Criticizing Belichick the GM

[Deus Irae]

My point about Cyrus Jones and Brandon Tate is that in the grand scheme of things there are only 1700 jobs in the NFL, and I have admiration for guys who can carve out a career at this level.
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My other reaction to your post is that special teams is a critically important piece of the game. It's great these guys have found their niche, but more to the point regarding this thread, BB the GM and BB the coach have always placed a premium on having excellent special teams. I like this year's biggest special teams move drafting the punter Bailey who is a clear upgrade. He needs to keep working on holding for the place kicker, however.

By the way, did you hear Christian Fauria talking about being a backup placekick holder last week? It terrified him that he might be called on. It was interesting to hear him talk about how hard it is, particularly in poor conditions.

Not to disrespect special teams play, even in this era of diminished importance for it, but neither Jones nor Tate was drafted to be a special teams player. They were drafted to be positional players, and they busted out on that, which is at least part of why neither stayed with Patriots for his full rookie deal. Whether or not they can play special teams is irrelevant to whether or not they were busts, unless ST is the only thing they were drafted for. A guy like Nate Ebner would be different. He was drafted to be a ST guy, and he's been an excellent pick.

And I did not hear Fauria talk about that. He and Merloni have gotten a bit ridiculous with their schtick over the course of time, so I'm finding myself listening to a lot more music from 2-6 these days.

 

[Tony2046]

And he went 36-44 with the Browns. So what?

Wait. Didn't you just mention something about mentioning wins?

 

[203Pat]

Wait. Didn't you just mention something about mentioning wins?

This goes to what I was talking about. You can do things right sometimes and still lose games and you can do things wrong sometimes and still win games.

 

[goheels22002]

Do you have the same admiration for the Blaine Gabberts of the world? Drafted high, played terribly as a starter, now floats around the league as a backup?

Yes. There are roughly 32 of those backup jobs in the world. Guys who stick with it and willing to do the work as a scout team QB, be ready to go when called upon are very valuable. Look around at all the backups playing week 9. There's a reason why they say NFL stands for Not For Long.

Matt Moore in KC has bounced around, been a competent QB, and is now in pivotal role. I adnire his hard work and persistence a lot.

 

[203Pat]

Yes. There are roughly 32 of those backup jobs in the world. Guys who stick with it and willing to do the work as a scout team QB, be ready to go when called upon are very valuable. Look around at all the backups playing week 9. There's a reason why they say NFL stands for Not For Long.

Matt Moore in KC has bounced around, been a competent QB, and is now in pivotal role. I adnire his hard work and persistence a lot.

Well if you want to go the participation trophy route then that's fine. I just think early round draft picks should be labeled busts if they don't at least develop into a starter.

 

[Tony2046]

This goes to what I was talking about. You can do things right sometimes and still lose games and you can do things wrong sometimes and still win games.

True but rebuking someone's usage of wins as an argument and then using BB's losses is contradictory.

“WE WON LOTS OF GAMES!”

" HE LOST LOTS OF GAMES!"

I would add that despite BB's record during his first HC gig in Cleveland he was already ahead of the curve when it comes to roster management and scheme development. Things like pattern matching, star LB, cap management etc... started in Cleveland.

**Note: @AndyJohnson doesn't know what a star LB is.

 

[mgteich]

The only one I don’t like is Bill Belichick the 2nd round defensive back scout.

We can surely criticize BB's choices in acquiring defensive backs. However, it seems that our defensive backfield has done pretty well over the years.

 

[Gronkowski123]

Hes had some stinkers lately

 

[zipster9]

Jimmy Garoppolo trade...

 

[The Scrizz]

Does Caserio take any hits here? Or does he get no credit/blame? He's supposed to be Houston's savior next season so he must have some input here.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

True but rebuking someone's usage of wins as an argument and then using BB's losses is contradictory.

“WE WON LOTS OF GAMES!”

" HE LOST LOTS OF GAMES!"

I would add that despite BB's record during his first HC gig in Cleveland he was already ahead of the curve when it comes to roster management and scheme development. Things like pattern matching, star LB, cap management etc... started in Cleveland.

**Note: @AndyJohnson doesn't know what a star LB is.

Can't write this post w/out mentioning Saban. He's as, if not more responsible for some of the innovation you mentioned above.

 

[Tony2046]

Can't write this post w/out mentioning Saban. He's as, if not more responsible for some of the innovation you mentioned above.

Yes you're right. Good point.

 

[24Law]

The best argument for bb as a gm: he is the most successful gm ever.

The best argument against bb a gm: he missed on Cyrus Jones and Duke Dawson

 

[NG Pats Fan]

DK Metcalf looks like a super stud....meanwhile we drafted two players above him who are healthy scratches...Williams and Harry

 

[RobertWeathers]

DK Metcalf looks like a super stud....meanwhile we drafted two players above him who are healthy scratches...Williams and Harry

So you are 10000% confident Metcalf would be great his rookie year here?

 

[NG Pats Fan]

So you are 10000% confident Metcalf would be great his rookie year here?

I’ve watched seahawk games all season. YES.

1. Big
2. Ridiculously strong
3. Creates separation
4. Catches the ball
5. Can run away from people

 

[RobertWeathers]

I’ve watched seahawk games all season. YES.

1. Big
2. Ridiculously strong
3. Creates separation
4. Catches the ball
5. Can run away from people

You have no idea if he is a fit in this offense. Hell we don't even know if Harry is

 

[NG Pats Fan]

Jackson looks incredibly dynamic. We passed on this dude TWICE in the first?

 

[Biffins]

Well if you want to go the participation trophy route then that's fine. I just think early round draft picks should be labeled busts if they don't at least develop into a starter.

Backup QBs make $3-5m or more. More than most special team positions. That’s no participation trophy.

 

[DarrylS]

Like I said Bill is a good drafter. As with anyone, especially someone who has made as many picks as Bill, there will be some busts.

Not only a good drafter, but a drafter who has lost at least two 1st round picks by Goodell and his kangaroo court.. and usually picks at the end of every round.

He has done well considering where he is picking from...