The most interesting news I've seen by the local media is the a plan for the Pats to move up. In my opinion the Patriots are planning on trading up for Chad Jackson, who I have been plugging for two months now. He is a Patriots type of player, who also plays Wide Receiver. I think the best way to find what a team is going to take is to look at their Depth Chart as they approach the draft. Where is the hole? It isn't always easy to spot, and currently the Patriots pot is nearly empty at WR.

Another example is the Jets, they have literally no depth at Offensive Tackle. Reporter close to the organization insist that they will pass on a QB and take D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Sounds preposterous, until you look at the depth chart. They have two O-Tackles on the roster, Adrian Jones and Marko Cavka. I can guarantee you if Ferguson is on the board the Jets will take him.

The more I here about Rob Carpenter and the fact the Pats won't take a Wide Receiver or Running Back in the 1st Round, the more I become convinced that they are going to trade up for Chad Jackson or Santonio Holmes. This week the Patriots sent four representatives to Ohio State to watch the work out and interview the top players. Making a big presentation of their interest in Ohio State players. Meanwhile across town, Belichick flew down to Florida to interview Chad Jackson.

Now on its own it won't seem like a big deal, but I heard this information after reading Jerome Solomon's rather interesting article in the Boston Globe on Sunday:

"If you like discussing draft trades, here's a logical one involving the Patriots. Baltimore holds the No. 13 pick, but with only two picks among the first 110 (none in the third round), it is likely to trade down for an extra selection unless Vince Young falls into its lap. The Patriots, with the 21st overall selection and a pair of third- and fourth-round choices (six picks among the first 118), are in a good position to move up to the Ravens' slot. ''From 21, you're not going to be able to get into the top 10, but you could move up a couple of spots, but then from that point on, you would have pretty good flexibility if you wanted to move forward, if you wanted to package picks together," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. The question is, whom would the Patriots move up for? Receiver Chad Jackson of Florida, the No. 1 wideout in the draft, could be had at 13. Would the Patriots want to pay an average of $2.5 million a year for a rookie receiver with Deion Branch's contract being renegotiated? Following the industry-accepted trade chart, New England would have to give up the higher of its two third-round picks (No. 75 overall) to jump into the top 15, ahead of the Broncos, who are interested in Jackson. The Ravens are looking to deal and might accept the offer, though by the chart the Patriots would be getting a slight edge in the trade. ''Yes, we could be enticed to move that pick before we get to the 13th," Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome said. ''Our trade-down scenario is always if there are three or four guys we really like, and we have an opportunity to move back and still get one of those guys, plus add an additional pick -- again, from an organizational standpoint -- that is the right thing to do." If the Patriots are even more adventurous, as Belichick explained, they could take the Ravens' pick and package it with their second third-rounder (86th overall) to jump into the top 10, where Texas defensive back Michael Huff might be an option. Anything could happen on Draft Day, but expect the Patriots to be involved in a couple of trades to get the players they most like. Jackson and Huff are on that list, but it'll take some maneuvering to get either one."

Okay, so inside information is saying the Pats have deal with the Ravens to move up to 13. But to move up to 13 you will have to give up more than just the 86th pick in the draft, great article Jerome but there is no way. But suppose they would take 86 and a 6th or 5th, deal done. More likely your looking at a Broncos Atlanta deal, which cost Denver a 3rd and 4th to move up that high. But you may be able to get away with 86 and 118, rather than 75 and 106. Having two picks in the 3rd and 4th Round gives the Pats a lot of flexibility, but it will be painful to move up.

According to my draft, to trade pick 21, 86, and 106, for pick number 13 equates to Chad Jackson for Manny Lawson, Jerius Norwood, and Jason Avant. That's a lot to give up. But if you look at the depth chart, there is no number two receiver, and that is a big hole.

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It seems to me more and more that the Patriots will be choosing between Chad Greenway and Bobby Carpenter. Greenway is falling. Carpenter ran a 4.6 at 6-3 250 pounds at his Proday and looked like he was completely over his broken ankle, he is rising well into the First Round. In fact, it has been reported that four teams at the end of the First Round will not let him pass.

Carpenter is a strong fierce leader on defense, and many felt he was the leader of Ohio States defense and not Hawk. He plays the run better then the pass, which is fine because I think he would play inside next to Bruschi. 

