Gridiron Genius by Lombardi

[everlong]

Finished this book by Michael Lombardi a week ago. I would recommend it as good not great. I was really hoping he would delve deeper into the draft evaluation process beyond just a high level view. He does cover working for Bill Walsh, Al Davis and of course Belichick. Their team building, drafting and football game theories were interesting vs each other. He also calls out a few coaches and personnel men.

He of course covers both spy/deflategate issues. Basically the entire league was and still is finding every way to steal signals and that deflate was the biggest witch hunt since the 1600's.

This last part I felt was interesting since we've had this debate numerous times on this forum. Who is Bill's worst draft pick ever? Lombardi quotes Bill as saying time and time again it was Ron Brace. Highlight the text before this to see if your guess was correct.

 

[luuked]

I would recommend the book to anyone. Once Lombardi is done telling his origin story which is when he is talking mostly about Walsh and a bit of Al Davis the entire book becomes somewhat a rational loveletter to Belichick. It doesn't go to far into unreasonable homer territory because generally Lombardi tries to back up whatever he praises by giving insight and facts why he sees things the way he does.

The chapter that describes the entire week leading up to the playoff game against the Ravens in January 2015 alone is worth the money (or time to find a PDF online). There is a lot of insight into how BB approaches game prep in it.

I also would argue that he makes a good case for why culture is so important but at the same time often ignored by fans and media alike.

I can see why you are a bit disappointed with the draft stuff. But to be honest I think Lombardi kinda gives you the answer in the book. Walsh never told people about how he was evaluating QBs. Similarly I don't think BB shares the way he analyzes things with more than Ernie. I am not even sure Caserio knows half of the time the evaluation methods of his coach. Giving this away would spread it all over the league when your staff inevitably moves on to other opportunities (or writes books).

That being said I would love to read a pure scouting book by Lombardi or have a peak at the reports he was tasked to generate for Walsh or BB.

 

[NashuaPats]

Regarding Bill's evaluation of players, I think the answer is already known. He prioritizes a player's love for the game, football IQ, and leadership qualities more than other GMs and coaches do.

 

[Dragda]

The local library doesn’t have it. Worth buying?

 

[letekro]

BB’s advantage in evaluation is that he understands better than most what the system he is running requires, and what it doesn’t require. He therefore does not overpay for players who can do more than what the system requires, and also identifies players that may not be on other team’s radars because they have glaring weaknesses that will be mitigated by performing their particular role in the system. Because of the importance of “the system,” one trait that all potential Patriots must demonstrate is commitment to Discipline in a team framework.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Finished this book by Michael Lombardi a week ago. I would recommend it as good not great. I was really hoping he would delve deeper into the draft evaluation process beyond just a high level view. He does cover working for Bill Walsh, Al Davis and of course Belichick. Their team building, drafting and football game theories were interesting vs each other. He also calls out a few coaches and personnel men.

He of course covers both spy/deflategate issues. Basically the entire league was and still is finding every way to steal signals and that deflate was the biggest witch hunt since the 1600's.

This last part I felt was interesting since we've had this debate numerous times on this forum. Who is Bill's worst draft pick ever? Lombardi quotes Bill as saying time and time again it was Ron Brace. Highlight the text before this to see if your guess was correct.

I’m curious if he explained why Brace was the worst draft pick? I think many would have guessed Chad Jackson since they traded up for him and were seduced by his workouts over his actual game production. I always thought Brace was derailed by injuries with some chatter about his work ethic and attitude, but I’m wondering what else is added to the story.

 

[everlong]

I’m curious if he explained why Brace was the worst draft pick? I think many would have guessed Chad Jackson since they traded up for him and were seduced by his workouts over his actual game production. I always thought Brace was derailed by injuries with some chatter about his work ethic and attitude, but I’m wondering what else is added to the story.

No and that was part of my frustration. He tended to tell you things but not explain beyond the surface. In this case BB might never have elaborated. One thing he did breakdown really well was Garoppolo vs Manziel who were their final two that year. I'd LOVE to know if they were really considering trading up for Mayfield of if that was pure media fabrication.

 

[everlong]

The local library doesn’t have it. Worth buying?

