New England Patriots Links 3/08/10 - Patriots Better, or Just 'Not Any Worse'?
by Marima on Mar 8, 2010 9:42 AM EST
in New England Patriots News
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Karen Guregian reports Bills WR Josh Reed is scheduled to visit the Patriots today.
He's no Anquan Boldin, but Bill Belichick has always liked him.
"He’s very hard to tackle," Belichick said on Dec. 18. "Do you remember the slip screen he caught against us a couple years ago up there (in Buffalo)? He broke about seven tackles on the touchdown run. (He is) tough with the ball in his hands."
Reed made four catches for 63 yards in that late-season loss to the Pats. The former second-round pick played for Nick Saban - a good friend of Belichick - at LSU. Reed, who turns 30 in May, has had a pair of 50-plus catch seasons.
Gary Washburn reports Colts president Bill Polian offered attendees at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference all the reasons why it the "fourth-and-2" call was the right decision by Belichick.
“Here’s what happened in that ball game,’’ he told the standing-room audience at the Boston Convention Center.
“We were hot offensively in the second half. The Pats had lost [Tully] Banta-Cain. I think they had lost Jarvis Green. They had another one of their rushers gimpy.
“They were playing with two corners who were not starters because both had been injured. It had been a passing game, so their rushers were worn out having to rush.
“It was fourth and 2, and if we get the ball back, there’s a pretty strong likelihood based on what we had done up to that point that we were going to have a good chance to win the game.
“And they had been very successful in the Tom Brady era going for it on fourth down, and their most successful play with Tom Brady was a quarterback sneak.’’
Polian said the Patriots inserted personnel to indicate a Brady sneak.
“Was it the right call? In my opinion, it was 100 percent the right call. He knew his team. He knew the tactics involved. He gave the ball to Faulk, which was the second-most-effective guy in short yardage.
“So it was the right decision from a football standpoint. All of the statistical analysis that’s done over the course of a season means nothing. The situation on the field at the time dictates the call.’’
TEAM TALK
- Andy Hart and Erik Scalavino debate if New England should barter its 2011 first-rounder from Oakland to help acquire another first-round pick in this year's draft.
- John Cockrell Friday Out-Takes: Since you've been gone...
LOCAL LINKS
- Jody Feinberg catches up with former Patriots receiver David Givens whose graphite drawings will be on display at an art gallery in Cohasset.
- Mike Reiss talks about what Josh Reed would bring to the Pats.
- Christopher Price looks at what's next for the Patriots in free agency now that the first 72 hours of cash, contracts and craziness have come and gone.
- Albert Breer watches the Jets and Fins improve over the weekend while the Pats stay flat. He wonders if there will be a shift of power in the AFC East in 2010.
- Tony Massarotti writes the Pats of 2009 showed vulnerability on both sides of the ball against elite competition, and watching how Belichick intends to fit it all will be a fascinating exercise.
- Jim Donaldson thinks the Patriots' best chance to improve is via the Draft.
- Tom E. Curran feels the Patriots haven't gained anything yet in free agency. Reupping with guys already on the roster isn't improvement, it only avoids getting worse.
- Mike Reiss notes the differing oppinions of the Patriots moves, or lack thereof, so afar in free agency.
- Michael Felger says the Patriots still have a lot of work to do and a lot of money to spend to get back the team they had last year, which wasn't good enough to begin with.
- Albert Breer looks at who's left to take care of for the Patriots.
- Ian Rapoport notes free agent DE Jarvis Green and his agent are fielding calls from other teams and will begin making visits to other cities or finalize a deal with New England.
- Ian Rapoport looks at how Jarvis Green stacks up among his peers.
- Stan Grossfield has a really nice piece on Amanda Belichick, assistant lacrosse coach for the UMass Minutewomen.
- Karen Guregian notes CB Leigh Bodden landed in Houston last night, seemingly ready to sign with the Texans if they come up with the cash. "It's all about who wants me."
- Albert Breer thinks Leigh Bodden's fate is out of the Patriots' hands.
