1) Isolating the points score in the playoff losses without recognizing the playoff wins, and that the most prolific offense in the NFL is the only reason they are there to begin with it dubious.
2) Eliminating the one thing the team does best is an idiotic method to improve the team.
3) Which teams are scoring a lot of points in their playoff losses?
First off, I love the debate and I am a huge fan of Bedard's. It's nice to have someone covering the Patriots who a.) knows what he's talking about b.) offers a somewhat outside perspective(having covered the Packers) and c.) doesn't wash Bill's balls.
Now, I love this debate as well. I am on Bedard's wagon with this one. Let Welker get his $$ in free agency. However, I think they should keep Lloyd. He was the biggest bargain of last year's free agency. And as someone else mentioned, replacing Lloyd's production won't come cheap. By comparison, the top WR's in last year's class:
-Vincent Jackson (TB) - 5 years/$55 million, $26M guaranteed. (2012: 16 games, 72 catches, 8 TD's)
-Marques Colston (NO) - 5 years/$40 million, about $18M guaranteed. (2012: 16 games, 83 catches, 10 TD's)
-Reggie Wayne (IND) - 3 years/$17.5 million, $7.5M guaranteed (2012: 16 games, 106 catches, 5 TD's)
-Robert Meachem (SD) - 4 years/$26 million, $14M guaranteed (2012: 15 games, 3 starts, 14 catches, 2 TD's)
-Mario Manningham (SF) - 2 years/$7.4 million, $4M guaranteed (2012:12 games, 10 starts, 42 catches, 1 TD)
-Pierre Garcon (WAS) - 5 years/$42.5 million, $21.5 guaranteed (2012: 10 games, 44 catches, 4 TD's)
-Josh Morgan(WAS) - 2 years/$12million, $7.5M guaranteed (2012:16 games, 48 catches, 2 TD's)
-Eddie Royal(SD) - 3 years/$13.5 million, $6M guaranteed (2012: 10 games, 2 starts, 23 catches, 1 TD)
-Brandon Lloyd (NE) - 3 years/$12million, approx. $7M guaranteed (2012:16 games, 73 catches, 4 TD's)
Considering his cap hit was $2M last year, he was a steal. But is he worth $4.5M this year? $5.5M next year? I think so. I think the Pats need to overhaul the offense. I do think the Pats should press Lloyd to take a pay cut. Doubt it works, but it could happen.
What struck me most while compiling these #'s is
A) I now can see why the Chargers canned their entire Personnel dept. and Coaching staff with signings like Meachem and Royal.
B) The starting point for WR's like Jennings,Bowe, Wallace is Jackson's 5yrs/$55M, $26M guaranteed. For Welker, I'd imagine he will come out around 3 yrs/$33M, $17-20M guaranteed. A team could give a 4th year that Welker will never see just to make it look better.
A lot of what they do with Lloyd will depend on what they want to do to replace Welker. Do they go with a guy like Wallace? If so, Lloyd's role would take a hit and he may not be worth the 4.5 cap hit. Wallace would add a dynamic aspect to this offense. Having missed 1 game in 4 years, he would also provide the desired durability.
My thoughts on some others:
On Vollmer, let him walk. Pats have their franchise tackle with Solder and will need to pay him big time $$ in a few years. Can't afford two players being paid like franchise tackles. Use the 2nd/3rd on a tackle or grab a 2nd tier guy in FA (great depth at the tackle spot in free agency, btw).
Arrington, I agree with Bedard. Re-sign him. He is a very good slot corner. He is a not a good cover corner. Pay him as such.
Edelman, bring him back I suppose. 1 year "show-me" deal. 2 years at most, cheap $$.
Chung, adios. I think he will do well elsewhere. Just didn't pan out as hoped. Take a look at Jarius Byrd, William Moore. I think Louis Delmas if healthy (big IF) would be an outstanding player. Could be worth a flier.