A tale of a draft SQUANDERED....

convertedpatsfan · May 1, 2011

The one area I wish we addressed was OLB. But I've accepted the DL thing. The top guys were gone well before we drafted (except Fairley, but maybe not comfortable with character to trade up for him), and the bottom guys were marginally better or maybe even worse than Brace and Deaderick, who both started for us.

The pass rush issue is a bit inflated. It's not what led to the 3rd-down defense problems. I think that was tied more to inexperience in our secondary. I thought this area would improve regardless of draft choices because Chung and McCourty would have a year under their belt, and Bodden coming back from injury, but Dowling upgrades our nickel and dime packages as well.

Multiple RBs raised some questions initially, but I'm excited about Vereen. He's not a 3rd-down back so much as a 3-down back. And Mallett is an extremely progressive pick. Packers fans were complaining about the Rodgers pick as well because it doesn't help their team right away, but it's a great move long-term.

Loved the Cannon pick (all the best, big fellow, get well soon), and took some shots late that could work out.

This draft would get a solid A+ from everyone if we used #28 on an OLB or DL. Substitute anyone (Wilkerson, Heyward, Reed, Ayers) at #28 and what a great draft this is! But because we didn't draft a guy there, it's treated like a failure by many. I'd rather have the 2012 1st than a potential marginal upgrade at DL or a conversion project at OLB.

Ring 6 · May 1, 2011

convertedpatsfan said:
The one area I wish we addressed was OLB. But I've accepted the DL thing. The top guys were gone well before we drafted (except Fairley, but maybe not comfortable with character to trade up for him), and the bottom guys were marginally better or maybe even worse than Brace and Deaderick, who both started for us.

The pass rush issue is a bit inflated. It's not what led to the 3rd-down defense problems. I think that was tied more to inexperience in our secondary. I thought this area would improve regardless of draft choices because Chung and McCourty would have a year under their belt, and Bodden coming back from injury, but Dowling upgrades our nickel and dime packages as well.

Multiple RBs raised some questions initially, but I'm excited about Vereen. He's not a 3rd-down back so much as a 3-down back. And Mallett is an extremely progressive pick. Packers fans were complaining about the Rodgers pick as well because it doesn't help their team right away, but it's a great move long-term.

Loved the Cannon pick (all the best, big fellow, get well soon), and took some shots late that could work out.

This draft would get a solid A+ from everyone if we used #28 on an OLB or DL. Substitute anyone (Wilkerson, Heyward, Reed, Ayers) at #28 and what a great draft this is! But because we didn't draft a guy there, it's treated like a failure by many. I'd rather have the 2012 1st than a potential marginal upgrade at DL or a conversion project at OLB.

This is what puzzles me in a lot of the rambling criticisms.
If BB felt there was a player at 28 that would have filled that need this year he would have taken them.
People are posting as if BB sat there and said, wow there are great pass rushers available, but lets trade the pick to next year because pass rushing doesn't matter.
I have no doubt that BB would like better pass rushers on the outside than he has. But its crystal clear to me that by trading the pick, he was convinced that there wasn't a player on the board who was going to significantly give that improvement.
Now when some of those players go to teams that ask them to do nothing but put their head down and rush the QB and they get some sacks, everyone will overlook the fact that that isn't what they would be doing in our defense.

DaBruinz · May 1, 2011

PATRIOTSFANINPA said:
The Zac Robinson 7th round pick failed as well so why not grab a good looking QB in the 3rd this year?,I didn't see a problem with that decision....some here did.

I don't think the Zac Robinson pick was a failure. I think the Pats had every intention of signing him to their practice squad, but Seattle claimed Robinson off waivers from the Pats. And then when Seattle tried to get him to their practice squad, the Lions claimed him off waivers from them.

DaBruinz · May 1, 2011

AndyJohnson said:
You

Dude, there is nothing resembling fact in:

I honestly felt that only Mallett, Stanzi, and possibly Dalton and McElroy had legit shots. The others just looked bad.

Cam Newton looks like JaMarcus Russell or Vince Young 2.0. I don't see him succeeding. Same with Ponder, Kaepernick, Locker, or Gabbert. But that is just my opinion.

*ROFLMAO* That isn't "trashing" them. That is my honest opinion. Trashing them would be me making all sorts of inappropriate statements about them. Calling them names and such. Hasn't happened.

