They haven't exactly had a reason to draft a QB high, nor the opportunity.

Belichick and Pioli were never that impressed by Bledsoe.

And Brady was targeted by QB coach Dick Rehbein (now deceased). He saw the intangibles while everyone else focused on the measurables (slow, skinny, average arm).

Brady had a much better pre-season than Bledsoe in 2001; it was only Bledsoe's contract that kept him as the starter (and I'm a Bledsoe fan - he and Parcells are the reasons the Patriots aren't a joke franchise anymore). There's a theory that even without Bledsoe's injury, Brady would have been the starter for game 3 that season,

That all may be true but they weren't going to drop a 1st round pick on a QB with the contract Bledsoe had at the time.

People can point out how they haven't used high picks on QB's, but they've really never been in the position to need to do that.

You're correct, of course, but given their experience of winning a SB with a 6th round pick, and winning 11 games with a QB that hadn't started since high school and was a 7th round pick, I don't think they would ever use a high draft pick on a QB.

They seem to use really high draft picks only on defensive linemen. I think you'll see the same this year. Sure, you have Dorsey, but the Pats had Seymour and picked Ty Warren. And they had Seymour and Warren and took Wilfork.

Look at the success the Vikings had with the Williams Wall. It takes more than one elite player to build a defensive front.

This is a bit overblown. While the second round picks have not been consistently great or anything, and include such notable busts as Bethel Johnson, it also included Deion freaking Branch, whom Gretz completely ignores, and Eugene Wilson, who was a very good starting safety for us for several years before his career rather inexplicably went into the toilet.

Again, SLIGHT exaggeration in my view. Deion Branch was fantastic but left town for more $$$. David Givens was a steal in the 7th round, but left via FA for more $$$ with the Titans and then had very serious injuries that have derailed his career entirely.


Slightly misleading only in that HIGH picks are typically not used on LBs or CBs, so you don't notice them much. Mayo this past draft was our first LB pick in the first, heck, 3 rounds I think, since BB/SP have been running the draft. We've had no 1st round CB picks that I can think of.

It's clear the Patriots focus on the players that are involved in EVERY Play high in the draft. Offensive and defensive lines, tight ends (who are either blocking or catching on every play), etc. WRs and CBs get alot less love in the 1st round, to be sure, usually getting some 2nd or later round atttention instead.

I don't disagree, but Wilfork fell in the draft right into our laps at 21, and we needed a NG, so it was a perfect fit. It's not like they had to go far out of their way or anything.

If he thinks he's the best fit for your team over any other player, of course he will.

The Patriots didn't take a QB high because they had absolutely no need of taking a QB high...

I think he'll look to slide back, but probably not that far. Also, it would likely take two deals to slide back quite that much.

of course, you guys are absolutely correct. there's just a part of me (and a lot of chiefs fans) who haven't been spoiled by franchise QB after franchise QB (back to back to back--bledsoe, brady, and MAYBE cassell). maybe it's the system, maybe it's the talent evaluators. obviously, I'm hoping for the latter.

The Pats have a rep (deserved) for having the NFL's deepest bench. That said, the draft record of Pioli/Belichick underwhelms me.

Whose draft record do you like better. Outside of **maybe** Polian at Indy and the Ravens, I'm not sure there's anyone who could possibly be better.

Did you read this?

I'm not a big college/draft fan, so I'm the wrong person to ask. I'm glad Pioli's hired, I'm just not sure (as Gretz stated) how much of the Patsies' success was B-cick and how much was Pioli. FWIW, I think Pioli is inheriting some real nice young talent in KC.

Anyone else get a "sour grapes" feel from Blob's article?

It's going to be interesting to see what happens once "Don" Pioli complete shuts down Gretz's access.

If you think Herm should be kept one more year, you shouldn't be allowed to watch football.

peyton manning was not drafted higher than the 94th spot?