So..New England wasn't fun for Wayne..

Brady6 · Sep 6, 2015

As they say - Getting old is never fun...

Tunescribe · Sep 6, 2015

Deflatemyballs said:
They were also 29 and 27 respectively. With tons of hunger, moss had all his doubters and welker still hadn't broke out yet. Wayne just doesn't have that hunger in him anymore. Plus being in the softest organization there is for 15 had to have warped his perception of how an nfl team runs. I really don't think it's a question of "brightness"

Being "bright" perhaps wasn't the optimum word; rather, a willingness to put in the study and hard work to get in sync. Even then, many receivers who have passed through here didn't "get it." Having the mental energy and patience to work that passing offense absolutely is a component of succeeding here as a WR. Why do you think so many WRs have washed out in New England, young and old? Wayne even was quoted as saying just a week ago he'd never seen anything like the Patriot passing game. I think it just required more work than he was willing to put in.

PatsFanInVa · Sep 6, 2015

No fire left there, if true. Put yourself in his place - you can work harder than you ever have before to get a fraction of the money.... hanging onto your career by your fingertips etc.

Somewhere else, maybe he could relax, ride his name in a simple system, and be "good enough"... and he can tell himself he's a pro football player, isn't that a great thing to be.

What they do in NE is what it takes to be in contention for the SB every. single. year. ...

If the quote's a true one, hey, Wayne's not going for that. Not at this point in life.

Deflatemyballs · Sep 6, 2015

Tunescribe said:
Being "bright" perhaps wasn't the optimum word; rather, a willingness to put in the study and hard work to get in sync. Even then, many receivers who have passed through here didn't "get it." Having the mental energy and patience to work that passing offense absolutely is a component of succeeding here as a WR. Why do you think so many WRs have washed out in New England, young and old? Wayne even was quoted as saying just a week ago he'd never seen anything like the Patriot passing game. I think it just required more work than he was willing to put in.

Yeah absolutely, he just didn't have that last round in him at this point

Patsfanin Philly · Sep 6, 2015

PatsFanInVa said:
What they do in NE is what it takes to be in contention for the SB every. single. year. ...

.......................

A little OT here but I recently read about the joint practices with the Redskins last year. Washington was shocked that the Pats were running sprints AFTER practice when they were leaving.....I think there in a nutshell is the difference between hoisting a Lombardi and being in contention every year and being a perpetual 4-12, 5-11 team........The extra work is part of the difference...

PatriotsReign · Sep 6, 2015

SVN said:
lets not read into rumors especially from pats homers and have vitriolic thoughts. Who knows what ahppened. At least he decided it now instead ocho cinco who played all season but never got comfortable with the offense.

FYI....ALL Patriots fans are homers! Thats the very definition of what a "Fan(anic) is.

I always get a kick out of people that say they're a Pats fan, "but I'm not a homer!" as if that's something bad.

Even worse are the dopes that claim "I'm a fan of the game!" as if they've risen above the minions of Pats nation.

old 55 · Sep 6, 2015

People point to our low fumble rates and believe it's all about soft balls, not the reality that it's hard work and fumbles are a quick path to the bench - even if you are the lead back.

Deflatemyballs · Sep 6, 2015

old 55 said:
People point to our low fumble rates and believe it's all about soft balls, not the reality that it's hard work and fumbles are a quick path to the bench - even if you are the lead back.

And it's not like our fumble rates are disproportionately low compared to other good teams. Simple analysis.... Good teams have low fumble rates. It's not rocket science

Patsfanin Philly · Sep 6, 2015

Deflatemyballs said:
And it's not like our fumble rates are disproportionately low compared to other good teams. Simple analysis.... Good teams have low fumble rates. It's not rocket science

Especially if they perpetuate that by signing players who have low fumble rates. BJGE never fumbled in high school or college, nor did he lose one with the Pats IIRC (did fumble one out of bounds) Yet people jump on the fact he fumbled in Cinn vs NE, not counting his history in college or high school....

zydecochris · Sep 6, 2015

brap999 said:
It takes more than just being physically talented to be on the patriots, they require a level of intelligence to understand their system as well as the willingness to put in the work to learn it. I don't think you have to be a savant, but you have to be willing to take time to study, and practice. There is a limited number of players who can fill these roles, so yes in a way Brady, Gronk, edelman, Moss, Welker amongst the others are few and far between.

There was an article, which I can no longer remember or find that talked about this and how the Patriots offensive plays are unique amongst the league. Most teams have a set of plays they will use each game, and may make adjustments to them depending on the opponent but they stick to those plays every game. The Patriots custom tailor every game to their opponent, increasing the number of plays a player needs to learn. In addition, each play can have several things happen depending on the look of the defense after the ball is snapped, so the running backs, line men, receivers, etc all have to be on the same page and adjust accordingly.