Carpenter looks like a Linebacker. He is strong and muscular. He loves the weigh room and has a great work ethic. Has been very productive. He was named team captain in 04. Last season, before he broke his ankle, he had 49 tackles, 10.5 TFL, and 8 Sacks. Is freinds with Mike Vrabel and works out with him in the off season at Ohio State. Many scouts think his best position in the Pro's will be as a 3-4 Inside Linebacker. Came on as a pass rusher as a Senior, he only had 6.5 sacks his first three years.

He is inconsistent, and disappears for stretches during games. Doesn't play with the best instincts and sometimes has trouble finding the ball. He has to learn to shed blocks better and not get stuck on an O-Lineman. Does not look natural dropping back into coverage. In fact, played with his hand down as a Senior in pass rush situations. 

We will learn a lot about the Patriots in this draft. To me the swing player is Vrabel. If they draft Greenway or Carpenter, Vrabel will move back Outside. If they draft Lawson or Wimbley Vrabel will stay Inside, I'm anxious to see.

I believe that the Patriots will draft more than one Wide Receiver in this draft. They have plenty of extra picks, and plenty of need. If they take Stovall or another WR on the first day, they will still need to add another development prospect who has Special Team Qualities, and may be even a little familiarity with the Patriots.

Another 6th Round option is WR Skyler Green from LSU, 5-9, 195, 4.4. Played three years for Saban, and is Jarvis Green's cousin. Small WR who is injured a lot, because, well, he is a small WR. But he is tough and plays through pain and injury. All speed and quickness on the field and can be devastating in the Return Game. Reminds me of David Patton. A pump-up small receiver who has a bigger heart than size. He has solid character, and is smart and has demonstrated that he is very mature. Loves the game. Wants to compete. Has experience in Patriots-type system. 

Was considered one of the top Special Team players in the country after 03. Had surgery on ankle in 04 and then promptly strained it again and has not been the same player since. Gets hurt a lot, and lost his starting job as a Senior. Does not have superior speed that little guys need. Rounds-out his routes. Looked bad at Senior Bowl, where he fumbled a punt and could not get open.

The question is did he play with injuries when he should not have, and that is why he slowed down, or did injuries take away his abilities permanently. 

All picks in the draft are subject to change, except Compensation picks. The Pats have two picks at the end of the 6th Round, which they will have to use. They are not glamour picks, but players picked in the 6th Round need to make the team in order for the Salary Cap to work. Here are a few options I see.

1. is an O-Lineman. They may have to take a swing tackle or a Center combo Lineman earlier than this, depending on the physical conditions of Light and Koppen. Word lately is that both are more seriously injured than originally thought. Swing Tackle- Charlie Johnson from Oklahoma State, 6-3.75, 3298, 5.2. Undersized Tackle who may have to move inside to Guard. He is a terrific athlete, and has the ability to be an emergency starter at LT. Is a converted TE. He will need a couple years of refinement and strength work. He is smart, wants to get better, and is a hard worker.

2. OG/C Will Allen From Texas, 6-5, 310, 5.2. He has solid character, and is very smart, tough, and a hard worker. Played a little Center at Texas, but was primarily a Guard. Scrappy and aggresive and can maul people at the line of scrimmage, if he gets his hands on them. He is a little stiff and not a great athlete. Does not play well in space. With discipline, hard work, and dedication (three traits he definitely has already) he should develop into a solid back-up O-lineman, who play all three Interior Line positions.  

3. a 3rd or 4th TE. Patriots run a Single-back formation as their primary offense, which eliminates the Fullback in favor of and H-back, Tight End, or third WR. TE Troy Bienemann 6-4.5, 256, 4.8. Was fairly productive in college. Is a big man. Has long arms which he use to snag the ball. He is a good blocker. Would have gone much higher, but he tore his left ACL and Medial Meniscus. Mat need another year of healing. He is also a Long Snapper and good Special Teams player. Doesn't excel in any one area, but does everything a TE needs to do well. He may never be a starter, but if his knee heals he shoudl develope into a terrific 3rd, and maybe even a 2nd Tight End.

