Full Count
A Furiously Updated Red Sox Blog
WEEI.com Blog Network
Why one Red Sox prospect was elated when Pats drafted Ryan Mallett 04.30.11 at 2:12 am ET
By

Red Sox prospect Will Middlebrooks was elated to see his close friend Ryan Mallett drafted by the Patriots. (Salem Red Sox)

There is no doubt that the Patriots did plenty of homework on Ryan Mallett before drafting the quarterback in the third round on Friday. Even so, it is likely that a member of the Red Sox organization had even more far-reaching knowledge of the rocket-armed 22-year-old.

Third baseman Will Middlebrooks, currently playing with Double-A Portland, met Mallett in grade school, when both were growing up in Hooks, Texas. Both were the sons of high school football coaches in Texarkana. Though they went to different high schools (Middlebrooks to Liberty-Eylau, where his father Tom is the coach, and Mallett at Texas High to play for his father Jim), but they remained constantly in each others’ company. Both were talented quarterbacks who were tall and athletic with powerful arms and big ambitions.

“We’re very close. We’re like brothers. … Basically all through high school, we lived at each others’ houses,” said Middlebrooks. “Ever since the time we were in seventh grade, at the time, we said we’re both going to end up in the NFL, we’ll be neighbors and on the same team.”

Middlebrooks is regarded now as a terrific all-around prospect, one whose defense receives raves in no small part because of his bazooka arm. But even as they were working out in high school, Middlebrooks recognized that on a football field, his arm strength could not compare to that of his close friend.

“He can throw a football 80-plus yards. I used to run routes for him in high school. A lot of guys at his high school would wear two pairs of gloves. He threw it hard, but I guess since I grew up around him, I got used to it. It doesn’t bother me,” said Middlebrooks. “He was just a powerful guy. He was a leader. Everyone looked up to him. He’s always had a cannon. He’s always been able to throw the ball. It was just the higher up he’s gone, the better he’s gotten because guys an actually catch it. In high school, he threw so hard that guys couldn’t catch the ball.”

Given that increased success — and a storied career for Arkansas — it was natural for both Mallett and Middlebrooks to anticipate that the quarterback had a strong chance to be a first-rounder. In their regular conversations leading up to the draft, there was uncertainty about the landing spot, but hope that Mallett would go early.

“He did,” Middlebrooks said of whether Mallett thought he would be a first-rounder. “He’s a top-notch athlete. I thought he had the talent to go there, but what do I know? I’m not an NFL scout. I think he could have, but he’s happy where he went. He’s really happy with the team he’s on.”

That said, it is fair to suggest that given his physical gifts, Mallett likely would not have been available to the Patriots in the third round without the character questions that have hovered over him during the build-up to the draft. The way in which Mallett has been portrayed did not mesh with what Middlebrooks knows of his friend.

“Given my history with him, he’s a leader. His teammates have always looked up to him. He’s a good guy,” said Middlebrooks. “I don’t have much to say about the histories that have come up, but I know Ryan for Ryan, and I know how he is. I can’t say I agree with any of that.”

Instead, Middlebrooks emphasized that Mallett is a leader, someone who is wildly competitive and determined to get the most out of his talents on the football field. While the Patriots presumably drafted Mallett with designs on having him be a clipboard-carrying understudy to Tom Brady in the coming years, Middlebrooks — who had a text from Mallett waiting when he got into the clubhouse following the Sea Dogs’ loss on Friday night, and who talked to his friend after the game — said that the New England QB will embrace his role.

“He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen,” said Middlebrooks. “Coming in with Brady and being able to learn from one of the greatest, that’s a pretty good setup: Come in, learn the system and hopefully by the time he’s ready, it’s his time. It really worked out pretty well.

“I can tell you he’s a fierce competitor. He would want to come in on day one and want to play. He’s going to try to beat him out for a spot, I can tell you that. But he’s not unrealistic. He knows what the plan is. I’m sure they’ve told him a plan. Like I said, it’s really perfect for him.”

Middlebrooks said that Mallett will be flying up to New England soon. When in the region, the quarterback will try to get to a Sea Dogs contest.

Assuming that happens, it was suggested that Mallett could throw a football for a ceremonial first pitch at Hadlock Field.

“I’ll catch it,” laughed Middlebrooks.

