Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision making

[sevengables_2207]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

oh lordy. Im tired, and apparantly my post wasnt very clear. I was simply saying that we all seem to have issues with the secondary. There's been times, like with Moreland, that BB has had less than stellar names, and still won. I wasnt trying to compare this years defense with that of 2004.....that would be silly. I was only commenting on the secondary. Im going to drink a little more koolaid, and see how this defense is doing in wk 16.

let's not forget that the 2004 team boasted a superior front seven to the one in 2011.

those were the days the team was able to get pressure with their front 3 alone more often than not (e.g. big sey, vince, ty).

 

[PaulThePat]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

And, considering that Pitt put up 23 points in one QUARTER last year against this team, it's kinda hard to take you seriously for them letting up 23 points in a game.

DaB...I agree to an extent that shipping 23 at Heinz Field doesn't look like the worst day for a defence. Isn't more the problem the TOP which was 40:20 ? We couldn't get them off the field. We did well to restrict them to some field goals but we have to get opposing offences back on the sidelines. Long drives are killers even when they lead to three. Defence is gassed.

 

[ensoul]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

Seeing how we cannot deny this, what can be done to help our team win games?

Win games or win the SB? This team could go 12-4 with the schedule they have. However this is not a team that can realistically win the SB this year. Even if the D intercept a few balls and cause a few fumbles this defense is not even serviceable.

What we witnessed yesterday is pretty much how the pats lost their last few playoffs game; They played a good team, Brady was held in check and the defense was awful. I know people want moral victories by saying they only lost by 8 or that they were in the game even though they played so poorly. This game was not close. Not at all. Steelers only punted once and they had the ball 40 minutes vs the pats 20 minutes, The Steelers dominated the pats in every aspect of the game and were in no danger of losing the game.

Yesterday was a barometer as to to where this team stands and right now this team is built to have a decent regular season then another disappointing first round loss.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

Tom Brady was not in his prime in 2004.....7 years ago....the LAST SB this team has won.
Peter King called Lee Bodden the worst FA signing ever. I don't know, worse than Adalius Thomas??
The only difference between Theo and Belichick FA's is that MLB contracts are guaranteed.

It's people like you who add nothing but talkradio whining to the mix that drag down message boards and derail intelligent discussion. Tom Brady was certainly in his prime at 26-27. Most QB's are past prime at his age. He simply happens to again be the exception to the rule.

Lee Bodden wasn't remotely the worst FA signing ever. Albert (in Washington) has that one locked up. Bodden isn't even top 40. He was making half what Nnamdi got and for a third fewer seasons...and his contract season performance while not earth shattering dictated that. Trouble with Bodden is he's one of those guys with the chip on his shoulder and the 20-200 vision when he looks in the mirror... He actually has some talent, just not enough to compensate for his lack of focus and drive. Worst thing he did while he was here was mentor Butler, another kid with some talent but not enough drive or focus.

Bill's FA are seldom the overhyped top tier big ticket fantasy wet dreams. And he has never overpaid to the extent Theo has for virtually useless players... Bodden was only a stop gap as Bill continued to draft corners and try to coach up safeties (remember Merriweather and Sanders had Rodney fooled too...). Unfortunately Butler flashed and crashed and now McCourty is struggling to play in a scheme that doesn't suit his skillset because the lack of talent in front of and particularly behind him dictates it. Bodden had no remaining value because apparently he can't even be a veteran presence and good teamate... Merriweather was talented but thoroughly uncoachable and Sanders was highly coachable but lacked talent.

The time has obviously come for Bill to adjust his draft value strategy and start moving up rather than stockpiling picks. Now is the time to tap that stockpile. This roster doesn't need more options on depth. It needs a talent infusion. And it still needs speed because it is so lacking in instinct despite all the veterans presence

 

[ralmat55]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

On the first two drives.. But they got better as the game went along.

And, considering that Pitt put up 23 points in one QUARTER last year against this team, it's kinda hard to take you seriously for them letting up 23 points in a game.

