Being away on vacation during the NFL draft has some advantages, in that you can take a little extra time to digest what occurred.

With the Patriots, it's obvious that Coach Bill Belichick and personnel guru Scott Piolo identified some serious needs and went after them, while ignoring some of the team's old draft routines.

Did you notice that the Patriots didn't draft any linemen – on either side of the ball – or tight ends? That's the first time that's happened in the Belichick era.

What they did do, as Belichick told the media afterward, was "get younger and faster on defense.''

With an aging linebacking corps and a secondary that is in flux, the Patriots selected three linebackers and two defensive backs with their seven picks.

Everyone agrees that their top pick, inside linebacker Jerod Mayo from Tennessee, was a great selection. Coming out as a junior, he was one of the fastest linebackers available and is also known as a big-hitter. He looks primed to step into some serious playing time as a rookie. Mel Kiper Jr., the big-haired draft expert from ESPN, said Mayo reminds him of Junior Seau, a heady compliment.

There are some questions about the team's second-round pick, cornerback Terrence Wheatley of Colorado. No one questions his ability, especially his speed, but many "experts'' say there were better corners available. Of course, that's the beauty of the draft.

No one expected a sixth-round pick of of Michigan, the 199th player selected, in 2000 to become the best quarterback in the NFL. But that's where Tom Brady is these days.

Wheatley, who is only 5-foot-9, is a great closer on passes and could help in special teams with the return game.

Shawn Crable, the linebacker from Michigan selected in the third round, is another player who could help immediately. He looks to be an outside rusher with some speed.

The drafting of San Diego State quarterback Kevin O'Connell in the third round shocked a lot of people. He wasn't rated that highly by a lot of clubs. But his selection should send notice to Matt Cassel, the incumbent back-up, and Matt Gutierrez, the third quarterback, that the competition to back up Brady is wide open.

The selection of UCLA wide receiver Matthew Slater is an intriguing one. Son of an NFL Hall of Famer, former Los Angeles Rams' offensive tackle Jackie Slater, he is a very gifted special teams player and could have an immediate impact there.

The final pick, linebacker Bo Ruud of Nebraska, is someone the Patriots have been watching for two years.

Overall, the Patriots did a nice job of filling in an aging roster, especially at key positions. However, they did not address the tight end situation, where Ben Watson is coming off off-season ankle surgery and David Thomas is coming off an injury-lost season, or defensive line, where their gold-dust starters were worn out down the stretch.

The team did, however, sign veteran tight end Marcus Pollard and defensive lineman Kenny Smith in the days before the draft. So maybe Belichick and Pioli felt they were comfortable at those positions with the veteran free agents and chose to really upgrade the areas of need on defense.

Overall, a good draft, if not a flashy one.

E-mail this entry to a friend