Alex Smith adapting to the Patriot Way

[jmt57]

Alex Smith adapting to the Patriot Way by Jeff Howe of NESN

“You always kind of get mad because they win all the time,” said Smith, one of five tight ends competing for a job in New England. “They always talk about the ‘Patriot Way’ and not really knowing what that is, but these guys are just out here working. You can’t know that unless you’re actually in these doors and see everybody busting it and trying to get better every day. From the outside looking in, I can see why they’ve had such success in the past. I’m just trying to be a part of that now.”

Hearing him use phrases such as "get better every day" and "just trying to be a part", it sounds like Smith has been with the Patriots for years rather than a couple of months.

 

[PatsChowder]

I really like the pick up of Smith. I'm not quite sure why everyone seems to be down on him. Baker seems to be a nice redzone target and Watson has never really proven to be much of anything... at least not anywhere near the expectations that were set once Graham left. Smith's extremely versatile and I can see him blowing away from the pack of TEs we have once the season gets going.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I see the loss of TE Graham unavoidable as it was from a cap 'value' standpoint as contributing to that awfull day in February which can never be mentioned. In contrast, my view is that this season's TE crop has the potential to address that offensive achilles heel.

 

[Deus Irae]

I see the loss of TE Graham unavoidable as it was from a cap 'value' standpoint as contributing to that awfull day in February which can never be mentioned. In contrast, my view is that this season's TE crop has the potential to address that offensive achilles heel.

Yes. Graham might have been lost for financial reasons, but I bet that Kraft would pay the million(s) extra needed if he could do it all again.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Yes. Graham might have been lost for financial reasons, but I bet that Kraft would pay the million(s) extra needed if he could do it all again.

Indeed, I agree. Losing Graham was big, but that's all hindsight for most people.

 

[Deus Irae]

Indeed, I agree. Losing Graham was big, but that's all hindsight for most people.

Well, certainly for some, anyway.

 

[spacecrime]

Indeed, I agree. Losing Graham was big, but that's all hindsight for most people.

He was a loss, but not as big as other losses. I doubt that Kraft would re-do anything. When you develop any working process, there are bound to be some decisions on the wrong side of the line. That is inherent in any good process (if you do not sometimes go over the live, you are operating to far from it - you want to be right up against the cutoff point).

Smart business owners have faith in their system and know that second guessing leads to a dissolutionn of the system. Not that you don't readjust your system, but that is looking to the future. It's a loser's game to think about going back and re-doing (coulda woulda shoulda syndrome)

 

[Pujo]

Don't forget the garbage that Graham said about the Pats within the last year. My guess is he wasn't into the Patriots Way and they had to part with him, talent and all.

 

[PatsBoy12]

He was a loss, but not as big as other losses. I doubt that Kraft would re-do anything. When you develop any working process, there are bound to be some decisions on the wrong side of the line. That is inherent in any good process (if you do not sometimes go over the live, you are operating to far from it - you want to be right up against the cutoff point).

Smart business owners have faith in their system and know that second guessing leads to a dissolutionn of the system. Not that you don't readjust your system, but that is looking to the future. It's a loser's game to think about going back and re-doing (coulda woulda shoulda syndrome)

I really wasn't comparing his loss to any other or trying to suggest that it was one of the most important. Nonetheless, it was a big loss. We still haven't found a TE to date that could block in the running game the way he could. Also, I wasn't suggesting that Kraft should be second-guessing anything. Like I said, the importance of Graham is all hindsight. Even when we let him walk I didn't think it was as important as I do now. We've done okay without him, though.

 

[Dragda]

Don't forget the garbage that Graham said about the Pats within the last year. My guess is he wasn't into the Patriots Way and they had to part with him, talent and all.

He was a blocking TE. He was a great blocker, but you can find blocking only TEs. He sucked as a receiver. How many years did he lead the league for drops by a TE? How come we aren't throwing this guy under the bus like we do all our other former players. He isn't even starting in Denver.

 

[Deus Irae]

He was a blocking TE. He was a great blocker, but you can find blocking only TEs. He sucked as a receiver. How many years did he lead the league for drops by a TE? How come we aren't throwing this guy under the bus like we do all our other former players. He isn't even starting in Denver.

He has started all 31 games that he's played in Denver in his two seasons there, and if finding "blocking only TEs" were so easy, the Patriots would have done so before now.

As for people throwing him under the bus, that was done when he left.

 

[Dragda]

He has started all 31 games that he's played in Denver in his two seasons there, and if finding "blocking only TEs" were so easy, the Patriots would have done so before now.

They are trying to find the complete package--a great blocker who can run routes, separate from LBs, and great hands. Not an easy task. They haven't found a blocking only TE because they aren't looking for one.

 

[Pujo]

He was a blocking TE. He was a great blocker, but you can find blocking only TEs. He sucked as a receiver. How many years did he lead the league for drops by a TE? How come we aren't throwing this guy under the bus like we do all our other former players. He isn't even starting in Denver.

I didn't say he was Tony Gonzalez, but he had talent. And you're right, he was a better blocker than he was a receiver. But I'd still take him back in a heartbeat if his asking price and attitude were right, wouldn't you?

