Andy Hart and PFW gang on Adalius...

[patsox23]

is really worth checking out on Wednesday's PFW in Progress - pretty early into the show. They did a great job of bringing out the nuance of a tricky, muddled situation re: AD's benching. Better than anything I was able to find on-line or in the papers. They follow it up with the raw Q & A audio with Adalius.

This situation was a tough one, but it wasn't nearly as simple, cut and dry, as it was presented on WEEI or in write-ups. You get a real sense from Andy where Thomas was coming from emotionally and where his head may be at now. Here's a link that will at least get you close:

PFW In Progress - 10/21/2009

 

[shmessy]

The audio link says 116 minutes and 23 seconds.

Is there a summary?

 

[patsox23]

There isn't a transcript, but all you have to do is listen to the first 10 minutes or so of the show. It's available on iTunes, too.

 

[Kontradiction]

The audio link says 116 minutes and 23 seconds.

Is there a summary?

I, for one, certainly hope so. My raging ADD doesn't allow for me to listen to a radio show for 116 minutes.

 

[ScottieC]

I, for one, certainly hope so. My raging ADD doesn't allow for me to listen to a radio show for 116 minutes.

While I know many have biases against or for the boys at PFW. I strongly suggest downloading the pod cast and giving it a listen -It's good stuff.

They are very informative and funny at times. If you have not listened to these guys and your are a Patriots fan, I promise it will be worth your time.

I've been listening for many years and despite some obvious miscue's - Casale - They are a good take.

 

[RayClay]

So they have the audio. Other than that, what did they add to what we've already read?

 

[aluminum seats]

What's the gist of this? I can't imagine I'd care about where Thomas is emotionally....just play the damn game.

 

[patsox23]

Wow, a lot of shortsighted macho going on here. The point that I found compelling and substantive, a point that MATTERS even if it happens to tread on the apparently forbidden ground of "emotional" ('cause THAT never has an affect on the on-field play!), is that it wasn't necessarily as simple as "AD's pissed and complaining" or "being a b!tch about it" or "Has a problem with BB," it's far more complex and subtle than that.

I really don't get this site sometimes. A lot of what I've read on this topic has been, as is typical of this day and age, media- and otherwise, simplistic and not really quite on-point. THIS particular discussion was, in my view, a bit more nuanced and, therefore, closer to the bone of reality and, therefore again, valuable.

And anyone who thinks that how a player is feeling emotionally, ego-wise, his motivation, his ability to get up for the game and do his job (or not), anyone who thinks that somehow that side of things DOESN'T APPLY to how he "just plays the damn game..." I'm not sure how to respond to that, except to say, as respectfully as a possibly too fervent rant can be, I disagree. If I missed the point of what you're saying, I apologize, but I don't think I did.

 

[ALP]

Wow, a lot of shortsighted macho going on here. The point that I found compelling and substantive, a point that MATTERS even if it happens to tread on the apparently forbidden ground of "emotional" ('cause THAT never has an affect on the on-field play!), is that it wasn't necessarily as simple as "AD's pissed and complaining" or "being a b!tch about it" or "Has a problem with BB," it's far more complex and subtle than that.

I really don't get this site sometimes. A lot of what I've read on this topic has been, as is typical of this day and age, media- and otherwise, simplistic and not really quite on-point. THIS particular discussion was, in my view, a bit more nuanced and, therefore, closer to the bone of reality and, therefore again, valuable.

And anyone who thinks that how a player is feeling emotionally, ego-wise, his motivation, his ability to get up for the game and do his job (or not), anyone who thinks that somehow that side of things DOESN'T APPLY to how he "just plays the damn game..." I'm not sure how to respond to that, except to say, as respectfully as a possibly too fervent rant can be, I disagree. If I missed the point of what you're saying, I apologize, but I don't think I did.

ok, whats up with u ppl?

can we get a summary or what? LOL

 

[IcyPatriot]

I listened to 15 minutes of it ... nothing earth shattering there. He gets paid lots of money to play the game ... if his hearts not in it then retire. I mean really, we're fans not some shrinks looking for why he can't do what he's paid to do. what I got out of it is a sulking grown man who is saying he is not sulking.

If he never plays another down I doubt his life goes in the tank. he's a smart guy who has made a ton of money ... has a good family ... he'll be fine. Belichick owes him nothing. Ninkovich would love a chance to prove to people he's worth the field time.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

ok, whats up with u ppl?

can we get a summary or what? LOL

I listened and it was a waste of time. No insight whatever, in fact nothing worth summarizing.

