Pats "Experienced" Youth

[Bostonian1962]

In recent years, we heard how the Patriots had become old and slow. Well, going into this season they were the 11th youngest team in the NFL. See here:

Cowboys, Texans moving in opposite directions age wise | NFL News | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News

Now looking at what has been done to the roster since then, the team replaced Moss with Branch, and gained 2 1/2 years of youth. They lost their oldest player Faulk and replaced him with Woodhead, 9 years his junior. Old man Neal is on IR and Connelly is playing right guard, and is 6 years Neal's junior.

There are others, and true enough they got older at the kicking spot due to injury, but I think it's safe to say that the team is now in the Top 10 of youngest NFL teams. Being old and slow is a thing of the past.

Though there is now some quality youth, you can't even say inexperienced, because some of the key youngsters have played all year, and have been key to this team with the best record in the NFL. Guys like Gronk, Hernandez, Woodhead, LawFirm, Spikes, Cunningham, Mesko, and others are now tested, and we have youth, but experience to some degree too. This "difficult" schedule that these players played, mostly in games WON, should bode well for the playoffs, and for many years to come.

Should the team win the Super Bowl, they will likely add two 1sts, 2nd, and 3rd round picks to the team. The Patriots could very well be the youngest team in the NFL, AND defending Super Bowl Champions. If that doesn't speak to the brilliance of BB, nothing does.

Thoughts? Comments? Polite retorts?

 

[shmessy]

In recent years, we heard how the Patriots had become old and slow. Well, going into this season they were the 11th youngest team in the NFL. See here:

Cowboys, Texans moving in opposite directions age wise | NFL News | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News

Now looking at what has been done to the roster since then, the team replaced Moss with Branch, and gained 2 1/2 years of youth. They lost their oldest player Faulk and replaced him with Woodhead, 9 years his junior. Old man Neal is on IR and Connelly is playing right guard, and is 6 years Neal's junior.

There are others, and true enough they got older at the kicking spot due to injury, but I think it's safe to say that the team is now in the Top 10 of youngest NFL teams. Being old and slow is a thing of the past.

Though there is now some quality youth, you can't even say inexperienced, because some of the key youngsters have played all year, and have been key to this team with the best record in the NFL. Guys like Gronk, Hernandez, Woodhead, LawFirm, Spikes, Cunningham, Mesko, and others are now tested, and we have youth, but experience to some degree too. This "difficult" schedule that these players played, mostly in games WON, should bode well for the playoffs, and for many years to come.

Should the team win the Super Bowl, they will likely add two 1sts, 2nd, and 3rd round picks to the team. The Patriots could very well be the youngest team in the NFL, AND defending Super Bowl Champions. If that doesn't speak to the brilliance of BB, nothing does.

Thoughts? Comments? Polite retorts?

After next year's draft, they will be the youngest team in the NFL! This is BAAAADDDDD news for the other 31 franchises.

 

[borg]

Old Man Brady is killin us

 

[TruthSeeker]

In recent years, we heard how the Patriots had become old and slow. Well, going into this season they were the 11th youngest team in the NFL. See here:

Cowboys, Texans moving in opposite directions age wise | NFL News | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News

Now looking at what has been done to the roster since then, the team replaced Moss with Branch, and gained 2 1/2 years of youth. They lost their oldest player Faulk and replaced him with Woodhead, 9 years his junior. Old man Neal is on IR and Connelly is playing right guard, and is 6 years Neal's junior.

There are others, and true enough they got older at the kicking spot due to injury, but I think it's safe to say that the team is now in the Top 10 of youngest NFL teams. Being old and slow is a thing of the past.

Though there is now some quality youth, you can't even say inexperienced, because some of the key youngsters have played all year, and have been key to this team with the best record in the NFL. Guys like Gronk, Hernandez, Woodhead, LawFirm, Spikes, Cunningham, Mesko, and others are now tested, and we have youth, but experience to some degree too. This "difficult" schedule that these players played, mostly in games WON, should bode well for the playoffs, and for many years to come.

Should the team win the Super Bowl, they will likely add two 1sts, 2nd, and 3rd round picks to the team. The Patriots could very well be the youngest team in the NFL, AND defending Super Bowl Champions. If that doesn't speak to the brilliance of BB, nothing does.

Thoughts? Comments? Polite retorts?

It's truly a magical season. I really expected this to be a rebuilding season, and in essence, it is a rebuilding season. Regardless of what has happened in the regular season (1st seed, home field throughout), I'm not of the mindset that I EXPECT the ultimate result , though I know many here EXPECT the Pats to win it all, due to the regular season results. IF, they just happen to finish off this magical season that way, of course, I'd be thrilled. But it's been a wonderful season watching all this youth mature so fast, and become integral parts of this fine team.

If they draft as well in 2011 as they have in 2009/2010, those three drafts will go down as legendary. It's amazing how well BB does in finding UDFA to fill spots as well as the draft choices. Law Firm, Woodhead, Fletcher, etc, have been amazing pickups.

