UDFA''s

[patfanken]

Its been a while since I started a thread, but when this thought struck me, I felt compelled.

You can talk about BB's draft record of failures and successes, but over all, does ANYONE do a better job of bringing in UDFA's that make the team.

This year its Zack Sudfield and Kembrel Thomkins. But it seems that EVERY year there are one or two UDFA's that make this team. Its even more impressive because the Pats aren't a losing program that is always turning over its roster. This is, year in and year out, one of the league's elite teams. It would make sense that this would be one of the tougher teams for an UDFA to make the final roster. Yet year in and year out the Pats make great use of their UDFA's.

I don't remember the exact stat, but IIRC, wasn't there a comment that something like a third of the 2011 Superbowl team were made up of players who started their careers as UDFA's

It seems like every years there are at least one or two UDFA's who make the team. I find that stat extraordinary, especially on an elite team that generally has 9 0r 10 picks every draft.

 

[patchick]

But it seems that EVERY year there are one or two UDFA's that make this team.

Yep, every single year. I assume that it's not just the quality of the UDFA selections at work, but also the fact that BB & co. are more willing to ignore pedigree once practice starts. E.g. Thompkins has been doing everything right, thus Thompkins is running with the 1's. (For a counterexample, see: D. Woodhead, Jets.)

 

[TruthSeeker]

BB has an UNBELIEVABLE record with UFAs. I'm amazed by the talent and quality of these guys. Every year several people make the team, AND make a difference. Look at the Law Firm BJGE, not many UDFAs rush for 1000 yards. Just unbelieveable. I always get excited the day after the draft to see what guys we wind up with. Forston for instance, prior to his senior season, was one of the highest rated DTs, and like Sudfeld, injuries were the reason why they weren't drafted. So a great job by BB and staff to take a chance on these guys.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Agreed. But I wonder who the bastid is that sneaks in and makes the Round 2 picks?

 

[Mack Herron]

Patchick beat me to it. It would be odd if BB were especially adept finding talent in the UDFA pool, but not so among the players who are drafted or the veteran FAs (as his experience with WRs and DBs suggests to me). Another possible explanation is that BB is simply better able to evaluate players in camp based on their performance and ability to contribute, and without regard to their past (including whether or where they were drafted, their rap sheet, etc.).

 

[mgteich]

Sure, Green-Ellis was a 1000 yard rusher. The patriots used a roster spot on Green-Ellis for 2 years of development. Personally, I don't think that was because Green-Ellis was so good. It was because our need at reunning back was so great.

Belichick does well in all aspects of managing the roster, including the use of the various lists.

 

[Kontradiction]

Agreed. But I wonder who the bastid is that sneaks in and makes the Round 2 picks?

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b35/djcamus/******edsuperman.jpg

 

[TruthSeeker]

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b35/djcamus/******edsuperman.jpg

I'm sorry, I know it's mean, but that photo made me laugh. Now I'm ready for some bad Karma to hit me.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm sorry, I know it's mean, but that photo made me laugh. Now I'm ready for some bad Karma to hit me.

Eh, I kind of grappled with whether or not to put that pic up myself.

 

[patchick]

Patchick beat me to it. It would be odd if BB were especially adept finding talent in the UDFA pool, but not so among the players who are drafted or the veteran FAs (as his experience with WRs and DBs suggests to me). Another possible explanation is that BB is simply better able to evaluate players in camp based on their performance and ability to contribute, and without regard to their past (including whether or where they were drafted, their rap sheet, etc.).

Also, over time a reputation for giving UDFAs a fair shot could pay off in helping to attract the most sought-after of them.

 

[manxman2601]

Having spent quite a few years as a cab driver, I'd drive a bunch of Downs Syndrome people about as part of an account. They are pretty much the nicest people you'll ever meet - loved having them in my car and was always a fun journey. I think they'd laugh at your pic.

 

[Kontradiction]

Having spent quite a few years as a cab driver, I'd drive a bunch of Downs Syndrome people about as part of an account. They are pretty much the nicest people you'll ever meet - loved having them in my car and was always a fun journey. I think they'd laugh at your pic.

They would. I did some volunteering for Best Buddies when I was younger and I've never laughed so hard in my life, with them... not at them (although they do do some funny stuff from time to time).

 

[manxman2601]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Quentin Sims has the better game of all the rookie receivers tomorrow. Thought he looked as good as, if not better than Thompkins and Dobson in the very limited viewing of the Eagles TC video and whilst he's not been getting the glowing praise of Dobson and Thompkins, he has been getting steadily consistently good reviews.

Throw in Mark Harrison and we might not be there yet in terms of the upside of this UDFA class.

