Is this year THAT different?

[Pats726]

Again, I'd ask you, assuming we'd made none of the moves to address LB and WR we already did - what remaining players would you be excited to have sign to fill those spots now?

That is a total meaningless question...Players change from one year to the next...so this year there weren't as many players and NOT all that deep. THAT happens..some years there are deeper free agency than others. And your point is??? This front office judges who is out there, who will fit in and the price they wish to pay for their services.
They went EARLY in free agency to get the platers they wanted...last year they did the opposite of this year..not wanting the inflated prices of the players. The mantra has been, value and not overpaying and that is totally consistent with all they have done over the years.

 

[JoeSixPat]

That is a total meaningless question...Players change from one year to the next...so this year there weren't as many players and NOT all that deep. THAT happens..some years there are deeper free agency than others. And your point is??? This front office judges who is out there, who will fit in and the price they wish to pay for their services.
They went EARLY in free agency to get the platers they wanted...last year they did the opposite of this year..not wanting the inflated prices of the players. The mantra has been, value and not overpaying and that is totally consistent with all they have done over the years.

My point is, there are not as many quality bargains available this year just as there were not as many quality bargains available last year once free agency died down.

That's due in part to the high volume of activity - fewer players available = fewer quality bargains available.

 

[Pats726]

My point is, there are not as many quality bargains available this year just as there were not as many quality bargains available last year once free agency died down.

That's due in part to the high volume of activity - fewer players available = fewer quality bargains available.

That is very true, although last year the Pats grabbed a bunch of players later...3 ending up on IR.
But I have to wonder if that is a real trend with the CBA?? That I think is a topic in itself as to the number of FAs..02-07...and whether they are stronger or weaker, deeper or leaner. And whether that is true, it didn't at all change what the front office was doing. I really do NOT think last year they were at all pleased with the players available..THAT can happen! This year it seemed the players were available, the Patriots had MUCHO cap money and were able to sign players early and at value. I also think that BB coaching the Pro Bowl may have helped a bit as well.

 

[RayClay]

My point is, there are not as many quality bargains available this year just as there were not as many quality bargains available last year once free agency died down.

That's due in part to the high volume of activity - fewer players available = fewer quality bargains available.

People are resigning their own. No doubt.

 

[RayClay]

Right, wasn't trying to corral you into that, I know you didn't mean the "center" as in physical positioning (although with his versatility, you know he'll eventually take snaps in the middle when needed.)

But interesting that you figure him to be enough of a difference maker that we build around him. I am not disagreeing... I had just seen him as one contributor, part of a process... but that might be the same thing, since we're at the outset of steadily rebuilding the LB corps.

I personally would not want to be the guy trying to figure out whether Rosie Colvin or Adalius Thomas was supposed to come, never mind Vrabes or a suddenly loosed Richard Seymour.

Of course, it's all on paper... but God, this should be a fun year!

PFnV

We're very team oriented, but sometimes you need that great physical play that breaks a tight game open. Of course, all our LBs and Rodney were capable, but I think of Willie McGinest or Ty Law making that huge individual play that wasn't part of a scheme.

With Bruschi, Vrable and Rodney slowing down a little, I think we've missed that, though we've been solid.

I think of Willie just picking up a TE or OL and riding him like a blocking sled into the QB.

Apparently, A.D. can do everything from covering your top receiver to Playing line with a hand on the ground.

1 or 2 unpredictable moves makes a disciplined D so much better.

 

[RayClay]

And he's bound to be an "elephant " type as he has the versatility to morph into just about any position at the last minute, from what I hear. The versatility, if not the physical power, of an LT, Richard Dent, etc.

His lining up and moving to different positions will cause other LBs to burst open too. Yeah, I'm excited.

 

[patfanken]

http://www.patsfans.com/12th/2003/story/display_story.php?story_id=5990
I really wonder if it is THAT different an approacj OR...did things happen that came together unlike other years??

Actually I strongly think that this year's plan WASN'T different than other years, just the results were different. AND certain things did come together which made it happen.

I think the PATS try and improve their team after a careful evaluation of their needs, note I said what they concider THEIR needs, not ours . Who they go after is determined by available cap space and who is out there. The notion that the Pats DON'T go after top flight FA's is a myth. They go after them, they just don't OVERPAY them.

It seems different THIS year because we signed 3 significant contracts with Welker, Thomas, and Stallworth, and certain things DID have to come together to make this happen. First the big increase in cap space helped. It also "helped" that the Pats were unable to sign Law and Branch. It also helped that Thomas was willing to take the fair contract rather than the BIG ONE. It also helped that Stallworth's bargaining position was hindered by his injuries/drug situation, allowing us to sign him for a "prove it" year. Welker wasn't a huge signing, and alone wouldn't have been different from many other middle of the road FA's who happen to meet needs the Pats require.

BOTTOM LINE: I guess its a little of both. The Pats do what they usually do, except for a number of reasons, they were more successful this season. The people they wanted were available and willing to take reasonable. contracts. (I bet Derrick Mason is now wishing his damned wife just shut up )

 

[RayClay]

Actually I strongly think that this year's plan WASN'T different than other years, just the results were different. AND certain things did come together which made it happen.

I think the PATS try and improve their team after a careful evaluation of their needs, note I said what they concider THEIR needs, not ours . Who they go after is determined by available cap space and who is out there. The notion that the Pats DON'T go after top flight FA's is a myth. They go after them, they just don't OVERPAY them.

