Second thoughts on a QB
In that round, Lauletta is Pats’ kind of pick
It has become the pick that makes so much sense, the projection borders on cliche at this point.
As the Patriots search for their Tom Brady successor at quarterback, Richmond’s Kyle Lauletta keeps popping up, and it’s not some coincidence. The resemblance to Jimmy Garoppolo is striking.
Like Garoppolo, Lauletta played at the FCS level. Like Garoppolo, Lauletta is seen as a second-round pick rather than a first-rounder. And, like Garoppolo, Lauletta sports the short- and intermediate-range accuracy that is so effective in the Patriots’ offense.
On top of everything else, Lauletta contemplated playing lacrosse, Bill Belichick’s pet sport, in college. Lauletta’s uncle, Lance, played lacrosse at Bucknell in the 1970s. His father, Joe, played football at Navy in the 1980s under Belichick’s father, Steve.
But if you’re going to look at Lauletta the prospect, there are more aspects of his game to like than simply Garoppolo comparisons and family connections.
As his coach at Richmond, Russ Huesman, notes, Lauletta played under four offensive coordinators there and his play remained consistent. As a senior, he completed 281of-433 passes (64.9 percent) for 3,737 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
“Our staff, this is our first year, and he had been through, this was going to be his fourth coordinator,” Huesman said. “He was graduating. He very easily could have been a grad school guy (transfer to an FBS program) and went just about anywhere he wanted to go. He never left Richmond because of his teammates and the university. If I can say anything, that’s the No. 1.”
In his final year, Lauletta ran the spread offense, which, maybe five years ago, would have been seen as a detriment coming into the NFL. However, most offenses are now shotgun-based, and, after all, it wasn’t the only offense Lauletta ran in college.
“Kyle can read defenses. Kyle can get it to the right people. Kyle can get us in the right protections,” Huesman said. “All the things he probably needs in the NFL, he’s had that in college. He’s been through four offensive coordinators and pretty good ones, guys that are good offensive minds. He’s been through a lot of different offenses and picked them all up.”
Another plus, according to Huesman, is the quarterback’s presence.
“He can feel people but he never panics. I’ve never seen him panic in the pocket,” Huesman said. “He really has a good feel for how to move in the pocket.”
Huesman also lauded Lauletta’s leadership.
“He’s a football kid, no question about that,” Huesman said. “Loves to study the game. Loves to watch film. Brings other people to watch film. He’s in there running the show with them in the evening time when he brings his receivers in on their own. He’s running it. He’s that kind of leader. He loves ball. He loves every aspect of it.”
The major knock on Lauletta is his arm strength. He simply does not have the pop in his throws that some quarterbacks in this year’s class possess.
“I think he throws a fantastic ball. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him throw a wobbly ball,” Huesman said. “Everything comes out of his hand really tight spiral. He can do it. I think probably the only knock is does he have a powerful arm. His arm strength is good enough from what I hear out there, but it’s not going to knock you off your seat there.”