Rob Rang's 2-round mock for Patriots

[letekro]

Brian Hoyer is the Pats' QB of the future. The Tebow stuff is absurd.

 

[bigcountry75]

Brian Hoyer is the Pats' QB of the future. The Tebow stuff is absurd.

I really like Tebow for all the intangibles he would bring to this team....According to reports last season the young guys were laughing and carrying on in the lockerroom after losses and didn't have that guy to snatch them up....I believe that Tebow would help keep the morale high but be looked up to and would keep all that B.S. under wraps......I think he would be an instant leader even though he wouldn't be on the field a ton and help keep our team more together like when vrabel, bruschi and harrison were here.....

 

[Wheelssps]

I really like Tebow for all the intangibles he would bring to this team....According to reports last season the young guys were laughing and carrying on in the lockerroom after losses and didn't have that guy to snatch them up....I believe that Tebow would help keep the morale high but be looked up to and would keep all that B.S. under wraps......I think he would be an instant leader even though he wouldn't be on the field a ton and help keep our team more together like when vrabel, bruschi and harrison were here.....

I worry about Tebow as a leader in the NFL. Seriously, I do. At Florida he was a leader of boys, but I'm not sure if he translates into a leader of men. Just like some college coaches are amazing at their job in college and yet can't succeed in the pros, call me a skeptic about how Tebow will be received in an NFL lockerroom. I'm not denying the need for leadership in the Pats lockerroom, but I'm guessing Tebow will prove to be a divisive personality in the NFL.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I really like Tebow for all the intangibles he would bring to this team....According to reports last season the young guys were laughing and carrying on in the lockerroom after losses and didn't have that guy to snatch them up....I believe that Tebow would help keep the morale high but be looked up to and would keep all that B.S. under wraps......I think he would be an instant leader even though he wouldn't be on the field a ton and help keep our team more together like when vrabel, bruschi and harrison were here.....

Yup.

Wheels, this retired non-com thinks Tebow has what it takes leadership-wise. For some absurd reason people on the forums I frequent think Tebow's faith and his willingness to wear his faith outwardly is going to be disruptive. In terms of human interaction his outward display of faith is no different then the guy who wants to brag about his love life or complain about the management or boast about his atheism. Respect the lines other's draw, do YOUR job, and you'll find there's little if any disruption. Tebow will be fine.

 

[BradyManny]

Yup.

Wheels, this retired non-com thinks Tebow has what it takes leadership-wise. For some absurd reason people on the forums I frequent think Tebow's faith and his willingness to wear his faith outwardly is going to be disruptive. In terms of human interaction his outward display of faith is no different then the guy who wants to brag about his love life or complain about the management or boast about his atheism. Respect the lines other's draw, do YOUR job, and you'll find there's little if any disruption. Tebow will be fine.

It's not his faith - there's plenty of faith in the NFL, faith seems important to the majority of athletes and NFL players. But there's something different about Tebow which screams collegiate BMOC, but a guy you can't take seriously in the pro's unless he performs (we already saw some of that with the reaction to him at the Wonderlic). These are grown men now, the NFL is a business - this isn't the Florida Gators. It's a different world.

Until he backs it up on the field [and he may never], he's just going to be a glorified cheerleader, the NFL's answer to Brian Scalabrine. Though that may be a disservice to Scal, who seems respected by his teammates. Tebow is not going to be handed that respect by the players of whichever team drafts him, he'd have to earn it.

As for QB of the future - if Brady signs an extension this offseason, the length of the contract will probably be longer than any incoming rookie, so I don't see the point of drafting his successor now, when we have no guarantee of keeping them here a few years from now.

 

[Wheelssps]

Yup.

Wheels, this retired non-com thinks Tebow has what it takes leadership-wise. For some absurd reason people on the forums I frequent think Tebow's faith and his willingness to wear his faith outwardly is going to be disruptive. In terms of human interaction his outward display of faith is no different then the guy who wants to brag about his love life or complain about the management or boast about his atheism. Respect the lines other's draw, do YOUR job, and you'll find there's little if any disruption. Tebow will be fine.

You very well might be right, but like everything about Tebow (mechanics, his future position, his leadership) we'll just have to wait and see. I really can't remember one other college player that has been so successful in college and yet has so many questions about him coming into the draft and elicits such conflicting opinions of his skills and his personality.

