Do the Patriots still serve to free agents as an attractive place to play?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Remember years ago when the Pats were at the top of the ladder in the NFL where Free Agents desperately wanted to come in and be signed as a member of the Winning Patriots tradition,even if it meant taking a contract with less money and shorter contract than another team offered?.

Does this team going into 2010 season still possess the 'aura' and 'attractiveness' for top free agents to want to come and play here?

Lets be a bit unbiased here as if to analyze this from a sports writers prospective,not a Patriots homer perspective,O.K.?

 

[DaBruinz]

Remember years ago when the Pats were at the top of the ladder in the NFL where Free Agents desperately wanted to come in and be signed as a member of the Winning Patriots tradition,even if it meant taking a contract with less money and shorter contract than another team offered?.

Does this team going into 2010 season still possess the 'aura' and 'attractiveness' for top free agents to want to come and play here?

Lets be a bit unbiased here as if to analyze this from a sports writers prospective,not a Patriots homer perspective,O.K.?

Please let me know when you find an "unbiased" sports reporter.

 

[satz]

Actually , if you go by history pats have given big contracts to FA. Colvin,AD are good examples of this.

what the pats do is undervalue there own guys .If you are pat and in a bad contract you are pretty much screwed.

you think vince is the one , but i believe not look at mankins too they will tighten the screw and play as much they can and get them to play for cheap.ghost and all the good players will be tenders and they are going to have them all play for cheap. the payroll with all the rfa is going to low .

No cap also means no cap floor

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Please let me know when you find an "unbiased" sports reporter.

I would think Reiss for example has been known to be one to criticize or question the Pats moves lately as well as compliment when its due,He is fair.

I think my question also has to be answered fair' as to what you really feel when it comes to the aura of being a NE Patirot if you are an UFA looking for another team soon.

 

[mgteich]

I've been a fan for only 30 years, and no I do NOT remember when players from other teams wanted to desparately play for the patriots for less money and shorter contracts.

The patriots have always been a friendly place for veterans because the patriots are willing to give old vets and rehabilitating vets a chance. That hasn't changed. Bodden and McGowan were thankful for the opportunity. So were Dillon and Moss.

There will always be players like Ochocinco who would want to be play for Belichick and the patriots if they get a chance. Of course, when Jason Taylor says the same thing, he is flamed on this baord.

Remember years ago when the Pats were at the top of the ladder in the NFL where Free Agents desperately wanted to come in and be signed as a member of the Winning Patriots tradition,even if it meant taking a contract with less money and shorter contract than another team offered?.

Does this team going into 2010 season still possess the 'aura' and 'attractiveness' for top free agents to want to come and play here?

Lets be a bit unbiased here as if to analyze this from a sports writers prospective,not a Patriots homer perspective,O.K.?

 

[pabst37]

At the end of the day it comes down to money. If the Pats are offering free agents the most, they will come here. Guys may want to say they came here to win, but the reality is most of the players go where the most money is being offered - and I'm not saying that's a bad thing. If eqaul money or close to equal is being offered, I'm sure a lot of players would choose the place with the better chance to win, but they're not going to leave a lot of money on the table to come to the Pats. Samuel would still be here if the Pats offered him more than the Eagles and he'd be talking about what a great organization the Pats are. When the Eagles cut him once his salary is to high then he'll sign somewhere else and cry about how the Eagles don't care about the players and his new team does. If the Eagles were any different than the Pats, Dawkins would still be there.

 

[Rob0729]

As long as Brady and Belichick are here, they will have a bit of the aura. That aura has obviously dulled a bit. The Pats aren't "The Team" players want to go to if they want to win a championship, but they still are "A Team" you would want to go to if you want to win a championship.

 

[chevss454]

I just heard on the WEEI Asante Samuel told Wilfork to be prepared to "do what you have to do, because the Patriots don't care about their players". That was upsetting to me. So, I guess the luster is off and it began with spygate. Other teams players seem to have bought into the asterisk beside the Pats superbowl wins.

 

[Rob0729]

I just heard on the WEEI Asante Samuel told Wilfork to be prepared to "do what you have to do, because the Patriots don't care about their players". That was upsetting to me. So, I guess the luster is off and it began with spygate. Other teams players seem to have bought into the asterisk beside the Pats superbowl wins.

Samuel is not indicative of every player in the league. The guy is bitter about how he failed to get a deal here after battling the Pats for one starting two years before he became a free agent. I personally don't think the Pats valued Samuel the way they should have, but that doesn't mean that is how they treat everyone.

 

[chevss454]

Samuel is not indicative of every player in the league. The guy is bitter about how he failed to get a deal here after battling the Pats for one starting two years before he became a free agent. I personally don't think the Pats valued Samuel the way they should have, but that doesn't mean that is how they treat everyone.

