Friday links: more sports talk radio wars; pitfalls facing NFL draft prospects
Some Friday links for your reading enjoyment and entertainment ...
Boston Sports Media Watch's Bruce Allen has the latest battle of Boston's sports talk radio wars, with WEEI's D&C Strike Out at Competitors, Media Reporters documenting the back-and-forth sniping that went on yesterday between WEEI's Dennis and Callahan and 98.5's Toucher and Rich. I understand that ratings are extremely important to those that work in the radio business, but here's my suggestion to all those involved at the two stations: as listeners, we don't want to hear it. Any mention that lasts more than ten seconds is too long, and is more likely to cause me to change the station than to stay or return.
NESN's Jeff Howe has a great article on the pitfalls an NFL draft prospect faces. Tales From The Broke: Fancy Cars, Freeloading Family Members, Deceitful Agents Can Quickly Send Players Deep Into Bankruptcy. I highly recommend taking a look at this column, it's really well done.
Howe also says Ryan Kerrigan would boost Patriots' pass rush if Bill Belichick alters first-round strategy and in his NFL Mock Draft XII has Cam Newton, Marcell Dareus, Von Miller, Robert Quinn and Patrick Peterson going in the first five picks.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay appeared on WEEI's D&C show this morning. Kirk Minihane reports that according to McShay, Alabama RB Mark Ingram would be 'a steal' for the Pats. McShay talks about several other prospective draftees for the Pats in Minihane's column, which also includes an audio link where you can hear the interview.
Also on WEEI Christopher Price has The Rule of 26-27-60, and Trying To Apply It To This Year's Quarterback Class. It's an interesting look at predicting success of quarterbacks in the NFL that uses benchmarks of the Wonderlic test, number of college starts, and completion percentage in college.
CSNNE's Tom Curran takes a look at Potential Patriot draftee Akeem Ayers, and also previews an interview that will air during his Quick Slants Draft Special Sunday night at 8:30 with Belichick says '11 defensive line class is benchmark group. From some of the comments Belichick made to Curran that looks like it should be a very good show.
NE Patriots Draft has an updated list of 2011 Patriots Draft Contacts. You'll find a ton of draft info there, including position by position opinions on who the Pats should "choose, snooze or refuse".
The Boston Herald continues to be almost singularly focused on the topic of finding a successor to Tom Brady. We have Ian Rapoport looking at Why did the Patriots host Mallett and Locker? Bill Belichick explains, What if backup Brian Hoyer is the answer to replacing Patriots QB Tom Brady?, What ex-49ers Prez Carmen Policy learned from replacing Montana: "There should be more hugging of Joe.", Plan needed for Tom Brady successor, Draft Analysis: Is it time for the Patriots to groom Tom Brady's successor? and Doing homework sets up Bill Belichick's board. Credit Rapoport for the creativity of finding so many different ways to say essentially the same thing.
The Herald's Karen Guregian takes a look at Maryland WR Torrey Smith, a draft prospect that many have speculated may end up in New England in Portrait of a Patriot.