About his faith, he does wear it openly and as you say it really should not be a problem for him IF that line is drawn and his faith is personal to him and not forced upon others. The preWonderlic prayer request and the reaction it got does make this remain a question.

One example of how I wonder how he'll interact with NFL players vs college players is the speech he gave that has now been made into a plaque/statue at Gator stadium. I read the speech and was surprised, because it wasn't very good, well written, or original. Yet Gator nation and his team loved it. I guess like most speeches so much depends on the delivery, of which I have no idea, but for all the Tebow hype, I expected a little more when I started reading more about him. I guess I'll just sum it up that we'll have to wait and see how he translates into the NFL.

 

[letekro]

I really like Tebow for all the intangibles he would bring to this team....According to reports last season the young guys were laughing and carrying on in the lockerroom after losses and didn't have that guy to snatch them up....I believe that Tebow would help keep the morale high but be looked up to and would keep all that B.S. under wraps......I think he would be an instant leader even though he wouldn't be on the field a ton and help keep our team more together like when vrabel, bruschi and harrison were here.....

Nobody listens to 3rd string QB's.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

It's not his faith - there's plenty of faith in the NFL, faith seems important to the majority of athletes and NFL players. But there's something different about Tebow which screams collegiate BMOC, but a guy you can't take seriously in the pro's unless he performs (we already saw some of that with the reaction to him at the Wonderlic). These are grown men now, the NFL is a business - this isn't the Florida Gators. It's a different world.

Until he backs it up on the field [and he may never], he's just going to be a glorified cheerleader, the NFL's answer to Brian Scalabrine. Though that may be a disservice to Scal, who seems respected by his teammates. Tebow is not going to be handed that respect by the players of whichever team drafts him, he'd have to earn it.

As for QB of the future - if Brady signs an extension this offseason, the length of the contract will probably be longer than any incoming rookie, so I don't see the point of drafting his successor now, when we have no guarantee of keeping them here a few years from now.

The Wonderlic prayer story has been debunked, typical Florio masturbation.

Grown men are more likely to be tolerant of each other's differences.

Yes, playing time is a factor in your status within a locker room, but we've also seen guys with minimal playing time respected for who they were and for their effort in practice (see Brady, Tom).

If drafting Brady's successor was the reason to take Tebow, I'd agree, I suspect Bill isn't looking at him solely for that reason. In last year's draft Myron Pryor made little to no sense in the sixth round, turns out Bill had a plan for his use. Thomas Dimitri said the same thing about Edelman - and he's a Belichick-trained GM. Most people had a cow when NE drafted Mankins at #32, I guess that worked out. Should NE draft Tebow late first/early second, they have something in mind for him in addition to QB (I'm thinking Safety).

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

You very well might be right, but like everything about Tebow (mechanics, his future position, his leadership) we'll just have to wait and see. I really can't remember one other college player that has been so successful in college and yet has so many questions about him coming into the draft and elicits such conflicting opinions of his skills and his personality.

About his faith, he does wear it openly and as you say it really should not be a problem for him IF that line is drawn and his faith is personal to him and not forced upon others. The preWonderlic prayer request and the reaction it got does make this remain a question.

One example of how I wonder how he'll interact with NFL players vs college players is the speech he gave that has now been made into a plaque/statue at Gator stadium. I read the speech and was surprised, because it wasn't very good, well written, or original. Yet Gator nation and his team loved it. I guess like most speeches so much depends on the delivery, of which I have no idea, but for all the Tebow hype, I expected a little more when I started reading more about him. I guess I'll just sum it up that we'll have to wait and see how he translates into the NFL.

Yes, he wears his faith openly, (as I noted above the Wonderlic story has been debunked), it's an issue overblown by outside observers looking for a reason to attack him - I'm sure there's one or two around the SEC.

Is Tebow an NFL quarterback? That's the only issue to address when considering drafting him for QB - "if" BB's drafting him to be QB. I seriously doubt any speech from a stud college football player is going to compare to Edmund Burke, and any casual observer of humanity knows it doesn't take an Edmund Burke to sway a crowd (heaven knows it would make a nice change of pace though).