When did people come to believe that the only purpose of a defense is to minimize scoring. The purpose of the defense is to help the team win the game. Last year the Patriots were up big when the Steelers had their little offensive explosion. Yesterday, the pats defense wasn't trying to hold onto a lead. Their job was to get some stops and alllow the offense to get on track and they failed to do that. I'm not going to take solace in forcing 4 FG attempts. Not sure why some people have to resort to personal attacks here. We're just a bunch of fans expressing opinions - nothing more.

 

[DaBruinz]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

hope tom brady and the offense out scores people,but if we cant find open recievers its not going to matter much... teams have started to figure out the pats offense.... we find out the next month what type of team this is ...

Teams have not started to figure out the Pats offense. The problem is that the Patriots offense has gotten away from things that were successful. TE Screens. RB Screens. Hell, even WR screens. Why the Pats didn't have any QUICK passes yesterday for a team that they know likes to blitz and stunt is something that was confusing.. The Pats also didn't use the run worth a damn. Going with Faulk right out of the gate was bad, IMHO, because it telegraphed to the Steelers what the Pats were going to do. They should have had BJGE out there and they should have run the ball.

Several people on here felt the Pats should have lined up Faulk and Woodhead in the backfield with Brady and used them to block or for screen passes.

What was also confusing is that the Pats didn't double up on Woodley yesterday. Vollmer had no help with Woodley and it cost the Pats.

This is one of the problems I see with O'Brien. He doesn't have the ability to act as a counter-weight to Brady or he just doesn't have the acumen to correctly diagnose what the real ability of opposing defenses actually is.

 

[DaBruinz]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

When did people come to believe that the only purpose of a defense is to minimize scoring. The purpose of the defense is to help the team win the game. Last year the Patriots were up big when the Steelers had their little offensive explosion. Yesterday, the pats defense wasn't trying to hold onto a lead. Their job was to get some stops and alllow the offense to get on track and they failed to do that. I'm not going to take solace in forcing 4 FG attempts. Not sure why some people have to resort to personal attacks here. We're just a bunch of fans expressing opinions - nothing more.

Well, that is part of your problem. There was no personal attack in that last post.

What you take solace in has nothing to do with this team.

It doesn't matter if the Pats were "up big" last year. Pittsburgh still was able to put up 23 points in ONE QUARTER..

The Pats did have a few stops. The game could have been a lot worse had they not had that interception buy Guyton or the 4 stops in the Red Zone.

Heck, even Pitts 1st TD was done by cheating. Something that you haven't acknowledged. Yes, it's illegal to pick the defender so that a player can get open. Why that wasn't called is a mystery. Especially when it was as plain as day..

The defense was far from perfect yesterday. Much of it had to do with the GAME PLANNING and actual EXECUTION. I'll be honest, the lack of coverage on Miller falls on the coaches, not the players because it was clear that there wasn't supposed to be coverage on him..

 

[Darolyn72]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

People like Da Bruinz just won't give it up.

After going 14-2 only to choke away the season what was the game plan?

They didn't pursue one big time free agent on defense. And didn't go after guys that could pressure the Qb.

Instead they traded for Chad Ochocinco.

They brought in Haynesworth, he's pretty much done.

Drafted offensive lineman, traded there other #1 and drafted an injured corner, and two running backs. Clearly he thought his defense was fine.

Then he cuts his two starting safeties and a corner back.

Replaced by guys who were cut by were teams.

He's afraid to pay a a free agent money on D because Adalius Thomas didn't work out 3 years ago?

Belichick has morphed into Joe Gibbs 2007, the only difference is Gibbs didn't have Brady. No talent picking players, bad coaches, you can't make chicken salad out of ....

Most owners would strip power away. A great owner steps in at some point.

Kraft seems happy, being tight on the purse strings, which is fine, if this team could still bring in talent. They can't talent walks out the door, and its replaced with guys like Phillip Adams. Richard Seymour becomes Nate Solder. But we have picks next year. Wait till next year.

