Kraft acknowledges drafting woes, says approach is changing

In Kraft's discussion about the recent lack of success in the draft, I noticed he didn't mention the theft of a 2016 #1, a 2017 #4 and even though the Pat's haven't actually lost the pick yet, a 2021 #3. Kraft was more responsible for the loss of those picks than BB was. He went along with the Deflategate heist for the "good of the league" and it was one of his Kraft Sports and Entertainment tobies that was "caught filming the Bengals sidelines". Some of the interesting names taken after the stolen picks include Jaylon Smith, Hunter Henry, Chris Jones, Michael Thomas, Derrick Henry, George Kittle. I think one or 2 of these names would improve the talent level.
I also wonder if Kraft's not going to mattresses against the NFL in Deflategate might have led to Tom Brady re-assessing his thought about the organization that he had sweated blood for.

Did someone forget to tell Kraft that April Fools was today? Lmao

RobertWeathers said:

Because hes a smarmy douchbag and he sure as hell isn't a fan of the team.

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Is it me or do all the lifers (50k+ post guys) hate each other on here?

Joey007 said:

Is it me or do all the lifers (50k+ post guys) hate each other on here?

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There's an old adage that answers your question, Joey..."Familiarity breeds contempt"

SteveKiner said:

In Kraft's discussion about the recent lack of success in the draft, I noticed he didn't mention the theft of a 2016 #1, a 2017 #4 and even though the Pat's haven't actually lost the pick yet, a 2021 #3. Kraft was more responsible for the loss of those picks than BB was. He went along with the Deflategate heist for the "good of the league" and it was one of his Kraft Sports and Entertainment tobies that was "caught filming the Bengals sidelines". Some of the interesting names taken after the stolen picks include Jaylon Smith, Hunter Henry, Chris Jones, Michael Thomas, Derrick Henry, George Kittle. I think one or 2 of these names would improve the talent level.
I also wonder if Kraft's not going to mattresses against the NFL in Deflategate might have led to Tom Brady re-assessing his thought about the organization that he had sweated blood for.

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Look, at the time of deflategate and the punishment I was on here pissed like few others. I got so mad I said some things along the lines of how Brady should demand a trade to the Bills. It wasn’t my finest hour.

But then I calmed down and absolutely nothing I’ve seen since Deflategate makes me think that Kraft fighting the league would have ended up being a good idea after all. it’s been 6 years. It’s over. No one cares anymore. Let yourself be free.

VectorPrime said:

Look, at the time of deflategate and the punishment I was on here pissed like few others. I got so mad I said some things along the lines of how Brady should demand a trade to the Bills. It wasn’t my finest hour.

But then I calmed down and absolutely nothing I’ve seen since Deflategate makes me think that Kraft fighting the league would have ended up being a good idea after all. it’s been 6 years. It’s over. No one cares anymore. Let yourself be free.

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It wouldn't have done a damn thing but we were pissed and wanted him to do it for posterity stake. That's water under the bridge, I'm over it now but was petty pissed about it then.

Joey007 said:

Is it me or do all the lifers (50k+ post guys) hate each other on here?

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Who doesn't like PWP or PJ?

FredFromDartmouth said:

> I quite liked the 2020 draft. ... ...and I think one of Asiasi or Keene (maybe both) will have decent careers.

Based on their FA signings, the Patriots have acknowledged that Asiasi and Keene are busts....flops...like most of the other picks in the last few years, but the ultimate disaster has to be Harry. When you consider all the other WRs they could have gotten, such as Metcalf, then this must qualify as one of the worst first rounds picks the Patriots have ever made...and it hastened Brady's departure. Considering McDaniels track record at Denver, I have got to believe that he was in on the Harry disaster.

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It turned out to be an awful pick but at the time he was quite highly rated in that WR class as a late 1st round pick and many on these boards liked the pick. It wasn't a massive reach or a head scratcher of a pick as some are suggesting.

As far as grading last years draft it is clearly far to early to be conclusive especially taking into account no preseason games.

At times, BB yanks Sony from the game or his stats would be much worse.

Why take him out? Because Sony is not getting the job completed. He hits the line of scrimmage and goes down like an old lady on ice. No power that I see. James White and JJ Taylor replace Sony and suddenly the Pats are moving the ball on the ground. Same offensive line, same opposing defense and same offensive plays. He may be a HOF pass blocker, but who gives a crap? Thats not why you draft a a RB that high in the draft.

Only a fool on this board (and there is no shortage) would claim that Harris is not much better than Sony. Harris took Sonys job and lunch money.

Kraft finally acknowledges what others have witnessed for years. Brady hid the poor drafting and bad FA moves because Brady kept winning with what he had. Thats why Brady is the GOAT.

Joey007 said:

Is it me or do all the lifers (50k+ post guys) hate each other on here?

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Not from my pov. He's the only one of the 50k club I have an issue with.

With Deus when you call him out for a dumb take or if he's wrong, he gets very condescending as if you don't have the prerequsite intelligence to challenge him on the point.

He pulled that **** with me a few years ago and I unloaded on him.

Triumph said:

At times, BB yanks Sony from the game or his stats would be much worse.

Why take him out? Because Sony is not getting the job completed. He hits the line of scrimmage and goes down like an old lady on ice. No power that I see. James White and JJ Taylor replace Sony and suddenly the Pats are moving the ball on the ground. Same offensive line, same opposing defense and same offensive plays. He may be a HOF pass blocker, but who gives a crap? Thats not why you draft a a RB that high in the draft.

Only a fool on this board (and there is no shortage) would claim that Harris is not much better than Sony. Harris took Sonys job and lunch money.

Kraft finally acknowledges what others have witnessed for years. Brady hid the poor drafting and bad FA moves because Brady kept winning with what he had. Thats why Brady is the GOAT.