4. H-Back/TE Owen Daniels from Wisconson, 6-3.5, 253, 4.66. He is more of an H-Back than TE, which means he is not a good blocker. But he is a good receiver who is has good speed for a TE and has good athleticism. Has good on-field quickness which allows him to get open consistently. He is very smart, loves to lift weights, and works hard when blocking. He is a good Special Team player. Needs development and refinement. Needs to add strength and bulk. Has the tools to develop into a good H-Back, and the smarts and work ethic to develop his tools.  

Okay so why would the Pats look past Marshall. I have been saying all along the Pats biggest need is WR. The loss of David Givens was huge. Branch needs help or his Offense will struggle. The must acquire a number two receiver. But they don't appear to want to pay the price for a legit number two, and you can't count on a rookie to understand their Offense right away. So they have to over pay for a WR, which we know the Plummer will not do, or Draft a #2 Wide out. So if they draft Wide Receiver, who is most likely to be able to step right in and play, in their system. Okay so I gave it away, we all know about Maurice Stovall.  

Stovall is big, strong, and fast- 6-4, 217 and ran just over a 4.5 at the combine. He played in the Patriots Offensive System last season at Notre Dame, so he knows the Patriots plays already. He can catch the ball in traffic. Has large hands which he can use to snatch the ball. will make the acrobatic catch in traffic. He can jumps well, and get up really high to catch the ball, and can adjust to a badly thrown ball in the air with great body control. He caught 69 balls for 1,149 yards and 11 TDs last season. He played on coverage teams, and is an excellent Special Teams player. Is a hard worker and response well to coaching. Football is very important to him. Weis asked him to loss 15 pounds before last season, and he did. Is smart as has a knack for coming up big in the clutch. He is articulate, intelligent, and well-spoken, and comes off very good in interviews, which is very important to the Plummer.

Has the dropsies. Will make an incredible catch and then drop an easy one, or two. Needs to concentrate from first snap to last, which so far he has proven he does not do. Is not super fast, nor sudden in his cuts. Doesn't get great separation consistently, makes a lot of catches with Corner draped all over him, because he has to. Struggled first three years in college before Weis showed up. Not very elusive, and doesn't gain a lot of yards after the catch. Some question his commitment to blocking, though he claims he is a great blocker.

Okay, does the signing of Warfield, Jones, and Scott signal a change in strategy for the Pats? Do they now believe that Stovall will not be around in the 3rd round at pick number 75? Do they now believe they have to take him in the 2nd Round at pick 52? He is more valuable to the Patriots than any other team. Marshall and Stovall both appear to be solid 2nd Round picks, but neither is likely to be available at 75. 

Both are players who are more valuable to the Patriots than any other team. Both are players who are more likely to step in next season and be productive in the Patriots system than any other 2nd Round players. To acquire both they may have to trade-up from 75, and spend some of their extra picks in the 3rd, 4th, and 6th round, or they can sit and wait and hopefully bluff their way into both players. 

I don't think I'm cold enough to take that bluff. If I could trade-up into the second round from 75, without giving up out other 3rd Round pick (we have 86 as well), even if I had to give up both 4th Round Picks, I would do it. Which is why I would never want to play poker with the Plummer and Pioli, they never reveal their real intentions.

In an interesting development in the Draft is the switching of Kelly Jennings and Richard Marshall. It seemed after the combine everyone was talking up Richard Marshall, and he even started popping up in the first round all over the internet. Some Draftnics even wrote that the Pats might have to take him at 21 if they wanted him. For fans of the Patriots this was not a good development. Marshall is more valuable to the Patriots than most other teams, because he played at Fresno State for Belichick buddy. He has played in a Patriots type defense for the past three years, which will make his transition to the NFL much easier if he is drafted by the Patriots. 

I don't like Kelly as a first round pick. He is so slight, thin and small. He has excellent speed, quickness, and cover abilities. And you can see GMs and Coaching thinking that if they get him in the weight room and add 10-15 pounds he could be a number 1 or 2 Corner. But it doesn't always work that way. Can he gain that weight and maintain that superior blend of speed, quickness, and natural cover skills?

Marshall has good size and speed. He is just a hair over 6 feet, weighs nearly 200 pounds and ran a 4.42 at the combine. He has a knack for coming up with the big play when the team needs it. He is an excellent cover corner, who wants to win. He is similar in a lot of ways to Sam Madison. He is not blazing fast, but fast enough. He is not huge, but big enough. He has the size, speed, and work ethic to develop into a 1A/1B type Cornerback, like Madison when he was paired with Patrick Surtain, and they were not really a 1 and 2, but 1A and 1B depending on the day. 

