Smith vs. Yeatmen should be a good battle

[PatsFanStnfrd]

Just want all of us to acknowledge that OFF THE GRID was really the first to appreciate what a marvelous rookie free agent signing Yeatman was for BB and the Pats. As early as July 26, Off the Grid launched a Yaetman Fan Club thread. That may be a home run call. Kudos to him.

 

[sbpatfan]

Just want all of us to acknowledge that OFF THE GRID was really the first to appreciate what a marvelous rookie free agent signing Yeatman was for BB and the Pats. As early as July 26, Off the Grid launched a Yaetman Fan Club thread. That may be a home run call. Kudos to him.

He was bound to hit one, he picked like 100 binkies.

 

[The Gr8est]

The sad part about this is it will give the Rats fans more ammunition for their "BB can't draft" argument.

If the Pats hadn't signed Yeatman then Smith would have been a roster lock, now the delusional Rats fans will see it, not as gr8 scouting on BB's part to find this nugget in Yeatman, but as more proof of BB's failures.

It's not a big issue really, just sad because it is so predictable.

 

[Sciz]

The sad part about this is it will give the Rats fans more ammunition for their "BB can't draft" argument.

If the Pats hadn't signed Yeatman then Smith would have been a roster lock, now the delusional Rats fans will see it, not as gr8 scouting on BB's part to find this nugget in Yeatman, but as more proof of BB's failures.

It's not a big issue really, just sad because it is so predictable.

"Vernon Gholston. Checkmate."

 

[captain stone]

Is anybody else surprised that, given Katula's shakiness in TC & vs. Jax, that Lee Smith hasn't been seen practicing his long-snapping even on the sidelines? Wasn't he the backup LS at Marshall?

Smith was a curious (to be kind) choice in the 5th round, and now that choice seems curiouser & curiouser.

 

[The Gr8est]

Is anybody else surprised that, given Katula's shakiness in TC & vs. Jax, that Lee Smith hasn't been seen practicing his long-snapping even on the sidelines? Wasn't he the backup LS at Marshall?

Smith was a curious (to be kind) choice in the 5th round, and now that choice seems curiouser & curiouser.

There was NOTHING curious about using a late round pick on the top blocking TE in the draft, for a team where strong TE blocking is so important to their success, and where the incumbent is old and injured.

 

[bagwell368]

4 TE's makes a lot of sense.

#1. AH may be used as a WR, or at least split off the line at times. So a 3 man TE formation could be more likely and/or AH may need more of a blow if he's running deeper patterns, hence another TE on the field more often.

#2. Our FB may well turn out to be a TE and not the 4th time retread/IR/retirement wannabe Morris. To me it makes more sense to justify keeping a young guy with promise to fill a marginal role then to keep an old war horse like Morris - who cannot fullfill his original purpose and stay healthy. If we cut Morris late, he won't likely hook on elsewhere and he like Crumpler could end up coming back if there is an injury.

 

[bagwell368]

There was NOTHING curious about using a late round pick on the top blocking TE in the draft, for a team where strong TE blocking is so important to their success, and where the incumbent is old and injured.

Right you are, I called two picks last draft and Smith in that slot was one of them. A 5th rounder at deeper positions for the Pats this year is like playing the lottery. So, you go look for a role guy, like a blocking TE to take over for your old and creaky one. Our new TE added into the mix only makes things more interesting, and makes for better competition. What is wrong with that?

 

[bagwell368]

The sad part about this is it will give the Rats fans more ammunition for their "BB can't draft" argument.

If the Pats hadn't signed Yeatman then Smith would have been a roster lock, now the delusional Rats fans will see it, not as gr8 scouting on BB's part to find this nugget in Yeatman, but as more proof of BB's failures.

It's not a big issue really, just sad because it is so predictable.

Fight crap with facts.

BB does draft well, since he came he's got one of the best records in the league. Then add it his success with picking cheap price nice talent players that played from other teams (FA), then add in his UDFA moves, then his trades using picks (Welker, Moss), and finally his huge success in knowing when not to keep his high priced talent (one exception), then all the draft day deals... what you have is a fully functional GM that isn't afraid to make moves, and has stocked up his team to compete deep into the playoffs almost every year he has been here.

 

[ausbacker]

Just want all of us to acknowledge that OFF THE GRID was really the first to appreciate what a marvelous rookie free agent signing Yeatman was for BB and the Pats. As early as July 26, Off the Grid launched a Yaetman Fan Club thread. That may be a home run call. Kudos to him.

I'm paying OFF THE GRID & The Solder King a heap of attention when it comes to binkies and "junior" players coming through ranks. Both appear to have good knowledge when it comes to talent identification.

 

[captain stone]

There was NOTHING curious about using a late round pick on the top blocking TE in the draft, for a team where strong TE blocking is so important to their success, and where the incumbent is old and injured.

I do not consider a 5th a "late round" pick, esp. when Smith's talent suggested that he would likely have been avail. in the 6th or even 7th rounds, the real "late rounds".
Besides, how valuable is that niche 3rd Blocking TE position in the draft when a seemingly better player was signed as a UDFA? #159 would've been better-used on a Safety, CB or C/G (I would incl. Pass-Rusher, but I now suspect that Bill already knew that he would be changing to a 4-3).