AndyJohnson said:

You are seriously kidding me if you are using predictions of who will be drafted where over the actual picks to determine the real rating of a player.
Let me get this straight. Since people you read articles written by thought there wouldn't be QBs taken high, that means they weren't good enough to be taken high even though they were taken high?

Click to expand...

You really are that obtuse, aren't you. I am telling you what was being said about the draft class of QBs by pretty much every pundit prior to and jsut after the Senior Bowl. Where they were drafted doesn't mean a damn thing about the TALENT they offer or whether they will be a success or not. Every person knows that. Otherwise, guys like Brady and Cassel would be out of the league by now.

AndyJohnson said:

Really????? People were talking about something so the actual drafting is the facade and the buzz of draftniks is the fact? You are so far off here I cant believe you are writing this with a straight face.

Click to expand...

It's amazing how you look at 1+1 and get 3... You are the one who is so far of it's pathetic. Seriously.

Teams have been known to talk themselves into draft picks. To over-look things that are glaring issues because they think they can change it or handle it. And many times they are wrong.

Have you even watched a single interview with Cam Newton? To say that he's not to bright would be an understatement. Same with him being arrogant.

AndyJohnson said:

He was the top pick in the draft. Whether you think he is going to be a bust is irrelevant. The most wanted player was a QB. That is a FACT in determining the strength of the QB class. DaBruinz thinks the most wanted player sucks is a useless bit of trivia.

Click to expand...

So, he's the top pick in the draft. That doesn't mean a damn thing when it comes to talent. Just because he was the first pick doesn't mean he was the most wanted player. And is NOT a fact in determining the strength of the QB class. Determining the strength of the QB class is done by the results they bring. Not by how many were drafted when..

AndyJohnson said:

Hindsight is 20/20.

You cannot go back to this actual draft and say they failed.
Show me all the draft that we strong QB classes where no one drafted any QBs.

Click to expand...

You're right. I can't go back in time and say they failed. I can look back and say they failed because that is what happened.

You're "show me" statement makes no sense. A proper analogy would be to go back to a class that was supposedly weak and show you the successes that came from it.

AndyJohnson said:

What in the world does that have to do with whether you draft a QB or not?
I think you need some sleep.

Click to expand...

Clearly you don't understand the economics of football.. It had plenty to do with it since QBs tend to be the highest paid players.

DaBruinz · May 1, 2011

AzPatsFan said:
Who was it that said he only saw glimmers of production from Cunningham? But I think FA Manny Lawson or Kamerion Wembly would offer more in 2011 than a rookie.

Pretty sure that Wembly signed his tender and is not a FA..

ClevTrev · May 1, 2011

convertedpatsfan said:
This draft would get a solid A+ from everyone if we used #28 on an OLB or DL. Substitute anyone (Wilkerson, Heyward, Reed, Ayers) at #28 and what a great draft this is! But because we didn't draft a guy there, it's treated like a failure by many. I'd rather have the 2012 1st than a potential marginal upgrade at DL or a conversion project at OLB.

Excellent point. The pundits come out every year and with mostly a superficial review of a team's statistics from the previous year and make their annual pronouncements on what a team must do to improve. It's entertaining but hardly factual, as there are so many variables that go into making a wise choice. Projecting that a team needs to acquire a certain position based on the previous season is often a fallacy if the projection doesn't break down the previous season for trend analysis. In other words, was a team terrible at something throughout the whole season, or just a portion of the season? Why? Did the team improve later in the season, and were there injuries or rookies involved that may have been influencing factors?

These are things good teams take into account when preparing their drafting strategy. Good teams look through the statistics and get to the underlying root causes. Those teams preparing a draft strategy in this way typically do well to competitively position themselves over time. For the draft pundits, I find it great entertainment, and Mel Kiper can tell us how well a prospect did in the 40 or whether they had technique problems, but then they're off looking at the college group getting ready to be drafted the following year. Nice work if you can get it, as you're never accountable for your pronouncements and prognostications over time. It's almost like being a weather man, as you're never accountable for accuracy, but you can reference reams of statistics to tell us why you think this way.

Now, grading a team's draft performance within days after it's over is another fascinating activity . . . Talk about self serving. Tell them they need a pass rusher, team doesn't draft a pass rusher, give them a grade. Hah! You can't make up this stuff!

