In this morning’s article by Ben Standig, it says:
“Their fixation with Forbes became pronounced, at least in the scouting community.
The Patriots selected cornerback Christian Gonzalez one spot after Washington used the 16th pick on Forbes. Even though Gonzalez was the highest-rated corner on many public draft boards and surprisingly available, Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh told local reporters New England felt comfortable trading down below Washington from its original choice at 14 because they knew the Commanders’ plan.
That might sound like an issue, but the Commanders knew who they wanted, not via guesswork but by hours of homework.”
The article then goes on to detail Eric Stokes’s video work on Forbes, but doesn’t otherwise explain.
This … seems like an issue? I feel like this draft the Commanders were incautious about sharing their plans. The beat reporters knew who they were focused on, which bothers me because you’re supposed to keep things quiet, not share them with reporters.
Rivera has run a quiet ship for 3 years. Little-to-no leaks. But this week seems uncharacteristically loud, and it seems like the draft is the last time a team should be loud.
11 comments
I think a lot of people— commenters here, and likely some football insider peeps— indicated that Gonzalez was not as strong a “scheme fit” (like, take that for whatever it means, I am summarizing a number of comments) as other players.
I definitely remember comments to that effect in the draft run-up, especially as people mocked us taking O-line first, or taking a different DB.
Given the churn of coaching staffs in the NFL, I’m not sure this is a great justification in the long run (like, Rivera’s staff and coordinators may well be replaced in a year by people with a different scheme), but it certainly would explain how the Patriots staff could safely feel like they would get Gonazalez— that based on coaching preferences and hours of watching tape on the Commanders AND watching the DBs in college, they have an understanding of the kind of player Washington (Rivera’s staff) was gonna pick.
So TLDR— Rivera’s staff has an obvious type and “fit” and Gonazalez was never it.
I understand and share that concern. Even if we were locked in on a player, keeping things quiet and in house seems to be the smarter play. The entire NFL Community seemed to know we were taking Forbes. Hard to play the game if everyone knows your hand.
Who cares if another team figured out that Forbes is a better fit for us than Gonzalez? Sounds like Gonzalez has no dawg in him anyway.
Why is getting the guy you like, a cause for concern?
Sometimes indicating your move is just as smart as concealing it.
What good did it do Washington having the Patriots think they wanted Gonzalez?
Wouldn’t that hurt if they were trying to make trades?
The Patriots wanted Gonzalez, any move Washington made – NE would think it would be to pick him.
So maybe to assure they weren’t bidding against each other, that indicated who they liked.
Aside:
I genuinely think this fan base is cringe with all the bullshit they buy into, and how everything is a conspiracy.
I genuinely wish some of y’all would just leave this team. Because it’s so annoying trying to enjoy a casual fanaticism for a sport – when every post is some exhausting bullshit y’all spent too much time on.
I’m not sure that it matters if they got the players that they were targeting. What really will matter is if these players contribute to the success of the team.
Ron will be gone soon. Instances like this are just more data points for me to laugh at once he’s out the door.
Spygate 2023
I’m willing to bet every year some team make a trade because they knew what another team was going to do based off their own analysis. Half the time that probably works out and half the time it doesn’t. What if last year we traded down because we knew teams before us weren’t taking Jahan? It works both ways
I think the Pats are just a whole different beast. I mean this is also a team that notably gets caught scheming (cameras, deflategate, stealing Belichik from the Jets, Kraft getting HJs during the AFC championships). The last one isnt really a scheme but just wanted to remind everyone
Not everything is as secretive as you believe. I am pretty sure a lot of teams have a good idea who other teams will pick.
Obviously the Comms had the order reversed and they got their guy. Nothing to see here. Just because others ranked them differently, doesn’t mean the front office has to follow suit.