The article compared the Patriots way to a team like the Colts who have a base set of plays they always use, and their goal is to execute those plays perfectly, so thats all they ever practice. They depend on defenses making errors or mistakes. The patriots show a new look each time and are unpredictable. It also went on to say this is partly why Ochocinco did not make it with the Patriots.

As I recall the article used the analogy of a rented tuxedo which is made for a broad set of people, versus a custom tailored Tuxedo that is made specifically for one individual. The patriots make a new tux for each opponent.

Bottom line, Colts and many other NFL teams systems are fairly easy to learn to an experienced player, where as Patriots system is hard for just about everyone unless they are putting in the time.

If you are a youngster just out of college and you take a new job where everything is difficult to understand and new, either you buckle down and learn it or if you aren't smart enough they get rid of you in a few months.

However, suppose you are a grizzled veteran with rapidly declining physical skills, close to retirement. Even though your physical skills are declining, you can compensate by your vast experience base and knowledge of the system. Then, you come to the Patriots and realize that you don't know nuthin'.

I has to be hard to suddenly go from being the system expert to a know-nothing. And, as a player close to retirement, it is just so hard to go through the process to get your body ready (I remember those excellent short movies by Steve Nash on this subject).

I don't blame him. Change is hard, it is just time for him to move onto the next stage of his career.

zydecochris · Sep 6, 2015

Crazy Patriot Guy said:
A 66 year old man has been working at a toy factory all his life. Even though he has slown down since his younger days, he loves what he does and he's been great at for years. But the company decides to shut down and he's out of a job. Sure he can retire but he feels like he's got a few good working years left in him.

So he gets hired on at another toy factory in a nearby town. Except this one just runs a lot differently. He's been more of an old school type laborer, and at this new place it's all computers and programming and automation. It's a bit overwhelming at his age to be doing something so different. So he decides to retire after all.

The translation of that story for most on this board, apparently: lazy ass old man just didn't want to work.

This. I didn't see this excellent post when I posted mine, you really said it better.

VJCPatriot · Sep 6, 2015

You can't compare Moss to Wayne. Moss actually made it in our system. Moss had an incredible work ethic. Just watch the numerous youtube videos on his offseason workouts. Wayne is the one who called it quits because he couldn't take how 'tough' our practices are.

Now you have to keep in mind though that Moss relied a lot on his elite speed while in the NFL. Wayne was more a product of his route running and moves. I honestly don't know if Moss has enough in the tank to play in the pros again. I do know he would not quit just over having to practice hard though.

Bradyking12 said:
Last month Randy Moss said he wouldn't rule out a comeback, now if it was up to you guys for this season have Moss back would you do it?

IllegalContact · Sep 6, 2015

grux said:
I find it hard to believe it was easy to play with Peyton Manning. IMO, Reggie thought New England would be a good fit but had a change of heart. I always enjoyed watching him play and wish him well if he decides to retire.

the moment the pats made him go across the middle he said 'eff this'

PatsFanInVa · Sep 6, 2015

He also had to face something he hasn't faced for a long time: the prospect of irrelevance and/or failure. This would not be the case were he in a familiar system, etc. etc. etc. In the latter case, he could slowly decline into irrelevance. In NE, either his remaining talent would be magnified by the system, or negated entirely within the system (the Ocho Stinko scenario).

It's okay if he just did not want to deeply dive into a whole other system and mindset. He can go with his head held high, either way. He was a very good receiver.

IcyPatriot · Sep 6, 2015

I'm not going to pile on the guy ....
Better for him that he knows he's done all he can to play again instead of having doubt.
I'm sure there will be later season opportunities for him that will be easier on his body.
Man was a great NFL player ... he deserves to be known for that.

dannydyn · Sep 6, 2015

Wait, so we win because we make it though in practice?!? Holy 5hit, and I thought we win because we cheat!!

Is that a dream?!? Someone wake me up NOW!!!

5thRing-Hunt · Sep 6, 2015

It's not just wayne. I remember last year Browner and Revis were both upset at how hard it was and contemplated speaking to someone about it. Or maybe they joked about that last part. It's no excuse but I think Bill has maybe made it harder throughout the years. I don't feel pity though. The winning record speaks for itself.

AzPatsFan · Sep 6, 2015

luuked said:
I think you are talking about the "Speak My Language" article on Grantland.

http://grantland.com/features/how-t...helped-maintain-dominance-tom-brady-patriots/

I think it should be mandatory reading for everyone who wants to start a discussion about anything offense..

That was an excellent and informative article. Thanks.

So..New England wasn't fun for Wayne..

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