Insider Says Patriots 1st-Round Pick Isn't 'Wired' The Right Way
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The New England Patriots could have gotten away with one of the steals of the draft when 21-year-old, 6-foot-6 offensive tackle Caleb Lomu fell to them at the end of the first round.
The Patriots were largely considered to be out of the tackle pool due to their 31st overall selection. It took a fourth-round pick, but New England was able to move up and secure the last first-round tackle on the board in Lomu.
Insider Phil Perry thinks the selection was the best value pick that New England made all weekend; however, he isn't sold on the young man out of Utah.
"I think there are concerns about the 'wiring,'" Perry said. "From what I've been told about this player, I think you'd prefer a little bit different 'football make-up.'"
As a former Division I football player myself, this seems to be about as bad a thing you can say about a player. Clearly, Perry was not looking to offend, but to insinuate that your offensive lineman is not tough enough for the league is insulting at the very least.
Patriots fans got a little taste of what Perry may mean on draft night when Lomu was seen dancing in his draft graphic, while other players scowled and flexed (for whatever that is worth).
"Just about anybody that I’ve talked to, that has met him, or interviewed him, or scouted him this offseason, says the same thing... that's kind of the consensus on Caleb Lomu," Perry said.
Lomu is an athletic freak with all of the god-given qualities that make up an All-Pro offensive tackle. I think he is a lock to become, at the very least, a starting-caliber member of this offensive line for a very long time. But to Perry's credit, if there is anything that could hold him back, it won't be his size or athleticism.
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