How does it all look now?

[3 to be 4]

Everyone was on Belichick and Pioli for letting Branch, Givens, McGinest and Vinatieri walk.
Reche Caldwell, Jabar Gaffney, Stephen Gostkowski, Adailus Thomas, Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, Kyle Brady, and Sam Morris later it doesnt look too bad one bit.

 

[jman924]

Everyone was on Belichick and Pioli for letting Branch, Givens, McGinest and Vinatieri walk.
Reche Caldwell, Jabar Gaffney, Stephen Gostkowski, Adailus Thomas, Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, Kyle Brady, and Sam Morris later it doesnt look too bad one bit.

What people forget is that players get old and Dynasties die. After years of continued dominance, those awesome teams just fade away.
What we've done is take some down time the last 2 years, while still being in the mix at the end. And now we have reloaded.

RIP-The teams in the way.:rocker:

 

[pats63]

We are looking real good....We have a few more pieces left in the puzzle...This is gooding to be a very interesting year coming up....We are definetly retooling no doubt about it...

 

[Kdo5]

Where are the guys like Mikey who wouldnt give Beoli a break last offseason?

 

[Crowpointer]

It looks awesome !! But then again I drank the Koolaid a long time ago and it always looks awesome.

 

[broadwayjoe]

I am pumped for the draft now and very proud of the moves that have been made in Free Agency any more moves would be icing on the cake.

 

[Patriot Missile]

It looks awesome !! But then again I drank the Koolaid a long time ago and it always looks awesome.

Same here. Except the Kool-Aid has got a little added punch this year.

 

[homerpatsfan]

We all dont get on BB & SP after all these years IN BILL WE TRUST:rocker: :rocker: :rocker:

 

[primetime]

With last year's team we were one play away, more or less, from the Super Bowl, and a likely victory. With this year's team, it shouldn't be a question.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

What people forget is that players get old and Dynasties die. After years of continued dominance, those awesome teams just fade away.
What we've done is take some down time the last 2 years, while still being in the mix at the end. And now we have reloaded.

RIP-The teams in the way.:rocker:

I wouldn't quite put it that we took "down time" but I essentially agree with what you are saying; the Patriots did not want to be the Steelers, Cowboys or niners of the 70's and '80s, dominating for a time and then going into an extended period of decline or marginality.

The way I see it, Piolichick set out a program after the Bronco's Playoff Loss two years ago. They began with a series of decisions last offseason, some of which proved correct (e.g., Gostkowski) and some of which reasonable people still question (Branch). They have now made the moves to continue what they began last year. And, man, do those moves look gooooood right now!:eat3:

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Same here. Except the Kool-Aid has got a little added punch this year.

Hey! Who spiked the Kool-Aid? I am punch drunk with excitement this year!

 

[VJCPatriot]

I haven't felt this good about a Patriots team since the 2003-2004 team when we were coming off our second Superbowl win and the 2003 team looked like the most stacked/talented Pats team I had ever seen.
And the crazy thing is that the Pats haven't even had their DRAFT yet! So yeah it is looking very good! If we get Samuel extended I'm gonna have a very hard time not throwing an impromptu early ticker tape parade in my bedroom! :rocker:

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

It sucks losing Deion Branch, but he wanted way too much money. I said it before and I will stay by my word, the Pats should have re-signed him. Brady had a really good relationship with Branch and it was evident in his game it effected Brady. Hopefully, Stallworth will continue where Branch left off.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

This team has a great chance to be one of the best the nfl has seen for the next 3 yrs...

 

[PATRIOT64]

This team has a great chance to be one of the best the nfl has seen for the next 3 yrs...

One good knockout punch on Brady and the next season could turn into a nightmare just like that...I am always worried about this and Brady is overdue for a KO Blow... Lets hope this isn't the year,Although the day will come--When? only God knows,All but Brady,Farve and Manning have been able to avoid such disaster,don't want to even think about it but scenerios like that always force me to look at the season taking it game by game...and thats the way it should be.

 

[BelichickFan]

This team has a great chance to be one of the best the nfl has seen for the next 3 yrs...

I'm way too optimistic right now but this reminds me of 2001 but with skipping 2002.

The 2001 team probably "shouldn't" have won the SB; it's win was legitimite but realistically the talent wasn't really there. By 2003 the talent was there and we went on a run.

The 2006 team probably "shouldn't" have won the SB; and it didn't - but it came OH SO CLOSE. However with a higher starting point in talent than 2001, this offseason we've added talent (assuming two well spend #1s to come) that I expect to take us on another run.

A large amount of the team is signed for at least two more years, Caldwell, Gaffney, Bruschi, Wilson, maybe Samuel the only notable exceptions. If things go well with Stallworth and the draft goes well, this team is looking kind of loaded again. We do need some new depth at LB before August roles around though.

 

[RayClay]

This is part of a post that was wasted on the intended recipient.

The end result of Branch and Givens, (plus 4 years of good serviceand 2 mid -late picks).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are they taking a wild gamble on Stallworth? Follow me now, I know you can because this only involves WRs.

The Patriots spend the lowest pick in round 3 on the 15th rated, (Gil Brandt NFL.com) WR in 2002. Get some excellent service, but refuse to buckle and overpay, (contract year).

Trade for 1st round pick. Pick up 4th rated, (Gaffney) and 6th rated (Caldwell) of 2002 for zilch.

Donte's star is fading, (dropped by 2 teams, substance, some injuries), so Pats swoop in and pick him up in a reasonable contract that will look great if he succeeds.

Stallworth is the #1 rated WR in 2002.

Seattle has Deion, huge contract, (we Would have needed to add 5 million to it).

We gave up bottom pick in 2nd.

We get:

1st round pick of Seattle

#1 Rated WR of 2002 for less money than Branch

#4 Rated WR of 2002 for much less than Branch or Givens

#6 Rated WR of 2002 for much less than Branch or Givens

Bottom line, BB and Pioli are thieves. They're going to steal whatever they can and the googly eyed WR worshippers are easy marks.

 

[RayClay]

One good knockout punch on Brady and the next season could turn into a nightmare just like that...I am always worried about this and Brady is overdue for a KO Blow... Lets hope this isn't the year,Although the day will come--When? only God knows,All but Brady,Farve and Manning have been able to avoid such disaster,don't want to even think about it but scenerios like that always force me to look at the season taking it game by game...and thats the way it should be.

Jeezus criminy. Can you keep you nightmares to yourself please?

All our Oline are young and talented and our receivers are upgraded and more experienced with Tom.

He should get pressured less this year, especially if they can get Maroney unleashed.