Patriots release Kevin O'Connell

[Mack Herron]

Re: Koc released!

What would be more admirable is not only admitting mistakes, but also ensuring that those mistakes were not repeated.

Unfortunately, I have not seen any proof whatsoever that the FO has learned anything from mistake after mistake after mistake.

What sort of evidence supports our drafts being especially poor? And what evidence would you accept as "learning"? This draft, for instance, looks like an improvement to me. Vollmer, Brace and Chung look like studs. Pryor and Edelman both look like late gems.

 

[JackBauer]

Re: Koc released!

What would be more admirable is not only admitting mistakes, but also ensuring that those mistakes were not repeated.

Unfortunately, I have not seen any proof whatsoever that the FO has learned anything from mistake after mistake after mistake.

Yeah, you're right. It sucks to have to root for a team whose FO is totally clueless!

<facepalm>

 

[billdog3484]

has he actually been released? Florio makes a good point that Orton's and Cassel's injuries may present a competition between two ex-Bellichekian's for OConnel's services

Maybe the Pats should rethink cutting O'Connell | ProFootballTalk.com

 

[ctpatsfan77]

has he actually been released? Florio makes a good point that Orton's and Cassel's injuries may present a competition between two ex-Bellichekian's for OConnel's services

Maybe the Pats should rethink cutting O'Connell | ProFootballTalk.com

I think that once the paperwork goes through, it can't be undone, but who knows. . . .

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Re: Koc released!

What would be more admirable is not only admitting mistakes, but also ensuring that those mistakes were not repeated.

Unfortunately, I have not seen any proof whatsoever that the FO has learned anything from mistake after mistake after mistake.

Everyone makes mistakes, though I think the Patriots have made fewer than most. And I definitely think they're learning from the past.

Since drafting Deion Branch and David Givens, they've struggled with upgrading the WR position through the draft, with the Chad Jackson pick being the one most fans scream about.

I think the FO undervalued top WRs as well, feeling that Brady would make others better, which he has. But there's a flipside, where a receiver can bail out the QB, and I don't think they put much value into that until recently.

WR is a really tricky position to project in the draft, so instead they traded a 4th for Randy Moss, and a 2nd/7th for Wes Welker. Suddenly, we've got an incredibly dangerous WR group that helps set scoring records.

The secondary is an area that needed attention, but the front 7 has always been the focus for the Pats. That's how a guy like Hobbs was miscast as a starting CB. But I think they realized they can't rely on solid pressure upfront only, and drafted Wheatley and Wilhite 2 years ago, and Chung and Butler this year. Combined with the Bodden/Springs signings, and trading Hobbs, and suddenly the secondary looks pretty good.

The FO has done a pretty solid job over the years, and I think they have continued to get better. I think that's reflected in this year's draft, where late-round picks like Pryor and Edelman should make this team, which might be the most talented Pats team ever.

 

[patsox23]

Re: Koc released!

What sort of evidence supports our drafts being especially poor? And what evidence would you accept as "learning"? This draft, for instance, looks like an improvement to me. Vollmer, Brace and Chung look like studs. Pryor and Edelman both look like late gems.

Might Darius Butler warrant a mention?

 

[Spiral]

I can't help but wonder if O'Connell's development would have been more advanced if the Patriots had a dedicated QB coach. I really don't know why the Patriots haven't had one for the past few years.

 

[N.Eman]

Re: Koc released!

Wow... I mean that in as a compliment to Coach and not excitement. Happy to see Coach isnt messing around and takes the Backup job at QB very serious.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Koc released!

The secondary is an area that needed attention, but the front 7 has always been the focus for the Pats. That's how a guy like Hobbs was miscast as a starting CB. But I think they realized they can't rely on solid pressure upfront only, and drafted Wheatley and Wilhite 2 years ago, and Chung and Butler this year. Combined with the Bodden/Springs signings, and trading Hobbs, and suddenly the secondary looks pretty good.

Although, FWIW, pretty much all the CBs they've drafted over the last couple of years have fit into the Hobbs mold (hobbits with hops). . . .

 

[reflexblue]

Re: Koc released!

Just saw this WOW. IMO there has to be more than a lack of talent or understanding of the system, you don't just give up on a 3rd rnd draft pick THIS soon. Especially a QB, further evidence tha TB is OK.

 

[bagwell368]

Re: Koc released!

hope this isn't about brady's shoulder......if it is,I'm getting Jay Feeley vibes.

umm... what do you mean? you have a gimpy starter, and KOC isn't ready for a 2-3 years, and you need an actual #2 now, so you chop your best #3 to make room for the new #2?

Is that what you are saying? Because if you are, it makes no sense at all, especially with Bruschi's dough being available.

 

[bagwell368]

Re: Koc released!

What would be more admirable is not only admitting mistakes, but also ensuring that those mistakes were not repeated.

Unfortunately, I have not seen any proof whatsoever that the FO has learned anything from mistake after mistake after mistake.

I've read several reviews of the NFL since 2000, and the Pats were #3 overall in both. One mentioned players picked up other ways, and said they didn't rate them, but BB was a master.

