Semi-OT: Parcells Interview about Tom Landry and Roster Building.

[DaBruinz]

Really interesting read. Though I can't stand Parcells because of what he did, I can't deny his success either.

Parcells: The Tom Landry Rule and Putting a Roster Together

Bill Parcells talks about what he learned from Tom Landry and Al Davis when it comes to putting a roster together.

www.the33rdteam.com

"Setting the Roster
In setting the roster, I used to draw a baseline of 18 empty boxes for defense, 18 empty boxes for offense and three empty boxes for specialists, which for most teams are a kicker, punter and long-snapper.

On offense, three boxes were for tackles, three for guards, two for centers, two for tight ends, two for quarterbacks, two for running backs, one for a fullback (that would exist for some teams today, but it probably would be filled by another tight end) and three for wide receivers.

On defense (which I’m basing on a nickel 4-2-5, because that’s what 80 percent of the NFL uses today), I have three tackles, three ends, three inside linebackers, three corners, three field safeties (guys who can play well in the deep half but also a box safety), two nickel guys (the nickel has kind of replaced one of the linebackers) and I’m keeping one box for an additional end or linebacker."

 

[The Brandon Five]

So no box for OLB's? Strange that his best player was one.

 

[DaBruinz]

So no box for OLB's? Strange that his best player was one.

He probably considered Taylor an "end" in his boxes..

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

I still don't understand how Parcells was so good at drafting. this is going to start a storm, but I think he was the best drafter of any Patriots coach; what was his secret? He had some stupendous drafts for the Patriots. BB is clearly the best evaluator of NFL talent (as in getting great free agents) that the Patriots every had, but I think the Parcells was the best at drafting.

 

[upstater1]

I still don't understand how Parcells was so good at drafting. this is going to start a storm, but I think he was the best drafter of any Patriots coach; what was his secret? He had some stupendous drafts for the Patriots. BB is clearly the best evaluator of NFL talent (as in getting great free agents) that the Patriots every had, but I think the Parcells was the best at drafting.

??? He was excellent at 1st round picks. He hit all 3 years he controlled the draft. One HOFer, and 2 guys that made Pro Bowls. Curtis Martin also made the HOF.

However, his later rounds, 2nd, 3rd and 4th especially, were pretty bad. In fact, I'd argue he only hit on Martin and Johnson out of 12 picks. Granted, Martin was a great one, but that's still 2 out of 12.

Hits: Drew Bledsoe (1st pick), Willie McGinest (4th pick), Ty Law, Curtis Martin, Ted Johnson, Troy Brown

Duds:
2nd rounders: Chris Slade, Todd Rucci, Vincent Brisby, Kevin Lee
3rd rounders: Erving Collier, Joe Burch, Jimmy Hitchcock
4th rounders: Corwin Brown, Kevin Johnson DT, John Burke

Also remember that Parcells wanted Cedric Jones or Tony Brackens instead of Terry Glenn the next year. When Kraft told Grier to take Glenn instead of Brackens, Parcells slammed the door and left the draft.

 

[Noexcusesfornumber5]

I considered Slade to be good player and good pick. He certainly had duds though. I wonder what would have happened if he was allowed to pick his own groceries. Could he build a SB winning team with BB by his side? I'm sure that's all he wanted, was a chance to do so and not have to listen to the likes of Bobby F'in Grier. Wrong place at the wrong time in team history.

 

[upstater1]

I considered Slade to be good player and good pick. He certainly had duds though. I wonder what would have happened if he was allowed to pick his own groceries. Could he build a SB winning team with BB by his side? I'm sure that's all he wanted, was a chance to do so and not have to listen to the likes of Bobby F'in Grier. Wrong place at the wrong time in team history.

Well, he picked his own groceries for 3 years, so...

I think you're definitely flipping the script as to what happened. Grier was not the guy making the selections until Parcells went behind the Patriots' back and conspired with the Jets.

Parcells did that the summer prior to the Super Bowl year. This was before Belichick even started with the Patriots. Parcells asked Kraft to shorten the buyout in his contract instead of the multiple year deal he had in place. Parcells had conspired with the Jets the year prior to the '96 draft.

Frankly, if I were Kraft, there is absolutely no way I would have allowed the future Jets coach to choose the assets of his top competitor. No way. It's crazy to me that Kraft even left it up until the day of the draft to decide who would make the decisions.