I got it from my library so tough for me to say. I'd give it 3.5/5 rating. I enjoyed it but still wish ML dove deeper into different parts.

 

[Kontradiction]

No and that was part of my frustration. He tended to tell you things but not explain beyond the surface. In this case BB might never have elaborated. One thing he did breakdown really well was Garoppolo vs Manziel who were their final two that year. I'd LOVE to know if they were really considering trading up for Mayfield of if that was pure media fabrication.

I don't think that was a media fabrication at all. I think they wanted to pounce if Mayfield fell. Too many similarities in his attitude and approach toward the game to Brady. Unfortunately, the Browns smartened up and took him #1 overall.

 

[everlong]

I don't think that was a media fabrication at all. I think they wanted to pounce if Mayfield fell. Too many similarities in his attitude and approach toward the game to Brady. Unfortunately, the Browns smartened up and took him #1 overall.

I agree in principal but the Patriots have also never shown the willingness to use that much draft capital on one player. Lombardi does go over the risk and how only 1/2 top QB prospects makes it. It's a unique circumstance so maybe they were going to load up to get him but I don't think any of us can be 100% positive.

 

[Kontradiction]

I agree in principal but the Patriots have also never shown the willingness to use that much draft capital on one player. Lombardi does go over the risk and how only 1/2 top QB prospects makes it. It's a unique circumstance so maybe they were going to load up to get him but I don't think any of us can be 100% positive.

I think they were banking on him falling out of the top 10. Wouldn't have taken as much draft capital as you think. However, things only began to really heat up with him in the last 24 hours before the draft.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Love Lombardi's podcasts on The Ringer, particularly this year as he's turned off his language filter. I'm sure his book pales in comparison.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Wheelman]

Love Lombardi's podcasts on The Ringer, particularly this year as he's turned off his language filter. I'm sure his book pales in comparison.

Regards,
Chris

That came as a shock to me. Almost offended. I wanted him to tone it down but I got used to it.

 

[luuked]

Love Lombardi's podcasts on The Ringer, particularly this year as he's turned off his language filter. I'm sure his book pales in comparison.

Not at all. The book is his Ringer stuff in more depth and at times on steroids.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

That came as a shock to me. Almost offended. I wanted him to tone it down but I got used to it.

It shocked me, too, but I like the rawness of it all and when he goes off on someone, it is usually merited. Cleveland's coaching staff has been skewered by f-bombs

Regards,
Chris

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Not at all. The book is his Ringer stuff in more depth and at times on steroids.

Really? Wow, maybe I should buy the book. Hmm.

Regards
Chris

 

[Wheelman]

It shocked me, too, but I like the rawness of it all and when he goes off on someone, it is usually merited. Cleveland's coaching staff has been skewered by f-bombs

Regards,
Chris

Yeah but he was doing that anyways before he started using profanity.

 

[Dragda]

Not at all. The book is his Ringer stuff in more depth and at times on steroids.

I can’t do podcasts. It’s just someone I never met talking for forty straight minutes. I can’t even listen to someone I know and love for 40 mins.

 

[supafly]

I’m curious if he explained why Brace was the worst draft pick?

I was just going to say that it was Ron Brace. Everyone else was on the other kid from BC and Belichick tried to go outside the box and liked Brace.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I’m curious if he explained why Brace was the worst draft pick? I think many would have guessed Chad Jackson since they traded up for him and were seduced by his workouts over his actual game production. I always thought Brace was derailed by injuries with some chatter about his work ethic and attitude, but I’m wondering what else is added to the story.

Got me too. Chad Jackson was my least favorite. Saw him many times in training camp. His basic don't give a hoot attitude shone through. It seemed like his very existence pissed off Brady. I'd see Brady, looking disgusted, waive him away from where he'd lined up to a different spot. On another camp day I thought I saw Brady just signal him off the field. He never returned that scrimmage. Chad would be yukking it up with other players while on the field and never seemed to have his head in the game. Got drafted because he had a muscular Josh Gordon like body.

I took major flak here because I started a thread with Chad Jackson Bust in the title. Folks correctly pointed out that it takes a couple seasons to evaluate a pick. They were right but Chad was the easily discernible exception.

Brace was just another fat BC guy. He must have done something really interesting to piss off BB.