SMU_Sox said:
Doug,
What are your initial pre draft thoughts? What do you think their top priorities are? Hear any buzz about any particular prospects?
On a similar note, do you have any pending free agents earmarked as someone BB will go for?
Might as well add this one: What is your take on the whole Amendola - Brady possible trust issue brouhaha?
Thanks again for doing this!
I think they need to go after a tight end or defensive tackle with that No. 1 pick. There are some great prospects at those positions and seem like good fits for the Patriots. Troy Niklas, C.J. Fiedorowicz (not a first-round prospect), Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt all come from schools that Belichick has a good relationship with. Kirk Ferentz at Iowa coached under Belichick in Cleveland and Brian Kelly of Notre Dame came to a Patriots training camp practice last year. I think Belichick will probably take a few ND players this year.
I think Scott Chandler makes a lot of sense at tight end. He fits the mold of what they need and Belichick usually likes players who have done well against the Patriots in the past. If Jared Allen will come at a discount because the Patriots are a winner, I think Belichick would be interested.
soxfan121 said:
Doug, thanks for doing this Q&A.
What insight can you give us about the Patriots personnel decision-making process? There's been some question about how involved certain coaches (Scarnecchia, McDaniels) are in the acquisition and scouting of potential players. What, exactly, is Nick Caserio's role in the process? If Caserio leaves for Miami, who is "the next man up" in the player-personnel hierarchy?
And, in your opinion, has Belichick "The GM" created problems through FA signings/draft pick mistakes for Belichick "The Coach"? If you can, please focus this answer on the safety position where FA signings (Adrian Wilson, Steve Gregory) and draft mistakes (Tavon Wilson? Brandon Meriweather) have been a particular sore spot for some fans.
Thanks!
It seems that Belichick has the majority of the power in the draft. He has final power and it seems like he utilizes it. I know that Caserio made the deal for Isaac Sopoaga alone. Belichick admitted that in a press conference. So, take that as you will...
If Caserio leaves next offseason, either Jon Robinson or Bob Quinn would be the next-man up. If I had to guess, I'd say Quinn would get the job.
I think Belichick trusts McDaniels' opinion on players. And looking at some of the players he brought to the Broncos (Decker, Thomas), there's a reason for that. Unfortunately, a lot of the players he's had a say to bring to the Patriots (Salas, Tebow) haven't really worked out.
I don't really agree that Belichick the GM has created problems for Belichick the coach. I'm of the opinion that the coach should have final say in acquisitions. I know that it's one example, but the 2013 Seahawks are proof for why that should be the case. Pete Carroll had a vision and he knew which players could carry it out. He had the same vision with the Patriots in the late 90s, but Bob Kraft and Bobby Grier basically crapped all over it by refusing to acquire the right guys.
Belichick's had some trouble finding safeties, but I like Harmon and I think Gregory gets a bad rap. He missed a decent chunk of tackles in 2013, but there weren't many big plays that he was responsible for. I'd give Gregory and Harmon positive grades in 2013.
tims4wins said:
Doug, settle a message board debate: what could the Pats expect back if they put Ridley on the market?
That's tough. Maybe a fourth-round pick? I think the Trent Richardson deal kinda messed everything up. And I think that's the only time a running back would be valued as a first-rounder.
Running backs are weird, man. I like Ridley, but I don't know why a team would be motivated to give up any more than a fourth-round pick for him. And that might even be high. Running backs are kind of a dime a dozen.
So, who won?
Shelterdog said:
Doug, you seem to think pretty highly of Hightower. What do you see that most fans are missing? Do you know what BB sees in him?
I think Hightower got a bad rap for a stretch of bad games in which he admitted he was trying to do too much with Mayo out. I think he was great at the end of the year. He was making big run stops, he had the key interception against the Colts, he's good at pressuring the quarterback, even if he doesn't always get there for the sack.
His size/speed combo is really impressive. I think he's good at covering running backs out of the backfield because he can get physical and he has the speed to catch up. He struggles more against tight ends, but that's what Jamie Collins is for.
I like Hightower because he's definitely one of the smartest players on the defense. There are times he has to rely on his instincts more, but that seemed to happen at the end of the season. The defense bounced back in the last four or fives weeks of the season (including playoffs) and I think Hightower had a lot to do with that.
It will be interesting to see who's playing MLB next year. It could be Mayo with Hightower at SLB and Collins at WLB. They all have the ability to play all three positions, though.