Perspective Thread: Belichick briefly explains what he saw in Richards and Grissom

This thread is meant to comfort and reassure those who were either shocked, disappointed, or unimpressed with today's draft selections. Before I post Belichick's own comments, I want to address the roster positions of greatest need, that many hoped would be resolved today. For those who were expecting a O-Line Guard to be chosen in the 2nd or 3rd round, Rich Hill points out that for the last fifteen drafts, Belichick has never drafted an offensive interior lineman in the first three rounds. So don't panic. The Patriots have 7 picks tomorrow, and they'll go ahead and choose an OL at some point in the draft. I feel assured of that.

For those who were expecting a cornerback....well...the record is less predictable. In the past, there have been some draft successes as well as draft busts, but so much of that depends on the variance of the position and the schemes. It comes down to the size and speed of the player, man coverage or zone, outside matchups or slot ones, etc. And unless you are Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia, there's really no way to predict what schemes or player profiles the Patriots are seeking for this draft. So I can't guarantee that Belichick will enlist a CB prospect tomorrow...but as time goes by, both during and after the draft, we should start to see a solid picture of what this defense can truly offer, both up front and in the backfield. Hopefully, it will all work according to plan...Bill's plan at least

Now, for those out there who are baffled with today's draft selections, I'd like for you to hear from Belichick himself on the matter, courtesy of Mike Reiss. Perhaps this will give you the context to understand (A) what Bill saw in each of these players and (2) what contributions does he expect them to make for the team.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england...ks-down-patriots-moves-on-second-day-of-draft

1. Richards plays both strong and free safety. Belichick said coaches raved about his intelligence, communication, leadership and football character on and off the field, saying “he’s a guy you’ll like having around here.” Belichick added that Stanford didn’t play Richards in a linebacker-type role.

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2. Grissom was called an “interesting player” because of all the spots in which he’s lined up -- converted from tight end to outside linebacker/defensive end, while also playing more of a pure defensive tackle role in 2013 at 260 pounds (which is undersized but he competed well). “A pretty athletic, versatile guy in Oklahoma’s defense over the last couple years,” Belichick said, calling Grissom “very instinctive as a pass rusher” while also noting his work in coverage as a linebacker.

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3. Grissom worked out at tight end in the pre-draft process and Belichick said it was as impressive of a tight end workout as the team saw. The Patriots aren’t looking at Grissom as a tight end, but the workout highlighted his athleticism.

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4. Belichick said he expects both Richards and Grissom to have a role on special teams. In saying that, he called Richards a “strong tackler, a pretty instinctive guy, and certainly able to play on the punt team, kickoff return, kickoff coverage and punt return -- could be a matchup guy outside or maybe a hold-up guy in the box. I’m sure he’ll be able to contribute in the kicking game.”

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I wonder how many more holes on special teams the Patriots have to fill before we can start drafting in the other two phases of the game again.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports...rice-break-down-day-2-of-patriots-2015-draft/

A great video and worth watching before it falls off the feed.

Chiuba E. Obele said:

For those who were expecting a O-Line Guard to be chosen in the 2nd or 3rd round, Rich Hill points out that for the last fifteen drafts, Belichick has never drafted an offensive interior lineman in the first three rounds.

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Logan Mankins?

hoeilaart said:

Logan Mankins?

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Mankins was converted to G from the OT position he played in college.

I'm gutted I missed people losing their **** at the Richards pick last night. Grissom's a very interesting one and I saw at least one mock draft where he came to us in the third round.

Well, so far, I'm intrigued by all 3 picks. I'm still floored that Brown was available at #32. If he plays like we think he can, then he may well be the value-pick of the entire 1st round.

As to Richards and Grissom, I have to trust Bill. After all, his record indicates he drafts by value more than actual need at each pick. His time at Cleveland as head coach right up through all of his time here shows that what he values most if athleticism and intelligence, and above all else, being a football guy. Guys like that, you can almost always find a place for on your team.

But there's 7 more picks available, plus potential street pick ups, trades, etc, so I'm gonna sit back and enjoy watching it all play out.

The cadre of "swiss army knife" defensive players continue.. Matt Patricia will morph into some sort of mad scientist defensive coordinator..

These are WTF picks, but there is a lot to say about intelligence and versatility... stay tuned, it ain't over till its over.