For some insight into the way BB handles these things I would ask you to check out the thread where Bruschi discusses the situation.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Summary is lots of talk about how or why this could happen but no real insight beyond it's happened before to players like TJ who wasn't happy and felt he was owed more (he isn't, BB treats them all the same regardless of tenure or contract or perceptions like if you've always started you will always start or get a courtesy heads up in advance as to why not). The why not is simple, you aren't doing enough or doing your job right. Josh told them BB is always testing players. He's looking for all in... I'm sure Adalius has heard some criticism, hell Brady hears it every week, but for whatever reason he hasn't corrected whatever it was he was hearing about. I think Bill would tell you (if he'd talk about it but he won't) that AD should know why this happened and if he truly doesn't he can go ask Bill. But Bill ain't coming to said player to 'splain himself because that would smack of special handling and if you're not smart enough to figure it out and rectify some deficiency or man enough to seek him out to clear the air then you probably aren't going to be here that much longer to warrant special consideration. On the other hand if you are smart enough and also honest enough and determined enough you will get your ass back on track.

Seymour getting benched for that half after his grandfather died was a test. He broke the rules, didn't matter the circumstance, and if he could have let that go he would likely still be here. But he couldn't, and for the same reason he held out - first player to do so in the dynasty era, and a lesser talent would have been gone the following season. They compromised and extended him to see if he'd outgrow it but only short term rather than the 6-7 year extension they likely wanted desperately for that player to be worthy of. He had the talent, just not the temperment and team first kind of leadership and committment they needed from someone at that level. Tommy, Tedy, Rodney...those guys are all in in spades, can take criticism and do something constructive about it, value it since it's all intended to make them and the team better (what did Tedy say during his retirement - Bill taught him to be the kind of player he became, and never, ever ask for special consideration because of who or what they are (or think they are...). What did Junior just say when explaining why this is the only place he would come back to...because he trusts Bill to know how to use him within this system to help this team win. Seymour continued to whine/wimper from time to time about the scheme or talent vs. system or remind folks how he got hurt playing goal line offense, and often through his strange bedfellows media toady. Didn't take a nuclear physicist to figure out that guy wasn't destined to retire a NEP.

AD won't be here at $7MAAV going forward unless he emerges as that kind of player. Tick tock. And whether it's Bill's fault for overpaying a guy who was a product of the talent that surrounded him in Baltimore or whether it's AD's fault for underperforming his actual talent won't matter. He's either all in or all gone...that's the test.

 

[Jackson 2]

Same stuff, to me, one always gets from PFW, and I'm a long-time subscriber. They're all over the place. It's a lot of time spent on an issue that isn't terribly complicated. Play better.

 

[Aerobahn]

Summary is lots of talk about how or why this could happen but no real insight beyond it's happened before to players like TJ who wasn't happy and felt he was owed more (he isn't, BB treats them all the same regardless of tenure or contract or perceptions like if you've always started you will always start or get a courtesy heads up in advance as to why not). The why not is simple, you aren't doing enough or doing your job right. Josh told them BB is always testing players. He's looking for all in... I'm sure Adalius has heard some criticism, hell Brady hears it every week, but for whatever reason he hasn't corrected whatever it was he was hearing about. I think Bill would tell you (if he'd talk about it but he won't) that AD should know why this happened and if he truly doesn't he can go ask Bill. But Bill ain't coming to said player to 'splain himself because that would smack of special handling and if you're not smart enough to figure it out and rectify some deficiency or man enough to seek him out to clear the air then you probably aren't going to be here that much longer to warrant special consideration. On the other hand if you are smart enough and also honest enough and determined enough you will get your ass back on track.

Seymour getting benched for that half after his grandfather died was a test. He broke the rules, didn't matter the circumstance, and if he could have let that go he would likely still be here. But he couldn't, and for the same reason he held out - first player to do so in the dynasty era, and a lesser talent would have been gone the following season. They compromised and extended him to see if he'd outgrow it but only short term rather than the 6-7 year extension they likely wanted desperately for that player to be worthy of. He had the talent, just not the temperment and team first kind of leadership and committment they needed from someone at that level. Tommy, Tedy, Rodney...those guys are all in in spades, can take criticism and do something constructive about it, value it since it's all intended to make them and the team better (what did Tedy say during his retirement - Bill taught him to be the kind of player he became, and never, ever ask for special consideration because of who or what they are (or think they are...). What did Junior just say when explaining why this is the only place he would come back to...because he trusts Bill to know how to use him within this system to help this team win. Seymour continued to whine/wimper from time to time about the scheme or talent vs. system or remind folks how he got hurt playing goal line offense, and often through his strange bedfellows media toady. Didn't take a nuclear physicist to figure out that guy wasn't destined to retire a NEP.

AD won't be here at $7MAAV going forward unless he emerges as that kind of player. Tick tock. And whether it's Bill's fault for overpaying a guy who was a product of the talent that surrounded him in Baltimore or whether it's AD's fault for underperforming his actual talent won't matter. He's either all in or all gone...that's the test.

Agreed good post.

 

[marty]

Excellent post MO!!!!!!!