Pats726

http://www.patsfans.com/12th/2003/st...?story_id=5990
I really wonder if it is THAT different an approacj OR...did things happen that came together unlike other years??

JoeSixPat

There's always the feeling that no matter who is on the roster, with the core of this team (Brady, BB and a defense that finds a way to make the big play) the team will make it to the playoffs and overachieve to have a great shot at winning the SB.

Last year's team showed just how true that was, demonstrating that even a very flawed team playing with one WR tied behind its back, it could still contend in a big way.

With the cap space and players BB liked available this year - and those players agreeing to come here, BB sees no reason to have guys who need to over-achieve.

This team simply needs to stay healthy and perform to reasonable expectations. If all goes well we'll not need dramatic last minute drives or magical defensive plays to win games.

With this team, BB has adjusted his personnel philosophy to match the realities of the newly available CBA monies.

Just as he showed he could win SBs on a bargain before, he'll show how proper cap management and available funds can truly be put to work to allow a team to dominate in this day and age.

Yes - it's different. It's a different era of football with the new CBA and BB is prepared to dominate it.

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RayClay

The Pats have tried to fill needs as they arise and found it doesn't work. Either you overpay for A 50% success rate like the skins, or you go low risk like the Pats and hit the lottery in 2001, but years of Biesel, Hayes and Steve Martins after that.

We're in the middle of a 2 year offense rebuild and A.D. is the center of the new D, hopefully. they almost squeaked by with TBC and Junior, but they saved their cash and picks for an all out assault this year.

They probably thought they could keep the receivers and Adam last year, so it came down to plan or panic.

I think they got a gem in Gaffney, but the main thing is they didn't make a high dollar mistake that will kill them.

I guarantee, if you just buy what you need when you need it, you'll pay 50% more than someone who shops sales and seasons.

The Patriots are prepared and focused to build the future SB teams.

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Pats726

How has he adjusted HIS philosophy??? I think it is all the same..looking for players of value..whether on day one (like this year) or in day 25-30 (more like last year)...whether they have little money to spend (some past years) or a boatload of money..(this year) whether there are many free agents they like (this year) or very few (last year)...same philosophy...

Pats726

In those years afterwords..they won 2 Superbowls..had TONS of injuries in two others and came darn close in one of them. I think they have tried to look ahead, but it's hard when there are wild cards thrown in..ala Bruschi's stroke, TJ's retirement, Branch's holdout...KIND of impossible to predict those..
Saved theit cash because there were no free agents they wished to spend money on..Is that unreasonable?? I don't think they saved it to go all out this year BEFORE things did not work out last year..They had money for Branch and Law..no go on both..and THEN wished to do their best last year with what they had and looked ahead.
I know they thought Branch was going to stay and did their best for that...NOT making a move until Branch had clearly pushed the team to the limit with bad faith.
yes..they are moving ahead NO doubt on that...

JoeSixPat

In the past, players of "value" were usually found after the free agent feeding frenzy. With a few exceptions (Colvin for one) the Patriots were content to let the initial big name big money contracts be done with, then would come in and sign decent or misused veterans for relative bargain money.

With so much new CBA money, last year showed that such a high volume of players were signed in the initial few days that there were limited quality bargains to be found by waiting.

The lesson from last year was that if you have the money, be agressive early - and the Patriots were definately that.

Now no one can say whether this is or is not a trend - but until the salaries catch up with the new cap money I think more teams than usual are going to continue to have a lot of cap space than they would under the old CBA system.

So yes - in part to the available money, in part to the knowledge that the there are fewer value players available after the initial feeding frenzy, BB adjusted his philosophy this year.

If you doubt that, answer this question. Let's assume the Patriots - like some teams as of now - had not made ANY free agency moves as of yet.

Who, among the remaining available free agents now, would you be very excited to see the Patriots sign, proclaiming them great value veterans to help the team? Look at who is available now - and who would you sign under the hypothetical situation that BB had made none of the moves he had as of now, biding his time to get the remaining "bargains" still out there.

Who do you sign - and do they really offer as much "value" even with the lower price tags as the guys we actually got?

My point is, unlike pre-new-CBA money years, the remaining free agents aren't anything to get too excited about anymore. That didn't used to be the case, and BB found lots of quality bargain veterans - but things are different now and so too is BB's approach.

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mtbykr

I remember hearing a inteview with BB on WEEI where he said that this year was no different in their approach. What was different is that the FA that they went after wanted to play here for the money the pats were offering....where that wasn't true in the past! (except mabey 03 with rosie and rodney)

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"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits". - Albert Einstein

RayClay

Last year a lot of new moneyt was chasing some really average players.

Apparently, some of the wild spenders blew their wad and even though there were still teams with money, the selection of free agents was better and the Pats were really focused.

It's just shopping. If you bring a list and wait til things go on sale you will prosper.

When the deals not good, the pats go for the low cost option and wait. Often the low cost option is as good as the high priced one.

You'll never convince me Branch and Givens are worth 8-9 mil a year more than Caldwell and gaffney.

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PatsFanInVa

Do you really think AD is being groomed as the center of the D? You don't build the center from a peripheral playmaker... my point being that playing from the edge, he can sack the QB, and he obviously has physical tools to make plays in the run game, but not be THE run-plug. Isn't that the other anchor you need? Or do you truly think BB is planning to rebuild that D around AD as he built around LT w/the Giants?

Either way I agree AD is a great pickup, on a par with the Colvin pickup. I just don't think he's a "centerpiece" player.

PFnV

RayClay

I mean like a Lawrence Taylor or Willie Mcginest. Perhaps the center isn't the right word. I was looking for someone who we would "build around".

I think he fits that. He'll be the biggest playmaker, I think.

I don't think we go for the big physical talent at other positions. I think we go for smarts and experience.

He'll be allowed to freelance more. Of course whoever replaces Bruschi and Rodney will be the "center in another way.

I don't think we really disagree, we're talking more shades of meaning.

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