Bedard: Forget the Bills game...The Season Starts Now - Page 10 - New England Patriots Forums

***MoLewisrocks*** · 11-13-2012, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deus Irae

Bottom line: If the 2009 draft had resulted in Jairus Byrd and Sean Smith instead of Chung and Butler, and if 2008 had resulted in Tyvon Branch instead of Wheatley, and if all other things remained the same, we're probably not having a bunch of people complaining about the pass defense in the defensive secondary.

The hindsight game is just about questioning Bill's genius as a talent evaluator and GM rather than coach. As for your alternatives, I'm sure there were reasons for their preferences. Just skimming their draft profiles underscores that. Smith was taken in the 4th just a few spots below our selection of Vollmer. He was thought to be poised for a breakout season he needs to get a second contract, and while he started out well he's apparently disappointed of late and appears to have cement hands... Jairus had himself quite a rookie season making the pro bowl on the heels of 9 picks (from some pretty unimpressive QB's). Wouldn't have helped in that post season though since he'd landed on IR by season's end. Since then he hasn't approached his rookie season performance statistically. Not sure Tyvon would still be here since he was a stretch franchise tag player who ended up signing a long term deal this summer for more than tag average...a $6.75M per safety who got $17M+ guaranteed on his 4 year deal.

And of course there is the caveat of scheme fit. In some cases these guys may be the benificiaries of the scheme they are working in.

Pewsterbaby · 11-13-2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deus Irae

The team is currently about 1 DE, 1 pass defending LB, multiple DBs, some experience/seasoning, and maybe a return to the 3-4 base away from being a top tier defense. Hopefully, Talib will help with one of the DB spots.

That's it? Gee, they're almost there. So close! lol.
(You just typed a needs list that pretty much runs the gamut of "basic things required to field an effective NFL defense".)

***Deus Irae*** · 11-13-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoLewisrocks

The hindsight game is just about questioning Bill's genius as a talent evaluator and GM rather than coach.

No, Mo, it's not. It's about pointing out that you need talent, when people are blaming the coaching.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoLewisrocks

As for your alternatives, I'm sure there were reasons for their preferences...

Yeah, I really don't care. I wasn't calling anyone out for not making those deals. I was pointing out that, had the draft gone differently, people wouldn't be crying about the secondary coaches.

* Also, I've discussed Smith in the past, but it wasn't a "hindsight" issue, since I'd been high on him before the draft and wanted him chosen. Furthermore, trying to dismiss someone pointing to better draft picks as "hindsight" is just a weak way to squash discussion and dissent anyway, since the only way the picks can be accurately graded is by looking back after time has passed.