Lombardi on Patriots, per Reiss

[BradyManny]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/08/lombardi_on_pat.html

Lombardi:

It is absolutely critical to be honest with yourself about the way you evaluate players and what you actually have, and then to be able to make the tough choices. I suspect the Patriots will make a few surprising decisions and do a few things to improve their team before the start of the season. There is no way the Pats will stay the course. They will do whatever they think is in their best interest. I can guarantee you they will be working hard over the weekend to improve their team. One thing about NE, they are not afraid to make a tough decision.

Is this kind of a general comment about the Patriots, or do you think there is anything specific in mind? The Pats have a couple decisions that folks on this board might call "tough" b/c of the intricate knowledge we have of the roster and the bubble guys (Hobson, Izzo, Alexander...Guyton, Redd...Spann, Ventrone...Jackson...CJ Jones), but none of those are things that I'd consider "tough" if I were in the mainstream media.

 

[QB12]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/08/lombardi_on_pat.html

Lombardi:



Is this kind of a general comment about the Patriots, or do you think there is anything specific in mind? The Pats have a couple decisions that folks on this board might call "tough" b/c of the intricate knowledge we have of the roster and the bubble guys (Hobson, Izzo, Alexander...Guyton, Redd...Spann, Ventrone...Jackson...CJ Jones), but none of those are things that I'd consider "tough" if I were in the mainstream media.

My interpretation:

Make a couple of surprising cuts: Larry Izzo, Sammy Morris
Trade for veteran backup: Damon Huard?
Acquire cornerback: Ricky Manning?

QB12

 

[SVN]

also interesting to read about gholston
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008/08/national-football-post-diner-news-7/

I watched Gholston last night and he is not playing well right now. What is most alarming is his inability to come off blocks without explosion or to play the game with any physicality. Coming out of college, he did not in my opinion have one- step quickness. He has to run his feet to generate power—much like a boxer who needs to “wind up” to throw a power punch. Gholston is poor rusher, playing right into the lineman. As a dropper, he has no chance. If he is in coverage, he is a HUGE liability. The question the Jets should be asking themselves is, “How are we going to dress him on Sunday?” He is not a special teams player and won’t be on the field as a rusher with the defense. Difficult to imagine drafting a player the sixth overall, he is not a quarterback, and he does not offer any help on Sunday. Marques Murrell is so much better, and if the Jets cut him he will get claimed.

on the other hand..according to Dr Z on si.com....calvin pace is going to be a force..

 

[ScottieC]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/08/lombardi_on_pat.html

Lombardi:



Is this kind of a general comment about the Patriots, or do you think there is anything specific in mind? The Pats have a couple decisions that folks on this board might call "tough" b/c of the intricate knowledge we have of the roster and the bubble guys (Hobson, Izzo, Alexander...Guyton, Redd...Spann, Ventrone...Jackson...CJ Jones), but none of those are things that I'd consider "tough" if I were in the mainstream media.

Good, someone call Ty Law and have him pack it up and get to Foxboro.

 

[JSn]

also interesting to read about gholston
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008/08/national-football-post-diner-news-7/


on the other hand..according to Dr Z on si.com....calvin pace is going to be a force..

So here's a question I've been dying to ask but afraid to look tardish...

Are first overall's ever cut? Can the team reclaim the cap space if they are?

I mean, he doesn't even sound like a good backup in that article...

 

[fgssand]

also interesting to read about gholston
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008/08/national-football-post-diner-news-7/


on the other hand..according to Dr Z on si.com....calvin pace is going to be a force..

WOW - they really torched Gholston.

 

[BradyManny]

also interesting to read about gholston
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008/08/national-football-post-diner-news-7/


on the other hand..according to Dr Z on si.com....calvin pace is going to be a force..

Interesting re: Gholston. Personally, I'm not sold on Calvin Pace either. Did Dr Z say why he thinks Pace will be a force, or was it just a throwaway comment. Because the guy has basically has had one pretty good season and that's about it.

 

[BradyManny]

My interpretation:

Make a couple of surprising cuts: Larry Izzo, Sammy Morris
Trade for veteran backup: Damon Huard?
Acquire cornerback: Ricky Manning?

QB12

I can see Izzo getting cut. I doubt Morris gets cut, but with the offensive line not opening up any running lanes, it might not be worth carrying an extra back if we're just going to pass heavily. Ricky Manning? I'd probably say no thanks to that.

 

[JSn]

I can see Izzo getting cut. I doubt Morris gets cut, but with the offensive line not opening up any running lanes, it might not be worth carrying an extra back if we're just going to pass heavily. Ricky Manning? I'd probably say no thanks to that.

SO are POSITIVE Maroney is better than Morris?