MooseKnuckles · May 1, 2011

patfanken said:
When we look back on this draft in a few years it will probably be looked at as the point in history that marked the beginning of the end of the Patriots run of excellence. Yes it might take a few years, but THIS was the point where it started to go down hill.

There is NOTHING I can think of that explains what happened tonight. Forget about all the missed opportunities we had in the first round. We DID end up with a good player, even if it wasn't at the position of our perceived need. But how can you explain the following.

1. Ras I Dowling at #33 OK you can rationalize the picking ANOTHER CB - He's big, he's versatile, he's got great straight line speed. However he has a LONG history of injuries, a lack of quickness, and reportedly is just an average tackler. Still I could have lived with the pick.

What I can't live with is the squandering of the draft position. I find it impossible to believe that we couldn't find a trade partner willing to take the spot. Bill admitted that the Pats had gotten offered on Thursday for the pick. Yet somehow BB felt it was THAT urgent to pick a guy in a position of great depth with a pick that had premium value as trade bait....for a guy many thought was a 3rd round pick.

But then it gets worse.....

Vereen was one of the RB's I'd come like...but in the 3rd or 4th round, NOT as the 2nd RB to come off the board. He's a nice addition, but he's not a guy that will move the chains with tough 3rd and short runs. That was Daniel Thomas, or Mike Leshure. But OK, BB has surprised us with guys who we thought were picked too early, but turned out great like Volmer. At this point I'm not happy, but I'm still accepting.

But then it gets worse....

We pick up ANOTHER RB - Its as if BB is admitting I spent a premium pick on a guy who I know is 3rd down player, so I have go get ANOTHER RB who CAN pick up those "move the chains" tough runs

But then it gets worse.....much worse.

So instead of picking up someone who can help our Defensive front 7, or compete for the open spot at G, or be the guy who can stretch a defense; he picks up a VERY questionable character guy who in his best usage will be to be traded in 3 or 4 years for a high draft pick. While, if I were Ryan Mallet, I'd be THRILLED to be going to a team where I can spend the next 3 years maturing as a person, and learning the game from the best, it does NOTHING to make this a better team for the foreseeable future....NOTHING GREAT pick for Ryan Mallet, HORRIBLE pick for the Pats

BTW - the more I think about Mallet the LESS I understand it. If you want to think of a QB who most resembles him in style and physical skills, isn't it Drew Bledsoe. He's not the guy who will step back and throw bubble screens. He's not mobile in the pocket. He's not athletic. He's a tall guy with a big arm who throws the ball down the field. In other words he's DREW.....at best. Didn't we already decide that is NOT the kind of QB we like.

And haven't we tried this experiment before with the kid who was the MVP in Europe, and Kevin O'Connor......and haven't they BOTH failed. The more I think about it the LESS I can understand or justify it.

I don't even care who the damned 3rd pick in the round is. It will probably end up being the best FG holder available. Doesn't matter. All I know is that THIS great and rare opportunity to add significant IMPACT players to an already very good team has been lost.

NO impact at OLB

NO impact at on the DL

NO impact at WR

NO ONE to replace Steven Neal at G

But we do now have the most physically talented #3 QB in the NFL

The Pass rush isn't any better

The TEAM its self isn't any better. 6 picks in the first 100 and the team isn't materially better than the one that started the damned draft.

All we got is a LT for the future, and more depth at RB and the DB. BUT NO ONE who makes the team better for next year.

Just one potential starter and he probably would benefit if he didn't have to start. He may have all pro potential, but NEXT YEAR, he isn't going to be better than the All pro he replaces......And as for the rest....totally unexplainable.

Bill might recover some in FA. Maybe that was the plan all along to address the rush. But it STILL wouldn't explain the squandering to so many picks at so premium a position. WHAT A WASTE.

A draft that was SQUANDERED.....perhaps the beginning of the end?

It must tough to be to be so angry. Hmmm , I'll go with the guy that has just produced a decade of dominance with his draft planning & strategy over this wanna be Mel Kiper. Go kick your dog and buy a Bills jersey, they got the pass rushers you want.

Ring 6 · May 1, 2011

DaBruinz said:
*ROFLMAO* That isn't "trashing" them. That is my honest opinion. Trashing them would be me making all sorts of inappropriate statements about them. Calling them names and such. Hasn't happened.

OK I guess we have a different definition of trashing. Lets say you took guys drafted in the top 12 and said, basically the suck and will amount to nothing.

