Will the real fans please stand up

[Box_O_Rocks]

It is on short supply... on both ends of the spectrum.

Really? So someone who recognizes their lack of expertise and who prefers to observe, analyze, and learn from the process rather than piddle all over everything and complain about the smell is as annoying as someone who offers nothing but monkey flung crap? How droll.

There are people here who ***** and complain whenever the Pats don't make a move on whatever free agent is available.

One or two.

There are also people here who can see no wrong in the Pats not making enough moves to retain those free agents that could help at positions of dire need. We've seen both today.

Define "dire?" Most agree the team could use a stronger pass rush. A more analytical observer might argue BB prefers to use a blend of interior pocket pressure, edge rush, and scheme to achieve the desired result...whilst a more impassioned (sadly paired with the more obnoxious) observer will just insist that not paying $13+M/year to a player whose sack stats were matched by the player re-signed under a contract which will be less than half of that ("if" he reaches all his escalators) is 'epic failure.'
TBC "up to" $6m/year (3 years, $6M guaranteed) 2009: 55 TT, 10 sacks, 2 FF
JP $13.5M/year (first 3 years, $42M guaranteed) 2009: 42 TT, 10.5 sacks, 5 FF, 2 int

I think we can both agree Peppers made more impact plays, but "twice as many, guaranteed?"

Perspective: a desperate management who screwed themselves with a big money QB deal last season is now throwing good money after bad in a bid to save their jobs...whilst a more proven management team reacquired similar production at a more budget friendly rate.

With that information, whom do you think has a better chance of a winning season in 2010?

Look at that and tell me I'm wrong to give the NE management team the benefit of the doubt.

What I don't agree with here is calling anybody that was not happy about the Boldin signing (or lack thereof) a chicken little, bandwagon fan, or any of the above. That is simply not the case. Those names should be saved for the people who just wanted to see any move no matter who is was or how much he cost.

Does this apply to all the kool-aid and homer references? This "homer" drank "kool-aid," did the math, and didn't crap his pants then proceed to smear it all over the forum when NE didn't do exactly as he wanted (of course wanting in one hand and crapping in the other isn't my primary form of entertainment either).

In my opinion, the Pats need to be players in this free agency period.

Define "players?" NO's 53 man roster had to contend with something like 29 players reaching RFA/UFA status this offseason, NE's burden was about half of that through timing contract expirations, extending mid & lower level contributors during the season, and gearing the roster management to avoid many of the challenges NO is facing. NE bid on Peppers, Bolden, there were reports of Mason, and I'm not sure who else, while at the same time extending their Franchise Tagged defensive anchor and captain (full offseason program, no distractions) and re-signing two other starters - Patriots Day 1 free agent recap - Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston - "playahs" baby.

There are simply too many holes on this team to fill through the draft alone.

Define "holes?" Some here would insist that Kaczur is a "hole," true? Yet Kaczur has been a five year starter on a team which has never gone less than 10-6 - and done it with two different Quarterbacks and two different Offensive Coordinators and however many other changes the team has gone through in the past five years (did I mention Bill Polian's Competition Committee likes to make rules changes and such with ulterior motives?). It's that pesky "perception" thing again.

Even if we DID try to fill those holes through the draft, it is highly unlikely that this team would be able to compete at a high level in the 2010 with those rookies.

"Highly" unlikely? At this moment NE has it's starting QB, 4/5 of the RB committee, the entire starting OL, the same #1 WR, 2/3 starting DL, 3/4 starting LB, 3/4 starting S, 2/3 specialist corps - it's day "effing" two of Free Agency and team X has won the Super Bowl - time to castrate yourself and become a monk, maybe you can find peace.

We might have a slam dunk of a rookie here or there, but it simply would not be enough. I would think that much is obvious.

"Obvious?" In this post I've seen you wander past the "obvious" once or twice while complaining bitterly about "your" team - "obvious" isn't a word choice winner here.

The hole that I most wanted to see filled through free agency or trade this offseason was WR. There seemed to be an abundance of talent available at that position which the Pats could use to upgrade Aiken and Stanback. However, for reasons which are now being cited to be about the money, we passed up on what was the best #2 receiver available this offseason, that being Anquan Boldin.

1. What did Bolden want? It was in Bolden's best interest to go for the maximum contract with the maximum guarantees. It was in NE's best interest to have the NE management "manage" risk vs. return...case in point: Jay "dirty diaper" Cutler and the Chicago Bears management. One personnel head has been fired over Cutler's acquisition - tell me, honestly, after they gave Cutler a huge new contract and got a full diaper pail of success for it, does the "money" Peppers is getting smell like a "win" to you? Truthfully my friend.

2. It's day "effing" two of Free Agency - Bolden was "about the money," Chicago was "about the money" (that's why they got Cutler and that's why they got Peppers), there is a parallel, and there's a moral to these stories, and, to paraphrase the Princess Bride, it's NOT "never go against Chicago when money is on the line."

Now, if what Mort is saying is true, and it was about the money and the length of the contract, then people are right in being upset about this move not being made. Boldin could have very easily become a Patriot today and no matter what rinky dink excuse you want to throw out there (wants to be a #1, injury prone... highly overblown, 30 years old, his girlfriend's cousin's sister's uncle's best friend's cousin's brother through marriage slapped a woman in 1965 so Myra probably wouldn't want him, etc.) he would have made this receiving corps, even without Welker, one of the best in the NFL.

Oh, I guess I shouldn't have bothered to discuss risk vs. return above, this is all about what I want and I want it now. I suppose if your girlfriend hasn't gotten you off in the first minute you storm out of the apartment in a rage too. Well, have it your way, but could you give me her number and address please?

