Brooks Reed visits Pats (correction: just a workout)

[patchick]

Soundbites from Tedy Bruschi on WEEI - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Tedy has tremendous insights on playing and living NFL football. A draft analyst he's not, though. (Remember his uber-excitement over clips of Sergio Kindle last year?)

 

[VJCPatriot]

Yes, and plenty that they've brought in were not drafted by the Pats, the point is that it's not wise to conclude they're interested in the player simply because they bring them in, that's it.

No. You're not getting it. The Pats are interested in plenty of players and they wouldn't bring them in unless they wanted to check something out. Let's say for example when they brought in Tebow. Perhaps they wanted to check out if his new throwing mechanic would translate to the next level. They brought him in, did their evaluation, and decided he wasn't worth a 1st round pick. They didn't select him, did that mean they weren't interested? No. It just means they didn't value him where he ended up getting drafted.

I think you're getting too caught up in thinking of these draft visits and workouts as 'smokescreens' or 'mind games'. In actuallity the Pats have far too little time and too many prospects to check out to be playing these petty games. These workouts and visits have a purpose. To check out these young guys and come to an evaluation decision. If there is ZERO interest in a prospect, the Pats wouldn't waste their time conducting a visit or workout or interview. Do you understand the point I'm making now?

 

[Snake Eyes]

No. You're not getting it. The Pats are interested in plenty of players and they wouldn't bring them in unless they wanted to check something out. Let's say for example when they brought in Tebow. Perhaps they wanted to check out if his new throwing mechanic would translate to the next level. They brought him in, did their evaluation, and decided he wasn't worth a 1st round pick. They didn't select him, did that mean they weren't interested? No. It just means they didn't value him where he ended up getting drafted.

I think you're getting too caught up in thinking of these draft visits and workouts as 'smokescreens' or 'mind games'. In actuallity the Pats have far too little time and too many prospects to check out to be playing these petty games. These workouts and visits have a purpose. To check out these young guys and come to an evaluation decision. If there is ZERO interest in a prospect, the Pats wouldn't waste their time conducting a visit or workout or interview. Do you understand the point I'm making now?

Oh no, I get what you're saying loud and clear, I just disagree. How do you KNOW they don't engage in mind games? Do you work for BB?

Sun Tzu said "when weak appear strong, when strong appear weak", the guy knew a thing or two about warfare. Is it really that far of a stretch to appear interested in someone you actually don't have interest in?

 

[MaineMan]

No. You're not getting it. The Pats are interested in plenty of players and they wouldn't bring them in unless they wanted to check something out. Let's say for example when they brought in Tebow. Perhaps they wanted to check out if his new throwing mechanic would translate to the next level. They brought him in, did their evaluation, and decided he wasn't worth a 1st round pick. They didn't select him, did that mean they weren't interested? No. It just means they didn't value him where he ended up getting drafted.

I think you're getting too caught up in thinking of these draft visits and workouts as 'smokescreens' or 'mind games'. In actuallity the Pats have far too little time and too many prospects to check out to be playing these petty games. These workouts and visits have a purpose. To check out these young guys and come to an evaluation decision. If there is ZERO interest in a prospect, the Pats wouldn't waste their time conducting a visit or workout or interview. Do you understand the point I'm making now?

I'd have to agree that the Pats wouldn't waste an official visit on a guy they weren't seriously interested in just for the sake of putting up a smokescreen. OTOH, bringing a guy in for a visit also doesn't necessarily mean that they're automatically MORE interested in him than a guy they only interviewed at the Senior Bowl. It may just mean that they haven't satisfactorily answered all their questions about him.

It's entirely possible that a short interview with a prospect at a public off-season event was enough, along with what their previous study of him has revealed, for them to say, "Okay. He's on our short list." Whereas, a guy they bring in for a visit might actually be someone they're still on the fence about where to rate/rank him. And his ranking (and their "interest level" in him) may go up or down based on the visit. IOW, I don't see visits as anything other than legitimate tests of a prospect's "fitness" for the Pats roster and as another way of determining his rank/pick value on their final board.

 

[patchick]

I'd have to agree that the Pats wouldn't waste an official visit on a guy they weren't seriously interested in just for the sake of putting up a smokescreen.

I'm not at all sure about that. While it makes sense to devote most of your resources to players you're genuinely interested in, I do believe that a certain percentage is devoted to bluffing and subterfuge. It's only sensible...if you predictably focus like a laser on your genuine targets every year, you're giving away a lot of info.

Have you scene this article by a former scout? Seeking the truth between now and the draft | National Football Post He makes it sound like mind games are a HUGE part of the process:

While I was with the Bears, I would change things every year so the media could not be certain as to why we were doing things. One year I may bring in for visits many of the players we were interested in and the next year not bring in any and then the next year only guys we may want as potential free agents. Of course then there were some years when you would bring in the big “smoke screen” candidate only to let other clubs “think” we were interested in that player. I felt you could never have a pattern on how you did business; you have to change from year to year especially when dealing with the draft.

 

[MaineMan]

I'm not at all sure about that. While it makes sense to devote most of your resources to players you're genuinely interested in, I do believe that a certain percentage is devoted to bluffing and subterfuge. It's only sensible...if you predictably focus like a laser on your genuine targets every year, you're giving away a lot of info.

Have you scene this article by a former scout? Seeking the truth between now and the draft | National Football Post He makes it sound like mind games are a HUGE part of the process:

Good point. And I hadn't read the article. Thanks for the link.

BB and company are consistently the best at everything they do. I suppose I shouldn't exclude "being diabolical" from that very long list.

 

[West Philly Patriot]

I'm not at all sure about that. While it makes sense to devote most of your resources to players you're genuinely interested in, I do believe that a certain percentage is devoted to bluffing and subterfuge. It's only sensible...if you predictably focus like a laser on your genuine targets every year, you're giving away a lot of info.

Have you scene this article by a former scout? Seeking the truth between now and the draft | National Football Post He makes it sound like mind games are a HUGE part of the process:

Good point. And I hadn't read the article. Thanks for the link.

BB and company are consistently the best at everything they do. I suppose I shouldn't exclude "being diabolical" from that very long list.

Have a reliable inside source that tells me this guy is in charge of inviting all draft prospects to foxboro......

GIFSoup

 

[NewFeep]

Oh no, I get what you're saying loud and clear, I just disagree. How do you KNOW they don't engage in mind games? Do you work for BB?

Sun Tzu said "when weak appear strong, when strong appear weak", the guy knew a thing or two about warfare. Is it really that far of a stretch to appear interested in someone you actually don't have interest in?

I use Golfsmith "Snake Eyes" irons when I play golf down here in Florida. I met BB on a course down here a few years ago and he looked at em and commented on them to me. Just sayin'......... I wasn't sure if he liked them and would buy a set or not!

 

[mcsully]

Tedy has tremendous insights on playing and living NFL football. A draft analyst he's not, though. (Remember his uber-excitement over clips of Sergio Kindle last year?)

Yea, he liked his size and style of play.. I know Kindle didn't work out last year between the injuries but who know, maybe things would have been different if he came here..