Alleged Character Issues in Patriots Draft

[Force Zero Boomer]

The easy thing to do is just let it play out and hope for the best. Worrying about character issues at this point is a ridiculous waste of time. A very fair percentage of this board mature a lot between the age of 20-25. Some for the better, some for the worse. It’s just the way it goes.

It's not easy, but it's the only thing to do since the draft is over. Expect and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. It's not impossible for a player to turn things around. I don't know what the Pats knew about Baker pre-draft. I hope this is much ado about nothing.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

CTE likely played a part in both those cases.

You mean Aaron? Hernandez was involved with gangs and had violent episodes and drug problems before he was drafted. Yes, he had advanced CTE, but if you told me that a guy with gang involvement would end up executing someone, it wouldn't come as a shock. Killing people is par for the course in that culture. But Hernandez is one of those players you might be willing to take a risk on: first round talent available in the fourth round. For a while it payed off, until it didn't.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Hernandez was involved with gangs and had violent episodes and drug problems before he was drafted. Yes, he had advanced CTE, but if you told me that a guy with gang involvement would end up executing someone, it wouldn't come as a shock.

He had the most advanced case of CTE ever seen in someone his age. Who knows when it started - perhaps even in High School. But yes, there is also the gang-banger aspect at Miami and after. Very hard to disentangle those two dimensions. There were certainly warning flags at draft time, but he managed (on the surface at least) to keep his nose clean enough to warrant a massive new contract.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/aaron-hernandez-suffered-from-most-severe-cte-ever-found-in-a-person-his-age/2017/11/09/fa7cd204-c57b-11e7-afe9-4f60b5a6c4a0_story.html

 

[Patsgofor4]

I hope that the Patriots can get one or two seasons out of this irresponsible guy before he flames out. And he will flame out. Sort of like Jack Jones.

WTF are you and some others talking about? You are basing this on the vague, anonymous reports in Bedard’s article? In my opinion, Bedard has a history of making up reports using fictional sources, in order to try to stay relevant and so that Felger and Mazz will keep paying him for his appearances.

In a recent podcast, in response to criticism that he received online for his initial report, Bedard claimed that he ultimately confirmed the anonymous reports with someone “close to Baker”. Prior to the draft, Baker could have walked up to Bedard and kicked him in the nuts in broad daylight and he would’ve had no idea who had kicked him, but he expects us to believe that he now has a source close to Baker who is willing to throw the kid under the bus to a random beat writer by confirming these negative reports? 100% ********.

It the same podcast, he also said that he never publishes a negative report about a player if you can’t confirm it with other sources, but is too dumb to remember that he did exactly that with Polk. His go-to source made reference to a red flag about Polk, but Bard wasn’t able to confirm that with any of his other sources yet he’s still published what the one source said about the kid.

F*ck that fraud.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

WTF are you and some others talking about? You are basing this on the vague, anonymous reports in Bedard’s article? In my opinion, Bedard has a history of making up reports using fictional sources, in order to try to stay relevant and so that Felger and Mazz will keep paying him for his appearances. ...

Here is a the quote of an NFL executive:
"And then there's a bunch of just stuff from reckless driving, multiple fights. Suspensions at Alabama ... went to jail, charge was dropped. There's multiple gun incidents and some (other) stuff..."

It should be easy enough to confirm or deny that he went to jail, was suspended at 'Bama, owns guns, arrived at the OTA with a big entourage, etc. Sure a lot of NFL players own guns, but combined with the other stuff it does not look good. And his video is pretty obnoxious. That being said, a lot of WRs are jerks and knuckleheads; it remains to be seen if this guy can grow up and ditch his entourage, his attitude, his entitlement, and his guns, etc. Jack Jones did not ditch his gun obsession or shut his trap and I suspect he will be out of the NFL soon. Baker is now on the big stage and his life is at a pivot point; will he grow up or screw up?

It sure would be great if he could get his head screwed on; the Patriots really, really a number one deep threat.

