MUST READ: Ross Tucker Patriot Analysis

[shmessy]

I know I referenced this article in another thread, but this is an incredible piece from the inside:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/12/28/pats.tucker/index.html

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

That was a really good article by Ross Tucker.

 

[psychoPat]

Thanks, shmess!
I'm one of those who missed your link the first time around.

I had expected Tucker to do more here.
Still don't know why he didn't.

 

[Bella*chick]

That's a really great read. Thanks for linking....I would have totally missed it due to my ignoring the media thing.

 

[slam]

I still don't know why identifying the Mike linebacker is so important in this scheme. I'm guessing it's because he's the center of the defense, so if he's off to one side the "57 is the mike!" call is a shorthand message to the blockers of some sort, but I'd love to have a detailed explanation.

 

[marty]

I too had missed your first posting on this. Thanks, great read from an ex-pat!

 

[60minuteman]

Thanks for the link! Very nice to read. Great insight and specific examples to back it up like what Belichick would say and what makes Brady a great leader.

 

[Lampshade]

Ross Tucker has been a really good addition to SI. I hope he writes more pieces from here on.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Wow, great article............... No wonder those guys would eat glass for Brady. Thanks.

 

[xmarkd400x]

During my time in New England I worked as a backup lineman and often had to snap to Brady while playing center. In spite of all of the other chaos that he had to sort through, he always found the time to look me squarely in the eye and say, "C'mon Ross, me and you, let's get a great snap first."

I never wanted to snap a ball so well in my life.

Made me LOL a little.

 

[patpatriot]

Did Tucker get a ring with the Pats? I sure hope so!

 

[patsox23]

bump. GREAT read.

 

[unoriginal]

I still don't know why identifying the Mike linebacker is so important in this scheme. I'm guessing it's because he's the center of the defense, so if he's off to one side the "57 is the mike!" call is a shorthand message to the blockers of some sort, but I'd love to have a detailed explanation.

My guess would be that it is related to something a color commentator (I believe Collingsworth) said about the Patriots line protection: they will often split their line and have 2 lineman block one side, 3 the other, and leave a gap in the middle, to be filled by Faulk on a blitz block or left open for Brady's passing lane / escape route.

Identifying the mike would be the key to figuring out which way the line will split.

On running plays, the mike is usually the first linebacker that needs to get reached by the offensive lineman, either in zone-blocking when working through the playside double team on the tackle, or in man blocking where a player, usually Koppen, is assigned to him.

 

[captain stone]

Thanks, shmess!
I'm one of those who missed your link the first time around.

I had expected Tucker to do more here.
Still don't know why he didn't.

I was glad when Tucker signed here during the '05 season, and was looking forward to having him on the '06 roster all season. I felt that he brought the combination of versatility, nastiness, intelligence and experience not seen here since Grey Ruegamer left after the '02 season. Naturally, I was disappointed when he was traded to the Browns during the '06 TC.

Tucker's article illustrates some of the reasons why BB is so respected by his players: he does not bullshyte them or lie to them; he gives them whatever respect they deserve; he lets them know where they stand, and what they need to do to improve; he doesn't try to be their friend; he puts in in places where they can maximize their strengths, and minimize their weaknesses; and he makes them feel that each one of them is integral to the success of the team.

Add all that to the stability of ownership, front office and field staff, plus the allure of TB, and it is understandable why some players are willing to accept something less than maximum wages to come here, and stay here.

 

[BHSL2]

Not to take anything away from this great article, but Chris Price talks about the same things in his book, The Blueprint

 

[Caspir]

There is nothing new or groundbreaking in this article. But since it's a puff piece, people will pretend it was a spectacular piece of writing. None of this stuff is new. Brady is a great leader, Bill Belichick is the best game planner ever, Pioli is always looking ahead. It's all been talked about ad naseum. That said, the recent spat of pro Patriots articles is a welcome relief from the drivel that's been smeared around SI/ESPN/Newspapers all season long.

 

[patchick]

With all of the ex-players cramming every corner of sports media, somehow only Ross Tucker has hit on the one thing he can offer that no non-player can: a little glimpse of what it's actually like to play on an NFL team. (His piece on realizing his career was over was amazing.) Good writer, too--nothing fancy but clear and compelling. Here's to a long post-football career!

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

There is nothing new or groundbreaking in this article. But since it's a puff piece, people will pretend it was a spectacular piece of writing. None of this stuff is new. Brady is a great leader, Bill Belichick is the best game planner ever, Pioli is always looking ahead. It's all been talked about ad naseum. That said, the recent spat of pro Patriots articles is a welcome relief from the drivel that's been smeared around SI/ESPN/Newspapers all season long.

Good lord, loosen up.

It was a nice article. Thanks, Shmessy, for posting the first article around here in what seems like months that was actually worth reading.

Maybe the fanboys will take a hint about what consititutes a interesting article. Not.

 

[patchick]

There is nothing new or groundbreaking in this article.

Of course there isn't. But "new" and "groundbreaking" aren't the only criteria to judge an article -- or a book, movie, or for that matter football team. ("Ho hum, stuffed the runner at the line for no gain. Seen that before a hundred times.")

Tucker wrote a nice piece about the experience of playing for the Patriots. I enjoyed it. Why not?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

A view from someone who'd played for the org makes the points more viscerial. Much better than 95% of the inane threads posted.