The Patriot’s defense is a mess right now, and it has been a topic of discussion on ESPN and NFL Network.  Most people attribute the struggling defense to the departure of most of the veterans that helped them win three championships (Seymour, Vrabel, Bruschi, Harrison, and Samuel).  I disagree with these remarks and believe the Patriot’s struggles are more-so due to their low success in the draft.   Belichick wouldn’t have been in this position if he was able to do a better job in the drafts, specifically in the recent years.

There are several players in tonight’s BCS National Championship game that will be playing on Sundays in the years to come. But perhaps no player has more to prove than Texas QB Colt McCoy. McCoy struggled in his two games against top ten defenses this year (Oklahoma and Nebraska), and if he does not perform once again against the top ranked Alabama defense his draft stock is going to plunge from an early to mid 2nd round pick all the way down to a 3rd or 4th round pick.

Other players looking to improve their draft stock on the big stage are Alabama DT Terrence Cody, ILB Rolando McClain and DB Javier Arenas. On the Texas side of the ball look for WR Jordan Shipley, DE Sergio Kindle, OLB Roddrick Muckelroy and S Earl Thomas.

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