 

[BritPat]

Whether you consider 5th round late or not is irrelevant. It is a late round. Fact.

That's when you take players like Lee Smith. Stop whining and get over it.

 

[BritPat]

Hang on, and why Safety or CB? When the Draft took place we had roughly 8 Safeties on the books or PS - Meriweather, Chung, Sanders, Lockett, Page, Brown, Barrett and Ventrone.

Why CB either? Bodden, McCourty, Butler, Arrington, Dowling, Wilhite - you've got enough there. BB obviously CB as worthy of a true value last ditch pick, and took the Williams kid. He clearly knew in the mean-time he was likely to release Crumpler, which meant we needed a proper blocking TE, that could maybe develop into more.

Your reasoning, as ever, is ridiculous.

 

[Off The Grid]

Just want all of us to acknowledge that OFF THE GRID was really the first to appreciate what a marvelous rookie free agent signing Yeatman was for BB and the Pats. As early as July 26, Off the Grid launched a Yaetman Fan Club thread. That may be a home run call. Kudos to him.

My MAN, Brother Stanford!! :rocker:

Anybody can make a good call, once in a while.

CLASS is defined by posts like yours.

That says far more about you, than about me.

And thank you kindly, Brother Stanford.

 

[Off The Grid]

He was bound to hit one, he picked like 100 binkies.

Actually, there was exactly ONE of Coach Bill's UFA Picks that I went nuts about.

That number, again??

ONE.

And his name??

YEATMAN!! :rocker:

No need to be bitter about it.

Or...is there??

 

[Off The Grid]

Why anyone would care about Reiss' observations I don't know, but from my more professional view between the games and getting to a few training camp sessions, Yeatman can't be cut. And the more I think about it, it makes no sense for a 4th TE because you can use Monster Maneri as an extra TE for blocking plays.

I am just glad the Jets are so far back in the waiver process because they could really use a blocking TE in case we release him.

Although it's time for BB to use his Jedi Powers.

Smith coming back to the sidelines after a practice drill late in camp...

BB: "Looks like you tweaked your ankle pretty good on that last play Lee."

Lee: "No I'm fine coach."

BB: "Looks like you tweaked your ankle pretty good on that last play Lee."

Lee: "Ow my ankle! Trainer!"

Beautifull!! And hilaroius!!

 

[sbpatfan]

I do not consider a 5th a "late round" pick, esp. when Smith's talent suggested that he would likely have been avail. in the 6th or even 7th rounds, the real "late rounds".
Besides, how valuable is that niche 3rd Blocking TE position in the draft when a seemingly better player was signed as a UDFA? #159 would've been better-used on a Safety, CB or C/G (I would incl. Pass-Rusher, but I now suspect that Bill already knew that he would be changing to a 4-3).

Thanks Captain Hindsight.

 

[patchick]

I do not consider a 5th a "late round" pick, esp. when Smith's talent suggested that he would likely have been avail. in the 6th or even 7th rounds, the real "late rounds".
Besides, how valuable is that niche 3rd Blocking TE position in the draft when a seemingly better player was signed as a UDFA?

Cap'n, draft "value" and "rounds" aren't abstract constructs. Look at the facts of the specific draft before deciding that Smith "would have been available later."

The Patriots needed a replacement for Crumpler. The draft was thin in that kind of player, and by round 5 Lee Smith was far and away the best option. What's more, he's lived up to his billing. Smith has had a solid camp and belongs on an NFL roster. The pick would look mighty good indeed if Yeatman weren't stealing the spotlight.

But the fact that a solid draft pick being outplayed by a UDFA who was universally regarded as undraftworthy is awesome! This is an embarrassment of riches, a fabulous piece of luck, not an indictment of the draft choice.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Cap'n, draft "value" and "rounds" aren't abstract constructs. Look at the facts of the specific draft before deciding that Smith "would have been available later."

The Patriots needed a replacement for Crumpler. The draft was thin in that kind of player, and by round 5 Lee Smith was far and away the best option. What's more, he's lived up to his billing. Smith has had a solid camp and belongs on an NFL roster. The pick would look mighty good indeed if Yeatman weren't stealing the spotlight.

But the fact that a solid draft pick being outplayed by a UDFA who was universally regarded as undraftworthy is awesome! This is an embarrassment of riches, a fabulous piece of luck, not an indictment of the draft choice.

On draft day I was driving around later in the afternoon. Had ESPN Radio on. They mentioned NE selected Lee Smith in one of their updates. They were interviewing the ND coach Kelly at the time. He coached against him when he was at Cincy and Smith played at Marshall. He didn't have to because he was on to talk about the ND players. But, he gave Smith a shoutout because he liked him as a player. I wouldn't say a reach at all. Yeatman didn't have as stable a college career. That's why he wasn't drafted. If the draft were 12 rounds like it used to be, or 17 like it used to be. An 8th rounder beating out a 5th rounder would be no big deal. A UDFA beating out a 5th rounder sounds much worse. When it actually isn't. No way are we cutting Yeatman now IMO. Maybe we can sneak Smith on to the practice squad. I doubt it though.

 

[Clonamery]

Cap'n, ...not an indictment of the draft choice.

I swear to God, BB stole his tricycle.