Alabama, as usual, is stocked with pro prospects. And, with its head coach Nick Saban being one of Bill Belichick's close friends in the coaching fraternity, it was a layup that the Patriots' head coach would be in Tuscaloosa on Thursday to watch the Crimson Tide's pro day workouts.
Running back Trent Richardson, safety Mark Barron and linebacker Courtney Upshaw are the biggest names 'Bama has coming out this year, but their defense was so good, there's little doubt the Patriots will mine their roster at some point for talent next month.
Remember, Brandon Deaderick was a seventh-round pick of the Patriots after a modest final season with Alabama in 2009 and he has turned into a key player for the Patriots.
One intriguing player for the Patriots is Barron. New England is wafer thin at safety and Barron is seen as the best at his position. He's coming off bilateral hernia surgery (good name for a band; not a good way to spend a day) and said he ran a 4.51 30 and that was about "80 to 90 percent."
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