Patriots Daily: Shrine Bowl Prospects; New England’s Next Hire

The New England Patriots drafted two players from last year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. Offensive guard Atonio Mafi (UCLA) and wide receiver DeMario Douglas (Liberty) caught the eyes of the Patriots braintrust a year ago. The 2024 edition of the game took place yesterday, with the West team emerging victorious 26-11. More important than the final score is the number of prospects who impressed.

Frank Gore Jr. (Southern Miss) is a running back considered a sleeper with great upside before this past week. After walking away with Shrine Bowl Offensive MVP, Gore Jr. is a sleeper no more. Some of the other prospects worth a long look include WR Malik Washington (Virginia), TE Dallin Holker (Colorado State), OG Christian Mahogany (Boston College), DL Myles Murphy (North Carolina), DT Leonard Taylor III (Miami, Fla.), CB Dwight McGlothern (Arkansas), and CB Jarrian Jones (Florida State).

New England’s Next Hire

With Alex Van Pelt now in place as the New England Patriots offensive coordinator, all three coordinator positions have been filled. Van Pelt joins DeMarcus Covington (defense) and Jeremy Springer (special teams). With the leader of each unit now in place, speculation turns to how Jerod Mayo will fill out the remainder of his coaching staff.

With Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator, the Patriots are targeting former Seahawks/Rams assistant Andy Dickerson as OL coach, per sources.

Attended Tufts University and has had proven success with rookie development (e.g. Charles Cross/Abraham Lucas) and run-game schemes.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 1, 2024

One name already being rumored is Andy Dickerson. He is a veteran NFL coach who has been the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Seahawks for the past three seasons. With Mike Macdonald replacing Pete Carroll in Seattle, Dickerson is likely a free agent, though no official announcement has come from the Seahawks. Dickerson has 20 years of NFL experience. He began as an intern and later operations employee with New England back from 2004-to-2005. He has since made stops with the Jets, Browns, and Rams, before joining the Seahawks.

Also in today’s Patriots Daily…

New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – Tracker: 2024 New England Patriots Coaching Staff

Patriots Football Now – New England hires Jeremy Springer as Special Teams Coordinator

NFL Draft

Patriots Football Now – Alex Van Pelt is reported to be the Patriots next offensive coordinator

Patriots Football Now – NFL Draft history: Top three picks helping teams win a Super Bowl

NFL News

Pro Football Network – NFL Pro Bowl Skills Showdown (how to watch)

Yardbarker –Green Bay hiring Boston College HC Jeff Hafley is a bad omen for college football

ESPN – Free agent decisions for all 32 NFL teams

Boston Bruins

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Fun Fact of the Day

Today is the birthday of Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Dave Casper. He retired in 1984 as among the top ten in NFL history for tight ends in receptions (No. 8), receiving yards (No. 7) and receiving touchdowns (No. 2). Casper’s current ranks have fallen to No. 49 (receptions), No. 33 (receiving yards) and No. 13 (receiving touchdowns).

Tweet of the Day

Tweet of the Day features everyone’s Oscar the Grouch…

I saw my shadow this morning. Which means that I will still be grouchy for at least six more weeks. #GroundhogDay pic.twitter.com/A9nmYSL4vY

— Oscar the Grouch (@OscarTheGrouch) February 2, 2024