MassPats38

How much did the Pats leverage themselves with those moves? They didn't. The "Patriots Way" is more about the potential that a particular player can be taught the system, or rather NFL intelligence rather than some supreme humanitarian characteristic. Neither of those players are historically stupid. They just did not fit this system. In a sport of violence, not everyone will be winning awards for peace.

And news flash - the Pats are "win now" every year, and have been competing for titles since Belichick showed up. That is the standard. In terms of contracts, "win now" means a contract that acts to the detriment of future player contracts. Not the case with Ocho, Haynesworth, Dennard or Talib. If Talib pans out, awesome. If not he will be cut next week.

AndyJohnson

I don't either, he just has some kind of agenda in this story. And that's fine, he isn't expected to be perfect.

NYCPatsFan

Ochocino had a bad rep when we signed him?

JMC00

Was literally pouting about it on Sports Sunday

ChoWZa

I completely disagree with this entire article. There is simply two outcomes of the Talib trade, he either makes the defense and the team better, or he does not. Corey Dillon? Super Bowl. Randy Moss Super Bowl appearance. So whats his point? The Patriots are continuing making trades that put them in contention for super bowls, yeah that doesn't make any rational sense.

Signing a player is more like leasing a car than it is marrying someone into your family. When I lease a car if I don't like it I can trade it in. I can hand it in at the end of the lease. I can buy it at the end of the lease. It's not like someone marrying into your family who whether you like him or not, he's there for good.

And I'm sorry but football is a job like any other, you either get results or you don't. There's also a difference between being accused and being convicted. This guy definitely has an agenda. When other players are complaining or you see Talib fighting with teammates on the news, or on the field, then you can write a trash piece like this.

ausbacker

Every player the Patriots acquire is supposed to help them win the Superbowl. That's the whole point of roster turnover and player up-skilling! Who would have thought...

PATSYLICIOUS

Not going to lie, Talib's character issues do concern me somewhat. But like others pointed out there is no change in philosophy here and if we're in a win-at-all-costs mode right now, we've always been in that mode. When we've had an opportunity to acquire a talent at a bargain price, with a low risk and high potential reward to it, we've tended to go after them. ESPECIALLY in an area of need. That's what Talib is nothing more nothing less.

__________________
Organized madness
The young Gott-stra
Young Frank Sinatra

Deus Irae

Just a note: when I pointed this tendency about Bedard out in the past, most recently in the context of McCourty analysis, you tried turning it around on me. Welcome to the dark side.

__________________
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

Bobs My Uncle

I think Bedard was either drunk or high when he penned this article.

letekro

Weird article. He is trying (i think) to point out the hypocrisy among fans who harp on the the Patriots' focus on character and the purported "Patriot Way" and then look the other way when questionable characters are brought in. Whatever the fans might think, BB has made it pretty clear from day 1 that his m.o. is not assembling a bunch of choirboys, but "improving the football team". I don't see how you can argue that Talib doesn't do that.