On Sunday, during the 12-hour Day-2 draft marathon, I mentioned that the Patriots, as has become customary during the Bill Belichick era, spent much of the weekend trading down the board, accumulating picks for future drafts, and when the opportunity presented itself, selecting players who fit their scheme. The first time New England traded down came 22 picks into the proceedings, when they worked a deal with the Ravens, who promptly drafted offensive tackle Michael Oher. At the time, it was somewhat surprising that the Patriots didn't take Oher -- they had o-line issues last season -- but to hear Vikings head coach Brad Childress tell it, Belichick wanted to get his mitts on another player at No. 23.
"New England was right in there. They were right behind us [with the 23rd pick]," Childress said. "No, they didn't think we'd take him [because of off-the-field] issues. Remember, they have our receivers coach there now. So they thought they could hold ... and he'd come to them.Yeah, so maybe Belichick isn't as smart as he thinks he is.*
"They were down there working him out the day after I was there. And [Harvin] wasn't supposed to tell anybody, and I was trying to pull that out of him, who that was. So, it was a little cat-and-mouse game that occurred."
Kidding aside, two things: first, Childress evens the score in the make-believe feud he has with Belichick. (Actually, he probably takes the lead; I'd say Percy Harvin is slightly more valuable Garrett MIlls.)
Second, what the hell kind of offense would the rest of the league be facing if the Pats trotted out a healthy Tom Brady and his cast of characters and Percy Harvin? Hanging 75 points on helpless defenses every week would certainly mitigate any concerns New England might have about their depleted and aging linebacker corps.
In light of Al and Alma's Wild Ride Gone Horribly Wrong, It's easy to point out that the Vikings took a huge risk by drafting Harvin. (In fact, I've done that.) But at the same time, if the Patriots had landed Harvin, we'd be praising the move as more proof that Belichick is an otherworldy evil genius. So congrats, Brad, you outsmarted Killface. This time.
via Shutdown Corner
* Joke. He's smarter. Obviously.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-28-2009 @ 12:04PM
Wayne said...
Belichick wouldn't pay 1st round money for a wide receiver. Childress is only fooling himself if he thinks the Pats wanted Harvin.
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4-29-2009 @ 12:20PM
Ellis Dogstar said...
Childress shouldnt pat himself on the back, Percy is liable to show up at training camp with a hooter dangling from his mouth.
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4-30-2009 @ 4:16PM
ANTON said...
So he smoked some weed. Look at S. Holmes in Pitt. I am a Gator fan and a Steeler fan. If smoking a little dubage will allow you to make a catch like Holmes did to beat the Cards, I say let Percy smoke until he is blue. The Jets fans amaze me. They hoot and holler every year at the draft. Remember when they took Pennington? Man alive did they scream and yell about a superbowl.
Then a few years back the Vikes had the 51 and 53 pick, they took a player at 51 and the Jets traded down and took QB Clemmens who the Vikes where going to take at 53, so the Vikes took T-jack instead. The Jets thought they had their future QB. Then Favre last year. Give it up Jets fans, your QB of the future is not here yet.
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4-30-2009 @ 11:34PM
Tommy Goddard said...
Anton, He hooted out before an impending drug test at the combine! He knew it was coming. The idiocy factor is high here buddy. It`s hard to score touchdowns when you are suspended.
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5-01-2009 @ 10:29AM
Roger Childress said...
Ah Ryan...this is old news and no one really believes it but then again the only time you ever report about the Patriots is in the negative isn't it.Tell us all just what NFL team you support I am sure that would answer why you only report in the negative about the Pats...then again will you tell the truth since you usually don't deal in that idea.
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