 

[ralmat55]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

It's people like you who add nothing but talkradio whining to the mix that drag down message boards and derail intelligent discussion. Tom Brady was certainly in his prime at 26-27. Most QB's are past prime at his age. He simply happens to again be the exception to the rule.

Lee Bodden wasn't remotely the worst FA signing ever. Albert (in Washington) has that one locked up. Bodden isn't even top 40. He was making half what Nnamdi got and for a third fewer seasons...and his contract season performance while not earth shattering dictated that. Trouble with Bodden is he's one of those guys with the chip on his shoulder and the 20-200 vision when he looks in the mirror... He actually has some talent, just not enough to compensate for his lack of focus and drive. Worst thing he did while he was here was mentor Butler, another kid with some talent but not enough drive or focus.

Bill's FA are seldom the overhyped top tier big ticket fantasy wet dreams. And he has never overpaid to the extent Theo has for virtually useless players... Bodden was only a stop gap as Bill continued to draft corners and try to coach up safeties (remember Merriweather and Sanders had Rodney fooled too...). Unfortunately Butler flashed and crashed and now McCourty is struggling to play in a scheme that doesn't suit his skillset because the lack of talent in front of and particularly behind him dictates it. Bodden had no remaining value because apparently he can't even be a veteran presence and good teamate... Merriweather was talented but thoroughly uncoachable and Sanders was highly coachable but lacked talent.

The time has obviously come for Bill to adjust his draft value strategy and start moving up rather than stockpiling picks. Now is the time to tap that stockpile. This roster doesn't need more options on depth. It needs a talent infusion. And it still needs speed because it is so lacking in instinct despite all the veterans presence

While it would be good to get top talent high in the draft, you can still get good players throughout the draft and UDFAs also. The problem here is not where they're picking but who they are picking. Value has no value unless it's actually refeemed for something useful. You can have all the draft picks in the world but if you don't select good (and healthy) players with them then what value do they have.

 

[ctpatsfan1]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

When did people come to believe that the only purpose of a defense is to minimize scoring. The purpose of the defense is to help the team win the game. Last year the Patriots were up big when the Steelers had their little offensive explosion. Yesterday, the pats defense wasn't trying to hold onto a lead. Their job was to get some stops and alllow the offense to get on track and they failed to do that. I'm not going to take solace in forcing 4 FG attempts. Not sure why some people have to resort to personal attacks here. We're just a bunch of fans expressing opinions - nothing more.

I have to respectfully disagree with you on that point. I do take solace that they have a good red zone D that gives up FG's instead of TD's. That is what wins games in this league. In this era of parity it is generally only a handful of plays that decide the outcome of games, giving up 4 FG's instead of four TD's is huge that is a potential 16 point swing. The problem is when the O doesn't score TD's or keep pace with FG's. This O is built to score anytime from anywhere on the field and they failed miserably at that yesterday. Does the D have its issues, no doubt, but the strength of this team isn't the D, its the O and the strength failed miserably yesterday. We all harken back to the time when the strength was the D and the O came along for the ride, those days are over and we need to understand that when this O doesn't hang 28 or better on another team the chances are good they are doing to lose.

 

[DaBruinz]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

What we saw yesterday was essentially all the changes from last year failed. All the new DL personnel still cannot generate a rush, without Mayo the LBs are ordinary, and now that McCourty has taken a step backwards, we have only one player in the secondary (Chung). The personnel are below average and that is their performance. On offense we have great TEs, 1 great WR in Welker, but Branch is mediocre and the rest aspire to be mediocre. Chad is a disaster he seems to have married. BJGE needs help and even though we drafted 2 RBs in 2-3 and we got essentially nothing from them yesterday. Two offensive players with potential explosiveness in Price and Vereen have been injured and/or disappointing. Woodhead returned kicks although he lacks both speed and strength, showing the lack of depth when Edleman is out. Gostkowksi is not he kicker he was before the injury.

