Greg Bedard: All the Pieces are in Place

[Rob0729]

For all you sky is falling people, here is a pretty good article by Greg Bedard to talk you off the ledge:

All pieces are in place - Patriots - Boston.com

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Greg has dubbed himself the wet blanket of reason this off season. He's generally a very positive big picture thinker who after stints in Miami, GB and NE gets it. Not terribly impressionable or prone to fawn over whomever he covers (ala Breer). He's less concerned with breaking news or poking sticks to generate hits. He also seems more genuinely connected and well sourced than most. And he puts in the time that matters, like film work which begins to develop context. And beyond his Wellker meltdown, and I can't blame him on that one given the way it played out in the immediate aftermath, seldom kneejerk.

The sausage analogy is a great one often lost on folks caught up in playing a fantasy version of the game these days.

 

[JJDChE]

I'm never worried about "poor" team play in the preseason. There are no game plans, it's a glorified practice. The Bucs were blitzing like crazy in that game. I wasn't surprised to see a lot of rushers getting in free, the line is still getting it's feet and they weren't prepared for blitzes all over the place.

It's so hard to judge. It's really about whether the coaches got to see what they wanted. Especially for the Pats, putting together scoring drives to build confidence isn't really necessary for a team who has done it week in, week out in the regular season. It's much more important for young, up and coming teams like the Bucs. They want to get little wins out there to carry them into the regular season on a positive vibe.

 

[PatsGirl2011]

The only thing I worry about in the preseason is injuries. The chips will fall into place regardless if the talent is there.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Maybe I am crazy but I don't believe that the players who are virtual locks leave it all on the field in preseason games.

I believe all guaranteed roster players play light and leave something on the table that won't be seen until week 1 and beyond.

Players know that the regular season can be a very long one and if you jump too fast you might see yourself winded at the end of the season.

If you panic about the stars on the team that are not doing good,I think you need to relax a bit,they will be fine.

To me,preseason is about avoiding injury and let the coaching staff decide who belongs and who doesn't....

all the fans need to do in preseason is get excited for the first week in september and stop worrying about things right now.

Everytime you find yourself getting upset about a player's lack of success in a preseason game remember this........ 2008 Detroit Lions preseason record 4-0 - Regular season 0-16

 

[eom]

The only thing I worry about in the preseason is injuries. The chips will fall into place regardless if the talent is there.

absolutely.
it's kind of hard to complain about the pats side of that game considering how tb came out of it.

 

[Marqui]

As long as the Pats aren't losing starters to serious injuries, I consider these preseason games wins.

 

[blackglass3]

absolutely.
it's kind of hard to complain about the pats side of that game considering how tb came out of it.

Yes. My stomach turned both times I saw those guys go down grabbing their knees. Any time there is a preseason game and no injuries, it's a win.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

That poor Bucs guard that was knocked out of the game is having surgery for a dislocated kneecap and patella tendon and going on IR...

I do think Bill was disappointed that his passing offense isn't clicking yet but I think his attempts to mix and match to navigate the 3 games in 10 days plus the OL situation made that less likely than he anticipated. Per Zo in pre game they were more interested in seeing some semblance of a rhythm developing in the passing game than anything, and they didn't get it. Had to run more than they'd planned to. Which may result in the starters playing well into the first half Wednesday with 12 days to go til the opener. The Giants have had a good start in some ways but Coughlin is battered with injuries and opening in a week so Eli and many of their first teamers on both sides may not be in for more than a series, if that.

 

[PatsGirl2011]

absolutely.
it's kind of hard to complain about the pats side of that game considering how tb came out of it.

Basically. It was basically Tampa Bay's Superbowl ( based on how they played), yet they lost a few guys to injuries while the Pats came out essential unscathed despite a weak effort.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Good read . . . it definitely calms my nerves just a bit.

 

[Gwedd]

I think that Bedard is square in the black with his observations. Preseason isn't about winning games. It's about evaluating the talent and seeing who learns from their mistakes. Who can step it up when needs be, and who the natural leaders are.

