Scott Zolak: Patriots should be careful with the “less hard-ass vibe”
Patriots Director of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf spoke to the media on Tuesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and talked about the Patriots approach. In doing so, he took a couple of jabs at the old way of doing business under Bill Belichick. But Scott Zolak says the Patriots should be careful when it comes to being critical of the old way of doing things under Bill Belichick.
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf during the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
‘Be careful…’
Zolak: I say be careful. Because we had Parcells for four years, so you get used to certain way. It’s walking on eggshells. I told the stories multiple times. You know what a bitch it was to play for him. But, man, are you ready to go on Sundays. And then we got a, cool, laid back surfing type vibe in the building after that with Pete Carroll. Guys kind of took advantage of some things and that becomes a new norm. And what you figured you could get away with some things or you’re doing something different now. Happy go lucky. Attention to detail slips. Let’s just say be careful with that. You know, you won a lot of games here under the old way.
Beetle: I get that Bill Parcells took a team to the Super Bowl in 1996, three decades ago. Should you coach a team now the way you were coaching it three decades ago?
Zolak: Probably not.
Beetle: Okay, then. So I think that’s what he’s saying.
Beetle: I don’t think. I don’t know if it has to be like good vibes and having a great time, but it’s what he didn’t say. We’re going to have a lot of fun. That’s not what he said. He said less hard-ass vibe is what he said. We’re not going to be unnecessarily tough when it’s not required when we don’t feel it’s warranted. I don’t think that means that it’s going to be a Bruce Arians Margaritaville.
LISTEN: Should the Patriots should be careful with laid back approach?
How will Eliot Wolf 'weaponize the offense' in New England?
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 28: Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks to pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“I think it’s a really good year for quarterbacks,” Wolf said when asked about this class. “Like any position, we’re going to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and determine who fits for us.”
Wolf added that an important part of making that determination will be getting to know the quarterbacks as players. The Patriots are expected to meet with all three top quarterbacks in the draft – USC’s Caleb Williams, UNC’s Drake Maye, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels – and Wolf added they could have additional pre-draft meetings as well.
Despite having not met any of the top quarterbacks in person though, Wolf said part of the reason he likes this class is what he sees in their mental makeup. “One thing about the quarterbacks in this draft specifically that I’m excited about – they all look like they’re really tough guys,” Wolf explained.
Does this all point to the Patriots taking a quarterback in the first round to being the “weaponization” of the Patriots’ offense? Wolf highlighted the value of taking a quarterback with the team’s first pick league-wide.
“When you look throughout the league, most of the quarterbacks are first-rounders,” Wolf noted. “I think the league-wide understanding of how important that position is and how important it is to have somebody there that can help you win games and get over the hump has changed league-wide.”
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 23: Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 23, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Wolf didn’t just talk about the quarterbacks at the top of the draft though. He was also asked about Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who is also projected to be a top five pick.
“He’s a good player. There’s obviously a lot of strengths to his game” Wolf replied. “He can translate to any offense in the NFL.”
The one position of need Wolf wasn’t asked about – as it relates to the draft – was offensive tackle. However he did address the position internally, calling pending free agent Michael Onwenu a “cornerstone” and adding that “it’s no secret we want to keep him.”
Talking about “weaponizing” the offense is one thing, but doing it is another. Patriots fans won’t have to wait long to start seeing Wolf’s vision take shape. The Combine usually marks the start of regular free agency rumors, leading up to the start of the legal tampering period on March 11. From there, it’s about another month and a half until the NFL Draft.
