[FarmBoy]

Is it just Stanford players or are NFL fans skeptical of all players and ready to declare a draft pick a bust at the drop of the hat? If you recall, the Pats took JR in the 2nd round, well before the the "consensus" view that he was a late round talent. Combine that with Bill's poor history of drafting Safeties early, and you've got a lot of Pats fans worried he's not going to live up to his draft level.

PatsPulpit did a nice write up of his performance in the 1st pre-season game. They love to harp on his lack of elite athleticism but grudgingly admit that he's a smart player who does some good anticipating. He was in for several snaps against Rodgers and apparently performed nicely. Here's the write up:

http://www.patspulpit.com/2015/8/17/9164...ds-a-reach

Bonus for the picture at the top highlighting a Stanford-on-Stanford play against Montgomery.

[FarmBoy]

Is it just Stanford players or are NFL fans skeptical of all players and ready to declare a draft pick a bust at the drop of the hat? If you recall, the Pats took JR in the 2nd round, well before the the "consensus" view that he was a late round talent. Combine that with Bill's poor history of drafting Safeties early, and you've got a lot of Pats fans worried he's not going to live up to his draft level.

PatsPulpit did a nice write up of his performance in the 1st pre-season game. They love to harp on his lack of elite athleticism but grudgingly admit that he's a smart player who does some good anticipating. He was in for several snaps against Rodgers and apparently performed nicely. Here's the write up:

http://www.patspulpit.com/2015/8/17/9164...ds-a-reach

Bonus for the picture at the top highlighting a Stanford-on-Stanford play against Montgomery.

[washingtonismoney]

On the basis of that article, can we really say the Pats have a bad history of drafting safeties early? One five-year starter, one occasional starter, and one bust doesn't sound terrible. If anything, I bet it's average (and wouldn't be shocked if it's above average, to be honest).

[washingtonismoney]

On the basis of that article, can we really say the Pats have a bad history of drafting safeties early? One five-year starter, one occasional starter, and one bust doesn't sound terrible. If anything, I bet it's average (and wouldn't be shocked if it's above average, to be honest).

[FarmBoy]

I think the concern is more that BB "reaches" in early rounds for safeties. But it would be interesting to see what the larger data set of all safeties is by round to know how Bill's picks compare. Fans tend to get an inflated expectation over how a 2nd rounder should perform, due to survival bias--remembering only the great safeties. They tend to forget how many players don't make it in the NFL, period. Still, I have no idea how many "starts" you should get from a typical 2nd round pick, so it's hard to say.

[FarmBoy]

I think the concern is more that BB "reaches" in early rounds for safeties. But it would be interesting to see what the larger data set of all safeties is by round to know how Bill's picks compare. Fans tend to get an inflated expectation over how a 2nd rounder should perform, due to survival bias--remembering only the great safeties. They tend to forget how many players don't make it in the NFL, period. Still, I have no idea how many "starts" you should get from a typical 2nd round pick, so it's hard to say.

[washingtonismoney]

Right, there are two criticisms of the Richards pick:

1) Belichick has a poor record drafting safeties (which, based on the evidence provided in that breakdown, seems like a weak case)
2) Belichick could've had Richards later in the draft (which is impossible to falsify, but given what we've heard, seems plausible)

[washingtonismoney]

Right, there are two criticisms of the Richards pick:

1) Belichick has a poor record drafting safeties (which, based on the evidence provided in that breakdown, seems like a weak case)
2) Belichick could've had Richards later in the draft (which is impossible to falsify, but given what we've heard, seems plausible)

[SamAtoms1980]

Patriots fans are like Yankee, Laker, Red Wing, etc.  Every season that does not end in winning a ring is a failure, and they are quick to jump on any sign that an upcoming season will not result in the winning of said ring....

[SamAtoms1980]

Patriots fans are like Yankee, Laker, Red Wing, etc.  Every season that does not end in winning a ring is a failure, and they are quick to jump on any sign that an upcoming season will not result in the winning of said ring....

[Roberton3]

Patriots fans are like Yankee, Laker, Red Wing, etc.  Every season that does not end in winning a ring is a failure, and they are quick to jump on any sign that an upcoming season will not result in the winning of said ring....

That's true for those who became Patriots fans recently, the bandwagon fans.  Longtime Patriots fans -- those who have been fans for a generation or more -- have a lot more perspective.

[Roberton3]

Patriots fans are like Yankee, Laker, Red Wing, etc.  Every season that does not end in winning a ring is a failure, and they are quick to jump on any sign that an upcoming season will not result in the winning of said ring....

That's true for those who became Patriots fans recently, the bandwagon fans.  Longtime Patriots fans -- those who have been fans for a generation or more -- have a lot more perspective.

[stupac2]

That's true for those who became Patriots fans recently, the bandwagon fans.  Longtime Patriots fans -- those who have been fans for a generation or more -- have a lot more perspective.

Or those of us who aren't idiots.

[stupac2]

That's true for those who became Patriots fans recently, the bandwagon fans.  Longtime Patriots fans -- those who have been fans for a generation or more -- have a lot more perspective.

Or those of us who aren't idiots.