Rather then look at BB's every move as a Machiavellian charade, it's easier to assume he's explored a number of options to make the team better and Tebow fits one or more possible avenues he can take. Pundits insist the public nature of Tebow's visit is the charade - name one thing this kid does that doesn't draw a media crowd? I personally think BB having a public dinner with Tebow was a calculated move to make people think it was a charade.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Nobody listens to 3rd string QB's.

But they do listen to fourth stringers (stories told about Tommy back in the day). And I'd be surprised if BC75's locker room experience isn't more current than either of ours.

 

[Wheelssps]

Yes, he wears his faith openly, (as I noted above the Wonderlic story has been debunked), it's an issue overblown by outside observers looking for a reason to attack him - I'm sure there's one or two around the SEC.

Is Tebow an NFL quarterback? That's the only issue to address when considering drafting him for QB - "if" BB's drafting him to be QB. I seriously doubt any speech from a stud college football player is going to compare to Edmund Burke, and any casual observer of humanity knows it doesn't take an Edmund Burke to sway a crowd (heaven knows it would make a nice change of pace though).

Rather then look at BB's every move as a Machiavellian charade, it's easier to assume he's explored a number of options to make the team better and Tebow fits one or more possible avenues he can take. Pundits insist the public nature of Tebow's visit is the charade - name one thing this kid does that doesn't draw a media crowd? I personally think BB having a public dinner with Tebow was a calculated move to make people think it was a charade.

Fair enough. Seeing how this all turns out for him on draft day and beyond is quite intriguing because of the wide range of paths his career might take. Personally I don't think he'll turn into one of the upper eschelon guys or even a very good player in the league, but that's certainly within his ceiling, so we'll see. And if BB calls his name on draft day, we'll have a front row seat to see how it all turns out.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Fair enough. Seeing how this all turns out for him on draft day and beyond is quite intriguing because of the wide range of paths his career might take. Personally I don't think he'll turn into one of the upper eschelon guys or even a very good player in the league, but that's certainly within his ceiling, so we'll see. And if BB calls his name on draft day, we'll have a front row seat to see how it all turns out.

I know, whether it's a train wreck or he's the next Tommy Brady superhero it's going to be entertaining to watch - who said feeding Christian's to the lions was old school?

 

[BradyManny]

The Wonderlic prayer story has been debunked, typical Florio masturbation.

Grown men are more likely to be tolerant of each other's differences.

Yes, playing time is a factor in your status within a locker room, but we've also seen guys with minimal playing time respected for who they were and for their effort in practice (see Brady, Tom).

If drafting Brady's successor was the reason to take Tebow, I'd agree, I suspect Bill isn't looking at him solely for that reason. In last year's draft Myron Pryor made little to no sense in the sixth round, turns out Bill had a plan for his use. Thomas Dimitri said the same thing about Edelman - and he's a Belichick-trained GM. Most people had a cow when NE drafted Mankins at #32, I guess that worked out. Should NE draft Tebow late first/early second, they have something in mind for him in addition to QB (I'm thinking Safety).

Again, I personally don't think its Tebow's religion is the issue - as I said, faith, Christianity specifically, is prevalent in pro athletics.

At the same time, I don't see him fitting in locker rooms at the pro level and I don't see how the intangibles he is so heralded for translate to pros. He is coming from a very different environment. The Florida Gator campus is a very insular environment, and he was worshiped there. It's a very different world from the real world, let alone Boston.

Now, if I thought he could play any position and contribute, thats a different story.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Again, I personally don't think its Tebow's religion is the issue - as I said, faith, Christianity specifically, is prevalent in pro athletics.

At the same time, I don't see him fitting in locker rooms at the pro level and I don't see how the intangibles he is so heralded for translate to pros. He is coming from a very different environment. The Florida Gator campus is a very insular environment, and he was worshiped there. It's a very different world from the real world, let alone Boston.

Now, if I thought he could play any position and contribute, thats a different story.

:idontgetit: Kid's a jock, he's reportedly personable and hard working, how could he not fit in with a NE locker room that prizes such attributes? Sure he's a puzzle for fans trying to project his value to the team and how he might be used, but neither of us believe Bill would draft him without a plan, and I think we'd both give Bill the benefit of the doubt despite our confusion.

Maybe he's a decoy, maybe he's not, rather than get lost in the weeds, I'll just take things at face value and trust in Bill (that ought to give my buddy Capt. Downer indigestion ).

