Michael Lombardi's bold prediction on Mallett

[PatsFanSince74]

PS to the above:

I assume that you mean "regular season" game and not preseason.

 

[patfanken]

what makes you say that? The part about the best fit that is. Why the perfect fit?

Its not necessarily the perfect fit for the Pats, but it was DEFINITELY the perfect fit for Mallet. Most highly thought of QBs these days are thrown into the fire way too early. Lots of pressure, lots of pain. The bust rate is much greater than the physical talent would seem to allow. You always have to wonder how would have things gone for Joey Harrington and David Carr had they NOT be forced to play on very bad teams so early in their careers...Ryan Leaf for that matter.

By being selected by the Pats, Mallet has the opportunity to learn the game while there is absolutely NO pressure. Not even a chance of a QB controversy the current flavor of the month, Aaron Rogers, marinated for THREE full seasons before he became superbowl MVP.

In all likelihood so will Mallet, and he will be much better for it. At least 4 of the 6 or QBs taken ahead of him have at BEST mediocrity to look forward to. Like good wine Mallet will have the opportunity to reach his utmost potential BECAUSE he was chosen by the Pats.
Good Coaching and low expectations are the recipe for success for young QB's

As for the Pats - They now have a potentially better back up for Brady and someone who might bring them a better draft pick down the road. Personally I very much doubt he will have much of an impact on the field for the Pats. About 2 years to early to start to groom Brady's successor IMHO. However, injuries and/or trade opportunities have grown because of the pick. It was a luxury the Pats deemed they could afford....late in the 3rd round.

 

[Haley]

I don't know. With this much hype about him I'm starting to have second thoughts. I think you get better results with someone who has to fight their way to the top than with someone placed there who could plummet at the first sign of headwind.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

By being selected by the Pats, Mallet has the opportunity to learn the game while there is absolutely NO pressure. Not even a chance of a QB controversy the current flavor of the month, Aaron Rogers, marinated for THREE full seasons before he became superbowl MVP.

After watching The Brady 6 (there's that number again too), I think it was Tee Martin who was told he'd be a backup (3rd in line) and that's the approach he took. But, he did get to start due to injuries and he wasn't prepared. I'd say Mallet's attitude has alot to do with this. Cassel should be a good lesson for Mallet and the thing with BB is he'll play the guy he feels has the best chance to succeed. Cassell prepared hard and was always ready (and no I don't want to see Brady go down with another injury).

I caught a show on ESPN where the some of the drafted players were having field competitions and Mallet did a good job compared to the other QBs (not that that was playing under game conditions but he seemed to be more accurate).

 

[Shelterdog]

what makes you say that? The part about the best fit that is. Why the perfect fit?

It's a perfect fit for Mallet because:
1.) NE reportedly has strong veteran leadership/a culture of success so if he's going to be serious about football (rather than partying, etc.) anywhere it will be here.

2.) He probably doesn't have to play before he's ready.

3.) If/when he does play expectations should be reasonable--nobody will think he should be better than Brady.

4.) The offensive playbooks and terminology are similar which is hugely important.

5.) He's not mobile but NE doesn't ask QBs to be mobile.

6.) BB (perhaps because of having a kid about the same age who's gotten into some trouble) seems to be reasonably sympathetic guy.

7.) Assuming BB keeps building the team well the rest of the team should be decent if/when Mallet starts.

Now the kid could get arrested tomorrow and QBs burn out all the time, but if you were trying to pick a team where he ideally would start to maximize his chances of having a long, succesful career NE, the Giants and Indy would be my top choices.

 

[BradyManny]

If Brady is serious about playing for another decade - or even half that - then the only way Mallet gets on the field is by an injury to Brady or outperforming him. I think a lot of people, including Lombardi, don't realize that Brady and Mallet will reach free agency again in the same year - and that in fact, Mallet would be an RFA a year before Brady hits the open market again.

 

[Shelterdog]

If Brady is serious about playing for another decade - or even half that - then the only way Mallet gets on the field is by an injury to Brady or outperforming him. I think a lot of people, including Lombardi, don't realize that Brady and Mallet will reach free agency again in the same year - and that in fact, Mallet would be an RFA a year before Brady hits the open market again.

Nobody has any idea when Mallet is a free agent, an RFA or anything else; we won't until the labor situation is resolved.

Historically third round guys got four year contracts and became free agents at the end of them which would line up Brady and Mallet's free agency.

