New England will be getting a jump on the NFL Draft prep this year by getting to work personally with a pool of players it typically targets late in April.
The Patriots, along with the Atlanta Falcons, had their coaching staffs selected to run the East-West Shrine Bowl on February 2 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Shrine Bowl takes place the same week as the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, which is another venue the Patriots heavily scout for players. New England was tied with the Tennessee Titans for the most Shrine Bowl participants selected in the NFL Draft last year (four), selecting Tyquan Thornton, Jack Jones, Pierre Strong Jr. and Sam Roberts and signing undrafted free agents LaBryan Ray and D’Eriq King from that game as well. Meanwhile, first-round pick Cole Strange played and practiced at the Senior Bowl.
One thing that will be interesting to monitor is who will actually comprise the Patriots’ coaching staff when the Shrine Bowl festivities kick off.
Per Schefter’s tweet, only teams without changes at head coach or their coordinator positions can be considered for the Senior Bowl. Bill Belichick isn’t going anywhere, of course, but it’s notable that New England doesn’t have any coaches with coordinator titles.
As of now, Matt Patricia would, in theory, call plays and run the offense as well as potentially coaching the offensive line along with Billy Yates (?). But what if the Patriots have a new offensive coordinator on board – say, Bill O’Brien – by that point?
There’s also the uncomfortable possibility, however unlikely, that New England’s selection to run the Shrine Bowl could signal a desire to keep their offensive coaching staff as is, which would be unconscionable given what just happened this season. Let’s hope that’s not the case.
Additionally, one wonders whether Jerod Mayo or even Nick Caley will be on the staff with their contracts soon to be up and Mayo having interviews on tap with teams for open defensive coordinator positions.
Regardless, don’t be surprised if at least one player from the upcoming Patriots draft class comes from the Shrine Bowl.
