[0:00]" Let's get some questions answered for you today mr. smoltz -- want to be able to do that and joining us as he does usually every Monday at today's patriots money to all of us the coach of the New England Patriots -- college after dumbest bell a check. And I don't know what -- what -- I don't what a little afraid to get off today accuse Fred's got some questions. But what. America what we're doing it you're going to need what nobody like mr. Garber yeah I would always check out I bet it's back to watch whose wouldn't that's."

[0:34]" Yeah I know roberson Greek heritage and that -- yeah a lot of yeah."

[0:44]" It's just that have all the painstaking effort to -- build up the great nucleus of reports that we do -- work with these guys offseason. One got it right get a chance I am I missed him but just the -- it's that balls you know allow boy -- a lot more depth study after. I think you're furcal but I you know of -- what got that would never vehemently in his it was thrown."

[1:08]" I -- Well all right -- guys like -- penalties I wanna. You talk to a credit -- and third round loss yeah me"

[1:25]" I just thought that this guy would be got to be off limits I mean you you. You're taught to Ohman did some research on the what does it to Oakland you know dog him about two -- disarm when he played against bands when Minnesota -- giants. Try to get the guys the field and did did want to want to play is good news guys feel. Coach Kiffin calls them in the said the not gotten into all those things come. Together they say is this guy palpable you know Kenny Kenny before but the patriots"

[1:53]" well you know I but I feel comfortable with. With him on arcane and I think that he's the experience these professional is very competitive and don't I think he's good addition forced out."

[2:09]" Is -- an indication of of love your conversations with them in the -- particulates stuck out -- that made you think -- be good fit for the patriots. Or is that just an overall --"

[2:20]" in you know. Ticket to the point we got to. A lot had to be done before that you know what not just based on you know one and the conversations or homework and and all that have been done before that so. You know all those things were. It felt like that that he would you know that you felt awful Baltic but the bottom line deal would help our football Damon. I think it'll be a good addition of the team."

[2:47]" Obviously you haven't told -- different situations not guaranteed money covenant. Right it really estimate the team trade was the it was trade for a fourth round pick you got your personal picked. The San Francisco that gave the fourth you traded him the result guaranteed money covenant strictly salary up front for the if it makes."

[3:05]" Effort you know much -- that looked good on talk about those contracts."

[3:10]" Let me ask you this question on at breakfast example yesterday being around the Celtics in the in the 80s in the a couple of guys in. There were a lot of questions at the time armor when they brought finished Johnson and terrific player obviously and the ability to be all league player yet they were were some questions and yet. Seemed to me that the back -- personality of that team had already been established it and I wonder if that doesn't play. Into little bit of your thinking in that the you've got a real strong team personality wise leadership wise. Did that play into any of this at at all the people you already have on that roster."

[3:48]" Well enough competent players that we have but on. I'm competent and in addition Randy really him so you know what that took us."

[3:57]" A surprised that there are questions about it."

[4:00]" Well and I can't know look I can't speak for everything that that's happened over the last you know nine years this career and and we had players wear. Similar things were this has come up before so you know it's certainly not impressed that I understand that but. On in Pakistan Indian gillick could pick additional football think."

[4:18]" One of the things about was it was says he might have lost a step then. Who was commodity to have time for a -- for you guys are forced to --"

[4:27]" I don't know I don't know when I was -- got -- about you know it flew all night got in you know early in the morning and you know. -- can't imagine you know bring to get player of the plane and time and -- but now that never happened."

[4:43]" What do everything is going to be -- problem but he's always have. Been a a a player that wants to be the guy all the time the way your offense and Tom spreads the ball all over the field is between 811 receivers than one particular game is he going to be okay for only catches the ball three or four times a game."

[5:00]" You know people but let me just say that I don't think that there's been a player in the league in the last nine years. That means more double coverage and ran across. Randy moss -- double coverage better than anybody in the in this league so. And I think that he hit it and -- without question understand what that is and what it means everybody else and so that's that's the way it is then you know he can understand that believe me nobody understand the better as."

[5:29]" A coach real. Quite different from last year knowing when. You have branch reason and couple unknowns who have Stallworth. And Randy moss if you have had a bit of potential who put guys go on the field receiver."

