Lombardi: Pats winners by losing to Ravens

[mayoclinic]

This out from Mike Lombardi at the National Football Post:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Diner-morning-news-Pats-loss-was-a-good-thing.html

According to Lombardi "the Patriots were really winners last weekend in the sense that they need considerable help and they need new players, not just from the draft, but also from free agency. However, final eight teams in an uncapped year are only allowed to replace players they lose to free agency and cannot add any new players. So had the Patriots won the game and lost in the next round, their ability to be proactive in the free agent market would have been hindered. If you can’t win the Super Bowl with your current roster, which clearly the Patriots could not do, then losing in the first round is the place to be. ... This leads us back to the Patriots. By losing, they are now able to fix their team. As of now, they are one of the lowest committed cash teams for 2010 in the NFL. They will be able to spend freely if they chose because their roster is not loaded with many high-priced players. There will be many changes happening in New England, both on and off the field, and losing to the Ravens will force them to realize they need to improve in every area. Humiliating losses have a way of refocusing an organization, and I suspect the Patriots will be very focused, very well prepared and very aggressive this offseason."

I'm not sure I would agree that if you don't make the SB it's best to lose early in the playoffs, but I do agree up to a point. Getting blown out in the WC game should erase any delusions that the Pats are ready to compete with their current coaching staff and roster, and that some significant changes are needed. If this team gets re-focused and makes some of those changes, things could be very interesting next year.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I regard Lombardi was one of the most intelligent men associated with this sport and I agree with his observation 100%

Lets face it... A human has a better chance to live until 150 than the Patriots chances to go to SD and win.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I'm not sure I would agree that if you don't make the SB it's best to lose early in the playoffs,

I think he was referring to THIS year, because of that nice little gift from the CBA.

 

[PowerAlley.com]

Now we know why they got blown out! For the good of the team!
I can step away from the ledge now.


Well if the Pats need to reload, I guess that is one silver lining about the loss.(When you are struggling to find ANY silver lining.)

 

[BelichickFan]

I'm not sure they "win" out of this but the stuff you bolded is certainly interesting.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

if you heard lombardi's interview on 'eei this morning, you know he knows his stuff. much better than listening to those nattering fools on espn. he actually had some insight and knows belichick well. A++ interview.

 

[Boots Electric]

It's the silver lining. I think Lombardi is great by the way. Great mind.

 

[Rob0729]

I have said it before and I will say it again. The Pats are in great shape to approach free agency whether there is a cap or not. Glad that Lombardi backs up my claim. I fully expect them to be one of the more active players. I don't expect many or any teams other than maybe Washington to go crazy with salaries.

 

[QB12]

I'd love to have Lombardi in our front office.

QB12

 

[PatsChamp88]

if you heard lombardi's interview on 'eei this morning, you know he knows his stuff. much better than listening to those nattering fools on espn. he actually had some insight and knows belichick well. A++ interview.

If anyone is interested they have the audio up here's the link http://audio.weei.com/m/28330836/michael-lombardi-national-football-post.htm#q=lombardi

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I have said it before and I will say it again. The Pats are in great shape to approach free agency whether there is a cap or not. Glad that Lombardi backs up my claim.

On that note, should we, as Pats fans, be rooting for the JEST this weekend?

If they win, then they're basically stuck with the draft picks they're left with after trading with Ratgini.

 

[chris66]

This is going to be the first year off BB's tenure where the FO is going to be really scrutinized this off season. To get the faith back the Pats are going to have to hit a couple of home runs in free agency and the draft.

 

[resdubwhite]

On the lowest commited cash teams I guess 45M.

What is the breakdown for
Resigning Mankins, Big Vince, Ghost and Faulk:
Signing FA's:
Draft picks:

 

[Rob0729]

On that note, should we, as Pats fans, be rooting for the JEST this weekend?

If they win, then they're basically stuck with the draft picks they're left with after trading with Ratgini.

Considering neither the Colts or Chargers are ever active free agency players, from a free agent standpoint it would be better for the Jets and Ravens to win. But the differences between the top 8 and the top 4 from my understanding isn't all that significant other than a top 8 team can sign one big time free agent and the top 4 guys can't.

 

[Kontradiction]

I have said it before and I will say it again. The Pats are in great shape to approach free agency whether there is a cap or not. Glad that Lombardi backs up my claim. I fully expect them to be one of the more active players. I don't expect many or any teams other than maybe Washington to go crazy with salaries.

I don't think we'll go "crazy" with salaries either. I do think we'll spend more this offseason than we did in 2007, though. With all of that cap room and an uncapped year looming, the sky is the limit.

 

[furley]

Yeah, Jonathan Kraft made this point on the radio yesterday. Let's hope that the free agents they desire want to sign here.

I think one of the biggest focuses in the off-season should be getting draft picks for this year and/or next year in return for current players. Ideally, the Patriots will be actively aggressive in initiating trade talks for players and with offering their own players such as Moss, Maroney, Thomas and Wheatley.

 

[Lansdowne]

This is going to be the first year off BB's tenure where the FO is going to be really scrutinized this off season. To get the faith back the Pats are going to have to hit a couple of home runs in free agency and the draft.

Especially the draft. I'm sick of seeing the team trade down all the time for draft picks that they'll just trade away anyway.

Look at the Packers... they got Greg Jennings and Clay Matthews from draft picks we had so we could trade down. Could this team have used those two players? Absofreakinglutely!

 

[DarrylS]

Was going to post the EEI interview, when I got home, advise to spend a few minutes listening to it.. he is brighter than most.

 

[Kontradiction]

Yeah, Jonathan Kraft made this point on the radio yesterday. Let's hope that the free agents they desire want to sign here.

I think one of the biggest focuses in the off-season should be getting draft picks for this year and/or next year in return for current players. Ideally, the Patriots will be actively aggressive in initiating trade talks for players and with offering their own players such as Moss, Maroney, Thomas and Wheatley.

Why in the HELL would we offer our best player, Moss, up for trade when he has one year left on his contract?

 

[DarrylS]

Yeah, Jonathan Kraft made this point on the radio yesterday. Let's hope that the free agents they desire want to sign here.

I think one of the biggest focuses in the off-season should be getting draft picks for this year and/or next year in return for current players. Ideally, the Patriots will be actively aggressive in initiating trade talks for players and with offering their own players such as Moss, Maroney, Thomas and Wheatley.

So far you have two first round picks next year, and right now at least a two... you have only one high caliber receiver and you want to trade him for an unknown quantity next year???

Do not think that Maroney, Thomas or Wheatley will get much in return, unless they are part of a package... this is not baseball.