Mainefan

The premise behind this thread is dubious.

The question is, do players generally get better when they come to the Patriots? That includes draftees, UFAs, trades, and free agents.

The right answer, I think, is generally yes. Those who do not improve soon depart.

The reason is that the Patriots put a great emphasis on teaching and coaching and have the personnel to do the job, beginning at the top.

Is this true of other teams? Some. Are the Patriots at the top of the list? If we judge by results--and what better way is there to judge?--I think the answer is pretty clear.

Sicilian

I'll grant you Tully will see significant playing time (probably platooning with Woods), but don't get too excited about Redd and Crable. It took Colvin and Thomas a full year to get acclimated to the Pats system (by their own admissions), and they were seasoned vets. Crable didn't play a snap last year and Redd only got time as an emergency fill in. I have high hopes for them as well, but I'm not going into the season with ANY expectations.

jmt57

I'll go along with what Mainefan said. First of all the Pats system, more than most other teams, is not about 'stars' but is about players who fill specific roles. It's about winning games, not padding stats; it's about championship trophies, not pro bowl trophies.

Second, you're looking for players who were/are both stars - solid starters don't count - and also did not start right away. I'm guessing that throughout the entire NFL rosters of all 32 teams that there are not a whole lot of players that fit both of those descriptions.

Third, you list a number of players that do fit the two criteria for this discussion, and conclude that the number is low. But how can you know that is a high or low number with nothing to compare it to? Without knowing how many players another coach or team has developed, that number is meaningless.

The reality is that we are in a different era now than a generation ago. Due to the double edged sword of free agency and the salary cap, the concept of slowly developing a player has taken a hit. Teams can't afford the luxury of waiting two or three years for a player to develop, and if they do then they run the risk of losing him to free agency.

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WhiZa

I don't think you can include anyone who was drafted in the first 3 rounds on the list. Those players were already successful and the development time should have been minimal. The players you take later in the draft or UDFA, who grow into starting positions, are truly ones that BB had to develop successfully.

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DaBruinz

If Sanders was as bad as you claim, do you really think the Patriots would have given him 3 million a year for the next 3 years?

Sanders was only on the cut area by fans. And his game films show that he is more of a success than you claim.

You sound like DW Toys. And he's been debunked about Sanders by everyone.

JSn

That's just cuz Toys keeps mixing James up with the Colonel.

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DaBruinz

Why don't you tell everyone how many times Sanders got "burned badly" last year? And tell us how many TDs he was responsible for.

I'd be willing to put money that Sanders was never in jeopardy of being cut last year and that he won't be cut this year or next year either.

DaBruinz

Wright earned his playing time by being outstanding on Special teams. Not because of injuries. Wright has been a steady presence on 3rd down over the last 2 years.

TBC - A complete failure in San Fran.

Heath Evans is one of the best blocking FBs in the league? You must be watching a different time line because Evans has been nothing more than above average as a lead blocker. Especially when compared to guys like Tony Richardson and Lorenzo Neal.

Bostonian1962

Vrabel was the first example that came to my mind. He was not playing alot at first, and certainly not even close to being at the level of what he became. I think he's a great example of what was being asked.

Bostonian1962

I agree. A starting safety for one of the best teams in the NFL, that the team re-signs long term.....................no way he can be considered a borderline failure.