Forged in Foxboro: episode 1

[One-If-By-Sea]

02 is the anti Andy with a dash of Oprah mixed in.
"You get an agree and you get an agree and you get an agree..."

You have to wonder who @Huckleberry1 really is. Most of his posts are insightful and reasonable, but when it comes to Wolf he goes off the deep end. Here is the X thread related to Wolf's comments about how much more organized the draft and FA process was in 2025 versus 2024. I am not sure why Wolf is making these comments unless he is throwing Mayo under the bus. Either way, Wolf does not have the GM title because he is not GM quality, he is a draft coordinator and as long as we have Vrabel and Cowden, we can let Wolf answer the phone.

Eliot Wolf says they didn’t have an organized enough process last year, but that Mike Vrabel and Ryan Cowden have changed that.

 

[Huckleberry1]

You have to wonder who @Huckleberry1 really is. Most of his posts are insightful and reasonable, but when it comes to Wolf he goes off the deep end. Here is the X thread related to Wolf's comments about how much more organized the draft and FA process was in 2025 versus 2024. I am not sure why Wolf is making these comments unless he is throwing Mayo under the bus. Either way Wolf does not have the GM title becuase he is not GM quality, he is a draft coordinator and as long as we have Vrabel and Cowden, we can let Wolf answer the phone.

Eliot Wolf says they didn’t have an organized enough process last year, but that Mike Vrabel and Ryan Cowden have changed that.

I feel the exact same way about you One. You are an intelligent poster that I usually agree with, but when it comes to Wolf you throw reason out the window. I definitely think Wolf benefitted by having Vrabel and Cowden come in, and I think the way they all worked together has turned the team around in a hurry, but I also think Wolf installed a player evaluation system that really helped them. And if he had gone and blown all their money in the ****ty free agency of 2024 they never would have had the free agency they had this offseason.

I’m not an Elliott Wolf super fan, I just think people should get credit when it’s due, and blame when it’s due. And where this argument really started was with people trying to blame Wolf for Belichick’s mistakes. I spent years defending Belichick, but also think he did a ****ty job with the team after Brady left, and that’s on him, not Wolf. And if the 2024 draft class ends up sucking and getting released then that’s on Wolf, not those underneath him.

And Wolf definitely gave Vrabel and Cowden credit for their UDFA success this year, and took the blame for doing a bad job with it in 24’, and that’s what intelligent people generally do, take the blame for their mistakes and learn from them.

 

[signbabybrady]

If my Aunt had balls, she would be my Uncle. Who cares about random nonexistent hypotheticals?

She could be a juggler I'm going to need some more information

 

[Huckleberry1]

You have to wonder who @Huckleberry1 really is. Most of his posts are insightful and reasonable, but when it comes to Wolf he goes off the deep end. Here is the X thread related to Wolf's comments about how much more organized the draft and FA process was in 2025 versus 2024. I am not sure why Wolf is making these comments unless he is throwing Mayo under the bus. Either way, Wolf does not have the GM title because he is not GM quality, he is a draft coordinator and as long as we have Vrabel and Cowden, we can let Wolf answer the phone.

Eliot Wolf says they didn’t have an organized enough process last year, but that Mike Vrabel and Ryan Cowden have changed that.

For the record Wolf was talking about the post draft UDFA when he made that comment. He wasn’t talking about the entire draft. Although I do believe that the process was much better overall this year because Vrabel has a clear vision of the team he’s building, and the players they need to build it. And that kind of clarity makes player selections much easier. I don’t think they had a Belichick draft board, with 20 guys on it, but I definitely think they had already ruled out a bunch of players before that because they didn’t fit the criteria Vrabel had in place for the draft.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

"Have to at least address the short armed elephant in the room"

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Like ANY of the clowns matter...

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Huck is a good guy, I've had my issues regarding Wolfe with him.
He's pretty set, and that's fine.
He has his opinion, I have mine.
We moved along from that a long time ago.

Not drafting Ladd last year feels like getting switched naked over and over.
Telling us that the OL would be good felt like a vice around my Nutz.
If they work well together now, I really don't care.
It's over, moving on.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I feel the exact same way about you One. You are an intelligent poster that I usually agree with, but when it comes to Wolf you throw reason out the window. I definitely think Wolf benefitted by having Vrabel and Cowden come in, and I think the way they all worked together has turned the team around in a hurry, but I also think Wolf installed a player evaluation system that really helped them.

Why do you think Wolf installed a player evaluation system of value? Boston sports reporters puff pieces? There is no evidence that a evaluation system installed by Wolf added any value. What is your source for that conjecture?

And if he had gone and blown all their money in the ****ty free agency of 2024 they never would have had the free agency they had this offseason.

There were a number of successful FAs in 2024 that have been mentioned, advocated for, and subsequently worked out well in 2024. You simply remark "off the cuff" that it was a ****ty free agency.

I’m not an Elliott Wolf super fan, I just think people should get credit when it’s due,

What credit is due? Wolf admits (I don't know why) that the draft and UDFA process was disorganized in 2024 and thanks to Vrabel and Cowden it was more organized in 2025. The results prove that Wolf is telling the truth. What credit is due for a disorganized and lousy draft and UDFA process in 2024 that was only corrected by Vrabel and Cowden in 2025?

and blame when it’s due. And where this argument really started was with people trying to blame Wolf for Belichick’s mistakes.

Don't start the BB mistakes stuff. You don't want BB's record tainting Wolf? Another BB hater?

I spent years defending Belichick, but also think he did a ****ty job with the team after Brady left, and that’s on him, not Wolf. And if the 2024 draft class ends up sucking and getting released then that’s on Wolf, not those underneath him.

The 2023 draft class was good, the 2024 draft class sucks (we don't have to wait to see that). The disorganization in 2024 is so obvious to everyone that Wolf admitted it too. You seem to be the only person denying it and saying we still have to wait (even Wolf does not think we have to wait to admit 2024 was highly disorganised and disappointing).

And Wolf definitely gave Vrabel and Cowden credit for their UDFA success this year, and took the blame for doing a bad job with it in 24’, and that’s what intelligent people generally do, take the blame for their mistakes and learn from them.

And intelligent people also believe others when they admit their failures. Wolf admits he was disorganized and you state we still have to wait and see how the 2024 draft works out.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Huck is a good guy, I've had my issues regarding Wolfe with him.
He's pretty set, and that's fine.
He has his opinion, I have mine.
We moved along from that a long time ago.

Not drafting Ladd last year feels like getting switched naked over and over.
Telling us that the OL would be good felt like a vice around my Nutz.
If they work well together now, I really don't care.
It's over, moving on.

I agree as long as Wolf's job going forward is working the phones.

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

I dont think he will be a perennial pro bowl guard. Too tall, not enough power. Like i said he lacks that bulldozer run blocking ability you want from a guard. What he does have is athleticism in spades. A 320lb guy running a sub 5 second 40? Thats the same as a WR running a 4.3 and all of his other "stats" say he is fast and explosive for a guy at 270lbs nevermind at 320. Honestly i expect him to be somewhere in that 10th-20th best in the league at either position, i.e no all pros, a 3rd alternate probowler on his best year, kind of guy. What i do think will happen is he will be that glue player, the one who when you look individually you are like he's not that special, but when you look back somehow his unit is top 10 year in and year out and the talking heads have no idea why. Thats what has me excited about the guy because i feel like he is exactly what the offense needs going forward, someone who will make everyone else better and demand excellence by setting an elite example of hardwork and passion.

Don’t forget he’s still just a kid. He will put on a bit of muscle and strength if not a ton and COULD very well become that roadgrader. That said I think he will be fine at LT but could be proved wrong. Need to give him some time before saying he’s not cut out for LT and he’s a G instead.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Well, look at it this way. If his 2024 picks had worked out, we'd still have Mayo.

On the flip side, if Mayo had gone, say, 8-9, would we be angry about it?

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

McDaniels isn't going anywhere unless he gets fired. Dude lives in the area, ain't getting a head coaching job ever again imo. Cowden, as stated will be around until he gets fired too.

I doubt that Josh would even want a HC job with all the BS that such a position entails. He seems very happy right where he is, especially now that he has some tools to work with.

 

[Grogan14]

The patriots facilities look like the minor leagues compared to what has been shown from otherr teams on hard knocks.
Time for an upgrade.

 

[jlu52]

The patriots facilities look like the minor leagues compared to what has been shown from otherr teams on hard knocks.
Time for an upgrade.

New facility opening spring of next year, Sam. Kraft has been catching ****, deservedly, for the current facility, new one looks like a big improvement from Bologna Bob Enterprises original facility.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

We're going to be better, better Offense, better defense, especially up front.
If people think teams are gonna run 15x in a row, they are mistaken .
That's NOT gonna happen this year.

 

[maust]

The patriots facilities look like the minor leagues compared to what has been shown from otherr teams on hard knocks.
Time for an upgrade.

Sam, are you the only one here who is unaware an entirely new facility is under construction? Did you watch the YouTube vid this thread is about with the sound off? If so didn't you at least see the construction they were eminently featuring and think it was a bit large for a Chik-fil-A? C'mon man

 

[raduray]

On the flip side, if Mayo had gone, say, 8-9, would we be angry about it?

Fair point.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Ez, Sam is our guy... pathetic at times? Yes..
But he's a definite Fan of Patriots football...
Trust me he pisses me off, I feel like killing 1/2 his posts.
He's a Homer, at the WORST LEVEL...

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Sometimes you just have to Give... instead of take... Sometimes I am CRUSHED over "supposedly" Pats fans...
Sometimes we see something weird..like WTF WEIRD...I usually give space, but sometimes it's so ridiculous I have to speak, as you guys do.
You've seen me do it, but I'm never proud about that.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I can give **** no problem, I generally don't trash someone.
I try not to do that.
Some here WANT to BASH anyone they can.
Most of those p ussies I've ignored, bad people have no position in my life.