As you stated above, the Pats have become younger AND better.

 

[RayClay]

Everything about this season is incredible but you can't discount the experience/maturity factor. These guys aren't clones and could still experience some setbacks or regress.

There's a strong wave of camaraderie that's sweeping everyone along this year, like a military unit or college class.

 

[RobAllan]

I just wonder how many picks we trade into 2012 at this point. I don't look at all those picks and assume we'll get that many players.

 

[jmt57]

I can remember laughing and shaking my head when fans of other teams were still throwing out the "Patriots are old and slow" line this preseason. What's that cliché, 'better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt'.

Although I was excited and optimistic when the season began, I'll be the first to admit that my expectations were much lower than many other fans of the Patriot fans were at that time. Realistically I thought the team was going to need solid contributions from far too many players without starting experience, and that the season ending injuries to Ty Warren and Leigh Bodden would be difficult to overcome.

The way I figured it we would see some very nice athletic plays from the young players, but we would also see some rookie mistakes that would cost the Pats a few games. I'm very happy to see I was wrong with that outlook.

When people bring this topic up, naturally the contributions of the rookies is discussed; but it goes beyond the play of McCourty, Gronkowski, Cunningham, Spikes, Hernandez, Mesko and Deaderick. Look at the number of players that are starting or getting a significant amount of playing time on more than just special teams for the first time in their careers: Brace, Ninkovich, Arrington, Chung, BJGE, Woodhead, Tate and Connolly. That's fifteen players getting significant playing time for the first time in their NFL careers. That may happen once in a while on a four-win rebuilding team, but I doubt that has ever happened on a team with the league's best record.

Looking ahead the Pats have three of the first 33 picks in next year's draft, and six in the first three rounds. For all those fans of opposing teams that have gleefully declared the Pats run to be over on an annual basis for the last nine years, I will be curious to hear what they will have to say this off season.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I just wonder how many picks we trade into 2012 at this point. I don't look at all those picks and assume we'll get that many players.

By all accounts the 2011 draft will not be as talented as the prior draft. Plus if the CBA is still in flux that may also curb some of the team's thinking in it's strategy and some college juniors may choose to stay in school.

What I do know is that if the team sees a player it likes that is equal or greater in value than the pick it has, it will pick the player. If it doesn't it will trade down or the pick altogether into 2012.

In that regard, not much has changed since BB took over.

 

[RayClay]

Great drafts are also where opportunity meets need. This years class had wide open opportunities and the advantage of a great coach devoting all his time to teaching and developing young players.

i often wondered why, in the past, we seemed to have trouble filling specific spots, then would draft multiple players at a position group, instead of "grooming" one.

Seems to be BB thinks it's easier to teach a group than coach a bunch of vets while also trying to develop one new player (maybe).

I just wouldn't get our hopes up that the coaching staff is going to continue to develop this group and every rookie is going to find ample reps and constant tutoring at open positions. This is a special year. The roster will never be this wide open, with the concentration on teaching. Players will have to have the right stuff and fit a role, similar to past years that were still good, but not like this year.

Give BB credit for this, he knows not to force the draft in a wide open year. Many, including me, wanted that big Sey replacement DE. Hopefully there is one now, but he got so much more from McCourty with the trade downs.

Is there an equivalent to the boy named Suh in this years draft?

 

[signbabybrady]

I think a ton of credit should go the rookies way but not to be lost should be the performance of the sophmores too. Vollmer and Chung are as important to this team as most anyone outside of Brady.

The 2009, 2010, and soon to be 2011 drafts will be the back of this team for the next 5+ seasons and they are already stepping up this year. Very scary to think what this team can do now and in the next 5+. I know I am way way way ahead of myself but I want a threepeat and if we get one this year we may be set up for a run at it.

 

[signbabybrady]

Is there an equivalent to the boy named Suh in this years draft?

Maybe we can just trade some of this years stock for him I would give up two 1s for him not throwing in panthers 2 but they can have some thing else too.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

It's nice going into offseasons thinking '1 more year' is a good 1 more year under the belt type thing rather than 1 more year of decline/wear and tear for most players which is what it was like in the first run year to year. The OL is the only real exception. But to think the team should only improve over the next 4-5 years as long as Brady has at least that many quality seasons left is pretty amazing (should be worrisome for the rest of the NFL).

 

[NEGoldenAge]

It's nice going into offseasons thinking '1 more year' is a good 1 more year under the belt type thing rather than 1 more year of decline/wear and tear for most players which is what it was like in the first run year to year. The OL is the only real exception. But to think the team should only improve over the next 4-5 years as long as Brady has at least that many quality seasons left is pretty amazing (should be worrisome for the rest of the NFL).

Polian must be having fits.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Everything about this season is incredible but you can't discount the experience/maturity factor. These guys aren't clones and could still experience some setbacks or regress.

There's a strong wave of camaraderie that's sweeping everyone along this year, like a military unit or college class.

