Wow...Just watched Belichick's Press Conference...

[TruthSeeker]

...And I have taken a healthy gulp of Koolaid. I take back everything I've ever said negatively about Belichick drafts. They call Belichick a genius, but that in actuality is an insult. This guy is beyond genius. I came away from watching the press conference feeling totally at ease, I actually love the guy.

Someone asked him about drafting Wheatley and Wilhite when other larger CB's were on the board (something I've been complaining about), and he basically said that Wheatley and Wilhite fit the system, and why pick guys you don't feel would fit the system. He went on to say why draft guys just to plug holes, when two years later, they might not fill the hole, and you have the same problems. He said, he's not in the belief that, If you need a guard, you take a guard, you need a TE, you take a TE, etc. He said that may look good on peoples draft boards, the team may get an 'A" grade from prognosticators, but once again, 2 years later they may have been bad players to fit your system. he said he doesn't like to try to force players to fit the role. Absolutely brilliant.

I've decided to just sit back and enjoy draft day's from now on, and realize that the Pats have a draft board that they will not stray from. Belichick mentioned that he's been trying to get faster on defense for the last 5 years, but their draft board just hasn't fallen that way. In fact, in 2006, he didn't go into the draft looking to go offense, it just fell that way.

You guys have to watch the conference, it starts out slow, very informative stuff about the draft (enjoyed the O'Connell stuff, and how the coaches spoke to him prior to the draft), but it winds up showing his genius towards the end, kinda tipping his hat as to how the Patriot War Room works. I have gone into a 180 degree change on this draft, thanks to the genius. I actually feel enlightened, wow.

P.S.- I apologize to all people who were offended by my rants earlier, I should know better. back in 2002, I was complaining about drafting Deion Branch in the second round, with more famous WR's on the board. I was really upset about the pick, and then my ex-wife said, maybe Deion Branch just fits the teams system better. It took me 6 years to agree with her, lol. I was right about Bethel f*cking Johnson though.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: Wow.....Just watched Belichick's Press Conference.....

This is why it's so easy to be a Pats fan. Even when I do disagree with BB/Pioli, I realize that that probably just means that I'm wrong.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Re: Wow.....Just watched Belichick's Press Conference.....

There are too many fans and so called draft experts who look at each pick individually instead of trying to see how they will fit together in a few years with the draft picks taken a year before them.

Any so called expert who sees how versatile this team is now will shake in their boots to see it in a few more years. We're going from taking players who can play 2 positions to taking players who can play 3 and even 4 positions.

Put 4 or 5 playmakers on each side of the ball surrounded by 6 or 7 multi-dimensional players and that is one heck of a team that is nearly impossible to scheme against for a game. Same is true for us in that we can call plays on both side of the ball without great personel changes showing our hand.

Lastly ... look at these fast dual positional players drafted the last few years all as the NFL institutes the communication system into a defensive players helmet. Mayo could be the captain in a few years and he won't have to come off the field depending on the play needed because he can play 3 of them ... by then I am sure he will play 4.

 

[spacecrime]

Re: Wow.....Just watched Belichick's Press Conference.....

I just enjoyed the look of utter contempt he gave to Tomase when he replied, "I didn't say that."

 

[DefenseRules]

Re: Wow.....Just watched Belichick's Press Conference.....

I just enjoyed the look of utter contempt he gave to Tomase when he replied, "I didn't say that."

Tomase was allowed in the Stadium? The Patriots are to kind.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Wow.....Just watched Belichick's Press Conference.....

You've been a pretty solid contributor here and I'm glad now I didn't go off on you in the two or three posts I almost added to threads you were vomiting bile into...

Bill is like Chicken Soup for the Patriot Fans Soul, when he chooses to be. He has made it tough on us at times because he has been so guarded with the media that you had to really watch as well as think about what little he openly shared. Lots of folks got fixated on bits and pieces, or gave up altogether and just started forming their own amateur opinions in a vacuum instead. Lately he is opening up, perhaps as Mayock suggests the silver lining to 2007. Hopefully is will be a growing trend, within reasonable limits. And the emergence of some media who get him or at least listen should help. Do yourself a favor. Listen to and read them. Ignore the rest, they just don't get it. And that's not likely to change for a number of reasons, theirs and his.

Jr. looks to be shaping up to be a prime example of that here.

 

[#12]

Re: Wow.....Just watched Belichick's Press Conference.....

I just enjoyed the look of utter contempt he gave to Tomase when he replied, "I didn't say that."

I have got to see this!

