BB on WEEI 2:25PM

[fgssand]

Coming on shortly........

 

[dalero]

Now we'll know what their doing tommorrow.

 

[naclone]

a couple things stuck out for me.

first, he said that the theme of the draft is that everyone wants to move back and there are few teams willing to move up.

second, he said that you pretty much have to throw the draft value chart out the window and take less to move back.

now, not saying they would or not, but aren't the patriots just the team to take advantage of this kind of market inefficiency? in essence, he is saying they could move up in this draft for a lot less than it would cost in prior drafts.

again, not saying they have interest in moving up. but if they can move up at bargain prices, well that might be a Patriot type move, no?

 

[PushnPencils]

Best thing I took from the interview was BB mentioning that Steve Szabo, Michigan's LB coach, has worked in and is very familiar with the Pat's system.

 

[PonyExpress]

I'll take Revis at 18, thank you.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

So really the Szabo comment could apply to Harris, Woodley or Burgess. That's really interesting.

 

[fgssand]

FWIW:

On drafting to fill a position or a need --...first and foremost - can a player play? It is better to take a player that may mean additional depth as opposed to trying to fill a need and reaching for a player that might not be able to play " Cannot manufacture players" - the value for a player is can he do the job, even if it means more depth in a particular area.

Asked what they Look for -- They look at a player relative to the New England Patriots. The scouts reports specifically are based on where the player will play for the Patriots. The scout projects exactly what position and what role the player will have for our team in our system.

On intangibles: Best way to judge a player is looking at game films as to how the player played. Then they look at his personal make up, intelligence, work ethic, coachability. If he posses those characteristics the player is sure to improve as opposed to the player that thinks he has what it takes. Said if the player thinks he has it all and you think that is enough for what you want, then you could take him.

On character issues - such as pot or brawls or trouble, said all of us have done things they may have regretted as kids - the keyword is "maturity". Have they matured to the point of not repeating such judgmental errors when/if faced with same situation down the road. Will they make the same mistake again. Have the learned and gone beyond.

Other coaches advice - said the best help he gets are from other coaches and systems that are very much like the Patriots. That former Patriot coaches and players know what we are looking therefore their recommendations are much more meaningful that those of someone not familiar with our system and how we do things. Mentioned Steve Zabo from Michigan as an example.

On this draft - They talk to teams prior to the draft about getting a feel for tendencies. Said the common theme this year it is all about moving back. Everyone wants to move back and very few looking to move up. Said if you do move up, then what are you moving up for and might that player have still been available from where you moved up from. Also said this year the draft chart is out the window as teams may move back and take less then they may have in other years. Specifically mentioned teams wanting our two #1's for their #1 and maybe a #2.

On the schedule - was really happy that China was canceled.

Will be getting plenty of rest tonight as the "hay is in the barn" and will be back on Weei on Monday to recap

 

[shakadave]

FWIW:
Also said this year the draft chart is out the window as teams may move back and take less then they may have in other years. Specifically mentioned teams wanting our two #1's for their #1 and maybe a #2.

A thousand thank yous to fgssand from one who didn't hear this.

Our two #1's for their #1 and a #2? Yes please!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bertil]

So really the Szabo comment could apply to Harris, Woodley or Burgess. That's really interesting.

..as well as Pierre Woods, who's already here!

 

[JoeSixPat]

a couple things stuck out for me.

first, he said that the theme of the draft is that everyone wants to move back and there are few teams willing to move up.

second, he said that you pretty much have to throw the draft value chart out the window and take less to move back.

now, not saying they would or not, but aren't the patriots just the team to take advantage of this kind of market inefficiency? in essence, he is saying they could move up in this draft for a lot less than it would cost in prior drafts.

again, not saying they have interest in moving up. but if they can move up at bargain prices, well that might be a Patriot type move, no?

I took this comment the same way you did - though none of the EEI talking heads interpreted the way we did.

To me, BB was saying that, if teams want to get their top two picks they are going to have to accept below draft chart value given this year's player economics.

This goes along with what I said a few months ago... that the Patriots could have the Redskins #6 pick for as "little" as their two first round picks. No, 24 & 28 don't add up to #6 in draft chart value... but nor do the two salaries of those pick equate what one would have to pay the #6 player.

My feeling back then, and now, is that if the Pats covet LaRon Landry, they can have him (or anyone they like who is available at #6)

While we're all focused on LB, the truth is, a ready for prime time LB might not be available at 24. If that's the likely case - and I think it is - BB and co. will not "waste" a pick on LB there, even if LB is there greatest need.

Instead they can solidfy S for years to come - even freeing up Eugene Wilson for a time to move back to CB assuming Rodney is healthy.

