NE Scouting Crew

[Box_O_Rocks]

One of you Mainiacs was asking about NE's scouts not so long ago ...

2010 NE Patriots Media Guide

Pages 39-44 for your Player Personnel/Scouting bios

 

[MaineMan]

One of you Mainiacs was asking about NE's scouts not so long ago ...

2010 NE Patriots Media Guide

Pages 39-44 for your Player Personnel/Scouting bios

Thanks for this (even though, as a computer guy, I hate the unnecessarily fancy, script-based presentation).

Anyway, my primary question about Pats' scouting - how the duties are divided - was pretty much answered: Pro scouts v college scouts (no brainer), and then college scouts divided by "area" (region of the country, I presume) with a National Scouting Director coordinating/assembling the input from the area scouts.

I was originally gathering info in a effort to figure out why it seems the Pats are so good at acquiring quality linemen and so (relatively) poor at acquiring quality WRs (percentage-wise). This was prompted by the Taylor Price thread. I was thinking that, if scouting duties were organized "positionally" rather than geographically . . . .

Anyway, as a former traveling sales rep, I recognize the value in having regional guys and the long term relationships they can build with various schools in their areas. But I'm still at a loss on the WR thing.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Thanks for this (even though, as a computer guy, I hate the unnecessarily fancy, script-based presentation).

Anyway, my primary question about Pats' scouting - how the duties are divided - was pretty much answered: Pro scouts v college scouts (no brainer), and then college scouts divided by "area" (region of the country, I presume) with a National Scouting Director coordinating/assembling the input from the area scouts.

I was originally gathering info in a effort to figure out why it seems the Pats are so good at acquiring quality linemen and so (relatively) poor at acquiring quality WRs (percentage-wise). This was prompted by the Taylor Price thread. I was thinking that, if scouting duties were organized "positionally" rather than geographically . . . .

Anyway, as a former traveling sales rep, I recognize the value in having regional guys and the long term relationships they can build with various schools in their areas. But I'm still at a loss on the WR thing.

If you ever get a chance to go to the senior bowl practices in Mobile when the Pats are out of the playoffs, then you will see the scouts in action. They are easy to spot they all follow BB and/or Caserio around at the beginning of practice like a bunch of puppy dogs, then they leave to go do their thing.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

But I'm still at a loss on the WR thing.

Brian Daboll was WR coach for Branch and Givens (2002-2006), he left with Mangini because he wanted to be OC and BB had other plans. Since then, Bill O'Brien, Nick Caserio, and Chad O'Shea have taken turns with WR. Unlike OL, WR has seen extensive coaching turnover and, some philosophy changes on offense. It's also considered the hardest position to scout and project a player into the NFL.

As far as WR goes, Edelman and Tate and Price arrived on the O'Shea watch. There are hopeful signs from all, as well as some setbacks and slowdowns to overcome. It should prove interesting to watch going forward.

 

[Lamanai]

This may be dated info, but I recall reading several years ago that 30 of the 32 NFL teams subscribe to one or both of two scouting services (BLESTO and one other?) for their primary scouting. Only two teams did not subscribe, instead they had their own fleet of scouts that did everything. The two teams that did not use the service were: New England and Oakland (go figure!)

Anyways, I found that interesting and might explain why NE (an Oakland for that matter) seem to make selections that go against the conventional wisdom. Marching to their opwn beat....

 

[Nonentity]

You're roughly right, Lamanai, but it's now 'only' 27 out of 32 who use scouting services.

Draft Daddy: Feature Articles

There are twelve teams in BLESTO (ATL, BUF, CHI, CLE, DAL, DET, HOU, JAC, MIA, MIN, NYG, PIT).

There are fifteen subscribers to the National (AZ, CAR, CIN, DEN, GB, KC, NO, NYJ, PHI, STL, SD, SF, SEA, TB, TEN). National Scouting also is the logistical organizer of record for the event in Indianapolis.

Five teams out of the thirty-two NFL teams are unaffiliated with either scouting combine organization: Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins.

 

[MaineMan]

Brian Daboll was WR coach for Branch and Givens (2002-2006), he left with Mangini because he wanted to be OC and BB had other plans. Since then, Bill O'Brien, Nick Caserio, and Chad O'Shea have taken turns with WR. Unlike OL, WR has seen extensive coaching turnover and, some philosophy changes on offense. It's also considered the hardest position to scout and project a player into the NFL.

As far as WR goes, Edelman and Tate and Price arrived on the O'Shea watch. There are hopeful signs from all, as well as some setbacks and slowdowns to overcome. It should prove interesting to watch going forward.

Great info and insight (as usual). Thanks!

 

[MaineMan]

You're roughly right, Lamanai, but it's now 'only' 27 out of 32 who use scouting services.

Draft Daddy: Feature Articles

Great info. Thanks!