How do the Patriots Teach the Rookies?

I have always felt that the PAT’S use of free agent, seasoned veterans is the difference maker. You have provided a superb chronological break down of this system in motion.

I do wish the PATS followed the same approach with their coordinators. I wish they DID pursue high profile, seasoned coordinators [like Weiss and Crennel] who have the ability to maximize the talent on the roster. The PATS have not had anything close to that tandem since their exit in 2004. And, the PATS haven’t won the Super Bowl since their exit either.

wonder who is going to teach Cumm.?…..should have never traded my man love Vrabel

What if …

The team losing a coordinator [who is still under contract] has two choices:

Option 1: The team receiving the coordintaor swaps the position of their 1st round pick with the team who is losing the coordinator: Round 1 for Round 1.

Option 2: The team receiving the coordinator swaps their lowest 2nd round draft pick with the lowest 3rd round draft pick belonging to the team losing the coordinator: Round 2 for Round 3.

Either of those options seems like a decent deterrent from stealing a coordinator still under contract while not closing the door completely on a coordinator’s chances of jumping ship to a team who truly wants him. And, if they do jump ship, the team losing the coordinator gains ground in the up coming draft with either selection.

Could that work?
Would the NFL owners agree to this?
Is something like this already in place?

I have no idea if Mangini and/or McDaniels left while still under contract. And, if so, did the PAT’s get some form of compensation?

It seems that some form of draft pick compensation would be reasonable.

I still like the idea of coordinators being under contract like players. They can leave early for a better opportunity [NFL to NFL] or [NFL to NCAA], but their early exit would create a league wide response that is consistent – and not arbitrary.

And, I like the suggestion that the response would be tied to the allocation of compensatory picks. That does not negatively impact any one NFL team, it allows coordinators to pursue different jobs, and the team losing their coordinator gets something in return.

It could be a weighted compensation scale based on a standard, non binding, 3 year coordinator contract. It’s non binding, but it establishes a time line for the accurate distribution of compensatory picks.

Example scale:

Exit after year 1 = compensatory pick in the 3rd round
Exit after year 2 = compensatory pick in the 4th round
Exit after year 3 = compensatory pick in the 5th round

The idea is that an under study [an assistant coordinator in the system] will be better prepared to become the coordinator with each additional year of mentoring. Of course, you cannot foresee an assistant bolting early which might, in turn, require yet another scale for compensation since grabbing an assistant coordinator after year 2 can be just as damaging to the team who is losing him. It leaves their cupboard bare if their coordinator also exits.

Richard, You did a great job at breaking this down with Pats rookies.

For me, this is the only position that seems to demand more talent from the incoming veteran. Corey Dillon had lots left to offer. And, it showed. Guys like Morris and Taylor don’t project that same level of contribution. They get the job done, but I doubt that they force the defense to run plan against them.

Since I view the RB by committee as a dice roll and it conveys a second level priority in their offensive planning each year, I’d go in an entirely different direction. I’d use two later round draft picks each year [some combination of 4th, 5th and/or 6th round picks] and grab two RB’s each April. It’s cheaper, they’re younger, faster, quicker, they’ll bust their asses trying to make a career of it, and, heck, you might find the next Curtis Martin lingering out there [albeit he was a 3rd round pick].

If either or both earn a second season, great! If not, let them go and do it again.

Why not? Guys like Morris and Taylor spend games on the bench due to injuries that are almost expected. Their performance isn’t so great where it cannot possibly be duplicated by a rookie for pennies on the dollar.

he was ridiculous: absolutely amazing. Barry Sanders and Earl Campbell being the two other mind blowing RB’s for me. Those three were beyond description.

Yes, my FB definition is a 3 option [block, run, receive], single backfield beast in the 245 pound range. He forfeits the HB speed and most likely produces a more consistent average of 3 yards per carry. He can do his damage between the tackles, and occasionally off tackle behind the TE. However, his strength advantage is reduced if LB’s can hit him in pursuit angles. It lessens his frontal impact advantage.

It’s a definite shift in the present NFL mind set to use one. He might not have a run over 10 yards all season long. However, I think his consistent 3 yard average is much easier to game plan around.

I thought it was a mistake to let Heath Evans leave. And, like Banta-Cain fitting best in the PATS system [vs his sub par S.F. years], I suspect that Eckel would have been productive with Tom Brady under center. Eckel had decent numbers as a Patriot.

Heath Evans is the exact 3 option FB which I feel they have missed dearly. Hence my push for Unga who might have the potential to fill this need. For me, the receiving skill is the one that you begin with. That’s the most difficult of the three skills to possess. Certainly, blitz reads are critically important, but that’s far more mental than physical. You can teach blocking and blitz reads a lot easier than you can teach receiving. The guy either arrives with good hands, or he will never be a good receiver: i.e. Daniel Graham.

During the three Super Bowl years, the pass was more of a supplement to the run, but the defense had to defend both the pass and the run with equal concern. That just hasn’t been the case since 2004.

A guy like Heath Evans and maybe Unga [if used effectively] would help in this regard.

that BB makes superb choices when you look at his long term success and player assessments. He is one of very few coaches who is able to maintain a 10 win season even when it seems clear that he is rebuilding the roster. Quite Amazing !!!

BB can easily get Unga, and he will, if he wants him. He has 12 picks. If he chooses to pass on Unga, I have no doubt that his reasons are sound. Obviously, he is privy to an enormous amount of BYU film, and he has access to the opinions of Unga’s coaches and opposing coaches. No doubt, BB and company do their HW. They leave no stone unturned, and this scenario will be no different.

I will conclude that Unga remains high on my wish list. And, if the PATS choose to pass on him, I hope that he ends up playing for a losing franchise and not someone we care about.