The Arkansas running back is the most intriguing of New England's four picks on the second day of the draft.

09:51 AM EDT on Monday, April 26, 2004

BY TOM E. CURRAN
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- Last fall, Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt was asked about his senior running back Cedric Cobbs, a player who'd been good on the field and bad off it in his three years with the Razorbacks.

"I've just been so pleased with him," said Nutt. "He was a true freshman MVP in the Cotton Bowl, everybody had him written up to be a first-round pick, he was on top of every magazine. He went from there to being injured and then underneath the radar screen where nobody even recognized his name anymore. So what you love is how he's approached his senior year with great dedication and commitment, a great work ethic, great attitude and he's running extremely hard right now. I'm just real proud of him."

By the end of the year, Cobbs had given his coach more to be proud of as he ran for 1,329 yards and 10 touchdowns on 227 carries. That performance didn't entirely offset Cobbs' transgressions from before his junior year when he was arrested for drunken driving and possession of marijuana. And that's likely why the Patriots were able to take him with their second fourth-round pick in yesterday's draft, the 128th overall.

The Patriots had four selections yesterday and used them on North Carolina safety Dexter Reid (113th pick), Cobbs, Florida State receiver P.K. Sam (164th overall) and Illinois cornerback Christian Morton (233th).

Cobbs is the most intriguing, and yesterday he acknowledged that his arrest may have played a role in his slide.

"I know I had some issues in the past but I got over it a long time ago," said Cobbs. "I didn't think there was anything I did in the past that would affect me, but I know it can hurt me."

Asked what the differences were between the Cedric Cobbs who was drafted yesterday and the one who got himself arrested, the 22-year-old said, "I'm more grown up now, I have responsibilities. I have a fiancée, I have a child, I have another child on the way. I now have to take care of my business or else I'm going to be out on the streets. I have a love for football and I want to be able to excel in football and life itself."

If Cobbs has turned over a new leaf, he could be a steal. He's described as a tough, physical runner who enjoys contact. He will likely understudy for newly acquired Corey Dillon this season.

"Cedric has a lot of talent," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. "We felt he was real good value there. He's an explosive guy who can run with power. If you saw him run against Alabama, he pretty much carried the team in that game."

Asked who he compares himself to, Cobbs said, "Someone like Fred Taylor, somewhat Jamal Lewis and in the past someone like Bo Jackson or Earl Campbell."

Given that all those backs were top-10 picks (Jackson and Campbell were both No. 1 selections), Cobbs may be reaching some. But he certainly didn't expect to be going this late.

"I'm a little bit heartbroken (about being selected in the fourth), but being selected by the world champions made me a little happier to know that I have a chance to come in and contribute and have a chance to win a world championship in my early years. Being picked by the New England Patriots I won't take for granted."

In taking Reid, the Patriots continued their effort to fill their depth issue at safety. Saturday night, they drafted Florida's Guss Scott with their third-round pick (95 overall). Like Scott, Reid is about 5-foot-10, 200 pounds and is a ferocious hitter and team leader. He runs a 4.42 40 and had 132 tackles in 2003 to lead the Tar Heels.

"Dexter was probably one of the most productive players in college football," said Belichick. "He had close to 500 tackles at North Carolina. He had a ton of production in all different phases of the game. He's really a smart guy, he quarterbacked their defense and we feel he'll be a factor in the kicking game as well as on defense. He's a highly productive player."

Belichick said yesterday he hoped both safeties drafted could contribute in the regular defense as rookies.

Sam is another intriguing pick. He's 6-3, 210 pounds and caught 50 passes for 735 yards and five touchdowns for the Seminoles last season.

"Sam's a big guy," said Belichick. "He's got size, got speed and an ability to run after the catch. He really is an effective runner and can make people miss after the catch."

As for Morton, he's 6-foot, 188 pounds.

"Christian Morton played opposite (second-year defensive back Eugene Wilson) in the 2001 season when Illinois won the Big 10. He's a bigger guy with height and range."