Given the existing personnel, they were fortunate to be competitive on the scoreboard yesterday. But my sense was that they were less competitive on the field. I think this is mostly due to inferior talent. But they are not too different from other teams at the top, who are also flawed.

Hard to get something out players who aren't used (Ridley) or are not active (Vereen).

Funny that you claim that Gostkowski isn't the same kicker he was prior to his injury when his stats are nearly identical to the ones from last year. The only difference is that his kick-offs are averaging 64.3 YPK. Which is better than he was in 2007 and 2008. And he's actually been better on FGs since he's only missed the one so far..

Now, like many, I have questioned the moves cutting Sanders, Bodden, Meriweather, etc. James Sanders, for all his flaws, is still better than Ihedigno, Brown, and Barrett. And it's not even close..

I think that the BIGGEST thing that is affecting the Patriots is the lack of contact during practices. I think that is the biggest difference between last year and this year.

 

[ctpatsfan1]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

People like Da Bruinz just won't give it up.

After going 14-2 only to choke away the season what was the game plan?

They didn't pursue one big time free agent on defense. And didn't go after guys that could pressure the Qb.

Instead they traded for Chad Ochocinco.

They brought in Haynesworth, he's pretty much done.

Drafted offensive lineman, traded there other #1 and drafted an injured corner, and two running backs. Clearly he thought his defense was fine.

Then he cuts his two starting safeties and a corner back.

Replaced by guys who were cut by were teams.

He's afraid to pay a a free agent money on D because Adalius Thomas didn't work out 3 years ago?

Belichick has morphed into Joe Gibbs 2007, the only difference is Gibbs didn't have Brady. No talent picking players, bad coaches, you can't make chicken salad out of ....

Most owners would strip power away. A great owner steps in at some point.

Kraft seems happy, being tight on the purse strings, which is fine, if this team could still bring in talent. They can't talent walks out the door, and its replaced with guys like Phillip Adams. Richard Seymour becomes Nate Solder. But we have picks next year. Wait till next year.

I have to disagree with you too. They focus on the O because the rules favor the O over the D. And what you are seeing now is the fruits of the failed 06-08 drafts. Had they picked quality then they would entering the prime of their careers from 09-11......they didnt' and it shows. Now 09, 10 and 11 have been descent drafts and that is what has allowed them to compete but those guys don't start entering their primes until 12-14.

I will also go as far as to say the pilfering of coaches over the last 5-6 years is taking its toll. Lets not forget that Mangini and McDaniels were the heir apparents at DC and OC for this team. They are the contemporaries of the current OC and DC (O'Brien and Patricia), relatively same age and experience and yet they were the ones that were chosen to be the OC and DC with Mangini the heir apparent to BB as HC. BB can only be as good as the people he has around him who are implementing his vision/scheme. Pats now have 2nd tier, (2nd choice remember Mangini and McDaniels were chosen ahead of these guys) coaches running the O and D.

Brady can mask the weaknesses that O'Brien brings to the table.......there is no one that does that for Patricia. He is the most unimaginative DC I have ever seen, his blitzes are plain vanilla and his in-game adjustments suck and I can only believe that is masked by what aid BB provides. Patricia is in way over his head and that is with BB being his default backup.

There were multiple times yesterday that the D had the Steeler O in 3rd and long and even when they blitzed it was vanilla and not very confusing to the Steeler OL as they picked it up without breaking a sweat. I hate Rex Ryan but at least he dials up some creative blitzes that confuse the opposing QB and OL and usually end up getting to the QB in those situations.

IMHO until BB gets some new innovative and imaginative blood at OC and DC these woes will just continue.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

As I've stated, I definitely didn't agree with the Sanders/Bodden/Butler cuts. Right now they're looking like bad moves but it's still time for the other guys to excel in their role. After we cut Lawyer Milloy we had a worse game in Buffalo, a few more leaky defensive games, and then came together on defense. So I'd wait until season's end to really judge the personnel moves. As of now it is looking very skeptical.

