Day 1 of Free Agency: Patriots Do Nothing (merged X2 or 3)

Wow!! The Wailing & Squealing in this Thread is awesome!!

I simply wanted to send a well-deserved Attaboy to The Greatest Coach on Earth.

Holding Cold when all around you are panicking and dumping Millions takes enormous Character.

I often disagree with Mad Bill's moves, but that's just part of being a Fan.

He makes moves I disagree with vehemently, and sometimes he simply screws up.

But my God...what a true Privilege to have him lead our Team.

Right now.

I honestly had no idea I'd be stirring up an Hornet's Nest!!

Considering all the crap that I get when I have the temerity to challenge Mad Bill's Draft Choices ~ on many an occasion!! ~ I must say that I find this Thread deliciously ironic!! :rocker:

Kdo5 said:

Got us back to the same place and we got smoked by Denver. Our goal was to go to the SB, not lose to the other AFC favorite. We didn't have bad luck, we just weren't as good because of our personnel.

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we went to the AFCC and you're still complaining.......

I ascertained a long time ago that a 'win now' attitude turns you into the redskins.......I'll take what we have now, thanks

IllegalContact said:

it's called panic and the ticking biological clock

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If Ward, Talib and Ware are "panic" moves, would you also say that the Pats Offseason prior to 2007 was panic induced?

Is it panic or an evaluation of short comings and addressing them?

IllegalContact said:

last season was not about what denver did, but what the pats did.....take your pick, the loss to the jets, dolphins, or panther is a win, and the AFCC game would be played in Foxboro last year and with a likely different outcome

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I try to avoid "if" points.

IllegalContact said:

the broncos are not all that.......their secondary right now is not better than it was last year......they basically spent a ton to replace bodies they lost.......as for ware, denver has had it's share of sackmasters (von miller, dumervil, philips) and it does not translate to the end result

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Their secondary at 2 spots (on paper) is certainly better than it was.

Ward> Ihenacho
Talib> DRC/Champ

I havent argued that it would translate - my only point was Elway sees the situation and is doing what he can to try to find short term success at long term cost(presumably).

I'm not arguing that BB should make the exact same moves (at the same $ esp for Talib I would have let him go also), simply saying that loading up for a last hoorah is worthy of giving credit (IMHO)

IllegalContact said:

the pats got 23 starts from undrafted rookie DT's and still got to the AFCC.......none of them even counted against the cap

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And..? We have had the privilege of watching one of the GOAT QBs carry this team to levels that the ancillary talent probably shouldn't get them too - credit to TB and BB(the coach).

IllegalContact said:

I like the way the pats do things.....it is more exciting to watch guy being suprisingly good, than watching the greatest show on turf fall flat on its face

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I have no problem with the way the Pats do things. In the long term view (a decade plus of success) it is certainly the way to do it.

But when the end of the road is in sight (and it is - time waits for no man) ....you know the days of being like any number of teams that have lost their "generational" talent at QB...there is something to be said to going out guns blazing.

There is still time to do so mind you - obviously it is only day 2 of FA. I am not panicking, nor am I surprised - this is how Value William does things. But there is something to be said for appropriately recognizing your station in life and adjusting accordingly. I am excited to see what BB comes up with.

UK_Pat37 said:

Maybe you've been missing something over the last twelve years...with 11 of a 13 possible division titles in the bag.

When are fans going to buy in to the fact that what Belichick does WORKS. Without his philosophy we would have had NOWEHERE near the same success we have had.

Every year it's the same. You act surprised that we've done nothing and panic as our nearest division/conference rivals play catch up with us. Yet every year we compete.

What more can you ask for? Back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back etc. etc. etc. Super Bowl titles? Well you aren;t going to get them.

Pretty much every NFL team would kill for our success over the last 13 years...the most success any team has had in that time span. Yet people still complain? I truly don't get it.

Damn this fan base can be unbearable. The sooner we suck again the better in my eyes...we need a wake up call...a big one.

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Yeah you're right, I did miss something....I missed the turning point where the goal became to win division titles and not the Superbowl.

Where exactly did I complain? I was just pointing out that The Patriot way is not the only way to have success. Losing our most talented defensive player to the team that ended our season doesn't make us better. It does not make our road to the championship any easier.

But hey, at least we'll finish ahead of the Jets, Phins and Bills again, the envy of all the other teams in the league.

IllegalContact said:

we went to the AFCC and you're still complaining.......

I ascertained a long time ago that a 'win now' attitude turns you into the redskins.......I'll take what we have now, thanks

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I remember a stretch where the Eagles got to the NFCCG four years in a row w/one SB appearance in which they lost (to us). They weren't celebrating the glory of a conference championship appearance when it didn't yield results.

yeah........I don't about all these whiners, but I loved last season.....I think it's great to watch nobodies step up and do well......and contrary to the fellowship of the miserable, the pats did well last year. they were done with no welker, no AH, no gronk, no wilfork, no mayo, no gronk again......and we still got to watch them until the end of january

some people just don't appreciate where the bottom is

Off The Grid said:

Wow!! The Wailing & Squealing in this Thread is awesome!!

