Fascinating quote from Bill O'Brien on role of Pats receivers

[VrabelMayeWin]

O'Brien feature offers glimpse into Patriots practices

"As O'Brien watched the Ohio defense with his offensive staff, O'Brien told a story from 2008, his first season as a position coach with the Patriots. O'Brien handled the wide receivers.

He said, "Bill used to tell them, 'You got two jobs -- get open, and catch the ball. I don't give a f--- whether you block.'

"And then," O'Brien said, laughing, "[I'd] have to go in there and get them to block.""

Interesting. Never would have guessed.

 

[BradyManny]

Interesting. Not sure what to make of it. I might just dismiss it.

Obviously, this is a rather innocuous example, but in general I don't think Belichick is going to be too excited about O'Brien giving inside looks into Patriot Ways so soon after defecting, especially when they directly contradict things that Belichick maintains publicly (ie, that receivers should be able to block).

A requirement of leaving the Patriot organization gracefully is continuing to talk - or rather not talk - about the Patriots the same way as if you were employed by them. If you wouldn't have said it a year ago, don't say it now, Billy.

 

[fester]

Obviously, this is a rather innocuous example, but in general I don't think Belichick is going to be too excited about O'Brien giving inside looks into Patriot Ways so soon after defecting, especially when they directly contradict things that Belichick maintains publicly (ie, that receivers should be able to block).

A requirement of leaving the Patriot organization gracefully is continuing to talk - or rather not talk - about the Patriots the same way as if you were employed by them. If you wouldn't have said it a year ago, don't say it now, Billy.

Disagree on a couple of counts. First, it sure seems like the O'Brian/Patriots parting of ways was very amicable. From his perspective, O'Brian was stuck as the young up and coming OC with the Patriots. There may have been a few more responsibilities he could have on his plate and a larger salary, but the probability of him getting a head coaching job at the Patriots within the next five years is near nil. Penn State (before the NCAA sanctions) was a good next step for him as it would give him a big time program with minimal pressure to perform this year and it would give him a chance to show his head coaching chops. And he went about it the right way as a professional in his interactions with his replacement (McDaniels) and steady focus during the play-offs.

I see his comment on the WRs to be in line with players stating that to play for the Patriots, you have to be able to be MFed every now and then.

 

[fnordcircle]

Interesting. Not sure what to make of it. I might just dismiss it.

Obviously, this is a rather innocuous example, but in general I don't think Belichick is going to be too excited about O'Brien giving inside looks into Patriot Ways so soon after defecting, especially when they directly contradict things that Belichick maintains publicly (ie, that receivers should be able to block).

A requirement of leaving the Patriot organization gracefully is continuing to talk - or rather not talk - about the Patriots the same way as if you were employed by them. If you wouldn't have said it a year ago, don't say it now, Billy.

This isn't even on Belichick's radar. And it sounds paraphrased if not downright tongue in cheek.

Besides, it's not like Belichick has kept quiet about his previous gigs. He flat out said Parcells was a distraction in 1997.

 

[signbabybrady]

I actually feel like this fits in with BBs style.

it kind of makes me think of the list of 5-10 things he comes up with each week that if you accomplish you will win. Well I am sure there 100 things if ignored these 5-10 wouldnt matter.

Seems to me like BB was just over simplifying at a specific moment to drill a point. You can be the best blocker but if you are a WR and your not open and catching it when your open your useless. Then it would be the assistants job to clean up the mess and make sure that blocking assignments are met.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Seems to me like BB was just over simplifying at a specific moment to drill a point. You can be the best blocker but if you are a WR and your not open and catching it when your open your useless. Then it would be the assistants job to clean up the mess and make sure that blocking assignments are met.

I agree to this point. Basically saying if you can't get open and catch the ball, you don't need to worry about anything else (as a receiver) because you won't last.

But, in BB terms, onced you've proven you can do A & B, we'll start to add new skills and wrinkles.

 

[BradyBranch39]

Yeah, I don't know what to think here.

 

[TyronePoole]

this is the team that got Randy Moss to throw some decent blocks, I make very little of this comment, it's probably out of context and play-specific