Kraft acknowledges drafting woes, says approach is changing

[Biffins]

So Belichick is completely incompetent, now?

You might want to take a look at some recent free agent signings the Patriots have completed. Just saying.


The 2006 Patriots offense scored more points and won two more games than the 2005 Patriots. Not exactly the traits of that guy's "huge step backwards".

Pats' recent FA signings are quite underwhelming. We seem to have overpaid for a lot of mediocre talent.

 

[Captain Cliche]

I have no problem with criticism of the Pats, but some people's negativity is cringeworthy.

 

[NG Pats Fan]

 

[Lansdowne]

To be fair Deebo hasn’t exactly lit up the stat sheet either (more than Harry for sure but not in comparison to a handful of the other guys taken after him).

Brown hurts though. Had an “impressive” visit with Belichick before the draft.

Bill Belichick recalls 'impressive' pre-draft visit with Titans WR A.J. Brown

Titans WR A.J. Brown is undoubtedly the most impressive rookie pass-catcher this year.

patriotswire.usatoday.com

Brown was also a big Patriots fan apparently. Seemed sure the team was taking him.



And now I’m sad. Sigh.

 

[captain stone]

Besides, Bill actually received a decent return for the Twig...The problem was that the depth since 2004 had thinned considerably, beginning when David Patten left for the 'Skins...Givens left after '05...The unexpected Twig holdout...The predictable Bethel Johnson & PK Sam flops...And an earlier missed opportunity during the 2001 draft to pick up some help in the form of Justin McCareins, who had a decent career with the Titties & Jesters, instead of predictable flop, ND TE Jabari Holloway...

I still don't feel that not having the Twig was the main reason - or even one of the main reasons - why we lost the '06 AFCC anyway...Personnel-wise,
it starts with not having Rodney Harrison...

EDIT: Forgot to add the non-contribution of Chad Jackson to the list of reasons why our WR room was in chaos during 2006...But I was On-Board with the trade-up and with the pick itself, so I'm not blaming Bill for this one (nor for the LaMa pick in the 1st round, though I kinda preferred DeAngelo Williams there, but not by that much)...Once Santonio Holmes was off the board, CJack was the consensus BPA at WR (some even had him slightly ahead of Holmes), so trading up for him made all the sense in the world...But FOB Urban Meyer wasn't really preparing his young men to be professionals, only to win him some college games...

(thanks to Lansdowne for the reminder)

 

[patsfanincleveland]

View attachment 31958

This one wants a medal for this find.

 

[amfootball]

Belichick’s deal with Kraft is one where he runs football operations, not Kraft, taking that away is no different than firing him, and you know that. What you want is for Kraft to fire Belichick, even though you don’t have the slightest clue on who you would replace him with. I’m really not sure why you and the other haters don’t just become Bucs or Chiefs fans, as frontrunning is the only gear you guys know. None of you can name a better coach or GM, as no one has Belichick’s track record of accomplishments. You should all call Foxborough and give them your fantasy football credentials, and then wait for Kraft to call you.

I think at age 69 as opposed to age 49, Bill is probably more malleable than you think. It's not lost on him that the drafting needs to change and be more collaborative. He may welcome the sharing of responsibilities more at this stage of his career and life.

 

[amfootball]

 

[Sicilian]

I think at age 69 as opposed to age 49, Bill is probably more malleable than you think. It's not lost on him that the drafting needs to change and be more collaborative. He may welcome the sharing of responsibilities more at this stage of his career and life.

Agreed. It's also possible for a guy to be both supremely confident in his own abilities, and still recognize that he's made mistakes. He felt strongly about Harry, whether it was because of people he trusted (outside the organization) or some other series of factors, but I highly doubt he looks back now and thinks, "Nah, I'd do that again because I'm the greatest." All accomplished leaders have a streak of arrogance in them, but BB does seem to be willing to adapt and change. Hell, it's a fundamental tenet of his gameplan philosophy, otherwise we'd still be running a pure 3-4 defense every week.

