I don’t think it’s a mystery Ken, he went to the Draft expecting to be a first round pick with a nice big signing bonus and contract, ended up not being taken in the first round, and was really pissed off about it. It’s hard to blame him for that. The stories about how miserable Brady’s Draft experience was are legend now, he thought he was going to be an insurance salesman. Like Brady he will get over it, and when he realizes the opportunity in front of him he will make the most of it.
It’s no secret that I went into this draft wanting them to add some explosive weapons on offense, players like Bijan Robinson, Gibbs, and Zay Flowers, but I still believe that the best way to build a Championship caliber team is by drafting the best players , and not for need. I’m not saying that need doesn’t come into the equation, but I don’t believe that going into a draft and picking an OT in the first, CB in the 2nd etc… because those are your most notable holes is the way to build the strongest team.
I think there has been a noticeable shift in the way the Patriots have been drafting in recent years, and I think many here are seeing the same thing, and I really like it, and believe in it. It was clear in the Buffalo playoff loss 2 years ago that they were slower and less athletic than the best teams in the league, and over their past few drafts they have been adding more speed, athleticism, and high end talent to the team, and that’s exactly what they did in the first 2 rounds of this Draft, and I think we will see more of the same today.
I know many here hate to do this, but I think Belichick deserves a ton of credit for the approach he’s taking, it’s as good an example of putting the team first as it gets. I think most coaches on the verge of both retirement, and the All Time Wins record would throw every resource the franchise has into winning now, like giving up the house to sign Aaron Rodgers, overpriced free agents, and overpaying to move up in the Draft. Instead Belichick appears to be sticking to building as good a team as he can without mortgaging the future, and leaving the next coach/GM with no resources. I know what Parcells would have done, and it isn’t this. Ultimately I think that this will leave Belichick without both the Lombardi without Brady, and short of the wins record, but it will leave the next regime ( Groh/Mayo) with a very good younger team that has both the draft resources, and cap situation to get over the top, and bring more Championships to New England. People can trash Belichick all they want, I have nothing but respect for him, and the approach he is taking, even though it means that it’s less likely they will prevail in the short term. I’m not saying I agree with every move he makes, but I respect his willingness to put the best interests of the franchise over his own legacy.
Both Gonzalez and White are top of the Draft talents that will need to be coached up to reach their peak as players, but I think that’s exactly what you want, as opposed to prospects who are already close to their playing ceilings. Gonzalez gives them a 20 year old version of Stephon Gilmore, and while I like their young DB’s they needed one with the speed and length to shut down the top WR’s in the league. White gives them a really nasty pass rusher, to add to an already strong pass rush. I think that when he’s used inside with Barmore it is going to give them the interior pass rush that will force QB’s into the arms of Judon and Uche coming from the outside. And I’m really looking forward to watching their defense this season.
As far as the overall picture goes I think Belichick realizes they simply are not going to be able to win Lombardi’s by engaging in shoot outs with the top teams in the AFC. So his answer to this is to return to the approach he took with his first Patriots Dynasty. They are going to try to use a ball control, game management offense, with a strong run game and a focus on TOP and field position, with a really nasty defense that can get after the QB, and turn the ball over on defense. Will it work, we will see? But it probably gives them the best chance at winning given where they are at, and the problems opposing teams present. It’s going to be an interesting season, if they can really coach at the highest level, and they get good QB play they could surprise everyone, if they don’t, it could get ugly, but at least it will be interesting.