If and when the two get together, they will have the opportunity to reflect on an unexpected convergence of paths. Middlebrooks had been recruited to play football and baseball at Texas A&M, but left behind his gridiron ambitions when the Sox took him in the fifth round of the 2007 draft and signed him to a $925,000 bonus.

The career choice has worked out well, as Middlebrooks is currently within shouting distance of the majors. He is considered one of the top prospects in the Sox system, a label that has fit well through the early stages of a 2011 season in which he is hitting .338 with a .384 OBP, .647 slugging mark, 1.031 OPS and four homers in 18 games.

He is, he hopes, moving closer to Fenway Park, where a shared childhood ambition with Mallett could be realized now that the quarterback is with the Patriots.

“Growing up, saying, ‘We’re going to be professional athletes; we’re going to be neighbors,’ saying that was like a fantasy world,” said Middlebrooks. “For it to have a chance of happening is pretty cool.”

Read More: ryan mallett, Will Middlebrooks, Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Rodney Owens

    Great story.

  • Jerry

    It’s nice to hear a good old homespun story like that of Middlebrooks and Mallett; I hope they BOTH make it big time with the Sox and Patriots and give us fans a couple more guys to cheer on.

    I for one will be watching their progress and rootin’ for a couple of Texans right here in New England.

  • mike

    glad to hear the personal knowledge side of mallett-sick of these rumors and lies–u would think he was the only kid in the draft that had ever sinned-some of these teams may be sorry that ate all that bs as fact.

  • http://www.34lu.com/philadelphia-eagles-youth-jersey-p698.html philadelphia eagles youth jersey

    It was very enjoyable to search this topic today and I stumbled onto this site. Seems to be an excellent match for me. Good creative approach to this, you have confirmed my deepest appreciation.

  • http://www.reebokjerseysworld.com customizable jerseys for football

    You will probably log these kinds of bargain cycling jerseys using incapacity in addition to listlessness.As being a amount of actuality, a lot of athletics accompanying items as well as national football league jerseys cost for the school section.

  • http://www.qdflkqsfjmdflj.com Brent Nixon

    Hello! You some kind of pro? Great message. Are you able to tell me how one can subscribe your weblog?

  • http://www.nikemercurialvaporsoccer.com/ nike mercurial vapor

    It is positively an appealing post.We’ve presently advised the site to close friends and will continue to do thus ,.

  • http://travel-agent-training.posterous.com flight attendant school

    Would a person be considering swapping back links?

  • http://disabledsingles.jimdo.com/ disabled dating

    It had been a while since I visited website with such high quality information. Thansk lots for the helpful information

  • http://www.dailystrength.org/people/797920/journal Wedding Speeches Father of the Bride

    I loved up to you will receive performed proper here. The comic strip is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be handing over the following. ill undoubtedly come more beforehand again since precisely the similar nearly a lot steadily within case you protect this increase.

  • http://www.furniturestoresinnh.net/ Furniture Stores in NH

    Very great post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve truly loved surfing around your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing on your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  • http://www.armanipascher.com Armani Pas Cher

    Let us not forget that Reagan’s future vp (Bush) and cia chief (Casey) met with the Ayatolla Khomeini behind the back of the then-current Carter administration (treason) and arranged for Iran to keep the American hostages until after the election. In return Iran got, at the very least, a conduit thru which to illegally receive missiles and other armaments–which came to light when traitor Ollie North got busted taking the missile $$$ and giving it to friends in Central America who turned out, naturally enough, to be drug smugglers USA-bound. Ah, the good old days…

  • http://travis6387.onsugar.com/Anything-My-Weathervane-20164603 weathervane

    Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your site. You have some really good posts and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested. Thank you!

  • http://www.epsonstylusnx420all-in-oneprinter.com/blog/ Epson Stylus NX420 all-in-one Printer

    Useful info. Fortunate me I found your site by chance, and I’m shocked why this coincidence didn’t took place in advance! I bookmarked it.

  • http://www.ralphlaurensheets.org/ Ralph Lauren Sheets

    I liked as much as you’ll obtain performed proper here. The caricature is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nevertheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you want be delivering the following. in poor health undoubtedly come further earlier again since exactly the same just about very ceaselessly inside case you shield this hike.

  • http://softeismaschine.beratungallgemein.de/softeismaschine/softeismaschine.html Softeismaschine

    certainly like your website but you have to test the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will definitely come again again.

