Bostonian1962

I sure hope Bedard never leaves town. Another great Patriot's article by him:

In free agency, Patriots prefer to pick their spots - The Boston Globe

jmt57

A lot of interesting points in the article besides the primary portion on the Pats approach to free agency - including this, for example:

The NFL’s decision to take away $36 million in salary cap space from the Redskins and $10 million from the Cowboys (the Saints and Raiders were also slapped on the wrist) just a day before free agency was startling and questionable.

League sources said the “fines’’ - which could be split over the next two seasons - were penalties for violating a league directive not to use the 2010 uncapped year to gain a competitive advantage by spending lavishly when there was no cap.

The league thought those two teams were blatant about it and it took the matter seriously enough that it considered taking away draft picks, but commissioner Roger Goodell ultimately decided against that.

But it sure seems that the decision to penalize the four teams was in violation of the previous collective bargaining agreement that set up the rules - basically there were no rules - for the uncapped year.

The NFL came to a gentleman’s agreement not to dump contracts, even though it technically could.

Sure sounds like collusion to us, and something the Players Association would have a problem with. ...

Triumph

Bedard is nuts if he believes that McCourty, Dowling, Arrington and Moore are a solid CB group on paper. They were part of the 32nd ranked pass defense in the NFL.

Did he just not watch Baltimore drive on the Pats in the AFCC and give away the game? He must have missed the SB too.

titletownpats

I agree defense needs to improve, but they only let up 19 points in the SB

patfanken

I think I'd be a very happy man if Bedard and Reiss were the only 2 guys who were allowed to write about the Pats. These guys don't chase the latest speculation, or if they can't find it, make it up. These guys give us the facts and when they have opinions they base them on the facts. I might not always agree with their OP's but I usually find them legit.

Right now they are SO far above the rest of their cohorts, it isn't even funny. Seriously its NOT funny....in fact its very sad.

patfanken

Cmon T, Don't you think that not having a legitimate starting S in the backfield for half the season might have had some effect. Don't you think that not have their 2 best interior pass rushers for the entire season might have had an effect.

....AND, btw... it was the 31st ranked pass defense. It was the star studded, much healthier , 15-1 Packers who were 32nd. Dowling McCourty, Arrington, Moore plus Steven Gilmore (I can hope can't I) would be a great group. And much more effective once we get the Safety position straightened out.

Big-T

Only in yards.

In terms of points they were middle of the pack and up near the top in turnovers.

Triumph

Yes, but yards = Brady sitting on the bench because the Pats pass defense cant make a stop. Yards do matter and thats the strategy for all teams facing the Pats now. Keep Brady on the sideline and he cant score. Buffalo and Pitt used that scheme to perfection.

If Brandon Jacobs stops at the 1 yard line in the SB, there is almost no time for a Pats comeback drive.

mgteich

The safety situation was a much greater contributor to secondary problems than the cornerback situation. Dowling wasn't there in 2011. He should be a major plus. Moore wasn't only there part of the time and should improve in 2012.

However, I would have corner as one of our high draft priorities. We almost always need more.

Triumph

I really wish that Safety and pass rush was the only problem with the D backfield.

They have CB issues. We dont know which McCourty will show up this season and Dowling is an unknown. They have to address this in the draft and theres no guarantee there either.