rookBoston
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2004
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Problem with drafting WR is that the Pats run a scheme that is unlike anything in the College game. Makes it hard to project a college player into the system. I think the critical skill is the be able to make the real-time decisions on option routes based on how the D is playing-- for that you need terrific vision, field smarts, a strategic mind and mental decisiveness. Then, the physical quickness, hands, speed, etc. How many players have all of the above?
Dobson's problem is not mental aptitude (or he would have been gone long before now), and it's not measurables, because his measurables are excellent. It's not his mindset or work ethic, because those are pretty decent (or he would have been gone long before now). His problem is just that he doesn't play to his measurables-- he's tall, but plays small.
The Patriots hit rate in drafting WR is pretty bad, but their hit rate in recruiting FA veteran WRs is pretty bad, too. So the issue isn't so much a question of College Scouting or Talent Evaluation. The thing is that the Pats run a system that is very hard to recruit for. Nature doesn't create a lot of human beings that have all the prerequisites for success in the system
Remember that Edelman and Amendola both took a number of years to figure out how to play the position for the Pats. And, Amendola looked like a huge bust in the system after his first year+... he only really turned the corner last year.
Pats ask a lot of players at the position. Maybe too much.
Dobson's problem is not mental aptitude (or he would have been gone long before now), and it's not measurables, because his measurables are excellent. It's not his mindset or work ethic, because those are pretty decent (or he would have been gone long before now). His problem is just that he doesn't play to his measurables-- he's tall, but plays small.
The Patriots hit rate in drafting WR is pretty bad, but their hit rate in recruiting FA veteran WRs is pretty bad, too. So the issue isn't so much a question of College Scouting or Talent Evaluation. The thing is that the Pats run a system that is very hard to recruit for. Nature doesn't create a lot of human beings that have all the prerequisites for success in the system
Remember that Edelman and Amendola both took a number of years to figure out how to play the position for the Pats. And, Amendola looked like a huge bust in the system after his first year+... he only really turned the corner last year.
Pats ask a lot of players at the position. Maybe too much.