I'm starting to waffle for the first time on the 5 RB thing. That said, Brady and Maroney can really really sell PA passes and that may even open holes for the runners if the D thinks he's doing that. I think it's remotely possible now that one of our beloved RB's becomes trade fodder to beef up another area (OL or CB). This is whisper close to being worthy of it's own thread....

 

[BradyManny]

SO are POSITIVE Maroney is better than Morris?

I'm starting to waffle for the first time on the 5 RB thing. That said, Brady and Maroney can really really sell PA passes and that may even open holes for the runners if the D thinks he's doing that. I think it's remotely possible now that one of our beloved RB's becomes trade fodder to beef up another area (OL or CB). This is whisper close to being worthy of it's own thread....

Like I said, the only reason I'm finally shaky on it as well is that our run blocking has been so poor in preseason that it wouldn't matter if we had Walter Payton in his prime back there. 5 good RBs - which we have - means nothing if the OL gets dominated up front, so things like pass blocking, pass receiving out of the backfield, special teams become more important when evaluating them.

Still, if I had to say, I'd say all 5 make it and we hope the OL shores up by next Sunday. And it probably will, Light makes a huge difference. Just run behind him and Mankins and we'll do OK.

 

[JSn]

Like I said, the only reason I'm finally shaky on it as well is that our run blocking has been so poor in preseason that it wouldn't matter if we had Walter Payton in his prime back there. 5 good RBs - which we have - means nothing if the OL gets dominated up front, so things like pass blocking, pass receiving out of the backfield, special teams become more important when evaluating them.

Still, if I had to say, I'd say all 5 make it and we hope the OL shores up by next Sunday. And it probably will, Light makes a huge difference. Just run behind him and Mankins and we'll do OK.

Maybe if we get enough consistent 3 and outs we can get VW to join the O-Line on running downs... imagine that deal. LOL

 

[BradyManny]

Maybe if we get enough consistent 3 and outs we can get VW to join the O-Line on running downs... imagine that deal. LOL

LOL, let's just have big Vince be our fullback.

 

[Deus Irae]

also interesting to read about gholston
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008/08/national-football-post-diner-news-7/


on the other hand..according to Dr Z on si.com....calvin pace is going to be a force..

Well, from what I've read in my touring of other team's message boards, R-A-T-S fans are very happy with what they've seen of Pace so far, as well.

 

[SVN]

Interesting re: Gholston. Personally, I'm not sold on Calvin Pace either. Did Dr Z say why he thinks Pace will be a force, or was it just a throwaway comment. Because the guy has basically has had one pretty good season and that's about it.

are you not sold on him because he is jet ? . Remember even the pats were looking at him . anyway here is what Dr Z wrote about pace and the jets in general

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...ls/preview/2008/08/25/jets/index.html?eref=T1

 

[Kontradiction]

It makes me smile the Gholston is failing badly. I just love it when the Jets waste a ton of money and set themselves back at least a year. That said, I do expect the Jets to be competitive and in the playoff race at the end of the season.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Is this kind of a general comment about the Patriots, or do you think there is anything specific in mind? The Pats have a couple decisions that folks on this board might call "tough" b/c of the intricate knowledge we have of the roster and the bubble guys (Hobson, Izzo, Alexander...Guyton, Redd...Spann, Ventrone...Jackson...CJ Jones), but none of those are things that I'd consider "tough" if I were in the mainstream media.

I don't think he's referring to anything in particular this year; I assume he's referring to past decisions such as shipping out Drew Bledsoe within the division, cutting Lawyer Milloy, etc.

 

[Tunescribe]

So here's a question I've been dying to ask but afraid to look tardish...

Are first overall's ever cut? Can the team reclaim the cap space if they are?

I mean, he doesn't even sound like a good backup in that article...

No, they're never cut. Even if they're a flop early on, they're kept in hopes they develop to perceived potential. Cutting a first-round pick with kill a team's credibility with the fans.

 

[ScottieC]

It makes me smile the Gholston is failing badly. I just love it when the Jets waste a ton of money and set themselves back at least a year. That said, I do expect the Jets to be competitive and in the playoff race at the end of the season.

A long line of things to be thankful to the Jets for:

Taking Gholston so we could NOT take him and then trade down and get the Defensive Player of the Year in Mayo

Hiring Mangini so he can create a franchise that is a joke

Trading for Farve so they can screw up their future drafts and have no serviceable backup.

 

[JSn]

No, they're never cut. Even if they're a flop early on, they're kept in hopes they develop to perceived potential. Cutting a first-round pick with kill a team's credibility with the fans.

Ok, cool. Thanks!

 

[BradyManny]

are you not sold on him because he is jet ? . Remember even the pats were looking at him . anyway here is what Dr Z wrote about pace and the jets in general

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...ls/preview/2008/08/25/jets/index.html?eref=T1

Thanks for the link. I don't think I was ever huge on Pace...but don't hold me to that comment I'd hate to go back and look at my posts and see me amongst the many that wanted to sign him.