John Clayton’s Schooled: Drew Bledsoe on what Pete Carroll learned as Patriots coach
Oct 6, 2016, 12:18 PM
In his three years coaching New England, Pete Carroll's quarterback was Drew Bledsoe. (AP)
(AP)
Pete Carroll is now in his seventh season as Seahawks coach, long enough that it’s easy to forget that this isn’t his first go-round in the NFL.
Carroll spent one year with the New York Jets in 1994 and then three years coaching the Patriots from 1997 through 1999. His quarterback during that time in New England was former Washington State Cougars great Drew Bledsoe, who just so happens to be the guest on the latest episode of John Clayton’s Schooled podcast.
While talking about his experience being coached by Carroll, Bledsoe pointed out something he believes Carroll learned from his stint with the Pats.
“Pete was an outstanding coach for us in New England. The big thing that happened when Pete came … (is) we ended up with a whole bunch of draft picks,” Bledsoe said. “We had multiple first-rounders, multiple second-rounders over those next two or three years. And I remember saying, when people were asking whether we can turn this thing into a dynasty, I remember saying, ‘It’s gonna depend on how these draft picks pan out.'”
By and large, they didn’t pan out, and it’s easy to see how that experience has influenced Carroll’s tenure in Seattle, where he has a famously close (and successful) relationship with general manager John Schneider.
“I think more than anything, that was the story of Pete’s run in New England, is that we just didn’t draft very well. You can see when he got his next shot in the NFL in Seattle, he made sure that he had control of the roster,” Bledsoe said. “That’s one thing that I think he learned in New England, is that he had to have control of the roster, and because of that you’ve seen the Seahawks continue to replace guys and put together a really strong roster year after year.”
You can hear the entire episode of Schooled with Bledsoe, covering topics including the early end to his playing career and what could have been had he stayed in New England longer with Carroll’s successor Bill Belichick, at this link. You can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play or anywhere else podcasts are available.
