The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft"

[DarrylS]

Listening to the mediots last night made me realize that this lock-out/labor situation is very real. The new draftees came to Foxboro to pick up their play books, but the coaches could not talk about football(WTF), and the reality of this labor situation set in.

So now nothing will happen as both sides posture and want to work out their differences in legal systems. Next week the first weekend for the new guys to come in will not happen, along with the expected comments of BB about how he cannot tell all that much about these guys as they are raw and have a lot to learn. No OTA's, no nothing.

Have to wonder if the Pats front office can help these guys find housing and suitable living arrangements?? They can not avail themselves of the strength and conditioning coaches and training facilities. Cannot rub elbows with the other players to understand the Patriots way of playing this game and how to behave.

This whole segment of preparation for the season will be taking place in a parallel universe far, far away from what we know. It sux pure and simple, please fix this labor mess.

Karen Gueregian has an interesting article in the Herald today.. maybe this draft was operationalized with the lockout in mind.. interesting.

Lockout feel to this class - BostonHerald.com

Unlike last year, when Belichick filled in specific areas of need and drafted some guys who had to step in right away — tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, cornerback Devin McCourty, punter Zoltan Mesko and linebacker Brandon Spikes — he really didn’t pick anyone during the past three-day event who would have to jump into a role right away, with the possible exception of left tackle Nate Solder.

It seems Belichick’s eye was more toward the future with these picks, as opposed to the immediate present. If Matt Light is re-signed, which is expected, then Solder, who is best described as a project with tremendous upside, will be able to develop and eventually turn into that stud who protects quarterback Tom Brady’s blind side for many years to come.

 

[Fencer]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

"Pick up their playbooks" is a misstatement.

But yes, this was one draft where immediate impact was almost a non-issue.

Here's one point folks seem to forget: While the Patriots will be hurt by a delay in integrating new players into the system -- drafted rookies, veterean FAs, and UDFAs alike -- so will the Patriots' competitors.

Make a list of the positions where you think the Patriots will be weakened this season versus by age and/or departures. It's probably short. Other teams' lists are probably at least as long.

My list, by the way, is:

RG -- Neal retired
LT -- I fear Light won't re-sign
C, slightly -- Koppen is declining
FB, on the few downs we used a conventional one -- I suspect Morris won't be back

Faulk had the dropsies even before he was hurt, so I'm not including his position. While Brady seems to be old enough to be plagued by injuries every year now (and not just Probable/Shoulder), I'm not including him yet. Welker should be better (2nd year after knee injury), offsetting any Branch decline. And most other positions are staffed by young guys.

 

[DarrylS]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

"Pick up their playbooks" is a misstatement.

But yes, this was one draft where immediate impact was almost a non-issue.

Here's one point folks seem to forget: While the Patriots will be hurt by a delay in integrating new players into the system -- drafted rookies, veterean FAs, and UDFAs alike -- so will the Patriots' competitors.

Make a list of the positions where you think the Patriots will be weakened this season versus by age and/or departures. It's probably short. Other teams' lists are probably at least as long.

My list, by the way, is:

RG -- Neal retired
LT -- I fear Light won't re-sign
C, slightly -- Koppen is declining
FB, on the few downs we used a conventional one -- I suspect Morris won't be back

Faulk had the dropsies even before he was hurt, so I'm not including his position. While Brady seems to be old enough to be plagued by injuries every year now (and not just Probable/Shoulder), I'm not including him yet. Welker should be better (2nd year after knee injury), offsetting any Branch decline. And most other positions are staffed by young guys.

The Patriots have less glaring needs than most of the other teams out there, they do not need to integrate a RB, QB, WR, CB or LT into their system by 9/12... I suspect that Light will be back for a couple of more years.

Other teams that drafted a QB that is projected to start or a WR that is the projected savior for a team, will have adjustment issues..

Neal will retire and Scarnecchia will coach up Connolly or someone else.. it is the way this system works.

The more I think about what the Pats did, they did it with the work stoppage in mind.. they seemed to have drafted more for the 2012 season than for the 2011 season.