You really are that obtuse, aren't you. I am telling you what was being said about the draft class of QBs by pretty much every pundit prior to and jsut after the Senior Bowl. Where they were drafted doesn't mean a damn thing about the TALENT they offer or whether they will be a success or not. Every person knows that. Otherwise, guys like Brady and Cassel would be out of the league by now.

Where they are drafted has nothing to do with their talent, but what 'pundits' were saying does?

What did the pundits say about Brady and Cassell?

It's amazing how you look at 1+1 and get 3... You are the one who is so far of it's pathetic. Seriously.

Wow.
I say he was drafted 12th, that means he is considered good.
You say NO someone who doesnt make draft picks said he should get picked later.
You really think I am the one jumping to a conclusion?

Teams have been known to talk themselves into draft picks. To over-look things that are glaring issues because they think they can change it or handle it. And many times they are wrong.

Yes they are, what does that have to do with anything?
The guys who can't get a job in the NFL so they write draft reviews are wrong more often.

Have you even watched a single interview with Cam Newton? To say that he's not to bright would be an understatement. Same with him being arrogant.

So you are saying you did your due dillegnece and decided the Panthers shouldnt draft him, and they should hire you because you can assess his intelligence and arrogance better without talking to him once than they can in in-depth interviews with $50mill at stake. Right, gotcha.

So, he's the top pick in the draft. That doesn't mean a damn thing when it comes to talent.

It means that someone who forgot more than you know about it says he does.

Just because he was the first pick doesn't mean he was the most wanted player.

If someone else was more wanted there would have been a trade. Simmple economics.

And is NOT a fact in determining the strength of the QB class. Determining the strength of the QB class is done by the results they bring. Not by how many were drafted when..

There are no results yet, but you have decided its weak. How does that work?

You're right. I can't go back in time and say they failed. I can look back and say they failed because that is what happened.

That is not even in the same hemisphere as you claiming you can tell today what the quality of this draft class is.

You're "show me" statement makes no sense. A proper analogy would be to go back to a class that was supposedly weak and show you the successes that came from it.

Actually its irrelevant because you already admitted you are making a wild ass guess.

Clearly you don't understand the economics of football.. It had plenty to do with it since QBs tend to be the highest paid players.

You are making statements that have nothing to do with each other.
How would the fact that QBs are highly paid support the argument that the Vikings only drafted Ponder because there is a labor dispute? Please explain how the economics of football that I don't understand instruct teams to pick a QB when their is labor strife.

BradyFTW! · May 1, 2011

Look out, a DaBruinz/AndyJohnson quote war might just take the whole server down.

supafly · May 1, 2011

patfanken said:
When we look back on this draft in a few years it will probably be looked at as the point in history that marked the beginning of the end of the Patriots run of excellence. Yes it might take a few years, but THIS was the point where it started to go down hill.

There is NOTHING I can think of that explains what happened tonight. Forget about all the missed opportunities we had in the first round. We DID end up with a good player, even if it wasn't at the position of our perceived need. But how can you explain the following.

1. Ras I Dowling at #33 OK you can rationalize the picking ANOTHER CB - He's big, he's versatile, he's got great straight line speed. However he has a LONG history of injuries, a lack of quickness, and reportedly is just an average tackler. Still I could have lived with the pick.

What I can't live with is the squandering of the draft position. I find it impossible to believe that we couldn't find a trade partner willing to take the spot. Bill admitted that the Pats had gotten offered on Thursday for the pick. Yet somehow BB felt it was THAT urgent to pick a guy in a position of great depth with a pick that had premium value as trade bait....for a guy many thought was a 3rd round pick.

But then it gets worse.....

Vereen was one of the RB's I'd come like...but in the 3rd or 4th round, NOT as the 2nd RB to come off the board. He's a nice addition, but he's not a guy that will move the chains with tough 3rd and short runs. That was Daniel Thomas, or Mike Leshure. But OK, BB has surprised us with guys who we thought were picked too early, but turned out great like Volmer. At this point I'm not happy, but I'm still accepting.

But then it gets worse....

We pick up ANOTHER RB - Its as if BB is admitting I spent a premium pick on a guy who I know is 3rd down player, so I have go get ANOTHER RB who CAN pick up those "move the chains" tough runs

But then it gets worse.....much worse.

