The captains' role
 

On Wednesday, Wilfork was quoted saying

Wilfork: 'Good work done yesterday' - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

On Thursday, he got his wish.

Players earn long weekend off - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

I don't know the exact sequence of events there -- whether he was reflecting something BB had already indicated he was leaning toward or whether Vince was being even more proactive than that -- but whatever happened, it shows some meaningful involvement in the coaches' decision & communication process.

In general, I've gotten the impression that the captains are -- along with the assistant coaches -- a second group of "middle managers", passing communication two ways between players and coaches, and having some substantive input into decisions along the way.

My guess is that captains are more involved in the non Xs & Os stuff like scheduling, while game planning is more strictly done by or with coaches (i.e., when a player has input into Xs and Os, it's usually at a position group meeting with the coach or something like that).

It's my further guess that BB makes better and more serious use of his captains than most coaches do.

Re: The captains' role
 

That's a pretty safe bet, since Belichick makes better use of just about everything than other coaches do.

BB Gives Team Fri-Sat-Sun Off
 

Players earn long weekend off - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

"Patriots coach Bill Belichick, apparently pleased with the work the team conducted in demanding full-pads practices Wednesday and Thursday......."

I LOVE that. From some of the players' comments yesterday, it sounded like the coaching ran them VERY hard and that it was a VERY productive session.

Best of both worlds - - they got in a very intense two days, and now they can rest for 3 and be fresh and strong to hit the ground running on Monday when they know whom they'll be playing.

BTW, another reason why I'm rooting for the Jets over the Colts (other than the original three - - 1) Cromartie's comp goes from 3rd rounder to 2nd rounder if they win at Indy 2) We match up better with the Jets and 3) Like Rex, I'm into domination and humiliation - - but on the football field - - is that if the Jets win Sat night, that gives the Pats braintrust an extra day (Sunday) of prep work knowing whom they'll be facing, and not having to wait an additional 20 hours or so - - gimme BB with an extra 20 hours and I'll take it.

Re: BB Gives Team Fri-Sat-Sun Off
 

This message made possible by the philosophy to take every game seriously and not take week 17 off just because you can.

Re: BB Gives Team Fri-Sat-Sun Off
 

always good news to hear that the team is having good practices....ALWAYS good news

Re: The captains' role
 

BB knows best but using two days out of a full week to work? I would have liked to see them use one more day, maybe not in pads but going over previous game film looking at mistakes made.

I know, I know! I'm not a coach in the NFL. I just want the team ready to take it all!

Re: BB Gives Team Fri-Sat-Sun Off
 

Oh boy, you know what that means...Pony rides, watermelon, let's pick sides for the badminton tournament fellas!

Re: BB Gives Team Fri-Sat-Sun Off
 

Well played Ray - - good memory - - that's just about word for word how Belichick said it in his presser just after the bye week in October!

Re: BB Gives Team Fri-Sat-Sun Off
 

And we all know what happened to the Jets last time the Pats played them after a (mini) bye. I hope it's the same this time.

(Hoping Jets beat Colts so pick for Cromartie goes from a 3rd to a 2nd)

Re: BB Gives Team Fri-Sat-Sun Off
 

Godddd, that's great news.:D:D