Willie Mac wants back

[BradyManny]

Per the Herald:

Willie McGinest considers return - BostonHerald.com

“Yeah, I’ve talked to (quarterback) Tom (Brady), (defensive end Richard) Seymour and some other guys there,” McGinest said. “Those guys are lifelong friends, and I’ve heard some people say that it’d be a good fit. Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that? And with all the history I have, what we accomplished in the playoffs, that wouldn’t be a bad way to finish up.”

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, the intangibles I sometimes dismiss since the Patriots have abundance of them already (leadership, experience) are off the chart here.

Second, we normally don't use the word "clutch" to describe defensive players. It's normally reserved for QBs, kickers, etc. But Willie was as clutch a defender as you could have and always rose to the occasion. I do have to wonder if the late-game defensive collapses that ended 06 & 07 would've happened if Willie were here (though, yes, I am aware all 3 SB victories saw similar long drives yielded in the 4th quarter...).

Another bonus would be a mentoring role for Crable - they're having Crable watch film of Willie...well, what could be better than having the guy there in camp and in practice.

On the other side, I don't know what he has left in the tank and roster spots are tough enough to come by on this team as it is.

 

[State]

Oh, please. That ship has sailed. Bill Parcells drafted him out of USC in 1994 in the first round. Some of you may not yet have had your brit milah (circumcision).

Let's not reverse the needful youth movement at LBer, shall we?

I hope Teddy B. doesn't expect to play as big a role this year. Tremendous liability in the passing game.

 

[Kontradiction]

Please consult these lyrics for my answer...

George Thorogood And The Destroyers - Nobody But Me Lyrics

 

[matt9071]

Bad idea Willie is just to old and slow.

 

[Double G]

Per the Herald:

Willie McGinest considers return - BostonHerald.com



I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, the intangibles I sometimes dismiss since the Patriots have abundance of them already (leadership, experience) are off the chart here.

Second, we normally don't use the word "clutch" to describe defensive players. It's normally reserved for QBs, kickers, etc. But Willie was as clutch a defender as you could have and always rose to the occasion. I do have to wonder if the late-game defensive collapses that ended 06 & 07 would've happened if Willie were here (though, yes, I am aware all 3 SB victories saw similar long drives yielded in the 4th quarter...).

Another bonus would be a mentoring role for Crable - they're having Crable watch film of Willie...well, what could be better than having the guy there in camp and in practice.

On the other side, I don't know what he has left in the tank and roster spots are tough enough to come by on this team as it is.

Willie did make some clutch plays in his day; the Manning sack in the home opener that pushed Vanderjerk, aka, "money", further back which caused him to miss the FG and the fourth down stop on James that clinched another win vs the Dolts.

That said, "in his day" applies here as it no longer is.

Also, you raised another great point; for a team who's head coach is known for his brilliant defensive schemes, this team has melted down defensively in the fourth quarter way, way too many times in critical games, 2001, 2003, 2007 Super Bowls and 2006 AFCCG as prime examples............

 

[BelizePats]

I love Willie! But, I'm not interested in bringing him back. Not as a player!
Bring him back a as coach. This D needs its younger LB's to get reps in meaningful situations.
Meaningful reps are critical to player development and I think we can all agree that player development is what the coaches want to see from our young linebackers. Getting better, readings keys faster, playing consistently. I am against anything that takes even a few reps from the young guys.
Bring him back for a "Ring of Honor" ceremony, which he deserves. Bring him back as a formal or informal coach. Just don't bring him back as a player. That ship has sailed.

 

[BradyManny]

Willie did make some clutch plays in his day; the Manning sack in the home opener that pushed Vanderjerk, aka, "money", further back which caused him to miss the FG and the fourth down stop on James that clinched another win vs the Dolts.

That said, "in his day" applies here as it no longer is.

Also, you raised another great point; for a team who's head coach is known for his brilliant defensive schemes, this team has melted down defensively in the fourth quarter way, way too many times in critical games, 2001, 2003, 2007 Super Bowls and 2006 AFCCG as prime examples............

I can't blame BB for any of those though - tired defenses. Of course, 07 was the killer - and that had nothing to do with the coach, just an absurd play based mostly on luck.

As for Willie Mac - I don't think they'd be asking the guy to come in here and start. At best, he'd rotate in the nickel/dime and provide depth at the position. I think that plus the role of mentor for the cast of young OLBs (Woods, Redd, Crable) might be valuable enough to at least have him here during camp.

