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backrow · 04-20-2004, 12:53 PM

Posted on Tue, Apr. 20, 2004

AL DIAZ / HERALD STAFF
COVETED:

The New England Patriots, who have the No. 21 pick in the draft, might try to acquire Miami's No. 20 pick and parlay those to draft UM safety Sean Taylor.

NFL DRAFT
Pats seeking Taylor?

The Patriots fill a need by acquiring running back Corey Dillon, and an NFL source says they might now try a trade so they can draft UM safety Sean Taylor.

BY ARMANDO SALGUERO

asalguero@herald.com

The New England Patriots filled their need by acquiring running back Corey Dillon on Monday, and one NFL source said they will now try to address their want for University of Miami safety Sean Taylor.

The Patriots traded one of their second-round picks (56th overall) to the Bengals for the 29-year-old Dillon. That trade erased New England's flirtation with drafting Oregon State's Steven Jackson or Virginia Tech's Kevin Jones this weekend.

But an NFL source said the Patriots might try to continue their dynamic dealing by moving up to draft Taylor or cornerback DeAngelo Hall -- and they might work a trade with the Dolphins to do it.

The source, who requested anonymity, said Monday he believes the Patriots have talked to several teams about possible draft-day trades, and that Miami was initially one of the teams involved in those discussions. Last week, New England coach Bill Belichick confirmed he has talked to several teams.

''You only get 15 minutes on the clock, so you don't want to be dialing around the league [when it's your turn to pick],'' he said.

In the scenario involving Miami, the Patriots would offer a first-round pick (32nd and last pick of the first round) and their remaining second-rounder (No. 63) in exchange for Miami's No. 20 overall pick.

That would give the Patriots the 20th and 21st overall picks in the first round, and they would then try to parlay those to get Taylor.

Every scenario presumes Taylor will be available, and that is no certainty. The former Gulliver Prep star could go as high as No. 3, and likely no lower than seventh.

So why are the Patriots interested in Taylor?

Belichick is a defensive-minded coach, and Taylor is arguably the best defensive player available. Getting Taylor also would allow New England to move safety Eugene Wilson to cornerback and get rid of cornerback Ty Law, who is feuding with Belichick.

The Patriots also are said to be considering using the same scenario to move up to get Virginia Tech's Hall. Hall would replace Law while allowing Wilson to stay at safety. A trade scenario for Hall would not necessarily involve the Dolphins, the source said.

The Dolphins, who don't currently own a second-round pick, could use this trade to get back into the second round while still staying in the first round, albeit at a lower overall slot.

''There are some good players in the second round,'' Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman said during a draft news conference last week. ``There are a lot of good players in the second round that you can possibly get.''

The Dolphins could use the trade to take a tackle and guard in the first two rounds, depending on who is available. Offensive guard Justin Smiley of Alabama, and tackles Kelly Butler of Purdue or Jacob Rogers of USC should be available through the 63rd overall pick.

And addressing its ailing offensive line situation with one, or possibly two selections, would clear the way for Miami to use it's third-round selection on a receiver, which remains a need.

Florida State's P.K. Sam, USC's Keary Colbert and Clemson's Derek Hamilton are likely third-round receiver selections.

If the possibility of division rivals working a trade sounds unlikely, recall that the Dolphins and Patriots worked a trade during last year's draft that eventually helped the Dolphins land rookie starting left tackle Wade Smith.

STOREHOUSE OF PICKS

While Belichick last week called ''ridiculous'' a report saying his team would give up two first-rounders, a second, and a fourth-round pick to get in position to land Taylor, he doesn't deny that his storehouse of picks is allowing him to explore various trade options.

''I definitely wouldn't rule it out,'' Belichick said during NFL league meetings. ``I think we have enough draft picks to be able to move if we want to move. It just depends on who you're moving for, what you want to do. I don't know if you want to move just to move. If there's something specific you want to do, we might have the opportunity to do that.

``I think there are a lot of teams interested in moving down. Getting two players for one, so to speak.''

The Dolphins are not promising a trade nor discounting the possibility. But it doesn't seem likely they will make a trade prior to draft day because such a move before the selection process begins has a way of hurting teams -- which is exactly what happened to Miami in 1998 when Jimmy Johnson made a trade down before the draft began, ending Miami's chances of selecting receiver Randy Moss.

''I don't know what's going to happen,'' Spielman said. ``Depending on what's there at the 20th spot, if you don't like it, is there an opportunity to move down?

My comment: If the Patsies offer 2 #1s, a #2, and a #4, I think we would be crazy not to take it! Oh, the possibilities!

