PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Archives for June 21, 2014

I really like Thompkins so I’m hoping he can really build off this (so far) strong off season, and especially with a year already in the offense, it could happen. I’m thinking, him, Boyce, and lefell will probably take over Dobson. Thoughts?

by

I think Dobson has to bring it in training camp. The fact that he was a second-round pick means almost nothing now. He’ll have to earn whatever he’s going to get.

Thompkins is once again stealing the spotlight and deservedly so. Clearly for him to be lighting it up for a second summer in row shows that there is something special about him. 

Is there something special about Dobson? I don’t think I’ve seen it yet. So he’ll have to show us in July.

Do you feel with the severe lack of depth at the DE position the Patriots will give Jason Babin a look to see what he has left in the tank? Also do you think the Patriots “interest” in Brandon Flowers is just due diligence (like they often do on most available players) or do you believe that this speaks to the fact that Belichick is looking for some depth in terms of experienced DB talent due to the possibility of Dennard missing time recovering from his shoulder injury combined with Browner?

by

With Will Smith looking well on the road to full health, I’m not as panicked about the defensive end spot as I was a month ago. So I’m not sure they really need Babin, especially if it were to come at the expense of Michael Buchanan’s snaps. I think Buchanan needs some snaps to develop and is probably not that far behind Babin at this point in their respective careers.

I think Flowers is more just due diligence. It’s just what the Pats do. How could they pay Flowers and where would fit? Doesn’t seem like good value for the cap space and cornerback depth they have.

If you were a GM would you draft 1) most ready player or 2) most potential?

by

Unless you’re drafting in the top 10 it’s unlikely that any player is fully ready to make the jump to the NFL. And potential is a tough term to quantify – some guys have the perfect size and speed but never amount to anything. Others are small and slow and become the greatest slot receivers in NFL history.

So I think you just have to find guys who fit the program. Specifically for the Patriots you need guys who are essentially football nerds.

But there’s also an element of it that is just the great unknown. Imagine if you were to look at all the college accounting majors across the country and asked to project who would be at the top of their field in five years. Sounds kind of ridiculous and impossible, doesn’t it? Well, I don’t think the NFL is all that different, we just have more information to analyze, but at the end of the day, projecting which guys will understand what being a professional means is very tough.

When I look at guys with Pats potential I ask myself is this the kind of player who could play at Navy? Not talent-wise obviously, but that’s where Bill Belichick was raised and I think those kind of players – disciplined, tough, able to push through adversity –  are usually the kind that together can form a great TEAM.

That’s what it’s all about ultimately. Making a great team. So whether you’re ready for the NFL right now or just seem to have a bunch of potential, you need to be the kind of teammate that everyone wants to play with, and one who will embrace their role, whatever it may be, and give everything they have.