rookBoston
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2004
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With the success of David Andrews as a Week One rookie starting center, and Malcom Butler aka The Hero of SuperBowl 49, the role of Undrafted players on Belichick's roster really comes into focus.
A buddy of mine, life long Seattle fan, griped to me this offseason that the Pats will probably find some future All Pro again, walking the streets or selling life insurance. He was still miserable about the SB, but it struck me that the Pats are pretty exceptional at developing players who were Undrafted.
I think Belichick especially relishes the chance to put UDFAs onto his roster: (1) the best of them play their entire careers hungry and attentive, (2) it's an opportunity for him to cement his legacy as a teacher and football guru (3) turning Undrafted players into stars makes other promising Undrafted guys choose Foxboro as their shot at a roster spot, because they know they'll get a fair shake (4) hella-smart way to manage the salary cap
Trying to put together a list of The Undrafted that made a name as Patriots. I know I've missed some, especially from the early Belichick years...
- Malcom Butler
- David Andrews
- Chris Harper
- Brandon Bolden
- Kenbrell Thompkins
- Ryan Allen
- Joe Vellano
- Josh Kline
- Dane Fletcher
- Kyle Love
- BenJarvis Green Ellis
- Brian Hoyer
- Ryan Wendell
- Gary Guyton
- Dan Connolly
- Randall Gay
- Wes Welker
- Lonie Paxton
- Stephen Neal
- Joe Andruzzi
- David Patten
- Kyle Arrington
A buddy of mine, life long Seattle fan, griped to me this offseason that the Pats will probably find some future All Pro again, walking the streets or selling life insurance. He was still miserable about the SB, but it struck me that the Pats are pretty exceptional at developing players who were Undrafted.
I think Belichick especially relishes the chance to put UDFAs onto his roster: (1) the best of them play their entire careers hungry and attentive, (2) it's an opportunity for him to cement his legacy as a teacher and football guru (3) turning Undrafted players into stars makes other promising Undrafted guys choose Foxboro as their shot at a roster spot, because they know they'll get a fair shake (4) hella-smart way to manage the salary cap
Trying to put together a list of The Undrafted that made a name as Patriots. I know I've missed some, especially from the early Belichick years...
- Malcom Butler
- David Andrews
- Chris Harper
- Brandon Bolden
- Kenbrell Thompkins
- Ryan Allen
- Joe Vellano
- Josh Kline
- Dane Fletcher
- Kyle Love
- BenJarvis Green Ellis
- Brian Hoyer
- Ryan Wendell
- Gary Guyton
- Dan Connolly
- Randall Gay
- Wes Welker
- Lonie Paxton
- Stephen Neal
- Joe Andruzzi
- David Patten
- Kyle Arrington