- Mike Reiss points out that all things being equal between the Pats and Texans for the services of Leigh Bodden, Texas has no state income tax so he'd get more money from the same contract. Damn "Taxachusetts."
- Christopher Price confirmed a league report that the Patriots are interested in bringing back DL Le Kevin Smith, who was dealt to Denver last year for a 5th round pick.
- Mike Reiss revisits his own Wilfork proposal from back on January 30th. He wasn't far off, only $2 million plus 1 year more in real contract.
- Nate Dow looks at the year by year free-agent signings of the Belichick regime, noting the Patriots have seen mixed results going after established players.
- Jeff Howe breaks down the Patriots 2001 Draft, noting Richard Seymour and Matt Light played major roles in building the dynasty.
- Darius Butler has his own official website up and running and it's pretty cool. He's going to surprise everyone this year, especially the Jets who think they've cornered the CB talent.
- Albert Breer notes Darius Butler honored former teammate Jasper Howard with a new tattoo. Howard was killed in a fatal stabbing on campus last year.
- Christopher Price is still surprised and a bit confused that the Patriots cut TE Chris Baker, and apparently Baker and his agent are too. Baker is getting interest from other teams.
- Mike Reiss presents his quick-hit thoughts from aorund the league and the Patriots.
- Karen Guregian offers some weekend news and notes from around the NFL.
NATIONAL NEWS
- ESPN Free agency tracker. Includes the full list of all 2009 NFL free agents and free agent signings.
- Dennis Dillon (Sporting News) Big names, big values remain on NFL free-agent market.
- Eric Edholm (ProFootballWeekly) Early winners and losers in free agency.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Bills interested in Joey Porter.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Bills will conduct private Tebow workout.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB: In wake of signing/trade frenzy, a reminder: Free agency is overrated.
- Michael Lombardi (Nat'l Football Post) Broncos want first-rounder for Marshall.
- Mike Wilkening (ProFootballWeekly) Welker, Martin: RFAs worth every penny.
- Jonathan D. Silver and Tom Birdsong (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Roethlisberger accused of sexual assault in Georgia.
- Ron Cook (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Roethlisberger guilty of poor judgment.
- Jeff Schultz (Atlanta Journal Constitution) Roethlisberger hires Garland, attorney to troubled sports stars. Former clients: Ray Lewis, Jamal Lewis and Adam 'Pacman' Jones among others.
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Reed could be a nice pick-up, but let's not kid ourselves
So far, the Pats haven’t “gotten better.” Re-signing Wilfork and Banta-Cain helps, but both constitute “not getting worse.” Signing Reed is a good stopgap measure while Welker recovers, and I’m sure Brady could work wonders with him, but he’s not exactly a huge improvement even if signing him means Aiken stays on special teams where he belongs.
Then again, it’s not exactly a stellar free agent class, so “getting better” has to come through the draft. And we need a DE to replace Seymour, an OLB to replace Vrabel and AT, and a TE to replace Watson and Baker, and all need to contribute right away. And there are still other needs, so there’s very little margin for error this year, even with four picks in the first 53.
Exactly
Free Agents R Us is pretty thin right now. The big buck guys to too rich (though signing Wilfork means we landed a big buck guy). They’ve had offers in to multiple other free agents who found better money went elsewhere(somtimes read “desperate teams”). We can hope for is useful contributors, like Reed who may be the way to go with Welker out. It also gives us a third receiver right away. Bodden would be nice to keep and we’re trying, but he’s looking at dollar signs that may not be reasonable. No one was lost on Bodden island. Good, but not THAT good.
If we’d have lost Vince, but picked up Peppers the team would be worse. Keeping Vince, we’re comparable. But better has to come through the draft. The draft is deep, we have quite a few picks, and may be able to work other draft day trades as teams get hungry for one guy or another. The diamonds in the rough are the hardest to find, but worth the most by far.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 8, 2010 10:55 AM EST up reply actions
No, they haven't gotten any better.