 

[Don Kipines]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

Listening to the mediots last night made me realize that this lock-out/labor situation is very real. The new draftees came to Foxboro to pick up their play books, but the coaches could not talk about football(WTF), and the reality of this labor situation set in.

So now nothing will happen as both sides posture and want to work out their differences in legal systems. Next week the first weekend for the new guys to come in will not happen, along with the expected comments of BB about how he cannot tell all that much about these guys as they are raw and have a lot to learn. No OTA's, no nothing.

Have to wonder if the Pats front office can help these guys find housing and suitable living arrangements?? They can not avail themselves of the strength and conditioning coaches and training facilities. Cannot rub elbows with the other players to understand the Patriots way of playing this game and how to behave.
This whole segment of preparation for the season will be taking place in a parallel universe far, far away from what we know. It sux pure and simple, please fix this labor mess.

Karen Gueregian has an interesting article in the Herald today.. maybe this draft was operationalized with the lockout in mind.. interesting.

Lockout feel to this class - BostonHerald.com

Gureigan makes strange points. I think a lot of these players will step in right away.

Solder, if he isn't playing right away, will play very soon. And even if Light is re-signed, I could see him playing left guard and letting Solder man the outside. Light was okay last year but they gave him a lot of help. He was constantly getting a back or a tight end to chip for him. For a decade the Pats have had to game-plan around the average/below-average athleticism of their left tackle. Solder is going to compete for that job no matter what happens with Light.

Dowling is in a similar spot. Bodden is coming off injury. We gave time to a lot of iffy corners last year. We had Pat Chung playing nickel corner. If Dowling is really that good, he's going to get a lot of time right away.

Vereen it seems to me could end up getting the most carries of any back. He could take a lot of playing time from BJGE. This is a kid with speed and big-play ability who can handle 15 carries a game, and he can hold up in pass protection better than Woodhead.

And Cannon, I would guess, is competing for that guard job as soon as he's healthy. But mainly the top three picks look like they were made with plans for immediate playing time.

 

[DarrylS]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

Gureigan makes strange points. I think a lot of these players will step in right away.

Solder, if he isn't playing right away, will play very soon. And even if Light is re-signed, I could see him playing left guard and letting Solder man the outside. Light was okay last year but they gave him a lot of help. He was constantly getting a back or a tight end to chip for him. For a decade the Pats have had to game-plan around the average/below-average athleticism of their left tackle. Solder is going to compete for that job no matter what happens with Light.

Dowling is in a similar spot. Bodden is coming off injury. We gave time to a lot of iffy corners last year. We had Pat Chung playing nickel corner. If Dowling is really that good, he's going to get a lot of time right away.

Vereen it seems to me could end up getting the most carries of any back. He could take a lot of playing time from BJGE. This is a kid with speed and big-play ability who can handle 15 carries a game, and he can hold up in pass protection better than Woodhead.

And Cannon, I would guess, is competing for that guard job as soon as he's healthy. But mainly the top three picks look like they were made with plans for immediate playing time.

But the point is that they do not have to.. if they can develop and are ready, maybe they can make an impact. Compare to one of the teams that drafted a qb, OLB or wr, and the expectation is that those players will immediately contribute without OTA's, rookie mini camps and maybe an abbreviated TC is complete folly.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

Gureigan makes strange points. I think a lot of these players will step in right away.

Solder, if he isn't playing right away, will play very soon. And even if Light is re-signed, I could see him playing left guard and letting Solder man the outside. Light was okay last year but they gave him a lot of help. He was constantly getting a back or a tight end to chip for him. For a decade the Pats have had to game-plan around the average/below-average athleticism of their left tackle. Solder is going to compete for that job no matter what happens with Light.

Dowling is in a similar spot. Bodden is coming off injury. We gave time to a lot of iffy corners last year. We had Pat Chung playing nickel corner. If Dowling is really that good, he's going to get a lot of time right away.