One thing to keep in mind is to look beyond just the individual player in a BB defense. How does each player make the players around him better? I think that's the real objective of selecting Richards - not so much for how he plays as an individual, but how he can be an on field extension of the coaching staff.

If he's as smart as they say, has the leadership skills, and can "do his job" on the field, then the defensive decision making latency will be that much smaller. In a game of instants (remember the last Super Bowl?), it is these things that can separate good from great.

Think about guys who were not the greatest athletes at their position, due to inmate ability or later in their careers due to age, but still had the intangibles (smarts, instincts, discipline) to make the others around them better. At the end, Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi were a step slower than they were earlier in their careers, but they KNEW what was coming and could pre-empt or position a teammate where they needed to be. Even Tom Brady never had the "draft characteristics", but he has the intangibles - and in a team sport, that leverage to make those around you better makes a difference.

Give the kid a chance - they must have seen something in the discussions and interviews that really opened their eyes. And we know Kraft is playing the long game with the franchise, so there may be thinking that even if he doesn't work out as a player, he may have the skill set that they want on the coaching staff even further out. I trust that there was something special there with Richards. Now, I am anxious to see it for myself.

Chiuba E. Obele said:

This thread is meant to comfort and reassure those who were either shocked, disappointed, or unimpressed with today's draft selections. Before I post Belichick's own comments, I want to address the roster positions of greatest need, that many hoped would be resolved today. For those who were expecting a O-Line Guard to be chosen in the 2nd or 3rd round, Rich Hill points out that for the last fifteen drafts, Belichick has never drafted an offensive interior lineman in the first three rounds. So don't panic. The Patriots have 7 picks tomorrow, and they'll go ahead and choose an OL at some point in the draft. I feel assured of that.

For those who were expecting a cornerback....well...the record is less predictable. In the past, there have been some draft successes as well as draft busts, but so much of that depends on the variance of the position and the schemes. It comes down to the size and speed of the player, man coverage or zone, outside matchups or slot ones, etc. And unless you are Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia, there's really no way to predict what schemes or player profiles the Patriots are seeking for this draft. So I can't guarantee that Belichick will enlist a CB prospect tomorrow...but as time goes by, both during and after the draft, we should start to see a solid picture of what this defense can truly offer, both up front and in the backfield. Hopefully, it will all work according to plan...Bill's plan at least

Now, for those out there who are baffled with today's draft selections, I'd like for you to hear from Belichick himself on the matter, courtesy of Mike Reiss. Perhaps this will give you the context to understand (A) what Bill saw in each of these players and (2) what contributions does he expect them to make for the team.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england...ks-down-patriots-moves-on-second-day-of-draft

Click to expand...

This is all good and fine, but you don't draft a special teams gunner in the 2nd round. Especially one you can get in the 5th round. We all talk about BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE, there is no way in hell, Richards was the best player available at pick #64, no way. I don't care how many championships you've won, Richards is not the 64th best player available, just like Tavon Wilson wasn't the best player available when he was chosen.

BB has done this a lot lately, and it has never worked out. Grissom is another example. This is a guy who had an MCL injury last year, stress fractures in BOTH feet in 2010 and 2012. He was not the BEST AVAILABLE PLAYER at #97. There were a lot better players available at that point.

I can guarantee these guys will be JAGS, I don't even have to watch them play to know they won't work out. They are typical BB over reaches and waste of 2nd and 3rd round slots that are very valuable.

There are certain things that you do that effect your future, Tavon Wilson, Richards, Grissom, were horrible picks that were wasted, when there were too notch players available to help your team CONTINUE to win.

2014 and 2015 were possibly the 2 deepest pools of top notch wide receivers in years. To NOT take a flyer on a top notch receiver and wast a 2nd round pick on a special team player is a sin.

For a coach that is supposedly all about value in the draft, he sure didn't see the value or maybe waiting a couple of rounds for the Wilsons and Harmons of the world. Hopefully Richards isn't version 3.0.

Danger Zone said:

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports...rice-break-down-day-2-of-patriots-2015-draft/

A great video and worth watching before it falls off the feed.

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That was a ******** fluff piece of reporting right there. When asked if they will take all 7 picks on day 3, Price says no, because that would leave only 5 roster spots and wouldn't allow the Pats to take a bunch of undrafted free agents, which they really value a lot.

