New England Patriots on Paper: Dennard Guilty

The New England Patriots  were fortunate to have Nebraska Cornerback Alfonzo Dennard fall to them in the 7th round of the 2012 Draft...but now they're going to have to deal with the reason that he feel so far down the draft board.

Dennard was convicted on Wednesday of felony assault of a police officer, and now faces the possibility of going to prison.

Convicted of the assault and also of resisting arrest, it is curious that the Jury did not convict him of the incident that precipitated the entire event, the alleged assault of another man outside of a bar in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 11.

The conviction further muddles and already capricious situation in the Patriots secondary, where shut down corner Aqib Talib is a free agent and expected to test the waters, while nickleback Kyle Arrington and safety Patrick Chung are expected to do the same - leaving only Free Safeties Devin McCourty and Steve Gregory plus dime safety Tavon Wilson as the only players of tenure in the secondary.

How this affects the way New England looks at free agency and the draft remains to be seen, but given the seriousness of the Dennard situation, the Patriots' priorities may have to be shifted, as Dennard was expected to be one of their starting corners going into camp.