Like most people, I always hate when I’m forced to bet against what has proven time and time again to be a sure thing. Honestly though, when I logged onto ESPN today and saw that Boston College linebacker and undrafted free agent Mark Herzlich had signed with the Giants, I was very upset.
Let me make one thing clear. My “betting against a sure thing” isn’t in reference to me betting against Herzlich. In fact, this column will be exactly the opposite. Who I am questioning (hold on to your hats) is Bill Belichick.
Herzlich, as I’m sure everyone is aware, was diagnosed with cancer after a 2008 season that saw him emerge as one of, if not the best all-around linebacker in the NCAA. After having to sit out the 2009 season for treatment, he shocked the world and returned to play the 2010 season, albeit understandably slower.
While his production slipped from his All-American season, most observers were surprised when he went undrafted. The thought was that he would be one of the most sought after UDFA’s once the lockout ended.
Throw in the Patriots. One of the worst linebacker groups in the league, and for the last couple years, save Jerod Mayo at middle linebacker, the team has been a carousel of names at the linebacker position. It seemed like a match made in heaven.
Herzlich (in his prime) was an absolute monster at Boston College. With 110 tackles, he obviously had a nose for the ball carrier, but what was most impressive about him was his ability to drop into coverage. At 6-4, he had the size to match up with tight ends, but he also had the quickness to cover running backs out of the backfield, as shown by his six interceptions in 2008, returning two for touchdowns. In addition, he had two sacks and two forced fumbles. A playmaker before cancer, he was able to return and still cause chaos, even while recovering his strength. He returned in 2010 and still had a very respectable four interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Now let me pose the question: why wouldn’t the Patriots do everything they could to sign him? It almost makes too much sense.
The Pats’ defensive scheme puts a lot of pressure on the linebackers to make smart, quick decisions. Herzlich is known for his study habits as well as being a very smart linebacker.
The Patriots current crop of outside linebackers consists of: rookie Markell Carter, Jermaine Cunningham, Dane Fletcher, Rob Ninkovich, Tracy White, and…no wait, that’s it. To make matters worse, they just released the only linebacker with a history of being a pass rusher, Tully Banta-Cain.
As an undrafted free agent, Herzlich clearly wasn’t looking to break the bank with his rookie salary. This may be the largest “low-risk, high-reward” signing in the history of sports. Unfortunately, if he doesn’t come back to full strength, you’re talking about a player making a minimum salary. But if he does, you’re talking about the 2008 ACC defensive player of the year and finalist for the Butkus Award, which isgiven to the nation’s top linebacker. He had star potential and at even 80% of what he was, would be a valuable addition to any team. Like I said, little to no risk, very high reward.
Another factor that bothers me about this is that rosters are expanded to 90 players for preseason. 90 players! Are you telling me the Patriots are going to find many players they feel have more potential than Herzlich to fill out the now expanded roster? I don’t think so.
Possibly the most overlooked and upsetting fact about this whole thing is his battle with cancer and the connection between the Patriots and cancer. As everyone knows, the NFL lost a wonderful woman in the recently deceased Myra Kraft. Kraft died after a long battle with cancer. Clearly after that loss, the team has a soft spot for anything cancer related. Would it not make sense to sign a player that is trying to battle back from cancer? Especially from a P.R. standpoint, can you imagine the stories that would come out and the good publicity the team would get? Obviously it doesn’t make up for the loss of Kraft, but knowing how good-natured and generous Kraft was in her time, doesn’t it make sense that she would at least want something good to come from her passing like giving a player with cancer a chance?
Like I said in the beginning, it’s tough to question the decisions Belichick makes. This one however, I do question. Obviously I don’t know the behind the scenes information. Perhaps Herzlich just really wanted to play for the Giants. Who knows? Going to school at Boston College though, it’s tough to imagine that he wasn’t at least a little bit of a Patriots fan. And with the list of great linebackers past and present to don the Patriots colors under Belichick’s tutelage, (Teddy Bruschi, Ted Johnson, Willie McGinest, Jerod Mayo) it would have also been a good career move.
I just don’t get it.
Going to the Giants will make it difficult to root for him for obvious reasons, but I speak for all fans of New England areas sports when I say I wish him the best.
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