Bill the Patient, Bill the Relentless

[everlong]

I kind of wonder what it is that BB says to some of these guys to convince them to come here

"I get off the plane and a guy picks me up at the airport and I'm just starving. He takes me to this dump called the Ground Round and in walks Bellichick and he's wearing ratty clothes and looking just awful. He sits down looks me in the eye and says Hey we want you. I called my agent and said this is where I want to play get it done."

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Is it some kind of Sith mind trick ("those aren't the teams you want to play for")? Do they simply appreciate the fact that they will have a fair competition to earn a spot?

BB always has a plan.

From a why would you want to play here. People know 2 things.

1) Bill will always put people in the best position possible to help the team win the game. Know your assignment, have faith in the rest of the team and it all works out.

2) There are no stars. Reputation is for fans and journalists. Everyone who starts has to earn their position by proving they can do their d*** job, never quitting on a play. Give it 100% all the time. If you can do that it doesn't matter if you are a 1st round pick. A Pro Bowler or and UDFA.

Heck, I wish I could work for this guy.

 

[randomk1]

I admire BB like few others. I think this is a guy who could do anything. He could be a ******* brain surgeon or run a fortune 500 company. I'm glad he loves football so much though.

 

[BananaRepublican]

It's also a good lesson for those who are bemoaning the current state of the OL.

Exacta-effing-mente señor.

 

[The Gr8est]

WWLLD

What would Larry Lucchino do?

Apparently whatever Larry Lucchino would do, BB does the opposite.

 

[italia44]

Mayoclinic,the Sith Warrior,is fast-becoming the must read thread champion......No ego,just insight.......Keep 'em coming,buddy:rocker:

 

[shmessy]

I'm sure it happened with other FA signings, but I believe you're referring to Rodney Harrison recounting his experience when he visited the Pats.

Yeah, BB and Pioli took him out to a Ground Round.

I'm NOT kidding.

[Post edit] Oops, Everlong got that earlier!

 

[patfanken]

Not only Rodney but Rosey as well. I knew he and Rodney were the right fit attitude wise when they first joined the Pats and both made comments about BB being "all about football".

Ex-Bear Colvin: I can get better - Chicago Tribune

SI.com - Pro Football - Patriots sign ex-Bear Colvin - Wednesday March 12, 2003 12:08 PM

It was really sad that we barely had a chance to see the "real" Rosie Colvin with the Pats. He got hurt in the first quarter of the 2nd game he ever played for the Pats. I was at that game and it was ugly,

I think to that point so early in the season he'd already amassed 2 sacks, a forced fumble and unfortunately the fumble recovery on the play that ended his season. I don't think he ever completely recovered from that severe hip injury (IIRC). He was a good solid player afterwards for a few years, but never the player that they hoped for and we was before the injury. Just another what might have been. alas

 

[ClevTrev]

It was really sad that we barely had a chance to see the "real" Rosie Colvin with the Pats. He got hurt in the first quarter of the 2nd game he ever played for the Pats. I was at that game and it was ugly,

I think to that point so early in the season he'd already amassed 2 sacks, a forced fumble and unfortunately the fumble recovery on the play that ended his season. I don't think he ever completely recovered from that severe hip injury (IIRC). He was a good solid player afterwards for a few years, but never the player that they hoped for and we was before the injury. Just another what might have been. alas

Amen. Colvin exhibited the right personality as a Patriot from day one, and it's justified to wonder what might have been with Rosie had he been healthy during his tenure.

It's interesting that BB has made so many tough decisions regarding players over the years - Law, McGinest, Vrabel, Branch, and others, and yet to a person, they usually come back at a later date and indicate that while they didn't like the decision at the time, that it was the right thing to do for the player and the team. Respect is not always easily earned; yet, when it's consistently applied for the right reasons, it's usually returned in spades. We've had a special thing going on here for quite a few years.

