I was creating lists of players selected in the first 3 rounds that IMO would be called "successful" picks. In no way was I saying that their talent level was even comparable across the board. If you want to make a list of "good" coaches in the league I'm not going to bitch about seeing Rex Ryan's name in the same post as BB... thats essentially what you are doing to me right now.
I like the overall analysis... i just don't think that this thread will ever come to agreement on whether a McCourty and a Vollmer add up to a Revis or not, etc.
And in unrelated news, I heard a first-hand report of a weird and wacky Patriots story involving their cheerleaders. But I'll just drop the teaser and wait to see if it makes the gossip pages. Suffice to say, two former players have daughters on the squad. Run it from there. Heh.
I think we can agree to disagree. I feel all involved have brought up solid points on both ends. I guess we are both happy with how our teams go about the draft. Devin McCourty = Mike Jenkins. j/k. I like McCourty but he's not in Canton yet. Who do you like in the future Solder vs. Wilkerson match-up?
I didn't mean a great defensive player instead of Gronkowski specifically but the post made about SUH was a solid point. The pats have had plenty of ammo to trade up and grab a great defensive player the last 3/4 years. Hell the Jets made it to no. 5 for Sanchez for a second rounder and a bag of potato chips for shit's sake. One ballsy move instead of BB's usual trading down and the Pats could have ended up with maybe Suh, or a B.J. Raji, a Brian Cushing, Eric Berry etc... put any of those players on the Pats and theres another super bowl title. Thats not even mentioning my previous example of Oher and Matthews that could have been had by STAYING put. (and yes I think Oher is a little overrated, but I dont see Shaun Ellis tearing through him in the AFC divisional like he did against whatever bum your team had last jan.) the patriots have had more draft opportunities than anyone vs. the jets who are notorious for trading theirs up or away (09 and 10 least amount of picks) yet the Jets have ended up with better core draft picks over the last few years. I use the Jets because I know them best, but you could substitute any team in here- steelers / ravens for example never have top 10 picks going in but their drafts have been much better than the pats the last 5 years I would say. Also, yes I do think Brady has that power because I have seen Edelman,Woodhead,Crumpler, David Patten ETC. look like PROS because of him. Gronkowski and Hernandez are so freakin lucky they have Brady throwing to them its not even funny - Yet the Pats are stocking up on their clones losing touch with what got them their 3 superbowls Brady AND defensive talent. I would think the most frustrating part of all of this for a Patriots FAN is the fact that you can afford a bust MORE than ANYONE in the whole league. Trade up and draft Berry, if he sucks, oh well Brady is still going to put up 30!!! I guess there is no changing your opinion but if I was a Patriots fan I would be furious right now
How is the post about Suh a solid point? Everything about that post argues AGAINST the McCourty pick. Do any of you realize how important McCourty was to us last year (and in the future)??? I understand the value of trading up to get top tier players, but the fact that anyone agrees with that particular argument bewilders me. In those years the Pats have gotten McCourty (DROY candidate at needed position), Mayo (DROY, 2010 All-pro, led NFL in tackles last year), and a much needed OT....??? Baltimore has traded down or out of the 1st round twice in the past three years. How is it that you use their draft strategy as an example of success, yet criticize BB? In the last 5 years the Ravens have acquired the following 2010 starters through the draft: Rice, Flacco, Oher, McClain, Grubbs, Yanda The Pats: Gronkowski, Mayo, McCourty, Merriweather, Vollmer, Spikes, Chung I wouldn't say that either team has drafted "much" better than the other. As I said with the Jets, I think the only big difference is that the Ravens have been able to fill the QB position, which is the most important position yet isn't a pressing need for the Pats. Rice might be the most "exciting" player on this list, but overall the talent is comparable. And Pittsburgh isn't just "any team", they have pretty much made every other team look bad with their drafts in the past 5 years. If you want to substitute teams like SD, Indy (both of whom have also drafted in similar positions to the pats over the past 5 yrs) I think even you would admit the comparison looks a lot different. It wasn't too long ago that BB was criticized for not surrounding Brady with enough receiving talent. At the time THAT was "costing us the superbowl". Recent drafts have actually been pretty balanced between Offense and Defense. You can say whatever you want from your perspective, but I can guarantee that if you actually were a Pats fan, you would not be advocating he start emulating other coaches around the league.
idk... really don't watch NCAA much, but I do think that OL was our biggest need coming into this draft despite our DL being what it is. We dealt with a shit ton of injuries at DL last year (plus G. Warren, our only consistent starter besides Wilfork, was learning the 3-4). Also, Wright had sacks in 5 of his final 6 games before injury.
This is such a loaded Question to him lol But at this moment in time I really don't think there is anyway that Wilkerson doesn't take him. I would love to see Wilkerson Bull Rush Solder into Brady.