Morning sports update: Rob Ninkovich thinks the Patriots should ‘move up’ to draft a quarterback
"If they do not address the quarterback issue, they're going to have another tough year."
The sports world reacted to the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted on Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for the killing of George Floyd.
New England teams, including the Celtics and Patriots, released statements in response to the verdict.
In international news, the proposed Super League (originally composed of 12 of Europe’s biggest soccer clubs) collapsed mere days after it was first announced amid strong opposition from fans, players, and other figures in the game.
In local sports news from Tuesday, the Red Sox defeated the Blue Jays 4-2, and the Bruins won against the Sabres, 2-0.
Rob Ninkovich on the Patriots’ draft strategy: With the NFL draft set to get underway on April 29, speculation continues as to what the Patriots will do. Holding the 15th overall pick, New England may need to trade up if the goal is to pick one of the quarterbacks projected to go in the first round.
Former Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich, now an ESPN analyst, shared his thoughts during a “Get Up!” segment on Wednesday morning when asked what he thinks Bill Belichick should do.
“I think he should move up,” Ninkovich said of New England’s draft strategy. “I think they should go up in the draft, go get a quarterback.”
While the Patriots re-signed 2020 starter Cam Newton earlier in the offseason, the contract is for one year. And in Ninkovich’s view, the 31-year-old Newton isn’t the long-term answer in attempting to replace Tom Brady.
“They need to get a quarterback,” Ninkovich added. “If they do not address the quarterback issue, they’re going to have another tough year. They’re going to be average if they go with Cam Newton.
“I expect them to move up. It’s been an unprecedented, weird offseason for [Belichick] anyway. We’ve never seen the Patriots go out and spend the money that they have in free agency. And if they don’t get a quarterback, they’re not answering any of the questions of their future at that position.”
Trivia: Rob Ninkovich was drafted by the Saints in 2006 with the 135th overall pick (the second pick in the fifth round). What six-time Bills Pro Bowler was drafted one pick ahead of that?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: A defensive lineman, he retired following the 2018 season.
More from Boston.com:
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- ‘That was something special to me’: Eduardo Rodriguez claims win in return to Fenway Park
- Rask, Bruins blank Sabres 2-0 for 5th consecutive victory
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- NFL.com mock draft has Patriots trading up for Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith
- New mock drafts continue to project a quarterback to the Patriots
John Henry’s message to Liverpool fans after the collapse of the Super League
: The Liverpool principal owner (who is also the owner of Boston Globe Media Partners, including Boston.com) apologized, saying that “I alone am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the past couple of days.”
John W Henry’s message to Liverpool supporters. pic.twitter.com/pHW3RbOcKu
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 21, 2021
Northeastern slugger Jared Dupere hit “an absolute bomb” in the Huskies win on Tuesday: Dupere’s home run only added to a dominant 12-5 Northeastern win over Merrimack on Tuesday.
B6 | 𝗝𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗲 💣💣💣#HowlinHuskies pic.twitter.com/vvloVyfVOc
— Northeastern Baseball (@GoNUbaseball) April 20, 2021
On this day: In 2002, the Patriots traded quarterback Drew Bledsoe to the Bills.
Daily highlight: Brewers outfielder Billy McKinney made a tremendous catch to prevent multiple runs from scoring in a 6-0 Milwaukee win over the Padres on Tuesday.
BILLY MCKINNEY‼️
How did he catch that!?@billy_mckinney | #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/9HEkh7kBno
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 21, 2021
Trivia answer: Kyle Williams
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