MoLewisrocks

Excellent work by Greg. Including some interesting personal insight into the mindset inside the organization between 2009 and present. From get the TE tandem that works to locate that outside the numbers threat to make sure you can run when you have to. And why we will likely carry 4 TE, not so much to use them (although we may at times) as insure we can always field 2 capable of filling their specific roles. As well as comments from around the league on the evolution in defending the multiple TE offense and the increasingly popular hurry up, what it takes and the difficulty that presents when constructing the roster that still has to be able to play more traditional or base defense. Something Belichick has also set out to do.



Rise after fall - Patriots - Boston.com

Tight ends are changing how defenses are constructed - Sports - The Boston Globe

Gronkandez

Good read.

Still can't believe how close they came to NOT getting Gronkowski. With the Raiders on the clock and the Ravens picking in between the Raiders and Patriots and also desperate for a Tight End..somehow the Pats pulled off the trade right before time expired.

Uncle Rico

And to get Hernandez in the FOURTH FREAKING ROUND.

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patfanken

I don't always agree with some of Bedard"s speculative opinions, but when he sits down and writes about the game of football in general he offers one thing that is very rare in today's age of tweeter journalism......INSIGHT. You walk away from these articles knowing more than you did before. Understanding more than you did before, and perhaps getting closer to figuring out that elusive "Why", that we are always trying to figure out.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Mo. Kudos to you and BRAVO to Bedard.

RelocatedPatFan

maybe we need to get better college scounting and get some solid picks to smoke weed and have their stock fall in the draft.

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KontradictioN

After the 2009 season, I stated that Belichick needed to have a slam dunk of a draft in order for this team to enter a new era of dominance. The free agent moves weren't coming. Guys like Boldin were going to the Ravens while we were sitting tight and only resigning Leigh Bodden. Lo and behold, a slam dunk occurs. We steal Gronk and grab Hernandez in the 4th. We get a violent LB to pair with Mayo. That draft really set up this new era for us and has really re-defined the league. Sure, they're responding to it with the return of the Big Nickel but the league is still years away from perfecting a style of defense across the board that can stop this TE combo, let alone an outside threat (preferably multiple, IMO) that can operate outside the numbers.

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CREDIT - Sicilian

Shockt327

Also, this article points out just how awesome Bill Belichick is at addressing a need following a playoff loss...

Sicilian

That draft also yielded McCourty, Cunningham, Mesko, and Deaderick, who could all be key players for this year's team (Cunningham and Deaderick in more reserve/situational roles).

Gumby

nice read. thx for intertwining the 2 articles.

PatsWickedPissah

Kudos to Bedard & Mo for a football content informative thread
5 *****

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