCourty. Instead, they gutted it out and picked Nate Solder as the offensive tackle to complement Sebastian Vollmer. They protected Brady first. This served the dual purpose of making mouthy pro-union expensive free agent Matt Light expendable. The Pats don't like any of those three traits: the trifecta would seem to be impossible for them to deal with.

Jonathan Kraft, often underestimated, has said clearly, "We learned about value in the draft from Bill; don't overpay just because you want someone." Rather like stock picking: don't fall in love with a stock. Always consider the inherent value. Also, Jonathan has emphasized his family does not want divisive (mouthy the more basic word, pro-union a secondary one) players.

Solder fits the perfect Kraft profile to a T. Nate is considered the highest character man in the first round by many coaches and general managers, a cold weather guy from Colorado who battled with No. 2 pick Von Miller and reportedly posted a top Wonderlic score.

On pick No. 28, the Pats gutted it out again and passed on Mark Ingram, whom I thought could be the stud running back they needed. Instead they traded their pick to New Orleans for a first-rounder in 2012, a strong odds chance for a higher pick next year due to New Orleans having to have another great season to be at 28 or worse next year—plus the Pats got the throw-in 56th pick, who turned out to be stud running back Shane Vereen!

In Bill we trust, but nevertheless that does not eliminate all anxiety. Well, Bill came through big time on Day 2, even for Bill, and that is truly saying something.

The Pats picked up Ras-I Dowling at 33, a shutdown cornerback of similar talents to the Prince. Ras-I had medical issues which the Prince did not. But Ras-I has a height a6.1.5", similar speed, a long lanky body mass, and character kudos of the highest order. All of his coaches loved him and applauded his work and community efforts.

Ras-I chose to do community service by reading to elementary school children twice a week. From here, I can see Myra Hiatt Kraft, whose father, Jacob Hiatt, was a legendary socially oriented nonprofit contributor, smiling. "Do well by doing good" was Mr. Hiatt's philosophy. Ras-I fits right in with that.

Ras-I is also shy, not something always found in cornerbacks, and something Bill learned to fear with the Pats' past history with Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law, and Asante Samuel.

Then at No. 56 they pick up Vereen, their throw-in pick from the Saints, who could give Mark Ingram a run for his money. And at No. 74 they got a potential great long term special teamer in Stevan Ridley, who also was a good running back at LSU.

So, one for defense in Ras-I. One for offense with Shane. One for special teams in Shawn. That's Bill covering ALL the bases.

Now for the Hail Mary pass which may make this another Brady draft. The No. 74 pick is not No. 199 as Brady was, but Ryan Mallett was far more highly thought of in this draft than Brady in his. Mallett was thought by many to have the most potential of any prospective quarterback in this draft, including No. 1 pick Cam Newton.

Brady was well thought of starting at Michigan, but had none of that high-level following. Mallett started as a freshman at Michigan before transferring because of an offensive system change at Michigan; Brady didn't win the job until senior year.

Mallett had some character issues relating to alcohol and drugs, but primarily kid stuff. He needs to grow up some, which few 20-year-olds don't. Brady was one of the very few that arrived who seemed grown up. The perfect fit with Mallett was what Bill laser beamed in on: time to grow up and learn from Brady, a son of a football coach, great talent.

The Pats don't need the savior the Panthers and others need right NOW. The Pats can afford to wait while the Panthers have to throw Newton into the lion's pit, where many kids understandably burn out while getting mauled.

Remember, Jon Gruden loves Mallett: his cannon arm; his 6'7" height; his ability to make all the NFL throws with the best arm in the draft, according to reports.

We know that Bill is well read. Did he perhaps adopt the motto of Leo Tolstoy: "Patience and Time are the ultimate warriors"?

He had the patience to wait out No. 17 to get Ras-I at No. 33; he had the patience to wait out No. 28 to get Vereen on No. 56 (plus a first-rounder next year); and he took time with Mallett to develop as the future Brady replacement.

A+ all the way!