WHAT ? Does that mean the Pats approach to the draft is to not focus on the talent available and HOPE guys who are left over are available for them to sign ? That makes no sense at all. But considering the WTF picks that never seem to work out, maybe that is their approach.

scott99 said:

This is all good and fine, but you don't draft a special teams gunner in the 2nd round. Especially one you can get in the 5th round. We all talk about BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE, there is no way in hell, Richards was the best player available at pick #64, no way. I don't care how many championships you've won, Richards is not the 64th best player available, just like Tavon Wilson wasn't the best player available when he was chosen.

BB has done this a lot lately, and it has never worked out. Grissom is another example. This is a guy who had an MCL injury last year, stress fractures in BOTH feet in 2010 and 2012. He was not the BEST AVAILABLE PLAYER at #97. There were a lot better players available at that point.

I can guarantee these guys will be JAGS, I don't even have to watch them play to know they won't work out. They are typical BB over reaches and waste of 2nd and 3rd round slots that are very valuable.

There are certain things that you do that effect your future, Tavon Wilson, Richards, Grissom, were horrible picks that were wasted, when there were too notch players available to help your team CONTINUE to win.

2014 and 2015 were possibly the 2 deepest pools of top notch wide receivers in years. To NOT take a flyer on a top notch receiver and wast a 2nd round pick on a special team player is a sin.

Click to expand...

This coming from someone who does not work in professional football, but you have it all figured out.

Could you please show me once where you have said something good about the Patriots, whether about the draft or how they played.

scott99 said:

This is all good and fine, but you don't draft a special teams gunner in the 2nd round. Especially one you can get in the 5th round. We all talk about BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE, there is no way in hell, Richards was the best player available at pick #64, no way. I don't care how many championships you've won, Richards is not the 64th best player available, just like Tavon Wilson wasn't the best player available when he was chosen.

BB has done this a lot lately, and it has never worked out. Grissom is another example. This is a guy who had an MCL injury last year, stress fractures in BOTH feet in 2010 and 2012. He was not the BEST AVAILABLE PLAYER at #97. There were a lot better players available at that point.

I can guarantee these guys will be JAGS, I don't even have to watch them play to know they won't work out. They are typical BB over reaches and waste of 2nd and 3rd round slots that are very valuable.

There are certain things that you do that effect your future, Tavon Wilson, Richards, Grissom, were horrible picks that were wasted, when there were too notch players available to help your team CONTINUE to win.

2014 and 2015 were possibly the 2 deepest pools of top notch wide receivers in years. To NOT take a flyer on a top notch receiver and wast a 2nd round pick on a special team player is a sin.

Click to expand...

heh, this is the exact egotistical mentality that permeates this website. first you can't "guarantee" anything. 2nd your hubris suggests you know more than BB when it comes to the value a football player brings to HIS team and HIS system. IF, and that is a big IF, you know so much about selecting football talent why is it that you are doing it from a bulletin board on a Friday night and not from a draft war room at one of the NFL's teams?

CopenhagenPatsfan said:

This coming from someone who does not work in professional football, but you have it all figured out.

Could you please show me once where you have said something good about the Patriots, whether about the draft or how they played.

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Listen, I love the Patriots with all my heart, have loved them since 1975. BUT, I don't wear rose colored glasses. If I disagree with something they've done, I'm not gonna say "whoop dee ****ing do" Richards was a great ****ing pick and was a great value at #64. Because in fact, that was a horrible pick, will go down as a horrible pick, and there were TONS of MUCH BETTER AVAILABLE PLAYERS still there that were picked AFTER BB screwed the pooch and picked Richards.

To pass those guys up and take a special teams gunner at that spot is a sin. So many chances to make the team better, I can name them all if you like, and there is no disputing any of these guys are better football players and would have made this team BETTER.

I can guarantee you we will be watching Richards line up on special teams, he will be 3rd or 4th on the depth chart, because he can NOT cover anyone. This will go down as a legendarily bad pick. Hardly one of GOOD value. But I'm sure he's pretty smart. I have a cousin who had. 4.0 gpa, but like Richards, he wasn't special as a football player.

scott99 said:

BB has done this a lot lately, and it has never worked out. Grissom is another example. This is a guy who had an MCL injury last year, stress fractures in BOTH feet in 2010 and 2012. He was not the BEST AVAILABLE PLAYER at #97. There were a lot better players available at that point.

