The myth of Pioli

[B_Ambuehl]

LOL I wonder if he's sharing that loaded contract he got from Clark with Bellichik.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/c...148&position=0

This time it’s personnel
Building to collapse
By Ron Borges
Monday, December 7, 2009 - Updated 4m ago
+ Recent Articles

MIAMI - Slowly but inexorably they are dissolving in front of our eyes. It is a process that didn’t begin this year for the New England Patriots [team stats] but way back in 2004, when nobody was paying attention to much else but the lifting of another Super Bowl banner.

That season they won their third Super Bowl in four seasons but also began a widely ignored decline that manifested itself emphatically the past month and came to a sad head yesterday at Land Shark Stadium when they lost for the third time in four weeks, blowing a 14-0 lead to be beaten at the buzzer by the Miami Dolphins [team stats], 22-21.

Five years ago, the Patriots draft garnered two starters, both on the first round. Not another player drafted in April of 2004 is still in uniform. That fallowness continued in 2005 when they again picked only two current starters. In 2006, they got only one, running back Laurence Maroney [stats], plus kicker Stephen Gostkowski. Then came the disaster of 2007, when only first-round pick Brandon Meriweather was good enough to still be in pro
football.

It is a bit early to know about 2008 but other than linebacker Jerod Mayo it again appears to be a sad lot. Second- and third-round picks Terrence Wheatley and Shawn Crable seldom see the field (Crable never has) and it is becoming increasingly more disastrous that cornerback Jonathan Wilhite sees so much of it. In those five years, the Patriots drafted 41 players and got eight starters, six on the first round. Otherwise they got what Bill Belichick kept saying was “value.” Yesterday, it didn’t look that way.

Free agency has produced similarly skimpy results. Early hits were made on Rodney Harrison [stats] and Mike Vrabel, but after that the cupboard has been bare. They paid $30 million to Adalius Thomas and promised he could cover Ocho Cinco and sack Peyton Manning. He’s done neither. Shawn Springs signed a three-year, $10.5 million deal last spring and hasn’t played a snap in a month, while poor Wilhite struggles out of position because he’s a nickel back asked to play corner and rookie Darius Butler goes out and proves that while he has potential he never saw receivers at UConn like the ones catching balls behind and in front of him now, as Greg Camarillo did on fourth-and-6 on the game’s most critical play yesterday.

While there were fruitful trades for Randy Moss and Wes Welker, they have netted big numbers but no championships, which is the same amount Moss’ teams have won since he first came into the NFL.

These facts led New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton to tell his team before last Monday night’s game to be stout hearted and unafraid because “this isn’t the team that accomplished all that stuff.” Although his language was more colorful, his point was clear. These Patriots aren’t those Patriots.

“It’s not for lack of effort,” center Dan Koppen said not long after Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter nailed a 41-yard field goal and Tom Brady [stats] responded by throwing his second interception of the day with :35 to play as Cameron Wake hammered him.

Koppen is right. The Patriots’ problems are not from lack of effort or lack of planning. They are from lack of talent. Not so lacking that they aren’t competitive, but lacking enough that most every game is a struggle now.

Today everyone will say, “They need a better pass rush.” From whom?

They will say, “They need better pass coverage.” From whom?

Some will say they need to run the ball more to take pressure off Brady and his ailing ring finger, sore shoulder and aching ribs. By whom?

Years ago, Chuck Fairbanks said it best. “It’s not about X’s and O’s. It’s about Jimmys and Joes.” For half a decade with the Pats people believed otherwise. In Bill We Trust became the motto, but does anyone honestly believe Bill Belichick forgot how to coach? A guy who has been watching game film since he was 6 now can’t break down film and discover a team’s weaknesses?

That’s not the problem. The problem is he can’t ask people to do what they are not capable of doing. Or, worse, he does and you end up with Sam Aiken, a guy brought here to replace Larry Izzo [stats] on special teams, as your third receiver making one great catch for a touchdown and dropping two key ones. Did he have a great game or a disastrous one? Probably both, which is A) not his fault because he’s playing a role he was never supposed to, and B) not something Belichick can change.

“We’ve got to find a way to play better football for 60 minutes in all phases,” Brady said. “Everyone has to focus on what they need to do better. I think that’s the most important thing. And be mentally tough to overcome adversity and if things don’t go your way, you’ve got to fight back. That’s a challenge for all of us. At times I think we do, and other times, I don’t think we fight very hard.”

The latter is a damning statement, but it’s also part of what separates the 2001 Pats from today’s. Remaining undaunted is a skill too and not everyone has it.

“We have leads in the second half, and leads in the fourth quarter,” Brady continued. “We’re just not closing the game out when we have the opportunity to. We’re searching for the answers, too.

“Coach always says, ‘You get what you deserve.’ In too many ways, you don’t deserve to win when you make as many mistakes as we do.”

That’s true whether you make them on the field or in the front office.

