Jacky Roberts said:
I think the Patriots should merely dress traffic cones in a Pats unis. At the right price, they can learn the "system".
If you think that's what they essentially do, you're terribly mistaken. Yes, the system is the best in the league, but the people who chose the personnel to fill it are also the best.
The Patriots grow the tree, enjoy its fruits, and then set a value to it. If farmer Joe offers more, then they'll move on.
Troy and Patten gave way to Branch and Givens.
Andruzzi, Compton, and Woody gave way to Neal, Koppen, and Mankins.
Fauria, Rutledge, and Wiggins gave way to Graham and Watson
Hamilton, Pleasant, Washington, and others gave way to Seymour, Warren, and Wilfork.
..and the list goes on. The Patriots were the reason for Andruzzi, Woody, and many others getting the money they got compared to what the Pats got them for.
The same thing will inevitably happen to Vrabel, Bruschi, Harrison, and others someday, regardless of how well they perform or how much of a locker room presence they are.