Wolf has final say on the roster

[PatsFan2]

So back steps still open

Well at least he didn't call RK Lightening.

 

[Hyped]

Here's the transcript:

TRANSCRIPT: Eliot Wolf's Press Conference 2/26 | PatsFans.com

Here's what New England Patriots Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf had to say during his press conference on Wednesday down at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

www.patsfans.com

Quick snippet:

"Last season, ultimately, the roster was on me. We were 4-13. Just didn't get enough done. Certainly, the free agency class didn't live up to our expectations. The draft class, it's too soon to tell, but we were expecting a bigger impact from some of those guys, and we're still hopeful that they'll get to that point. We're excited about Drake Maye. We're excited about working with Coach Vrabel. Everything that we're doing is to improve this football team and getting to where we need to go. The fans, understanding their frustrations, I share those frustrations."

"It's been difficult. Every hit on Jacoby [Brissett] or Drake during the season, I felt responsible for that. Just ultimately, we didn't get enough done up front. The game is always won on the lines, offensive line, defensive line, not just because of the Super Bowl. It's always been that way. Ultimately, just didn't do enough to improve the roster to get it to where we need it to be. So, that being said, again, just really excited about Coach Vrabel and the direction and vision that he's provided in working together with these guys and getting this thing going."

And he thought we would be okay going into the season with Okrafor, Lowe, and Wallace at the tackle spots.....

 

[reflexblue]

Been here for 5 or 6 years now. Been involved in providing this ****ty team. Needs to stfu and walk. Screw him and his packers way. Get ****ed elliot

I had high hopes for this guy being the son of a legendary GM, but so far hes let me/us down.

 

[raduray]

My question is why is Matt Groh still on the payroll?

 

[goheels22002]

The old, "I'll take the blame, but it was never my idea..." ploy. Coach Vrabel has Eliot right where he wants him.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

I don't get it....I failed, I made bad choices, thank you for committing to me??? Weaponize the offense? Chukes can play left tackle? McConkey not worth the pick? Who's he got data on, Kraft? S.M.H...surgically remove him, give Vrabel complete control please.

As to our conversation yesterday
This is not what I wanted to hear
I still think Vrabel has more say but with a possible squeaky wheel in the room
I would be fine with banging stuff off each other and Vrabel having another voice(s) in the room
But I want Vrabel to have the final say

 

[DaBruinz]

Curran's been killing him for months on TV and on air, as have the fans, so I'm assuming he decided the best way to deal with it is to just hit it head-on and take responsibility. I agree, it absolutely stood out among the things he said today.

I've been "killing" Wolf since FA and the Draft last year.

 

[DaBruinz]

Been here for 5 or 6 years now. Been involved in providing this ****ty team. Needs to stfu and walk. Screw him and his packers way. Get ****ed elliot

Wolf joined the pats in 2020 as a "Scouting Consultant". It wasn't until 2022 that he was made Director of Scouting. So, look at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 drafts.. Those are on him.

 

[varjao]

I don't like, would've liked more if he deflected that question with some collaborative effort BS but anyway, I feel like internally things are more clear and Wolf is on some kind of one year prove it deal. If he doesn't get it done this FA and draft and the roster is still far away from competitive he is gonna get the axe because it will look like at some point that agents don't like this dude and don't make deals with him and are using the Pats only as leverage for their clients to get other deals.

 

[203Pat]

The way he stammered answering the question leads me to believe that this is more of a technicality. "On paper" he has final say because he is the EVP. But he knows if he doesn't do what Vrabel wants then his ass is grass and Cowden will take his job.

Here is the full interview for folks who want to watch:

I agree there is probably plenty of gray area in that answer. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a lot of say in this draft as he has been involved with the scouting the last 12 months but I would think going forward if he has a job here he won't have final say.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

Draft is meatier in the middle rounds and not strong at the top
Could that mean trade down
Dline is strong and deep and you need those players that can push the middle on all 3 downs
Maybe more than 1
OLine and WR are more meatier in the middle rounds
Wait to pick those type players
RB is strong
What do we take from those comments or are they just generic

 

[Salsalife]

As to our conversation yesterday
This is not what I wanted to hear
I still think Vrabel has more say but with a possible squeaky wheel in the room
I would be fine with banging stuff off each other and Vrabel having another voice(s) in the room
But I want Vrabel to have the final say

His title and position will affect Vrabels decisions. I.M.O. Wolf says coaching his picks was an issue last season. Mayo said it was Wolf who had final say. To me Coach Bills teams was benchmarked on talent evaluations and Bills final say. I hope your right. Very little star talent on the team, I'm scared. 4-13 back to back...

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

His title and position will affect Vrabels decisions. I.M.O. Wolf says coaching his picks was an issue last season. Mayo said it was Wolf who had final say. To me Coach Bills teams was benchmarked on talent evaluations and Bills final say. I hope your right. Very little star talent on the team, I'm scared. 4-13 back to back...

I just don’t think Vrabel would have taken the job if he didn’t have some major clout
This is his second try as HC
His career depends on his success and he is cerebral enough to know what he needs to win within his system
All those coaching choices had Vrabel written all over them
Except for a few holdovers who I am sure had Vrabel’s OK

 

[Thelonious]

Robert is clearly 'round the bend if this is correct and he permitted it to happen. Wolf should have been fired for crap work at the end of last year. The idea that he has final say is actually offensive to me. Wolf is a people-pleasing, smarmy punk, just like - you guessed it - Jerrod Mayo. You blow up the old fella's skirts a little, and the job is yours, apparently. Not a serious move at all.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Curran's been killing him for months on TV and on air, as have the fans, so I'm assuming he decided the best way to deal with it is to just hit it head-on and take responsibility. I agree, it absolutely stood out among the things he said today.

His statement completely contradicts Vrabel’s position that he has final say on personnel. I have defended Wolf but Vrabel should have final say on personnel. I think he’s wrong on this.

 

[Salsalife]

His statement completely contradicts Vrabel’s position that he has final say on personnel. I have defended Wolf but Vrabel should have final say on personnel. I think he’s wrong on this.

2024 all over again.

 

[Huckleberry1]

2024 all over again.

I don’t think so. I think Vrabel will have final say. Kraft will side with Vrabel over Wolf.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yep.. Wolf has final say after Vrabel told him what players to prioritize....

Sound like me making my tee time after my wife said we have nothing going on Saturday morning.

It makes me feel better I can make my own decisions.

 

[festy1986]

So what happens if they flunk another draft?

What's the recourse then?

 

[Huckleberry1]

From the Sports Business Journal

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel indicated in a press conference yesterday that he took the job “knowing he would assume control” over Patriots’ personnel when asked who has the “final say” on those decisions, according to Andrew Callahan of the BOSTON HERALD. This marks a shift from last year when Patriots EVP/Player Personnel Eliot Wolf confirmed he had “full control” over the Patriots roster. Both Vrabel and Wolf are “leading the Patriots’ contingency at the combine.” Vrabel said he “wouldn’t be here” and “wouldn’t have wanted to be the head coach here if I wasn’t comfortable in my impact on the roster.” Vrabel: