Nostra Culpa

[SlowGettingUp]

So maybe it's time, on behalf of bulletin-board critics everywhere, to apologize to Belichick and the players themselves for the mass criticism of the following players and GM decisions:

1. Cannon
For a few years, we heard nothing but demands to cut him. When he got his first extension, everyone wondered why. When he got his new contract, nobody much cheered.

2. Blount
At the beginning of the year, many calls for a new RB. He was slow, couldn't hit the holes.

3. Gostkowski
People were calling for a new kicker

4. McClellin
People couldn't understand why he was on the field at all. They didn't understand he was switching to a new position (off-the-line) and it takes time to integrate him.

5. Garoppolo and Brisset
Why are we wasting high draft picks on QBs?

and then of course we have the following much-criticized decisions:

5. Chandler Jones
Currently in his year-end slump, and the draft picks we got for him are flourishing

6. Easley
Anyone notice him when we played the Rams?

7. Collins
Part-time and inconsistent players not welcome here, no matter how talented

7. And finally Revis
Remember the wailing and gnashing of teeth when we "lost" him to the Jets?

For the Cyrus Jones story, have to come back next year to see who was right.

I'm sure there are a couple of other players that should have been on this list - feel free to makes some suggestions. Certainly there are many from prior years that would be high on this list.

 

[shmessy]

The only 2 I was on BB for was the Collins trade in the middle of the year and McLellin. And I'm still not 100% convinced that McLellin was worth his money.


So 5 out of 7 for me ain't bad. Otherwise, I was as much a Bill loyalist as Linda.

 

[Deus Irae]

 

[PatsBoy12]

So maybe it's time, on behalf of bulletin-board critics everywhere, to apologize to Belichick and the players themselves for the mass criticism of the following players and GM decisions:

1. Cannon
For a few years, we heard nothing but demands to cut him. When he got his first extension, everyone wondered why. When he got his new contract, nobody much cheered.

2. Blount
At the beginning of the year, many calls for a new RB. He was slow, couldn't hit the holes.

3. Gostkowski
People were calling for a new kicker

4. McClellin
People couldn't understand why he was on the field at all. They didn't understand he was switching to a new position (off-the-line) and it takes time to integrate him.

5. Garoppolo and Brisset
Why are we wasting high draft picks on QBs?

and then of course we have the following much-criticized decisions:

5. Chandler Jones
Currently in his year-end slump, and the draft picks we got for him are flourishing

6. Easley
Anyone notice him when we played the Rams?

7. Collins
Part-time and inconsistent players not welcome here, no matter how talented

7. And finally Revis
Remember the wailing and gnashing of teeth when we "lost" him to the Jets?

For the Cyrus Jones story, have to come back next year to see who was right.

I'm sure there are a couple of other players that should have been on this list - feel free to makes some suggestions. Certainly there are many from prior years that would be high on this list.

The only players to whom I feel I owe HUGE apologies are Cannon and Blount. I say that with the caveat that they were playing poorly when many questioned them, and I feel many of the criticisms were very much deserved AT THE TIME. Cannon was a turnstile mostly (thanks Scar) and Blount looked like he lost all of his burst and was not running through and leaping over guys. But they have been reborn this season and arguably two of the very best at their positions in the whole league. This is by far Blount's best season and Cannon looks like a completely different player. Neither example is hyperbole either. Great great football has been played by the two.

As far as the rest of the list, a change in uniform has not changed Chandler Jones. He busted out in the first few games with AZ and then zilch. I'd like for Gost to make a big kick or two in a big situation before I no longer get that uneasy feeling when he's called upon, albeit a bit less in recent weeks. I don't care about Revis. Collins is a huge disappointment and I owe Deus an apology. He was correct in many of his assertions when he and I went back-and-forth a few weeks ago. I really can't say enough how disappointed I am in him and that situation. He is such a gifted player . . . a better version of the versatility we were supposed to get with AD. Thomas. Oh well. I don't care about Easley. And McClellin just needs to keep playing well. I still feel he is not worth his contract. One amazing blocked kick and a few nice plays does not complete contract make . . . not yet anyway, IMO. Just my humble thoughts . . .