He sometimes takes risks that give up the big play. He is a step in front Corner, meaning he tries to step in front of receivers too much to try and make the big play, and when it doesn't work the Receiver will run a long ways behind him. He is little tight in the hips, and his transition from Back to front petal is not as smooth as one would like. He is young and still needs to mature. Could have used another year at Fresno. 

In a strange twist, Pro Football weekly, in their Draft Book, left out Marshall's Profile. He seems to be sinking so fast that Pro Football Weekly just seemed to forget about him. He may be around in the 3rd because of the amazing depth in the Defensive Backfield in this Draft. 

Now it looks like Kelly has shot past Marshall, and they continue in opposite directions. Kelly is soaring up the charts, and he would be a lock to be in the first round if it weren't for the depth a DB in this draft. He has suddenly become the third rated Corner on many charts, ahead of Jimmy Williams. Pro Football Weekly now has him as the number 5 Corner and the 26th player overall, and they rate Marshall as the 8th best Corner and the 58th best player. 

So, while a few weeks ago the idea that Marshall would be around in the 2nd Round for the Patriots seemed impossible, now it seems more than probable. But, now that the Patriots have signed Warfield, Chad Scott, and Tebucky Jones, are they looking past Marshall?

The latest signing of the Patriots have been very interesting. They add depth and really don't effect the Cap all that much. I like all three.

Eric Warfield is a Corner who has worked himself from a 7th round pick into a viable starter. He has been arrested three times for drunk driving which has caused a lot of problems in his life. After his last arrested he checked himself into Rehab, and is now sober and attending AA meetings. He will add depth and fight for a starting spot. 

Tebucky Jones returns. He has been hampered by his speed his whole career. He runs so fast he keeps being placed out of position. He is a Strong safety, ands not a free safety or a corner. He is a good player when he is moving. He gets himself in trouble when he has to turn and run backwards or sideward. I think he is great insurance for Harrison. Plus he a great Special Teams player, and the best I've ever seen at cover Punts.

Martin Gramatica, if he is over his stomach injury, is a great kicker. He has a great leg, and has made clutch kicks, including three in the Super Bowl. He is a good place to start in replacing Vinatieri.

Word is that Belichick has interest in Jerious Norwood, the Running Back from Mississippi State. He interviewed him at the Combine. Norwood is considered one of the few RBs after the top 5 or 6 Backs who can handle the load of being a full-time starter in the NFL. He should be available in the 3rd, and maybe even in the 4th.

He is almost 6 feet high and weighs 210 pounds, and ran a 4.4 even at the Combine. He has terrific straight-line speed and very quick to the hole. He follows his blocker, and bursts past them when he sees an open field. He is definitely a treat to go all the way every time he touches the ball. He has been complimented by many sources as having solid character, and has solid work ethic. Loves to play and leaves everything on the field. Took over ar full time start as a Junior. Has had terrific production the past two season. He rushed 195 times for 1,050 yards, 7 TDs, and a 5.4 yard average. As a Senior he rushed 191 times for 1,136 yards, 5 TDs, and an impressive 5.9 average per carry. Has returned punts. Has caught 30 balls for 133 yards and 2 TDs the past two seasons.

He has thin legs, narrow base, and appears to be a little top-heavy. He goes down too easily on first contact. Has missed parts of games with minor injuries, but not starts. Is not a natural juker, and does not make people miss. He runs straight as much as possible. Sometimes dances in the back field. Doesn't look natural catching the ball out of the backfield. He needs to get bigger and stronger in the lower body.

He is a Running Back who could spend a year or two in a Pro weight lifting program and develop into a legit starter. Has the commitment to the game and the work ethic to add 5-10 pounds of muscle in the off-season over the next two years. Would be a solid back-up for Corey Dillon, and could be valuable insurance over the next two season in case Dillon has hit the wall.. 

Word is that Belichick, the Plummer, was very impressed with Kelly Jennings the Cornerback from Miami. Now we obvious know that this rumor didn't come from the Plummer, because he allows no leaks. So it probably came from Jennings's Agent and Jennings himself. The problem is that 21 is far to early to take him, and he has been steadily rising up the charts and will not be available at pick number 52. 