 

[State]

The mock draft is interesting. Odrick is solid if unspectacular. Seeing the Ravens blow a barn door out of our defense in the playoffs on that Ray Lewis run made me sick to my stomach. I've seen Odrick perform at a high level for two years now. Do it. Safe pick.

Golden Tate in the second round? That's a very pleasant surprise. If that were to happen, it'd be the best thing to occur for us since Vince slid down to us at #21. Tate is the real deal and we have to re-load for Brady. My fear is that Welker won't be as freakishly productive and Moss won't be as explosive downfield. Injury and age, respectively.

But as much as I admire Tebow, Rob Rang has us taking him when Cal's Tyson Alualu is still on the board makes. me. sick.

Alualu reminds me a lot of Brushchi coming out of college. He'd likely be an upgrade over Wright in obvious passing situations with his speed and quickness.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

The mock draft is interesting. Odrick is solid if unspectacular. Seeing the Ravens blow a barn door out of our defense in the playoffs on that Ray Lewis run made me sick to my stomach. I've seen Odrick perform at a high level for two years now. Do it. Safe pick.

Golden Tate in the second round? That's a very pleasant surprise. If that were to happen, it'd be the best thing to occur for us since Vince slid down to us at #21. Tate is the real deal and we have to re-load for Brady. My fear is that Welker won't be as freakishly productive and Moss won't be as explosive downfield. Injury and age, respectively.

But as much as I admire Tebow, Rob Rang has us taking him when Cal's Tyson Alualu is still on the board makes. me. sick.

Alualu reminds me a lot of Brushchi coming out of college. He'd likely be an upgrade over Wright in obvious passing situations with his speed and quickness.

The "barn door" on the Ray Rice run was Wilfork, not Green. Vince had missed a couple games to heal up a bum wheel, how much that affected him is hard to say, but it clearly did on that play before he put it back together.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

The "barn door" on the Ray Rice run was Wilfork, not Green. Vince had missed a couple games to heal up a bum wheel, how much that affected him is hard to say, but it clearly did on that play before he put it back together.

the ravens called the right play.......both green and wilfork slid with the play while the ROG and ROT took turns on warren and guyton sealing both of them off and the LOG made quick work of mayo....

it was a general half-arsed attempt by the DL that allowed everyone to get buried.....looked like green was playing pass all the way

its one play......you don't base a draft on one play

 

[BradyManny]

:idontgetit: Kid's a jock, he's reportedly personable and hard working, how could he not fit in with a NE locker room that prizes such attributes?

But his attributes mean nothing if he's not on the field. A poster above made a good point about some pre-game speech he gave, and how it wouldn't have resonated anywhere else but Gator nation. If he weren't winning, that stuff means nothing, and may not even be taken seriously. So it offers no value to the Patriots if he's not on the field.

That's what it all comes down to - can he play for this team or not. If he can, maybe his intangibles mean something. If he can't, then it's worthless.

BB's interest in him reeks of smokescreen to me. He's doing the kid a favor to jack up his value in the draft b/c he likes him, and Meyer likes him. If BB were truly interested in drafting him, he wouldn't take him out in the North End where he knew it'd end up in the papers. And heck - it's worked, Tebow's stock has gone up since BB's public interest in him.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

But his attributes mean nothing if he's not on the field. A poster above made a good point about some pre-game speech he gave, and how it wouldn't have resonated anywhere else but Gator nation. If he weren't winning, that stuff means nothing, and may not even be taken seriously. So it offers no value to the Patriots if he's not on the field.

That's what it all comes down to - can he play for this team or not. If he can, maybe his intangibles mean something. If he can't, then it's worthless.

BB's interest in him reeks of smokescreen to me. He's doing the kid a favor to jack up his value in the draft b/c he likes him, and Meyer likes him. If BB were truly interested in drafting him, he wouldn't take him out in the North End where he knew it'd end up in the papers. And heck - it's worked, Tebow's stock has gone up since BB's public interest in him.

While jocks are particularly susceptible to alpha male posturing, there are many other forms of leadership. The kid will be fine, the folly will come from people setting limits on him - which is why I like how BB is willing to allow coaches and players the option of trying more than their slotted assignment on for size.