 

[SlowGettingUp]

The only players to whom I feel I owe HUGE apologies are Cannon and Blount. I say that with the caveat that they were playing poorly when many questioned them, and I feel many of the criticisms were very much deserved AT THE TIME.

I think the deeper point though is that when a player seems to be playing badly there are sometimes extenuating circumstances we don't know about. For Cannon, he was always playing next to a rookie last year and the whole OL was a mess - that can make any O-lineman look bad. Plus we don't know about the true extent of a player's injuries.

Is Belichick always right? Of course not. But he's playing poker where not only is he a better player than us, but he can also see more cards than we can. So betting against him isn't likely to be smart.

 

[Gwedd]

I'm not apologizing for anything. I'm not on that bandwagon who criticize Coach Belichick.

From time to time I may be critical of a player, his actions, or someone in the front office, but Coach gets a free pass from me.

 

[oldrover]

I'm not apologizing for anything. I'm not on that bandwagon who criticize Coach Belichick.

From time to time I may be critical of a player, his actions, or someone in the front office, but Coach gets a free pass from me.

100% agree. Bill...




...runs rings around the competition.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I think the deeper point though is that when a player seems to be playing badly there are sometimes extenuating circumstances we don't know about. For Cannon, he was always playing next to a rookie last year and the whole OL was a mess - that can make any O-lineman look bad. Plus we don't know about the true extent of a player's injuries.

Is Belichick always right? Of course not. But he's playing poker where not only is he a better player than us, but he can also see more cards than we can. So betting against him isn't likely to be smart.

I understand that, Slow. Trust me. Cannon, for instance, for the complete second half of the season played injured. The O-Line was a mess. Nonetheless, his poor play was also happening in 2014 when he was presumably healthy and a better O-Line. Scar is the difference there. So yes, there are always extenuating circumstances in a team game. Nonetheless, there is still an extent of 'individual' things you expect for a player to be able to do at his position to be good or great. That's why guys with lesser talent get replaced. Cannon needed the right coaching, and he is now looking like the guy who showed such potential earlier in his career.

Blount played behind the aforementioned terrible line last season, and that no doubt had a lot to do with his play. But Blount himself looked very slow and was playing very "high" (no pun intended) last season. The line got better and he started playing with a lower pad level, and boom, he leads the league in TD's and at one point yardage as well. Barry Sanders played the majority of his career behind terrible lines, but he was one of the best to ever do it. I hope you see the point I'm trying to make, though I think my writing is off today. I'm still a bit tired from last night. I am agreeing with you but also in some small way presenting another side to things.

 

[mihap]

All were right moves and i agree with BB on all except Brisset.
I think its too early for evaluating Brisset, i didnt like the pick that early, but i wish the best for him and pats.
This preseason i hoped that Cannon would proved some guys here that they are ...., but i wasnt so loud because i was Dobson supporter till the nothing from him happen and when Mitchell emerged in that preseason game.
i liked Easley picked, but i didnt know that he was douchebag before draft and some says in interviews too, so nothing to appologize here. Wasted first rounder. Thats on the guys who drafted him.
Cyrus jones has to get over that mental barrier and then he ll be fine as a corner and punt returner.

 

[mihap]

I understand that, Slow. Trust me. Cannon, for instance, for the complete second half of the season. The O-Line was a mess. Nonetheless, his poor play was also happening in 2014 when he was presumably healthy and a better O-Line. Scar is the difference there. So yes, there are always extenuating circumstances in a team game. Nonetheless, there is still an extent of 'individual' things you expect for a player to be able to do at his position to be good or great. That's why guys with lesser talent get replaced. Cannon needed the right coaching, and he is now looking like the guy who showed such potential earlier in his career.

Blount played behind the aforementioned terrible line last season, and that no doubt had a lot to do with his play. But Blount himself looked very slow and was playing very "high" (no pun intended) last season.

Last year Cannon had a turf toe in the middle of the season and in Denver game Stork telegrafing Von Miller and co when he d snap the ball. He was fine in 2013 replacing Vollmer. 2014 was not bad either.