[Brock]

Judging a book by its cover? Come on, man.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Book reviews of Management Secrets Vol. 1

* "Lavin makes a strong... case that the Patriots 'are a better organization than they are a team.'" (Richard Sandomir, New York Times, Jan. 22, 2005)
* "Whether you're a New England fan or not, you'll be fascinated by [this] intriguing new book." (John McClain, Houston Chronicle, Jan. 30, 2005)
* "Lavin has melded together fascinating quotes, statistics, and revelations that keep the reader entranced throughout the 350-page tome. A wonderful opportunity to [meet] the players, characters, and team... Lavin's remarkable story provides the recipe for championship stew." (Christopher Young, Boston Phoenix, Jan. 31, 2005)
* "[San Diego Chargers general manager] A.J. Smith just finished re-reading Management Secrets of the New England Patriots, volumes one and two." (Providence Journal, Jan. 9, 2007)
* "Fascinating." (Dave Perkins, Toronto Star, Feb. 5, 2005)
* "An impressive look at what drives the team's success... It doesn't read like some wonkish, academic text." (Greg Gatlin, Boston Herald, Feb. 6, 2005)
* "Timely, insightful book." (Peter Finney, Times-Picayune [New Orleans], Jan. 28, 2005)
* "Required Reading... If the Colts, Steelers and any other NFL organization would like to get a jump on the Patriots, they should definitely pick up a copy." (Dan Pires and Steve DeCosta, Standard-Times [New Bedford, MA], Feb. 5, 2005)
* "A great book. Having read and enjoyed other football-as-a-metaphor-for-life books such as The Packer Way by Ron Wolf, Winning the NFL Way by Bob LaMonte... and Think Like A Champion by Mike Shanahan, I can say that Management Secrets of the New England Patriots is as comprehensive and well-written a book as you can find on this subject. ...It was his intention to merge his studies of high-performance organizations and his obsession with his favorite team. This he has done most admirably." (Doug Farrar, Yahoo! Sports, Dec. 31, 2005)
* "Intriguing and exhaustingly researched, Management Secrets of the New England Patriots succeeds at going beyond the headlines into the inner workings of the Kraft/Belichick aura. ...Much more than a look at the Patriots business acumen. Liberally infused with recollections from players, staff and opponents, Secrets will score in resounding fashion with fans of the three-time champions." (Ken Castro, Patriots Insider, Mar. 24, 2005)
* "Fascinating read... Gives you a real insight into what goes on in making this franchise what they are. ...I really recommend it." (Ed Berliner, Comcast TV's Sports Pulse, Feb. 28, 2005)
* "It's a fascinating read, and I'm sure every general manager and owner in the National Football League has rushed out to get it." (Jack Arute, Sirius Satellite Radio's NFL Rewind, May 8, 2005)
* "Must Read... If the word 'management' in the title scares you or makes you think 'academic,' please take another look... Did you know that Rod Rutledge mocked the Rams seconds before Adam Vinatieri's winning Super Bowl kick (a possible reason for his being cut)? Or that Tom Brady helped comfort Maura Weis, when Charlie's surgery went awry? Or that Coach Belichick once spent a night with DEA agents as they went on a buy-and-bust drug run? There are many interesting stories and quotes to illustrate the points in the book. ...It's informative and full of many chuckles and laughs. ...A great read." (Stan Jaksina, PatsFans.com, May 30,2005)
* "A stunning compendium on the Patriot Way." (Bob George, PatsFans.com, June 12, 2005)
* "This book is the Rosetta Stone for anyone who is wondering how the Patriots are actually doing what they are doing--building a dynasty in an era where that was supposed to be impossible--and he explains the hows and whys about as well as could be explained." (Jack Thornton, PatriotsPlanet.net, 16 May 2005)
* "I developed a 'New England Patriots Model of Leadership, Teamwork, and Success,' based on your first book and presented it to the marching band staff when we started our season. I asked all the students to rate our organization on how close we come to representing the model, and the results were revealing. To make a long story short, the Clemson band is having an excellent season so far and is performing at a high level week after week. I owe a lot of our early success to setting the tone for the season with the Patriots." (Dr. Paul Buyer, Director of Percussion, Clemson University)

Well, Doug Farrar said so....so..........

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Well, Doug Farrar said so....so..........

You forgot this one.

(Dr. Paul Buyer, Director of Percussion, Clemson University)

Seriously though, read through them it is mostly people actually paid to give their opinions on such things.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

You know what that makes him look like?

An incompetent asshole who is a ****ing shit stirrer at work.

And everyone has worked with at least one ****tard like that, and now, he's running your football team.

Good lord Hamas; give 'em a "KY heads-up" next time...

[Hammock Parties]

God, I can't wait for Hamas to be a father. That kid is gonna have a backbone like iron. He might grow up to be President.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

God, I can't wait for Hamas to be a father. That kid is gonna have a backbone like iron. He might grow up to be President.

Unless there's a family genetic disorder, I'd wager that kid will have the intelligence of a PHD as he heads in to High School.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Let me help.

You think Haley is the right guy? After watching his progress with this team?
His play calling? The teams lack of progress? Seriously?