 

[#12]

Good post! I agree with what you've said, and its basically why I dont get too involved during draft day. I keep a mild interest bc I know whatever moves BB/SP are making, will make sense for whatever direction this team is headed towards. They have a bigger picture in mind and know a hell of a lot more about how to keep this franchise successful than me. Its like I'm not worried about them driving the car, bc I know I'm gonna enjoy the ride. As a fan thats a great feeling to have.

 

[psychoPat]

Re: Wow.....Just watched Belichick's Press Conference.....

Jr. looks to be shaping up to be a prime example of that here.

Almost never do i go off against one guy.
But THAT guy has been ludicrous this weekend.

 

[satz]

where did you guys see this ...if its nfl network i am sure the video will be up in a few minutes.

 

[LuthierJr]

link please

 

[JoePats]

Re: Wow.....Just watched Belichick's Press Conference.....

Even when I do disagree with BB/Pioli, I realize that that probably just means that I'm wrong.

Lol...Well said.

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Re: Wow.....Just watched Belichick's Press Conference.....

Scott99, it's easy to wonder about picks sometimes. We all do. In 2003 I was glad we didn't move up for Dewayne Robertson but I'll admit I remember being less than thrilled that we "settled" for the 6th best DT in Ty Warren. And while it's not draft related, in 2000 I highly questioned the need to carry a 4th QB named Tom Brady when we already had Michael Bishop.

I listened to a Belichick press conference a couple days before the draft that was similar to what he said here. It sounds good to draft a player with a certain needed position next to his name and that will get you a good draft grade from the experts but come August, or better yet come November, if he can't do what you need him to do, what's the point. That made me feel better about all the talk that we would take Ellis at #7 if he was there.

Like you say, just sit back and enjoy it. I've learned to take the wait and see approach.

P.S.-Bethel Johnson certainly disappointed in his time here but he did help us win a couple key games back in 2003. (the kick return at halftime against the Colts, the Titans playoff game) I'm glad we had him, if just for that one season. We could have taken Mike Anderson over Antwan Harris in 2000 but would someone have knocked the ball out before the half setting up a critical TD in the Super Bowl? We could have taken Laveranues Coles instead of Redmond but would someone have gotten out of bounds at the end of the Super Bowl? I've always tried not to dismiss the lack of overall production of anyone we picked up that had even the smallest part of helping us win a championship. That idea only rings louder after seeing us lose the Super Bowl with what was by war our best team ever. But yeah, overall Johnson was a bust.

 

[fair catch fryar]

No need to apologize. It's amazing how worked up the NFL draft can get you. Every year before the draft, I salivate at the # of high picks that BB has amassed only to get to some of them and see a trade in the works. I still get frustrated for the first ten minutes after the pick has gone by and then realize how sweet it is to stockpile these picks every year. What helps bring me joy is to see the Colts not pick until late in the 2nd round and then see a player they covet like Cliff Avril get swiped by the Lions at the last second! As fans of the Patriots, we are in good hands!!

 

[AngerIsAGift]

Is the press conference online anywhere yet?

 

[TruthSeeker]

i watched the press conference on Patriots.com

 

[fgssand]

i watched the press conference on Patriots.com

Kool Aid taste great now doesn't it????

Welcome back...

 

[BrianPat]

link please

http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/index.cfm?ac=VideoNewsdetail&pid=31811&pcid=82

 

[Urgent]

Yeah, sometimes he's a genius.

But sometimes he makes mistakes.

It's perfectly fair to criticize draft decisions after last year's draft.
One nickel safety from the entire draft is the result of poor decision-making.
Tom Brady in the sixth is luck - they should have taken him in the first if they really knew how good he was - or at least with their own sixth round pick, not a compensatory.

Picks like Branch, Mankins, Koppen, and Samuel look brilliant in retrospect.
Picks like Marquise Hill, Bethel Johnson, and last year's entire board look awful in hindsight.

Trading up to take a guy like Slater, when there are a couple tight ends and OL that might be helpful - it's perfectly fair to question that. The Pats are the experts, but it's reasonable to ask why they selected two corners that are both 5-9.3 187 pounds, when there were complementary players available.

This looked like a much better draft than last year, but there were certainly some head-scratchers.

 

[Joker]

yeah...upgrading the special teams and "reaching" for a kid who racked up a 30 yard KO return average and is a special teams demon with 4.4 speed certainly is a HUGE mistake...much better to draft OL in a poor OL year to upgrade the line that buttressed an 18-1 season...bring back one dimensional JeRod Cherry and his 4.56 speed as gunner! Who needs the leading KO returner with over a 1000 yards last season AND a special teams demon with 4.4 speed? After all, nobody cares about special teamers anyway...except those two idiots BB and Pioli.