The locker room

[Patjew]

There's alot of talk about the Pats' locker room and how that could help to keep even a schmuck like T.O. in line. It got me thinking about whether or not the locker room is as strong as it once was, and how strong it actually is.

Yes, I guess the team-first mentality starts with BB and then goes to Brady and trickles down from there, but I wonder what will be the effect of the exodus of some prototypical locker room guys. Vrabel is gone, so is Troy, maybe Rodney, potentially Bruschi, Evans - does this have any impact?

I am not saying that there are negative influences there. But maybe there are more neutral influences there than before. I know that the Pats' team consists of many team-first players. I just wonder if that mentality is as strong as it has been in the past and as strong as we all seem to think it is.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Whew! From the title I thought this was a PC thread for gay Pats fans.

 

[patriots pam]

Easy. Double shot of the kool-aid before AND after every game!

:eat2:


Good question, though. It crossed my mind as well. Yet another level of interest added to the 2009 season. Won't be boring, that's for sure!

 

[SHOWTIME15]

There's alot of talk about the Pats' locker room and how that could help to keep even a schmuck like T.O. in line. It got me thinking about whether or not the locker room is as strong as it once was, and how strong it actually is.

Yes, I guess the team-first mentality starts with BB and then goes to Brady and trickles down from there, but I wonder what will be the effect of the exodus of some prototypical locker room guys. Vrabel is gone, so is Troy, maybe Rodney, potentially Bruschi, Evans - does this have any impact?

I am not saying that there are negative influences there. But maybe there are more neutral influences there than before. I know that the Pats' team consists of many team-first players. I just wonder if that mentality is as strong as it has been in the past and as strong as we all seem to think it is.

with all the free agency and trade topics we've seen over the past month, i think the question you pose is new and fresh. on defense, i think there may be some leadership issues with vrabel and possibly rodney gone. who knows if spring will bring some leadership to the secondary - i hope so. i know we can't count on signing a guy like roy williams and expect leaderhsip from him lol. on offense, i don't see any issues. with brady, faulk, moss, welker and a veteran o line, we'll be fine.

 

[BelichickFan]

It's a potential issue, we just have to hope new guys can step up. I have particular hope for Mayo, I expect him to be the face of the team and the voice of the locker room for years to come. We need a few more like him.

 

[Patjew]

It's a potential issue, we just have to hope new guys can step up. I have particular hope for Mayo, I expect him to be the face of the team and the voice of the locker room for years to come. We need a few more like him.

Does Mayo seem like a guy who can lead with his words? His actions seem great, but honestly being over hear I have never heard one word from the man. That's weird, now that I think about it.

 

[Patriots Nation NY]

TFB... That's all that needs to be said..

 

[CrazyDave]

Interesting question.
It's not the 2001 locker room for sure.
Vrabel was MR. Locker room I think.
BUT, I think the "vibe" will live on.
I know that sounds WAY kool aid, but I'm hopefull.
If not, well, we DID catch lightning in a bottle for a while there, so...

I think we'll be o.k.

 

[BelichickFan]

Does Mayo seem like a guy who can lead with his words? His actions seem great, but honestly being over hear I have never heard one word from the man. That's weird, now that I think about it.

Yeah he does. He sounds like a mix between Rodney and Tedy. Seriously. When we drafted Meriweather he used the right words in his post draft phone call but sounded young. REAL YOUNG. Then we drafted Mayo and he sounded like a 10 year vet. So mature. I'll see if I can find a link; you're guaranteed to be impressed.

 

[billdog3484]

teams change. you have to usher out the older players and hope the younger players learned from the older ones and can transform into team leaders. we now have guys in their 30s looking to lead like Brady, Seymour, Moss, Bruschi.

yes we lost vrabel, possibly lost harrison, but we have a great mix of players in there.

 

[jczxohn1]

There's alot of talk about the Pats' locker room and how that could help to keep even a schmuck like T.O. in line. It got me thinking about whether or not the locker room is as strong as it once was, and how strong it actually is.

Yes, I guess the team-first mentality starts with BB and then goes to Brady and trickles down from there, but I wonder what will be the effect of the exodus of some prototypical locker room guys. Vrabel is gone, so is Troy, maybe Rodney, potentially Bruschi, Evans - does this have any impact?