The fact that we haven't lost consecutive games since Dec 2002 --

The fact that we have suffered terrible injuries (more then most) including Colvin who begat Thomas instead of spending money the secondary. I am quite sure that if Colvin had stayed healthy, we would have two more titles, and Colvin would today about 95% of the way to the HOF. Want to blame BB for that too?

Are you sure you are a Pats fan? Sound like a Indy fan with a belly ache.

 

[patsox23]

Re: Koc released!

The draft is an art, not a science. There are hits and misses and the Patriots do better than most. Lately, they've done...well, "less better than most." I'm sure they want that fixed as much as anyone. But the idea that drafting a young QB - in any round, from any school - is easy and that you should just essentially stop screwing up is kind of a silly point.

 

[cubedoggy]

Re: Koc released!

Can Adam Seward play quarterback?

I'm thinking Earthwind Moreland.

 

[cubedoggy]

Re: Koc released!

KOC isn't PS eligible. He was the backup and active all last season.

I wondered why they drafted this kid so many here immediately annointed Brady's potential successor...LOL He's nothing like Brady as far as mechanics, temperment, pedigree.

Either he couldn't or didn't progress over the course of his first season. They certainly cleaned up some mechanics but you can't teach presence and field vision and the ability to think on your feet under pressure and make good, quick decisions to someone unless they have some inherent capicity to. Cassel did, for all his lack of experience. KOC didn't...apparently. Neither did Gutz. I wasn't surprised to see Gutz go given the numbers and given his draft status. This is something of a shock ONLY because he was drafted in the third. But remember, it was the tail end of the third.

As for all the calls for some name QB who has never succeeded anywhere long enough to stick...most of them are KOC in their late 20's or early 30's or worse... The Eagles drafted AJ in the 5th as a developmental backup to McNabb on a well coached and successful team. He couldn't stick. Still can't. So bringing him here would make about as much sense as bringing in a Leftwich, Garcia, etc. ad nauseum. None of them can run this scheme. Maybe Walter and Hoyer are smart enough and have that "capacity" to learn to. Neither has bombed out in a good system so far, so there is the hope. Walter was projected as a first rounder until he seperated his shoulder after getting his Pac 10 team to a bowl game. Still went in the 3rd. Might have developed better had he not landed in the quagmire that is Oakland in Al's dotage.

Something that doesn't bode well for Josh is this was his pick. Private workout and all. Maybe he can coach really good QB's but can't identify 'em. Wouldn't be the first...

I wouldn't be surprised to see Pioli grab this kid off the waiver wire. He's in position to. Thigpen is toast after his walk on last night, Croyle is injury prone and who knows how injured Cassel is...

Lesson to the media. If the "word" is they love a backup...he's toast. The guy whose leaking that to you either doesn't have a clue what the HC is thinking...or he's trying to create a preception in the market so he can flip the sucker.

Astute as usual, Mo.

As an aside, if BB as close to Gruden as some here would surmise, I think Josh Johnson would be the guy from TB vs. McCown. Gruden apparently has serious manlove for him.

 

[maverick4]

Rich Gannon

Actually I distinctly remember Rich Gannon playing well in games with the Chiefs. So... I'd say Gannon still falls in that category of QB's who show you something when on the field, even if only in limited action.

 

[italia44]

Re: Koc released!

umm... what do you mean? you have a gimpy starter, and KOC isn't ready for a 2-3 years, and you need an actual #2 now, so you chop your best #3 to make room for the new #2?

Is that what you are saying? Because if you are, it makes no sense at all, especially with Bruschi's dough being available.

No,read it again......If Brady is hurt,we need a temp #1,not a back-up.If TB is out for a while,we're not going to carry 4 quarterbacks.If this is the scenario,it comes down to KOC vs Hoyer.They cut KOC,bring in a veteran,and Hoyer goes to the practice squad.

When TB comes back...you release Walter,activate Hoyer for the rest of the year.3 QB's......they're just picking Hoyer over KOC,both for financial as well as potential reasons.

 

[cubedoggy]

Re: Koc released!

Astute as usual, Mo.

As an aside, if BB is as close to Gruden as some here would surmise, I think Josh Johnson would be the guy from TB vs. McCown. Gruden apparently has serious manlove for him.

Though I do not mean to imply that the Pats will pick up Johnson. This is a reply to those who brought the Gruden-BB connection into the discussion.

I'm in the KO'C-just-didn't-get-the Patriot-Way camp, whether on the field, in the classroom, on the bench, or on the town.

 

[cubedoggy]

Actually I distinctly remember Rich Gannon playing well in games while backing up Joe Montana with the Chiefs. So... I'd say Gannon still falls in that category of QB's who show you something when on the field, even if only in limited action.

To the OP:

OK, Rich Gannon was drafted by the Pats in 1987.
What, other than the fact that it was the Pats that drafted him, does this have to do w/ BB/Pioli?

 

[unoriginal]

Actually I distinctly remember Rich Gannon playing well in games while backing up Joe Montana with the Chiefs. So... I'd say Gannon still falls in that category of QB's who show you something when on the field, even if only in limited action.

Rich Gannon did not back up Joe Montana. You're thinking of Steve Bono.