Kraft says he handicapped Pete in NE

sb1 said:

http://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/20/s...-with-jets-picks-patriots-draft-superbly.html

With the abundance of picks -- 10 in the seven rounds -- and because their player personnel director, Bobby Grier, is one of the best talent evaluators in the business, the Patriots had the best draft of any team this year,

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*laugh track sound*

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But first, before the draft, the Patriots had a choice to make. They could keep all of their high picks -- they had six in the first 60 selections -- or package at least three and ship them to another team to move up and select Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson. They decided, probably wisely, to stockpile their team with talent...

...Running back Robert Edwards from the University of Georgia and defensive back Tebucky Jones from Syracuse, taken by the Patriots 18th and 22d over all, were in the top 25 on just about every team's board. Wisconsin wide receiver Tony Simmons, Alabama tight end Rod Rutledge, Michigan running back Chris Floyd and Florida State defensive lineman Greg Spires were all selected in the second and third rounds by the Patriots. That is a pretty impressive crop.

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Mike the Brit said:

I think that had a lot to do with the way BB presented himself and the way it resonated with Mr Kraft.

He wasn't just a designer of plays and a teacher, but he was someone who could articulate what was going on in the way that a businessman could appreciate. Partly his economics background but mostly his very objective, analytical attitude towards the job.

I'm sure that Mr Kraft knew by then that he'd have to give his coach more autonomy. BB convinced him that it was OK to do it.

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