I simply wanted to send a well-deserved Attaboy to The Greatest Coach on Earth.

Holding Cold when all around you are panicking and dumping Millions takes enormous Character.

I had no idea I'd be stirring up an Hornet's Nest!!

Considering all the crap that I get when I have the temerity to challenge Mad Bill's Draft Choices ~ on many an occasion!! ~ I must say that I find this Thread deliciously ironic!! :rocker:

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I love seeing all the belichick apologists in full force...yeah we get it, belichick can do no wrong and everything touches is gold.

IllegalContact said:

B]take your pick, the loss to the jets, dolphins, or panther is a win, and the AFCC game would be played in Foxboro last year and with a likely different outcome[/B]

B]as for ware, denver has had it's share of sackmasters (von miller, dumervil, philips) and it does not translate to the end result[/B]

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How about the win over the Browns or the win over the Saints? There are a lot of games that come down to a couple of plays. The teams that make the plays win the games.

If you think the AFCCG being played in Foxboro would have made a difference that is just delusional. The Broncos completely controlled that game and the Pats had no answer on either side of the ball.

If you're happy with AFCCG appearances then that's good because the Pats play in an awful division and a weak conference so they'll probably make it there four of the next five years. But is that the goal?

Nunchucks said:

Not much to play a wildcard on. We are almost in the 2nd tier of FA (Ware and Allen) with Revis possibly on the table.

Excepting Revis, the CB1 market has been cleared.

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Actually it hasn't. Browner, Cook, Cromartie, Rogers Cromartie, just to name a few.

BTW - how does Denver think they are going to Protect Manning. They have already lost 3 of their starters and a 4th is a FA. What Denver is doing is obvious. They are loading up. Can you tell me the last time that strategy succeeded? I can't remember, but certainly not in THIS century.

So far the only regret I've had in FA is Verner for $6MM/yr. THAT would have been a nice signing even if he is a Tampa 2 zone CB. But that being said he's in the perfect place for his skills.

IllegalContact said:

yeah........I don't about all these whiners, but I loved last season.....I think it's great to watch nobodies step up and do well......and contrary to the fellowship of the miserable, the pats did well last year. they were done with no welker, no AH, no gronk, no wilfork, no mayo, no gronk again......and we still got to watch them until the end of january

some people just don't appreciate where the bottom is

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Shame you might have been able to watch them in the SB if the Pats had done a little more than squat last offseason.

Drewski said:

If Ward, Talib and Ware are "panic" moves, would you also say that the Pats Offseason prior to 2007 was panic induced?

Is it panic or an evaluation of short comings and addressing them?

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the broncos spent more on talib than the pats did on ...... everything in 2007

the pats also didn't do it on the first day of free agency

so your point was?????????????

Drewski said:

I try to avoid "if" points.

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sure......when it serves you

Their secondary at 2 spots (on paper) is certainly better than it was.

Ward> Ihenacho
Talib> DRC/Champ

I havent argued that it would translate - my only point was Elway sees the situation and is doing what he can to try to find short term success at long term cost(presumably).

I'm not arguing that BB should make the exact same moves (at the same $ esp for Talib I would have let him go also), simply saying that loading up for a last hoorah is worthy of giving credit (IMHO)

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the pats don't go nuts on first day of free agency.......period, end of discussion......teams who do rarely, if ever, gain the expected success

And..? We have had the privilege of watching one of the GOAT QBs carry this team to levels that the ancillary talent probably shouldn't get them too - credit to TB and BB(the coach).

Click to expand...

yes.......and it is my preference to watch nobodies tap their potential and help a team over achieve than win the free agency derby, create all this expectation and then fail.....but that's just me

I have no problem with the way the Pats do things. In the long term view (a decade plus of success) it is certainly the way to do it.

But when the end of the road is in sight (and it is - time waits for no man) ....you know the days of being like any number of teams that have lost their "generational" talent at QB...there is something to be said to going out guns blazing.

There is still time to do so mind you - obviously it is only day 2 of FA. I am not panicking, nor am I surprised - this is how Value William does things. But there is something to be said for appropriately recognizing your station in life and adjusting accordingly. I am excited to see what BB comes up with.

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you do realize that what made the pats in 2007 did not happen until day 2 of the draft?????? the pats did NOTHING on day 1 of free agency that year

Kdo5 said:

I remember a stretch where the Eagles got to the NFCCG four years in a row w/one SB appearance in which they lost (to us). They weren't celebrating the glory of a conference championship appearance when it didn't yield results.

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was that because they didn't go hog wild during day 1 of free agency? they still made their fans happier than 25-30 other teams in the league

Gronkandez said:

How about the win over the Browns or the win over the Saints? There are a lot of games that come down to a couple of plays. The teams that make the plays win the games.