It seems different THIS year because we signed 3 significant contracts with Welker, Thomas, and Stallworth, and certain things DID have to come together to make this happen. First the big increase in cap space helped. It also "helped" that the Pats were unable to sign Law and Branch. It also helped that Thomas was willing to take the fair contract rather than the BIG ONE. It also helped that Stallworth's bargaining position was hindered by his injuries/drug situation, allowing us to sign him for a "prove it" year. Welker wasn't a huge signing, and alone wouldn't have been different from many other middle of the road FA's who happen to meet needs the Pats require.

BOTTOM LINE: I guess its a little of both. The Pats do what they usually do, except for a number of reasons, they were more successful this season. The people they wanted were available and willing to take reasonable. contracts. (I bet Derrick Mason is now wishing his damned wife just shut up )

JoesixPat makes a good point that there aren't a lot of quality free agents available these days.

The Pats had patched and saved while having to let some players go. they needed to be focused and strike quick or they would have been stuck with having missed the players they wanted.

The Pats don't spend money when there's only junk left on the shelves.

The only difference with this year is less distraction, more money cause they didn't panic last year an a focused plan on who they wanted.

 

[Pats726]

Actually I strongly think that this year's plan WASN'T different than other years, just the results were different. AND certain things did come together which made it happen.

I think the PATS try and improve their team after a careful evaluation of their needs, note I said what they concider THEIR needs, not ours . Who they go after is determined by available cap space and who is out there. The notion that the Pats DON'T go after top flight FA's is a myth. They go after them, they just don't OVERPAY them.

It seems different THIS year because we signed 3 significant contracts with Welker, Thomas, and Stallworth, and certain things DID have to come together to make this happen. First the big increase in cap space helped. It also "helped" that the Pats were unable to sign Law and Branch. It also helped that Thomas was willing to take the fair contract rather than the BIG ONE. It also helped that Stallworth's bargaining position was hindered by his injuries/drug situation, allowing us to sign him for a "prove it" year. Welker wasn't a huge signing, and alone wouldn't have been different from many other middle of the road FA's who happen to meet needs the Pats require.

BOTTOM LINE: I guess its a little of both. The Pats do what they usually do, except for a number of reasons, they were more successful this season. The people they wanted were available and willing to take reasonable. contracts. (I bet Derrick Mason is now wishing his damned wife just shut up )

"Actually I strongly think that this year's plan WASN'T different than other years, just the results were different. AND certain things did come together which made it happen. " I do agree with that..their approach early quick but underlying philosophy hardly changed at all...
Different results..yes..every season the actually tactics change because the market changes..good players that they want or waiting for bargains...more money or less..market being flooded with players or not as many..so may variables..but the philosophy of value has been there this year and in past years. And the results differe because of individual decisions as well as how good their picks of FA were...many misses some years other s no.t

 

[PatsMyBoyz!]

We're very team oriented, but sometimes you need that great physical play that breaks a tight game open. Of course, all our LBs and Rodney were capable, but I think of Willie McGinest or Ty Law making that huge individual play that wasn't part of a scheme.

With Bruschi, Vrable and Rodney slowing down a little, I think we've missed that, though we've been solid.

I think of Willie just picking up a TE or OL and riding him like a blocking sled into the QB.

Apparently, A.D. can do everything from covering your top receiver to Playing line with a hand on the ground.

1 or 2 unpredictable moves makes a disciplined D so much better.

Exactly right-it's been awhile since we've had a playmaker (though Asante definitely has that ability),and of those we have left some were either injured, or due to someone else's injury were forced to play a position that took that role away from them somewhat.

AD is not only a playmaker but his versatility should also enable others to slip back into that role as well.

Our defense now has the capability of being incredibly confusing and unpredictable. A player like Thomas is going to make everybody better. HUGE signing for the Pats.

 

[patfanken]

Actually I strongly think that this year's plan WASN'T different than other years, just the results were different.

That's the best short answer to the question, Pats.

 

[JoeSixPat]

People are resigning their own. No doubt.

That plus the additional available new CBA money means that more teams are spending money on the "middle class" free agents - i.e. teams stealing a page from BB's book.

The end result is that from 2000 - 2005 you'd have at least 200 free agents remaining available after the initial FA moves.

Now you have just @ 100 - and most of them not necessarilly worth signing.

So it doesn't pay to sit back and let things settle before making FA moves nowadays. BB knows this and he HAS definately adjusted.

Aside from Washington I don't think any additional FA fits the definition as bargain basement hunting for us in this free agency period.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Yeah, AD is the new "elephant..." Now here's a question: what kind of mind boggling asskickery could result if Meriweather is a Pats pick? (And of course this is assuming the off-field stuff does not disqualify him.) Talk about being able to disguise looks... between the two of them they could have 2 guys playing almost any position, not evident until just before the snap.

PFnV

 

[JoeSixPat]

I thought these comments from Pioli on Sirius Radio were interesting... effectively remarking on the Patriots change in their free agent timing... instead of sitting back and waiting like they normally do, they definately got involved sooner... and the teams waiting lost out. That's remarkably different that in the past, waiting and waiting for the leftover value players... i

So, as I asserted before, this year is different - there's no debating it, it is - and Pioli confirms it

... of course the philosophy of signing quality value players hasn't changed... but then again, how many teams actually have a philosophy of signing crappy players (besides the Raiders and Cardinals?)

The way that free agency has gone in the past, it seemed like the good value deals [came after] a lot of the crazy deals we felt were done in the beginning.

This year, for whatever reason, the timing changed. There have been other years where we tried to get in early, but the contracts and the salaries, or requests, were far higher than what we wanted to be at.

So when we went in and got in early this year, so many other teams I think were sitting and waiting, watching what everyone else was doing. The players said ‘this is a good enough deal, I don’t need to be a pig, I’ll jump in.’ It wasn’t so much a change in philosophy, just more a change in timing based on what the players wanted to do as well.”

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/