Brick said:
No one is disputing that it is stiil early. IMO that does that mean you're not entitled to an opinion that does not offer knee jerk praise for the (in)action of the Pats front office so far.
The fact is they have lost some quality players McGinest, Vinatieri, Givens, etc and have yet to replace any of them. They will probably find replacements equally productive as the guys who've left but there is a chance they'll sign the next Duane Starks- Monty Biesel type too.
I think those are pretty good observations.
Sometimes I think folks forget that no 'formula' for staffing a football team is going to win every superbowl - it would be pretty dense to think that. On the other hand, if you look at the proven track record - who has - or has ever had - as good a formula as Belichick and Pioli ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? Maybe three or four teams in the past - but arguably none better than the Pats. Brick aptly points out that the approach doesn't always work each and every year. But it doesn't make much sense AT ALL to advocate a different 'formula' when there is apparently none better on the average than the Pats !! ?? !! ?? !! Every sound steady formula has an underlying strategy and approach. I think the vast majority of posters on this board know almost EXACTLY what the strategy and approach are - there is just no mystery about it !! So to complain and criticize and moan and have the arrogance to judge that the Patriots are now 'blowing' it by not going away from a proven 'formula' - and the arrogance to think that particular moves would be 'better' and disastrous if not made - is pretty much a total lack of any smidgeon of common sense - and a pretty senseless arrogance to think that their 'judgment' is better than the consummate professionals that Belichick and Pioli have PROVEN to be.
It certainly makes all kinds of sense to WONDER how a particular move or non-move fits into the overall strategy and to HOPE it works out. BUT, such speculation in the context that so many posters point out as to the fact that there are a lot of roster actions yet to be made, both free agency and draft - and that the ultimate evaluation of whether the 'formula' works is the overall number of superbowls won.
In terms of context, Clayton actually shows a respectful and thoughtful view of the Patriots' approach in another segment:
"Patriots have plenty to spend: The Patriots have lost six unrestricted free agents, including kicker
Adam Vinatieri and Dwight. They've cut linebacker
Willie McGinest and cornerback
Tyrone Poole. The Patriots are obviously in a state of transition. They will probably lose offensive lineman
Tom Ashworth in the next day or two and could also lose guard
Stephen Neal. The big question is what they are up to. They have $21 million of cap room, second most in the league. They must be saving up for something big."
