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

[DaBruinz]

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. (Except they did so with Warren and tried to do so with Givens and Branch.)

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.

How do you know what this Front Offices' people skills are like? You don't. It's just more unadulterated BS on your part.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

How do you know what this Front Offices' people skills are like? You don't. It's just more unadulterated BS on your part.

same ole DB

 

[Ring 6]

same ole DB

He is right though. How could the poster know the personality of the front office.
I guess we should assume that the way BB acts in a press conference when he is purposely trying to say as little as possible is the way the entire organization acts toward players, and for some reason they have been successful despite it?

 

[Ring 6]

I'm not sure the premise is accurate.
I mean how many players can you name that came here for less?
I can think of players at the end of their careers who commented that they'd like to come here for a shot at a ring, some did, like Seau. But I don't think there has ever been a dynamic on any team where top FAs took less to go to a franchise to win. I think the opposite happens, that these guys (and we have heard it from players leaving here) think they are the reason the team that hasn't won will now win.
Typically when an NFL players ego goes away his talent haqs eroded too.

I'd say that if what you suggest did exist, it has waned, but is still there, but I dont think it ever existed.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Seeing as the Final 8 Teams in the Playoffs this year - teams that potentially might be viewed as a "good" spot for players who want a shot at winning the Super Bowl - are facing some significant restrictions on their ability to sign free agents, it could be that this is a BETTER time for the Patriots to secure new free agents.

Fewer teams - especially 8 good ones - involved in Free Agency makes the Patriots potentially THE preferred landingspot, this year more than others.

 

[Disco Volante]

The last 5 years...

Patriots (2005-2009)

Regular Season: 59-21 (.738)
Playoffs: 5-3

AFC Championship
2 AFC Championship Appearances
4 Division Championships
5 Winning Seasons

Implying that the above isn't attractive is just absolutely ridiculous.

You are then being coached by one of the greatest coaches in NFL history and led by the one of the greatest QBs in NFL history.

 

[Rob0729]

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.

Huh?!? The Pats are 14th-18th on the most desirable places to play? Where did you get this information? A team that hasn't won less than 10 games since 2002? A team that has arguably the best coach in football? A team that has arguably the best or second best QB in football? A large market team with usually the max in national games every year (meaning more endorsement dollars on the side)?

The Pats may not be as attractive as a handful of other teams this league, but they are still considered to have the potential of being an elite team as long as Belichick and Brady are arround. You talk to guys like Adam Schefter and other league insiders and they still consider the Pats to be the favorites to win the AFC East next year. Might not happen, but that just shows that people in this league have a lot of faith in Belichick and Brady.

I know you are a troll who just comes on the board to trash the Pats, but please try to have some sense to your posts.

 

[Pessimistic Pete]

Mike Vrabel

I’d go back in a heartbeat. Why wouldn’t I?

Deion Branch

I still love coach Belichick, and if the opportunity presents itself to come back, I would love to be there

Gary Brackett

Q: Would you be willing to join the arch-rival Patriots?
A: Absolutely!

Hope that answers your question.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

How do you know what this Front Offices' people skills are like? You don't. It's just more unadulterated BS on your part.

well, one could argue that the coaching staff today is not as well prepared to sell the team to potential FA's....prior to '04, the pats had a bunch of highly regarded guys who could make the pats case a very convincing one.....now, the only guy they have is BB, and he ain't no snake charmer.......guys like crennel and weis would make it easy

 

[emoney_33]

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?.

umm.... no?

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

How do you make a comment like this and expect to be taken seriously... ever

 

[emoney_33]

well, one could argue that the coaching staff today is not as well prepared to sell the team to potential FA's....prior to '04, the pats had a bunch of highly regarded guys who could make the pats case a very convincing one.....now, the only guy they have is BB, and he ain't no snake charmer.......guys like crennel and weis would make it easy

I miss all those high price free agents we got on the cheap before '04, ahh man those were the days... oh wait, what

Do people care about facts AT ALL? I mean these fairy tales about mythical free agents that used to line up at the doors and beg the patriots to sign them have got to stop.

 

[patsfan-1982]

I miss all those high price free agents we got on the cheap before '04, ahh man those were the days... oh wait, what

Do people care about facts AT ALL? I mean these fairy tales about mythical free agents that used to line up at the doors and beg the patriots to sign them have got to stop.

best post of the day. the pats all was sign guys that no one wanted over the hill players and JAG's they just got the most out of them. and had a great core of players all redy on the team with tom brady,

 

[tanked_as_usual]

I miss all those high price free agents we got on the cheap before '04, ahh man those were the days... oh wait, what

Do people care about facts AT ALL? I mean these fairy tales about mythical free agents that used to line up at the doors and beg the patriots to sign them have got to stop.

did I say 'high priced free agents'? don't be a jagoff 'Mr. factman'

there were plenty of free agents that came here to win and contributed in a big way.........if you are too stupid to figure it out yourself, let me know and I will explain it to you

 

[tanked_as_usual]

best post of the day. the pats all was sign guys that no one wanted over the hill players and JAG's they just got the most out of them. and had a great core of players all redy on the team with tom brady,

ok idiot number 2, nobody said 'high priced free agents'.....do you really want to wallow in stupidity like the previous poster?

 

[emoney_33]

ok idiot number 2, nobody said 'high priced free agents'.....do you really want to wallow in stupidity like the previous poster?

You have about 2 more trollish comments to make before you are perma-ignored. Use them wisely grasshopper.

 

[patsfan-1982]

ok idiot number 2, nobody said 'high priced free agents'.....do you really want to wallow in stupidity like the previous poster?

for starters you have no facts at all your just calling peopel names like a lil boy so when you grow up ill talk to you

 

[tanked_as_usual]

You have about 2 more trollish comments to make before you are perma-ignored. Use them wisely grasshopper.

feel free to ignore........mr hypocrite 'why doesnt anyone use facts when I fail to use them myself'

kiss off.........and don't be a gutless pantless dweeb with threats to ignore.....just do it and be gone

 

[RayClay]

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?.

That never happened, it's all in your mind. Some players have always been about winning or realized going to a winning situation was actually the best move.

Some players have always been about the money.

Sorry.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

for starters you have no facts at all your just calling peopel names like a lil boy so when you grow up ill talk to you

you don't have any facts either, boy........and you're allowing yourself to be led by the nose by someone else who doesn't have any facts

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Reminds me of the time Rodney Harrison was sitting in Al's office in Oakland having smoke blown up his ass by the only team who seemed remotely interested in an aging safety SD had deemed was washed up, and his cell phone rang and it was BB offering him a job coming off our disappointing 9-7 flash in the pan 2002 season... Rodney couldn't get here fast enough and was anticipating being wined and dined like all the heartwarming tales he'd heard about the process. All he got was dinner at Ponderosa and BB's heartfelt assessment that contrary to popular belief he could still play and they were willing to sign him to a backloaded 6 year $16M deal the pundits said he'd never see past year two of to prove it...

The only FA Bill is interested in signing are the ones who are just looking for a place to prove they can bring something to the table and are driven to help a team win. If you ask me we've attracted too may FA in the last couple of seasons who are looking for a team to make them look good in the process of winning.