Let's talk titles and defensemen

What’s In A Title?

The Patriots began their “The Person Who Runs Personnel” search at the beginning of this week. None of us knew what the eventual title would be at that point, but they have finally landed on “Executive Vice President of Player Personnel.” Even though it took forever and the process has been sloppy, we’re fine with the title. 

But, apparently, it didn’t satisfy everybody. There is still a subsection of fans and media that will not let go of this idea that Jonathan Kraft and Robyn Glaser are thumbing through scouting reports and checking the waiver wire.

There is still a contingent who won’t believe Eliot Wolf has run the show since Bill Belichick’s fir…oops, we mean, “Parting of Ways.” Those who look at the team not using the title of General Manager and immediately believe that something shady is going on. Of course, those people are entitled to their own opinions. However, our question is: What else do you want the Patriots to do to prove to you that ownership is not making the football decisions?

Robert Kraft has publicly stated that ownership is staying out of the way. Jerod Mayo has told various media outlets that ownership has stayed out of the way. Wolf has said multiple times that he’s making the final call. Several local, national, reputable, and credible reporters have written and/or said that Jonathan and Glaser aren't running the football ops.

As a matter of fact, Captain Bedard’s buddy, Bert Breer, laid out the responsibilities of the new role and it’s pretty clear that this role will be held by the person accountable for signings, picks, and trades. 

If you still believe Jonathan is the Wizard of Oz, what would you like ownership to do that hasn’t already been done or reported, to prove otherwise? Would you like access to 24/7 surveillance of the Gillette offices? Wiretap phone conversations? Maybe you’d like them to sign a public declaration in their own blood. Or, maybe we can appoint one fan each week to be handcuffed to Jonathan at all times to make sure he’s not constantly meddling. Nah, that still wouldn’t likely appease the pitchfork and torch crew. 

Those who are grasping onto the “Kraft Cabal” will just point to ESPN’s long piece after Belichick was led out of Gillette. You know, the report that said some people in the building were speculating that Kraft and Glaser would run the operation whenever Bill got out of the way? It’s funny, people only question the source, when it’s a narrative they don’t want to get behind. Of course, it’s possible that source or those sources were right. 

But, isn’t it also possible those who spoke to ESPN were Belichick disciples being paranoid? Isn’t it possible that those people who spoke to ESPN were serving their own agendas or don’t professionally and/or personally like Kraft and/or Glaser? 

Also, how do you take the word of one story over the litany of aforementioned local scribes who have reported that the front office acted as a normal front office during free agency and the draft? By the way, that one story wasn’t a report of what was happening, it was someone’s speculation in real time, while the knives were out during a 4-win season. 

Oh, of course, it’s because the local writers are “in the pockets” of the team. It’s certainly possible several local writers are doing the ownership favors by serving at the behest of Robert. However, this writer is not going to question the morals, ethics, or professionalism of several credible writers who have done their jobs for more than 100 years combined. Also, every one of these local writers have reported or opined about certain aspects of the franchise that would be categorized as criticisms of ownership, including the messy process that has led us all to this “search.”

But, let’s get back to titles. You know what’s funny about titles? Most only care about them, when it’s their own title at their chosen occupation or when it helps their argument. For example, some believe that the team waited as long as they have to register the EVP of Player Personnel title because Jonathan has been the puppeteer this entire time. 

However, nobody thought of Bill B. as a puppet, when he went without ANY front office title for almost 25 years. We can hear some of you right now, “C’mon, it was obvious Bill was running the show!” That’s not the point. The point is, playing with or waiting to register titles isn’t a “smoking gun” regarding ownership’s involvement. 

By the way, do you think these “truth seekers” would just go away and accept that Jonathan wasn’t running the football ops if the Patriots chose General Manager as the title or did this earlier than they’re doing it? Yeah, us either. There’d be something else to point to.

Maybe we should all just focus on what’s actually happened this offseason. Bedard has, painstakingly at times, illustrated the commonalities between the Packers blueprint and what the Patriots have done the last few months. From taking a big swing on a “toolsy” QB to the types of WRs they drafted to the amount of UDFAs/Tryouts being here this weekend. This all reads like a “How To Be The Packers” handbook.  

The most amusing part of all of this, frankly, is that the reality here in New England is the reality in thirty-one other NFL cities: Ownership ALWAYS has the final call if/when they want. They own the team. They will always be at the table for the biggest decisions. Their voice will always have sway. They will always have the power to either directly or indirectly pressure the GM, VP, EVP, ASAP, LOL, LMAO, or any other acronym to act in the interest of ownership. 

So, what exactly are we doing here? 

The Bruins' Supposed Strength Is Their Biggest Weakness

Remember when this team was being constructed and the idea was, goaltending and defense. That would be the calling card of your 2023-2024 Boston Bruins! Well, one of those has shined this postseason, while the other has been the biggest issue on the ice. Jeremy Swayman has put on a clinic, while the defensemen can’t get out of their own way.

The well-paid Charlie McAvoy, to this point, has had a horrific playoff. Not strong enough in front of the net or along the boards. Skittish with the puck. Questionable decision-making. Weak turnovers. Screening his own brilliant goalie. Did we miss anything?

Meanwhile, Hampus Lindholm hasn’t looked like the top-pair defenseman he’s supposed to be this entire year. We were hopeful that his late Game 7 heroics vs Toronto last weekend could get him going. Um, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Lindholm has had roughly 700 giveaways this postseason, while looking timid and unsure. 

Brandon Carlo has been mostly OK, but has had his shaky moments as well, like the great ass over tea kettle flop in Game 7 that thankfully didn’t cost the B’s the Maple Leafs series. Matt Grzelcyk is unplayable after falling out of the rotation last year and being brutal in Game 5 of the first-round this year. 

Parker Wotherspoon is “fine” even though he had a major miscommunication with Derek Forbort that cost the team a goal vs Florida in Game 2. Forbort, we’ll give him a pass since he’s coming back from injury. 

The defenseman who is currently playing the best is Mason Lohrei. As much as it’s great to see a rookie step up and play the way he has, that’s not great news for the team. Lohrei should be “pitching in,” not being leaned on. 

It’s time for the other guys to step up. This team won’t survive the physicality and forechecking of the Panthers if McAvoy & Lindholm continue to be a puddle. We’ll see if they can get their act together tonight at the Garden.