Because this team isn’t really focusing on free agency. We’re focusing on the improvement of our young defense through experience, and a draft with 4 of the first 53 picks. We probably could still use some help—an experienced WR would be good, and we definitely need to resign Bodden (though that’s looking less and less likely), or we’ll be legitimately worse heading into the draft.
But still, we shouldn’t look at this team as the aging bunch needing new support that they were in 2008. We’ve got the youth now.
USG
People are making too much of the Cromartie and Boldin trades.
San Diego is very, very good at talent assessment. They let Cromartie go pretty easily. That should tell us something. I’ve heard at least 64 people claim that the Patriots REALLY have to do something, now that the Jets just made their secondary completely indomitable.
Also, I’ve heard at least as many people (probably the same people) claiming that the Pats really “whiffed” by not getting Boldin. With chronic injuries, potential locker room problems and a complete lack of information about whether he could fit into the Pats offense, I’m also not driven to quite the same sense of urgency by the Pats’ passing on him.
Dansby going to the Fins is definitely a huge win for them, but that is the only move I’ve seen so far that really puts and pressure on the Pats (and, frankly, the Fins have so many issues to work out on offense…let’s not pencil them in as AFC East champs, just yet).
What surprises me is how much people are discounting the potential impact of LAST year’s draft class on this year’s team. Belichick will tell anyone who will listen that a player improves the most between his first and second years. The 2010 draft isn’t going to make this team better – the 2009 draft is. Keeping what we have, in my mind, is going to make this team better, because young players get better and can contribute more. There is far too much emphasis placed on FA acquisitions.
Dansby was the free agent who I would've wanted most
Wide receivers are pretty common – every team carries 5 or 6 of them, there’s always some floating around free agency, and the draft is pretty deep in WR talent. Whereas 6’5 linebackers who can play ILB and OLB in the 4-3 and 3-4, who have proven talent at both coverage and pass-rushing, and who can stuff the run with the best of them… they’re rare.
I never, ever thought it likely the Pats would go after him – they’ve got a centrepiece LB already in Mayo – but I do vaguely wish I could’ve seen a Mayo-Dansby ILB combo. That would’ve been sweet. Maybe a Pro Bowl or two from now?
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Youth and a year or two of experience.
That’s when guys start to show up. Rookie standouts in the 1st round, you expect. Everyone else takes some time.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 8, 2010 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
The release of Baker could mean a shift in the use of the TE.
If the Pats see a TE that they believe can fit their system perfectly, Baker is expendable. If, perhaps, they are trying to shift to scheme that requires a pass catching TE, maybe they are going to hold onto Watson and integrate him more fully. OR, maybe they are eyeing a TE in the draft.
Either way, the release of Baker seems to signify a change in offensive philosophy, rather than a displeasure with his performance.
The offensive scheme and defensive scheme change slightly every year.
Sometimes it’s to adapt to the personnel out of camp and sometimes it’s to adapt to injuries. Some of it could be looking ahead to the division on the schedule.
In addition to that, there is the weekly scheme based upon the opponent of the week.
I’d like to see them use the Tight-end more as a receiver, but if they started to do that and then stopped it really wouldn’t surprise me. If the Tight-end would be a favorable matchup then they use him, if not then they won’t.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 8, 2010 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
With Welker likely out for the first six weeks...
the TE might need to be more of a frequent target than a blocker. Certainly, a TE is probably in the best natural position to pick up those yards and catches that once went to Welker. To that end, I think the Pats might have thought that keeping a blocking TE on the roster would be a waste, since he’d basically be sitting for the first 6 weeks.
I know that BB doesn’t make written-in-stone schematic changes that dictate what the team must and will do from week to week (like the Randy rule, or some such foolishness), but as you said, he does adjust based on realities and personnel. To me, this seems to say, “The reality of our team is that we need the TE to catch more passes, at least for a while.”
There is nothing better the Pats could do this off season then resign Vince.
FA market is weak, trades are possible but not ideal giving picks you have to give up, and Vince is easily the best player on the Pats D. You could also argue that if Vince was a UFA – he would have been ahead of Peppers as the premier DL on the FA market.
