jeffbiologist
Rotational Player and Threatening Starter's Job
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2007
- Messages
- 1,440
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Its widely thought that BB does pretty well drafting in the first round. Lets take a little look at recent history to see why. Its my theory that BB is a great coach and can make lemonade from lemons like nobodys business so I'm not bashing, but its my theory that starting players/first teamers get alot more attention/reps and produce accordingly. Our drafts have been as productive as any mostly because BB puts players in position to succeed not fail.SYSTEM. I say this because I question the time/use/value of another high round DB because its going to come at the cost of another. Now its easy to say McC is a 4 down DB and he will take a roster spot from a $$ underproducing Shawn Springs. What has to happen is he will be the immediate nickel back....and that Wheatley(2nd rd pick 08)and Wilhite(4th rd pick 08) havent proven to be even solid NICKEL backs! Why? They have had 2 years undivided attention in a brand new secondary. Each has been given opportunity. Now we have a new #1 pick and comparisons to previous #1s are inevitable.
In 08 we had a hole at ILB-Mayo-
In 07 we had "no holes"-Meriweather-
In 06 we had a hole at RB-Maroney-
In 05 we had a hole at G-Mankins-
In 04 we had a hole at NT-Wilfork-
In 04 we had a starting TE-Watson---essentially a 2nd rd pick
Now in 09 I cant say we had a hole at CB, maybe BB can.I can say we have a hole at DE(unless he gave the position to Lewis) and OLB(unless Guyton is moved or Crable comes on). But success is measured in a large way by opportunity in our system. I think our lack of success with 2nd round picks is because they simply arent given/dont earn the same opportunity that 1st round picks do....for some reason. What is that reason? BB cant be a genius in the first round and a dunce in the second right? Put another way, when was the last time any rookie besides the first round pick STARTED year 1 not due to injury(Ghost doesnt count)?? Compare that to other teams. Does he look for a first rounder to start, a second rounder to take a chance on, a third rounder to be a solid JAG and lower picks to surprise? You cant say everyone is given an equal chance of success. The fact that players leaving NE(with the exception of Samuel) havent reached expectations is significant as well, talent isnt going away. So dont you have to ask if it was truely there to begin with or was it the SYSTEM? If its the system why do you draft a CB high again this year? We have never had so many holes in the BB era yet I suggest we wont be starting a single draft pick even with all the ammo we have going into it. To me this is the best way to work our way back to the middle instead of staying on top. Talentwise anyways. Its starting to remind me of that run of playoff years the Bruins had without winning a cup doesnt it? I'm not panicking but wouldnt taking a chance on a guy like D.Bryant, trading up for a blue-chip mean more than losing "value" cutting guys like OConnell, Jackson, and the upcoming Wheatley and Maroney?? I mean its year 2 for Wilhite and Wheatley and you are essentially saying they cant play NICKEL for gods sake!
In 08 we had a hole at ILB-Mayo-
In 07 we had "no holes"-Meriweather-
In 06 we had a hole at RB-Maroney-
In 05 we had a hole at G-Mankins-
In 04 we had a hole at NT-Wilfork-
In 04 we had a starting TE-Watson---essentially a 2nd rd pick
Now in 09 I cant say we had a hole at CB, maybe BB can.I can say we have a hole at DE(unless he gave the position to Lewis) and OLB(unless Guyton is moved or Crable comes on). But success is measured in a large way by opportunity in our system. I think our lack of success with 2nd round picks is because they simply arent given/dont earn the same opportunity that 1st round picks do....for some reason. What is that reason? BB cant be a genius in the first round and a dunce in the second right? Put another way, when was the last time any rookie besides the first round pick STARTED year 1 not due to injury(Ghost doesnt count)?? Compare that to other teams. Does he look for a first rounder to start, a second rounder to take a chance on, a third rounder to be a solid JAG and lower picks to surprise? You cant say everyone is given an equal chance of success. The fact that players leaving NE(with the exception of Samuel) havent reached expectations is significant as well, talent isnt going away. So dont you have to ask if it was truely there to begin with or was it the SYSTEM? If its the system why do you draft a CB high again this year? We have never had so many holes in the BB era yet I suggest we wont be starting a single draft pick even with all the ammo we have going into it. To me this is the best way to work our way back to the middle instead of staying on top. Talentwise anyways. Its starting to remind me of that run of playoff years the Bruins had without winning a cup doesnt it? I'm not panicking but wouldnt taking a chance on a guy like D.Bryant, trading up for a blue-chip mean more than losing "value" cutting guys like OConnell, Jackson, and the upcoming Wheatley and Maroney?? I mean its year 2 for Wilhite and Wheatley and you are essentially saying they cant play NICKEL for gods sake!