The chances of someone other than Brady starting a few games over the next few years is very high though; QBs usually start missing some games as they get older.

 

[BradyManny]

Nobody has any idea when Mallet is a free agent, an RFA or anything else; we won't until the labor situation is resolved.

Historically third round guys got four year contracts and became free agents at the end of them which would line up Brady and Mallet's free agency.

The chances of someone other than Brady starting a few games over the next few years is very high though; QBs usually start missing some games as they get older.

True re: the labor situation - but the likelihood is that the contracts for rookies are, if anything, going to get shorter than longer.

So, either way, the likely reality is that Brady will not become a free agent while Mallet is under contract with this team.

As for Brady missing some games - let's hope not. He's played through an awful lot of injuries over his career, like Favre or Manning - and I don't see that changing. I hate to say it, but catastrophic season-ending injuries are the most likely thing to knock guys like that out - and we've already dealt with one of those, and I hope we don't have to again.

 

[ausbacker]

After watching The Brady 6 (there's that number again too), I think it was Tee Martin who was told he'd be a backup (3rd in line) and that's the approach he took. But, he did get to start due to injuries and he wasn't prepared. I'd say Mallet's attitude has alot to do with this. Cassel should be a good lesson for Mallet and the thing with BB is he'll play the guy he feels has the best chance to succeed. Cassell prepared hard and was always ready (and no I don't want to see Brady go down with another injury).

I caught a show on ESPN where the some of the drafted players were having field competitions and Mallet did a good job compared to the other QBs (not that that was playing under game conditions but he seemed to be more accurate).

I have no issue with Mallett wanting to be the starter for the Patriots. I've no issue with any player on the Patriots wanting to be the starter at their position.

If everyone goes in with this mentality rather than accepting roles (even though they may be role players) that's a hell of a lot of intrinsic drive within a team and healthy competition.

It's interesting in watching the Brady 6 and remembering just how driven the guarantees Brady was making back then both internally and externally. Mallett seems exactly the same and is being hung out to dry for some of his comments (or their interpretations) for no good reason.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

True re: the labor situation - but the likelihood is that the contracts for rookies are, if anything, going to get shorter than longer.

So, either way, the likely reality is that Brady will not become a free agent while Mallet is under contract with this team.

As for Brady missing some games - let's hope not. He's played through an awful lot of injuries over his career, like Favre or Manning - and I don't see that changing. I hate to say it, but catastrophic season-ending injuries are the most likely thing to knock guys like that out - and we've already dealt with one of those, and I hope we don't have to again.

FWIW, before the lockout, both sides reportedly agreed on a deal that would limit third-round picks to three-year deals, with RFA status in the fourth year.

Also, as some pundit pointed out, with the NFL's new emphasis on concussions, it's quite likely that there will be a decent number of players who are sidelined for a week or two.

 

[patsfan-1982]

Mike and Mike (Lombardi and Mayock) both like to think because they worked for Bill once upon a time they can channel him. If it were that simple they'd both be working for a team's FO (or even Bill's) and not on the league's network...

Bill only selected Mallett because he couldn't find a trading partner willing to swap him a 2nd next year for a 3rd, so he drafted the one guy he had a remaining guaranteed roster spot for coming out of that round, a developmental QB. If Belichick was remotely thinking of securing Brady's replacement in this draft, or if he was thinking Mallett was remotely the QB to replace him with, he'd have tapped that selection a lot sooner.

Mallett's career trajectory begins with proving he can even replace Hoyer by 2012. The last QB Bill took in the third couldn't even fend an UDFA off after the #2 job was handed to him by default. It's too bad things unfolded as they did because the JETS ended up with the QB best suited to back Brady up from this class. That may stunt his long term development, although he's got a better shot at advancing to #2 or starting than Mallett over the next two years...because all he's got to do is pass KOC to take aim on the Sanchise.

i agree with this i dont see Mallet as the guy thats going to drive Brady out of town in two years like Aaron Rodgers did i think he needs to make this team first

 

[Tunescribe]

You're starting to love us. Admit it!

Are you back on Terra Firma yet PJ, or still supervising the foreign outsourcing of American industry?

 

[BradyManny]

FWIW, before the lockout, both sides reportedly agreed on a deal that would limit third-round picks to three-year deals, with RFA status in the fourth year.

