Pats Just Extended Their Contending Period by 10 years

[letekro]

And all one hears is whining. While beyotching about Brady's "window", nobody is paying attention to the coup that BB just pulled off--he has put the Patriots in the same position that Bill Walsh put the 49ers when he acquired Steve Young and Ron Wolf put the Packers when he drafted Aaron Rodgers. Anyone who has seen Mallett play knows that he will have the best arm in the NFL the first day he steps on the practice field. Add to that the production he had against SEC competition (what was it, 70 TDs against 20 INTs?), the fact that BB couldn't wear him out in film study, and you begin to see why the Pats HAD to take him at 74.

To me, his personality is a little off-putting and he talks like Vanilla Ice, which is why he fell so far. Based purely on his on-field ability, he is a consensus top 10 player in this draft and the No. 1 QB overall. The only bad thing you will hear about him on the field is that he's slow. Well, so is Tom Brady.

We are so lucky to have BB, a coach that can afford to take the longview, at the helm. What he pulled off yesterday will prove to be his masterstroke.

 

[Tyler.Durden]

I like the Mallett pick, i think we have drafted good players, and traded for more value in picks.

But bottom line is that the pass rush has to addressed at some point, and one would have thought that would have been at the top of the draft. We basically give the opposition 3 yards a play and don't really stop 3rd and shorts and this is an issue.

Perhaps we get an FA. Or a trade is still possible after the lockout. Not concerned just a bit surprised.

 

[patsfan-1982]

im not one of the guys that hates this Draft but i think we need to wait and see befor we put ryan mallett in the same words with steve young... Brandon Tate Ellis Hobbs and Nick Kaczur, a bad RT a average CB and a ok KR thats all the pats have goten out of the 3rd round in the last 11 years so i will wait and see

 

[letekro]

im not one of the guys that hates this Draft but i think we need to wait and see befor we put ryan mallett in the same words with steve young... Brandon Tate Ellis Hobbs and Nick Kaczur, a bad RT a average CB and a ok KR thats all the pats have goten out of the 3rd round in the last 11 years so i will wait and see

But those players were all rated as 3d round players (or worse in many cases). Mallett was a rare 5-star recruit coming out of HS. He lit up the SEC and was everybody's number 1 QB when the season began, but then vague whisperings about "off field issues" began to surface. Nobody can say what they are but Mayock implied that they were nothing major last night. There is NO question about this kid's talent. That's why comparing him to Kaczur, Hobbs and Tate is absurd.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

And all one hears is whining. While beyotching about Brady's "window", nobody is paying attention to the coup that BB just pulled off--he has put the Patriots in the same position that Bill Walsh put the 49ers when he acquired Steve Young and Ron Wolf put the Packers when he drafted Aaron Rodgers. Anyone who has seen Mallett play knows that he will have the best arm in the NFL the first day he steps on the practice field. Add to that the production he had against SEC competition (what was it, 70 TDs against 20 INTs?), the fact that BB couldn't wear him out in film study, and you begin to see why the Pats HAD to take him at 74.

To me, his personality is a little off-putting and he talks like Vanilla Ice, which is why he fell so far. Based purely on his on-field ability, he is a consensus top 10 player in this draft and the No. 1 QB overall. The only bad thing you will hear about him on the field is that he's slow. Well, so is Tom Brady.

We are so lucky to have BB, a coach that can afford to take the longview, at the helm. What he pulled off yesterday will prove to be his masterstroke.

Intanglibles are what make the great ones great. A cannon for an arm is irrelevant. Just ask Tom Brady, Joe Montana and JEFF GEORGE.
Your hyperbolic pronouncements re: the Patriots contending period being extended is rather silly when you consider Tom Brady has stated he wants to play until he's 40 and cites Brett Favray.

 

[Triumph]

Both Vereen and Ridley would be Seniors this year.

The NE backfield is young for a change.

 

[letekro]

Intanglibles are what make the great ones great. A cannon for an arm is irrelevant. Just ask Tom Brady, Joe Montana and JEFF GEORGE.
Your hyperbolic pronouncements re: the Patriots contending period being extended is rather silly when you consider Tom Brady has stated he wants to play until he's 40 and cites Brett Favray.

Tom is not the owner or coach as you suggest he is. What Tom "wants" is irrelevant. The minute BB thinks Mallett gives him a better chance to win, Mallett is the starter. Did you forget 2001?

