Chiefs The myth of Pioli - Page 13

B_Ambuehl · 12-07-2009, 01:12 PM

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.

keg in kc · 12-07-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Well one thing is for sure McDaniels rarely if ever looks as in over his head as Haley does.

I'd imagine that most guys walking out for a shootout at high noon with a rusty butterknife are going to look like they're in over their head.

Coaches look good when they win. And, this is just my opinion, but winning ultimately comes down to talent. Which we don't have.

I think if Haley is ever going to amount to anything as a coach (and I don't know if he will...) it's not going to happen until Pioli gives him a competitive roster.

Hammock Parties · 12-07-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

Anyway I see a correlation between the O-line play and Cassels performance.

I don't.

The offensive line has improved, Cassel has gotten worse.

I had my kneepads ready for Cassel when he arrived in Kansas City. Now he's gonna have to take me out to dinner and show me a good time before I even let him get to second base.

Titty Meat · 12-07-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

This year the Pats are 2nd in the AFC in passing.

Last year they were 6th.

Thats not bad. Like I said though the Patriots didn't lose 5 games last year because of Cassel.

**SAUTO** · 12-07-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

This year the Pats are 2nd in the AFC in passing.

Last year they were 6th.

but all we heard was that cassel lost 5 games and the year before they went 16-0, all that was on cassel. Why this year is it not on brady? hypocritical IMO

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-07-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

ok a consultant. wow. and then you quote a guy who says "my peeps say such and such" wow thats awe inspiring. do you actually think that BB could scout players, sign players, come up with playbooks, come up with offensive AND defensive game plans ( that week to week were like night and day) sweep the floors, etc? DO YOU?

You might want to read Patriot Reign.

It makes it pretty clear - BB surrounds himself with independent thinkers - and basically uses them as consultants.

The final say on everything is his.

Titty Meat · 12-07-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

I don't.

The offensive line has improved, Cassel has gotten worse.

Yea and if the Chiefs win next week you'll write about how good Haley is. Sorry you're kind of irrelevant.

**SAUTO** · 12-07-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

If he blew up this year with no contract, why would we re-sign him?

you misunderstood me, blew up in a good way

you know played great

Mecca · 12-07-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

You might want to read Patriot Reign.

It makes it pretty clear - BB surrounds himself with independent thinkers - and basically uses them as consultants.

The final say on everything is his.

You are going to argue with Jason, I hope you have brought a helmet.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 12-07-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

Yea and Cassel sucked cuz he didn't win 16 games like Brady. Now it looks like Brady won't win the 11 games Cassel won. Keep the contradictions coming boys.

Oh, bull****.

Say what you will, but the Pats had a complete overhaul of their defense this offseason, their core got one year older, and they switched schemes...twice.

The D wasn't great last year, but they lost their leader (who were actually very astute players) on each level:

Bruschi
Seymour
Harrison.

I think it's also pretty obvious that 2009 Tom Brady isn't 2007 Tom Brady, either.

They also didn't get to play the NFC and AFC West this year, FWIW.

**DeezNutz** · 12-07-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

but all we heard was that cassel lost 5 games and the year before they went 16-0, all that was on cassel. Why this year is it not on brady? hypocritical IMO

Declining defense.

Cassel was NOT responsible for the Pats missing the playoffs. 11 wins *should* get you in the tournament (high fives Carl).

Titty Meat · 12-07-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Oh, bull****.

Say what you will, but the Pats had a complete overhaul of their defense this offseason, their core got one year older, and they switched schemes...twice.

The D wasn't great last year, but they lost their leader (who were actually very astute players) on each level:

Bruschi
Seymour
Harrison.

I think it's also pretty obvious that 2009 Tom Brady isn't 2007 Tom Brady, either.

They also didn't get to play the NFC and AFC West this year, FWIW.

I thought leaders were overrated?

**DeezNutz** · 12-07-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

you misunderstood me, blew up in a good way

you know played great

. Sorry.

Shows what I anticipated. Hated the possibility of acquiring him from the start and hoped to be very wrong...

**SAUTO** · 12-07-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

You might want to read Patriot Reign.

It makes it pretty clear - BB surrounds himself with independent thinkers - and basically uses them as consultants.

The final say on everything is his.

pioli was around for quite sometime before the pats with BB. i would bet that he was a little more important than that. we'll see. maybe they NEED EACH OTHER. BB isnt looking so hot himself so far on his own. maybe he'll be our next HC.

kidding kidding

Mecca · 12-07-2009, 04:09 PM

I'd like to know how anyone that has watched Cassel this year can be remotely excited about him. I didn't want the guy and I'm even less thrilled now than I was before the year started.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 12-07-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

ok a consultant. wow. and then you quote a guy who says "my peeps say such and such" wow thats awe inspiring. do you actually think that BB could scout players, sign players, come up with playbooks, come up with offensive AND defensive game plans ( that week to week were like night and day) sweep the floors, etc? DO YOU?

Yes, I'm sorry that I quoted a guy with inside contacts who is a fan who lives and dies with the team that he is talking about and has a direct emotional attachment with their success or failure.

Nor are there any other previously published reports that say the same thing.

12-07-2009, 01:12 PM
B_Ambuehl Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Casino cash: $9705405	The myth of Pioli 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.
Posts: 2,613

12-07-2009, 04:09 PM	#194
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-562950	I'd like to know how anyone that has watched Cassel this year can be remotely excited about him. I didn't want the guy and I'm even less thrilled now than I was before the year started.
Posts: 115,293