 

[mojocaster.com]

If he wanted to come back as a coach I wouldn't be against it

 

[efin98]

Does he even have anything left to give?

Emotions for the past aside, how did he look last year?

 

[jmt57]

For those that prefer a non-Herald link: Q&A with ... free-agent OLB Willie McGinest | Sporting News

Q: With all the people with Bill Parcells and/or Bill Belichick ties running NFL teams, would those teams be the best fit?
A: That would be a good situation. It would depend on the conversations I'd have with them, and what role I'd have, to make it ideal. But a familiar situation— where I know what I'm getting and what I'm going to be a part of, where I know what to expect of the coaches, and they know what to expect of me, where I have a familiarity with the defense, knowing that 3-4 inside and out—would be great. Those are places where I can see things before they happen and where I could help younger guys.

Q: Would returning to New England be best, giving symmetry to your career?
A: Yeah, I've talked to Tom (Brady), (Richard) Seymour and some other guys there. Those guys are lifelong friends, and I've heard some people say that it'd be a good fit. Why wouldn't you want to go to a really good team, which is always close to the Super Bowl, which was in one a couple years ago, was a game away from another one, which has great coaching and is a great organization with a well put-together roster? Why wouldn't you want to be a part of that? And with all the history I have, what we accomplished in the playoffs, that wouldn't be a bad way to finish up.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Day late and a dollar short. Or 4 years late and $12M short. If Willie wanted to go out on a winning note, he shoulda sent Bill the appropriate message throughout 2004. Instead he let it be known for some time that he felt underappreciated and would be following RAC to wherever he landed...

I think what Ty and Willie and even Lawyer will find harder to part with than the rush on Sunday or cashing a six figure check every week for 17 weeks is...relevance. None of them have been relevant for some time now. Makes it a lot harder to launch that post football media career. But each had a choice and walked out of the place where their relevance was almost unquestioned to chase something that mattered more to them than legacy and football championships at the time, ego and status as measured by contract $$$. Willie did nothing for RAC or the Browns, on or off the field. Ditto Ty and Herm. Lawyer just got cut by the Pioli clone in Atlanta not because he couldn't necessarily play at all any more but because he's not a positive locker room leadership presence on a team determined to build on rather than rest on recent laurels.

I don't think you will see any of these guys sporting the flying Elvis any time soon unless it's for a one day retirement or as an injury driven 11th hour shadow roster depth move in December. Each brings too little to the table at this stage from a production standpoint and too much baggage to the locker room from a potential for negative influence standpoint. I think Vrable was a victim of similar circumstance. And that's not a knock on what they once brought to the table here as each played a significant role in launching a dynasty. It's just in some way each made a conscious decision to draw a line in the sand when it came to team vs. individual ego.

Willie will never coach here because he had issues with some components of the system. Financially in particular. And he also won't coach here because he can't be relevant or hold court or run his LA music business from that platform. And the hours are longer than any players at a mere fraction of the $$$ so I doubt he will coach anywhere. He mentions his friends here, but they're all players. He doesn't mention Bill.

Tedy or Troy I can see getting into it at some point, although both can likely make more initially in the media and via endorsements. They were guys who were all in and made sacrifices to remain all in because legacy mattered to them.

 

[Jimke]

If we can also get Andre Tippett to un-retire, the Pats could use

Willie and Andre as the outside linebackers and move Thomas to

inside linebacker.

 

[State]

Are Ty Law and Lawyer Malloy available, too? Think of it. We could have a large contingent of the all-Patriots 1990s defense back on the field.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Day late and a dollar short. Or 4 years late and $12M short. If Willie wanted to go out on a winning note, he shoulda sent Bill the appropriate message throughout 2004. Instead he let it be known for some time that he felt underappreciated and would be following RAC to wherever he landed...

I think what Ty and Willie and even Lawyer will find harder to part with than the rush on Sunday or cashing a six figure check every week for 17 weeks is...relevance. None of them have been relevant for some time now. Makes it a lot harder to launch that post football media career. But each had a choice and walked out of the place where their relevance was almost unquestioned to chase something that mattered more to them than legacy and football championships at the time, ego and status as measured by contract $$$. Willie did nothing for RAC or the Browns, on or off the field. Ditto Ty and Herm. Lawyer just got cut by the Pioli clone in Atlanta not because he couldn't necessarily play at all any more but because he's not a positive locker room leadership presence on a team determined to build on rather than rest on recent laurels.