 

[Bill Lee]

Bill Belichick reportedly ignored scouts in drafting N'Keal Harry

Last week's comments from Patriots owner Robert Kraft, covered extensively here and on PFT Live, included a blunt and candid assessment of the team's recent failures in the draft.

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

old news, but kind of sad we couldve had AJ brown or Deebo samuel. maybe Bill is listening to his scouts more this year and thats the change? trust the guys on the ground.

Kinda sad that some people are so desperate for a narrative to stick that they are treating Florio's reporting of Breer's "interpretation" as gospel.

Even Florio says there are multiple ways to interpret the situation:

Breer interprets Kraft’s reference to a “different approach” as reflecting an indication that Belichick is now listening more to those in the building who are setting the table for Belichick.

That said, Kraft also could have been referring to the fact that there’s a different person ultimately setting the table for Kraft, given the departure of former V.P. of player personnel Nick Caserio for the Texans.

In short, the most likely source for Breer's piece is Caserio, who has every reason to suggest they would have done things differently, of course with the benefit of hindsight. Of course if Caserio felt so strongly he could have leaked the story the day after the draft, but nope, he waits till he's able to take potshots from the safety of the Houston bunker. Of course he now has a full view of what Easterby and McNair are capable of, so he better be careful about burning bridges.

Now, back to discussing the events of 2006...

 

[50-yard-line]

To be fair Deebo hasn’t exactly lit up the stat sheet either (more than Harry for sure but not in comparison to a handful of the other guys taken after him).

Brown hurts though. Had an “impressive” visit with Belichick before the draft.

Bill Belichick recalls 'impressive' pre-draft visit with Titans WR A.J. Brown

Titans WR A.J. Brown is undoubtedly the most impressive rookie pass-catcher this year.

patriotswire.usatoday.com

Brown was also a big Patriots fan apparently. Seemed sure the team was taking him.



And now I’m sad. Sigh.

Me too.

I don't hate Harry like some here, but I was holding my breath when the Pats came to the podium, ready to cheer for AJ Brown....sigh.

 

[Ivan]

I think at age 69 as opposed to age 49, Bill is probably more malleable than you think. It's not lost on him that the drafting needs to change and be more collaborative. He may welcome the sharing of responsibilities more at this stage of his career and life.

You lost a credibility when you armchair diagnosed Belichick as having “ an inferiority complex.”

 

[amfootball]

You lost a credibility when you armchair diagnosed Belichick as having “ an inferiority complex.”

If you listened to him at all last year, I am not sure how you could come away with not noticing it. He absolutely refused to admit any short comings at all despite being the one who for the last 20 years said his program is not built on excuses. All he did was serve up excuses the entire season for the state of the roster to the putrid play of Cam. If you want to stick your fingers in your ears and pretend we didn't see a complete 180 from the guy, then go ahead but it is you then with the credibility issue.

 

[Captain Cliche]

I know it's Chris Simms, but he makes a good point:


He says maybe the Pats put too much emphasis on character and intelligence, and not enough on athletic ability.

I was thinking maybe you draft an Antonio Brown and when he starts to show his turd personality traits, you trade him off for a high pick and begin the cycle again. This is probably not realistic, because if a player is going to go off the rails, it's usually after their first big contract.
Would Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins be examples of this situation?

 

[patsfanincleveland]

Kinda sad that some people are so desperate for a narrative to stick that they are treating Florio's reporting of Breer's "interpretation" as gospel.

Even Florio says there are multiple ways to interpret the situation:

In short, the most likely source for Breer's piece is Caserio, who has every reason to suggest they would have done things differently, of course with the benefit of hindsight. Of course if Caserio felt so strongly he could have leaked the story the day after the draft, but nope, he waits till he's able to take potshots from the safety of the Houston bunker. Of course he now has a full view of what Easterby and McNair are capable of, so he better be careful about burning bridges.

Now, back to discussing the events of 2006...

