Bruschi's thoughts

[PATRIOTS-80]

(1) "I think the Jets are making a one-year run. They feel like they're close to being the championship team, so they're hoping all of these outcasts can get it together for one more year to make a run at the Super Bowl. That's a big if. I'm anxious to see how that lockerroom will react when they're in the middle of a losing streak."

(2) "The Patriots don't feel like they need to catch up (with the Jets & Dolphins). They're happy with where they are. Their philosophy in the offseason was to re-sign key veterans and they did that. Now they need to focus on the draft. After that, the team should be set, minus a few small moves. Just because the Jets sign every guy out there doesn't mean they're the one to beat in the AFC East."

(3) "I personally would rather have Thomas Jones than LaDainian Tomlinson on the New York Jets. Thomas Jones great production for that team and that production will be missed. LT has had some injury problems in the past. Those aches and pains will be magnified even more once he starts to experience a New York winter. It's not San Diego."

(4) "This is a critical time for the Patriots. Watch this draft closely, because they need at least two starters that come out of these first four picks. If they don't get that, that window of opportunity may close soon."

Chat: Chat with Tedy Bruschi - SportsNation - ESPN Boston

I agree with Teddy on all four points. Especially, the fourth point. We need to hit on at least 2 out of our first 4 picks. If we go 0 for 4, our window might close soon. Last year we hit on Vollmer and Butler, and both will be counted on as starters. Chung looks pretty good too. We need as good as draft this year as last year.

I would like to point out that the Pats need to redo the 06 draft. We need a TE, WR and RB, in no particular order. We need to draft Brady some weapons. I think a lot of people are overlooking the TE spot, in fact it wouldn't shock me that Bill went with the best TE on his board if the passrusher he's looking for isn't at 22.

 

[Jangles]

So basically

the Pats are comfortable with past successes and feel like they are superior enough as is to compete with anybody provided they get a few good draft picks?

Right.......

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

So basically

the Pats are comfortable with past successes and feel like they are superior enough as is to compete with anybody provided they get a few good draft picks?

Right.......

Damn those Colts, Steelers and Patriots. They feel they can compete with anybody provided that draft well.

Oh yeah that's right, they combined for SIX superbowls this last decade. The Jets, Dolphins and Redskins, ehhh, not so much. As Teddy says, just because you sign every guy out there doesn't mean you are the team to beat.

 

[JackBauer]

I would like to point out that the Pats need to redo the 06 draft. We need a TE, WR and RB, in no particular order. We need to draft Brady some weapons. I think a lot of people are overlooking the TE spot, in fact it wouldn't shock me that Bill went with the best TE on his board if the passrusher he's looking for isn't at 22.

If BB drafts a TE at 22, I will crap my pants.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

If BB drafts a TE at 22, I will crap my pants.

He's done it before. It wouldn't shock me that Bill transitions to a 2 TE 2 WR base offensive look until Welker gets back.

Moss Edelman Crumpler and a pass catching rook.

 

[Brady2Welker]

So basically

the Pats are comfortable with past successes and feel like they are superior enough as is to compete with anybody provided they get a few good draft picks?

Right.......

If we got a stud pass rusher, and a stud new receiver, I see no reason to think that we couldn't compete for a Lombardi. We weren't the third seed last season based completely on luck.


However, that if is a GINORMOUS one. And to have an elite rookie is pretty rare, yet alone two - we'd have to be damn fortunate to get two of those. Not saying that I think its likely we win the division, I have a gut feeling we may be a wildcard at best, but its definitely in the realm of possibility if we drafted very well.

 

[JackBauer]

He's done it before. It wouldn't shock me that Bill transitions to a 2 TE 2 WR base offensive look until Welker gets back.

Moss Edelman Crumpler and a pass catching rook.

Don't get me wrong, we need a TE.

Just not at 22.

 

[Jangles]

If we got a stud pass rusher, and a stud new receiver, I see no reason to think that we couldn't compete for a Lombardi. We weren't the third seed last season based completely on luck.


However, that if is a GINORMOUS one. And to have an elite rookie is pretty rare, yet alone two - we'd have to be damn fortunate to get two of those. Not saying that I think its likely we win the division, I have a gut feeling we may be a wildcard at best, but its definitely in the realm of possibility if we drafted very well.

The Pats sucked last year

Based on previous years they just weren't great. They need help everywhere and could have taken care of some of that in FA

 

[BritPat]

The Pats sucked last year

Based on previous years they just weren't great. They need help everywhere and could have taken care of some of that in FA

I'm not sure how a 10-6 record and divisional title equates to "sucking".