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I don't think there is a debate as to Harris > Sony as a pure runner at the NFL level. If one is looking at accomplishments (2018 playoffs) and production over 3 years compared to Chubb and Barkley (not saying he is equal) he absolutely is not a bust.

amfootball said:

I never understood the Sony hate.

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RobertWeathers said:

It's ridiculous.

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Its part of something bigger, IMHO.

The vast majority of draft picks made by every NFL team could be hindsight-evaluated as "blown picks" because a player drafted later turned out to have a better career. Probably 95% of them.

To find a way to be victimized because your team didn't make perfect picks every year shows a preference for misery. What's the point of being a sports fan if it is used to bring misery into life? It is intended to do the opposite.

RIpats88 said:

The patriots had to pay guys on other teams because they sadly have no one talented they would pay this amount of money. They are paying for the mistakes of the draft.

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This narrative is kind of weak because it ignores a guy like Thuney who the Pats drafted, had for 5 years, wanted to re-sign (according to reports) but he decided to leave.

Also any guys that would have been up for free agency this year would have been drafted in the 2017 draft. Here was the 2017 draft

1st round pick was traded for Brandin Cooks
Derek Rivers (3rd rd) (13 DE were picked ahead of him only 3 remain with the teams that drafted them and those 3 were picked in the 1st, so it really points to how bad that draft was for DE)
Antonio Garcia (3rd rd) (unforeseeable health issues hurt his Pats career)
Deterich Wise (4th rd) (just got a 4 year extension)
4th round pick stolen from the NFL
4th round pick traded for Dwayne Allen
Connor McDermott (6th rd) (if a guy from the 6th round not working out is poor drafting then everyone is poor at it)

betterthanthealternative said:

To find a way to be victimized because your team didn't make perfect picks every year shows a preference for misery. What's the point of being a sports fan if it is used to bring misery into life? It is intended to do the opposite.

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Huh? So you think that living in a world of delusion by not acknowledging realities is the intent of being a sports fan? That's ok if your a fan of the Bungals or the Browns that have never won, not the Patriots.

I think that of all fans, Pats fans should be able to self evaluate and criticize given the high standards we are used to instead of trying to sweep mistakes under a rug because our sensibilities don't allow us to "feel misery." To each his own, but to try to cancel others opinions because they're not in line with the loud minority is BS.

Without regard to content...

"Robert Kraft, ladies and gentlemen, give him a hand..."

venecol said:

Huh? So you think that living in a world of delusion by not acknowledging realities is the intent of being a sports fan? That's ok if your a fan of the Bungals or the Browns that have never won, not the Patriots.

I think that of all fans, Pats fans should be able to self evaluate and criticize given the high standards we are used to instead of trying to sweep mistakes under a rug because our sensibilities don't allow us to "feel misery." To each his own, but to try to cancel others opinions because they're not in line with the loud minority is BS.

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That's not what I'm saying, and you know it.

betterthanthealternative said:

That's not what I'm saying, and you know it.

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What did you mean?

betterthanthealternative said:

Its part of something bigger, IMHO.

The vast majority of draft picks made by every NFL team could be hindsight-evaluated as "blown picks" because a player drafted later turned out to have a better career. Probably 95% of them.

To find a way to be victimized because your team didn't make perfect picks every year shows a preference for misery. What's the point of being a sports fan if it is used to bring misery into life? It is intended to do the opposite.

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Bingo and that's why Krafts comments- who clearly understands economics and value was downright silly in saying their drafts weren't good the last few years. Hes also wrong in saying teams need to be successful in the draft to be a consistent winner. To be a consistent winner teams need to have a great QB and cap flexibility- which the team had neither last year.

IMO fans need to think about draft picks as high-risk, low-load funds which are added to an overall financial portfolio (made up of players) or mutual fund. Sometimes they tank. Sometimes they do so-so. Sometimes their returns are astronomical.

BB is greatest manager of said portfolio ever and it's been kicking ass for 19 years.

In the last few years the new funds with a great prospectus have not had the kind of yield they needed as the stocks that have performed year over year have lost value or left the portfolio altogether.

As portfolio manager BB can do one of two things, buy funds with a strong performance history (but with a high expense ratio) and/or acquire the high-risk, low-load funds.

Jeff Saturday is spot-on and so is BBs philosophy. As long as the portfolio is exceeding expectations and is in line with expense ratio mandates, Bob should give exactly 2 $hits which funds are added to the portfolio and how.

betterthanthealternative said:

Its part of something bigger, IMHO.

The vast majority of draft picks made by every NFL team could be hindsight-evaluated as "blown picks" because a player drafted later turned out to have a better career. Probably 95% of them.

To find a way to be victimized because your team didn't make perfect picks every year shows a preference for misery. What's the point of being a sports fan if it is used to bring misery into life? It is intended to do the opposite.

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venecol said:

Huh? So you think that living in a world of delusion by not acknowledging realities is the intent of being a sports fan? That's ok if your a fan of the Bungals or the Browns that have never won, not the Patriots.

I think that of all fans, Pats fans should be able to self evaluate and criticize given the high standards we are used to instead of trying to sweep mistakes under a rug because our sensibilities don't allow us to "feel misery." To each his own, but to try to cancel others opinions because they're not in line with the loud minority is BS.

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The problem is focusing on "mistakes" as if they are something abnormal, when they are not.

We have made lots of "mistakes" along the way yet have had the greatest dynasty in sports history.

For instance we made the "mistake" of drafting a QB with the first overall pick in the draft and replacing him a few years later with a sixth rounder.

What a terrible use of draft capital, fire everyone!

In reality we're not the Bungals or the Browns, but people here moan as if we are.

The 2020 draft being underwhelming is fake news