 

[GIF Man]

You can talk about BB's draft record of failures and successes, but over all, does ANYONE do a better job of bringing in UDFA's that make the team.

 

[jmt57]

To get an idea of the importance of undrafted free agents to the Patriots, here is a look at the UDFA that were on the 2012 roster:


Originally signed by Pats
RB Brandon Bolden
LB Dane Fletcher
DT Marcus Forston
DE Justin Francis
DT Kyle Love
LB Jeff Tarpinian
C Ryan Wendell
OT Markus Zusevics

Originally signed elsewhere but primarily developed by Pats
LS Danny Aiken
CB Kyle Arrington
OL Dan Connolly
FB James Develin
OL Nick McDonald
RB Danny Woodhead

Originally signed and primarily developed elsewhere
WR Kamar Aiken
CB Marquice Cole
TE Daniel Fells
S Steve Gregory
WR Wes Welker
LB Tracy White


For this season:

Rookie undrafted free agents currently on the 2013 Patriots roster:
P Ryan Allen
DT Armond Armstead
FB Ben Bartholomew
S Kanorris Davis
TE Brandon Ford
CB Justin Green
DT Cory Grissom
WR Mark Harrison
CB Brandon Jones
OL Josh Kline
OL R.J. Mattes
OL Chris McDonald
WR T.J. Moe (IR)
OL Brice Schwab
WR Quentin Sims
C Matt Stankiewitch (IR)
TE Zach Sudfeld
WR Kenbrell Thompkins
DT Scott Vallone
DE Jason Vega
DT Joe Vellano
DT Anthony Rashad White
RB George Winn
LS Mike Zupancic

 

[ATippett56]

Its been a while since I started a thread, but when this thought struck me, I felt compelled.

You can talk about BB's draft record of failures and successes, but over all, does ANYONE do a better job of bringing in UDFA's that make the team.

Every team brings in UDFAs.

 

[mgteich]

Thank you for the list. It certainly emphasizes the importance of UDFA's. We are used to saying that we develop a couple a year. That may be true. However, as you point out we had TWENTY on the very strong 2012 squad, with 14 either signed of primarily developed elsewhere (and that counts Welker in the "elsewhere" group.

As of now, we have 16 of last year's group still on the team, plus who we might add from this year's crop. And of course, we could still sign a free agent cut by another team. It seems likely that the 53 will have 12-15 UDFA's on it.

BOTTOM LINE
UDFA's represent 1/4 of our roster (more later in the year). We should give this aspect of the acquisition strategy a bit more emphasis. For me, I think of 5th, 6th and 7th rounder in sort of the same category.

And make no mistake, these are major contributors. Dante's Academy has 2 starters on the squad: Wendell and Connolly.

To get an idea of the importance of undrafted free agents to the Patriots, here is a look at the UDFA that were on the 2012 roster:


Originally signed by Pats
RB Brandon Bolden
LB Dane Fletcher
DT Marcus Forston
DE Justin Francis
DT Kyle Love
LB Jeff Tarpinian
C Ryan Wendell
OT Markus Zusevics

Originally signed elsewhere but primarily developed by Pats
LS Danny Aiken
CB Kyle Arrington
OL Dan Connolly
FB James Develin
OL Nick McDonald
RB Danny Woodhead

Originally signed and primarily developed elsewhere
WR Kamar Aiken
CB Marquice Cole
TE Daniel Fells
S Steve Gregory
WR Wes Welker
LB Tracy White


For this season:

Rookie undrafted free agents currently on the 2013 Patriots roster:
P Ryan Allen
DT Armond Armstead
FB Ben Bartholomew
S Kanorris Davis
TE Brandon Ford
CB Justin Green
DT Cory Grissom
WR Mark Harrison
CB Brandon Jones
OL Josh Kline
OL R.J. Mattes
OL Chris McDonald
WR T.J. Moe (IR)
OL Brice Schwab
WR Quentin Sims
C Matt Stankiewitch (IR)
TE Zach Sudfeld
WR Kenbrell Thompkins
DT Scott Vallone
DE Jason Vega
DT Joe Vellano
DT Anthony Rashad White
RB George Winn
LS Mike Zupancic

 

[BTTA]

OTOH, I read somewhere that about one in five NFL starters were UDFA's coming into the league. Just Googled and CBSsports.com agrees (so it must be true).

 

[fnordcircle]

Every team brings in UDFAs.

you_don't_say.jpg

 

[mgteich]

It is true. As the above posts demonstrate, the percentage is even higher on the patriot roster.

OTOH, I read somewhere that about one in five NFL starters were UDFA's coming into the league. Just Googled and CBSsports.com agrees (so it must be true).