He’s skills and experience are tremendous, but also equally as important is that he’s part of the core of the Pats D. After shredding the core last year moving Seymour and Vrabel, the Pats need to keep the core unit together this year in order for the younger players on D to grow and develop.
There’s a lot of skill on the D that will naturally get better simply from being in the league for a full year or for another year.
wow
Polian and I think alike….thats the same reason i said back in nov when BB went for the 4th and 2……i think i have to take a hot shower…erghh
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.....159 mph is my top speed..will top that this spring
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
(formerly mathew.40)
I thought the same thing...
Polian actually made sense. Scary.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Or the sedatives in his coffee...
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
my 2n cents
a) Get Reed.
b) Dont trade the Oakland pick….pple who say they should are idiots….that pick will be a top 5- top 10 pick…you gain so many draft picks by trading it down in 2011 as opposes to 2010.
c) David Givens….nice work…pretty impressive.
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.....159 mph is my top speed..will top that this spring
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
(formerly mathew.40)
or don't trade it at all
If indeed there is a set rookie salary cap negotiated into the new CBA (and it seems like there is a lot of suggestion there will be), then that pick allows us to get a top 5 or top 10 talent without having to pay the sorts of salary that top 5/top10 picks have gotten in the past.
Personally, I am 100% sure that is why we took the Raiders 2011 first round pick rather than their 2010 one. And if it turns out that the new CBA doesn’t have a fixed rookie pay scale, then you can always trade down on draft day.
by JohnPaul on Mar 8, 2010 9:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
There's also a chance that the Pats will trade back the 2010 first rounder
either for more 2nds (far cheaper), or convert it to a 2011 first-plus-change. Either way, they’ll save cash by avoiding having to pay an overrated rookie who wants a lot more cash than is warranted, merely due to their first-round status.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
It's not cheaper if the new CBA includes a rookie cap
I doubt the Pats do anything with that pick until there’s a new CBA in place. If there’s no rookie cap, they’ll still be able to trade down.
From what I've gathered, any CBA sounds like it'd have a cap
the big-spending, powerful owners (Kraft, Jerry Jones) seem to want a rookie-capped CBA, so if it’s a tossup, I’d lean in a rookie-capped direction. They’ve already seemingly won out on the re-jig of the revenue-sharing scheme, and a rookie cap might well be attached to that – small owners with no cash from the big franchises would probably want to limit what they pay for rookies all of a sudden.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
The players want a rookie cap too
I guarantee you none of the veterans enjoy seeing a handful of rookies every year who have never played a game get bigger contracts than proven all-pros. And that will, at least in theory, leave more money for the owners to spend on the vets.
But the point remains — there’s no reason to trade a nearly guaranteed top ten pick and likely top five, not when we have every reason to expect a rookie cap next year. And if the cap doesn’t happen, there’s always some team desperate enough to trade into the top ten.
Oh, I wouldn't touch that Raiders pick at all
If anything, the 2010 Pats first-rounder is the one that’s in danger of being sent elsewhere – like, if someone offered the Lions 2011 first rounder or something.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Mar 8, 2010 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn't touch that Raiders pick either
Turning that first rounder into another Richard Seymour caliber talent is my plan.
Keep the faith!
Here's a thought:
This is the last year of Maroney’s contract, Taylor and Morris are older than Methuselah in football terms, and Faulk might not even be back this year. The Pats may well be in position to take someone like Mark Ingram. With a rookie cap, he’d be a good pick — good size and speed, runs hard, and he can catch the ball. And we’d still have another #1 later to shore up whatever other position is of the greatest need.
I'm still not sure I'd make that trade
We have some pretty big holes in the lineup that can’t wait a year to be filled. I don’t think I’d make that deal unless they included they’re second rounder this year — at least then it’s not a huge drop down the draft board for us.
Me either, really
but it would have to be something like that to make it worthwhile – something with an obvious giant payoff. And the salary for a 21st/22nd overall pick isn’t ridiculous – Maroney and Wilfork had managable rookie contracts, so that’s not a huge concern. I’d imagine they keep the pick and use it on a position of need.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
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