I don't think you will see any of these guys sporting the flying Elvis any time soon unless it's for a one day retirement or as an injury driven 11th hour shadow roster depth move in December. Each brings too little to the table at this stage from a production standpoint and too much baggage to the locker room from a potential for negative influence standpoint. I think Vrable was a victim of similar circumstance. And that's not a knock on what they once brought to the table here as each played a significant role in launching a dynasty. It's just in some way each made a conscious decision to draw a line in the sand when it came to team vs. individual ego.

Willie will never coach here because he had issues with some components of the system. Financially in particular. And he also won't coach here because he can't be relevant or hold court or run his LA music business from that platform. And the hours are longer than any players at a mere fraction of the $$$ so I doubt he will coach anywhere. He mentions his friends here, but they're all players. He doesn't mention Bill.

Tedy or Troy I can see getting into it at some point, although both can likely make more initially in the media and via endorsements. They were guys who were all in and made sacrifices to remain all in because legacy mattered to them.

This has got to be one of the most well thought out posts I've seen in a few weeks or longer. I agree with everything you said about Willie Mac and Ty, two players that I still love dearly for what they did while in NE.

I really don't want to see Willie Mac in a Patriots jersey, though. Why get rid of Vrabel to bring him back? It makes no sense from and X's and O's standpoint. He's lost more than a step and is a shell of himself. I really don't think he'll get picked up by anyone and should try to get into the broadcasting game if it isn't too late. He's got charisma and football smarts.

 

[farn]

Rather have Willie Andrews back (yikes, can I say that ?).

But... even though I hope he never plays another down for NE, one of my favorite all-time plays was all WMcG ! Goal line - basically home field on the line (even though it was early, everyone knew it) - Indy driving - Willie comes up lame a few plays earlier - BANG. Willie comes around the corner to snag the RB for a loss... and SPRINTS down the field in celebration (not so lame anymore Willie ?). Loved every second of that.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Rather have Willie Andrews back (yikes, can I say that ?).

But... even though I hope he never plays another down for NE, one of my favorite all-time plays was all WMcG ! Goal line - basically home field on the line (even though it was early, everyone knew it) - Indy driving - Willie comes up lame a few plays earlier - BANG. Willie comes around the corner to snag the RB for a loss... and SPRINTS down the field in celebration (not so lame anymore Willie ?). Loved every second of that.

Man, you just took me on a trip down memory lane. I remember that play and it brings a smile to my face. I thought the Patriots were going to lose that one. Oh, I remember Law also played like a lame duck a few plays earlier too. The Colts fans were crying foul and saying the Pats used that as a chance to get a breather. I can't in good conscience say that the theory is without merit either.

 

[BB4PRez]

Willie can go in on the deep shadow roster. The Pats need to find out how good Woods and/or Crable are. If one or both go down then they can call Willie in week 10 as an emergency option (like they did with Junior). If Willie wants to play the entire season I think he needs to go somewhere else.

Great player and a seemed like good guy. But, age catches up to all of us.

 

[patchick]

I think what Ty and Willie and even Lawyer will find harder to part with than the rush on Sunday or cashing a six figure check every week for 17 weeks is...relevance. None of them have been relevant for some time now. Makes it a lot harder to launch that post football media career.

Smart point. Fading into oblivion before hanging up your cleats can be hazardous to your job prospects. This is especially key for Willie, who has been carefully nurturing a media presence for the past few years. A final tour with the Patriots, and hopefully a final ring, would be an invaluable launching pad for phase 2 of his career.

Not likely, though.

 

[efin98]

Smart point. Fading into oblivion before hanging up your cleats can be hazardous to your job prospects. This is especially key for Willie, who has been carefully nurturing a media presence for the past few years. A final tour with the Patriots, and hopefully a final ring, would be an invaluable launching pad for phase 2 of his career.

Not likely, though.

How is he at analysing games and interviewing people though? Phase 2 would at least require those basic skills if Phase 2 is broadcasting(I assume).

 

[Fencer]

Willie did make some clutch plays in his day; the Manning sack in the home opener that pushed Vanderjerk, aka, "money", further back which caused him to miss the FG and the fourth down stop on James that clinched another win vs the Dolts.

And a sack against Houston that drove them out of FG range in overtime.

And enough postseason sacks overall to set the NFL record.