[5:43]" While I think we have good competition at that position and I'll look forward to working with a group of them worked with a group in off season program you know we've done an individual also they're just you know -- equipment stuff like that so you know excited -- on the field and do we put together as a as an entire off of the you know. Include their running game and and you know that could help them. In the passing game play action passes off like that so. It'll you know all comes together -- wanna you know on the -- anybody hear anything. You know what -- to CR comes together what we can do but -- on the budget who worked with a group I think -- will be competitive."

[6:18]" Does the philosophy of your offense change at all based on personnel. In in the based on what for just said that you -- at that spot."

[6:26]" Well it certainly Kirkland and you know about a game plan the citizens of that depends week to week on -- match up with a certain team. You know used to you know Austin and five wide receivers empty formations you know don't -- 25 times wrote so. That's not unprecedented and you know but that -- the match ups -- that the games where we've. You know -- the ball 40 plus times so they know the right now that it's not about any yet that's just about. Guitar players get -- give. -- in the new players -- system which party they -- some of the guys -- you know came here earlier policies and programs -- the -- on support. Is -- I'm familiar with our our system there're there're basic techniques. Understand in the plays and read an adjustment and that won't get in and eat in the training Kampman and even start in the regular season. And that's all start trying to you know packaged things together and you know what what combinations that we want on the field and in what what -- and what maybe what adjustments might be better for certain individual over you know certain -- that place shapes up based on you know district because front. Or another group because -- whether it's on saint team from the previous year whatever but. All that stuff is is to me yet so for now on the road right now before we get and in that we need to really. There's understand what were -- get that down make sure that we can get her but he blocked the protections and and we -- patterns. And get those executed demand an -- built from the."

[7:53]" The coach going back to the draft room where were you surprised that Brady Quinn fell as far as it did -- if he were there at 24. Would you have considered taking him may be now -- trade somebody else."

[8:04]" No we were considered trade net end and I think it was you know obviously else got a great. -- compensation. Calm no weak weak in in this situation weren't we couldn't we couldn't take Brady went without getting into guardiola quarterback for that matter. But I can understand situations and -- to do -- reason reverse and you know when when you take on the -- that the financial commitment there -- it is too much money for about spot and and it just order and the rest your team's -- think that would make good sense from team buildings standpoint. I didn't do a whole lot of work on Brady Quinn they it was a really consideration frozen in the you know we don't think that we would have -- shot at -- 24 and and -- out that you -- point four recently that the 22 because there was Kansas City Sidney Aaron again at that point he is or close enough betrayed into. In at a spot that the taken sure others probably more than offer for dealt when they made the trade Cleveland but. Anyways that now he wasn't a factor."

[9:10]" the acquisition of the receivers this offseason affect toward brown."

[9:14]" Our inspectorate two and the novo. A role on this football tenth after a couple of weeks ago I don't think that -- what he does is this spilled something on that bottom. It is Bible I think that you know -- Will be is that he'll be able you know placed on the team you know now however and work out much -- equipment is that that he brings -- that teams built. Missed a -- contribute --"

[9:41]" reports of the patriots since interest to meriwether well before the draft he was a guy that graduate has been falling down Q -- the -- at the point four spot and as you go -- on from from the beginning."

[9:55]" Well we thought that he would be one of those players we would be considered in there and I know that there was a lot of -- but that's where it was going to go right in the Arctic somewhere between you know 2427 there were no other teams that were at that as -- about the retention in the fall and but. You know the more important thing what with -- just ignore but I wish as a player he's very. -- football guy he's. Spent on punts but it Spellman and knows the game well is versatile player that the little position in the secondary safety and side session nickel. Outside corner. Is that a good job all of that down to -- feet deep safeties so. But the key is a -- some flexibility and versatility in his play in the thing for him again has become men. And learn our system get -- or he's an adjustment are calls that your are different the Miami but. The good thing about him is that he's he's got a lot of experience in in a pro like the -- announcement and it on different things oh open and expect that he'll be handled those responsibilities in Indian uses the speaker instant a couple of system -- be able helpless somewhere back there."

[11:07]" And no concerns reported character issues -- an instance in the past."