I hope you are right that the Pats don't have a negative image around the league...

 

[Rob0729]

I hope you are right that the Pats don't have a negative image around the league...

The Pats have a negative image in some areas of the league. But so do a lot of teams. You know what? Most players are motivated by either money or a proven winning system. Eventhough the Pats' luster as a Super Bowl team has worn off, they are still considered a proven system that knows how to win.

To counter Samuel, I heard Heath Evans on 98.5 this morning and he talked about how devastated he was when he realized that he wouldn't go back to the Pats. He gushed over Belichick and the system he runs. For every Samuel who complains about the Pats and how they treated them, there is a Heath Evans who respects Belichick and his organization and loved his experiences here.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

players, nowadays, are mercenaries and mercenaries go where they get paid. it's pretty simple, nfl mercenaries will go to nfl teams.

 

[Teenuh]

Remember years ago when the Pats were at the top of the ladder in the NFL where Free Agents desperately wanted to come in and be signed as a member of the Winning Patriots tradition,even if it meant taking a contract with less money and shorter contract than another team offered?.

Does this team going into 2010 season still possess the 'aura' and 'attractiveness' for top free agents to want to come and play here?

Lets be a bit unbiased here as if to analyze this from a sports writers prospective,not a Patriots homer perspective,O.K.?

A history of excellence, a spot in the playoffs and a legitimate shot at a superbowl ring every year, arguably the best coach in the league, etc... Yeah, I think its an attractive place for free agents. Especially if its a WR. I mean you have TFB throwing you the ball so its great for your stats.

 

[pats63]

players, nowadays, are mercenaries and mercenaries go where they get paid. it's pretty simple, nfl mercenaries will go to nfl teams.

bottom line you are right....tag and trade big vince

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

Samuel is not indicative of every player in the league. The guy is bitter about how he failed to get a deal here after battling the Pats for one starting two years before he became a free agent. I personally don't think the Pats valued Samuel the way they should have, but that doesn't mean that is how they treat everyone.

You hit the nail on the head. You hear a ton of guys praise how BB and Co. run this organization and how much they loved playing in NE like Junior Seau and plenty of others.

Then you have a few guys who feel they've been wronged by the Pats like Samuel and a few others. I personally like that the Pats are cold-hearted with some of their moves. This is a business and the goal at the end of the day is to win. Yeah sure it's tough to see a guy like Vrabel traded or a guy like Milloy cut, but you have to move on. Nothing lasts forever. That's what I love about BB. He takes his emotions out of the equation when contemplating decisions. He separates his heart and his brain.

I agree the Pats didn't value Samuel the way they should have. And I think Samuel kind of sounds like he wanted to be paid AND stay in NE, but when NE didn't offer him what he felt he was worth, it hurt his "feelings." Seems like he's still bitter two years later. Move on Asante. It was great having you here, but put it in the past.

 

[TriplecHamp]

If your looking for a pay day, recently this has not been the place to come.

 

[Scouse Patriot]

You have to make yourself attractive and in the past the Pats have done so. I still think if the Patriots really want a guy they'll go after him hard.

 

[patsfan-1982]

if the pats pay market value. then yes i don't see why not.



maybe at some spots players would think twice about signing here. like QB a vet thats looking to be a starter would not want to be here. a pass rushing OLB. if you don't fit this system your numbers drop like colvin and AD but if u are a good fit like vrabel and TBC then your numbers will go up



im not saying that colvin and AD don't fit the system but its not built to get sacks. so if your a one trick poney your numbers will drop big time

 

[Mogamedogz]

Money Talks​

 

[captain stone]

Remember years ago when the Pats were at the top of the ladder in the NFL where Free Agents desperately wanted to come and be signed as a member of the Winning Patriots tradition, even if it meant taking a contract with less money and shorter contract than another team offered?

Does this team going into the 2010 season still possess the 'aura' and 'attractiveness' for top free agents to want to come and play here?

Lets be a bit unbiased here as if to analyze this from a sports writer's perspective, not a Patriots homer perspective, O.K.?

The answer to your question is: No.

Whatever Aura this franchise had for convincing FAs to play here for below market value is Gone. We are now 14th-18th on the Preferability list. This means that we now have to over-pay to secure services once secured by simply coming close enough to market value.

If the Word isn't out already, it will be out if Wilfork is franchised and/or allowed to leave without a long-term extension in place. And that Word is: Belichick (and therefore the Krafts) play hardball with rookie contracts, and even after 5 long years of outstanding service above & beyond the compensation, they will not consider re-structuring for the duration of those rookie contracts.

In a sport where passion is a staple for success, this FO has the passion - and esp. the people skills - of a morgue. And who in his right mind wants to play for and in a morgue? Not Today's players.