ESPN - NFL Draft Blog 11/16

[TealSox]

NFL Draft Blog - ESPN

Ode the Patriots ability to have success on the field despite the losses of Randy Moss, Ty Warren, Leigh Bodden, Kevin Faulk and Fred Taylor in 2010. The article touches on the recent draft success that the Patriots have had and doesn't hide from the disasters - Laurence Maroney, Darius Butler and the 2007 draft class minus Meriweather.

Interesting fact from the article...

37 of the 50 players currently on the Patriots' depth chart were drafted or signed as rookie free agents by the New England Patriots.

So despite the trading of players, failed draft classes and the injuries, the Patriots continue to compete. How do the Patriots make it look so easy to win after trading Deion Branch, Randy Moss and Richard Seymour? After losing Ty Warren and Leigh Bodden to injury?

Losses like that seem to have devastated other teams... no?

 

[MaineMan]

By my count, the current 53-man includes 28 guys originally drafted by the Pats, plus 10 UDFAs originally signed by the Pats.

Of the remaining 15 guys, 8 were UDFAs originally signed by other teams, for a total of 18 UDFAs on the 53-man. Of the 7 guys who were actually drafted by a different team, four are from the 5th round or later.

Of the 11 guys currently on IR, 6 were original Pats picks, 4 were UDFAs from other teams (including Bodden and McGowan).

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

By my count, the current 53-man includes 28 guys originally drafted by the Pats, plus 10 UDFAs originally signed by the Pats.

Of the remaining 15 guys, 8 were UDFAs originally signed by other teams, for a total of 18 UDFAs on the 53-man. Of the 7 guys who were actually drafted by a different team, four are from the 5th round or later.

Of the 11 guys currently on IR, 6 were original Pats picks, 4 were UDFAs from other teams (including Bodden and McGowan).

Factor in the PSquad and you have a grand total of 44 original Patriots currently under contract to NE; 47 with the three Navy kids. 47 of 74 = 63.5% original Patriot content in the Belichick 2010 pie. And that wasn't affected by the Woods for Crable move.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Factor in the PSquad and you have a grand total of 44 original Patriots currently under contract to NE; 47 with the three Navy kids. 47 of 74 = 63.5% original Patriot content in the Belichick 2010 pie. And that wasn't affected by the Woods for Crable move.

In the salary cap world, the more homegrown talent you have means the less cap space tied to FA's.

Paying a free agent bags of cash based on past performance is not the smartest way to build a team.

 

[SanAngeloState]

I think BB is finally learning not to bank on the FA market. he had an aversion to rookies before...

I think a few hard lessons like Duane Starks and Monty hopeless Beisel and Burgess got it through his skull that the FA shouldn't be relied upon.

 

[ZoisKing]

Ugh...Starks...

I remember being real high on this guy at the time of his signing, and that's part of what made his performance so devastating.

He rates right there with Earthwind Moreland as the worst CBs I've ever seen on the Pats.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think BB is finally learning not to bank on the FA market. he had an aversion to rookies before...

I think a few hard lessons like Duane Starks and Monty hopeless Beisel and Burgess got it through his skull that the FA shouldn't be relied upon.

It only works if BB keeps hitting on great talent in the first round.

If BB lands Dareus and Kerrigan in the first round of this draft, I would say we do not need to put any free agent dollars into the front seven of our defense.

 

[Off The Grid]

In the salary cap world, the more homegrown talent you have means the less cap space tied to FA's.

Paying a free agent bags of cash based on past performance is not the smartest way to build a team.

THIS.

No disrespect, gents, but I CRINGE, every time I see someone suggest we go out and sign Free Agents.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I think BB is finally learning not to bank on the FA market. he had an aversion to rookies before...

I think a few hard lessons like Duane Starks and Monty hopeless Beisel and Burgess got it through his skull that the FA shouldn't be relied upon.

Agreed. Though Burgess was acquired via trade, not FA signing.