Setbacks are possible, but I like the mental make-up of this team. You're right, there's a very strong wave of camaraderie. All the kids seem to rise to the occasion. Since week 2, they've found a way to win, and played their best in the biggest games.

I think of that 45-3 pasting of the Jets and everyone came to play on our team. If we lose, we're done with the division. There was a lot on the line, a ton of pressure, but our guys blew them away. Meanwhile Sanchez and Rex and Co. looked genuinely afraid, the moment made them shrink. And that's with all their vets and second-year guys.

Anything is possible, but this is looking like a very special group.

 

[SanAngeloState]

BB is finally learning to develop talent instead of hiring a bunch of broken down "vets" for top dollar and even trading draft picks to do so. Remember Duane starks, Monty beisel, Burgess or god forbid AD? Losers all. Time to DEVELOP. It's a lot cheaper in the long run.

 

[Patsattax]

Yah and when you look at all the rookies. They either came from bigtime schools/games read spikes, Cunningham, Hernandez, deadrick. Or they came from smaller schools but had huge production and were leaders. Read mccourty, Fletcher, woodhead.

I think if you really look at it. This team was rebuilt to get better quickly, with hard work, and getting up for bigtime games/situations.

On top of that. You look at the elders and you have tons of guys who've been to the point and beyond in the superbowl. Like Brady, welker, wilfork, branch.

I feel like this team despite the youth, was built for bigtime playoff football. And have been excitedly watching all year knowing this could be the worse team we see for 5 years...

 

[Deus Irae]

I think the three "Patriots" teams (Patriots, Broncos, Chiefs) all had excellent drafts and, had McDaniels not gotten axed, were all setting up for future success. It was a good draft for the Patriots way, and a good season for 2 of the 3 teams being run that way.

 

[Bostonian1962]

I can remember laughing and shaking my head when fans of other teams were still throwing out the "Patriots are old and slow" line this preseason. What's that cliché, 'better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt'.

Although I was excited and optimistic when the season began, I'll be the first to admit that my expectations were much lower than many other fans of the Patriot fans were at that time. Realistically I thought the team was going to need solid contributions from far too many players without starting experience, and that the season ending injuries to Ty Warren and Leigh Bodden would be difficult to overcome.

The way I figured it we would see some very nice athletic plays from the young players, but we would also see some rookie mistakes that would cost the Pats a few games. I'm very happy to see I was wrong with that outlook.

When people bring this topic up, naturally the contributions of the rookies is discussed; but it goes beyond the play of McCourty, Gronkowski, Cunningham, Spikes, Hernandez, Mesko and Deaderick. Look at the number of players that are starting or getting a significant amount of playing time on more than just special teams for the first time in their careers: Brace, Ninkovich, Arrington, Chung, BJGE, Woodhead, Tate and Connolly. That's fifteen players getting significant playing time for the first time in their NFL careers. That may happen once in a while on a four-win rebuilding team, but I doubt that has ever happened on a team with the league's best record.

Looking ahead the Pats have three of the first 33 picks in next year's draft, and six in the first three rounds. For all those fans of opposing teams that have gleefully declared the Pats run to be over on an annual basis for the last nine years, I will be curious to hear what they will have to say this off season.

Alot of great comments, but your post mirrors my thoughts coming into the season. I was looking at the roster the other day and literally HALF of the team are either rookies or 2nd year players. That blows me away.

I mean there is so much this season does away with forever.

1. Brady won't play like the old Brady, because he spends too much time in California. To me, this is his best year ever.

2. Bellichick can't draft. If anybody can show me a better draft class in the league this year, I'd love to see it.

3. To a lesser extent there were folks (I may have been one of them ) that didn't think Law Firm would be a featured running back. Clearly, he is that and more. Even if they rest him against Miami, and he doesn't crack 1000 yards, he has been a GREAT RB for this team, on so many different levels.

4. To a lesser extent again, the Ron Brace is a bust comments. Not gonnal lie, his rookie season didn't exactly have me doing cartwheels, and while he didn't erase all doubts, he played well enough to give us some great hope for his future.

There are many others, but let's face it: The Patriots are young. The Patriots are experienced, but young. The Patriots are the favorites to win the Super Bowl. The Patriots have SIX picks in next years draft, and all the talking head experts at the beginning of the season that said, the Patriots run of superiority is over, could not be more wrong. It's likely only going to get even better, if that is possible! Damn, I'm excited!!!!!!

 

[BTTA]

There were three strategic decisions that stand out:

1. Create more competition for playing time than they've had in the past. BB mentioned this early this year as one of his priorities and it has become clear he achieved it.

2. Remove the past success as the identity of this team and force it to create its own identity through its own success (taking down the hallway photos being the most obvious and symbolic evidence).

3. Youth and speed on defense, with the development of decision making and discipline coming to fruition in December.

Everything else they've done this year is stuff they've done in past years.

 

[IllegalContact]

What rookies and UDFA's meant to pats

1500 yards rushing and 18 TDs
1400 yards receiving and 17 TDs
12 INTs
15 sacks

Front office of the year? I think so