So instead of picking up someone who can help our Defensive front 7, or compete for the open spot at G, or be the guy who can stretch a defense; he picks up a VERY questionable character guy who in his best usage will be to be traded in 3 or 4 years for a high draft pick. While, if I were Ryan Mallet, I'd be THRILLED to be going to a team where I can spend the next 3 years maturing as a person, and learning the game from the best, it does NOTHING to make this a better team for the foreseeable future....NOTHING GREAT pick for Ryan Mallet, HORRIBLE pick for the Pats

BTW - the more I think about Mallet the LESS I understand it. If you want to think of a QB who most resembles him in style and physical skills, isn't it Drew Bledsoe. He's not the guy who will step back and throw bubble screens. He's not mobile in the pocket. He's not athletic. He's a tall guy with a big arm who throws the ball down the field. In other words he's DREW.....at best. Didn't we already decide that is NOT the kind of QB we like.

And haven't we tried this experiment before with the kid who was the MVP in Europe, and Kevin O'Connor......and haven't they BOTH failed. The more I think about it the LESS I can understand or justify it.

I don't even care who the damned 3rd pick in the round is. It will probably end up being the best FG holder available. Doesn't matter. All I know is that THIS great and rare opportunity to add significant IMPACT players to an already very good team has been lost.

NO impact at OLB

NO impact at on the DL

NO impact at WR

NO ONE to replace Steven Neal at G

But we do now have the most physically talented #3 QB in the NFL

The Pass rush isn't any better

The TEAM its self isn't any better. 6 picks in the first 100 and the team isn't materially better than the one that started the damned draft.

All we got is a LT for the future, and more depth at RB and the DB. BUT NO ONE who makes the team better for next year.

Just one potential starter and he probably would benefit if he didn't have to start. He may have all pro potential, but NEXT YEAR, he isn't going to be better than the All pro he replaces......And as for the rest....totally unexplainable.

Bill might recover some in FA. Maybe that was the plan all along to address the rush. But it STILL wouldn't explain the squandering to so many picks at so premium a position. WHAT A WASTE.

A draft that was SQUANDERED.....perhaps the beginning of the end?

First of all Ken, remember that we gained back any picks that we may have lost or 'SQUANDERED...' By continuing to gain additional high picks in the first and second rounds--we are already in the bonus. We simply cannot lose. If some of the guys do not work out, then what is the loss? It's as if no one was even taken, and the pick was just moved into next year anyways. It's absolutely brilliant!! Who else would even do such a thing to completely cover themselves if someone doesn't work out??? And to top it off, we have more high round picks next year, so we can play the game all over again...the talking, discussing, worthless mock drafts (when will some learn?), and non-stop debating which is considered 'FUN' to us. More importantly, it will provide more trade offers, more value, and the potential to pick up additional key guys to build our team into the future. Again, brilliant!!

As far as the guys go, Shane Vareen was not the '2nd RB taken' as you say. Ryan Williams went after Mark Ingram. Regardless, he has potential 2nd/3rd rd talent, depending on who's making the call. Don't see how you can see the problem there?

Dowling lacks 'quickness,' as you say? He runs a flat out 4.4. Seems pretty quick to me!! And he's got the all needed size at 6'2", and has the ultimate characteristic that we look for there---versatility. He will have the potential to play either of CB or S, in multiple formations (nickle back, dime back) or even a starter. He will also make our special teams improved.

You have to love the OL picks in Solder and Cannon--you can't even argue with that.

As far as Mallet goes, let him learn under the great leaders of Belichick and Brady--where better to utilize his obvious god given talents. In the best case scenario, he becomes the potential future QB down the road. In the worst case scenario, he challenges the backup position, and potentially offers trade bait to a QB needy team. The truth will likely lie somewhere in the middle anyway, and we could end up improving the backup position, and even scoring a nice draft pick for Hoyer maybe?

Many of the so-called needs (whether current or future) were addressed while still continuing the BPA route, and we added HIGH picks into next yr. We also got 5 pretty big names in Solder, Dowling, Vareen, Mallet, and Cannon.

"The start of a downfall? The end of a dynasty??" Or just a super-witty BB providing for the current AND the future???

Sporin · May 1, 2011

I don't know.... seems a lot of people are getting all Chicken Little over this draft, but it was really no different then every other BB draft... lots of trades and question marks.