I can guarantee these guys will be JAGS, I don't even have to watch them play to know they won't work out. They are typical BB over reaches and waste of 2nd and 3rd round slots that are very valuable.

Click to expand...

I guess Belichick's won four Super Bowls with somebody else's roster.

I ask you to look at a recent second rounder. Big guy. Likes to party. Had a bad back coming out of college. His name escapes me. Lebowski? Grabassky? I think his mother calls him Rob. Anyway, he drives a van and has been known to get wasted with the President of the United States. Seems like that one may have worked out.

Get a grip.

ctpatsfan1 said:

heh, this is the exact egotistical mentality that permeates this website. first you can't "guarantee" anything. 2nd your hubris suggests you know more than BB when it comes to the value a football player brings to HIS team and HIS system. IF, and that is a big IF, you know so much about selecting football talent why is it that you are doing it from a bulletin board on a Friday night and not from a draft war room at one of the NFL's teams?

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Yes, because BB has done so well in the draft the last 10 years. Outside of 1st round picks with various degrees of success, name one Patriot's draft choice that has come in rounds 2 and later that has had good to great careers outside of Gronk, Ridley, Vereen, Gostkowski and the murderer. 5 decent to good picks in 10 years.

Chiuba E. Obele said:

This thread is meant to comfort and reassure those who were either shocked, disappointed, or unimpressed with today's draft selections. Before I post Belichick's own comments, I want to address the roster positions of greatest need, that many hoped would be resolved today. For those who were expecting a O-Line Guard to be chosen in the 2nd or 3rd round, Rich Hill points out that for the last fifteen drafts, Belichick has never drafted an offensive interior lineman in the first three rounds. So don't panic. The Patriots have 7 picks tomorrow, and they'll go ahead and choose an OL at some point in the draft. I feel assured of that.

For those who were expecting a cornerback....well...the record is less predictable. In the past, there have been some draft successes as well as draft busts, but so much of that depends on the variance of the position and the schemes. It comes down to the size and speed of the player, man coverage or zone, outside matchups or slot ones, etc. And unless you are Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia, there's really no way to predict what schemes or player profiles the Patriots are seeking for this draft. So I can't guarantee that Belichick will enlist a CB prospect tomorrow...but as time goes by, both during and after the draft, we should start to see a solid picture of what this defense can truly offer, both up front and in the backfield. Hopefully, it will all work according to plan...Bill's plan at least

Now, for those out there who are baffled with today's draft selections, I'd like for you to hear from Belichick himself on the matter, courtesy of Mike Reiss. Perhaps this will give you the context to understand (A) what Bill saw in each of these players and (2) what contributions does he expect them to make for the team.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england...ks-down-patriots-moves-on-second-day-of-draft

Click to expand...

To add to Rich Hill's comment, during the Belichick era only three starting guards were actually drafted. They were were Mankins, Mike Compton, and Brian Waters. And the Pats only drafted Mankins. All the rest were undrafted free agents in Andruzzi, Neal, Connolley, and Wendell.

goheels22002 said:

I guess Belichick's won four Super Bowls with somebody else's roster.

I ask you to look at a recent second rounder. Big guy. Likes to party. Had a back back coming out of college. His name escapes me. Lebowski? Grabassky? I think his mother calls him Rob. Anyway, he drives a van and has been known to get wasted with the President of the United States. Seems like that one may have worked out.

Get a grip.

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Actually, he has. Look at his secondary in the last 3 SB WINS, Harrison, Revis and Browner were all Free Agents. Most of the offensive linemen were Free Agents. Smith, Dillon and Blount were not Belichick draft choices. Vrabel, Ninkovich, I can go on and on. Sure there has been some GREAT picks in Brady and Gronk, but the results are VERY mixed. Lots of bombs. If you look at the players that missed big time, and the guys BB passed up that were picked shortly after, it's a main reason we lost Super Bowls. And yesterday repeated history.

I will NEVER discredit BB as a COACH. He's the GOAT, but as a drafter, he's truly a river boat gambler who has missed more than he's hit the last 10 years.

KontradictioN said:

For a coach that is supposedly all about value in the draft, he sure didn't see the value or maybe waiting a couple of rounds for the Wilsons and Harmons of the world. Hopefully Richards isn't version 3.0.

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IDC if Harmon never makes a play again, but his int in the Baltimore game was easily worth his draft pick.