The locker room

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

The 'locker room' concept is really overrated by most fans, I think. These guys are professionals who earn more than most small businesses, what some guy getting undressed next to you thinks isn't important.

...unless that guy has the pull with the organization that Tom Brady has.

There are certain guys in this league, Brady, Manning, Lewis-guys who are the undeniable face of their franchise and who pull more weight than the average player.

And if those guys are focused on winning the rest of the locker room will be too because THOSE guys are the ones who can actually have a hand in whether or not you are on the team next year and your next gig or contract might not be anywhere near as good.

TO didn't have anyone like that in Philly or SF or Dallas. He'd have it here. I'm not saying he wouldn't have his emotional issues but God DAMN I'd love to see him playing for this team because the man is a competitor who really wants to win.

Philly had Dawkins/Trotter/Runyan-3 very vocal and inspiring leaders. Forgot who SF had, but early this decade when their FO fixed the defense with excellent results, they were on the verge of something special.

Like I said in another thread-TO is very cunning, charming, and deceptive. He knows how to woo people on his side when he's not happy about something, and BOOM! The locker room is split before you know it. Even Trotter sided with him in Philly, while Dawkins had no choice but to act as mediator b/w TO and McNabb.

Agree about Dallas-hopefully, Jethro and Wade fix that this offseason.

 

[zoostation]

I’ve been drinking the ‘’In Bill I trust Kool-Aid’’ for some time now. In Belichick’s statement on the Cassel Vrabel trade he indicated trading Mike was a very difficult decision.......but a decision that was on the best interest of the Patriots.

Since BB’s bread and butter is team first players and locker room unity you have to assume there are other players ready to step up and take on the role.

Having said that, you’re probably all going to think I’m insane, but I actually feel Randy Moss has bought into the “Patriot concept’ 100% and I feel he is a leader for younger players. Throw in Bruschi, Brady, Rodney (maybe), Faulk, Fred Taylor and Mayo and the locker room will be stable. Yes Mayo’s play was exceptional his rookie season, but also he was consistantly the first person in the weight room…and the first person in the film studies day in and day out. Combine that with exceptional play and you have a leader.

 

[ScottieC]

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.

I think Wilfork is becoming a Locker Room general.

And watch out for that Mayo kid - He's going to get a lot of respect for what he did last year and he's gonna be around for a long time, so I see him emerging as a serious leader.

However, the basis is Tom. He's one of the most respected and feared players in the league, that translates into the Patriot Locker Room in a way that can't be measured.

Rookies will be in awe and veterans will fall in line behind the guy that competitors fear.

 

[Lampshade]

Mayo wasn't the only rookie to sound mature beyond his years in his draft day press conference. Slater, O'Connell, Ruud, Wheatley especially; they all did. It was really quite impressive.



list of them: Official New England Patriots - Media Center - Press Conference Archive

 

[ScottieC]

Mayo wasn't the only rookie to sound mature beyond his years in his draft day press conference. Slater, O'Connell, Ruud, Wheatley especially; they all did. It was really quite impressive.



list of them: Official New England Patriots - Media Center - Press Conference Archive

It's a testament to Bill, Scott and Mr. Kraft and the kind of Player that they look for - Which will now be one of the key deciding factors in KC and Denver as well.

 

[zoostation]

It's a testament to Bill, Scott and Mr. Kraft and the kind of Player that they look for - Which will now be one of the key deciding factors in KC and Denver as well.

...Cleveland and Atlanta too.

 

[JSn]

...Cleveland and Atlanta too.

Dude, you just made me spit coffee on my monitor!

:enranged:

 

[alvinnf]

Just say no to 'T.O.'!

 

[zoostation]

Dude, you just made me spit coffee on my monitor!

:enranged:

...lol..I know...it was actually painful typing that... but I think the donut eating snitch will finally learn what it takes to win and start emulating Lord Bill and the Patriot way.

.....and one of the first moves in that direction was trading Winslow

 

[ScottieC]

...lol..I know...it was actually painful typing that... but I think the donut eating snitch will finally learn what it takes to win and start emulating Lord Bill and the Patriot way.

.....and one of the first moves in that direction was trading Winslow

I don't think so. He's too stupid and short sighted to see what Bill has done and how it would benefit his situation.

Vernon Gholston.

 

[zoostation]

I don't think so. He's too stupid and short sighted to see what Bill has done and how it would benefit his situation.

Vernon Gholston.

....lol...maybe. Don't get me wrong.. I CAN NOT stand the B@stard!

ex Buckeye Vernon Gholston.... 1 tackle all season...LOL.

 

[ScottieC]

....lol...maybe. Don't get me wrong.. I CAN NOT stand the B@stard!

ex Buckeye Vernon Gholston.... 1 tackle all season...LOL.

I understood your point as well, I was just taking it to the extreme.