He is 5-10, 185, and ran a 4.37 at the Combine. He is a natural cover cover with terrific hips and can turn and run effortlessly. He has superior quickness, which is one of the primary factors in judging a Corner. He is disciplined player who is conscious of his responsibilities and takes care of them first. Has faced top-level competition during practice for the past four years. He grab the starting position at Corner as a Junior, and has produced 72 tackles, 18 PBU, and 5 INTs, the past two seasons. Has showed he could cover bigger receivers. Is tough and doesn't back down to anyone.

He is thin with a thin frame and looks tiny out of pads. He must work to get bigger and stronger. His lack of size will cause him to slide in this draft. Many think his size will cause him to be not more than a Nickel Corner. Not a good tackler. Not good at bumping Wide Receiver at line of scrimmage. Doesn't have good hands and will drop catchable INTs.

Because of the incredible depth at Defensive Back, I believe as many as 12 DB's could be taken in the 2nd Round, he may be available at pick 52. If he is don't be surprised if he is a Patriot next season.

Sometimes the draft takes strange and unexpected turns. Like this year players rise and fall for obvious and reasonable reasons, but sometimes players rise and fall for unknown reasons.

Take the case of Chad Greenway, the top preseason Linebacker in the draft. That's right he was rated ahead of Hawk.  

He is big, fast, and smart. Great Cover Linebacker and is probably the best Cover LB in this draft. He was the Team Captain for two years. His Sophomore year he produced 132 Tackles, 13 TFL, and 2 sacks. As a Junior he produced 113 Tackles, 8 TFL and 3 sacks. He was on the fast track to top five pick.

But than came his Senior year, where apparently his play slipped. Though he was still 6-2.5 and 243 pounds. He was still Captain, and still played faster than he timed. He still had graceful hips, and moved fluidly enough in pass protection that he could cover a slot receiver down the seam like a 200 pound DB. So his production must have fallen significantly, right? No, statistically he had his best season. He produced 156 Tackles, 10 TFL and 2 sacks, and he broke up 8 passes and had 1 INT. 

But he is plummeting. So he could somehow be available at 21, and the Pats would fools not to take him, and they are not fools. I compare him to Vrabel, only he is smoother, faster and a much better cover guy.

Some more key aspects of what the Patriots are looking for are leadership and character concerns. These are much harder to define than the first four. How do you quantify leadership? One way is being a team Captain. Patriots value a player who was a team Captain more than most teams. Also were they responsible for extra duties during the game. Like Michael Huff who was responsible for calling the defensive alignments in the secondary. This is a big indicator of leadership. 

Character concern are impossible to quantify. Arrests, class concerns, off field shenanigans are all concerns, but Character concerns are caused not by mistakes but by how a person reacts to mistakes. Does he look at himself and mature, or does he continue to blame all those around him. 

The biggest example of this is Claude Wroten. He is 6-2, 305, and ran a 5.0 flat. A tremendously strong and quick three-technique Defensive Tackle prospect. In 04, when he played for Nick Saban, he started the lst 9 games of the season and had 44 takles, 12 TFL, and 6 sacks. Last season he started 12 games and had 49 tackles, 10.5 TFL, and 6 sacks. Some scouts think he is the best athlete at the DT position in this draft. Size, strength, quickness, and production, he is a sure-fire first round pick.

He was arrested for possession of Marijuana with the intent to distribute, and was kick-out of the Senior Bowl. He is on top of the list for character concerns. Is this arrest an indication of future behaviors, or has he turn the corner and learned a valuable lesson on his way to being a mature man. He is a top 15 talent who will be around when the Patriots pick in the 2nd round. 

The other important aspect of measuring Character is the interview. A lot of teams interviewed Wroten at the combine, because the wanted to steal a top 15 talent late in the draft, but again many teams said he came off as a phony and he has been taken off a few draft boards completely. Has he learned his lesson? I certainly don't know, and neither does anybody else. But Wroten will tumble down the charts, and personally I wouldn't take him on the first day, because I believe he will break the heart of the GM that drafts him.

The most difficult aspect of mocking the draft is the Player Interview. The coaches and GMs and even the Owners meet with the player and discuss many things, all of which we are nto privy to. The Player Interview can be the most important aspect of a Team choosing a player, and we have no access to any information on how it went. Teams learn about personality, character, maturity, commitment to the game, does player seem sincere, does a player come across as a phony, does he read film well, does he know what he is doing on the field, does he know what his team is doing on the field, etc. 

