They're Just Football Players

[Bostonian1962]

Over the years you hear folks claim about certain players "he's just a football player". I don't have a definition of it, but you know it when you see it. They have a nose for the ball. They're usually in the right place at the right time. They don't seem to make alot of mistakes. They often play better then their 40 time, or postion drafted would indicate they should.

To me, the Patriots seem to have a bunch of youngsters that fall into this category all of a sudden. We know Welker is one of those types. We know Mayo is (though he was drafted highly). But as far as the "youngsters" there seem to be more, and that has got to bode well.

I'm getting the early impression that Spikes is one of those types. Morehead seems to be "just a football player". He just makes positive plays out there. Chung is definitiely one of them. McCourty may be. Some may disagree, but I'm even getting that feeling about Ninkovich. He had the two huge INTs a few games ago. Two games ago he had 8 tackles, and this past game he picked up that live ball, and ran it back inside the 10.

It's nice when you have a "nose for the ball" type in your defense, but if things keep going in this direction, the Pats may have Mayo, Chung, Spikes, and Ninkovich all fitting that description.

Do you agree, and did I forget anybody?

 

[MassPats38]

Over the years you hear folks claim about certain players "he's just a football player". I don't have a definition of it, but you know it when you see it. They have a nose for the ball. They're usually in the right place at the right time. They don't seem to make alot of mistakes. They often play better then their 40 time, or postion drafted would indicate they should.

To me, the Patriots seem to have a bunch of youngsters that fall into this category all of a sudden. We know Welker is one of those types. We know Mayo is (though he was drafted highly). But as far as the "youngsters" there seem to be more, and that has got to bode well.

I'm getting the early impression that Spikes is one of those types. Morehead seems to be "just a football player". He just makes positive plays out there. Chung is definitiely one of them. McCourty may be. Some may disagree, but I'm even getting that feeling about Ninkovich. He had the two huge INTs a few games ago. Two games ago he had 8 tackles, and this past game he picked up that live ball, and ran it back inside the 10.

It's nice when you have a "nose for the ball" type in your defense, but if things keep going in this direction, the Pats may have Mayo, Chung, Spikes, and Ninkovich all fitting that description.

Do you agree, and did I forget anybody?

I believe if you look up the definition of that phrase, you would find a picture of Bruschi.

I would add Woodhead to that list.

 

[Gwedd]

Coach B has always said that his first priority in drafting is that the player is first and foremost a "football player". He wants to draft the best football player available at their spot as opposed to perceived needs of the team. If the kid is both a football player AND plays a position the team needs, then so much the better.

You want the guys that want to be there, that WANT to play the game and are interested in learning all the permutations, all the schemes, and the techniques to gain an edge. Guys that are mentally as well as physically tough, and show up prepared to play every single day. If you do that, then the money and attention will follow.

 

[Frezo]

I'm getting the early impression that Spikes is one of those types. Morehead seems to be "just a football player". He just makes positive plays out there. Chung is definitiely one of them. McCourty may be. Some may disagree, but I'm even getting that feeling about Ninkovich. He had the two huge INTs a few games ago. Two games ago he had 8 tackles, and this past game he picked up that live ball, and ran it back inside the 10.

It's nice when you have a "nose for the ball" type in your defense, but if things keep going in this direction, the Pats may have Mayo, Chung, Spikes, and Ninkovich all fitting that description.

Do you agree, and did I forget anybody?

Morehead huh. What site were you on before coming here?

 

[jmt57]

Too early to say for sure, but during training camp Sergio Brown looked and sounded like a guy that could fit this designation.

 

[eagle eye]

Add Kyle Love in there as well.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Anyone who plays in the same week that he gets shot probably fits that definition, so count Deaderick in.

 

[Bostonian1962]

I believe if you look up the definition of that phrase, you would find a picture of Bruschi.

I would add Woodhead to that list.

Sorry, I accidently said Morehead. I meant Woodhead. That's what happens when you try to rush something on from work, without being caught.

 

[Bostonian1962]

Too early to say for sure, but during training camp Sergio Brown looked and sounded like a guy that could fit this designation.

jmt, I could not agree with you more. I think he may end up being one too, based on the preseason, and one game. Very good add. You're right, it's too early, but at the same time, he may just be.

I also like Denny Moodhead.

KIDDING!

 

[cmasspatsfan]

You want the guys that want to be there, that WANT to play the game and are interested in learning all the permutations, all the schemes, and the techniques to gain an edge. Guys that are mentally as well as physically tough, and show up prepared to play every single day. If you do that, then the money and attention will follow.

Like BB says, they have to LOVE the game first and foremost.

 

[patsinthesnow]

BJGE. Not good speed, no special moves, not a big power back, just a guy who gets it done.

 

[MassPats38]

Sorry, I accidently said Morehead. I meant Woodhead. That's what happens when you try to rush something on from work, without being caught.

That was unintended sarcasm. I just scanned your post and didn't see his name.

 

[RayClay]

BJGE. Not good speed, no special moves, not a big power back, just a guy who gets it done.

?? Ravens 2.0, Chargers 2.2 ??

 

[Synovia]

BJGE. Not good speed, no special moves, not a big power back, just a guy who gets it done.

How exactly is BJGE "getting it done?"

 

[patsinthesnow]

How exactly is BJGE "getting it done?"

It's pretty hard when you only get 10 carries while the OC is having Woodhead up the middle while he should be going left or right. Two TDs last two weeks.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Regardless of where they were drafted (or undrafted), any player could fit that statement.

Start by examining the 1st round picks who tend to be the poster children for a team's "team building." Seymour (in his younger days), Mayo (definitely), Warren (unquestionably), Wilfork (yeh Baby!), Graham (pretty close), Maroney (perhaps not), Mankins (ayup), Meriweather (pending), Watson (he tried hard), and McCourty (good first impression).

I'd say BB & Co. have a profile they shop for, tending to be more successful than not. The rookie performances of Mayo, Guyton, Spikes, Mankins, Light, Cunningham, McCourty, Vollmer, Gostkowski, Mesko, Edelman, Hoyer, Sergio Brown, Slater, Wilhite, Butler, Ingram, Fletcher, Koppen, Seymour, Branch, Givens, Hernandez, Gronkowski, Wright, Pryor, TBC, Love, Samuel, etc. just speaks to the profile regardless of the scope of the player's contribution. In time the League may catch up to a player and be able to exploit his weaknesses, but NE selects football players, guys who put in the effort to be part of the "team" and make it better.