Felger & Mazz Reach Verdicts In 3 Patriots Debates
BOSTON (CBS) - Now that the Patriots season is over, 98.5 The Sports Hub's Felger & Massarotti decided to look back on the year that was and reach a verdict on certain topics, complete with Law & Order sound effects and everything.
In segment #1, Felger, Mazz and Beetle reach a verdict on the Mayo injury, the Mankins trade and the drafting of Jimmy Garoppolo.
Case: Jerod Mayo's Season Ending Knee Injury
Prosecution: "The Patriots can't win it all without Mayo!"
Defense: "They'll be fine without him!"
Verdict: "Granted there was a depth issue there because [Hightower and Collins] had to play as much as they did, but they won it all without him. Do I like Mayo as a player? Yeah, absolutely. But you can absolutely go on without him," said Mazz.
"It felt like there was an adjustment period there for about one game. That's what it felt like. Thursday Night Football. That's it," added Marc Bertrand.
Case: Patriots Trade Logan Mankins To Bucs For TE Tim Wright & Draft Pick
Prosecution: "Patriots significantly weakened their offensive line and won't be able to protect Tom Brady."
Defense: "In Belichick We Trust."
Verdict: "You know what? I give Belichick the win here. To me, edge Belichick. He wins this because they ultimately did not need Logan Mankins," said Mazz. "Again, I don't have to like the deal. What I feared was the offensive line would be a fatal flaw, and that they'd somehow miss the presence of Mankins and the depth on the offensive line, and you know what? They overcame some of that earlier in the year and it didn't slow them down. Belichick was right. I'm big enough to admit I was wrong."
"I initially was in favor of the trade, then over the first month I thought it was stupid because Brady looked so bad. See, I waffled so I don't win either way. The verdict is in on the Logan Mankins: they didn't need him," said Felger. "Hopefully they put some of that money towards Darrelle Revis. Patriots win that trade. The verdict is also in on Tim Wright. You lose. This wasn't about Tim Wright."
Case: Patriots Draft QB Jimmy Garoppolo In Second Round Of 2014 Draft
Prosecution: "That pick could've been better spent helping the team this year!"
Defense: "It's better to draft your next quarterback too early than too late!"
Verdict: "The verdict is in. It was a good pick. When you are drafting you have to weigh short term versus long term, and Bill [Belichick] went long term. I said, 'Why?' at the time, but let's be honest, they didn't need the help through the draft. Belichick was taking a look at his roster and knew they could win it all, so he kept his eye toward the future. He did, and he was right. Winning the Super Bowl definitely validates that pick," said Marc Bertrand.
"I think Belichick nailed it," said Mazz. "Tom Brady got better. Is that a coincidence?"
"I think not necessarily. Maybe it is. Maybe he saw his age, contract, the drafting of Garoppolo and, like any human being, had a little extra motivation," said Felger.
Listen below for the full discussion:
In segment #2, Felger, Mazz & Beetle continue the debate and reach verdicts on trading down in the 2013 Draft.
Listen below:
In segment #3, Felger, Mazz & Beetle reach verdicts on signing horses instead of ponies in free agency.
Listen below:
