Forged in Foxborough: episode 3, "Building an Identity"

[Real fan 02]

Maybe UDFAs just work harder?

Too bad more highly drafted players don’t work as hard as Spillane and Chism.

Maybe the secret to a winning culture isn’t who you draft high, it is the best UDFAs that you find.

Something about those guys.. UDFAs.. butler, jon Jones, those guys just always seemed to work harder or felt like they had to... don't forget about Christian Ponder another UDFA gem.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Maybe UDFAs just work harder?

Too bad more highly drafted players don’t work as hard as Spillane and Chism.

Maybe the secret to a winning culture isn’t who you draft high, it is the best UDFAs that you find.

I think UDFA’s and later round picks often get overlooked because their greatest strength is their ability to play football. A 10th of a second or a half inch in arm length and suddenly you suck, and poof goes your shot at the pro’s. It’s also a part of the problem with GM’s and coaches who have the mindset Mgteich and Sam exhibit, where draft stays matters more than your ability to play, so they get cut in favor of a 4th rounder who actually sucks at football, but runs really fast and jumps really high. Guys like Brady, Troy Brown, Edelman etc… need coaches who value the ability to play football over the underwear Olympics, then, when they actually get their shot they make sure they make the most of it.

 

[Steve102]

I think UDFA’s and later round picks often get overlooked because their greatest strength is their ability to play football. A 10th of a second or a half inch in arm length and suddenly you suck, and poof goes your shot at the pro’s. It’s also a part of the problem with GM’s and coaches who have the mindset Mgteich and Sam exhibit, where draft stays matters more than your ability to play, so they get cut in favor of a 4th rounder who actually sucks at football, but runs really fast and jumps really high. Guys like Brady, Troy Brown, Edelman etc… need coaches who value the ability to play football over the underwear Olympics, then, when they actually get their shot they make sure they make the most of it.

^This.

We've seen countless great athletes who suck at football. Physical ability and looking good at a combine doesn't always equal being a solid football player.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

I can see that myself. I also think it's important to try to get a fast start early in games. We've been 3-7 in the mont of September going back to 2021. Target Diggs early to let the defense know that they are going to have to play honest. Diggs definitely his presence helps the other guys.

Actually, it's worse. they are 4-10 from 2021-24 in September. (8-11 in October)

 

[Real fan 02]

Actually, it's worse. they are 4-10 from 2021-24 in September.

That just puts more emphasis on why winning the first game is so pivotal. I know that Vrabel's been preaching this.. if he's telling Drake not enough TDs were scored last season we know for a fact he's brought up the win-loss records for September.

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

Reminds me of Randy Moss in 2007 when he hardly played in the pre-season and some of the pundits said he was on the bubble. 20 plus TD receptions later he was just being hidden. I'm not saying Diggs in Randy 2.0 but I'm confident he's much better than anything this team has had the last few years.

Absolutely better than the trash, especially recently jettisoned trash….

Yeah, that’s not going to happen. How the hell do you expect a guy like Diggs to lead the team in receptions when they have EFTON CHISM III? Christ man, give these things a little thought before you commit them to the post. Stefon Diggs, gimme a break.

Oh I give it plenty of thought. And for the 69M contract he signed he SHOULD be producing plenty. That post wasn’t a “this guys going to do better than that guy”…it was about being happy to see a good return on $ spent…jfc. If Chism leads em? Great! Happy to see it too. And it would probably be more exciting. Trust me I’m on that train…