It seems odd that Caserio would leak this story. Outside of the fact that he's making some real bank based on working for Belichick, he has to know that stabbing Belichick in the back isn't the way one gets to come back to the nest like Patricia, McDaniels...........

One only needs to ask Mangenius how that worked.

The story is basically stupid because it's a story of the boss who gets paid to make the final decision made a decision.

 

[Sicilian]

The story is basically stupid because it's a story of the boss who gets paid to make the final decision made a decision.

Yeah, I'm not sure why anyone is surprised by this. I'm willing to bet this has happened numerous times in the past, and probably has worked in at least some of those cases. You just don't hear about them because either there's nothing to complain about, or the difference in "got" versus "coulda got" wasn't as drastic as Harry vs. Brown.

 

[patsfanincleveland]

Yeah, I'm not sure why anyone is surprised by this. I'm willing to bet this has happened numerous times in the past, and probably has worked in at least some of those cases. You just don't hear about them because either there's nothing to complain about, or the difference in "got" versus "coulda got" wasn't as drastic as Harry vs. Brown.

If this Brown guy is from the Titans, he had decent stats but they were 23rd in passing and they only threw to their two WR's. Over 16 games somebody has to catch something at some point.

Then they bombed in the playoffs.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

What a crazy year 2006 was. Lost David Givens in free agency to the Titans. Signed Reche Caldwell to replace him. Drafted Chad Jackson at 36th overall. Traded a 2007 5th round pick to the Raiders for Doug Gabriel a week before the season opener. The day after the season opener, traded Deion Branch to the Seahawks for their 2007 first round pick. Four games into the season, signed Jabar Gaffney off the street, barely used him during the regular season, and unleashed him in the playoffs as Brady’s most targeted receiver. As for Gabriel, he was cut in December and re-signed by the Raiders the very next day.

Ah, Chad Jackson.
The only Patriot I took an extreme visceral dislike towards from day one. Was at summer camp (Gillette) a lot that year. Guy was chiseled & heavily muscled. Zero intelligence and work ethic. Brady continually had to show him where to line up and move him. Got to the point that at a couple practices Tom disgustedly waived him off the field. He'd be standing around in drills yucking it up and missing his cue. I started a thread calling him a BUST and took huge flak because "it takes 2 or maybe 3 years to determine a bust". No it does not when you're a 24/7 bust.
SHARP contrast to my man "The Twig" who grokked everything from the get go and showed it from day one in summer camp.

 

[patsfanincleveland]

Ah, Chad Jackson.
The only Patriot I took an extreme visceral dislike towards from day one. Was at summer camp (Gillette) a lot that year. Guy was chiseled & heavily muscled. Zero intelligence and work ethic. Brady continually had to show him where to line up and move him. Got to the point that at a couple practices Tom disgustedly waived him off the field. He'd be standing around in drills yucking it up and missing his cue. I started a thread calling him a BUST and took huge flak because "it takes 2 or maybe 3 years to determine a bust". No it does not when you're a 24/7 bust.
SHARP contrast to my man "The Twig" who grokked everything from the get go and showed it from day one in summer camp.

Your problem is that Chris Simms says we should draft for physical ability and less intelligence and character!!!!

 

[Bill Lee]

It seems odd that Caserio would leak this story. Outside of the fact that he's making some real bank based on working for Belichick, he has to know that stabbing Belichick in the back isn't the way one gets to come back to the nest like Patricia, McDaniels...........

One only needs to ask Mangenius how that worked.

It wouldn't surprise me. Caserio wanted out of his contract a year ago. He would have gotten what he wanted if Kraft didn't pick up the phone and call McNair. Caserio had next to no choice but put up a good face for a year while burning deep inside. I don't think Nick is considering ever coming back to NE.

The story is basically stupid because it's a story of the boss who gets paid to make the final decision made a decision.

Ineed, and the Harry pick is totally consistent with what BB values in WRs and not consistent with what the draft industrial complex values so the butt hurt is red hot.