Morning Sports Update
The Patriots’ upcoming draft plans were also discussed.
The Patriots’ draft and Mike Vrabel’s rules: The offseason has produced major storylines for Patriots fans, with Mike Vrabel being installed as the team’s new head coach, and the prospect of picking fourth in the upcoming draft.
In terms of the draft, ESPN’s Mina Kimes singled out the Patriots as the team that faces the most pressure.
“It seems more likely than not that [Cam] Ward and Travis Hunter are going to be off the board, potentially Abdul Carter as well, which makes what to do with that pick — fourth overall — very interesting,” Kimes said on ESPN in a Thursday segment. “Obviously they’re not taking a quarterback, so they’re probably going to be listening for trade calls. But there will also be a lot of pressure on them to improve the circumstances for their young quarterback, Drake Maye.”
Kimes has previously discussed possible trades the Patriots could make to move back in the first round while collecting extra picks in both the 2025 and 2026 drafts. But if a deal can’t be reached, it will be a question of picking for need vs. best available player with the fourth pick.
Specifically, the offense will require additional reinforcement, though Kimes noted that she “really like a lot of the [defensive] players they’ve brought in.”
“But they still need a left tackle,” she noted. “They still need a wide receiver one, and they have a quarterback who showed last year that despite playing what I would argue was the worst situation in the entire NFL is one of the young, promising passers in this league, so I think that as he enters his second year, there is a lot of pressure on this team — through the draft, because they weren’t really able to in free agency — to make his situation better.”
As for Vrabel, analysts sounded off on the new coach’s recently revealed rule system. Essentially, the former Titans coach advocated basic standards for professionalism, sometimes that Woody approved of.
“The biggest thing I took away from it is treating the players like men,” Woody explained. “Simple stuff, just be on time. Do the things that you know you’re supposed to do.”
Woody pointed to Vrabel being a former player who is now a coach, and the mutual respect that can exist with current players as a result.
“All he wants from those guys just judging from that is just be accountable, do the things you’re supposed to do , and everything else will continue to work itself out.”
Trivia: Mike Vrabel was a third-round pick by the Steelers out of Ohio State in the 1997 NFL Draft. What fellow Buckeye went first overall that year?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Rams.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox avoided the four-game sweep in a 4-3 walk-off win over the Blue Jays on Thursday. Boston begins a three-game series in Chicago against the White Sox this evening at 7:40 p.m.
The Bruins gave up four third period goals in a 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks on Thursday. The team now has two games left in the season (Sunday at Pittsburgh against the Penguins, 3:30 p.m., and then Tuesday at home vs. the Devils at 7 p.m.)
Tonight, the Celtics host the Hornets at 7:30 p.m. The two teams play again at TD Garden on Sunday (1 p.m.) in the conclusion of the regular season.
In men’s collegiate hockey, Boston University advanced to the national championship game with a 3-1 win over Penn State on Thursday. The Terriers will face Western Michigan on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Also on Saturday, the Revolution will play Atlanta United on the road at 2:45 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Boston University Frozen Four highlights: The Terriers advanced to the national championship after a 3-1 win over Penn State.
Stefon Diggs working out: The Patriots’ newest receiver is moving (comparatively well) through his rehab process.
Stefon Diggs 165 days after the ACL injury 💪
(via stefondiggs/IG) pic.twitter.com/HfWj875gFg
— NFL (@NFL) April 10, 2025
On this day: In 2018, the Red Sox and Yankees renewed the rivalry after Joe Kelly plunked Tyler Austin in retaliation after the Yankees’ designated hitter slid into Boston second baseman Brock Holt in the bottom of the third inning.
Austin took exception to being hit over the matter and charged the mound. The ensuing brawl resulted in both of the protagonists being ejected. The Yankees won the game, 10-7, but the Red Sox would have the last laugh at the end of that season with a World Series title (a run which included eliminating New York in the ALDS).
Daily highlight: Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz was back at it (creating memorable highlights) during a match win over Germany’s Daniel Altmaier.
THAT’S NUTS 🥜@carlosalcaraz #RolexMonteCarloMasters pic.twitter.com/va41mcX3ym
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 10, 2025
Trivia answer: Orlando Pace
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