 

[condon84]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

Bodden wouldn't have made a damn bit of difference the way he'd been playing. The bigger problem for Bill this season is he has amassed a lot of veteran talent that looked good on paper but hasn't shown much on the field or apparently contributed much in the way of leadership (Bill apparently told the TV crew they were not tackling well in practice all week and he was really concerned about coming off the bye lackluster). We have a lot of depth on DL but we can't quite generate enough pressure to impact games or justify keeping the secondary in zone. We have a lot of receiving weapons for Brady to utilize but none of them can get seperation against physical man coverage (and we can't get calls either so maybe we should just start mauling opponents in man too...). We now have 5 RB on the 53 but we won't run the ball. Yesterday the OL struggled in pass protection even with help. I love Kevin Faulk but over reliance on him because you cannot trust your pass blocking is counterproductive. Vollmer was a turnstyle but I guess that didn't matter since he was finally active after weeks on the shelf...

We're becoming the anthesis of the Colts. Too much depth or redundancy, not enough impact talent. Unfortunately 8 weeks into a season there isn't much you can do to mitigate that beyond grind it out and hope your more talented opponents get beat up and can't compensate down the stretch.

Bill has to come to terms with the sad fact that most of the mid level talent he is drawn to these days doesn't have the focus or drive or determination born of sheer intestinal fortitude many of his earlier players or those Annapolis cadets in the 60's had to be coached up. Time to start moving up for three down players rather than maneuvering down for versatility or value in the draft and FA.

Well freaking said man.

Just not enough playmakers on this team. Amassing all these support players in FA and in the second and third round won't do you any good if they don't have any playmakers to support.

 

[RodThePat]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

To those citing Belichick's previous accomplishments as a defensive mastermind, you are just wasting your words. The NFL has changed, the way offenses approach the game has changed, and Bill, so far, has shown a remarkable inability to handle such changes. Couple that with highly questionable recent personnel decisions, and he should be way more criticized than he has been. Fact is the Patriots roster as a whole lacks talent and while it's a testament to Belichick's coaching acumen that he can lead this team to victory with little in the way of man-power, isn't building a competitive roster one of the HC's main roles? I think it's fair to say Bill has pretty much failed in that department in recent years, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Even on offense I don't think we have above average talent, compared to some of the other high-scoring teams.

He shouldn't get all of the blame, but this team has been bailed out by Tom Brady week in and week out since the 2009 season. Hell, throw 2005 and 2006 in that mix too. It's just amazing to me that in a region known for it's rabid fans and media, nobody even thinks about questioning Belichick. Even those statements by Reiss are pretty tame, if you think about it. I'm not advocating a coaching change or anything, but it's time Belichick is held accountable for his many shortcomings in recent seasons.

 

[ctpatsfan1]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

Hard to get something out players who aren't used (Ridley) or are not active (Vereen).

Funny that you claim that Gostkowski isn't the same kicker he was prior to his injury when his stats are nearly identical to the ones from last year. The only difference is that his kick-offs are averaging 64.3 YPK. Which is better than he was in 2007 and 2008. And he's actually been better on FGs since he's only missed the one so far..

Now, like many, I have questioned the moves cutting Sanders, Bodden, Meriweather, etc. James Sanders, for all his flaws, is still better than Ihedigno, Brown, and Barrett. And it's not even close..

I think that the BIGGEST thing that is affecting the Patriots is the lack of contact during practices. I think that is the biggest difference between last year and this year.

Sorry don't see the Bodden, Meriweather attraction. Bodden was old and slow and more often than not out of position and IMHO would not have helped one iota in yesterday's game.

I don't understand the lover of Merriweather.....the guy was more often than not out of position, took bad angles to the ball and had to be the most frustrating FS this team has had in years.