Dear Lord, there are some huge douchebags follow this Franchise.

 

[signbabybrady]

You tell him Bru.

Bottom line is until someone else in the division wins a SB or until we actually end a season with out the best record in the division than the division is chasing us and yes it does seem on paper as though the Dolphins and Jets closed the gap but until we see it happen during the season we are still the team to beat.

Bottom line is with a good draft we are right back ontop of the division like nothing happened.

 

[Brady2Welker]

The Pats sucked last year

Based on previous years they just weren't great. They need help everywhere and could have taken care of some of that in FA

We pissed away a few games we could have easily won (see: Broncos/Colts/Miami)


We didn't move the ball at in the second quarter, and if we did we probably would have won them. If you don't believe that then you must have been watching entirely different games than what I saw.


That's not even the homer in me, tha'ts just the realist who watched the game. Most [informed] fans would probably tell you that.

 

[DarrylS]

The Pats sucked last year

Based on previous years they just weren't great. They need help everywhere and could have taken care of some of that in FA

Weren't they something like #3 in offense and had a top ten defense.. there were issues closing out some games.

10-6 and making the playoffs is not bad..

It is the shiny beads thing, heard Felger on the radio today, and he was talking about how the Patriots are cheap.. so much for 98.5.

 

[Jangles]

I'm not sure how a 10-6 record and divisional title equates to "sucking".

Dear Lord, there are some huge douchebags follow this Franchise.

Ok they weren't the Lions but they lucked out some of those wins and had an embarrassing road record

They were anything but consistent and the playoff lose to Baltimore was humiliating. They looked like they had zero drive to even be on that field.

 

[BritPat]

Ok they weren't the Lions but they lucked out some of those wins and had an embarrassing road record

They were anything but consistent and the playoff lose to Baltimore was humiliating. They looked like they had zero drive to even be on that field.

We also should have won a few more games.

Losing to a hot Ravens team is hardly the end of the world. Every team gets out-coached and out-played. Christ, the eventual World Champions suffered a humiliating loss on their on patch against the 3-13 Buccaneers.

 

[Uncle Rico]

We pissed away a few games we could have easily won (see: Broncos/Colts/Miami).

That Colts game -- Pats were on the edge of taking the admittedly symbolic/subjective position of best team in football for most of that game. Afterward, in all the discussion about 4th and 2, I saw so many pundits write that that would affect them the rest of the year and I thought, "Not a Bill Belichick team." But I guess I was wrong. Locker room chemistry? Immaturity?

I guess going ahead I'm optimistic because a) the team still has a lot of talent; b) Immaturity+one year=less immaturity; and 3) the locker room issues are out in the open and you now see people like Mayo and Vince taking charge. (Maybe it takes a year to start replacing the leadership you lose when Bruschi, Vrabel, Seymour, and Harrison ALL go away in one year.)

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

We were 6th in points scored last year and 5th in points allowed. We also had a ton of rookies who will be better and have a new crop, much bigger than most, coming in. We will be just fine.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

(4) "This is a critical time for the Patriots. Watch this draft closely, because they need at least two starters that come out of these first four picks. If they don't get that, that window of opportunity may close soon."

This is something that some Pats fans really need to understand. They are at a point where they need production now or they won't win with Brady at QB.

 

[DW Toys]

So basically

the Pats are comfortable with past successes and feel like they are superior enough as is to compete with anybody provided they get a few good draft picks?

Right.......

Great post and the most realistic observation.
DW Toys

 

[zoostation]

I'm not sure how a 10-6 record and divisional title equates to "sucking".

Dear Lord, there are some huge douchebags follow this Franchise.

haha...spoiled, front running douchebags at that!

 

[bucky]

Here's the quote that's interesting to me:

"With his early picks in the first and second round, there's a strict formula that coach Belichick will follow. You have to be worth the 22nd pick in the draft to be drafted with the 22nd pick. If the player they want isn't there, they will move to another position and pick that one. And he's got to be worth that pick."


This is hardly earth-shattering news, but a confirmation. It probably means at 22 we can forget about Graham or Hughes (too short), Bryant (too slow and problematic), Spiller and Best (too light), Hernandez (too short), Golden Tate (too short).

Assuming we don't need a first round OL or DB, that pretty much leaves Kindle, McLain, Odrick, Graham, Mathews.... or a trade down.