Does Belichick Get a Pass on Poor Drafts?

Belichick gets a pass on everything. In some ways it is kind of refreshing to see a fanbase realize it has a good coach. In other ways it can be nauseating listening to the rationalizing of every single move made.

I read a post here prior to the draft where someone stated what a "great job" Coach Belichick has done with the roster on defense turning it from one of the oldest in the league to a much younger group. The Patriots were a fluke a way from an undefeated season in 2007 and have not won a playoff game since. The defense has had the same weaknesses (inablity to get to the passer/get off the field on third down) the past two seasons. The Patriots have went through CB's like crazy since Asante left via free agency and have made very little attempt to improve at OLB.

The jury is still out on a ton of guys: Mayo, Chung, Butler, Brace, McKenzie, Crable... all guys drafted in the first 3 rounds who could become impact players or could open up Belichick to criticism.

My biggest issue with Belichick is the way the offseasons have been handled from FA after the last Super Bowl and beyond. I feel like New England's best chance to win a Super Bowl would come when Brady and Moss are still at or near their primes. I don't think this was the correct time to start trading veterans away for future picks, trading high picks for multiple lower picks instead of aggressively targeting top talent in the draft and free agency.

I really feel like the Seymour trade last year sent a bad message to the locker room, even if it was great business in the long run. The opportunity cost of that trade was very high (especially in intangible areas) even though the paper value was very good.

If this team is back on top this year going 12-4 or better and looking like real contenders for the title, it will really speak highly of Coach Belichick and how he's re-shaped the roster.

If not, I think criticism is certainly valid. My criticism will always be tempered with respect for Belichick and acknowlegement that I'd rather have him in charge than most anyone else.

DocE said:

Belichick gets a pass on everything. In some ways it is kind of refreshing to see a fanbase realize it has a good coach. In other ways it can be nauseating listening to the rationalizing of every single move made.

I read a post here prior to the draft where someone stated what a "great job" Coach Belichick has done with the roster on defense turning it from one of the oldest in the league to a much younger group. The Patriots were a fluke a way from an undefeated season in 2007 and have not won a playoff game since. The defense has had the same weaknesses (inablity to get to the passer/get off the field on third down) the past two seasons. The Patriots have went through CB's like crazy since Asante left via free agency and have made very little attempt to improve at OLB.

The jury is still out on a ton of guys: Mayo, Chung, Butler, Brace, McKenzie, Crable... all guys drafted in the first 3 rounds who could become impact players or could open up Belichick to criticism.

My biggest issue with Belichick is the way the offseasons have been handled from FA after the last Super Bowl and beyond. I feel like New England's best chance to win a Super Bowl would come when Brady and Moss are still at or near their primes. I don't think this was the correct time to start trading veterans away for future picks, trading high picks for multiple lower picks instead of aggressively targeting top talent in the draft and free agency.

I really feel like the Seymour trade last year sent a bad message to the locker room, even if it was great business in the long run. The opportunity cost of that trade was very high (especially in intangible areas) even though the paper value was very good.

If this team is back on top this year going 12-4 or better and looking like real contenders for the title, it will really speak highly of Coach Belichick and how he's re-shaped the roster.

If not, I think criticism is certainly valid. My criticism will always be tempered with respect for Belichick and acknowlegement that I'd rather have him in charge than most anyone else.

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I don't think BB gets a pass on everything, but as you said, the criticism should be tempered with respect that there's no one else I'd rather have in charge. And as much as I admire BB, I think we all need to accept that BB doesn't know everything, and he will make mistakes. One of the things I respect the most about BB is his willingness to review and re-think his decisions, to learn from his mistakes and always try to improve. I don't think he deserves a pass on the poor drafts from 2006 to 2008, but I think he's learned from it, and that's why I'm so excited about our past few drafts.

As for the defense, I think the point is that the team has gotten significantly younger and re-built without a huge loss in productivity. The defense has been a weak link for a while, and it still was last season. You're right that the jury is still out on the kids, but with the young guys we have added, the defense should start to improve, rather than slowly regressing. We were able to re-build the defense while still remaining a top 10 defense statistically and maintaining a winning record through the past few seasons, and with BB taking a more hands-on approach this season, I'm really excited to see what happens.

As for how the FA/offseasons were handled, I understand where you're coming from. But I think the way BB looks at things is so different compared to almost every other franchise. He doesn't think of "windows" opening or closing; our window is open every single year because of this strategy. Even in 2008 when Brady was injured, we almost (and should have) made the play-offs. That team was playing really solid football at the end of the season and would have been a tough out, and that's minus our HOF QB.

I also understand the desire to move up from time to time to get a guy you really believe in, and I think last year's team lacked playmakers. But I have no problem with the way things went in this year's draft. It was an incredibly deep draft, to the point BB made a trade in the 7th round to get a guy he felt had a 4th round grade. And the fact that so many rookies from last year's draft made the roster (with the rest on the practice squad) shows that we have a need for depth.