04-20-2004, 12:53 PM	#8
backrow The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: 36.28 x 76.22 Age: 73 Posts: 1,812	From HailRedskins.com Posted on Tue, Apr. 20, 2004 AL DIAZ / HERALD STAFF COVETED: The New England Patriots, who have the No. 21 pick in the draft, might try to acquire Miami's No. 20 pick and parlay those to draft UM safety Sean Taylor. NFL DRAFT Pats seeking Taylor? The Patriots fill a need by acquiring running back Corey Dillon, and an NFL source says they might now try a trade so they can draft UM safety Sean Taylor. BY ARMANDO SALGUERO asalguero@herald.com The New England Patriots filled their need by acquiring running back Corey Dillon on Monday, and one NFL source said they will now try to address their want for University of Miami safety Sean Taylor. The Patriots traded one of their second-round picks (56th overall) to the Bengals for the 29-year-old Dillon. That trade erased New England's flirtation with drafting Oregon State's Steven Jackson or Virginia Tech's Kevin Jones this weekend. But an NFL source said the Patriots might try to continue their dynamic dealing by moving up to draft Taylor or cornerback DeAngelo Hall -- and they might work a trade with the Dolphins to do it. The source, who requested anonymity, said Monday he believes the Patriots have talked to several teams about possible draft-day trades, and that Miami was initially one of the teams involved in those discussions. Last week, New England coach Bill Belichick confirmed he has talked to several teams. ''You only get 15 minutes on the clock, so you don't want to be dialing around the league [when it's your turn to pick],'' he said. In the scenario involving Miami, the Patriots would offer a first-round pick (32nd and last pick of the first round) and their remaining second-rounder (No. 63) in exchange for Miami's No. 20 overall pick. That would give the Patriots the 20th and 21st overall picks in the first round, and they would then try to parlay those to get Taylor. Every scenario presumes Taylor will be available, and that is no certainty. The former Gulliver Prep star could go as high as No. 3, and likely no lower than seventh. So why are the Patriots interested in Taylor? Belichick is a defensive-minded coach, and Taylor is arguably the best defensive player available. Getting Taylor also would allow New England to move safety Eugene Wilson to cornerback and get rid of cornerback Ty Law, who is feuding with Belichick. The Patriots also are said to be considering using the same scenario to move up to get Virginia Tech's Hall. Hall would replace Law while allowing Wilson to stay at safety. A trade scenario for Hall would not necessarily involve the Dolphins, the source said. The Dolphins, who don't currently own a second-round pick, could use this trade to get back into the second round while still staying in the first round, albeit at a lower overall slot. ''There are some good players in the second round,'' Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman said during a draft news conference last week. ``There are a lot of good players in the second round that you can possibly get.'' The Dolphins could use the trade to take a tackle and guard in the first two rounds, depending on who is available. Offensive guard Justin Smiley of Alabama, and tackles Kelly Butler of Purdue or Jacob Rogers of USC should be available through the 63rd overall pick. And addressing its ailing offensive line situation with one, or possibly two selections, would clear the way for Miami to use it's third-round selection on a receiver, which remains a need. Florida State's P.K. Sam, USC's Keary Colbert and Clemson's Derek Hamilton are likely third-round receiver selections. If the possibility of division rivals working a trade sounds unlikely, recall that the Dolphins and Patriots worked a trade during last year's draft that eventually helped the Dolphins land rookie starting left tackle Wade Smith. STOREHOUSE OF PICKS While Belichick last week called ''ridiculous'' a report saying his team would give up two first-rounders, a second, and a fourth-round pick to get in position to land Taylor, he doesn't deny that his storehouse of picks is allowing him to explore various trade options. ''I definitely wouldn't rule it out,'' Belichick said during NFL league meetings. ``I think we have enough draft picks to be able to move if we want to move. It just depends on who you're moving for, what you want to do. I don't know if you want to move just to move. If there's something specific you want to do, we might have the opportunity to do that. ``I think there are a lot of teams interested in moving down. Getting two players for one, so to speak.'' The Dolphins are not promising a trade nor discounting the possibility. But it doesn't seem likely they will make a trade prior to draft day because such a move before the selection process begins has a way of hurting teams -- which is exactly what happened to Miami in 1998 when Jimmy Johnson made a trade down before the draft began, ending Miami's chances of selecting receiver Randy Moss. ''I don't know what's going to happen,'' Spielman said. ``Depending on what's there at the 20th spot, if you don't like it, is there an opportunity to move down? My comment: If the Patsies offer 2 #1s, a #2, and a #4, I think we would be crazy not to take it! Oh, the possibilities! __________________ '37, '42, '83, '88, '92. Championship!