Pickless Patriots won't host reporters on first night of NFL Draft
The New England Patriots don’t have a first-round pick because of that whole Deflategate thing, so it probably wasn’t much of a surprise to area media when the team announced Tuesday that neither coach Bill Belichick nor anyone else will be available to reporters on April 28, the first night of the draft.
The Patriots won’t have scheduled media access until Day 2 of the draft, according to Comcast SportsNet New England. On that day, New England has picks Nos. 61 and 62 in the second round and Nos. 91 and 96 in the third round.
Some teams might still have a draft night shindig at team headquarters regardless of a lack of first-round picks, but Belichick and the Patriots are tight-lipped even on the best of days, and losing their spot at No. 29 remains a sore subject.
If the team trades back into the first round, it’s possible — maybe even likely — that Belichick will be available via conference call to comment on what went down. But for now Gillette Stadium won’t be open for business on draft night and there has to be a little part of the coach that doesn’t mind that one bit.