I will agree with you on Sanders, I thought that was a bad move and although he was a liability in coverage (slowness) he made up for it in experience and vet savy. That IMHO was BB's biggest mistake this year with personnel.

 

[condon84]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

As I've stated, I definitely didn't agree with the Sanders/Bodden/Butler cuts. Right now they're looking like bad moves but it's still time for the other guys to excel in their role. After we cut Lawyer Milloy we had a worse game in Buffalo, a few more leaky defensive games, and then came together on defense. So I'd wait until season's end to really judge the personnel moves. As of now it is looking very skeptical.

That team had enough talent to absorb a cut like Milloy. Harrison was waiting in the wings and turned out to be a better player, plus we had our core guys in defense still playing in their prime. There were enough playmakers in our defense to allow a support player like Wilson to come in and do his job.

 

[DefenseRules]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

Forget the personnel. It's the damn coaching. ALL OF THEM. BB included.

 

[Horace's Ivories]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

secondary is bad yes - but our linebackers are pretty poor coverage guys also - unlike Pittsburgh never ending pipeline of fine linebackers..

 

[DaBruinz]

Re: Mike Reiss on Belichick: Maybe it's time to 'revisit' his personnel decision maki

People like Da Bruinz just won't give it up.

After going 14-2 only to choke away the season what was the game plan?

Please show me where I said that was the game plan? Oh, that's right. You can't. You just have to make stuff up because you don't have an argument.

They didn't pursue one big time free agent on defense. And didn't go after guys that could pressure the Qb.

Instead they traded for Chad Ochocinco.

They brought in Haynesworth, he's pretty much done.

Who should they have pursues in Free Agency on defense? Asomugha? He's not doing that great in Philly. So, who else??? Lets here all these great names they should have pursued?

As for bringing in Haynesworth, it was (and still is) a low risk move. Clearly you don't understand that.

Drafted offensive lineman, traded there other #1 and drafted an injured corner, and two running backs. Clearly he thought his defense was fine.

Clearly someone who doesn't know his facts. First off, at the time of the draft, the CBA wasn't done. So the Pats did not have a LT because Light was a UFA and they only had ONE RB under contract in Woodhead. So, drafting Solder, Vereen and Ridley made a TON of sense.

It wasn't a matter of the defense being "fine". It was a matter of taking the best value available at the time. People overlook that there is a ton of information that we, as fans, don't have. Such as how the guy did in interviews or during film study with the coach.

Then he cuts his two starting safeties and a corner back.

Replaced by guys who were cut by were teams.

Actually, Barrett and Brown were not cut by other teams. Molden, Ihedigbo and Adams were cut by other teams.

He's afraid to pay a a free agent money on D because Adalius Thomas didn't work out 3 years ago?

He paid lots of money for Carter, Ellis and Bodden. Not to mention re-signing Wilfork..

Belichick has morphed into Joe Gibbs 2007, the only difference is Gibbs didn't have Brady. No talent picking players, bad coaches, you can't make chicken salad out of ....

No talent picking players? Do you really want the list of players since Pioli left???

Bad Coaches? The only "BAD" coach would seem to be O'Brien. Who else are you calling bad???

Most owners would strip power away. A great owner steps in at some point.

Kraft seems happy, being tight on the purse strings, which is fine, if this team could still bring in talent. They can't talent walks out the door, and its replaced with guys like Phillip Adams. Richard Seymour becomes Nate Solder. But we have picks next year. Wait till next year.

Darolyn - If you've given up, then why are you still here? Just leave and go root for the Jets or something. People like myself shouldn't have to be subjected to you and your endless ridiculous rants.

Nate Solder is a damn good Tackle. He's young and he'll be the starting LT for a long time. Yet, in your finite wisdom, you complain about that.

Kraft isn't tight with the purse strings. Far from it. But people like yourself have to claim that and ignore the contracts given to the likes of Brady, Mankins and Wilfork. Why? Because if you acknowledged them, you're whole BS argument blows up in your face.