The preseason isn't for the fans, it's for the coaches and players. It's like the dress rehearsals for opening night at the theater. True enough, it helps football junkies like us, who are jonesing for some games, to get our fix, but otherwise, I don't ever read too much into the results either.

As others have said, the real win is if we get out of their without any injuries, or at least nothing serious.

 

[captain stone]

I disagree with Bedard on these items:
Instead of employing a true lead-blocking FB, he suggests using "Fells & Hernandez btwn the 20s,
and Wendell in short-yardage, and be done with it."
I cannot stand seeing OLmen (or DLmen, or LBs) being used as FBs because they have not nearly
the instincts to find the correct gap, engage a tackler & sustain a block capable of springing the RB
for the needed yardage to continue a drive.
Bedard should've written that Bill spend a couple of extra bucks on Vonta Leach or LeRon McClain,
and be done with it.

"Mankins instantly made the OL better, and Vollmer will have the same effect."
How do we know that Mankins, barely 6 months removed from surgery, will be able to perform
at a level commeasurate with his salary for an entire season, and that SeaBass will be able to perform
at all, when he he is still suffering from the same back issues that plagued him throughout college?
Don't worry about the OL? With an increasingly statue-esque Brady at QB, I will always worry
about this OL. BTW, we have no idea in what condition a questionably-motivated Brian Waters will be
when - or if - he graces us with his prescence.

And he didn't state this explicitly, so I'll do it for him: having McCourty & Arrington return KOs
is flat-out stupid.

I do agree with his takes on the Secondary, which is still a huge question mark, and on the near-certainty
of keeping both Hoyer & Mallett.

 

[JMarr]

He's spot on about keeping 3 QBs on the roster. Both are worth next to nothing on the trade market right now. That may change for Mallet as he continues to develop behind TFB, but trading Hoyer at this point is nothing but pure delusion. Think Matt Cassel prior to 2008 and nothing more needs to be said.

Fantasy football uses the word "fantasy" for good reason--it is what fuels much of this nonsensical trade talk. It seriously clouds the judgment of some fans who otherwise would never even think about making trades that clearly would be against best interests of their team. :bricks:

 

[Rob0729]

I disagree with Bedard on these items:
Instead of employing a true lead-blocking FB, he suggests using "Fells & Hernandez btwn the 20s,
and Wendell in short-yardage, and be done with it."
I cannot stand seeing OLmen (or DLmen, or LBs) being used as FBs because they have not nearly
the instincts to find the correct gap, engage a tackler & sustain a block capable of springing the RB
for the needed yardage to continue a drive.
Bedard should've written that Bill spend a couple of extra bucks on Vonta Leach or LeRon McClain,
and be done with it.

"Mankins instantly made the OL better, and Vollmer will have the same effect."
How do we know that Mankins, barely 6 months removed from surgery, will be able to perform
at a level commeasurate with his salary for an entire season, and that SeaBass will be able to perform
at all, when he he is still suffering from the same back issues that plagued him throughout college?
Don't worry about the OL? With an increasingly statue-esque Brady at QB, I will always worry
about this OL. BTW, we have no idea in what condition a questionably-motivated Brian Waters will be
when - or if - he graces us with his prescence.

And he didn't state this explicitly, so I'll do it for him: having McCourty & Arrington return KOs
is flat-out stupid.

I do agree with his takes on the Secondary, which is still a huge question mark, and on the near-certainty
of keeping both Hoyer & Mallett.

In today's day and age, employing a FB is a waste IMHO. It is an outdated positions. More than half the league go without a FB on their roster. The Pats usually only use a FB in short yardage situation where using an o-lineman is fine. Personally, I think employing a FB on a pass heavy offense like the the Pats is a waste of a roster spot. Teams like the Jets need a FB since they are heavily run oriented.

Increasingly statuesque Brady? Brady still has plenty of pocket presence and ability to step up. I haven't even heard anyone suggest that Brady has lost his pocket presence.