Currently, if the Pats had to start a team even without the draft they could do so - so there's no need to worry about LB too much - indeed I think they'd be better off trading for an LB rather than drafting.

Meanwhile, although we all like to say that a BB defense begins and ends with LB, more and more I think the S is one of the most important positions for the defense. We need a particular type of S to play in our system and Landry is that guy.

So BB and Pioli could well make me look like a genius for predicting this months ago, but if they stay at 24 & 28 or even find a trade down partner (stockpiling for next year) I'll still be a happy man.

But before those of you jump on us for suggesting that the Pats could trade up to #6 and that there's not enough value there for the salary, ask yourself if Richard Seymour was a bust who didn't play up to his rookie salary when he was drafted at #6.

 

[signbabybrady]

FWIW:
On the schedule - was really happy that China was canceled.

I thought this was funny I imangine he was laughing when he said this

great stuff fgssand, way to hook it up for those who could not listen.

 

[TeamPats]

A thousand thank yous to fgssand from one who didn't hear this.

Our two #1's for their #1 and a #2? Yes please!!!!!!!!!!!!

What am I missing here? Anyone else? How is this good

 

[mtbykr]

Here's the interview:

http://media.weei.podzinger.com/archive/TheBigShow/2007-04-27_Bill_Belichick.mp3

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

What am I missing here? Anyone else? How is this good

If the #1 is the 10 overall and get a guy like willis or landry then they get a high second rounder where they can get a guy who would have possibly been there at #28

 

[JoeSixPat]

What am I missing here? Anyone else? How is this good

What you're missing is which specific picks... I'm not quite sure what the theory is here but I'd guess he's talking about some mythical trade that involves us giving up #24 & #28 for a move up in the first round while gaining a 2nd round pick, which we don't have.

That could certainly have merit - depending on how far up and who is available. Without the 2nd rounder after #28 we wait until the mid 90s to pick again... so if that gets us a player we covet in the first round - as well as first round talent that slid to the 2nd, its a good deal

 

[fgssand]

What you're missing is which specific picks... I'm not quite sure what the theory is here but I'd guess he's talking about some mythical trade that involves us giving up #24 & #28 for a move up in the first round while gaining a 2nd round pick, which we don't have.

That could certainly have merit - depending on how far up and who is available. Without the 2nd rounder after #28 we wait until the mid 90s to pick again... so if that gets us a player we covet in the first round - as well as first round talent that slid to the 2nd, its a good deal

Of course - it was only a frame of reference for the purpose of the point he was making in the discussion about this years movement and the fact that everyone is actually looking to trade down. I really doubt he was trying to tell us we have agreed to a trade with say Washington for their #6 and a 2 next year for our 2 #1's. Of course I do think he would jump at that sort of trade!!

 

[spacecrime]

Also said this year the draft chart is out the window as teams may move back and take less then they may have in other years. Specifically mentioned teams wanting our two #1's for their #1 and maybe a #2.

What teams did he mention?

 

[JoeSixPat]

What teams did he mention?

Of course none - you can hear the interview - his comments about a lot of teams wanting to trade down is consistent with what we've been seeing with the rumormill

The Big Show guys took his statement to mean that the Pats wanted to trade down but would have to take below market/trade chart value if they did...

I and others took it to mean that if teams wanted to trade down and grab the Patriots picks, THEY'D have to accept a below market trade

Again, knowing that the Skins have often been mentioned as needing quantity and knowing that our two #1 picks falls somewhat shy of equating to a #6 pick, I viewed that comment as meaning that there's the potential for a trade between those two teams.

No doubt I'm reading a lot into it and injecting my own trade theory - but I guess we;ll see tomorrow

 

[Brady to Brown]

I wonder why he spoke about teams wanting to trade back? He said the same thing on all access. Does he want to move up? The market is perfect for such a move. Everyone wants to move down the board if we are to believe any of it. The Patriots have 10 picks and Asante Samuel (perhaps) to bargin with. Would love to be a fly on the wall tomorrow.

 

[mtbykr]

What I thought was interesting was the fact that he said "you can't manufacturer players" and that you can't just take a player because you need that position filled and he's the best option, if that player won't work for you. If you do that you will be back next year looking for the same thing, it's better to take the best player available that you think will work for you...even if he's going to be a back up!


Another interesting point was that he talked about evaluating talent. He said it's tougher to evaluate the offense (use the option as an example) because not many college programs run the style of program the pats do. LSU when Saban was there was good for the pats to evaluate (as is USC for example) because they run a pro program in college....actually said USC has pro's playing there, they just haven't come out yet!