Learn something from Bucky Brooks, couch GMs & casual fans

[top dawg]

I visit a plethora of NFL related sites every week (if not everyday), and I finally got around to reading Bucky Brooks' analysis on how the way that the Patriots and Seahawks draft has led the two teams to recent success.  Sure, it's a simple formula, but it's probably not as easy to execute as these two organizations have made it look in recent years (and for the Pats, the better part of two decades).  

 

Anyway, I didn't pay as much attention to the "meat" of his analysis---all the specific draft classes and grades---as much as I did the short opening of his article, where I consider the true nourishment for a fan who wants to further their simplistic knowledge of team building: 

 

It's no coincidence that the NFL teams that enjoy the most long-term success also consistently knock the ball out of the park on draft weekend. Championship squads traditionally build through the draft, taking a cost-efficient approach toward sustainable contention by effectively developing their prospects. Consider that the two teams getting set to face off in Super Bowl XLIX are among the NFL leaders in total draft picks since 2010...

 

 

Now some may say that it's really not rocket science that long term success directly correlates to the success of a succession of drafts, but the key part (as Brooks' alludes to) is that the best organizations realize that developing smart, football savvy players is a part of not only the results on the field, but also the business side of the equation as it pertains to cost efficiency.  And they just keep it going and going.  

 

Now one thing that Brooks did not really mention is the luck part of the equation.  Some draft picks work, some don't. Even Bill Belichick whiffs on some picks, he just whiffs less than most, as pointed out by Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. But like my father used to tell me (like his father told him), luck is the residue of hard work. And, of course, the more picks that you have, the more "lucky" that you are. The more times that you can pull out of the hat, the more times that you can hit the jackpot---or at least get a nice consolation prize. 

 

I couldn't help but think about Dave Gettleman as I thought about Brooks' analysis.  Five years ago I really didn't pay all that much attention to the draft, and I really could have cared less about the business side of the game, but now I realize how important that these aspects are when building your core of a team.  Like I have said before in this forum, G-man may not necessarily do things how we like it, but in the end he is doing what leads to sustained success (including some championships).  G-man has had some good drafts, and the coaches have helped develop not only the second round picks in a timely manner (as Brooks' suggest in the very last line of his analysis), but, due to cap constraints, they've helped lower round picks blossom before the player would have even seen any appreciable amount of actual playing time on other clubs.  Hopefully this acceleration of players' development will put the team ahead of the curve at the time when the tight cap is no longer a prevailing problem for G-man and the front office. At that point, continuity and consistency will begin to be a trademark of the Panthers, just like it has been for the Pats and other great organizations. 

 

Lastly, and on a side note, like The Globe article points out, teams have to have a franchise QB amid the talent at other positions for it all to work:

 

 

The biggest takeaway point from all of this? The NFL is still all about the quarterback. Teams that have otherwise drafted well (Houston, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Kansas City) still struggle because they haven’t found a top-flight quarterback.

 

And teams that have drafted poorly (Indianapolis, Chicago, Carolina) still contend for the playoffs because of their quarterbacks.

 

 

 

If you notice, the author shows how uninformed he is by dissing the Panthers' drafts, but at the same time he gives Cam Newton props (perhaps underhandedly, but maybe not).  He and G-man believe that Cam is the real deal---certainly good enough to get the job done, provided that the rest of the talent and depth are put into place.

[pstall]

Seattle getting Wilson where they did both helped them offensively and defensively. More money to spend on D while he is dirt cheap. Roughly 817k.

I totally agree about stock piling picks and how it increases your chances of getting a good one.

[LinvilleGorge]

Wait... you mean teams that draft well AND have a very good QB will probably have success on the field? Holy poo, somebody get G-man on the phone and tell him this fantastic secret!

[t96]

the patriots don't draft well.

[Frank Hollywood]

We haven't drafted well until the last two drafts. No one left from 2011 or 2010 except the QB.

[gettlemanjack]

I would love for us to trade down more and stockpile picks. Seems like something Gettleman would be all about.

[JawnyBlaze]

Yea I like Bucky, but the core of his hypothesis is ruined by the fact that the Patriots draft terribly. They're just good enough in FA to make up for it, have a very good QB and a very smart coach who's unscrupulous enough to do whatever it takes to win.

[gettlemanjack]

USA Today, May 2014

Which NFL teams have drafted best over the last 5 years?

Patriots #1, 49ers #3, Seahawks #4

http://q.usatoday.com/2014/05/07/nfl-draft-best-teams-seattle-seahawks-san-francisco-49ers-tennessee-titans-new-england-patriots/

[csx]

We haven't drafted well until the last two drafts. No one left from 2011 or 2010 except the QB.

You beat me to it. We drafted poorly for a while until the past two.

[pstall]

Just get another good wr and pass more. Teams that pass win. Simple.

[AU-panther]

USA Today, May 2014

Which NFL teams have drafted best over the last 5 years?

Patriots #1, 49ers #3, Seahawks #4

http://q.usatoday.com/2014/05/07/nfl-draft-best-teams-seattle-seahawks-san-francisco-49ers-tennessee-titans-new-england-patriots/

I am curious to why some think the Patriots are so bad at drafting. According to two articles linked in this thread they actually do very well.

[pstall]

6 super bowls in 14 years. A couple of fluke plays from being 5-0. Mind blowing.

[ThPantherFan]

Very well written article, top dawg.  I'm anxious to see how G man does on this draft.  He has a nose for talent even if they are UDFA's.

[Snake]

I really like the Pats philosophy. Fill major needs in FA while gambling in the draft. They also take on high risk players for low cost with big upside. Or wavy vets looking to get a ring. Opportunity is never squandered in NE even when that opportunity is breaking the rules.