As for Waters, he didn't join the Pats until Spetember 4th last year and had a Pro Bowl season after spending the entire offseason and preseason at home. I am not that worried about him.

 

[jlu52]

I disagree with Bedard on these items:
Instead of employing a true lead-blocking FB, he suggests using "Fells & Hernandez btwn the 20s,
and Wendell in short-yardage, and be done with it."
I cannot stand seeing OLmen (or DLmen, or LBs) being used as FBs because they have not nearly
the instincts to find the correct gap, engage a tackler & sustain a block capable of springing the RB
for the needed yardage to continue a drive.
Bedard should've written that Bill spend a couple of extra bucks on Vonta Leach or LeRon McClain,
and be done with it.

"Mankins instantly made the OL better, and Vollmer will have the same effect."
How do we know that Mankins, barely 6 months removed from surgery, will be able to perform
at a level commeasurate with his salary for an entire season, and that SeaBass will be able to perform
at all, when he he is still suffering from the same back issues that plagued him throughout college?
Don't worry about the OL? With an increasingly statue-esque Brady at QB, I will always worry
about this OL. BTW, we have no idea in what condition a questionably-motivated Brian Waters will be
when - or if - he graces us with his prescence.

And he didn't state this explicitly, so I'll do it for him: having McCourty & Arrington return KOs
is flat-out stupid.

I do agree with his takes on the Secondary, which is still a huge question mark, and on the near-certainty
of keeping both Hoyer & Mallett.

Rob covered the FB and Waters concerns very well. As for Mankins and Vollmer, they will be in uniform and kicking ass when the season finally gets underway. Mankins played a lot of last season on not one, but two bad knees. He is one of the very toughest guys I've ever seen in my life. He is much healthier this season, and will be much more like the beast we're all used to seeing out on the field. Vollmer is undergoing core strengthening drills with the trainers, and is being conserved from having to experience any unnecessary wear and tear, so that he will be better able to be the guy we're used to seeing out there as well. His situation was certainly more acute last season, and he was pretty effective when he did make the field last year. If BB didn't think Vollmer was ready, he would have never taken him off the PUP list. While I understand and appreciate your concerns, I just think the coaching staff are bringing these guys along conservatively, and saving their bullets for when it actually counts.

 

[Sivy]

I think that they are not throwing to Lloyd to much on purpose. Kind of like Moss missing the entire pre season in 07.

 

[Rob0729]

Rob covered the FB and Waters concerns very well. As for Mankins and Vollmer, they will be in uniform and kicking ass when the season finally gets underway. Mankins played a lot of last season on not one, but two bad knees. He is one of the very toughest guys I've ever seen in my life. He is much healthier this season, and will be much more like the beast we're all used to seeing out on the field. Vollmer is undergoing core strengthening drills with the trainers, and is being conserved from having to experience any unnecessary wear and tear, so that he will be better able to be the guy we're used to seeing out there as well. His situation was certainly more acute last season, and he was pretty effective when he did make the field last year. If BB didn't think Vollmer was ready, he would have never taken him off the PUP list. While I understand and appreciate your concerns, I just think the coaching staff are bringing these guys along conservatively, and saving their bullets for when it actually counts.

I stayed away from Mankins and Vollmer just because they are a bit of a question mark. I personally think both will be fine, but voicing concerns about them is a valid concern.

I also think if Belichick had any real concerns about either not being able to perform, he would have probably pulled off a trade already. I doubt he would go into the season with them being huge question marks.

 

[captain stone]

Increasingly statuesque Brady? Brady still has plenty of pocket presence and ability to step up. I haven't even heard anyone suggest that Brady has lost his pocket presence.

I didn't suggest that Brady has lost his pocket presence. I expressed concern that, even if he sees the pressure, he is becoming less able to escape it.

 

[captain stone]

According to Reiss today (Quick-Hit Thoughts, ESPNBoston.com), Vollmer looked stiff & finished last among OLmen during the pre-game run, and couldn't touch his toes during the stretching exercises...just sayin'.