Re: Second Rounders are....
Belichick should maybe stop reaching for guys and
that may help. Last few years it feels as if every pick was followed by BB must know something, then these guys turn out to be duds.
How many of us watch the draft with our draft magazines, the pats make a pick and the guy was picked about 4 rounds early.
Wheatley projected 6th rnd wilhite was rookie free agent. Looks like scouts inc knew more then bb there.
Boldin was a proven college player, most people didnt know who bethel was.
Sometimes the pats overthink.
Imagine if chung just stays a STeamer. Thats a waste for a 33rd pick especially considering you know the pats saw plenty of film of his teamate who became a pro bowler this year.
Just pray bb doesnt pick another te high then decide to keep him in as a blocker, just like paying big fa money to a double digit pass rusher and deciding to use him as a ILB.
Guys BB's drafting philosophy has not changed much in the last half decade:
1st round - Draft 3 down players that require as little projecting as humanly possible into his system. BB has a tremendous success rate in the first round.
2nd round - Draft players with some degree of risk but huge ceilings that project well in our system. BB has only about a 60% success rate in this round, but this grade could change based on how the 2009 class shakes out.
3rd round - Draft system type guys. Guys that possess the skills sets to project well in our system. BB has a miserable non-compensation record in this round. Who can forget the horrible Brock Williams. He had quick twitch and BB loves quick twitch,forget that the guy could not cover a fire hydrant.
When putting together a BB mock,you have to ask yourself.
1.) Does this particular player fit in our system? Size, measurables, character, intangibles, Intelligence, etc. etc.etc.
2.) How many downs can this player play in the base offense/defense?
3.) How much projecting is involved with this player. The BB rule of thumb is the more projecting the lower the round.
A perfect example of these three things coming together is Vollmer.
1.) Did Vollmer fit our system? Yes, size, measurables, intangibles, character and intelligence.
2.) Is Vollmer a three down player? Yes, no doubt.
3.) Did BB have a lot of projecting to do with Vollmer? No, BB saw everything he needed to see on tape regarding Vollmer's performance.
So while the draft guides had Vollmer as a fifth or sixth, BB takes Vollmer in the second. Why? Because that was where he slotted on BB's draft board. (Plus I think another team was hot for Vollmer as well.)
A perfect example of these three things not coming together is Chad Jackson.
1.) Did Jackson fit our system. Yes,all the measurables were perfect.
2.) Is Jackson a three down player? No, WR's in BB system are rotation players.
3.) Did BB have a lot of projecting to do with Jackson? Yes, Jackson never ran option routes in college. In fact the Florida ran a non-pro style offense, so there were a lot of variables involved in whether or not Jackson could a.) read a defense or b.) run the correct option route.
So BB assumed the risk of having to teach Jackson a pro style offense versus the potential high reward (Jackson could have been a Pro Bowl WR, if he was smart enough to learn option routes.)
