The Moss thing is true (Moss said he only wanted to come here) but I think what he meant re: Welker is that any team could have seen the value, but they don't have the smart FO we do, so they didn't. But Welker's performances were out there for all to see....we were the ones who were smart enough to go out and do what it took to get him.
Exactly. There were a lot of folks even here who didn't see Welker for a second rounder either. The just a slot receiver crowd. Belichick sees not only the player, he sees the player in this system.
And his point on the Moss thing is correct too. We were clearly his first choice because in his heart of hearts he knew what Brady could do for him - meet him more than half way. But more than anything he wanted OUT of Oakland. So yeah, other teams could have made a deal for a 4th round draft pick and discounted salary. They just couldn't trust themselves to make it work so they passed and predicted a potential costly miscalculation on BB's part.
Here, we could trust - although many here and in the media still don't fully embrace that concept... This was likely the only team in the league for which it was a no risk proposition because we largely eschewed that draft, had already filled our glaring holes via FA, we had already sufficiently upgraded the receiving corps, and the players would have backed BB in lockstep had Randy not bought all in (which is one reason a player like that does). We also have a genius HC who is secure enough to appreciate smart players enough to fully empower them to achieve their potential.
Many HC's are insecure or ego driven to the point they can't. The you play, I'll coach snydrome. BB is learning as much from Randy as Randy is from him, and yet the coach remains in control of all situations. That's a facet of BB that the media whiffs on because they attribute his attitude towards them to something other than what it is - a product of their own ineptitude, and they assume that's who he is. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The extent to which his players have his back is proof positive of that. He simply hasn't got the time or inclination to suffer fools.
That is what the naysayers from within and without really need to learn to deal with. Drinking koolaid doesn't make you a sap, it enlightens you and allows for pure enjoyment from a fans perspective. Rail against it under the guise of objectivity, and you end up a miserable fool.