As far as throwing players under the bus, I never do that. I find homerism nauseating and you'll often find me here arguing against Pats fans who either see our team with rose colored glasses, or see everyone else as chumps. I also never hold it against someone for going where the money is. But that's just me, plenty of other people threw Graham under the bus when he was headed to Denver.

 

[Pujo]

They are trying to find the complete package--a great blocker who can run routes, separate from LBs, and great hands. Not an easy task. They haven't found a blocking only TE because they aren't looking for one.

As a #1 TE, I'm sure they want someone with receiving and blocking skills, but I think Watson is more than capable of being their #1 TE. But if you want to see what they think of purely blocking tight ends down the dept chart, just look at Kyle Brady's stint with the team.

 

[Dragda]

I didn't say he was Tony Gonzalez, but he had talent. And you're right, he was a better blocker than he was a receiver. But I'd still take him back in a heartbeat if his asking price and attitude were right, wouldn't you?

If he were paid like a blocking TE, in a freaking heartbeat.

 

[PatsBoy12]

He has started all 31 games that he's played in Denver in his two seasons there, and if finding "blocking only TEs" were so easy, the Patriots would have done so before now.

You beat me to it. The Pats tried Kyle Brady as the blocking TE, but injuries cut that short. Sad b/c I was really excited about Kyle. Ah well. The Pats have not been able to find that blocking TE replacement, but I think one of the new additions will emerge this year as an effective blocker, though he still may not be as good as Graham in that particular area.

 

[patchick]

Yes. Graham might have been lost for financial reasons, but I bet that Kraft would pay the million(s) extra needed if he could do it all again.

Is there any reason at all to think it was about money? A year before he left, everybody was saying that he wanted to go home to Denver to be near his family. Then the minute he hit free agency, he made a beeline to Denver as expected.

It takes two to tango.

 

[BTTA]

Precisely. All the other speculation is just drivel. The guy just wanted to go home.

Is there any reason at all to think it was about money? A year before he left, everybody was saying that he wanted to go home to Denver to be near his family. Then the minute he hit free agency, he made a beeline to Denver as expected.

It takes two to tango.

 

[Deus Irae]

Precisely. All the other speculation is just drivel. The guy just wanted to go home.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Barring an unexpected change, tight end Daniel Graham appears headed for free agency. There was no advancement in contract talks between Graham's representatives and the Patriots here at the NFL Combine.

Graham may be on move - The Boston Globe

More:

Patriots | Graham looking to showcase receiving skills more - from Free Fantasy Football, Baseball and NASCAR
Sun, 11 Feb 2007 08:02:35 -0800

Michael Felger, of the Boston Herald, reports New England Patriots TE Daniel Graham, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, would like to remain with the team, but also would like to be featured more as a receiver and not just as a blocking tight end, according to TE Benjamin Watson. "I think for Dan, like a lot of guys on this team, the No. 1 thing is winning games," Watson said. "No matter what it takes, whether it's catching 10 balls or no balls. That being said, he is a tight end and you cut the college tape on Dan - and I remember doing that at Georgia - you see him running across my screen every down because he's catching balls all over the place. So that's a part of him that he wants to develop. But he's such a great blocker. He's one of the best blockers on the team, so he's been called on to do that a lot also."

Patriots | Graham will test market - from Free Fantasy Football, Baseball and NASCAR
Tue, 27 Feb 2007 08:00:05 -0800

Albert Breer, of the Metrowest Daily News, reports the agent for New England Patriots pending free agent TE Daniel Graham says Graham will test the market and does not plan to re-sign with the team before March 2. "He's open to (coming back)," said agent Jack Mills. "But now that he's come this far, he really wants to look around and see what's out there."

Patriots | Graham could be leaving as free agent - from Free Fantasy Football, Baseball and NASCAR
Mon, 26 Feb 2007 09:13:07 -0800

Mike Reiss, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots pending free agent TE Daniel Graham appears headed for free agency. There was no progress in contract talks between Graham's representatives and the team during the NFL Combine.

Broncos | Graham agrees to five-year contract - from Free Fantasy Football, Baseball and NASCAR
Tue, 06 Mar 2007 21:27:31 -0800

John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Denver Broncos have signed free agent TE Daniel Graham (Patriots) to a five-year, $30 million contract. The deal includes $15 million in guarantees.

KFFL - Daniel Graham, TE, Denver Broncos

He signed a big contract with the Broncos because the Patriots weren't offering anything like that.

Hey all --

ESPN Radio just reported that Daniel Graham will stay home, and has agreed to a deal with the Broncos that includes a $10 million signing bonus. No word on the other terms of the deal.

Graham must have had a change of heart, because during the season he expressed to us that he thought it would be difficult to play for Denver -- where his father, Tom, played, and where he grew up -- and if he played there, it would be at the end of his career, as a sentimental kind of thing.

But, hey, if we were offered $10 million guaranteed, we'd learn to deal with whatever perceived pressure there might be too.

shalise

ESPN radio: Graham-to-Broncos done deal - Projo Pats Blog

 

[Patjew]

Yes. Graham might have been lost for financial reasons, but I bet that Kraft would pay the million(s) extra needed if he could do it all again.

Wasn't this a salary cap issue more than an absolute dollar issue? Did Kraft save money that season by not paying Graham, or did they spend to the cap?