I am in the no camp. While I like him as a player saw what he did to us, I think a two is too much. It seems clear to me that we are shifting somewhat away from the "we want to be competitive every year for years to come" to "let's win right now".
Getting the best FA LB available, not tying up to much money at the TE position and singing a guy who has only been in the league for 4 years at a position of need and giving up a 2nd round pick for him - rather than gamble in the draft is hardly giving up the future. Given the fact that we have two 1st round picks!
If you think it was to much then go look at some of the money that was tossed out to some lineman over the weekend.
The future is strong
QB: No explanation needed
RB: Maroney and Morris will lead the way with an aging Faulk along with Mills and Evans
TE: Watson, Thomas, Mills - Brady will be the 3rd TE/blocking TE for a year or two
OL: Starters Locked up through 2009
WR: Caldwell, Gaffney, Welker and Jackson? All are young and Jackson has the potential to emerge as a Number 1 with Welker as solid of a number 2 as you can come by - who also has the potential to be a number 1.
DL: Starter signed through the 2008 season
LB: Colvin and Thomas have 3-4 more years of production at a high level, Vrabel has at least 2, Bruschi will most likely be done after this season. We have two first round picks to pick up a LB - we also have Alexander (going into his 3rd year) with Woods and Mays going into their 2nd. Have any of them shown anything yet? No, but who is to say that one of them doesn't emerge along with a draft pick from this season. Not to mention BB's well established history of signing FA LB's. I am sure they will add an additional savy vet or two before TC to round out the LB corps for this season. Also don't forget Gardner he was playing well before he broke his leg.
DB: Hobbs and Sanders are young and under contract. Wilson is in his contract year and Samuels will either sign long term and/or his replacement will be drafted this year. Gay was tendered and proved he can start when healthy. Harrison isn't getting any younger but overall there is youth in our secondary. I am sure they will pluck a Safety at somepoint in the draft. I don't see to many reasons to to think that the future is dim in the backfield.
I don't see how you came to your conclusion? This team is young in every area except LB, which is most likely going to be the rule rather than the exception under BB.