I am not saying that there are negative influences there. But maybe there are more neutral influences there than before. I know that the Pats' team consists of many team-first players. I just wonder if that mentality is as strong as it has been in the past and as strong as we all seem to think it is.

Couldn't agree more. That role was played by Vrabel and Willie before him. The defensive front 7 usually has the guy who steps up to this role. Most now seem to "lead by example" types. Time wil tell if someone takes up this mantle.

T.O. is the only player in the league to drop more sure TD passes than Gaffney. :banned:

 

[Disco Volante]

We now have five remaining players from the 2001 Super Bowl team.

Kevin Faulk
Matt Light
Tedy Bruschi
Tom Brady
Richard Seymour

With Larry Izzo being a free agent.

 

[NE_Paddy]

Does Mayo seem like a guy who can lead with his words? His actions seem great, but honestly being over hear I have never heard one word from the man. That's weird, now that I think about it.

Thing is, Mayo was a rookie last year. Rookies in New England don't get to talk too much. Seen not heard, that sort of thing. I reckon we'll see if he's locker-room-leader material this coming year.

 

[BelichickFan]

Yeah he does. He sounds like a mix between Rodney and Tedy. Seriously. When we drafted Meriweather he used the right words in his post draft phone call but sounded young. REAL YOUNG. Then we drafted Mayo and he sounded like a 10 year vet. So mature. I'll see if I can find a link; you're guaranteed to be impressed.

Here you go :

Jerod Mayo Conference Call - 4/26/2008

"JM: You hit the nail on the head. It’s like a dream come true pretty much. You don’t expect a team that only lost one game last year to have a top 10 pick, but at the same time, they were winning before me and they would be winning even if I’m not there, so I just want to come in and make a contribution and learn from some of the greats at the position."

"JM: I can’t help but to be good as long as I listen and take notes and learn from a great coach and a great coaching staff and great guys like Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi and all those guys. I’m just going to be like a sponge and try to take as much in as possible."

 

[Mogamedogz]

Wilfork and Big Sey are good leaders on D#. I wouldnt worry too much.

 

[PatsFan37]

Their biggest locker room presence is back after spending last year in the infirmary. On the defensive side, AD is a strong vocal presence. I agree about Mayo and Wilfork. Big Sey, as well. Warren may not be vocal, but he's a selfless team player. Two years ago the Pats elected more captains than any other team in the NFL.

I'd worry more about Brady's knee than about the Patriots' heart.

Plus, now they've got Fred Taylor. Big character guy. Sometimes the new vets that don't have rings are the biggest inspiration.

 

[Patjew]

Wilfork and Big Sey are good leaders on D#. I wouldnt worry too much.

Wilfork I can see. I don't picture Seymour as a guy to keep the guys around him in check and focussed on T-E-A-M. But I could be dead wrong.

 

[Patjew]

Their biggest locker room presence is back after spending last year in the infirmary. On the defensive side, AD is a strong vocal presence. I agree about Mayo and Wilfork. Big Sey, as well. Warren may not be vocal, but he's a selfless team player. Two years ago the Pats elected more captains than any other team in the NFL.

I'd worry more about Brady's knee than about the Patriots' heart.

Plus, now they've got Fred Taylor. Big character guy. Sometimes the new vets that don't have rings are the biggest inspiration.

Great point, I forgot about that. Much like how Rodney became a captain in 2003.

 

[Patjew]

Here you go :

Jerod Mayo Conference Call - 4/26/2008

"JM: You hit the nail on the head. It’s like a dream come true pretty much. You don’t expect a team that only lost one game last year to have a top 10 pick, but at the same time, they were winning before me and they would be winning even if I’m not there, so I just want to come in and make a contribution and learn from some of the greats at the position."

"JM: I can’t help but to be good as long as I listen and take notes and learn from a great coach and a great coaching staff and great guys like Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi and all those guys. I’m just going to be like a sponge and try to take as much in as possible."

Wow, thanks! That was fantastic.

Just to clarify: I'm not actually worried about this. I'm just wondering about it.

 

[BelichickFan]

Just to clarify: I'm not actually worried about this. I'm just wondering about it.

He kind of gave me chills the first time I heard that - not just the words, but the tone of his voice. He didn't sound like a rookie at all. It also cracked me up that his "Draft Party" consisted of raking leaves with his mom