Patriots' draft had distinct SEC flavor
April, 28, 2010
4/28/10
1:55
PM ET
By
Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com
When breaking down the Patriots' 12-member draft class, one aspect that stands out is the high number of players from the Southeastern Conference, considered by many the power conference in college football.
The Patriots drafted six SEC players, which was more than any team in the NFL. The SEC contingent consists of outside linebacker Jermaine Cunningham (Florida), inside linebacker Brandon Spikes (Florida), tight end Aaron Hernandez (Florida), offensive tackle Thomas Welch (Vanderbilt), defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick (Alabama) and defensive lineman Kade Weston (Georgia).
The Eagles (5) and Chiefs (4) were right behind on the SEC scoreboard.
That might have been what Bill Belichick had in mind when he said after the draft that the Patriots selected "guys that are tough [and] that have played at a high level and produced well."
For more on the NFL draft and some fun facts like these, one recommendation is to check out Mike Sando's NFC West blog on ESPN.com. Sando provides spreadsheets which can be downloaded, giving readers the chance to view the draft through any number of different lenses.
The Patriots drafted six SEC players, which was more than any team in the NFL. The SEC contingent consists of outside linebacker Jermaine Cunningham (Florida), inside linebacker Brandon Spikes (Florida), tight end Aaron Hernandez (Florida), offensive tackle Thomas Welch (Vanderbilt), defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick (Alabama) and defensive lineman Kade Weston (Georgia).
The Eagles (5) and Chiefs (4) were right behind on the SEC scoreboard.
That might have been what Bill Belichick had in mind when he said after the draft that the Patriots selected "guys that are tough [and] that have played at a high level and produced well."
For more on the NFL draft and some fun facts like these, one recommendation is to check out Mike Sando's NFC West blog on ESPN.com. Sando provides spreadsheets which can be downloaded, giving readers the chance to view the draft through any number of different lenses.
Mike Reiss
Patriots reporter, ESPNBoston.com- Covered Patriots since 1997
- Blogging on Pats since 2004
- Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009
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Mike Reiss
Mike Reiss first started covering the Patriots in 1997 with the team's official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, before moving on to the MetroWest Daily News in his hometown of Framingham. From 2005 to 2009, he covered the Patriots for The Boston Globe, while also writing on the NFL. He started his popular Patriots blog in 2004. Send any questions or comments for Mike to his mailbag. Follow him on Twitter here.
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