[11:13]" Well again we're comfortable bring in or whether on the team a bank that. -- I think that he'll be you know I think you're like a figure like the news on in these football guys works hard at it very smart on the field makes good adjustments. And and football important them. You know we've we've all made a mistake in the test and I'm not trying to. Let anybody else's life -- uses for anybody but I think what we've done evaluated players in the B. On this team going forward and if we didn't feel comfortable those players and we bring on the team."

[11:47]" We've heard it was a choir boy going into the draft that actually Berkman drop them on the second as he thought it was too nice I enjoyed Gary and I I that was a problem for you you dropped out of the second round it's an and they were Kara I don't highest approachable. The tigers did it with the hands. Yeah knows there was there was certain things written but it had a bad time want to keep people ago there were no emotional and that nothing's going on there weren't in -- Jerusalem think the cat that brought up -- fair about him as it was. In arrested and -- was -- that was resolved dog little off -- Nevada right one which it was a national coaches. Rap was the longest fourth round I think in his"

[12:31]" literature was if it was with some of them aren't aren't."

[12:34]" have something to do with. A lot of teams indecisive because there's so many guys clump together really couldn't make a definitive choice."

[12:41]" You ask a question on. I don't know I'd I'd this this'll just one of those -- where it that the opt for the draft there was a lot of movement you know there were a lot of going to jockeying for position and -- I'm not sure that I can explain it all that happens. Sometimes where that and it's kind of come often are too many -- then there are other other days like this weekend where. In like every every team was even if they didn't trade they work you know on pocket and you know he kind of knew they were considered -- Let let the and so. It was it was a long day if that long note."

[13:18]" Because some some -- said. Oh widely draft down off locally toward taking the lynch a little lower but -- could -- want to portray. You know you said that Friday bills that come to pass this you're able to trade for next year with the second pick in the first round."

[13:36]" Well again I think it was it was an and I'm not sure that you really know how it's gonna go until you get into the draft he -- you can. Prepare and at -- about a B you don't really know but I thought that the way this draft went in particular in and the first couple rounds them. That we near pick -- in the lower half of the round it just seemed like you either needed to. Move up and -- to get the player that they get you know because it just didn't seem like you're going to be enough players to make it EU. Or you know get value for the pick and in an arcade not have in the second round pick. Are really never considered trade -- at third because -- what it would left to -- a hole and our draft you know the trade that could move up in the first rounder or something like that now. As it turned out would pick the third round in 91 we felt like it was you know a good value in the trade with Oakland so so that's what we made that but. It you know Cleveland as an example the team that was that was -- the extra picks to move up you know in in each round to try to. You know move up -- are higher with their opinion which is higher quality player. I think that was one way to go markets that are our option was really didn't have that as much of options so we -- at a couple points you know 28 in and it 91 felt like that the -- we could have even other players on the board that we -- you know good players from a plan that we thought there was more value and even those picks and in the next year in and also. Compensation this year."

[15:12]" If -- in both talking about loss of meriwether use that you are comfortable with those guys and I remember we talked about this Friday about character issues you talked about maturity in certain guys maturing. And yet have -- read a lot of seen a lot of television what the national analyst to a claiming that. This has been a change of style now by the New England Patriots from the way that they selected and drafted players. From 34 years ago if you change your style of."

[15:43]" did you do with with what the 20 of the 44 pick in the Olympic again -- another 103 picks 127 was out comments did did you. Opt out of the draft almost couldn't just the deals come along the were too good to pass."

[15:57]" Well we've we you know we certainly commit the -- 28 and and again the decision on that 49ers was -- that we know -- to pick 128. If you think about draft than in in the next year in that same brown. Just if everything goes about average are going to move up about half around and there are certain of the potential that you could move up. You know on higher than Madden and the chances to be drafted lower than 28 and and then next drafters you know. Whatever it is four out of 32 you know -- that you know and 12% chance you know we just felt like -- there was there was. -- value and -- But the -- they -- the trade but the potential or to be a a real good trade you know it. Those teams don't happen to have good years then those traits that well you know that you know were taken in the first there but it's almost the second. Now pick in the and the third there that could be close to second or we could be very hard in the first round potentially not count on. But that that Kabila went all the trade it but it turned out to be. You know minute even a little bit higher in the middle round and I'll be fair so that's that's what we -- that we took on. But you know we felt like the percentages for paper and course that requires that we that taken players that we felt. Felt good about but. We just felt like there's more it went straight."