Do your homework. Jeff George was not a great college player. He was a workout warrior that blew everyone away at the combine by throwing the ball 80 yds in the air. Mallett dominated the SEC for two years in a pro-style offense. Could it happen that the kid is just such a headcase that the Patriots can't groom him into a successful pro? Possible, but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[A_Ghost_In_The_Machine]

I'll admit Mallett is physically talented but as much as Mayock says his character concerns were overhyped he dropped to where he did for a reason. Physically this kid has 1st round talent no doubt but there were a number of teams in this draft who were in dire need of a QB and haven't been shy about drafting low character types before (read: Cinncinnatti, Oakland) and yet they both passed on Mallett that says to me that his character concerns are very real and more than just a grating personality or talking like Vanilla Ice. The fact that he skipped out on a meeting with the Panthers cos he went and got hammered the night before only weeks before the draft points to exactly the kind of thing I worry about with him

 

[Serafino07]

The Mallett pick is a no brainer pick. He could pan out to be a solid starting QB in the league or he could be a bust. No one knows that, not even the mighty BB. But to say "what Belicheck pulled off" is stretching it a little too far. Mallett was only available in the 3rd round because no other team wanted him before that. He fell in Bill's lap. It wasnt a stroke of genius on Bill's part or some almighty plan that Bill developed in his research lab.

 

[letekro]

I'll admit Mallett is physically talented but as much as Mayock says his character concerns were overhyped he dropped to where he did for a reason. Physically this kid has 1st round talent no doubt but there were a number of teams in this draft who were in dire need of a QB and haven't been shy about drafting low character types before (read: Cinncinnatti, Oakland) and yet they both passed on Mallett that says to me that his character concerns are very real and more than just a grating personality or talking like Vanilla Ice. The fact that he skipped out on a meeting with the Panthers cos he went and got hammered the night before only weeks before the draft points to exactly the kind of thing I worry about with him

Well, it all worked out for him, because he landed with an organization that won't tolerate that kind of behavior. If he loves football as much as BB says he does, he will get with the program. I don't think it's easy to do your own thing when BB and Tom are up your ass every minute of the day.

 

[FCB02062]

This draft began their contending period for top 10 picks....

 

[patchick]

Mallett has the real chance to be one of the league's best QBs, and the real chance to be out of football in a couple of years. I think, though, that his chances of realizing his potential skyrocketed when he was drafted by a team that will give him time, to sit, learn and grow up.

Here's a general principle: the best time to pick a quarterback is when you don't need a quarterback. Give them more development time and less pressure, and don't ever leave yourself counting on a rookie to walk in and take over your team.

 

[letekro]

Mallett has the real chance to be one of the league's best QBs, and the real chance to be out of football in a couple of years. I think, though, that his chances of realizing his potential skyrocketed when he was drafted by a team that will give him time, to sit, learn and grow up.

Here's a general principle: the best time to pick a quarterback is when you don't need a quarterback. Give them more development time and less pressure, and don't ever leave yourself counting on a rookie to walk in and take over your team.

This is correct. Mallett's upside is not "quality starter", as some above have suggested. His upside is "franchise QB", and the likelihood of that result is signficantly more likely now that he is a member of the Patriots.

 

[zoostation]

I like the Mallett pick, i think we have drafted good players, and traded for more value in picks.

But bottom line is that the pass rush has to addressed at some point, and one would have thought that would have been at the top of the draft. We basically give the opposition 3 yards a play and don't really stop 3rd and shorts and this is an issue.

Perhaps we get an FA. Or a trade is still possible after the lockout. Not concerned just a bit surprised.

As has been the case for the last decade.....the pass rush will be addressed with the D line (and backers) as a unit. BB has more faith in the development of younger players within this unit than most of us 'couch coaches'. If he saw a better option he would have picked it. And I for one would rather have him making that call than me or anyone else on this board.

 

[Fencer]

I think Tate was also supposed to be a 1st-round talent, who fell due to injuries.

But not Mallett-level.

 

[letekro]

I think Tate was also supposed to be a 1st-round talent, who fell due to injuries.

But not Mallett-level.

Tate's best year he had 30 catches. He had the talent, but certainly not the production of Mallett.

 

[DarrylS]

Mallett has the real chance to be one of the league's best QBs, and the real chance to be out of football in a couple of years. I think, though, that his chances of realizing his potential skyrocketed when he was drafted by a team that will give him time, to sit, learn and grow up.

