Paying tribute

Page 7 of 12 -- A: It's completely and totally their philosophy. I mean there are some constants. Richard Seymour being the one. Otherwise, they truly believe in fresh legs at the big man positions. They know their guys will wear down if they have to play every snap, so they don't. They pick the situations carefully. It's a team with a system, and as long as they play the system, there shouldn't be a fall off if Ty Warren is playing over Bobby Hamilton.

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Nick, Did anyone do a better job of helping their team for this season with this past draft than the Pats? While they didn't use their second first rounder, the Pats seem to have more rookies playing serious minutes (and playing well) than any other team in the league. This is largely due to injuries, but the rookies seem to be filling in capably. Warren got his first start and seems to have played well. He looks better than Robertson so far at least. Wilson has been all over the place since moving to free safety. I love his play. Bethel Johnson has opened some eyes returning kicks and I don't think the Pats expected much of an impact this year as a wideout. Samuel has been beaten a bit, but seems to be playing pretty darn good nickel for a rookie fourth rounder. Klecko has found his way into the lineup and made a few nice QB pressures against the Titans. How do you feel about the Pats rooks so far? Is Wilson's move to free safety a permanent one, or will they move him back to corner after this season? Thanks and go Red Sox!
-- Mike Askenase, Cambridge

A: They had a very good draft. I always like to see the players before declaring one way or the other, and maybe I should hold off since only six games have been played. But you have to think they have starting-caliber players in Warren, Wilson and Samuel and it looks like Klecko will eventually be a starter at middle linebacker.

Nick, Love the mailbag. But I have to be honest. When I look at Eugene Wilson playing FS in place of the departed Lawyer Milloy, I see an upgrade. He is faster, quicker, and always appears to be in front of the play. I, along with many other Pats fans, hated to see Lawyer go and really could not understand the justification. But after the last two games, I truly feel it might be an upgrade with Wilson. I can't help but remember the rumblings of Pats fans when BB drafted Seymour instead of David Terell. And based on that outcome I ask, has Bill Belichick out smarted us all again?
-- David Vanasse   Continued...