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....just some odds and ends to justify not being out on such a glorious day...yet. A few thought on things we've discussed or I've recently heard talked about. Or as my old friend Bill Shakespear would say, "much to do about nothing."
1. I goes without question that his has been the most productive offseason in the Bellichick era. It could be said that it is the most productive in Patriot history....and it isn't over yet.
The effect on the team is obvious and well reported. However the effect on rabid fans like us has been greater still. Since March one, there has been more stuff to talk about, defend, analyse, promote, and discect, than I can recall in my memory. The Pats have been in the forefront of the local media as never before in these months. And that translates nationally as well. We HOPE it will end up being good for the team. We KNOW it has been good for us.
2. On the other hand, bringing in so many NEW veteran players brings to question how well this team will come together. It hasn't been since 2001 that we have brought in so many new faces to blend together into a cohesive team. Unfortunately, it IS NOT going to happen in just one training camp. As far as the offense goes, we are going to have understand that there will be some offensive hiccups along the way.
On the other hand I am fully confident that THAT ellusive chemistry will come to pass by the time the playoffs come around.
3. I read Ron Borges column today and was actually impressed. I was negative enough to reinforce everyone's impression of him as a Pats basher. (A reputation Borges wears proudly, btw), but it was emminently fair as well. In other words, it was the best of Borges, and what he could be if he didn't let his personal prejudices get in the way.
However I feel compelled to point out that the people he quoted who were the most negative, (the OC and HC) where the 2 guys, who had the best reasons to slant their impressions to the negative side. Sometimes, it kind of sounded like, "its not MY fault, it was Randy's." On the other hand, I have no reason to believe the incidents described didn't happen.
4. This leads to my questions and fears about Randy Moss. I have none about what kind of teammate he will be and whether he will be a problem in the lockerroom. Those thing will sort themselves out. However I want to know if he is in NE RIGHT now. If not I want to know when he will get here. The next 6-8 weeks are going to be a critical time for him and his adjustment period. It will give us a better idea of his commitment to the progam, and go a long way to establishing a rapport with his QBs. SO, does anyone know if Moss is in Foxboro fully committed to the off season program?
5. Neither Moss nor Stallworth are known as crisp route runners. I have a concern that we are added 4 new WRs to the offense and the guy we have coaching them is a rookie. I'm sure these new guys will have respect for BB, and to a lesser degree Josh. However I am at a loss to think how well they will work with a new guy, who doesn't have any bona fides in either PLAYING or COACHING the WR position. THough I don't bemoan the loss of Diaboll, who left BEFORE the acquistions were made, but I wish he were here. I can see BB spending a lot of his training camp time over with the receivers. I'm not sure I am happy about that.
6. I don't mean to sound gloomy here. It is incredibly exciting contemplating the possibilies having BOTH Stallworth and Moss on the field at the same time. I don't envy any of the DC who will be forced to deal with this....along with the rest of the Pats offensive threats. If last season taught us anything, it is very difficult to assimililate virtually an entirely new WR corps. So while there is a lot of positive things to thing about, there are some REAL coaching challenges that face the team.
7. I've been think about the Troy Brown issue, and I think I've come up with an effective transition to the log jam at WR. On one hand I think Troy Brown's presense is important to the success of the team. On the other, the speed in which we went after Wes Welker, infers that the Pats perceived they had a REAL weakness at the slot receiver position.
I think if the Pats highered Brown as an assistant WRs coach at the same salaray they'd pay him for being an active player. In essence he'd be a player coach, but he wouldn't take a spot on the 53 man roster. He could work out with team. He would be able to pass on his knowledge. He would also be available, in case of injury, to be signed as a player and contribute.