If you think the AFCCG being played in Foxboro would have made a difference that is just delusional. The Broncos completely controlled that game and the Pats had no answer on either side of the ball.

If you're happy with AFCCG appearances then that's good because the Pats play in an awful division and a weak conference so they'll probably make it there four of the next five years. But is that the goal?

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absolutely........I'm just saying what the difference was between having the game there versus here.......it turned out the way it did.....I enjoyed watching last year.....all things considered, I have ZERO complaints

Schaefer says patriots are looking at Brandon Lafell

here's the thing:

getting to the Superbowl &/or winning it is a crapshoot - when you get to the Final 4, all of those teams can win it, and it isn't always the "best" team.....sometimes it comes down to one or two key turning points in those games, most other things being equal


this year was a bit of an anomaly, in that the Patriots got a little farther than they had a right to, injuries considered.....but still, Talib doesn't get hurt, those couple of questionable penalties early (the PI called to kill a pats drive, the phantom PI to extend a Denver drive), and that game just may turn out different.....the way things went, Denver cruised.....but change a couple of plays, and that's a totally different scenario


consistently getting to that position to be within a few plays of getting to/winning the Superbowl IS a sign of consistent success......winning those conference championships/superbowls is oftentimes a crapshoot....you can't base success on one game (see Doug Williams et al)......consistent excellence is the measure of real success, and this team is consistently excellent

we can dwell on the ebbs & flows that determine the outcome of individual games, but to me I'll take the consistent excellence that this "system" has produced


this team WAS better with Talib....but that money was a little ludicrous......let's just see what this team looks like coming out of camp before we panic, eh?

Day 2

Adam Schefter‏@AdamSchefter·6m
Carolina free-agent WR Brandon LaFell is visiting today with the New England Patriots, per source.

CHAMPIONSHIP!!

IllegalContact said:

was that because they didn't go hog wild during day 1 of free agency? they still made their fans happier than 25-30 other teams in the league

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Has nothing to do w/day 1. It is clear that you believe anyone who lodges any criticism toward the Pats is automatically spoiled and should always be content w/conference title appearances. Perhaps we should all shut up and be content watching the Pats come up just short when they can very possibly change that by offseason acquisitions. I will feel slightly better if we get Edelman back but if we lose both and fail to make significant additions then we have the right to be irritated.

TommyBrady12 said:

I love seeing all the belichick apologists in full force...yeah we get it, belichick can do no wrong and everything touches is gold.

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Hasn't the last decade taught you anything. Teams are built to get you to the playoffs. But (at least in the last decade) Superbowls are being won by the teams who are the hottest, luckiest, and/or healthiest, NOT necessarily the ones with the best line ups on paper. Any 2 of over a dozen plays go differently in 2007 and 2011 and the Pats have 2 more rings.

Hey I'm not happy with what Denver is doing. They have improved their Defense....BUT...at the expense of their offense and depth. Again the TEAM is a 53 man organism, NOT a 22 man one.

OMG, we only have about 150 more days to assemble our team My advise is be patient. This kind of panic after ONE day of FA is ludicrous. Name a team that has won a superbowl in March.

UK_Pat37 said:

Maybe you've been missing something over the last twelve years...with 11 of a 13 possible division titles in the bag.

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The Pats are also a very good team in a weak division, it's the Lombardis that matter.

Did yesterday put us in a better position to get one? That's the only relevant question.

IllegalContact said:

the broncos spent more on talib than the pats did on ...... everything in 2007

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Of course they did....the cap in 2007 was what 20% less than what it is now? Everything in life is relative.

IllegalContact said:

the pats also didn't do it on the first day of free agency

so your point was?????????????

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Nor did I say they did. I asked you to clarify because I was trying to figure out if your point of adding talent is "a panic move" always as a rule, or is just some cases.

IllegalContact said:

sure......when it serves you

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No, because there is no point to it. IF X THEN Y ELSE Z should be left to math and science.

IllegalContact said:

the pats don't go nuts on first day of free agency.......period, end of discussion......teams who do rarely, if ever, gain the expected success

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And I, A, agreed that the Pats don't and B, threw out the point that the teams who do generally have reasons for doing so (they suck/are flush with cash).

FA is a good way to augment a team....not build one.

IllegalContact said:

yes.......and it is my preference to watch nobodies tap their potential and help a team over achieve than win the free agency derby, create all this expectation and then fail.....but that's just me

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Again, you are taking me giving Elway credit for something more than it is. I'm a "just win" type - whatever the means to that end is - works for me. No style or story points from this reader.

IllegalContact said:

you do realize that what made the pats in 2007 did not happen until day 2 of the draft?????? the pats did NOTHING on day 1 of free agency that year

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Yup - again my point had to do with wanting clarification on your line about panic moves. I was not equating 2007 Pats offseason (via trade) to 2014 Broncos (Day 1 FA spend) as clearly they are apples and car tires (FA vs Trade). They are both however examples of adding talent and wanted to see what constituted a panic move.