The Mauler gets found - Glazer piece

[patchick]

Belichick had his heart set on drafting Brady with the 10th pick and consensus of opinion was that no team ahead of the Browns was interested in Brady. Belichick just sat there and waited for his turn but, out of the blue, the Jets selected Brady with the ninth pick. Belichick was stunned. He was so shaken he couldn’t make a pick at 10.

Everybody was stunned! The Jets didn't need a tight end at all but had major DL needs. The whole crowd was chanting for Warren Sapp, who in fact would have been a much better choice. (Is it something about the #9 slot? Think Ted Ginn over Brady Quinn.) Kyle spent just 4 fairly quiet years with the Jets, a good player but nothing like a top-10 impact pick.

I wonder whether that whole episode affected BB's draft approach going forward? I simply cannot imagine him today not having backup plans for any crazy contingency.