Book Review: War Room - The Legacy of Bill Belichick/Art of Building Perfect Team

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I wonder what the Pats' drafts would look like if they actually used some of those high picks instead of constantly trading back?

In some cases the trade backs were disastrous. In others they paid off handsomely.

But remember -- when they trade back they get extra picks, which they then use, sooner or later.

When the Patriots traded their #1 away to the Ravens in 2003 they got the Ravens #2, and a #1 the next year.

The #2 was Eugene Wilson, who was a pretty solid safety for us for a few years. the #1 turned out to be some stiff named Vince Wilfork.

All in all, very nice.

Other years, we traded back so Green Bay could get Clay Matthews, and we get, among others, Darius Butler. DOH!

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

In some cases the trade backs were disastrous. In others they paid off handsomely.

But remember -- when they trade back they get extra picks, which they then use, sooner or later.

When the Patriots traded their #1 away to the Ravens in 2003 they got the Ravens #2, and a #1 the next year.

The #2 was Eugene Wilson, who was a pretty solid safety for us for a few years. the #1 turned out to be some stiff named Vince Wilfork.

All in all, very nice.

Other years, we traded back so Green Bay could get Clay Matthews, and we get, among others, Darius Butler. DOH!

You do pick up some solid players, but at the end of the day, defense today needs playmakers in the second and third level, and the Patriots don't have that now, and haven't for a number of years.

Your best chance to pick up those playmakers come in the first round.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by milkman

You do pick up some solid players, but at the end of the day, defense today needs playmakers in the second and third level, and the Patriots don't have that now, and haven't for a number of years.

Your best chance to pick up those playmakers come in the first round.

It's not for lack of effort. Brandon Meriweather was a 1st round pick at Safety. Gone.

Darius Butler was a high 2nd. Bust.

Devin McCourty was a 1st. Great last year, not so great this year.

Leigh Bodden (free agent) was very solid for us in 2009. Lost last year to injury. This year, suddenly, BUST. Cut.

In addition to those guys, since 2003:

Wilhite (4th)
Wheatley (2nd)
Ras-I Dowling (first pick in 2nd round)
Pat Chung (second pick in 2dn round)
Ellis Hobbs (3rd)
Guss Scott (3rd)
Asante Samuel (4th)

So it's not lack of investment. It's poor choices.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

In some cases the trade backs were disastrous. In others they paid off handsomely.

But remember -- when they trade back they get extra picks, which they then use, sooner or later.

Last year, didn't they have like 6 picks in the first two rounds and then traded out of a bunch of them?

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Last year, didn't they have like 6 picks in the first two rounds and then traded out of a bunch of them?

Yes, partly because we had too many picks.

Thsi is what we USED:

1st Round – Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
2nd Round – Ras-I Dowling, DB, Virginia
2nd Round – Shane Vereen, RB, Cal
3rd Round – Stevan Ridley, RB, LSU
3rd Round – Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
5th Round – Marcus Cannon, OL, TCU
5th Round – Lee Smith, TE, Marshall
6th Round – Markell Carter, OLB, Central Arkansas
7th Round – Malcolm Williams, CB, Marshall



This is what we traded:

Picks traded away:
1st Round (NWO – 2012 1st, 2011 2nd)
3rd Round (OAK – 2012 2nd)
4th Round (Oak – 2012 2nd)
4th Round (SEA – Deion Branch) (via DEN (Maroney) if higher than NE pick)
6th Round (DEN – Laurence Maroney)
7th Round (ATL – Quinn Ojinnaka)



We have, somewhat suprisingly, trade away alot of our 2012 picks.

This is where things stand for 2012:

1st Round
1st Round (New Orleans)
2nd Round (Oakland)
2nd Round
3rd Round
4th Round


Picks traded away:

7th Round – (KC – Jarrad Page)
7th Round – (MIN – Randy Moss)
6th Round – (PHI – Tracy White)
5th Round – (CIN – Chad Ochocinco)