  • http://unternehmensziele.beratungallgemein.de/unternehmensziele/unternehmensziele.html Unternehmensziele

    Woah this weblog is magnificent i really like reading your articles. Keep up the good paintings! You already know, lots of people are looking around for this info, you could help them greatly.

  • http://www.howmuchdolawyersmake.net/ How Much Do Lawyers Make

    of course like your website however you have to test the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to tell the reality nevertheless I will definitely come back again.

  • http://www.proleaguejerseys.com/Boston-Bruins-2011-Stanley-Cup-Finals-18-Nathan-Horton-Black-Jersey_p_4564.html Boston Bruins Nathan Horton Jersey

    fabulous sharing, very insightful. I like it a lot. I come acoss the website by ASK search engine. I will visit your site weekly and share it to my pals. Please keep it fresh. Keep on the good work. – A ipad lover

  • http://www.moncostumesurmesure.com costume sur mesure

    I shared this text very well written on google plus , thanks you

  • http://linkbuildingonly.com Link building

    I think that is among the so much vital information for me. And i am happy reading your article. However want to remark on few basic issues, The site style is wonderful, the articles is in point of fact nice : D. Just right task, cheers

  • http://www.duielcajon.com/contact.html dui el cajon

    Hello my family member! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and include approximately all significant infos. I’d like to see extra posts like this .

  • http://slayerstime.net/news-paget-brewster-and-aj-cook.html AJ Cook Twitter

    Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your put up is simply great and that i could assume you are knowledgeable on this subject. Fine together with your permission let me to clutch your RSS feed to keep up to date with coming near near post. Thank you one million and please continue the rewarding work.

  • Sicko

    Bruins looked very good at times but again fail to bury their many chances. They can’t keep winning 3-2 or 2-1 and need to get some more offense. Give the Canadiens credit they played a good game and made the Bruins take some tough penalties. Another thing, lately the Bruins seem to be down a man 10-14 minutes a game. Every time they start to dominate a guy goes to the box. Lucic looks like he’s being watched by the officials like a hawk.

    • Uncle Buck

      I agree with your observation on the Bruins being penalized.  The league is known for setting their sights at times, and you may be right.  The Habs came in and earned the two points though.   

  • Titletown1

    This was a horribly undisciplined game by the B’s. They gave the puck away all over the ice, failed to pick up their checks in front of their own net, and fell for the Canadiens’ cheap crap. The Canadiens executed their game plan of knocking the B’s off of theirs. The B’s may have been tougher tonight, but the Habs were smarter and all that matters is the “W”. How does Lucic manage to disappear for such long stretches of a game? He just goes AWOL.

    • Sicko

       Agreed 100%, the only time you see Lucic lately is when he’s on his way to the penalty box.

  • Uncle Buck

    As much as it pains me to say it, Montreal deserves a lot of credit.  They lost a sloppy game at home in OT last nite, took a late flight to Boston and came out flying and did not get derailed.  I do not like that team, but I respect what they did tonight.  Tough night for Krejic as he had a half a hand in two goals against.  The 10 minute misconduct on Chara was BS.  Tough loss but they’ll be fine.  

  • Go big bad B’s

    Plus three goal post shots however givaways and penalties help a fast skating team. Tough to lose after a 3-2 lead. GO Bruins. Tough schedule will tell.

    • Uncle Buck

      You’re dead on the money with the posts !  Is there anything worse than that sound ?  It’s all but in.  Lot’s of hockey this month.  We will see what they’re made of here right now.  

    • Uncle Buck

      You’re dead on the money with the posts !  Is there anything worse than that sound ?  It’s all but in.  Lot’s of hockey this month.  We will see what they’re made of here right now.  

  • Jimmy Krystle

    i just spent the past hour apologizing to my cat for kicking him in the face when seguin’s shot with 2 seconds left didn’t go in.

    • Sicko

       Lol, nice….. I thought he was going to bury that one. The tough part of the whole thing is the one on Saturday was a much harder shot than tonights.

    • Titletown1

      Just when you thought Seguin was turning the corner……

  • NYCBruinsFan

    B’s just couldn’t get it done.  Tough loss. 
    At least Thorton showed there’s nothing wrong with his noggin with those
    hits tonight.  I knew Chara was going to
    make Alexei Emelin pay for his cheap shot on Seguin.  You could just hear him say, hey that one of
    our franchise guys there.  Too bad the
    Habs befitted with him being off the ice for 17 minutes as a result. 

