AzPatsFan

When Red was in his Prime and the Celtics were constantly winning Banners, Red Auerbach was asked how he did it. He said "I try to make sure we have the specific talent to beat the particular opponent I have to beat." And he went out to acquire specific veterans that matched up well against the strengths and weaknesses of Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

Who has been the Patriot's nemesis lately? Well Peyton and the Colts for sure, cause the Patriots nightmares. Judging from the New Orlean's game, we were barbecued by another great passing team too, who we might have to face again in the playoffs.

OTOH, Hard running, tough Defense teams have occasionally given the Patriots problems too. But to a far lesser extent. We generally won more than our share with the Steelers, and Ravens.

So is it really all that surprising that Bill has invested in secondary help for the past few years? Or used a first round pick in the secondary this past Draft? Look at where the secondary is today, versus not that long ago.

At CB the Pats had two or three good CBs like Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs, Randall Gay and Hank Poteat.
At Safety we had Rodney and Sanders with rook Meriwether.

Now we have Boddin, Springs, Butler and now McCourty, with high picks Wheately and Wilhite instead of a Spahn or Slater as bottom of barrel CBs. Now we have a mature Meriwether, Sanders, McGowan and promising Chung.

Can we matchup better against a plethora of Colts, (Saints), receivers? I'd say yes. Aside from whether the talent is better for any specific player, there are just a whole lot more highly drafted secondary players, to choose from. I'd say that Belichick is duplicating the Auerbach approach.

Against the hard running teams, is it surprising that he has accumulated four First Round DLs to play three positions, and drafted several other good looking youngsters? And then went out to find a BIG SILB, too?

What say you?

apple strudel

Belichick said the exact opposite of this at one of his post-draft press conferences. Teams change coaches and philosophies so often that you dig yourself into a hole that way. Instead, you build a flexible and versatile team.

Box_O_Rocks

Wilhite is a "high" draft pick?

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tanked_as_usual

did auerbach win anything without bill russell?

apple strudel

No, Hernandez is.

State

Unfortunately the Ravens beat us again in the playoffs. I think Ozzie Newsome, not BB, is the new Auerbach.

We keep the turnstile going with DBs via free agency and the draft, while the Ravens has a formidable O'line and a D-line that looks as though they could dominate our interior O'line.

Tucker

ZING!

10char