 

[Love The Drake]

Here is a the quote of an NFL executive:
"And then there's a bunch of just stuff from reckless driving, multiple fights. Suspensions at Alabama ... went to jail, charge was dropped. There's multiple gun incidents and some (other) stuff..."

It should be easy enough to confirm or deny that he went to jail, was suspended at 'Bama, owns guns, arrived at the OTA with a big entourage, etc. Sure a lot of NFL players own guns, but combined with the other stuff it does not look good. And his video is pretty obnoxious. That being said, a lot of WRs are jerks and knuckleheads; it remains to be seen if this guy can grow up and ditch his entourage, his attitude, his entitlement, and his guns, etc. Jack Jones did not ditch his gun obsession or shut his trap and I suspect he will be out of the NFL soon. Baker is now on the big stage and his life is at a pivot point; will he grow up or screw up?

It sure would be great if he could get his head screwed on; the Patriots really, really a number one deep threat.

Jack jones talent is top 20 at his position.
His HC loves him.
He’s in Vegas the most corrupt city in the US.
I think he will be fine.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

Jack jones talent is top 20 at his position.
His HC loves him.
He’s in Vegas the most corrupt city in the US.
I think he will be fine.

I love Vegas in short stints, 3 days maximum. Even if you don't gamble, there's a lot to do: amazing hotels, shopping, restaurants, shows, rides, tours, etc. I want to go back now that they have the Sphere. I once ate at a seafood place there that flew in their fish every morning, fresh from the Mediterranean! Of course there's the seedy stuff and many opportunities to lose all your money, but without that Vegas is still loads of fun.

 

[captain stone]

I love Vegas in short stints, 3 days maximum. Even if you don't gamble, there's a lot to do: amazing hotels, shopping, restaurants, shows, rides, tours, etc. I want to go back now that they have the Sphere. I once ate at a seafood place there that flew in their fish every morning, fresh from the Mediterranean! Of course there's the seedy stuff and many opportunities to lose all your money, but without that Vegas is still loads of fun.

I haven't been to Las Vegas since Presidents' Day weekend...of 1983. I saw where they were building this fancy new hotel near Caesar's Palace called Luxor...

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

I haven't been to Las Vegas since Presidents' Day weekend...of 1983. I saw where they were building this fancy new hotel near Caesar's Palace called Luxor...

I really like the Venetian. It's beautiful. They have an inner courtyard, which is actually indoors, but you'd swear you were outside. It has an artificial sky and a ventilation system that makes it feel breezy at times. It's a convincing illusion: took me 10 minutes to realize I was still inside. And there are canals there! You can take a gondola ride through parts of the property.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

I love Vegas in short stints, 3 days maximum. Even if you don't gamble, there's a lot to do: amazing hotels, shopping, restaurants, shows, rides, tours, etc. I want to go back now that they have the Sphere. I once ate at a seafood place there that flew in their fish every morning, fresh from the Mediterranean! Of course there's the seedy stuff and many opportunities to lose all your money, but without that Vegas is still loads of fun.

I went for a week last fall, had to follow the Pats on my phone, tons to do and see and out of this world restaurants. I don't gamble so didn't lose a dime.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Jack jones talent is top 20 at his position.
His HC loves him.
He’s in Vegas the most corrupt city in the US.
I think he will be fine.

Ah, yes, Vegas. At least there will not be a lot of temptation there

When I watched him at training camp, appeared to the bet player on the field...but off the field, I cannot say.

 

[Love The Drake]

I went for a week last fall, had to follow the Pats on my phone, tons to do and see and out of this world restaurants. I don't gamble so didn't lose a dime.

I made 50 at blackjack and left.
Then left my suitcase in a Uber and had them drive it back to me and then tipped them the 50 I had just won lol.

 

[n1997y]

I made 50 at blackjack and left.
Then left my suitcase in a Uber and had them drive it back to me and then tipped them the 50 I had just won lol.

Easy come, easy go.

