A “pumped and jacked” Fred opened the show today with props to Toyota Tacoma for getting today’s lunch order, provided by “Paul’s favourite emailer” William Berry. Fred’s excitement was due to the upcoming NFL draft which brought up the news that Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry would take the same money as 2008 #1 draft pick Jake Long if the Lions picked him at #1.

Erik brought up Bill Belichick’s pre-draft press conference in which he commented that they had the ammunition to move into the top 10. The guys discussed this and how there is a lot of depth in this year’s draft so the Patriots are in a better position staying where they are.

Mike in Sharon called in to discuss about Patriots Chairman/CEO Robert Kraft’s comments that the Patriots’ season-ticket renewal rate was in the mid 90 percent range. He also complimented the guys on the latest Patriots Football Weekly cover and reiterated the guys’ comments that there wasn’t a consensus number one pick this year.

Fred read an email, from Andy Hart himself, that took shots at Boston Globe reporter Tony Massarotti who, himself, took shots at Andy in his latest column for asking Bill Belichick if there was anyone he regarded as a “can’t-miss” player only to see him fail. Andy expressed his displeasure at Massarotti’s column and likened himself to a player who gets misquoted or taken out of context in the press.

Andy spoke about bumping into Andre Tippett who he discussed the best draft classes in Patriots history with before Paul brought up a fact about draft classes. John in Palm Bay, not John in LA as Fred announced, called in to talk about rumours that the Patriots would trade their #34 draft pick for Dallas’ first round pick next year.

The guys brought up the Jaguars and Lions new uniforms and the Lions new logo before Andy noted that Pro Football Weekly’s Draft Guide had Matthew Stafford and Jason White ranked at 6.6 which put them on a scale that fell below that of a Pro Bowl caliber player. Erik then mentioned the recent rumours about several draft prospects failing drug tests following a Fox report that Harvin and Tate are the only high-profile players to have positive drug tests at the combine.

Fred read out an email from lunch buyer William Berry concerning Erik’s supposed fetish photography before Anthony in Naples called in to talk about USC LB Clay Matthews and how him being a ‘walk on’ has been overblown in the media. Anthony also brought up James Laurinaitis who has been slipping down the various mock drafts of late and wondered if he could slip into the second round for the Patriots to take.

Andy pointed out that Boston Globe reporter Mike Reiss picked Tennessee DE/OLB Robert Ayers in an ESPN Sports Center mock draft at #23 that the guys all disagreed with. Paul offered a new study for Fred to research concerning the falling stock of draft prospects who stay in college for all four years.

Andrew from the Ukraine called in via Skype to comment on the schedule and asked the guys who they would take if Vontae Davis and Aaron Maybin fell to the #23 spot as they have been recently projected to. Andrew also initiated a discussion about the Patriots potential draft trades before the guys talked about several WR prospects and we heard a “preeemium” mp3 question from Mikey Vandalism about draft prospects.

A humorous email from Dan in Fairfax offered a ficticious top ten reasons that Fred allowed PFW listener John in LA to write Friday Out Takes on Patriots.com before “big time” Paul Perillo left for the Big Show.

An either/or game about draft prospects and an over/under game provided the guys with some fun before Fred, who’d been teasing it all show, broached the subject, from Tuesday’s show, of Erik being credited for taking artistic photographs of nude models. Erik offered a full explanation behind the photographs and how he was offered advice by artists at Rhode Island School of Art & Design to expand his artwork and use nudes. Erik got angry from the poking and prodding from Fred and Andy and said it was nobody’s “F-ing business”.

Following a break Fred brought up PFW in Progress’ draft weekend schedule and the excellent coverage over at Patriots.com before talking about Everett Brown as being a candidate for the Patriots to trade up and select at the draft. Fred played an hilarious mp3 from Chris with a tian that asked about the falling stock of linebackers James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga.

Several emailers brought up Rey Maualuga which the guys discussed with Andy bringing up his reported drinking problem, on-field freelancing and compared him to Jerod Mayo. Jim in Texas called in to continue the Maualuga discussion and brought up Torry Holt signing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jim also brought up the recent article in the Boston Globe about Vince Wilfork who said that he would like to re-sign with the Patriots.

Fred read out several emails that brought up discussions about a German draft prospect in OT Sebastian Vollmer, South Carolina ILB Jasper Brinkley, Todd McShay’s latest mock draft and trading up to get Brian Orakpo who Andy loves and called him a “freak”. Erik brought up two films that he has seen recently in The Wrestler and Frost/Nixon before the guys talked about a potential draft day deal for Julius Peppers.

The show came to a close following some talk about adding a more aggressive streak to the Patriots game.

[mp3]http://library.kraftsportsgroup.com/20090423_neplor.mp3[/mp3]

Today’s team: Fred Kirsch, Paul Perillo, Andy Hart, Erik Scalavino

Lunch provided by: William Berry

Callers in: Mike in Sharon, John in Palm Bay, Anthony in Naples, Jim in Texas

Andy Hart Caller: Anthony in Naples Caller: Jim in Texas Caller: John in Palm Bay Caller: Mike in Sharon Erik Scalavino Fred Kirsch Paul Perillo