 

[patsfan13]

As with rookied UDFA Brandon Bolden and veteran Visanthe Shiancoe, both of whom had several teams chasing after them for their services, I kind of wonder what it is that BB says to some of these guys to convince them to come here even though they face a deeper roster and more competition. Is it some kind of Sith mind trick ("those aren't the teams you want to play for")? Do they simply appreciate the fact that they will have a fair competition to earn a spot?

I remember when R Harrison came here, BB didn't wine and dine him. He talked to him about what his role on the team could be. He also talked to RH about the things that impressed him about RH as a player in great detail. It was clear to RH that BB understood who HE was as a player and valued what he could bring to this team.

I would speculate that BB when he meets with a potential player he does his homework and talks to the player clearly about HOW he sees the player and his possible fit on this team and make it clear to the player that he understands who THEY are as a FB player.

This would be an appealing pitch to the type of player BB wants here and the type of player who can fit in here.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

"I get off the plane and a guy picks me up at the airport and I'm just starving. He takes me to this dump called the Ground Round and in walks Bellichick and he's wearing ratty clothes and looking just awful. He sits down looks me in the eye and says Hey we want you. I called my agent and said this is where I want to play get it done."

Better the Ground Round than some godawful Croatian restaurant.


:bricks:


Man, I do miss Rodney so

 

[Off The Grid]

"That Team HATES Their Coach!!"

I know, I know!! But for me, it just keeps getting FUNNIER!!

 

[mayoclinic]

BB always has a plan.

From a why would you want to play here. People know 2 things.

1) Bill will always put people in the best position possible to help the team win the game. Know your assignment, have faith in the rest of the team and it all works out.

2) There are no stars. Reputation is for fans and journalists. Everyone who starts has to earn their position by proving they can do their d*** job, never quitting on a play. Give it 100% all the time. If you can do that it doesn't matter if you are a 1st round pick. A Pro Bowler or and UDFA.

Heck, I wish I could work for this guy.

I remember when R Harrison came here, BB didn't wine and dine him. He talked to him about what his role on the team could be. He also talked to RH about the things that impressed him about RH as a player in great detail. It was clear to RH that BB understood who HE was as a player and valued what he could bring to this team.

I would speculate that BB when he meets with a potential player he does his homework and talks to the player clearly about HOW he sees the player and his possible fit on this team and make it clear to the player that he understands who THEY are as a FB player.

This would be an appealing pitch to the type of player BB wants here and the type of player who can fit in here.

Good points. I would guess that BB's approach isn't for everyone, but that he doesn't much care. The type of guys that he wants aren't going to want to have their egos stroked. Those who want more champagne treatment and coddling probably aren't going to fit well here, anyway.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Is it some kind of Sith mind trick ("those aren't the teams you want to play for")?

There must be something.

As an example, much as many of us wanted no part of Gary Guyton by the end of last season, he still did more as a Patriot than Vernon Gholston ever accomplished (heck, at one point his rookie year, he was wearing the radio helmet).

Anyhow, when BB called Guyton to try to get him to come to New England, Guyton asked him point blank, "Why'd you draft Bo Ruud instead of me?"

Somehow, BB managed to convince Guyton.

 

[Off The Grid]

There must be something.

As an example, much as many of us wanted no part of Gary Guyton by the end of last season, he still did more as a Patriot than Vernon Gholston ever accomplished (heck, at one point his rookie year, he was wearing the radio helmet).

Anyhow, when BB called Guyton to try to get him to come to New England, Guyton asked him point blank, "Why'd you draft Bo Ruud instead of me?"

Somehow, BB managed to convince Guyton.

And thank goodness he DID!!

 

[rookBoston]

I was listening to the Jets radio network on my way to the casino last night and they were discussing that there was some major talk about the Jets having huge interest in Demps and getting close to talking to him seriously.

I bet Bill knew this too and scooped him up quickly.

I bet Bill doesn't pay any attention to what personnel moves the Jets make or want to make. He's just doing what he says: "always looking for ways to improve the team".

