The newly found running game and a few of the rookies, (linebacker Jamie Collins and Rutgers cornerback Logan Ryan) in particular, are turning out to be "real finds," and are getting credit for the recent stepped up play. But it really belongs more to the genius of Bill Belichick, both as manager and GM. Many of his moves remind me of the master, Red Auerbach, who could be a coach and/or GM in any pro sport. Red liked to draft multi-talented players who are TEAM players, are totally coachable and trust in his decisions, all of which are mostly final. (Sound a little like Belichick?)
Remember Red invented the position of 6th man using the multi-talents of Frank Ramsey who would have been a starting forward for any other team in the NBA. Same with Tom "Satch" sanders who was a big scorer in college but Red told him he had enough scorers and needed a defensive specialist to win titles. Jo-Jo White was a HUGE scoring machine in college but played point guard for Red because that's what the TEAM needed. HRed's first big move was to take Bob Brannum, the country's leading scorer in 1948, and told him he needed his burly (6'6", 245) body to keep opponents from beating up on his stars, Cousy, Sharman and 180 pound Ed McAuley. Brannum bought into it thus creating the "enforcer" position.....and several world championships.
Back to our Bill who figured out, among other things, that in college these kids only played 12 games a year with about 35 days of practise. It stands to reason that, in order to absorb and step up into the pro game they may have to move a little slower than the rest of the guys. Jaimey Collins is a perfect example. After his spectacular performance against the Colts everyone was surprised but Belichick who had monitered his progress throughout the season and KNEW what he had. Some of his moves seemed strange but his players knew what Bill was doing and they all trusted him completely. THAT'S A TEAM CONCEPT. Everyone knows what his teammate's job is and they're getting more and more comfortable and trusting of each other. If you've ever played team sports at a higher level you know how important that is. If not...just trust Belichick.
Now, just imagine what this team will be like next year when they ad Vince Wilfork, Rob Gronkowski, Jerod Mayo, Sebastian Volmer as well as a totally healthy Logan Mankins. Stay tuned.....
More on the baseball hall of fame's blunderings...Phil Rizzuto and Pee Wee Reese, both leadoff batters supreme as well as great defensive players, ARE in the hall of fame. DOMENIC DIMAGGIO,
the Red Sox leadoff batter for eleven years as well as the best defensive center fielder in the league, is not in the Hall. Nobody can explain that. The best answer (from people who are well qualified to answer) is always..."well don't forget both Rizzuto and Reese played in New York."
Phil Rizzuto, (hall member since 1994) career stats are....273 BA, 38 home runs, 563 RBI's, 877 runs scored, OBP of .351.
Pee Wee Reese...(hall member since 1984) career stats are....269 BA, 126 home runs, 885 RBI's
.366 OBP and 1,338 runs scored. (he played five and a half years more than DiMaggio)
Dom DiMaggio...(NOT in the hall of fame..yet) career stats are...BA--.299 (best), 87 HR(best per at bat) 618 RBI's, 1,046 runs scored, and a best OBP of .383, as well as a CARER fielding average of .978. DiMaggio also was a 7 time all-star and his 34 game hitting streak is still tops in Red Sox and ranks about 4th or 5th in baseball history behind his brother Joe's incredible 56 game hitting streak.
Ted Williams actively campaigned for Dom's induction into the hall, as well as that of Shoeless Joe Jackson and Pete Rose, all to no avail. Ted Never was a darling of the baseball writers, two of who didn't even give him a 10th place vote for MVP the year Ted hit .406 and lost out by ONE point.
All of this tells me, (for the tenth time) that the voting system must be oevrhauled and some integrity must be restored (or added) to the Cooperstown shrine.
This site is in the process of instituting a hall of fame (really for the fans) of our own. All of your ideas are welcome and the best will be instituted. So far the top idea is to give the vote to former players or, at least, members of the hall itself. (Yes, Pete Rose and Roger Clemens will be in it.)
Next time we'll be talking about getting former Patriot great, Gino Cappelletti, former Red Sox right fielder Dwight Evans, former Bruin Rick (Nifty) Middleton and NFL great Fred Smerlas into their respective halls of fame.....stay tuned.....