Wow, first Off the Grid and now PatFanKen ... two posters at polar opposites of expressive styles but a shared passion for the Patriot Way.
It has been an odd draft, but I think calling this "perhaps the beginning of the end" is going kind of far (with all and considerable respect!). Love the picks of Solder, Dowling and Vereen. Beyond that, it's really just a "what the hell, why not?" pick in Mallett, then some "get me out of this weak draft" maneuvering.
As a fan, looking at all the potential to trade up and get someone we see as a difference, it's been a frustrating 27 hours to be sure.
But as Patspsycho points out, were talking about a team that was 14-2 last year. Not only that, it's LOADED with young talent. I feel like Belichick looked at this draft class and gave each obtainable player the "is he better for our team than what we have?' test and most often came away with "no." I also think he has some other plans with free agency if/when that ever begins.
So, instead of the beginning of the end, I see another run of extended success just getting going: The 09-10 draft classes, some nice additions this year, added top picks in 2012, a good group of veterans to steer things along. There's plenty of room to be critical and questioning, of course. But I think there's also tons of room for optimism.