Does BB like a jack of all trades more than a master of one a little too much???

[RayClay]

In general, a backup is a backup. He is not "almost a starter". The backups job is to have a player familiar with the job ready for emergency duty, not an "almost as good" player at every position.

A backups job is to be ready, not to be stewing on the bench thinking he should be the starter. There are a limited amount of roster spots. If backup Connolly is to be the full time starter, the backups need to be able to play either of two positions immediately, in case of injury (c/g, g/t).

Any player worth his salt, wants to prove himself. Ty Law always wanted to play WR and Moss loves playing DB on hail Mary's.

Inevitably, injuries will take their toll and we will be left with the necessity of playing a lot of players out of position.

Fortunately, we have our Ace in the hole, the most versatile player in football, Vince Wilfork. Gawd forbid we ever have injuries to our QBs, Edelman and Faulk, but i feel secure that Vince would get the job done.

 

[mgteich]

For the 53rd time, Eric Alexander has made this team year after year because he plays his position very well. His "position" is to cover on special teams. He also is solid in the other special teams units.

Eric Alexander has been MUCH more valuable and used and active than many of the other "critical" roster players like the 7th OL, 8th OL, 9th OL, 3rd TE, 5th RB, 6th DL and so forth.

Eric Alexander may or may not make the team this year. However, if he does, it will because he wins a starting position on the coverage units. If he makes the team, he will contribute in every game, spending almost no time on the bench when his units are on the field. He is NOT even a backup; he is a starter.

The fact that Alexander is listed as a linebacker is all but irrelevant. His is one of the 2-6 players who are on the squad as starting special teamers. It is indeed true that being an emergency player at another position can help when OTHER THINGS ARE EQUAL. However, Belichick does not weaken special teams to carry players who might get on the field occasionally as an emergency linebacker, safety or wide receiver.

In this instance, I totally agree with you. The poster here was polite and wasn't just angrily criticizing the Pats' brass like so many others. The question might be a bit misguided, since there are quite a few guys on the team who only excel at one thing (like Leigh Bodden or Asante in the past).

But I think his point is this: just how valuable is a player who is "versatile" but isn't all that good at some of his jobs? I'm looking at a guy like Pierre Woods, or Eric Alexander, who in my opinion is strictly a special teamer and awful at LB.

 

[RayClay]

The fact that Alexander is listed as a linebacker is all but irrelevant.

You can say that again.

 

[Off The Grid]

In general, a backup is a backup. He is not "almost a starter". The backups job is to have a player familiar with the job ready for emergency duty, not an "almost as good" player at every position.

A backups job is to be ready, not to be stewing on the bench thinking he should be the starter. There are a limited amount of roster spots. If backup Connolly is to be the full time starter, the backups need to be able to play either of two positions immediately, in case of injury (c/g, g/t).

Any player worth his salt, wants to prove himself. Ty Law always wanted to play WR and Moss loves playing DB on hail Mary's.

Inevitably, injuries will take their toll and we will be left with the necessity of playing a lot of players out of position.

Fortunately, we have our Ace in the hole, the most versatile player in football, Vince Wilfork.

Gawd forbid we ever have injuries to our QBs, Edelman and Faulk, but i feel secure that Vince would get the job done.

That's true, obviously.

Do you see Wilfork as more of a Split End...or a Flanker?

 

[Off The Grid]

The fact that Alexander is listed as a linebacker is all but irrelevant. His is one of the 2-6 players who are on the squad as starting special teamers. It is indeed true that being an emergency player at another position can help when OTHER THINGS ARE EQUAL.

However, Belichick does not weaken special teams to carry players who might get on the field occasionally as an emergency linebacker, safety or wide receiver.

Nicely put, sir.

 

[RayClay]

That's true, obviously.

Do you see Wilfork as more of a Split End...or a Flanker?

Either, obviously, though he would have an advantage over Moss, in that no one is likely to jam him at the line.

 

[Off The Grid]

Either, obviously, though he would have an advantage over Moss, in that no one is likely to jam him at the line.

Hah!! NICE.

 

[Ron Sellers]

Will Belichick list Wilfork as his emergency quarterback? All he does is win.


Aspiring Quarterback Vince Wilfork Calls Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer 'The Backups' - New England Patriots - NESN.com

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I think it's more like horrible drafts and a lack of clutch players. You can't count on anybody on the defensive side of the ball to make a play.

It's just sad how good this team was after their 3rd super bowl only to see them try to answer so many questions over the last 5 years.

This team could do no wrong in 2004....man, what this team could've been.

 

[jmt57]

Versatility versus expertise in one area is a legitimate debate. So is a debate on the 3-4 or the 4-3, 1-gap or 2-gap, blitz or coverage, how to allocate cap money or budget over the roster, rushing offense or pass dependent, etc. There is no absolute right or absolute wrong.

Personally I agree with the previous post that due to the combination of a limitation of the 45-man game day roster and multiple sub packages (as well as special teams), versatility is not just a luxury, it is a necessity.

 

[DaBruinz]

This thread is a perfect example of why I don't post here anymore. One person throws out some food for thought, quite innocuously, and a then as group of clowns throw snide, smart arse replies on it.

The poster has a point, and is making a cogent argument. The rest of you who diss him/her for that need to get a life. Pathetic...

First off, his argument is NOT cogent. Maybe you should learn what the word means before you go off and start making claims that the people chastising him are the pathetic ones.

For it to have been a COGENT argument, he would have had to provide examples to support his argument. He did nothing of the sort. He was VAGUE and his argument wasn't convincing in the least bit. (btw, those are two items needed for it to have been a cogent argument).

Let us know when you follow you own advice.

 

[DaBruinz]

I'd like to raise something which has given me a little food for thought recently.

Its no hidden secret that BB likes players who can contribute in more than one role. Be they hybrids (safety-LB) (LB's who can turn to-FB), (WR's\LB's who can play special teams), Linemen who can play both T and G

But do the Pats carry a few too many players who can double up? When I look at the projected 53 man squad, I see at least two players who I see making the squad because they "offer" flexibility on other fronts.

People can be in complete disagreement with me, but I see two players who I believe could really contribute to the Pats this year and are likely to be cut for players who are 5th and 6th in the depth chart, but can offer special teams.

I in no way underestimate the importance of ST in the modern game but is anyone in agreement with what I'm trying to get across?

Who are these players who could "Really Contribute" who will be beaten out by 5th/6th depth chart people who happen to have flexibility. And are you sure that the the Pats don't need to have 5th/6th spots on the depth chart?

 

[IcyPatriot]

I'd like to raise something which has given me a little food for thought recently.

food for thought :confused3:

Looks like your starving then.