Drafting 6-8: A Historic Look at Prospects & What 2020 Holds

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Definitely disagree with that take.

If you're talking about the Patriots, yeah.

Not saying coaches don't have complex systems, but as you mentioned earlier, colleghe receivers come out with an extremely limited route tree. And they're not the only example.

[davos]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Yep. Prototypical 1980s run stuffing LBs would get absolutely shredded in today's game.

Heck even look at the 90s. Levon Kirkland and Hardy Nickerson wouldn't really fit today's game. 

[Riverboat Ron]

Truth is we need to go either offensive or defensive line. On defense we have McCoy (Free Agent), Butler (Free agent), Poe (signed), Short (signed). Derrick Brown makes a lot of sense, but if one of these OT's rise it would be hard to not get a blindside protector. Throw in Cam's health and we might go QB if we think he's done.

[Mr. Scot]

6 minutes ago, davos said:

Lineman used to be more gritty and fat whereas they're now more athletic.  The prototype for positions has changed just like it has in the NBA over time.  The LB position is a good example of this evolution regardless of the scheme. 

I think the quality of the game has gone down due to rule changes and poor officiating, the talent has actually gone up.  It's just different. 

Players are more athletic than ever. That I won't deny.

But again, I don't think the overall quality of play is what it once was.

[davos]

Just now, Mr. Scot said:

If you're talking about the Patriots, yeah.

Not saying coaches don't have complex systems, but as you mentioned earlier, colleghe receivers come out with an extremely limited route tree. And they're not the only example.

If we're speaking to the players' knowledge base coming out of school in regards to the base NFL schemes, then yes, that is significantly difference.  Thing is, those schemes that are generalized into 3-4/4-3 and EP, WCO and AC have ALL hybridized under coordinators and have evolved to accommodate the new type of talent coming out.  

Looking at receivers, I do agree they're no asked to do as much in college but that doesn't mean their aptitude isn't there to learn quickly.  It's just not asked of them. 

[LinvilleGorge]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

If you're talking about the Patriots, yeah.

Not saying coaches don't have complex systems, but as you mentioned earlier, colleghe receivers come out with an extremely limited route tree. And they're not the only example.

But they don't stay that way. There are few players in any draft truly NFL ready and that was always the case. Most of them are going to be required to be situational players or require heavy scheming to be effective as full time players.

[Mr. Scot]

We're gonna have to disagree on this, guys.

Besides, I've gotta go refresh myself on how Johnny Unitas invented the West Coast offense

(maybe see if I can trace the origin of the Zone Blitz to Dick Butkus while I'm at it)

[Sasquatch]

1 hour ago, Mr. Scot said:

Boy, would I love to have had Quinton Nelson.

A center named Nelson. What could possibly go wrong?

[davos]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

Players are more athletic than ever. That I won't deny.

But again, I don't think the overall quality of play is what it once was.

I honestly don't even know how we can judge quality of play.  I guess that would speak to effort and execution of their roles but it's all relative to their given schemes and what it asked of them by coaches.  In addition, as a viewer, we would have to parse out play design relative to execution.  Honestly, there's so many factors that I don't find it as an observable thing as a fan.      

I can get judging the quality of the game itself, quality of talent level/skill, and athleticism but not quality of play as a viewer. 

[davos]

2 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

We're gonna have to disagree on this, guys.

Besides, I've gotta go refresh myself on how Johnny Unitas invented the West Coast offense

(maybe see if I can trace the origin of the Zone Blitz to Dick Butkus while I'm at it)

Not trying to gang up on you! haha. Agree to disagree brother.

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, Sasquatch said:

A center named Nelson. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, his first name not being Bruce might help, but Quinton's a guard.

[LinvilleGorge]

@Mr. Scot is going full Rivera on this one. I honestly think he's pretty much channeling Rivera's mindset and that's why we have so often seen guys come in as injury replacements and shine. He'd rather play a lesser talented player who fully grasps his scheme but is physically incapable of translating that knowledge to the field than work with a younger more talented player with greater upside.

[ncfan]

Give me Wirfs of Jedrick Wills

 

Watching Wirfs last night, id do backflips if we landed him

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

@Mr. Scot is going full Rivera on this one. I honestly think he's pretty much channeling Rivera's mindset and that's why we have so often seen guys come in as injury replacements and shine. He'd rather play a lesser talented player who fully grasps his scheme but is physically incapable of translating that knowledge to the field than work with a younger more talented player with greater upside.

Them's fightin' words

I'd ask this, though. Which have the Patriots put a higher premium on between brains and physical talent?