roguepatriot

One thing I have noticed over the last few years is the Patriots coaching staff like to pick a project to remake a player. Aside from the obvious 4-3 linemen to 3-4 OLB, the following are some examples of this -

Neal - This is probably the best example of taking a wrestler from a college that did not even play football and making him into an OG. This was not done overnight, but produced a lineman who could eventually go to the Pro-Ball.

Wilson - Maybe not a big one, but they converted a college CB to start palying safety because they lost both their starting safeties from the previous year.

Brown - Early on in training camp, they tried making Troy a nickel defensive back for extra flexability. Later on that year they needed him when they had to many cornerback injuries and he even managed an interception. If they should ever be short on CBs again (God forbid), Troy is still available.

Cassel - Here they took a guy who had hardly played at college as a backup to Heismann trophy winners and made him into a passable NFL backup.

Andrews - This year they seem to be trying an anti-Brown experiment by trying out a DB as a wideout. Outcome TBD.


It seems like the coaching staff get a kick from the challenge of being able to get players on the field in a way nobody else would have thought off and being able to find a diamond in the rough (other than Wilson these examples are all late-round picks/rookie free agents). The only thing we have not seen is converting a QB to a receiver (a Pittsburgh speciality that the Jaguars are now trying).
Anybody know of other examples?

RayClay

Childress has worked at DB. Davis still plays safety I think. Marquise Hill?

Although it's kind of fun, it serves a real purpose. Come injuries, we often get by without having to train a waiver wire pickup.

Davis and Troy have helped big time in that regard.

Also using a lineman as a FB saves a roster spot for a position we don't use much.

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gomezcat

Klecko would be another example. I know it didn't work out, but it was worth trying. I think the point about projects is that they can be a great return on investment; if you can take a cheap, late-rounder or UDFA and turn him into a starter, then it is a lot cheaper than doing the same with a high profile FA or first rounder. It is also great for flexibility as you alluded to, roguepatriot. In a collision sport, it is such an advantage to have someone who can fit into a role at no extra cost to the team.
I think it's also worth mentioning that projects come naturally to BB, who is used to taking college D linemen and turning them into 3-4 linebackers.

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smg93

I don't know if it's done just for kicks. I think BB and his staff have identified the traits they like to see from each position. Meaning, WR's should have this skill set, RB's another skill set, etc.

When they see a guy like Troy or Andrews, they may see certain strong traits from these players for certain positions even if those players are not "listed" as those positions. Andrews for instance is a DB, but maybe he's shown certain traits like soft hands, and quick agility which are skills more strongly applied to a WR rather than a DB. Flexibility is key in the NFL obviously and Andrews may stick around if he shows he can play both positions well.

patsfan55

givens played some db his rookie year during the preseason

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DarrylS

Troy Brown took some reps as the emergency QB during the preseason... good to have in an emergency.

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What can't Brown do?!!!

Willie55

Vrabel lining up at TE and actually catching TD's.

Tom Ashworth as a FB and catching a TD pass.

Troy Brown as a QB this pre-season.

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Box_O_Rocks

Let's not forget his coach at Baylor cross-trained him at WR, though he was never needed for that role in a game.

Russ Hochstein - C/G/LS/TE/FB and dire emergency tackle.

Look for Nick Kaczur to take reps at TE and maybe FB when he starts getting his game legs back. The same thing they did with Ashworth returning of his injury.

Seymour - all three D-line slots, FB (no whining) and he's dropped into zone coverage. Mike Wright is doing the same thing and plays on the KO coverage unit.

You can't swing a cat, dead or alive, and not hit someone who plays more than one role on the Pats.

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IcyPatriot

Or how about the greatest project of all...Belichick trying to remake a waitress (Beisal) into an NFL linebacker...it did not work..Feival will be watching the games this Sunday from his home. While he vacuums and dusts his entertainment room he will be serving his wife beer, nachos, and wings while she critiques the game from her recliner.