 

[1960Pats]

I love Vegas in short stints, 3 days maximum. Even if you don't gamble, there's a lot to do: amazing hotels, shopping, restaurants, shows, rides, tours, etc. I want to go back now that they have the Sphere. I once ate at a seafood place there that flew in their fish every morning, fresh from the Mediterranean! Of course there's the seedy stuff and many opportunities to lose all your money, but without that Vegas is still loads of fun.

My wife and I have never had the urge to go to Vegas and never will.
The Sphere does interest me though after my son went to a U2 concert there about a month ago and was raving about it. He didn't like anything else about Vegas though.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

My wife and I have never had the urge to go to Vegas and never will.
The Sphere does interest me though after my son went to a U2 concert there about a month ago and was raving about it. He didn't like anything else about Vegas though.

It all depends what you like. Many people like restaurants, shopping, shows, concerts, fine hotels and tours (the Grand Canyon helicopter tour, for example). Of course there's gambling and other vices, but I'm not into those and only played some poker just to say I did. If you prefer quiet, camping, a cabin on a lake, the seaside, etc., Vegas isn't for you.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

It all depends what you like. Many people like restaurants, shopping, shows, concerts, fine hotels and tours (the Grand Canyon helicopter tour, for example). Of course there's gambling and other vices, but I'm not into those and only played some poker just to say I did. If you prefer quiet, camping, a cabin on a lake, the seaside, etc., Vegas isn't for you.

We were going to do the helicopter ride to the canyon but couldn't get a time we wanted, after we left Vegas, we read about one of those helicopters crashed in the canyon, killing all aboard.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

We were going to do the helicopter ride to the canyon but couldn't get a time we wanted, after we left Vegas, we read about one of those helicopters crashed in the canyon, killing all aboard.

That's why I never almost never fly in helicopters or single engine (or single pilot) planes. Some Caribbean islands give you no choice, such as Culebra, and some pilots have far fewer hours than you'd think, and flying safely in canyons isn't easy. Even a mistake loading the aircraft can lead to a crash.

When I flew to Culebra from PR, they weighed us and our luggage, and then carefully loaded the plane (two engine). I was told to slide to the middle of a row I occupied alone. The pilot took the lead throughout that process, which gave me a lot of confidence. He was middle-aged -- also something I prefer. If I ever see a cavalier attitude or a guy who seems unconcerned or overconfident, I won't fly. I've watched too many videos where pilots like that get people killed.

 

[captain stone]

We were going to do the helicopter ride to the canyon but couldn't get a time we wanted, after we left Vegas, we read about one of those helicopters crashed in the canyon, killing all aboard.

Another reason why this old Jarhead will never, ever fly in a helicopter.

 

[1960Pats]

We were going to do the helicopter ride to the canyon but couldn't get a time we wanted, after we left Vegas, we read about one of those helicopters crashed in the canyon, killing all aboard.

I'm an expert on this. I've seen every episode of Weather Gone Viral. Canyons and mountains are not chopper friendly.

 

[Koma]

WTF are you and some others talking about? You are basing this on the vague, anonymous reports in Bedard’s article? In my opinion, Bedard has a history of making up reports using fictional sources, in order to try to stay relevant and so that Felger and Mazz will keep paying him for his appearances.

In a recent podcast, in response to criticism that he received online for his initial report, Bedard claimed that he ultimately confirmed the anonymous reports with someone “close to Baker”. Prior to the draft, Baker could have walked up to Bedard and kicked him in the nuts in broad daylight and he would’ve had no idea who had kicked him, but he expects us to believe that he now has a source close to Baker who is willing to throw the kid under the bus to a random beat writer by confirming these negative reports? 100% ********.

It the same podcast, he also said that he never publishes a negative report about a player if you can’t confirm it with other sources, but is too dumb to remember that he did exactly that with Polk. His go-to source made reference to a red flag about Polk, but Bard wasn’t able to confirm that with any of his other sources yet he’s still published what the one source said about the kid.

F*ck that fraud.

I’m still waiting for Bedard to reveal the potentially career tarnishing info he heard about Barmore from anonymous sources back in 2021.