The media had their chance to pick the brain of New England Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio Tuesday, just over a week ahead of the 2014 NFL Draft.
A key topic of discussion: the team’s apparent interest in this year's quarterbacks. And as expected, the Bill Belichick-trained Caserio wouldn't get too specific.
"It’s all with the idea of trying to gain as much information about that position group, top to bottom, so when you’re sitting up there looking at ‘X’ amount of players, you have a good baseline of information." Caserio said, via Patriots.com.
Caserio insisted that the Patriots' pre-draft approach this year "is really no different," though their hosting of top quarterback prospects like Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater and Jimmy Garoppolo for in-house visits runs in contrast to how they've tackled the position in recent years.
For example, as Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston notes, Belichick has previously admitted the team didn't spend much time on Andrew Luck and the other top quarterbacks in the 2012 draft.
"We weren't going to draft a quarterback in the first round," the head coach said, "and there was no chance he was going to be anywhere close to where our draft position was going to be."
2011 was the last time the Patriots used a pick on a quarterback -- current backup Ryan Mallett, who is entering a contract year.
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"It’s all with the idea of trying to gain as much information about that position group, top to bottom, so when you’re sitting up there looking at ‘X’ amount of players, you have a good baseline of information." Caserio said, via Patriots.com.
Caserio insisted that the Patriots' pre-draft approach this year "is really no different," though their hosting of top quarterback prospects like Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater and Jimmy Garoppolo for in-house visits runs in contrast to how they've tackled the position in recent years.
For example, as Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston notes, Belichick has previously admitted the team didn't spend much time on Andrew Luck and the other top quarterbacks in the 2012 draft.
"We weren't going to draft a quarterback in the first round," the head coach said, "and there was no chance he was going to be anywhere close to where our draft position was going to be."
2011 was the last time the Patriots used a pick on a quarterback -- current backup Ryan Mallett, who is entering a contract year.
Follow Scott @thebaines123
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
