Patriots: Coach, team nearing decision day
Friday, August 26, 2011
It should be an interesting game Saturday night in Detroit, to say the least.
After all, the third pre-season game is typically when veteran players receive the most playing time, out of the four exhibitions on the schedule. And, with the first roster cut-down day fast approaching next week (on Aug. 30), it could also be a final opportunity for several players to leave a lasting impression on the coaching staff.
Or more specifically, leave a lasting impression on Bill Belichick. That may be tougher to do this year, since the players who should make the team need to get their work in, too.
“It’s a tough balancing act,” Belichick said Thursday. “There are not really enough plays, not really enough games to be where you’d optimally like to be but everybody has the same schedule. So it’s how each team does it relative to their competition. Part of it is evaluating players, trying to figure out who you want on your team and how your team is going to be composed. Part of it is getting players ready that you know are going to play for your team and getting them working together in groups.
“And it’s a little bit different this year because we didn’t have the lead-up time,” he continued. “In a lot of cases, you have a lot of information on where players are up to that point. We have had to acquire all that information since the start of camp. Some guys have improved a lot. Some guys started at a lot higher point than others. Some players have improved more. Some players have started out slowly and they have started to ascend more recently kind after they have gotten going a little bit.”
It sounds as if the job of making those cuts is going to be a tougher job this year. Certainly, more players will be looking for work than in previous seasons, as 90 players are currently on the roster (80 in previous years). For 18 current players, Saturday night may be their Patriots’ swan song. 19 more will receive one more shot to stick around through the final pre-season game against the New York Giants on September 1st.
“It’s not easy. I don’t have any easy answer for you,” Belichick explained. “We talk about it all the time and we’re trying to figure out what’s best for our team, with regard to all those things and how they all relate to each other. It’s not just about each individual player. It is, but it’s also about how those players interface with their teammates and other players at their position.”
Adding to the evaluation process also has to be a players’ ability to be a quick study. Typically, with off-season camps and organized team activities, veterans and rookies get the chance to jump on the playbook early. Not this year, with the off-season lockout in place. This has put a premium on a players’ intelligence level, and his ability to pick up a new system as well as his physical attributes. Players have basically been in a “hurry up” mode since the start of camp.
“I think everybody has been in a little bit of a hurry-up mode, I’d agree with that,” Belichick reasoned. “The coaches, the players, the teams – we’re here, there hasn’t been all the lead-up time. We know when the games are scheduled and we know when we have to be ready. I think there’s been a certain amount of trying to accelerate and combine things that were done in one timeframe to accelerate that and combine them into a smaller timeframe. And some things have to be eliminated from a scheme standpoint.”
Pre-season games don’t mean much in the overall scheme of things? Depends on who you ask, or who is affected the most. For 18 players, Saturday night will be their last in a Patriots’ uniform. With nothing to lose, things can get interesting.
News and Notes
Belichick was asked Thursday about the availability of Albert Haynesworth for Saturday night’s game in Detroit. “Obviously players that are just coming back have a long way to go. It’s good to see all the players back out there this week that have come back – we had quite a few rejoin us so that’s good.” The coach also mentioned he’s pleased with Matt Light’s progress as well. “If he’s ready, I think he will be (playing on Saturday). He’s been out there, he’s been able to do everything. I think his lead-up to the start of practice was good. Since he’s been out on the field, he’s been able to do everything we have asked him to do. So I think he’s coming along.”
Defensive lineman Mike Wright has missed the last three weeks of camp, and having missed the final seven games of last season with a concussion, there was concern over his injury lingering. Apparently, the concussion from last season doesn’t have much to do with his current status. “I don't think anything that happened last year is related to anything going on this year,” Belichick said…
The coach was also asked his thoughts on New York Jets coach Rex Ryan calling him the best coach in the NFL during a recent interview on NFL Network. “It’s a nice compliment. I’ll take it,” Belichick said. “I don’t think it really means anything, but it’s nice. I think we all know I have a lot of respect for him and his program down there too. Kind of right back at him.”
Rookie running back Shane Vereen has been out of camp for almost the entire time, suffering a hamstring injury during his second practice. He did say Thursday, however, that he’s almost back to full health. “I think my body feels behind, it's sore, he admitted. “But I feel good... I'm ready to play.”
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