Take the example of the 02 draft. Pats where looking for a WR who they cold take on the second day. Pioli found a very small, very quick WR who was extremely productive. He came in for a interview with Belichick the day before the Draft. He and Belichick really hit it off, and he ended up spending the entire at the facility with Belichick. The next day the Pats drafted Deion Branch in the second round. And there was no way anybody could have know how great that Player Interview was.

Today I will discuss draft Philosophy. Belichick and Pioli have a set plan for the type of player they want on this team. The biggest mistake most teams make is not identify the type of player they want and than going out and getting them. The to main characteristics and smarts and toughness. Whenever the they draft a player you can see smarts and toughness in their description somewhere. 

And yes, athleticism and production count as well. I'm talking about what separates Logan Mankins from all the other players in the draft, for the Patriots. Why did they take him in the First Round and no other team did. He is smart and tough. So when thinking about players you think the Patriots are going to take it better say in their Bio somewhere "smart and tough". 

Two other necessities when thinking about a Patriots player is work ethic and they must love the game. If good work ethic and players loves the game are in the Bio mark that player down. I personally like LenDale White, but the Patriots are not going to draft him. Questions about his work ethic and commitment (A codeword for loves the game) are in question. He gains weight like... well... like I do. I went to doctor's office last week and weighed in at a lovely 252 pounds. I am a big (pun intended) fan of LenDale White, but with concerns about commitment to the game and his work ethic the Pats will not draft him.

No this is not an April's fools joke, I am now writing a Patriots Draft Blog. The most underrated aspect of NFL football is the NFL Draft. Especially when you consider the Salary Cap Free Agency Era. I remember when this era started people said the Draft would be less important now that Free Agency was here? I have always said that was incredibly stupid. 

Okay suppose you have the top paid player on you roster, Player 1, who signs for 9 million on the Cap. With the Cap just over 100 million that is nearly 10% of the Cap. If you figure that 10% of the players on the team are 5 or 6 players, how are you going to pay the other 5 players in the 1.04 million remaining in the 10% of the Cap given to Player 1. Remember if you have a 100 million dollar cap and 65 players under contract the average salary is about 1.5 million per player. So for every 6.5 players the average salary is 15 million. 

Now suppose Player 1 is Richard Seymour (Please!) and he deserves 9 million under the Cap, that leaves only 6 million for the remaining 6.5 players. Now suppose the 11th highest paid player on you team make 4 million, and gets placed into you Seymour's 10%, that leaves only 2 Million for the remaining 4.5 players. How are going to pay those players? That leaves an average salary of 444,444.44 per player. 

There are not a lot of productive veteran Free Agents who will sign for that amount. The Draft ensures low entry level salaries. All rosters are filled with low round picks being paid low round money. Every teams 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th round picks, and undrafted Free Agents will be on the roster, because they are the only ones teams can afford to pay, and if they can't play than your team will suffer. 

Suppose your 7th rounder makes 144,444.44, that leaves 300,000 dollars remaining to add to Players 21's salary, who is in this 10% pie slot, that means you can pay a veteran 744,444.44. Now suppose your 5th round pick fall into this pie slot. He makes 244,444.44, that increases what you can pay Player 21 by 200,000.00 dollars to 944,444.44. Suppose you pick up an Undrafted Free Agent, and he falls into the final Salary Cap Pie Slot making an interesting 120,000.00. That adds 324,444.44 to the equation. That means the Patriots can offer a Free Agent 1,268,888.88 million under this years cap, and isn't that about what they paid Stephen Neal. So remember when the teams start drafting on day two, these player will make the team, hopefully because they can play, but definitely because they are the only player they can afford to pay. When your 5th, 6th, and 7th Round Picks can play, it is paramount to the success of the team, because they are the small pieces of the Salary Cap Pie. 

And when you have a GM who can snag an Undrafted Free Agent every year, that is beyond invaluable. Players like: Brandon Gorin, Stephen Neal, Randall Gay, and last years minimum salary find Wright. These players are the smallest pieces of the pie that allow the Patriots to pay Brady and Seymour, and will allow them to pay Branch.