FOXBOROUGH – Patriots coach Bill Belichick held his pre-draft press conference this morning (11 a.m.) at Gillette Stadium and opened with the following statement:
“We’re kind of plugging along here. There are still a lot of loose ends to tie up, but that’s kind of the way it usually is at this time of year. Get the few last visits coming in this week, and then next week it’s kind of the time we talk a little draft strategy and try to finalize some of the grades and make some of the comparisons of situations that might present themselves – kind of re-evaluate the trade charts and stuff like that. I think the process is going along like it normally does. It was a late start [after the Super Bowl] but that’s when you want to start. I think Scott [Pioli] and Nick Caserio and the rest of the scouting department have done a good job researching, accessing a lot of information. We’ve had a lot of scouts out on the road, we’ve seen a lot of people. Hopefully we’ll be in position to make some good decisions and be in position and try to improve our football team next week.”
A few topics in the 20-minute press conference that stood out:
In a schedule-related note, Belichick indicated that the team has talked about spending full weeks on the west coast during the season when they have back-to-back games against San Francisco/San Diego in October and Seattle/Oakland in December. “We’ve talked about that, and that’s something we’ll look into,” he said. “That’s certainly a consideration. One is early, one is later, we’ll have to see what the options are on that.”
Belichick said it is still possible that the Patriots could craft an offer sheet to a restricted free agent before Friday’s deadline. The team previously visited with Carolina linebacker Adam Seward, who would cost a fifth-round draft choice if the Patriots signed him to an offer sheet that was not matched. Speaking of restricted free agents in general, Belichick said: “The discussion would be if we had this player – and we gave him X contract – would we rather do that than to pick from what we think of this group of players in that round.”
Belichick compared the draft to 1991 in that there does not appear to be a clear-cut No. 1 choice. “The Patriots traded out of [No. 1] to Dallas and the first few picks there, I don’t think there was any consensus on the order of those players. Russell Maryland was a little bit of a surprise choice at No. 1. That was the draft that, as it turned out, a lot of players in the second round – the Brett Favres, the Roman Phifers, the Phil Hansens and guys like that – they probably had better careers than a lot of guys in the first round of that draft.”
We’ll have more from Belichick, who is celebrating his birthday today, in a bit.
Also, nose tackle Vince Wilfork spoke with the press about his annual draft party. We’ll pass along some of Wilfork’s thoughts as well.
Happy Birthday to BB!!
Happy birthday Bill - we love our coach.
Working the plan, planning the work. There is no better team than The New England Patriots. Happy birthday, Coach.
I just want to say that the phrase "I'm kind of a big deal" is stuck in my head.
Does anyone find irony in the fact that the Pope and BB share the same birthday?
Why would the NFL NOT schedule a game against the Giants? They played a thrilling shootout in the final regular season game last year (with TV ratings that broke records), and then played each other in one of the most dramatic Super Bowls ever. Is the NFL nuts? Are they that rigid in their scheduling that a little common sense PR wouldn't over-ride it?
they're not playing the giants because the rotation of NFC teams doesn't line up with the giants this year. it did last year.
they need to have the Pats Colts rivalry going so they picked that instead.
I think most people don't realize that these schedules are planned years in advance...
Happy Birthday Bill Belichick!
Your the all time greatest coach
we're lucky to have you!
The AFC East only plays one NFC division each year. For example, last year every team in the AFC East played every team in the NFC East. Where this year every team in the AFC East Plays the NFC West. So basically, the only way the Pats play the Giants again this year would be in the Superbowl. And I think I speak for all when I say, there is nothing us Pats fans would want more than to avenge the biggest loss in professional sports history!!
No, the NFL did not choose Pats-Colts. A team's schedule is made up of the following:
-6 games against division opponents
-4 games against a rotated NFC division (the other AFC East teams play the same division as well)
-4 games against a rotated AFC division (again, same for the other AFC East teams)
-2 games against the teams that finished in the same place in their division as the Patriots did in theirs. (1st in AFC East, then they get the 1st place teams in the other divisions in the AFC... it is only 2 because they already play an entire division, including said 1st place team)
Um, let's not forget here in all the hubbub over the Pope, BB, etc., that my brother, Blake Wiers, is turning 37 years old today. Just thought you'd want to know.
Happy Birthday Bill. Thank you!! Go Pats!!!
The NFL doesn't just make up the schedule out of thin air. All the match-ups are based on the teams' divisional finishes the year before. All the division-winners within a conference play each other. That's why the Pats and Colts have played every year -- not because the NFL thinks it's an entertaining game. It's the same reason the Dolphins are playing the Raiders, Texans, and Ravens.
Bring back T.Law and here's hoping Bill and the boys get the "best" player available come draft day.
Happy Birthday Blake Wiers!
Happy Birthday Coach! Thanks for creating the best team ever!
Ty Law for left corner in NE. Ocho cinco is out of Cincy?
sign some cb's, and lb's! make sure the o-line is ready!
Thanks Coach and Happy Birthday. Every time you shun the Media Patriot Nation is with You. One more Super Bowl, and the Lombardi needs to be called The Belechick Trophy. Work the Draft like we know you can.
Happy Birthday Sean and the pope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Mr.Bill. Thank you for coaching Patriots
Happ B-Day BB! We love ya and thanks for being the Pats coach!
Happy Birthday Coach, hope your birthday wish is the same as mine - another great year of fantastic football!!
Staying out on the west coast for each of those two weeks in October & December makes sense to me. Less travel equals less wear and tear equals greater efficiency. But of course you would then be expected to win at least 3 of the 4 games.
All of you people who don't understand how the schedule works need to be put in a burlap bag and beaten with sticks!
Get a clue!!!
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