BB used to share his draft board with a media member

[convertedpatsfan]

Found this article through Reiss' blog.

The time of year I miss Buchsbaum and Holovak the most | NFL | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Joel Buchsbaum was the NFL editor for Pro Football Weekly for a long time. A few months after he passed away, they held a little service for him at the combine, and there were two guest speakers: the author of the article linked above, and BB.

The last part of the article has the BB connection:

Among the stories Belichick told about Joel was trying to hire him when he was the head coach at Cleveland and after he was hired by New England. As Belichick explained, Joe politely declined, saying he felt like he worked for every team as long as he was at PFW and covered the league.

For those of you who never got to hear or read Buchsbaum, here's the ultimate compliment I can pay him. We all know how super-secret Belichick is. At the service in Indianapolis, Belichick told a story that showed how much respect he had for Joel's personnel acumen.

Belichick said every year, the day before the draft, he called Joel and disclosed his draft board. Belichick said he actually made a few changes now and then based on Joel's evaluations.

On Wednesday, I seriously doubt Belichick is going to be calling any of the current draftniks and revealing his draft board to get their opinion.

I seriously doubt that too.

 

[Gwedd]

Wonderful link! Thanks for that post.

 

[RayClay]

Yes, Mr. Buschbaum who wrote the article with the survey of NFL people saying the Patriots were the least likely team in the whole NFL to succeed in 2001. (bad contracts, drafting)

I pulled that old chestnut out just last week.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Yeah, but even after that prediction goof (who picked the Pats to succeed in 2001, look at that roster), Buchsbaum was still one of the great draft gurus, way better than any of the current clowns out there. I miss him, the PFW draft guide was way better back in his heyday, it's not bad now, but it's not the same. Obviously BB felt Buchsbaum was truly a genius too.

 

[supafly]

Joel Buchsbaum ended up being an actual 'friend' to Belichick from what I understand.

The man was indeed a genius, and it's a terrible shame how he let himself go and died at the end.

The whole story is really a shame.

 

[Triumph]

BB also had mad respect for Len Pasquereli (sp)

I wonder what became of him too?

 

[Mike the Brit]

Yes, Mr. Buschbaum who wrote the article with the survey of NFL people saying the Patriots were the least likely team in the whole NFL to succeed in 2001. (bad contracts, drafting)

I pulled that old chestnut out just last week.

Is that still on line? I linked that story with my very first thread on Patsfans, way, way, back when it was still a young chestnut, and it's been re-appearing ever since, but the last time I looked the link was dead. One of the responses was to point out how much respect BB had for Buchsbaum -- which makes the whole thing the more remarkable. Anyone who looks back at 2001 through the lens of later success should read it.

 

[jmt57]

The time of year I miss Buchsbaum and Holovak the most | NFL | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Old time Patriots fans may be interested in reading this article and in particular the comments beneath it regarding former head coach Mike Holovak; some very interesting and long-forgotten information can be found there.

 

[shmessy]

Yes, Mr. Buschbaum who wrote the article with the survey of NFL people saying the Patriots were the least likely team in the whole NFL to succeed in 2001. (bad contracts, drafting)

I pulled that old chestnut out just last week.

Given the starting QB for the Patriots at the time of his writing, he would still be correct.

 

[RayClay]

Yeah, but even after that prediction goof (who picked the Pats to succeed in 2001, look at that roster), Buchsbaum was still one of the great draft gurus, way better than any of the current clowns out there. I miss him, the PFW draft guide was way better back in his heyday, it's not bad now, but it's not the same. Obviously BB felt Buchsbaum was truly a genius too.

The prediction wasn't a goof at all (actually was a poll). BB cut tons of deadwood and got lucky with UDFAs.

I believe the overall talent level was so bad in 2000 he chose to go with an empty roster spot to save money because the available players weren't even worth keeping.

Plus he got lucky with some 6th rounder, can't remember his name.

 

[RayClay]

Is that still on line? I linked that story with my very first thread on Patsfans, way, way, back when it was still a young chestnut, and it's been re-appearing ever since, but the last time I looked the link was dead. One of the responses was to point out how much respect BB had for Buchsbaum -- which makes the whole thing the more remarkable. Anyone who looks back at 2001 through the lens of later success should read it.

I don't think it is officially, but it's been quoted on so many messageboards it will always be. I think i linked the Planet.

 

[pats60]

I like when Bushbaum said chris canty could kill your draft.

 

[Spiral]

Given the starting QB for the Patriots at the time of his writing, he would still be correct.

I was in Houston in the fall of 2001, and used to listen to Joel every Wednesday night. One night I called in and asked him what would happen when Bledsoe returned from his injury. Joel said "the coach wants Brady, but the owner wants Bledsoe."

BTW, John Mc Lain is one of the best NFL writers in the country, and would be a great get for any talk radio show in Boston. His info is weighted toward the Texans, Cowboys, and Titans, but he knows a lot about everything else going on in the league, more than most of the "national" media.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I was in Houston in the fall of 2001, and used to listen to Joel every Wednesday night. One night I called in and asked him what would happen when Bledsoe returned from his injury. Joel said "the coach wants Brady, but the owner wants Bledsoe."

Interesting. Quite likely he got that inside info from BB directly.