Also, as some pundit pointed out, with the NFL's new emphasis on concussions, it's quite likely that there will be a decent number of players who are sidelined for a week or two.

Sure, it's a very fair point re: the concussions - across the league it will have a big impact. Just look at Aaron Rodgers last year. But I would say that some tough players - and tough to the point of bordering on irresponsible - like Brady and Manning have played through them in the past and will continue to do so. Just ask Christian Fauria who relayed a story in which Brady was talking complete gibberish in the huddle all game and only afterwards did they figure out he had a concussion.

It might be a different world out there now, but guys like Brady, Manning, and I very regrettably have to say, Favre, have a history of risking their well-being to stay on the field, and will continue to do so.

As for the deals, I'm a little confused - are you sure you don't have that a little mixed up, 4 year deals but with RFA status after year 3?

 

[PatsFanSince74]

i agree with this i dont see Mallet as the guy thats going to drive Brady out of town in two years like Aaron Rodgers did i think he needs to make this team first

I just don't think any of us can know or not know that in the summer of 2011 any better than any of us knew in the summer of 2000 that Brady was going to Canton.

I do think, however, that we have to accept that unless Brady's replacement is a HOF caliber QB, it's going to be a long time before we have threads out here about whether we win "14" or "13" games in the upcoming season or about whom we'd rather play for the Conference Championship. Without that level of QB, no matter how great our HC, we're just another good/very good team hoping to make the Playoffs and maybe compete for a Championship every few years if everything works out. Nothing wrong with that, but it's very different than what we've gotten used to.

 

[Shelterdog]

FWIW, before the lockout, both sides reportedly agreed on a deal that would limit third-round picks to three-year deals, with RFA status in the fourth year.

The NFL proposed it but the two sides didn't agree on anything.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The NFL proposed it but the two sides didn't agree on anything.

As for the deals, I'm a little confused - are you sure you don't have that a little mixed up, 4 year deals but with RFA status after year 3?

Sources: Agreement reached on rookie scale - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

In addition, the league agreed that all players drafted after the first round would be limited to three-year deals, but teams would be allowed to put restricted free agent tags after the three years. That’s essentially similar to the current process where players can be tagged as restricted free agents after a three-year deal, although the existing rule allows players drafted after the first round to sign four-year pacts.

 

[Shelterdog]

Sources: Agreement reached on rookie scale - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

The NFLPA disputed that there was ever an agreement.

NFLPA Source Denies Any Agreement On Rookie Pay Scale

Anyhow, on these complex deals you end up having to reach rough agreement on a bunch of points subject to putting together a comphrensive deal--and I'll bet the Yahoo! agreement is more or less correct on the rough agreement they had in principle--but then if the comprehensive deal falls apart all those tentative agreements on sub issues fall apart as well and it's back to square one.

Since the next time the two sides earnestly negotiate will be after some huge court rulings that give one side or another a huge amount of leverage I suspect the negotiating they did in March goes out the window.

 

[BradyManny]

Sources: Agreement reached on rookie scale - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Hmm, I'm still confused. So 1st rounders henceforth will become RFAs after 3 years? And for a 3rd rounder like Mallet, after 4 years, he is an RFA?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Hmm, I'm still confused. So 1st rounders henceforth will become RFAs after 3 years? And for a 3rd rounder like Mallet, after 4 years, he is an RFA?

The way the alleged deal would work is that everyone becomes a UFA after four years. First-round picks get four-year deals, and become UFAs after that. Everyone else gets three-year deals, and becomes an RFA in the fourth year if the team so chooses.

 

[Shelterdog]

Hmm, I'm still confused. So 1st rounders henceforth will become RFAs after 3 years? And for a 3rd rounder like Mallet, after 4 years, he is an RFA?

If that agreement was enacted, first round picks would sign four year contracts and then become unrestricted free agents. Later picks would sign three year contracts and then become restricted free agents for one year and then become unrestricted free agents.

There are a ton of open questions (e.g. would teams have to give up draft picks to sign restricted free agents?).

But again it's all moot; whatever deal they reached there has already been tossed in the circular folder.

EDIT: Big picture is that Brady is under for contract for four more years, and Mallett will probably end up having a three to five year contract of some kind, so if Brady is healthy and if Mallett works hard, plays well in practice, earns the number two QB job, and, uh, keeps his nose clean, the Pats will likely have to make a decision on extending Brady or re-sigining Mallett without having seen Mallett in all that many games