I think this is a better way than hiding him on the PUP, since as a coach, he can be around the team, and his activities with the team wouldn't be subject to the PUP rules. It also keep us from doing what we most fear, which is having to release him. If he becomes a "player/coach" the Pats are covered both ways. AND its not like we can't use the coach, especially at wide receiver. The Pats annually carry one of the smaller coaching staffs in the league
8. Am I the only guy surprised that in the 6th round, the Pats picked Lua over Brandon Siler. His precipitous slide was surprising, but I would have thought the Pats would have chosen a guy who was a starter on a National Champion, to a guy who was our this year's version of Matt Cassell. Anyone got any info or an explaination on Siler? Was he a bad character guy?
9. This TC is going to have some of the fiercest competiton we have ever seen, especially at the WR, OL, and DL positions. We are gong to see some names we actually recognize being cut. Picking the final 53 is going to be a favorite topic on boards like ours.....Which is probably good, since we will have little else to do till September.
10. Questions on the draft I would love to have BB tell me the truth on.
a. If BOTH Merriweather and Griffin where available at 24, which would you have picked?
b. Why did you choose Lua over Siler?
c. What possessed you to pick 3 OLmen at the bottom of the draft, an area which is already the deepest, youngest, most stable position on the team? Does Dante need more to do?
d. Would you have taken Zack DeOssie in the 4th if he'd been there?
e. How come you didn't give Oakland the later pick in the 4th. Was that a deal breaker?
Feel free to PRETEND you are BB and truthfully answer these questions
10. I have been totally sure that the Pats would be signing a vet ILB before training camp, and if reports are true, it is likely to be Junior Seau. I'm fine with that, especially after last season. However, what will interest me the most at TC is which developmental LB out of Alexander, Wood, and Mays, will become the rotational guy.
11. The top 10 reasons the Pats are a lock to make the playoffs this season can be summed up in one word. DEPTH. I have never seen a Pats team so stacked in depth at this point of the season. At this point in time, it is very likely that only 2 inexperienced guys are going to be counted on is playing any significant time on the regular defense. That's whoever becomes the 3rd guy at ILB, and Merriweather all over the secondary. I'm pretty sure, that outside of those 2and QB, any other injury would bring in a player who has previously had some significant starting experience. THAT IS AMAZING in this day and age of the NFL
1. I goes without question that his has been the most productive offseason in the Bellichick era. It could be said that it is the most productive in Patriot history....and it isn't over yet.
The effect on the team is obvious and well reported. However the effect on rabid fans like us has been greater still. Since March one, there has been more stuff to talk about, defend, analyse, promote, and discect, than I can recall in my memory. The Pats have been in the forefront of the local media as never before in these months. And that translates nationally as well. We HOPE it will end up being good for the team. We KNOW it has been good for us.
2. On the other hand, bringing in so many NEW veteran players brings to question how well this team will come together. It hasn't been since 2001 that we have brought in so many new faces to blend together into a cohesive team. Unfortunately, it IS NOT going to happen in just one training camp. As far as the offense goes, we are going to have understand that there will be some offensive hiccups along the way.
On the other hand I am fully confident that THAT ellusive chemistry will come to pass by the time the playoffs come around.
3. I read Ron Borges column today and was actually impressed. I was negative enough to reinforce everyone's impression of him as a Pats basher. (A reputation Borges wears proudly, btw), but it was emminently fair as well. In other words, it was the best of Borges, and what he could be if he didn't let his personal prejudices get in the way.
However I feel compelled to point out that the people he quoted who were the most negative, (the OC and HC) where the 2 guys, who had the best reasons to slant their impressions to the negative side. Sometimes, it kind of sounded like, "its not MY fault, it was Randy's." On the other hand, I have no reason to believe the incidents described didn't happen.
4. This leads to my questions and fears about Randy Moss. I have none about what kind of teammate he will be and whether he will be a problem in the lockerroom. Those thing will sort themselves out. However I want to know if he is in NE RIGHT now. If not I want to know when he will get here. The next 6-8 weeks are going to be a critical time for him and his adjustment period. It will give us a better idea of his commitment to the progam, and go a long way to establishing a rapport with his QBs. SO, does anyone know if Moss is in Foxboro fully committed to the off season program?