I think this season will be a critical one to see how we transition from the last decade to the new one. But I'm excited about it and I think it's going to be a great start to the decade.

wilfork is beastin' said:

Polian hasn't been able to fix the Colts' problems at DT and the interior oline for years. He's either ignored the problems outright or drafted busts like Ugoh and Pollak. Look at the 09 draft for example. It was well known that the Colts oline couldn't run-block to save their lives, so instead of drafting someon like Eric Wood, Phil Loadholt, Seabass, Beatty, etc, Polian takes a RB who goes on to average 3.6 YPC and scores 3 TDS. As for the Chargers, when was the last time they drafted an impact player?

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Thanks to the problems you site, the Colts are playing as poorly as they have done over the past few years. Same holds for the Chargers. To be sure neither team seems inclined to rely on big money free agents to improve. Why? Because they are confident in their drafts and their ability to find UDFAs.

This is not say they they don't miss. But they've hit on enough playmakers that they can field contending teams year in year out. Now, things are going to get interesting for the Chargers next year when the contracts for several stud players (including star WRs) are due to be free agents. No team benefited from the end of the CBA than the Chargers who were able to tender single year contracts to players who would otherwise have been free agents this year.

For NE, the jury is out. Certainly BB has had a significant haul of 24 players in the 2009 & 2010 drafts. Many players have enormous promise. Next year, if there are enough gems in the group, people will be more forgiving of the 07 & 08 drafts.

The reason the Colts and Chargers are so successful is because of veteran players their drafts earlier in the decade, just like the Patriots. Since 06 none of the Chargers' first round picks have done jack for their team, unless you count Cromartie's one good half-season three years ago. Their late round picks haven't been pretty either, although Weddle and Vasquez are solid players.

I'm not saying the Patriots didn't have plenty of misses in their past drafts, but using teams like the Chargers and Colts as examples we should follow just because their dominant teams doesn't make sense. Both of them have failed to address their biggest needs over the years. If there's any team we should try to follow in terms of drafting it's the Packers. They've done as good a job at drafting over the past few years as any team in the league.

wilfork is beastin' said:

If there's any team we should try to follow in terms of drafting it's the Packers. They've done as good a job at drafting over the past few years as any team in the league.

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Good point. And yet GB still haven't been serious contenders despite their immediate impact draftees...

The underlying assumption in all this - that BB is, and always has been, solely responsible for each and every draft pick - is really pretty amusing.

The past two drafts are the first in a long while that Pioli hasn't participated in for the Pats.

Just throwin' that out there.

MaineMan said:

The underlying assumption in all this - that BB is, and always has been, solely responsible for each and every draft pick - is really pretty amusing.

The past two drafts are the first in a long while that Pioli hasn't participated in for the Pats.

Just throwin' that out there.

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This is a really good point.

captain stone said:

I agree with Forbes, to a point. I believe that drafting quantity over quality can work here, exc. that Bill hasn't drafted the quality within the quantity to make that strategy worthwhile. Don't think so? 3 years (06-08), 26 picks, only 3 players (4, if one insists on LaMa, I suppose) who can be seriously considered as productive, consistent players - and one of those is a Kicker. Want to know why we've gone from 18-1 to 11-5 to 10-7? There's your answer.

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You have never been more simplistic in your reasoning. There's our answer.

I'll admit BB hasn't been the greatest GM in the world, and probably does hurt BB the Head Coach. However, let's wait a couple of years, because the '09 and '10 drafts may be much better than the last several.

From '06-'08, our second and third round picks were terrible. There is no other way to paint this. Its an inexact science and even the best make mistakes. And its not just BB who whiffed. Both Pioli and Dimitroff were a part of those drafts and they were held in such high regard that they are now in charge of running other teams and their drafts.
2009 was a very solid draft for the Pats and this years class look strong as well.
And I like our odds for another good class in 2011.

AzPatsFan said:

Jackasses like you, were the ones who got Paul Brown fired from the Browns. It might interest you, that the Brown have not been to a championship game in the next 45 years! Meanwhile Paul Brown had guided them to seven in ten years, bu he didn't win the "The Big One" for three whole years before, the the jackass fans got him fired.

Jackasses like you ganged up to get Don Shula fired. The Dolphins haven't been back to a Championship game in about 25 years.

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:singing: DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!! :singing:

For the record: I generally do NOT agree with What Up, and I take a back seat to NO man in my reverence for Coach Bill II, Mad Genius.

But his drafting, ere the last 5 years, HAS been sketchy, to say the LEAST.

However, he's STILL The Best in the Business, Insanity or not...until I buy the Patriots, that is.

MaineMan said:

The underlying assumption in all this - that BB is, and always has been, solely responsible for each and every draft pick - is really pretty amusing.

The past two drafts are the first in a long while that Pioli hasn't participated in for the Pats.

Just throwin' that out there.

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VERY Good point.

Coach B's persistent insistence on ignoring OLB is MADDENING...but, overall, the Drafts have been performed FAR better in the last 2 years, than in the previous 3.