[17:18]" But generally would have a team like yourself. More complex system you without -- offseason got you know multitude of veterans coming here was that. One of the reason was the draft was softer than you anticipated. All was because that those team players have a acclimated more in the NFL is easier to make an adjustment to what you want them do."

[17:41]" You know Fred to be out with -- when we went in free agency we were just looking to improve the football team. And it wasn't like the with an idea of -- the draft goes there hasn't -- these and it was that. We wouldn't free agencies and track we approve all human and the players that we sign you know we feel like -- that football and then when that process you know was -- that it's over but concluded. In our most recent on -- chance then you go to the drafting that same thing how -- improve our football team now. You know there's -- more important in the seat and then you know folic were you know we don't care but this year we're -- multi year but. As a as a presented itself from the draft -- to spell -- value and the two trade eliminated immediately draft you know an -- sitting here with them with 13 this year and you know three -- in the first round next year and you know feel like we should be continued you know maintain strong. -- personnel on the football team but you know if there's any way we can get a 13 out there this year. And when and then that's going to try to do maple -- at those at some point. You know maybe we've all but you know there are those are still draft was does that make your team better in. That little abuse problem this year -- literate next year trade or whatever but there's there's still things that you know make your team better and relatively short term period and not beat the season you know we hope that it does such."

[19:13]" When you say it's not complete -- there's still a possibility that there are some areas that you could improve on. With guys -- go by other teams."

[19:21]" Well it sure you know you never know what's going to happen -- but I think that you know if you look at our team over the past. You know 67 years that they're always -- additions. You know at this point in June in January and July this year you know say go over you know Testaverde -- guys like that that came along later and now. Later in the process and bank on -- you know at the moment fight for Brian Cox -- Guys like that so it's you know the Ted Washington. You know those those things just you don't know when they're going to come open that there's a chance to improve 13 certainly you know look into the NC on on the you know we feel that whatever the compensation as whether it's draft choices or money or whatever that you know that that that's where the value that we put."

[20:08]" Most of the free eggs have been plucked out of calls along the process -- ago."

[20:14]" It's pretty while not think everybody's pretty well spoken for normally what happened spread as. That they'll be a couple players that somehow horrible kind of falter in the craftsman and you know everybody's sort of these these you know all the names come through in the dust settles we'll open here in the next couple days they'll look but if you players that'll that'll probably end up going to camp where another -- like bam Childress. Was was on a couple years ago that you know didn't come on our team until right before training camp that he would kind of you know split through so culture of the -- couple people like that that -- they everybody has you know over 80 players on the roster at this point and and so you know some of those oil on the property not. I don't camp on and that they would have to based on the draft choices climbing in and things like that so you know they're still little -- juggling going on but you know this weekend was was a big step for every team Italy took the start to close in on. I'll turn camp roster."

[21:12]" The coaches been after reports today from several newspapers that you signed a few rookie free agents malaria mama -- Norton just to mortars at --"

[21:23]" Budget yeah -- you know people we're. When address so you didn't go to those negotiations and and talking the players in the agent -- things going around and sold contracts are actually in and and we got a -- hand then you know really don't count those. In -- count those guys assignment so they're actually -- virtually finally got back though. Some of those reports could come from a you know an agent or somebody who who you know has. -- commitment on the air and but until we actually have that we don't. We don't -- to grow in aren't sure that there are some that in the players' minds our commitment then and it states and in fact they are but. It just all come from aren't -- week. We actually have done and you know it and we note that the --"

[22:09]" bill fascinating weekend say the least everybody obviously yet talkin' about your that you moves this weekend."

[22:15]" While I was depicting glen has that you know aren't -- want to make sure that you don't let some things -- about it hasn't. Disease or conversation -- you know we want to be a part of that I've that was as much as anything with the driving force. I -- the"

[22:31]" so we kinda had always said -- about -- by different by different I -- to -- on the you know on the -- who's we your sort of establish that you know bill and possibly catch a few passes no links gets lo Duca calling it just looks of -- yeah guys -- I've go talk to you gotta run thank you very much."

[22:50]" The cars out get a little bank -- didn't read it enjoy -- the double a lot. It"