From Riess's Mailbag
 

On 3 subjects that have been discussed here a lot.

Harrison's pay cut and if he had extra info on it:

Unfortunately, I don't have any more information on it, or I would have reported it. I do know Harrison is fine with the change and feels he can earn the money back. My feeling, and this is just opinion, is that Harrison had some concerns about whether he could be a salary cap cut. By taking the reduction, he takes that possibility away, while still earning a nice wage that he probably wouldn't get elsewhere at this point in his career.

On BB's contract and if Mike thinks he's leaving after this year:

I don't know the facts regarding Belichick's contract but I don't think 2007 is the last year. I have maintained that I think Belichick is here for thelong haul and I haven't heard anything that would make me change my thought on that.

On Samuel:

It depends on the player, Clay, which is why I view each situation independently. For example, I don't think Samuel has said to himself "look whathappened to Lawyer Milloy, David Givens, Damien Woody and so I should take less than I think I'm worth to stay here." In
Samuel's case, he appears to be trying to maximize his value and will consider going anywhere to get it, which I feel is similar to what Daniel Graham, Deion Branch, David Givens and Adam Vinatieri have done in recent years. On the flip side, a player like center Dan Koppen decided he was happy in New England and re-upped last year for less than what I think he could have received on the open market. For fans of the team, I'm sure the preference would be for more players to take Koppen's approach, but I can also respect the other approach, because for some of these players there is one chance to land a big payday that can secure their futures.

* It's just Riess's opinion but he's usually more rational than most of the media around here. Many fans too :)

Re: From Riess's Mailbag
 

Nothing they've done the last few years makes much sense if Belichick is leaving this year. If this is supposedly BB's last year, then in 06 he would surely have gone all out to sign Branch, and probably gone higher for Law as well, to give himself two "last good years" at a SB, and just slightly bust the bank a bit for some other schmoe who would come in for 08. The only reason those deals make sense is that 08 mattered as much to BB as 06 and 07.

Re: From Riess's Mailbag
 

Reiss is the voice of reason. How can you not respect the job this guy does?

For the detractors, I don't need negative garbage and unsubstantiated rumor.

Mike tells it like it is, as far as I'm concerned. I don't feel he's a suck up at all. He's just lucky to be covering a great, well run team and he appreciates it.

Re: From Riess's Mailbag
 

Us fans need to remember that as well. It was not all that long ago that this team was the laughing stalk of the league. We are fortunate to have what we do.

Re: From Riess's Mailbag
 

There is a quote from The Education of a Coach in which BB talks about how the grass isn't always greener and explains why his father stayed at the Naval academy for all those years when he had the opportunity to move on and up. I wish I could find the quote but it was telling and I hope he takes it to heart and stays at Foxboro for many, many years.

Re: From Riess's Mailbag
 

"...He was one of those Americans who, though ambitious and exceptionally hardworking, knew when he had a deal that suited him, and had no urge for greenier pastures, which in his shrewd estimate might in fact not be greener. Over the years he turned down countless other job offers, from other colleges and from the pros. When Bill Edwards, his great mentor and by then coach at Wittenberg College in Ohio, asked him to come there, he regretfully turned it down because it would be a step backward in terms of strength of the program. When there was a chance to be head coach of Navy, he told the comittee that he liked the job he already had, thereby taking himself out of the running for head coach..." ~Page 9

Re: From Riess's Mailbag
 

Yeah, guess it shows I know that book inside and out huh?

Re: From Riess's Mailbag
 

I think Reiss is absolutely on top of things, but I think in he's mischaractorized two of the players he was comparing Samuel to. He mentioned Graham and AdamV and I think neither's departure was similar to Givens and Branch. Graham had ties to teh Denver area and I do think that was one of teh factors. Also, he wanted to be used more as a receiver in the offense and this too was something denver offered.
AdamV wanted to play in a dome and also wished to play for a competitive team. Indy offered him that opportunity. I feel Branch and Givens were going to the highest bidders...money being most important. While both Graham and Vinatieri DID get much money in their destinations, I think other factors were also at work. Do you think AV would have gone to Buffalo if they offered him the most money?? I think not.

Re: From Riess's Mailbag
 

Yeah I have to agree with that!

Re: From Riess's Mailbag
 

BTW, anyone notice our favorite cast-off, NEM voicing his "opinion" in the Mailbag? Its on page 6 of 7 right at the top.

Personally, I believe that NEM forgets too many things about Hobbs. Like that Hobbs was lining up at Left Corner coming out of camp and not Samuel. And that Hobbs was only shifted to right corner after he hurt his wrist.