Every year. Same thing. Every year, they still win a lot of games. So all these so-called "bad drafts" haven't eroded the team in reality. And remember the Super Bowl years were chock full of players that were not superstar high draft picks.

I know a lot of newer fans are losing steam because the team has gone a few years without a super bowl but growing up cheering on some truly awful Patriot teams, i have a hard time getting pissy about making the playoffs every year.

Two 1's and two 2's next year when there WILL be a rookie salary cap is potentially gigantic. They went into the draft with 9 picks, came out with 9 players and 2 extra high picks next year. No one really knows how those picks will pan out so I'm going to stay optimistic and maybe be a homer, but I figure BB and the Scouts know more about this then me, or Mel Kiper.

nickw308810 · May 1, 2011

Some of my thoughts on the draft:

1: BB has shown he really values the DL position and has used many high picks on them (Seymour, Warren, Wilfork in the 1st, Hill and Brace in the 2nd). Since he passed on all of them this year, right or wrong, it seems like he must not have rated the Jordans, Heywards, Wilkersons as most of the fans or pundits. I feel Seymour played a huge role in all three of the Super Bowl wins and unfortunately, players like him are once a generation. As much as we want them to hype the prospects up and find his replacement, the chances of a mid to late 1st round pick performing at that level at that position, aren't likely.

2: IMO, one of our biggest reasons for not closing out some games is the inability of the offense to grind out drives late in the game, to kill the clock and the opposing team's momentum. Drafting 2 OL, 2 solid RB and the best blocking TE in the draft, this area should be improved. As prolific as this offense is, it could definitely improve and help the defense out by extending some drives and keeping them off the field.

3: The pick of Solder COULD mean that we are going to not resign Light and use his money on either Mankins or a FA OLB. It seems there are a decent crop of pass rushers out there if/when free agency starts.

4: As most people are saying, Brady isn't going to play forever and the window to win Super Bowls is over. OLB in our system take awhile to develop and won't help as much as a CB or OL help.

5: One of the great parts of the Super Bowl defenses were that they had tons of players who always seemed to make big plays when it mattered most. Bruschi, McGinnest, Harrison, Law, Samuel really come to mind here. I think the defense has some young players who are ready to become even more solid players, but develop that "It" factor and morph into playmakers. Mayo is already a key player, but look for him to make some more impact plays this year. McCourty is developing into a stud. If he keeps out of trouble and keeps developing, Brandon Spikes WILL be one of those players. I have ton of faith that he will turn into a playmaking leader on the team for years to come. Cunningham got a lot of pressure on the QB, but needs to work on actually finishing the deal and making sacks. Both safeties, Chung and Meriweather, have some flair to their game and are improving.

6: This draft did a great job of improving the offense. Cannon is going to be twice the run blocker that Connolly was. Vereen is a great all-around back and who could help in the kick returning game as well. Could this allow one of either Edelman or Tate to be inactive and add more of a redzone threat? I think that is option, but if Lee Smith makes the team I think we will see who the real answer as a deep threat/redzone WR threat is: Aaron Hernandez. When he is split outwide he is an absolute nightmare for any DB. Ridley is going to be an improvement as a short yardage back, FB and special teams player.

7: If the season started today, this team would be a contender. And that is without one of the biggest phases of the offseason, free agency. The signing of Stroud and the draft left the team with no immediate needs. The process just worked backwards this year.

8: The addition of Dowling, combined with the return of Bodden and the development of the younger DBs is going to allow BB the ability to be creative on blitzes and coverage schemes. You can never have too much talent in the secondary.

9: The pipeline continues: adding the two picks for 2012 will again allow some flexibility. Just think, if the Raiders finish last this year, and the Pats beat the Saints in the Super Bowl, it could realisticaly ending up being picks 31, 32 and 33.

10: Ryan Mallet is going to end up being a stud after learning under Brady. Whether it is as his eventual replacement or we trade him for a high pick to another team, he is going to be good. I really believe people misunderstand him because he is so southern. This kid is country.

Overall, while I was confused like everyone else about the lack of a DL or OLB at first, when you sit back and look at this draft, I think it is fair to say that the Patriots had a very successful day, that will not only help the team toward the Super Bowl this year, but continue to be at a high level in the future.

Deus Irae · May 1, 2011

Sporin said:
I don't know.... seems a lot of people are getting all Chicken Little over this draft, but it was really no different then every other BB draft... lots of trades and question marks.

