Rivers set for pre-draft visit

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Patriots Schedule Workouts With Rivers, Others
Published 3/28/2008 by Greg at PatsBlog: A Patriots Blog
... the largest barometers of a team’s interest in a prospect are the pre-draft visits the team holds.  For example, in 2006, the Patriots hosted Laurence Maroney, and in 2007, Meriweather.  However, the team can also use the visits to further evaluate players with injuries, like Michael Bush last year.  A team can schedule up to 30 visits before the draft. As of the last few days, the Patriots have started making arrangements to fly players down.  Mike Reiss reports: The Patriots are scheduled to host Southern California linebacker ...

Apparently, the Patriots Think Their Defense Needs an Infusion of Youth
Published 3/29/2008 by Ryan Wilson at FanHouse
... -- they won't make their first selection until the fourth round). Anyway, the Patriots have the seventh-overall pick and could go in any number of directions. Assuming this rumor isn't true, the biggest needs are on defense, although I'm guessing New England would eagerly listen to trade-down offers. Last week, I mentioned that the Pats worked out former Ohio State DE/LB Vernon Gholston, and yesterday the Boston Globe's Mike Reiss reports that former USC LB Keith Rivers will soon get the once-over. Both ...

Return of #55?
Published 4/4/2008 by Jamie at The Patriot Act
... a whole. Drafting a linebacker to play and learn alongside Tedy Bruschi while he’s still playing makes sense. The biggest problem scouts have with Rivers is his inability at times to shed blocks from the interior offensive linemen. However, time in the weight room, proper coaching, and Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, and Richard Seymour doing their jobs up front can cure that. The Patriots can get Rivers if they want him. They certainly are looking at the possibility of drafting Rivers, as he is set to visit Gillette Stadium next week. I have seen Rivers rated anywhere from being a ...