FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots:
1. In reaching out to a handful of front-office executives and scouts Saturday about the Patriots' nine-member draft class, the player who produced the most varied responses was Nebraska defensive tackle Vincent Valentine (third round, No. 96). One club had him closer to the seventh round to free-agent range, while another was also cool on him because of questions about his conditioning and work ethic, and lack of statistical production last season (10 tackles in 10 games). But others liked the 6-foot-3, 320-pound Valentine, saying his strength and inside pass rush are two things going for him and selecting a big, physical player at No.