Every year. Same thing. Every year, they still win a lot of games. So all these so-called "bad drafts" haven't eroded the team in reality. And remember the Super Bowl years were chock full of players that were not superstar high draft picks.

I know a lot of newer fans are losing steam because the team has gone a few years without a super bowl but growing up cheering on some truly awful Patriot teams, i have a hard time getting pissy about making the playoffs every year.

Two 1's and two 2's next year when there WILL be a rookie salary cap is potentially gigantic. They went into the draft with 9 picks, came out with 9 players and 2 extra high picks next year. No one really knows how those picks will pan out so I'm going to stay optimistic and maybe be a homer, but I figure BB and the Scouts know more about this then me, or Mel Kiper.

Once we had all the picks in last year, where were those question marks?

Ring 6 · May 1, 2011

Deus Irae said:
Once we had all the picks in last year, where were those question marks?

RB and OL. If we are calling OLB one this year then it was one last year.
If we are calling DL one this year, it was last year.

VJCPatriot · May 1, 2011

AndyJohnson said:
RB and OL. If we are calling OLB one this year then it was one last year.
If we are calling DL one this year, it was last year.

Agreed. RB was a real big need last year. BB cut his ties with the 'Maroney Experiment' finally and we had to depend on two UDFAs to carry the day since Morris and Taylor were chronically injured. Now that their contracts expired, BB decided to seriously address the position. But he didn't just stop there, he aggressively 'Remodeled' the OL to be bigger and more stronger in the running game. 6'8 mammoth in Solder, 6'5 350 lber in Cannon, and reportedly the best blocking TE in the draft a 6'6 266 lber in Lee Smith. Toss in 2 new RBs and this offense is RETOOLED to play SMASHMOUTH football in 2011.

Sporin · May 2, 2011

Deus Irae said:
Once we had all the picks in last year, where were those question marks?

My reference to question marks is everyone going.. "Huh?

" as the Patriots take players no one expected them to.

VJCPatriot · May 2, 2011

Sporin said:
My reference to question marks is everyone going.. "Huh? " as the Patriots take players no one expected them to.

When has this become a new thing?

Deus Irae · May 2, 2011

Sporin said:
My reference to question marks is everyone going.. "Huh? " as the Patriots take players no one expected them to.

I understood your point, and I was asking you which players from last year were

players once the draft was in.

Sporin · May 2, 2011

Not really sure what your looking for here

I'm just talking about pats fans and pundits reactions to the trade backs and general lack of drafting the so-called "impact players" each year I'm talking in a general sense, not player specific. Though look at the reaction to McCourty on draft day last year. I know that partway through the season I had some fun with friends who were crying about that pick on draft day who had to eat their words.

I trust in BB. if he didn't see a difference making pass rusher at their pick slot then I'll assume he knows more then I do and let the chips fall as they may.

Deus Irae · May 2, 2011

Sporin said:
Not really sure what your looking for here

I'm just talking about pats fans and pundits reactions to the trade backs and general lack of drafting the so-called "impact players" each year I'm talking in a general sense, not player specific. Though look at the reaction to McCourty on draft day last year. I know that partway through the season I had some fun with friends who were crying about that pick on draft day who had to eat their words.

I trust in BB. if he didn't see a difference making pass rusher at their pick slot then I'll assume he knows more then I do and let the chips fall as they may.

I was just asking for examples that fit your claim. McCourty was a

pick after day 1. By the end of day 2, most people were fine with it, because the other picks had put it in context.

1 1 27 27 Devin McCourty DB Rutgers
2 2 10 42 Rob Gronkowski TE Arizona
3 2 21 53 Jermaine Cunningham LB Florida
4 2 30 62 Brandon Spikes LB Florida
5 3 26 90 Taylor Price WR Ohio
6 4 15 113 Aaron Hernandez TE Florida
7 5 19 150 Zoltan Mesko P Michigan
8 6 36 205 Ted Larsen C North Carolina State
9 7 1 208 Thomas Welch T Vanderbilt
10 7 40 247 Brandon Deaderick LB Alabama
11 7 41 248 Kade Weston DE Georgia

Where are the

players there?

Last year was an example of a draft that targeted immediate needs and did it with value picks and smart maneuvering. There were no QBs taken, the team didn't use high picks to double up on positions where the team already had 'established' players, etc...

A tale of a draft SQUANDERED....

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