You think Cassel is the guy, after making us all pine for Thigpen or Huard?

Sometimes it is better to just cut bait, once you realize you have a stinkfish on the line.

Cut your losses and move on. I am still holding hope for Pioli, but right now if it were up to me, Cassel and Haley would both be moving on.

I know this thread is old news, but I left before i could answer this.

Haley, IS a leader. I can see it. I think that once we get over a hump, he will embrace them. Haven't you ever seen this before? You treat them like shit until they become what you knew they always could be, and then you let them know how proud you are of them.

Softy coaches, players coaches, like Hermie, and others, can not get the same thing out of player that a guy like Haley can.

When you ride guys like him, and expect nothing but perfection, they all think you are a total dick.

BUT

What they end up responding to, is how good they feel when they get the blessing, and praise from someone who seemingly cannot be pleased.
That praise and acknowledgement comes at a time when the players are feeling very high because they just accomplished something. Therefore, subconsciously the coaches happiness, and the feeling of achievement are linked. So When the coach is getting all over the players it makes them want to do better without them even knowing it.

psyche 101.


That said. The man needs 2 new coordinators BADLY. That will help the play calling.

Oh, and I never really said Cassel is the guy, but if he's not, he's the best backup in the league. We should bring someone in just in case, but i'm hoping he pans out. I think the amount of sacks he's taken over the last two seasons, may have screwed with his confidence. He looks like he got his card pulled. Maybe he'll get it back.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

I know this thread is old news, but I left before i could answer this.

Haley, IS a leader. I can see it. I think that once we get over a hump, he will embrace them. Haven't you ever seen this before? You treat them like shit until they become what you knew they always could be, and then you let them know how proud you are of them.

Softy coaches, players coaches, like Hermie, and others, can not get the same thing out of player that a guy like Haley can.

When you ride guys like him, and expect nothing but perfection, they all think you are a total dick.

BUT

What they end up responding to, is how good they feel when they get the blessing, and praise from someone who seemingly cannot be pleased.
That praise and acknowledgement comes at a time when the players are feeling very high because they just accomplished something. Therefore, subconsciously the coaches happiness, and the feeling of achievement are linked. So When the coach is getting all over the players it makes them want to do better without them even knowing it.

psyche 101.


That said. The man needs 2 new coordinators BADLY. That will help the play calling.

Oh, and I never really said Cassel is the guy, but if he's not, he's the best backup in the league. We should bring someone in just in case, but i'm hoping he pans out, but I think the amount of sacks he's taken over the last two seasons, may have screwed with his confidence. He looks like he got his card pulled. Maybe he'll get it back.

I agree with what you are saying, except for a very important detail. It was said, by a CPer setting right behind the bench, that the players were disconnected. This is serious, when it comes to leadership.

They have probably been yelled at so much, it is falling on deaf ears. Several posters, Hamas being one of them, said this method would not work, if they didn't start getting some results. Well, they just got thrashed two weeks in a row.

The LEADER made two absolutely stupid calls in the game, back to back, to add to the problem.

You, as a player, go out and lay it all on the line the first half, and are down by one score. Ok, you get the ball to start the second half.
Then, to start the second half, he goes for it on 4th and 8, near his own 25? Then, to top that off, he refuses the penalty to get Denver out of field goal range?

As a player, you go WTF? We have no chance, and just disconnect from his tirades, or so it would seem. That is horrible leadership, you can not hold the players to a higher standard than you hold yourself.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

I know this thread is old news, but I left before i could answer this.

Haley, IS a leader. I can see it. I think that once we get over a hump, he will embrace them. Haven't you ever seen this before? You treat them like shit until they become what you knew they always could be, and then you let them know how proud you are of them.

Softy coaches, players coaches, like Hermie, and others, can not get the same thing out of player that a guy like Haley can.

When you ride guys like him, and expect nothing but perfection, they all think you are a total dick.

BUT

What they end up responding to, is how good they feel when they get the blessing, and praise from someone who seemingly cannot be pleased.
That praise and acknowledgement comes at a time when the players are feeling very high because they just accomplished something. Therefore, subconsciously the coaches happiness, and the feeling of achievement are linked. So When the coach is getting all over the players it makes them want to do better without them even knowing it.

psyche 101.


That said. The man needs 2 new coordinators BADLY. That will help the play calling.

Oh, and I never really said Cassel is the guy, but if he's not, he's the best backup in the league. We should bring someone in just in case, but i'm hoping he pans out. I think the amount of sacks he's taken over the last two seasons, may have screwed with his confidence. He looks like he got his card pulled. Maybe he'll get it back.

Herm's problems were the Xs and Os not with motivation. For whatever reason his players always played their ass off for him, now they sucked ass but they did play hard.

Damn I hate defending Herm Edwards.

[B_Ambuehl]

The myth is Pioli as a talent evaluation god.

I don't think there's much doubt that myth has been destroyed around here but, you know, if there were still any doubts........

Looking back I have to put a lot of this on Clark. There was already more than enough evidence to prove Pioli sucked even in New England.