thewaylifeshouldbe

Seemed a fitting article for the times. Even for a Colts hack-

Bob Kravitz: Colts keep sentimentality out of equation | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Fencer

Interesting that Polian has a bad track record in the third round. BB isn't doing so well there himself, although it may be that Kaczur and Hobbs alone are enough to make him average or better there.

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"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde

spacecrime

I noticed that also.

But this article should be required reading for whiners who complain about the "wasted" fifth round pick that was used to acquire Smith.

I suspect the Steelers are equally ruthless about going for players they think might help and cutting those they realize don't.

The Pats, Colts, Steelers, etc don't have to make all picks count, contrary to Pats bashers in the media and out. Just as you don't have to outrun the bear, only outrun your partner, the Pats don't have to hit on every pick, they just have to assemble a better team than the other 31.

They won't do it by being conservative and trying to make sure there are no mistakes made that will make them look bad with fans. Not when the Colts and Steelers are doing it the smart way.

Felger and his ilk should read this article.

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“When we look at the board, based on everything we want in a football player at that particular time, we evaluate them and take the player that fits best for our football team. That’s what we always do, and I think the last nine years we’ve put a pretty competitive team out there on the field every year. I think that’s how you do it – you get good football players. Sometimes they are not always at the No. 1 position, but I don’t think you pass up good football players to get the guys who aren’t as good just because they’re at a position that somebody feels you need.”
BB on his draft philosophy, April 2010

PatsFanSince74

my first thought on reading this excellent article was that it's a damn shame that Boston can't draw NFL reporters who produce more pieces like this, with, of course, the exception of Reiss. Instead we deal with dross like Tomass and Miseryotti and transparent self-promoters in the national media like Ryan (never met a TV camera he didn't like) who'll say anything to bash the Pats to get his air time on the HSPN.

second thought. he's got it right. revenue sharing and the cap makes this a game where successful franchises are virtually dispassionate about players and are always thinking at least two or three years ahead; the milloy move being the first example and the seymour move the most recent example of the Belichick era. those who don't think that the pats have traded something important off in 2009 for that 2011 first rounder have their heads in the sand; but BB and others made a cold calculation that the tradeoff would be worth it.

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It is what it is. It wasn't what it wasn't.

MoLewisrocks

This assessment is dead on:

Not to mention this gem:

mayoclinic

I agree. Nice article, and I think they got it right. Lack of sentimentality (and memory regarding past mistakes) is key to moving forward. It doesn't matter how much Rodney Harrison or Tedy Bruschi gave to the team in the past - it only matters whether they can carry their weight now. Of course we can honor them, try to give them organizational jobs, etc. But don't keep them on the field if they can't cut it anymore. Same thing with the trades. Don't dwell on the errors - John Starks, Chad Jackson, Greg Lewis, Alex Smith, etc. - just rectify them and move on. That's the key to staying on top.

For those that lament the cut-throat nature of the business, that's the way it is. The salary cap, roster limits, and the intensely competitive nature of the NFL mandate it. Otherwise you perish and go under, which benefits no one. As for Bruschi, Harrison, Seymour et al., they've made more in a few years than most of us will make in a lifetime.

I'm sorry to see the old guard go, but I'm relieved that we've finally gotten over some of the sentimentality that seemed to be holding the defense back. Never in history has a SB contender managed to totally renew its roster without going through a period of decline. It will be an amazing accomplishment if BB is able to complete the rebuilding of the Pats without ever losing out on being a SB contender.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

Seymour93

If a run of barren years occur, I hope that Kraft would show some sentimentality to BB and not force him out, because of his faith and trust in the coach. Sometimes it would be nice if BB showed some of the same loyalty to some of the players...

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Return of the Nizz

What is loyalty? These guys get paid millions here and Seymour will get millions in Oakland or whereever. The only people who think it's smart to give an aging oft-injured DL a huge extension are moronic sportswriters, fanboys, and Al Davis.

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I love the smell of Kool-Aid in the morning, that fruit-punch smell. It smells like... victory!

mayoclinic

What loyalty is that? Who exactly do you feel BB has been unloyal to? Is there anyone on the team who deserves a sinecure, especially in the era of the salary cap?

I think BB is very loyal to his players ... but not to the point of sacrificing the team. His primary job responsibility is to the organization, not the players.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

shmessy

Yeah, I miss Pete Carroll too.

Those were good times.

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"They (Patriots) may be the greatest team ever" - Chris Mortenson, January 18, 2005 on espn.com