  • ChrisinDanvers

    Good game, but tough results. The Bruins came out a little flat in the third period and Montreal played their rushing game and it worked. Based on the last six games, Bruins should not have to worry to much about Montreal – Montreal probably needed to prove they could win more than the Bruins did.

    That said, it was tough to see a lack of discipline at times in the third quarter. There was a lot of sloppy play and the Canadiens were in front of the net too often. Chara would have helped prevent that. While some people might be upset about his penalty, given the liberties the Sabres took a few weeks ago, I totally understand it; especially after the cheap shot on Seguin.  I saw Haggerty try to explain to Giardi that, sometimes, you might have to take a loss to prove something more important down the line…and I would have to agree with that.

  • ILoveHockey

    I just wish Chara would really land one in one of these few fights he gets into, that might make it worth it- as it was he got 17 minutes for ragdolling someone.

    Team didn’t play smart, turned the puck over too much- Refs blew, as usual!!!!!! A game they could have/ should have won- hopefully it gives them their edge back

  • Verbiage Means LotsOfWords

    The Seguin pass was world class. That line looked all-time almost all night long. 

    David Krejci was finally forced (probably by situation. I think he was alone) to drive to the net instead of pulling up at the half wall. I honestly believe it was the first time he has made that move all season. His tendency to move the puck backwards in every situation cost them a goal on that weird back-tip to Boychuck in traffic. He often does the same thing on the offensive end, but last night he tucked his shoulder and drove to the net. If he can’t mix that in more often on his own, it’s up to someone else to force him to do so against his will. His mindset is and will always be too passive and he needs to play with a more consistent sense of urgency in all situations. It’s Rondo-esque in it’s “here, you have the ball now so if something goes wrong it’s your fault or if we don’t score it’s your fault. I’m going to go stand over here. My work is done.” It’s no longer cute, and shouldn’t be left up to him if he can’t fix it on his own.

    Shout out to Dan Paille for some darn good work… Flying around, hitting people, making those slick puck-clearing plays along the wall…… most of the game.. Dan, try to eliminate some of those lackadaisical moments. As much as I am a fan of the game you play, you are not the kind of player who can accurately judge a good time to coast (nor are you likely to get the benefit of the doubt when it ends up costing… goal scorers have an easier time being excused in those situations). Just try to be a little more ready to react when a play is broken up. There were a few times last night where you could have recovered the puck quickly if you had stayed focused. That’s really it – temporary losses of focus. But that is kind of a nit. I only say it because I want to see you out there in as many situations as possible, and I think you are just beginning to maximize your overall potential.

    Glad to see Horton shooting more quickly more often. Unfortunately that’s the only good thing I can say about his game right now. He has pretty horrible fundamentals and they are showing badly right now.

    The defense had their worst game in a long while, mostly due to Ference who appears to need a few nights off to recharge and clear his head. Something’s way off there. Course a high-flying offensive attack is probably going to result in a looser defense no matter what happens so maybe that was partly the cause. Tough to say.

    As for Brad Marchand, well, worth the price of a season ticket if you ask me. Smart, skilled, tough,  ball buster (tap. tap. How’s the knee?). My kind of hockey player.

    Upon reading this you owe me $0.99 which is entirely reasonable and I accept all major credit cards. Thanks and GO B’S/C’S/SAWX. 

  • Kman1020

    Hey Ref (#36) what the H E double hockey sticks are you doing out there? That was a blatant cross check! I love how your boys (the linesmen) were so quick to intercede when Z was given that guy some of his own medicine, too bad you were slow on the call. You guys must go to the same acting school as Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban. 

  • Titletown1

    …and very disappointing coming off of the come from behind win against Tampa….

  • Fab4ever

    Yes….I get what Julien was saying about the cheap shots etc that the Habs are doing …but still…they need to just come out, pound away, solid, clean, heavy checking…think about losing Chara for 17 minutes…it was the same thing that happened against the Canucks a year ago…the same freakin’ thing…

  • Sicko

     Lol, go check out the Julien story and see all the trolls basking in the loss.

  • Sicko

    Seems like 2 guys with about 4 IDs each going to town on the Bruins. Man it must really suck to have to troll another team’s fan site.

Red Sox Box Score
Red Sox Schedule
Baseball Analytics Blog
Red Sox Headlines
Down on the Farm
Red Sox Minor League News
Red Sox Team Leaders
MLB Headlines
Tips & Feedback

Verify