From the sports guy..... The truth.... - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

***DarrylS*** · 12-23-2006, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richpats

The only other alternative would have been to let Branch run his holdout until Week 10 and then show up for the last 6 games + playoffs... I'm sure it would have done wonders for the locker room.

In truth the only party that comes off looking 'dumb' is the Seattle Seahawks. They gave up a 1st-rounder and a mega-contract for essentially a #2 receiver (in their system) whose production is on par with Joe Jurevicius' of 2005 - who happened to sign a deal worth half as much with Cleveland.

There is another choice, negotiate with him and throw out the '06 year of the contract, which would have gone against the philosophy of the club and gotten squarely up the butt of the other 52 guys in the locker room..btw, anyone check how incredibly well that Deion is doing in Seattle?? Seattle would have been better off spending their money on Hutchinson, than spending that much cash on their #3 receiver.

This horse has been beaten to death at least 29 times on this board.

belichickaholic · 12-23-2006, 10:17 AM

If they don't have the horses, how did they manage to get to 10-4 this year?
They'll probably finish 12-4, but I guess that's not good enough for you.

10-4, jeez louise, get a grip!! Anything can happen in the playoffs.

RayClay · 12-23-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcus

Going into December with 8 million dollars in cap space, below average receivers and a 60 million dollar quarterback is dumb...

I am sure that even BB/SP would admit that they did not play their hand well this year

Before everyone on this board uses the old knee jerk reflex of denial...ask yourself if there is any truth to this statement

We need one receiver to step up to be solid at every position.

The Colts need to find a whole defense by the playoffs.

Given theres a salary cap, I'll take our situation.

Playoff bound for the 5th time in 6 years!

RayClay · 12-23-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcus

Going into December with 8 million dollars in cap space, below average receivers and a 60 million dollar quarterback is dumb...

I am sure that even BB/SP would admit that they did not play their hand well this year

Before everyone on this board uses the old knee jerk reflex of denial...ask yourself if there is any truth to this statement

Are you saying the 8-7 Seahawks made a smarter deal?

sarge · 12-23-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJAJ15

Seattle would have been better off spending their money on Hutchinson, than spending that much cash on their #3 receiver.

Looking at the stats on NFL.com, it shows Branch as the second most productive receiver, not third.

Am I missing something?

RayClay · 12-23-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarge

I'm wondering what it's going to be like when Darrel Jackson is ready to sign his next contract.

Stat wise, he is clearly above Branch.

I would be curios to see how Branch would do without Jackson lined up on the other side. Part of me thinks Jackson is drawing the double coverage helping Branch's numbers. but the other argument would be he is taking receptions from Branch.

Regardless, Branch is paid like he is one of the best receivers in the league when in reality, he is not even the best receiver on his own team!

So I am real curious to see what happens with Jackson after this season.

Plus they have Burleson at 49 milllion for 7 years and they only use him on special teams.

We really need to emulate them.

RayClay · 12-23-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodgey

The original post is dead on. Add to that the fact we are getting almost no production from our draft class. I posted about a year ago how I felt our window to win was now, and would continue to shrink. I think they blew an opportunity at another superbowl run.

Now to repond to the above post. Denver was in the exact same position as we were. They choose to protect themselves and sign J. Walker. We could have done that as well. Would we be a better team with a Walker or Stallworth for Brady to throw to? The front office should have anticipated this possibility and acted. We better just hope our FA's are not still as coveted as in prior years or our window will shrink even further.

Evidence? We continue to add more young talented players and have double picks in most rounds including #1.

Is our quarterback ready to retire?

You guys just like windows, cause you're always looking to jump out one at the first sign of trouble.

Pats726 · 12-23-2006, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoLewisrocks

The Patriots have another week to find ways to use that money - and it's closer to $6M by all reports - by either extending other players who are scheduled to become FA or by adding LTBE incentives into some reworked deals.

Mo..is it only a week OR does it go into the new year??? I always have thought that it was more in Feb..and that many do not understand that...I of course stand corrected if wrong...I also afree that they tried to sign a few and were rebuffed n that..BUT many miss those actions. Also many forget so easily the CBA extension and how that affected the Patriots and their thinking..Do you not think they would have played their gand differenty if the CBA hadn't been up and an issue in March?? I think it would have been different..

JR4 · 12-23-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsfaninpa

For the last time. D.Branch had a signed contract with the New England Patriots for the 2006 season. Had he lived up to his commitment this team didn't need a wr this year. When entering the draft/free agency season, a GM/Coach's don't assume a player will hold out. They look to fill the other holes. That's why we drafted CJ and signed Caldwell. For the 2/3 slots.
Direct your criticism at Deion. He chose not to play here. I'm pissed at him not our front office.

Absolutely correct but they should have done something when Branch
held out early in the year. If they just said out he won't really
hold out of the season ... that was wrong thinking. But hind sight is a nice
thing. Deion was such a nice guy .. who thought he would be the traitor he
is.
One problem was ... they really couldn't committ to another WR
as long as Brach was a possibility ... unless they just decided to let him go.
Branch really put this team in a big bind. He's on my doo doo list.

spacecrime · 12-23-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayClay

Are you saying the 8-7 Seahawks made a smarter deal?

Kindly do not introduce facts into a BB-bashing thread. Comparing the 8-7 Hawks with the 10-4 Pats. Tsk, tsk. Next you'll be pointing out that the difference will be even greater next year as we have two first round picks and they have none.