MoLewisrocks

Day late and a dollar short. Or 4 years late and $12M short. If Willie wanted to go out on a winning note, he shoulda sent Bill the appropriate message throughout 2004. Instead he let it be known for some time that he felt underappreciated and would be following RAC to wherever he landed...

I think what Ty and Willie and even Lawyer will find harder to part with than the rush on Sunday or cashing a six figure check every week for 17 weeks is...relevance. None of them have been relevant for some time now. Makes it a lot harder to launch that post football media career. But each had a choice and walked out of the place where their relevance was almost unquestioned to chase something that mattered more to them than legacy and football championships at the time, ego and status as measured by contract $$$. Willie did nothing for RAC or the Browns, on or off the field. Ditto Ty and Herm. Lawyer just got cut by the Pioli clone in Atlanta not because he couldn't necessarily play at all any more but because he's not a positive locker room leadership presence on a team determined to build on rather than rest on recent laurels.

I don't think you will see any of these guys sporting the flying Elvis any time soon unless it's for a one day retirement or as an injury driven 11th hour shadow roster depth move in December. Each brings too little to the table at this stage from a production standpoint and too much baggage to the locker room from a potential for negative influence standpoint. I think Vrable was a victim of similar circumstance. And that's not a knock on what they once brought to the table here as each played a significant role in launching a dynasty. It's just in some way each made a conscious decision to draw a line in the sand when it came to team vs. individual ego.

Willie will never coach here because he had issues with some components of the system. Financially in particular. And he also won't coach here because he can't be relevant or hold court or run his LA music business from that platform. And the hours are longer than any players at a mere fraction of the $$$ so I doubt he will coach anywhere. He mentions his friends here, but they're all players. He doesn't mention Bill.

Tedy or Troy I can see getting into it at some point, although both can likely make more initially in the media and via endorsements. They were guys who were all in and made sacrifices to remain all in because legacy mattered to them.

Jimke

If we can also get Andre Tippett to un-retire, the Pats could use

Willie and Andre as the outside linebackers and move Thomas to

inside linebacker.

State

Are Ty Law and Lawyer Malloy available, too? Think of it. We could have a large contingent of the all-Patriots 1990s defense back on the field.

PatsBoy12

This has got to be one of the most well thought out posts I've seen in a few weeks or longer. I agree with everything you said about Willie Mac and Ty, two players that I still love dearly for what they did while in NE.

I really don't want to see Willie Mac in a Patriots jersey, though. Why get rid of Vrabel to bring him back? It makes no sense from and X's and O's standpoint. He's lost more than a step and is a shell of himself. I really don't think he'll get picked up by anyone and should try to get into the broadcasting game if it isn't too late. He's got charisma and football smarts.

farn

Rather have Willie Andrews back (yikes, can I say that ?).

But... even though I hope he never plays another down for NE, one of my favorite all-time plays was all WMcG ! Goal line - basically home field on the line (even though it was early, everyone knew it) - Indy driving - Willie comes up lame a few plays earlier - BANG. Willie comes around the corner to snag the RB for a loss... and SPRINTS down the field in celebration (not so lame anymore Willie ?). Loved every second of that.

PatsBoy12

Man, you just took me on a trip down memory lane. I remember that play and it brings a smile to my face. I thought the Patriots were going to lose that one. Oh, I remember Law also played like a lame duck a few plays earlier too. The Colts fans were crying foul and saying the Pats used that as a chance to get a breather. I can't in good conscience say that the theory is without merit either.

BB4PRez

Willie can go in on the deep shadow roster. The Pats need to find out how good Woods and/or Crable are. If one or both go down then they can call Willie in week 10 as an emergency option (like they did with Junior). If Willie wants to play the entire season I think he needs to go somewhere else.

Great player and a seemed like good guy. But, age catches up to all of us.

patchick

Smart point. Fading into oblivion before hanging up your cleats can be hazardous to your job prospects. This is especially key for Willie, who has been carefully nurturing a media presence for the past few years. A final tour with the Patriots, and hopefully a final ring, would be an invaluable launching pad for phase 2 of his career.

Not likely, though.

efin98

How is he at analysing games and interviewing people though? Phase 2 would at least require those basic skills if Phase 2 is broadcasting(I assume).

__________________
"As long as we have Belichick, I always think that we're going to be just fine."...Tom Brady, in reference to his coach.

In BB we trust...not just a motto, but a belief.

Fencer

And a sack against Houston that drove them out of FG range in overtime.

And enough postseason sacks overall to set the NFL record.