For instance we see some people who now think Caldwell can be the same if not better then David Givens. Yet David Givens was considered a tough overacheiver, and Caldwell is considered a soft underacheiver. On another board a poster even posted "Caldwell is quietly the best F/A signing of the year" and othewres agreed...thats homerism.
[/QOUTE] Yes, some people do think that...and why is that wrong?? Givens came in a 7th round draft pick..unknown..and look at what has happened to him in 4 years??? Should one think a receiver who has had some NFL experience..is similar in size may not end up better in a Patriot system after a few years?? Is that a long shot or more reasonable?? Or does it depend on many intangibles?? No doubt Caldwell is NOT as good as Givens is now..not at all..but obviously they see an upside in the system here. I do not think it's at all a guarantee he will be better in a few..but I think he will be better here than in SD..and will have more of an opportunity to make it. I also think they are different types of receivers..so that too will say a lot..I do think it reasonable to think he could be better in time than Givens..a year or too. But again..as Givens was when he was signed..just a possibility himself..and RC comes in at a higher level.
R_T26 said:
Some may argue that he will be better here, but when we signed Terrell he was coming off a 699 yard season, where as Caldwell is coming off an under 400 yard season, yet Terrell couldn't cut it here. If Caldwell signed w/ any other team would we even think twice about it, if he had signed w/ Miami would anyone compare him to Givens.
Comparing Terrell and Caldwell are two different things...to try and compare them..is not at all honest. When Terrell was signed..the Patriots had a bunch of WRs signed already...(not counting a few NFLE and lesser known ones..) there was Branch, Givens, BJohnson and Dwight. Obviously, Terrell was not being looked at as a certainty, but as a possible to see if he "got it" so to speak. A project..a long shot. There were probably 4 ahead on the depth chart...but he had a chance to possibly be a 3...much more of a gamble than Caldwell. From everything I have heard there are no attitude problems or anything at all like Terrell. Also, at this time there are only 2 other WRs of importance signed..so obviously, he's in a different spot than with 3 others ahead on the depth charts. No, probably we would not notice it that much..but it is like a statement out of context. Look at the context of last year's Terrel's signing and this year's Caldwell signing..much much different.
R_T26 said:
Then theres the whole signing a big name could ruin your cap theory. The Pats signed Colvin to what was considered a huge deal, he then blew out his hip and was not the same for 2 years, that was under a smaller cap, yet it did not ruin the Patriots, they in fact won 2 SB's. Towards the end of last season we got to see why Colvin was worth the money.
Theory?? I am not sure it is a theory..You have pointed out in the past how
they went after Harrison and Colvin..and last year they went after Mason on Day one. Very selective about what they do and when they do and who they go after. That is not what these other teams do..the other teams (most of them anyway) go out and spend like drunken sailors..throwing money this way and that. The Patriots are very selective if they do that. And another thing is you and I have no idea how they have decided to allocate the money they have..how much for FAs..how much for extensions..how much for FAs.we have no idea how that is for each year, for I assure you it changes depending upon needs, contracts and the like. They signed Rodney and Rosy a few years ago..but becaus ethey did that does NOT mean they have plans like that for every year. This is what they do and we as fans can only speculate about. We do know a bit about what they do by past history..but to make "rules" like they do...they can also break them if they deem changes are needed. No it was a smaller cap then and it did not ruin them..but because they did it that year..does it mean that this year it is the same?? It would be pure speculation to take that and think every year is the same...and that because they did it then..means they CAN do it now. Makes no sense at all. Things change and theit goals and allocation of money differs from year to year. That is why they show great management..why this team will be solid for awhile.[/QOUTE] We also don't need to put down players that we know the Patriots won't sign. For instance, LaVar Arrington does roam around but if you dont think he would look great in the Pats D, your lying to yourself. Belichick once coached and loves Lawrence Taylor, BB could handle someone like Arrington.
