Curran: Patriots continue to welcome hungry talent

[MoLewisrocks]

FOXBORO - Player recruitment at the NFL level usually comes down to two things. Money and opportunity. Give a coveted free agent enough of each, you’ll usually land him.

But the New England Patriots have trump cards. Lombardi Trophies. And a quarterback, head coach and wide receiver headed for the Hall of Fame.

Belichick’s been coaching in the NFL since 1975. He knows how to sell a player on his program. And he also knows that success can sell a player as well as money.

“I think we’re pretty competitive for players in the open market with our facilities, and the team, and maybe the perception of the team,” Belichick allowed. “I don’t think that’s a bad thing, and I don’t think that’s across the board. But I think when it happens, it’s good.

Curran: Patriots continue to welcome hungry talent - NFL- nbcsports.msnbc.com

 

[Gwedd]

Curran: Patriots continue to welcome hungry talent - NFL- nbcsports.msnbc.com

Yes, there will always be a few who are all about the benjamins. However, it's also about winning, and no matter how rich you are, it gets grueling to have to work hard every day, lay it all out every play, for a team that keeps losing. That's when you start to think about what's really important to you.

 

[blackprix]

I can't imagine any smart, level headed, talented player who has made money but nothing to show for it but his bank account ... not wanting more and knowing he can get it by playing for BB and the Pats.

Same thing holds true for a couple of other fanchises but IMO the Pats stand above the rest.

 

[jmt57]

Taylor-made for success: Vet RB hungry for Super Bowl win at age 33

Taylor-made for success: Veteran running back hungry for Super Bowl win at age 33 by Carmine Frongillo of the Lowell Sun

When you've rushed for 11,271 career yards, good for 16th place on the NFL's all-time rushing list, and scored 70 touchdowns (8 receiving), you've proven you can navigate your way through a hole without any need of a compass.

Still, Taylor, 33, found out first-hand you can only run in place for so long, no matter how successful you are, when he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars, reportedly for salary cap reasons, in the off-season. He signed with the Patriots as a free agent and is now running for a cause -- he wants to win a Super Bowl.

The game is the same. So is the practice routine. But the team is different. And so far, Taylor likes the way he looks in a Patriots' uniform.

"There are veteran guys who practice as if it's their last chance. There's a lot of talk and communication. Everyone expects to do well. You know you have to work. They haven't been successful for nothing. You understand that the more you practice with these guys. You just can't show up. I expect to come in here and just do my job.

 

[Deus Irae]

"There are veteran guys who practice as if it's their last chance. There's a lot of talk and communication. Everyone expects to do well. You know you have to work. They haven't been successful for nothing. You understand that the more you practice with these guys. You just can't show up. I expect to come in here and just do my job.

This really should be "must read" material for everyone who starts complaining that the Patriots are bringing in older players.