Just got home and saw this weeks, June 16th issue of TSN sitting on the counter. I grab it and glance at the cover. Under the big "Sporting News" across the front cover is the following:
"The Ultimate NFL OFFSEASON REPORT CARD"
Great I think, i quickly go to page 22 and find the the teams are grade from A+ - D. There was one with a F rating... Anyone care to guess who? Yup, thats right, the Patriots are the only team in the entire NFL with an F grade for offseason moves.
This doesn't really bother me, but I just can't understand why year after year, this team gets ZERO respect. Anyway, on to the article...
Two teams with A ratings, the Dolphins and Lions. The quote for the Dolphins: "Culpepper, who will likely be the Dolphins best QB since Dan Marino... more important, the volume of serviceable newcomers-guys such as tackle L.J. Shelton, LB Keith Newman and CB Will Allen-gives coach Saban a much deeper roster" I guess the Dolphins will be everyone's fashionable pick this year!
The Bills and Jets got B- grades:
Jets.... "They forfeited quality, Abraham, Mawae and Fabini and gained quality (at least seven players likely to make contributions)"
Bills... "They lost experience by letting Milloy. Moulds and Sam Adamsgo. But they got a good DT in Tripplett and wrapped up arguably the best player on the team, CB Clements with the franchise tag.
PATS F
"BB and Pioli have long since proved their ability to find replacement parts, but this is starting to look like a dismantling. The offense lost WR Givens and Ashworth, the defense lost LB McGinest and Starks and kicker Vinatieri and returner Tim Dwight. Besides wide receiver Caldwell who is expected to start, the Pats have little to show on the other side of the ledger"
Let me pick myself off the floor, i've been overcome by laughter!
Ok, the Dolphins picked up Culpepper, who has never one a thing, they will be everyones team on the rise pick...big deal...
The Jets lost and ALL-PRO DL and leaders in Mawae and Fabini... They also turned over their coaching staff. They may have picked up a few servicable players but, I don't see any game changers do you?
In my opinion, the Bills should have been graded with an F. They have huge holes and the best they did was pick up Tripplett. Also, this guy gives them credit for resigning their own player. How come there was no mention of Seymour's deal or the potential impact of Rodney's return.
As far as the Pats are concerned, they loss players every year. I love the players they lost (Starks should not be mentioned here, I think this is a classic case of addtion by subtraction). Good luck to Willie, David and Adam. They got their paydays and it's time to move on. Sure the Pats have some questions to answer but they still have young and deep OL's and DL's, and drafted players with tremendous upside...
I just don't get it!
"The Ultimate NFL OFFSEASON REPORT CARD"
Great I think, i quickly go to page 22 and find the the teams are grade from A+ - D. There was one with a F rating... Anyone care to guess who? Yup, thats right, the Patriots are the only team in the entire NFL with an F grade for offseason moves.
This doesn't really bother me, but I just can't understand why year after year, this team gets ZERO respect. Anyway, on to the article...
Two teams with A ratings, the Dolphins and Lions. The quote for the Dolphins: "Culpepper, who will likely be the Dolphins best QB since Dan Marino... more important, the volume of serviceable newcomers-guys such as tackle L.J. Shelton, LB Keith Newman and CB Will Allen-gives coach Saban a much deeper roster" I guess the Dolphins will be everyone's fashionable pick this year!
The Bills and Jets got B- grades:
Jets.... "They forfeited quality, Abraham, Mawae and Fabini and gained quality (at least seven players likely to make contributions)"
Bills... "They lost experience by letting Milloy. Moulds and Sam Adamsgo. But they got a good DT in Tripplett and wrapped up arguably the best player on the team, CB Clements with the franchise tag.
PATS F
"BB and Pioli have long since proved their ability to find replacement parts, but this is starting to look like a dismantling. The offense lost WR Givens and Ashworth, the defense lost LB McGinest and Starks and kicker Vinatieri and returner Tim Dwight. Besides wide receiver Caldwell who is expected to start, the Pats have little to show on the other side of the ledger"
Let me pick myself off the floor, i've been overcome by laughter!
Ok, the Dolphins picked up Culpepper, who has never one a thing, they will be everyones team on the rise pick...big deal...
The Jets lost and ALL-PRO DL and leaders in Mawae and Fabini... They also turned over their coaching staff. They may have picked up a few servicable players but, I don't see any game changers do you?
In my opinion, the Bills should have been graded with an F. They have huge holes and the best they did was pick up Tripplett. Also, this guy gives them credit for resigning their own player. How come there was no mention of Seymour's deal or the potential impact of Rodney's return.
As far as the Pats are concerned, they loss players every year. I love the players they lost (Starks should not be mentioned here, I think this is a classic case of addtion by subtraction). Good luck to Willie, David and Adam. They got their paydays and it's time to move on. Sure the Pats have some questions to answer but they still have young and deep OL's and DL's, and drafted players with tremendous upside...
I just don't get it!