Blount played very high on some drive against Jets game too

 

[PatsBoy12]

Last year Cannon had a turf toe in the middle of the season and in Denver game Stork telegrafing Von Miller and co when he d snap the ball. He was fine in 2013 replacing Vollmer. 2014 was not bad either.

Blount played very high on some drive against Jets game too

2014 was bad. It was very bad.

 

[goheels22002]

We're on to Miami.

 

[mihap]

2014 was bad. It was very bad.

He was playing at guard first few games, then the pats were healthy as a unit, with both starting tackles(Vollmer and Solder) and win SB. How was he bad as reserve tackle?

 

[SlowGettingUp]

One of the interesting things that Belichick has achieved here is resilience. We have pretty good backups to virtually every position - not many teams in the league can come close on that front. This is not a team that would be completely taken out of Super Bowl contention by a key injury or two. And it's also not a team with any obvious weaknesses that have to be covered-up by the play calling - we may not have the hot-shot high-priced DE's, but we have a more-than-competent front seven.

Obviously losing Gronk hurts a lot, particularly in the red zone. But Bennett is an alt-Gronk - let's hope the injury that's been bugging him can clear up completely. The defense played great against the Jets without Hightower.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

The only 2 I was on BB for was the Collins trade in the middle of the year and McLellin. And I'm still not 100% convinced that McLellin was worth his money.


So 5 out of 7 for me ain't bad. Otherwise, I was as much a Bill loyalist as Linda.

The McClellin deal wasn't really that much when you break it down. 3 years, less than $9M, only $3.5M guaranteed. It's slightly more than Chad Greenway and Jonathan Casillas make per year, slightly less than Nigel Bradham and Malcolm Smith. This year's cap hit puts him behind Chris Long, ahead of Matthew Slater, basically one of our 5 cheapest starters not on a rookie contract, so it's not totally unreasonable.

If Shea continues to develop, that deal will be a total steal, but it's not like we broke the piggy bank to sign him.

 

[PatsBoy12]

The McClellin deal wasn't really that much when you break it down. 3 years, less than $9M, only $3.5M guaranteed. It's slightly more than Chad Greenway and Jonathan Casillas make per year, slightly less than Nigel Bradham and Malcolm Smith. This year's cap hit puts him behind Chris Long, ahead of Matthew Slater, basically one of our 5 cheapest starters not on a rookie contract, so it's not totally unreasonable.

If Shea continues to develop, that deal will be a total steal, but it's not like we broke the piggy bank to sign him.

Interesting when you put it this way. I have been on record as being disappointed with the Shea deal so far, but I guess I tend to forget he's still a young player having to learn a whole new system AGAIN. I'll be a bit more patient.

 

[shmessy]

The McClellin deal wasn't really that much when you break it down. 3 years, less than $9M, only $3.5M guaranteed. It's slightly more than Chad Greenway and Jonathan Casillas make per year, slightly less than Nigel Bradham and Malcolm Smith. This year's cap hit puts him behind Chris Long, ahead of Matthew Slater, basically one of our 5 cheapest starters not on a rookie contract, so it's not totally unreasonable.

If Shea continues to develop, that deal will be a total steal, but it's not like we broke the piggy bank to sign him.

Good points. +1

 

[long distance]

It sure was lonely in the give Shea some time department.

The point of him changing positions is a valid one .. but there's also health. Its only month or so since he is (as far as we know) fully healthy.

And that's the other point: fans only have limited access to players situations - so it is normal their views (and patience with players) are limited. And its not like BB is sharing..

 

[oldrover]

This whole thing is Ian's fault... to every new poster, he started giving out one of these...

 

[deroc5050]

For the Cyrus Jones story, have to come back next year to see who was right.

I'm sure there are a couple of other players that should have been on this list - feel free to makes some suggestions. Certainly there are many from prior years that would be high on this list.

lol Cyrus is going to make a huge interception in the playoffs.. He won't return a kick unless we are up 21+.. nah he wont return any kicks in the playoffs.