BB gets a pass for sure. But, his 3 year record between 2006 and '08 was dreadful. I am the biggest BB fan and I'll support him until they put in in a pine box and bury me 6 feet under.
I'm a total homer. He and Pioli ***** the bed for that 3 year period.
2009 was an excellent draft and 10 looks to be pretty solid too.
The man gets a pass!

Off The Grid said:

VERY Good point.

Coach B's persistent insistence on ignoring OLB is MADDENING...but, overall, the Drafts have been performed FAR better in the last 2 years, than in the previous 3.

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Yeah, i think he does.

We spend as much or more than most teams on scouts. And what have we been getting? I think the RAvens and Ozzie Newsome are doing a better job than we have.

This draft hinges a lot on "Spikes and Price." I totally buy into our first-rounder, though obviously a hugely talented WR was available that we let Dallas get.

Ochmed Jones made the point that we don't do well in the third round.

Last year were some gems and apparently some duds--I'm thinking now of Ron Brace as a high second-round dud. Maybe he shows up this year. I doubt it. No fire in the big belly.

Shawn Crable looks like a bigtime dud. A typical third-round Patriot fail.

This year's draft really hinges on the third-rounder we gained by skipping on can't-miss prospects like Mt. Cody or Golden Tate. Taylor Price from the no-name school had better produce.

Otherwise some of us will be shaking our heads. We are already scratching them with the acquisition of slow guys from Florida. Cunningham was obviously picked too early. And that Bryan Cox II guy--Brandon Spikes--is already slow enough (at his young age) to be useful only in goal line stands.

I thought that this past draft was proficient. I would have wanted to pick up Anquan Boldin for the receiving corps, and him going to the Ravens will definitely make them the Pats' #1 AFC East rival and an overall threat this next season.

Psychologically speaking, Moss hasn't had as much heart and enthusiasm this past season, and I wouldn't be surprised if his performance falters even more this go-around. It doesn't surprise me that he wishes to venture elsewhere after this next season. Welker will remain optimal, but if anything happens to Moss-Welker, no one will be able to fill that cavity; not even Edelman. Which is why Boldin would have been the missing link to a potentially deadly scenario in the receiving corps.

Like everyone else, I too have a question mark above my head, as to why BB doesn't (aggressively) address the situation at OLB. But I won't second-guess whatever he has up his sleeves, because with him, it's always a surprise.

Cedric said:

I thought that this past draft was proficient. I would have wanted to pick up Anquan Boldin for the receiving corps, and him going to the Ravens will definitely make them the Pats' #1 AFC East rival and an overall threat this next season.

Psychologically speaking, Moss hasn't had as much heart and enthusiasm this past season, and I wouldn't be surprised if his performance falters even more this go-around. It doesn't surprise me that he wishes to venture elsewhere after this next season. Welker will remain optimal, but if anything happens to Moss-Welker, no one will be able to fill that cavity; not even Edelman. Which is why Boldin would have been the missing link to a potentially deadly scenario in the receiving corps.

Like everyone else, I too have a question mark above my head, as to why BB doesn't (aggressively) address the situation at OLB. But I won't second-guess whatever he has up his sleeves, because with him, it's always a surprise.

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If we took sergio kindle instead of cunningham would you think we were aggressively addressing the OLB position. I think people here say he's not doing enough because he isn't picking their binkies rather than doing nothing. in the past 2 years he has brought in tully banta cain who had a 10 sack season and drafted cunningham and crable. I assume the plan was adalius would lock down the other olb possition for the duration of his contract. That hasn't been the case but i don't think BB as you say hasn't addressed the OLB situation.

I think that BB is as good as anyone in using the draft to improve his team. In other words he has has some success as well as failures, but over all having 10 consecutive winning seasons in the ultra competitive level playing field of the NFL is testament to the FACT that he has OVERALL been a very good drafter.

BTW - a few additional points

1. To take the 2007 draft without considering the acquisitions of Moss and Welker is ridiculous. It takes the entire process out of context.

2. 2008 has been a very UNDERRATED season for BB. I doubt there is any team in the league who could have lost their HOF QB in the first quarter of the first game of the season and managed to STILL win 11 games. (especially with a QB who hadn't started a game since HS). That season, the 2006 season and the 2001 season are BB's BEST coaching jobs IMHO. Three teams that vastly overachieved.

3. I think BB's worst moves of the last 10 years are the Jackson and OConnell picks, and pretty much the entire 2009 FA class, minus TBC

BOTTOM LINE - it pretty easy with 20-20 hindsight to dissect and criticize HC/GM's draft and FA picks, even among the best of them (Colts, Ravens, Steelers, and Eagles). The question of giving BB a pass or fail is rather irrelevant. To use and overused BBism. "It is what it is." Nothing more nothing less. It is after all a VERY inexact science.

The real BOTTOM LINE are the results and those are as follows - 3 Lombardis, 4 Superbowl appearances, 5 AFCCGs, 6 division titles, and 10 consecutive winning seasons. ANYONE done any better??????