Patriots Draft Analysis: Defensive Needs

By: Lily Zhao

It seems Bill Belichick is taking after the mantra: "Defense wins championships." Here are three areas of concern the Patriots need to fill for the 2012 season.

(boltbeat.com)

Defensive End/Outside Linebacker: Rob Ninkovich is holding down the fort for the Patriots on pass rush. His partners Mark Anderson and Andre Carter will be unreliable, as Anderson is gone to the Buffalo Bills while Carter is a free agent, recovering from a torn quad. Anderson and Carter combined for 10 sacks last year. Because the defense transitioned to a 4-3 defense, it will be crucial come draft day to get a disruptive pass rusher.  While the pass rush for the Patriots was not too effective last season, it did improve their sack total and it was important in limiting opponents on third-down. A defensive end like Alabama's Courtney Upshaw could one of the cures for this ailing part of the New England defense.

(espn.com)

Safety: While Sergio Brown stepped up at the safety position and Matthew Slater elevated his play late in the season, the Patriots need depth. While Patriots helped this position by signing former San Diego Charger Steve Gregory in free agency, they will need more help. Last season, New England was brought down by subpar safety play, as well as the early releases of James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather. Reliable safety Patrick Chung was also hampered by injuries the first half of the season. Looking toward the draft, another member of the Crimson Tide could help elevate this position. Mark Barron knows how to read a defense and has excellent wrap around tackling skills.

(yahoosports.com)

Defensive Line: For the past couple of years, the Patriots have been tested at this position. Guys like Brandon Deaderick, Kyle Love and Myron Pryor do not constitute a stout defensive line because they're essentially the B team. Looking at the current depth chart, New England should bring in a young, disruptive force that can be counted on to contribute big-time snaps. Vince Wilfork, Shaun Ellis and Gerard Warren are all in their thirties and their initial burst off the line isn't as good as it was a couple of years ago. Guys like Connecticut's Kendall Reyes and LSU's Michael Brockers could give the defensive trenches a boost.

Patriots Draft Analysis: Offensive Needs

By: Lily Zhao

There are still some offensive holes that need to be filled for the New England Patriots.

Last week, the Patriots re-signed wide receiver Deion Branch and signed free agent fullbacks Tony Fiammetta and Spencer Larsen.

(patriotsgab.com)

Branch caught five touchdowns and 51 catches for 702 yards last season. He will join the a deep wide receiver corps that added free agents Brandon Lloyd, Anthony Gonzalez and Donte Stallworth.

Fiammetta spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys, while Larsen played two different positions for the Denver Broncos.

Despite what looks like a talented offensive corp, especially if you add them in with Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, it may seem that defense is what Bill Belichick should be focusing on for the upcoming NFL Draft.

However, it looks like the Patriots may still go wide for the draft.

The Patriots only have a hand-full of players capable of creating huge chunks of offensive plays in 2012. Wes Welker is carrying the franchise tag and considered the best hands player on the squad, his Super Bowl controversy aside. Lloyd, who was one of Sam Bradford's main targets last season at St. Louis, has the acceleration and ball awareness to become a reliable receiver for Tom Brady.

What the Patriots need to do this off-season is acquire players with talent and developmental depth.

They will also try to buck the notion that the team does not know how to develop wideouts following the draft. Taylor Price, Brandon Tate and Bethel Johnson were prime examples of either coaching, the New England system or a combination of something else gone wrong.

Coming into the draft, Belichick will have six draft picks, with two coming in the first two rounds. That means the Patriots could target a player like Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill or Rutgers' Mohamed Sanu.

The Art of the Stolen Base

By: Lily Zhao

What tools do some of the best baserunners use to steal bases? I went down to Major League Baseball's spring training to find out.

Top-ranked Boston College dominates Minnesota-Duluth for a berth in the Frozen Four

By: Lily Zhao

For more on the Northeast Region finals between the Eagles and Bulldogs, read the game recap here: http://www.golocalworcester.com/sports/boston-college-shuts-out-minnesota-duluth-for-frozen-four/

Defending National Champion Minnesota-Duluth takes on Top-Ranked Boston College for the Northeast Region Crown

By: Lily Zhao

It's a battle between the last two NCAA National Champions. Both teams have high-powered offenses and stout defenses.

The last time these two teams met was in 2003, and BC has the edge in the all-time series.

Here's the preview for the Northeast Final match-up between the Bulldogs and the Eagles:
http://www.golocalworcester.com/sports/minnesota-duluth-and-boston-college-fight-for-a-spot-in-the-frozen-four/

NCAA Hockey Regionals from Worcester

By: Lily Zhao

Top-ranked Boston College takes on Air Force, and defending champion Minnesota-Duluth faces off against Maine in the Northeast Region's semifinals.

For more on what happened in Worcester last night, read my game recaps here: http://www.golocalworcester.com/sports/top-ranked-boston-college-soars-over-air-force/

The Art of the Stolen Base

Find out what tools some of the best baserunners use to steal bases. The video is coming soon.

Check out how Jimmy Rollins steals bases, below.