deeds

Just got home and saw this weeks, June 16th issue of TSN sitting on the counter. I grab it and glance at the cover. Under the big "Sporting News" across the front cover is the following:

"The Ultimate NFL OFFSEASON REPORT CARD"

Great I think, i quickly go to page 22 and find the the teams are grade from A+ - D. There was one with a F rating... Anyone care to guess who? Yup, thats right, the Patriots are the only team in the entire NFL with an F grade for offseason moves.

This doesn't really bother me, but I just can't understand why year after year, this team gets ZERO respect. Anyway, on to the article...

Two teams with A ratings, the Dolphins and Lions. The quote for the Dolphins: "Culpepper, who will likely be the Dolphins best QB since Dan Marino... more important, the volume of serviceable newcomers-guys such as tackle L.J. Shelton, LB Keith Newman and CB Will Allen-gives coach Saban a much deeper roster" I guess the Dolphins will be everyone's fashionable pick this year!

The Bills and Jets got B- grades:

Jets.... "They forfeited quality, Abraham, Mawae and Fabini and gained quality (at least seven players likely to make contributions)"

Bills... "They lost experience by letting Milloy. Moulds and Sam Adamsgo. But they got a good DT in Tripplett and wrapped up arguably the best player on the team, CB Clements with the franchise tag.

PATS F

"BB and Pioli have long since proved their ability to find replacement parts, but this is starting to look like a dismantling. The offense lost WR Givens and Ashworth, the defense lost LB McGinest and Starks and kicker Vinatieri and returner Tim Dwight. Besides wide receiver Caldwell who is expected to start, the Pats have little to show on the other side of the ledger"

Let me pick myself off the floor, i've been overcome by laughter!

Ok, the Dolphins picked up Culpepper, who has never one a thing, they will be everyones team on the rise pick...big deal...

The Jets lost and ALL-PRO DL and leaders in Mawae and Fabini... They also turned over their coaching staff. They may have picked up a few servicable players but, I don't see any game changers do you?

In my opinion, the Bills should have been graded with an F. They have huge holes and the best they did was pick up Tripplett. Also, this guy gives them credit for resigning their own player. How come there was no mention of Seymour's deal or the potential impact of Rodney's return.

As far as the Pats are concerned, they loss players every year. I love the players they lost (Starks should not be mentioned here, I think this is a classic case of addtion by subtraction). Good luck to Willie, David and Adam. They got their paydays and it's time to move on. Sure the Pats have some questions to answer but they still have young and deep OL's and DL's, and drafted players with tremendous upside...

I just don't get it!

Kdo5

These guys dont seem to understand...so long as we have a team full of solid players, smart and solid players all around we are easily SB contenders. We have some big stars still like Brady, Dillon, Bruschi, Vrabel, Seymour and Harrison. We have a VERY solid depth at Cornerback. Our real concern is WR. Thats it.

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-Art Shell
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BelichickFan

I think it's 50-50 that our WR will be better this year. We'll be lucky for Caldwell or Jackson to equal Givens (although I think it could happen) but the other one will almost certainly be better than Andre Davis. 1-3 I think we'll be as good as last yer and very possibly better.

zippo59

I agree that they WR is the main area, where 1 or 2 vets should be added. However LB might be another area too, but this all depends on how Beisel, Alexander, Banta-Cain, and Claridge are playing, which is only known inside the organization. If these guys are playing well, and are ready to move in then LB is a non issue.

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"What Tom Brady just did gives me goose bumps."-John Madden after final drive in SB 36


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Unofficial Kevin Faulk supporter.

BelichickFan

We have 4 locks in Branch, Jackson, Caldwell and Brown. That leaves one spot for a developmental guy like Bam or vet like Patten (if he's released). We could use one guy but that's it.

zippo59

I agree but we always want to bring extra bodies to camp. I think they should bring to vets but likely only sign one.

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"What Tom Brady just did gives me goose bumps."-John Madden after final drive in SB 36


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Unofficial Kevin Faulk supporter.

Lloyd_Christmas

If this guy is NOT looking at the draft and ONLY looking at FA moves and losses, I can understand why the Pats wouldn't receive a high grade.... although an 'F' is still ridiculous.

We lost 3 players that really count... Givens, McGinest, and Vinatieri.

He is an idiot for even mentioning Starks. He fails to mention Warfield, T.Jones, and Mitchell. He gives other teams credit for resigning their players but ignores that we retained and extended key players.

He also fails to mention that we had a ton of injuries last year and those players will be back.

In short, he is a lazy sports writer.

HEY BRO! WHAT UP?

Me neither. An F? Worse than the niners? I'll have to check that out. Funny thing is, Chad Jackson will be better than Givens. Vinateri has been wanting to leave for awhile, so that was inevitable. I love Willie but having Vrabel and Colvin on the outside, we will be fine. Losing Ashworth? Who cares? Strarks? Just shows these guys don't have a clue...

All I have to say is between Jackson and Maroney who will be the rookie of the year?

MrTibbs

The Patriots spread the ball around too much for one player to have that "huge" season. With that considered I think they all will contribute mightily this season at one point or another.

scott99

"We lost 3 players that really count... Givens, McGinest, and Vinatieri."

I think this sums it all up as far as getting an "F". Though I don't think an "F" is deserved, there is now way we deserve to be in the top as far as offseason moves. Though Givens was a 7th round pick, he turned into an excellent #2 receiver with toughness, blocking ability, and was clutch. McGinest was possibly, besides Brady, the main leader of the team. Though he is now 34, he has shown that he has become better with age. He is at an age where he should start to deteriorate, and who knows if he will, but he will be tough to replace. Vinatieri, most likely the most clutch kicker of all time, though never known for a booming leg, his stats are still pretty good, I believe he missed only 2 field goals from 40+ last year.

As a Pats fanatic, I am hoping that Caldwell, Banta-Cain & Gostkowski are able to step up and replace these guys without missing a beat, but there are no guarantees. I know that a lot of Pats fans will be pissed if/when Gostkowski misses his first clutch kick attempt.