Pioli on the move?
Boston Globe football writer Nick Cafardo answers your questions about the Patriots. Click here to submit a question for next week ...
With all of the talk about where Scott Pioli is going to be a GM next year (or when his current contract runs out), what would be the chance that Belichick and Kraft give him that title here? With the way he and the coach get along and think alike on player values, the relationship probably wouldn't change that much. That way he could keep Pioli and have a GM he knows he wouldn't conflict with (one of the main reasons coaches want final say). Plus, Pioli's gone on record saying how much he likes it here. Any
chance, or just wishful thinking? Thanks for the great forum!
Mike Shea, Washington, DC
A: Mike, there's always a chance they could name him GM and he would stay, but he would never have final say. He would always be part of the decision not THE decision-maker. Financially, I'm not sure how it works either. If the Patriots' "organizational philosophy" is not to pay their coordinators into seven figures do they have the same philosophy with their executives? This is what I don't know. Pioli does like it here, but he's an ambitious guy who wants the top job in his profession. As far as going "on record" as saying he likes it here, don't put much stock into that. Of course he's going to say that, just as Charlie Weis is going to say he likes being the offensive coordinator here as well. Both would love to run their own teams.
David Givens has been having a breakout season, on pace for 1,000 yards. But I couldn't help noticing that on Deion Branch's first night back, Givens caught only 1 pass for 3 yards and was seldom thrown to, while Branch starred in the win. How is the relationship between the receivers? Any chance that jealousy/envy issues will rear their head as the Pats focus on the supposedly more talented Branch, prodding Givens to hit the road as a restricted free agent so he can prove his mettle elsewhere?
Tom Mullen, Washington, DC
A: I'm not sure we should read all that into one game. I understand what you're saying Tom, but Branch is their No. 1 receiver while Givens is more of their possession guy. It's funny last week how Weis indicated about Branch's return, "We're not going to the other receivers" just because Branch might come back. Weis loves Givens, and so don't expect Givens to disappear in the long run. He is a restricted free-agent and a team out there is going to make him one heck of an offer that the Patriots will
have to decide whether to match. Don't be surprised if that team is one that hires Weis as a head coach, if that happens.
They pulled off another win against the Chiefs this week. Brady, Dillon, Branch all stars on the offense. The DE stopped the run but our corner situation is scary. Asante Samuel, Randall Gay and Earthwind Moreland seemed lost much of the night. They constantly went for every pump fake from Trent Green. Even Troy Brown had better coverage than they did. Don't get me wrong, I think the Pats have again exceeded any expectations I, or most fans, have for them week after week but this seems to be a real weakness. Any thoughts on this? Will Ty Law be back for the playoffs? Does Bill have any other options or is he stuck with those guys? Thanks for the Mail Bag!!!
Peter Fleming, Durham, NC
A: At some point this season, you won't be seeing any of those guys on the field too often. Poole might be two weeks away. Law is likely to return late in December or for the playoffs. What the Patriots have been able to get away with using street free agents and a receiver in the defensive
secondary is proof at how poorly coached and devised most of the other teams are in the league. It's amazing how inept the Patriots' opponents are at times. There have been a few veteran DB's out there for the taking, but Belichick has stayed away from them. They only guy he seemed interested in was Dexter Jackson, the former Super Bowl MVP, but he signed with Tampa Bay. I think now he's just going to wait for his guys to get healthy.
In the last two games I've noticed that in situations where Harrison or Wilson are playing a corner position Don Davis is playing safety over Dexter Reid. It seems like it doesn't speak to well of him that they're more comfortable putting a linebacker at the position than him. Have you heard anything about him from the coaches? What's your take on this?
Matt L., Springfield, Ma.
A: They love Dexter Reid as a special teams player. This guy is Tebucky Jones-like on teams, always around the ball, making a play. Like any rookie he has his ups and downs playing his position and there have been times he's been burned on long passes where he's the last line of defense, so
you've seen Davis in there a few times in the dime packages. But long term it looks like they'll be patient with Reid because he has very good athletic ability.
It seems to me that the handoffs between Brady and Dillon are getting very sharp. Almost to the point that all the runs look like draw plays. Can you explain this?
Dave Balmelli, Lake Forest, IL
A: Every team does it a little bit differently - the timing, I mean between the quarterback handoff to the runner. They do run some draws and they also run outside a lot and between the tackles. It looks like they mix it up pretty well, but they sure do sell the play-fake. There have been a few times when I thought Dillon was running the ball and Brady still has it and all of a sudden you're seeing a pass down the field. I'm sure the defenses are fooled on that from time to time as well. It's fun to watch.
What do you think about the Patriots putting Stanley Morgan in their HOF or retiring his number. The guy’s production was incredible and even after having been retired for 15 years he still holds numerous club records some by a considerable margin. At the time of his retirement he was in the NFL's top 5 all-time in 100yrd receiving games, in the top 10 in career yardage, not to mention had a remarkable run of 6 consecutive seasons averaging 20+ yards per catch. Oh and he did all this playing for teams that were clearly run first. It's a long overdue honor.
Paul Brassard, Cheshire MA
A: I doubt they'll retire his number but he'll be in the Patriots HOF at some point. As you pointed out, can't ignore the production and the excitement he created every time he caught the ball. Paul, I appreciate the question and it's always good to look back at the players of yesteryear. I enjoyed watching Morgan as much as I do any player on the current Patriots' teams if not more.
Who makes up the NFL schedule? I don't watch all the games on Sunday but always set aside Sunday at 1pm for the Pats. Two weeks ago they were on at 8:30, the week before at 4:15, and Monday at 9pm. Six of their games are out of the one o'clock time slot this season! What gives? My fall has been ruined ! Tradition has been broken! I am totally out of synch with the season!
Ted Wallace, Enfield, Maine
A: Ted, I think you know the answer to that. The TV networks that pay million for rights, pretty much dictate the times. I'm with you. I love 1 p.m. games on Sunday. I wish they were all played at that time. But when you're a Super Bowl team in this day and age they want you on prime time as
often as possible, so you get all of these night games and late afternoon starts. It's a pain. 