It's a bit of luck that a high talent kid like this was walking the streets of London and decided he wanted to play football afterall. But you make your luck, too, by keeping cap flexibility, creating a winning culture and a team-first environment that a young talent like Demps would choose over plenty of other options.

 

[ClevTrev]

It's a bit of luck that a high talent kid like this was walking the streets of London and decided he wanted to play football afterall. But you make your luck, too, by keeping cap flexibility, creating a winning culture and a team-first environment that a young talent like Demps would choose over plenty of other options.

Don't you mean he was
Walking through the Streets of Soho in the rain,
He was looking for a place called Lee Ho Fook's,
Gonna get a big dish of beef chow mein

Which is where BB wines and dines all the FAs and Werewolves he finds in London, a little known fact to many on this board.

 

[Gwedd]

Don't you mean he was
Walking through the Streets of Soho in the rain,
He was looking for a place called Lee Ho Fook's,
Gonna get a big dish of beef chow mein

Which is where BB wines and dines all the FAs and Werewolves he finds in London, a little known fact to many on this board.

I miss Warren.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Reiss has the skinny on the Demps dealings this AM.

Here is what I believe is the story behind the story on why Jeff Demps ultimately decided to sign with the Patriots instead of a handful of other interested clubs: When it initially appeared Demps wouldn’t be going to the Olympics, the Patriots had arranged a trip for him to come to New England for a workout. They were the most aggressive of any team in the NFL at the time. But on the day Demps was supposed to travel to New England, he learned that an injury to Mike Rodgers opened a spot for him on the U.S. Olympic team. The Patriots had to eat the plane ticket, but Demps essentially showed the team loyalty by giving it the first opportunity to sign him upon his return from London.

Someone else mentioned putting players in position to win. That is what I heard someone on the radio opine yesterday about Demps future here. BB won't throw Demps to the wolves, he'll have a plan to give the kid the best shot at achieving/maximizing his potential. Which is why PUP wouldn't stun me (he's in track as opposed to football shape which often results in issues during OTA's or camp...).

And along similar lines, while trades remain few and far between, the Giants DL is decimated and Bill and Tom actually have a good relationship.

Random thought from a pure speculation standpoint: The Giants have had a run of injuries along the defensive line and I had the thought that perhaps they might be a trade partner for the Patriots if they were seeking help. Maybe Tom Coughlin dipping into his old BC background and seeing if a change of scenery might bring out the best in Ron Brace? At times in training camp, Brace has looked very good, but there simply might not be room for him on the Patriots' roster.

Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[mayoclinic]

It's a bit of luck that a high talent kid like this was walking the streets of London and decided he wanted to play football afterall. But you make your luck, too, by keeping cap flexibility, creating a winning culture and a team-first environment that a young talent like Demps would choose over plenty of other options.

From Reiss' Quick Hits today:

Here is what I believe is the story behind the story on why Jeff Demps ultimately decided to sign with the Patriots instead of a handful of other interested clubs: When it initially appeared Demps wouldn’t be going to the Olympics, the Patriots had arranged a trip for him to come to New England for a workout. They were the most aggressive of any team in the NFL at the time. But on the day Demps was supposed to travel to New England, he learned that an injury to Mike Rodgers opened a spot for him on the U.S. Olympic team. The Patriots had to eat the plane ticket, but Demps essentially showed the team loyalty by giving it the first opportunity to sign him upon his return from London.

Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

It's not luck. BB is patient. The Pats were apparently interested in Demps before he opted out of the draft. They apparently maintained interest in him after the draft, and were pursuing him when it looked like he missed the Olympic team. And once Demps made the team, I'm sure BB was well aware that the Olympics would be ending in August, and that that might affect things. As the OP suggests, patience is one of his strong traits. We've seen the Pats get guys time and time again who weren't available and who became available later on (Brandon Lloyd being one good example).

I think it took more than "loyalty" over a plane ticket for Demps to pick the Pats. The fact that they showed more interest in him prior to the Olympics than any other team probably helped, but more to convince him that the team had legitimate plans for him than anything else.