Here's a general principle: the best time to pick a quarterback is when you don't need a quarterback. Give them more development time and less pressure, and don't ever leave yourself counting on a rookie to walk in and take over your team.

Not sure if he will be one of the best, but really like this pick.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I was pretty shocked last night when the pick was made. But after sleeping on it, I think I'm okay with it. Oddly enough, he provides Hoyer insurance more than Brady insurance at this stage. There's even the possibility that a Hoyer trade could recoup this pick or more down the road.

It's kind of funny that he went to Michigan, probably thought of himself as the next Brady until Rich Rodriguez came along, and now he'll be playing with Brady. He's even the 7th QB taken in the draft, maybe there will be a Mallett 6 doc one day.

I would have died if it was a 2nd-round pick, but late in the 3rd is tremendous value. I bet the Colts are kicking themselves for not pulling the trigger.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

And all one hears is whining. While beyotching about Brady's "window", nobody is paying attention to the coup that BB just pulled off--he has put the Patriots in the same position that Bill Walsh put the 49ers when he acquired Steve Young and Ron Wolf put the Packers when he drafted Aaron Rodgers. Anyone who has seen Mallett play knows that he will have the best arm in the NFL the first day he steps on the practice field. Add to that the production he had against SEC competition (what was it, 70 TDs against 20 INTs?), the fact that BB couldn't wear him out in film study, and you begin to see why the Pats HAD to take him at 74.

To me, his personality is a little off-putting and he talks like Vanilla Ice, which is why he fell so far. Based purely on his on-field ability, he is a consensus top 10 player in this draft and the No. 1 QB overall. The only bad thing you will hear about him on the field is that he's slow. Well, so is Tom Brady.

We are so lucky to have BB, a coach that can afford to take the longview, at the helm. What he pulled off yesterday will prove to be his masterstroke.

I was hoping to read a broader scope in your vision. Mallett's potential is actually tertiary to NE's plans for NFL dominance.
-- Vollmer and now Solder, on paper the future of edge protection looks rosy.
-- Tommy wants to play to 40? It's nice to have a productive running game to help carry the burden. With the exception of the notorious Mr. Woodhead, we won't know if the various pieces being assembled will succeed in this quest, but it sure looks promising.
-- Drew Bledsoe said a tight end was a QB's best friend, and if he didn't there's many a coach who has. Gronkowski and Hernandez certainly made a good first impression.
-- I haven't given up hope for Tate and Price, nor Edelbinky as consistent parts to the "favorite open receiver" dilemma.
-- Linebacker has gotten awfully young, and despite rumors to the contrary, there are plays being made. I'm excited to see where they go with more experience.
-- CB is awfully young, okay some would just say awful; however, you have to be pleased with McCourty and Arrington, and despite the lynch mob seeking their Butler-steins and Wilhite-steins, both have proven resilient at working back from their mistakes and playing well in roles they may be better suited for - no quit, I love it if no one else does.
-- S is very interesting. It's not just Meriweather and Chung, it's who is in line behind them. Page (225 lbs) was a pretty good S in KC. Barrett (225 lbs), a ST's Ace. Lockett (220 lbs), another ST's Ace. Chung himself is a svelte 212 lbs. Sanders and Brown bring 210 lbs to the party. And itty bitty Meriweather in his contract year at 200 lbs. There's some beef and some speed in the stable, BB seems determined to cook up some ball carrier BBQ. It's a young crew too.

Mallett really doesn't factor in to my thinking about whether this team will contend for another decade, it's the supporting elements being crafted around that fragile old hairball. Me likey.

 

[Reckedtrek]

I hadn't watched any interviews with Mallett, as the QB position wasn't a major concern of mine. I admit I was watching mostly DE and OLB highlights mostly. Having said that, I just watched a few Mallett interviews... and he appears to be talking like a guy in his early 20's with a slight to moderate southern accent. What's all the Vanilla Ice crap? I guess he looks like him a bit facially, but you can't really hold that against him can you?

One thing is for certain- Tom is going to push harder to be better than ever as there is now another perceived threat to his place on the team. Will Mallett replace him? Probably not in the next 3 or 4 years if ever- but Brady will bust his own butt to ensure that Mallett doesn't. Instant additional drive to stay on top of the QB depth chart.