Not necessarily, although I've mentioned that as one potential solution. In this case, I was just doing the leg work in response to another poster's discussion of the picks. The numbers should be eye opening for everyone.
Yes, probably because the problems go deeper than one failed free agent signing.
When you stock a position with low round picks, you will get low round talent, as a rule.
Belichick is more than a year late, and the issue goes deeper than just a drafting disparity. Belichick has made a lot of terrible decisions in the post-2007 era, and he's always had Brady around to bail him out. Now, with the bad decisions (and injuries) leaving the offense about as bereft of talent as it's been since Belichick's arrival, the chickens have come home to roost, and Brady has not been able to bail him out this time around, at least up until now.
The Patriots 'always' get better as the year goes on. The question this year, for the first time in a long, long time, is whether or not that will be enough.
P.S. If you watched the game on Monday, you know that Stork and Fleming weren't ready.