Vereen it seems to me could end up getting the most carries of any back. He could take a lot of playing time from BJGE. This is a kid with speed and big-play ability who can handle 15 carries a game, and he can hold up in pass protection better than Woodhead.

And Cannon, I would guess, is competing for that guard job as soon as he's healthy. But mainly the top three picks look like they were made with plans for immediate playing time.

Good stuff. I would also include Ridley as an immediate contributor. When I first saw the pick of Ridley, I was a little bummed, but after taking a much deeper look at him, I can't believe the guy wasn't rated higher. I suspect that the Pat's top 2 rated RBs were Vereen and Ridley.

I think Lee Smith will also see the field frequently in the Pats new power run formations. A 3 TE formation with Crump, Gronk and Smith with Vereen and Ridley in the backfield should create mismatch nightmares in both the running and passing game.

 

[Sfpat]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

As a contrast, think about the Jets. Neither Wilkerson nor Ellis appear to be highly disciplined, which means with no OTA's or structured team workouts, what kind of shape will they be in when they finally are able to report? Will either guy be able to contribute next season, Ellis legal issues aside?

 

[upstater1]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

Is she assuming the temporary stay is permanent?

 

[Ring 6]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

The Patriots have less glaring needs than most of the other teams out there, they do not need to integrate a RB, QB, WR, CB or LT into their system by 9/12... I suspect that Light will be back for a couple of more years.

Other teams that drafted a QB that is projected to start or a WR that is the projected savior for a team, will have adjustment issues..

Neal will retire and Scarnecchia will coach up Connolly or someone else.. it is the way this system works.

The more I think about what the Pats did, they did it with the work stoppage in mind.. they seemed to have drafted more for the 2012 season than for the 2011 season.

It amazes me how people can say LT isnt a need because I think Matt Light will be back.
What if he isn't? Do you want Steve Maneri protecting Bradys blindside?

We have 1 RB right now. How is RB a 2012 need?
We were 30th in pass defense. How is corner/safety a 2012 pick.

What positions have less at them than those?

 

[Ring 6]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

But the point is that they do not have to.. if they can develop and are ready, maybe they can make an impact. Compare to one of the teams that drafted a qb, OLB or wr, and the expectation is that those players will immediately contribute without OTA's, rookie mini camps and maybe an abbreviated TC is complete folly.

We drafted players at positions we don't have any.
We did not have a LT before this draft.
We do not have a RB other than Woodhead before this draft.

Every team in the NFL can sign a FA or an RFA to put in front of their draft choices. How are we different? Because you think they are signing and staying?

 

[patsfan13]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

The possibility of no teams starting practice until the middle of August is real. not definite however.

In the worst case scenario no rookie camp, no OTA's, no team supervised workouts and virtually no camp time to teach the rookies the system.

In this case the RB rookies can be useful or perhaps special teams. The contributions will be limited. In this case Solder, Cannon or any OLB or DL rookies won't be very useful this year.

This draft is a unique one due to the labor situation and BB adapted accordingly. This may look like a great draft in a few years.

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

We drafted players at positions we don't have any.
We did not have a LT before this draft.
We do not have a RB other than Woodhead before this draft.

Every team in the NFL can sign a FA or an RFA to put in front of their draft choices. How are we different? Because you think they are signing and staying?

BJGE says hi.


IMO this idea that rookies will be useless in a lockout shortened season is mute as there is no way you can have that many roster spots doing little to nothing. IMO if things are shortened the season will be won by those who get the most out of their rookies.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Re: The reality of the lock out becomes real.. Gueregian, "Lockout feel to this draft

Keep in mind that in a normal year you'd have seen some of these draft choices converted into proven veterans, a la Moss and Welker.

Every other thread here is a fan saying how disappointed he or she is with the draft.

I'm disappointed too.

I'm disappointed that free agency didn't start when it should have

I'm disappointed that we couldn't trade for players before the draft

I'm disappointed that we couldn't trade picks for players during the draft

I'm disappointed that the draft didn't serve to fill in the holes unaddressed in early free agency as in past years...

But I'm not the least bit disappointed in Belichick or this draft.