Bill Belichick must see something in newly acquired LB Akeem Ayers
Phil Perry, CSNNE:
The Patriots think they have something in linebacker Akeem Ayers, but it sounds like they're not sure how exactly he'll fit in with their defense until he's spent more time with the team.
"We'll see," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said when asked about Ayers' strengths. "Start working with him today. He's played linebacker. He's played defensive end in sub situations so we'll see about that."
The 39th pick of the 2011 NFL trade, Akeem Ayers has been traded by the Tennessee Titans to the New England Patriots. It is interesting to note that this is where he was supposed in go in the first place.
Sean Yuille, PrideofDetroit:
With the 28th pick of Pride of Detroit's 2011 NFL Mock Draft, the New England Patriots select UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers. Mavyrk is serving as the Patriots' general manager, and his reasoning for the pick is below.
Ayers is a no-brainer here, for me. He fits arguably the largest need for my franchise, he's the right size, he has good value at 28th and he can start immediately. I feel Ayers will be more comfortable setting the edge than Martez in the long run, and I can't take the chance of him not making it to 33rd.
The key wording here is good value. "Belichick said that the Patriots spent time assessing Ayers' skill set in 2011, when he was taken by Tennessee in the second round." But at this point those assessments aren't all that valuable, Belichick explained.
In that same 2011 mock draft, former Patriots QB Ryan Mallett was projected as the 34th pick in the second round to the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots selected Ryan Mallett with the 74th pickup in the third round. Once again, Bill Belichick found good value in waiting.
Just as Bill Belichick has his insiders at Rutgers University, the same may now be said about UCLA. On the staff at UCLA is former Patriots OL Adrian Klemm. Adrian was the 46th pick in the second round of the 2000 NFL draft by New England. He played with the Patriots for five years before moving into the coaching ranks. He has been named Pac-12 recruiter of the year. His knowledge of a former projected 1st round pick from UCLA may be the reason Bill Belichick waited three years to acquire.
Phil Perry, CSNNE:
Right now the biggest hurdle for both Ayers and the Patriots is how they'll adjust to one another in the coming days and weeks.
Bleacherreport: 2015 Mock Draft
No.27- New England Patriots: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Tom Brady has turned it on in recent weeks, but the struggles of his offensive line are still apparent. Andrus Peat would be a top-15 pick if he were more consistent, but the Patriots shouldn't have a problem with his fall to No. 27.
The formula has been working for Bill Belichick for 40 years. I see no reason to change.
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.
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