5. Neither Moss nor Stallworth are known as crisp route runners. I have a concern that we are added 4 new WRs to the offense and the guy we have coaching them is a rookie. I'm sure these new guys will have respect for BB, and to a lesser degree Josh. However I am at a loss to think how well they will work with a new guy, who doesn't have any bona fides in either PLAYING or COACHING the WR position. THough I don't bemoan the loss of Diaboll, who left BEFORE the acquistions were made, but I wish he were here. I can see BB spending a lot of his training camp time over with the receivers. I'm not sure I am happy about that.
6. I don't mean to sound gloomy here. It is incredibly exciting contemplating the possibilies having BOTH Stallworth and Moss on the field at the same time. I don't envy any of the DC who will be forced to deal with this....along with the rest of the Pats offensive threats. If last season taught us anything, it is very difficult to assimililate virtually an entirely new WR corps. So while there is a lot of positive things to thing about, there are some REAL coaching challenges that face the team.
7. I've been think about the Troy Brown issue, and I think I've come up with an effective transition to the log jam at WR. On one hand I think Troy Brown's presense is important to the success of the team. On the other, the speed in which we went after Wes Welker, infers that the Pats perceived they had a REAL weakness at the slot receiver position.
I think if the Pats highered Brown as an assistant WRs coach at the same salaray they'd pay him for being an active player. In essence he'd be a player coach, but he wouldn't take a spot on the 53 man roster. He could work out with team. He would be able to pass on his knowledge. He would also be available, in case of injury, to be signed as a player and contribute.
I think this is a better way than hiding him on the PUP, since as a coach, he can be around the team, and his activities with the team wouldn't be subject to the PUP rules. It also keep us from doing what we most fear, which is having to release him. If he becomes a "player/coach" the Pats are covered both ways. AND its not like we can't use the coach, especially at wide receiver. The Pats annually carry one of the smaller coaching staffs in the league
8. Am I the only guy surprised that in the 6th round, the Pats picked Lua over Brandon Siler. His precipitous slide was surprising, but I would have thought the Pats would have chosen a guy who was a starter on a National Champion, to a guy who was our this year's version of Matt Cassell. Anyone got any info or an explaination on Siler? Was he a bad character guy?
9. This TC is going to have some of the fiercest competiton we have ever seen, especially at the WR, OL, and DL positions. We are gong to see some names we actually recognize being cut. Picking the final 53 is going to be a favorite topic on boards like ours.....Which is probably good, since we will have little else to do till September.
10. Questions on the draft I would love to have BB tell me the truth on.
a. If BOTH Merriweather and Griffin where available at 24, which would you have picked?
b. Why did you choose Lua over Siler?
c. What possessed you to pick 3 OLmen at the bottom of the draft, an area which is already the deepest, youngest, most stable position on the team? Does Dante need more to do?
d. Would you have taken Zack DeOssie in the 4th if he'd been there?
e. How come you didn't give Oakland the later pick in the 4th. Was that a deal breaker?
Feel free to PRETEND you are BB and truthfully answer these questions
10. I have been totally sure that the Pats would be signing a vet ILB before training camp, and if reports are true, it is likely to be Junior Seau. I'm fine with that, especially after last season. However, what will interest me the most at TC is which developmental LB out of Alexander, Wood, and Mays, will become the rotational guy.
11. The top 10 reasons the Pats are a lock to make the playoffs this season can be summed up in one word. DEPTH. I have never seen a Pats team so stacked in depth at this point of the season. At this point in time, it is very likely that only 2 inexperienced guys are going to be counted on is playing any significant time on the regular defense. That's whoever becomes the 3rd guy at ILB, and Merriweather all over the secondary. I'm pretty sure, that outside of those 2and QB, any other injury would bring in a player who has previously had some significant starting experience. THAT IS AMAZING in this day and age of the NFL