pats1

JoeSixPat

This isn't a huge surprise to me... I've long noticed and pointed out that unlike some teams, who have GMs who seem unable to acknowledge their draft mistakes, part of what makes Belichick a success is his willingness to keep ONLY the players who deserve a spot on the roster, regardless of where they were drafted, and regardless of how it makes him look.

If that means cutting a QB prospect drafted in the 3rd round and keeping an undrafted rookie free agent, so be it - Belichick will cut the 3rd round draft pick and happilly accept the "embarrassment" of being ranked 32 on this list, as long as the result is having the strongest roster possible.

Other GMs wouldn't be so quick to admit their mistake. Salary cap issues notwithstanding, they'd prefer to keep a bust like Vernon Gholston on the roster in the hope that he might salvage their reputation and investment, while passing on a player that has done more to earn a spot on the 53 man roster.

In such a ranking the Jets will have a better "ranking" - but who is the wiser GM?

And of course if one is looking at the top rounds of the draft, Belichick certainly isn't the worst... and I'm not going to blame him for taking some chances in the later round crap shoot. He's found plenty of draftable guys even as undrafted free agents. Since this is looking only at the draft, those guys wouldn't count (indeed, they're the players who made the team at the expense of cutting lose higher drafted guys who weren't good enough for the team.)

The Pats can take those risks in later rounds precisely because they have been as good as they have been and have fewer needs.

JackBauer

Given the apparent success of the 2009 draft, I wonder what that says, if anything, about the loss of Pioli.

That being said, there are a myriad of holes in this type of analysis.

TimU

Boy, are you drinking the kool-aid!

I can see your argument up to a point, like say if the Pats ranked 18th. But 32nd!? 32nd says you haven't been drafting well, no matter how you look at it.

Disco Volante

Too bad we can't be at the top of this valuable list.

2004-2008

Record: 25-55 (.455)
Playoff appearances: 0
Head Coaches: 3

__________________

upstater1

Indeed, such as, how good is your team? Do you have space for rookies?

Have you traded picks forward into the future? Have you traded picks for veterans?

JackBauer

Exactly. I'm sure no one would argue that a 2nd for Welker and a 4th for Moss weren't brilliant moves, but under this sort of analysis these moves might as well have never occurred.

carolinatony

I beleve this is the correct answer.

RodThePat

People here can put the spin they want on this, but it ABSOLUTELY is an indication that the Patriots haven't drafted well in the last few years.

carolinatony

forgot the

San Francisco led the way with 14 starters