Now, because the front office apparently didn't want to act, he is in a Ravens uniform playing for the team that blew us out in the Wild Card round of the playoffs last season. Because the team waited, Walter has been re-signed by the Texans. So basically what we are left with now is T.O., Brandon Marshall, Antonio Bryant, Derrick Mason, and a slew of decent receivers such as Kassim Osgood. For our sake, I sincerely hope we sign one of them.

Okay, NE signs Terrell Owens today, will that make you happy? I mean other then not throwing a bank vault at Bolden of course.

The bottom line is that today two teams in the division, our top competition, made moves to make themselves better. The Dolphins got a prized ILB while the Jets picked up a CB to go along with Revis.

Dansby? Now didn't I recently read here where Heath Evans talked about how the thought of Dansby at ILB on an opposing team gives Bill Belichick the kind of staying power a true cougar rider needs? I'm thinking Irish had better use #12 overall on Cody or the team of Crowder and Dansby is going to push Bill past the four hour limit.

Cromartie? His new GM is calling him a gamble. Talk about a vote of confidence.

Meanwhile, the Pats re-signed some of their own. What we've done is good... to an extent. However, we still aren't even in neutral. While Wilfork, Neal, and TBC may be back, Faulk is still without a new contract and Welker, for all we know, may not be the same guy next season if he even gets on the field before Week 10. In effect, we are still a couple of steps back from what we were prior to the Wild Card game against the Ravens.

Have I mentioned it's day "effing" two yet? I must have forgotten, sorry, as an FYI - it's day "effing" two, buck up.

The division is better than it used to be and we can't afford to sit this one out.

See above, Reiss's recap, and please get me that girlfriend's address and number.

In closing, I don't believe it makes sense to say that anybody who was upset about the Boldin non-signing is not a "real fan". On the contrary, I think it makes people "real fans" to want to see the team get better.

Contrary to contrariness, I might have to check my calendar and repeat myself about the 2010 offseason time line. Just saying.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

First and foremost, the Pats did what they had to do, they re-signed big Vince the absolute cornerstone of the defense. In doing so it showed all of the younger players, including the 11 draft picks that they have in the upcoming draft, that if you perform well for the Pats you will, pardon me Assante, "GET PAID". This is huge, the Pats paid and paid well one of their own players.

Now by re-signing TBC and Neal, the Pats have no glaring "holes". They need to re-sing Bodden now.

Would I have loved to see them bring in Peppers and/or Chester Taylor, yes, but as BOR said, he was on a plane to a desperate Chicago at midnight, and the Pats never really stod a chance. Chicago does not have to worry about signing their draft picks, because they don't have any, they blew 2 first on Cutler and they traded their second rounder for a guy who died, so if you want to complain about front office moves, take a peek at what they are dong in Chicago.

The Pats absolutely never are a player day one of free agency, it is where the Dallas, Washington, and now Chicago of the NFL live. Patience, just wait...

 

[Wretch]

The Redskins "win" the free agency period every year. How has that helped them win games?

 

[muzz]

The Redskins "win" the free agency period every year. How has that helped them win games?

This is true, I think they have a REAL coach now, so they should get better.

 

[patsfan1251]

Really? So someone who recognizes their lack of expertise and who prefers to observe, analyze, and learn from the process rather than piddle all over everything and complain about the smell is as annoying as someone who offers nothing but monkey flung crap? How droll. One or two. Define "dire?" Most agree the team could use a stronger pass rush. A more analytical observer might argue BB prefers to use a blend of interior pocket pressure, edge rush, and scheme to achieve the desired result...whilst a more impassioned (sadly paired with the more obnoxious) observer will just insist that not paying $13+M/year to a player whose sack stats were matched by the player re-signed under a contract which will be less than half of that ("if" he reaches all his escalators) is 'epic failure.'
TBC "up to" $6m/year (3 years, $6M guaranteed) 2009: 55 TT, 10 sacks, 2 FF
JP $13.5M/year (first 3 years, $42M guaranteed) 2009: 42 TT, 10.5 sacks, 5 FF, 2 int

I think we can both agree Peppers made more impact plays, but "twice as many, guaranteed?"

Perspective: a desperate management who screwed themselves with a big money QB deal last season is now throwing good money after bad in a bid to save their jobs...whilst a more proven management team reacquired similar production at a more budget friendly rate.

With that information, whom do you think has a better chance of a winning season in 2010?

Look at that and tell me I'm wrong to give the NE management team the benefit of the doubt.Does this apply to all the kool-aid and homer references? This "homer" drank "kool-aid," did the math, and didn't crap his pants then proceed to smear it all over the forum when NE didn't do exactly as he wanted (of course wanting in one hand and crapping in the other isn't my primary form of entertainment either).Define "players?" NO's 53 man roster had to contend with something like 29 players reaching RFA/UFA status this offseason, NE's burden was about half of that through timing contract expirations, extending mid & lower level contributors during the season, and gearing the roster management to avoid many of the challenges NO is facing. NE bid on Peppers, Bolden, there were reports of Mason, and I'm not sure who else, while at the same time extending their Franchise Tagged defensive anchor and captain (full offseason program, no distractions) and re-signing two other starters - Patriots Day 1 free agent recap - Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston - "playahs" baby.Define "holes?" Some here would insist that Kaczur is a "hole," true? Yet Kaczur has been a five year starter on a team which has never gone less than 10-6 - and done it with two different Quarterbacks and two different Offensive Coordinators and however many other changes the team has gone through in the past five years (did I mention Bill Polian's Competition Committee likes to make rules changes and such with ulterior motives?). It's that pesky "perception" thing again."Highly" unlikely? At this moment NE has it's starting QB, 4/5 of the RB committee, the entire starting OL, the same #1 WR, 2/3 starting DL, 3/4 starting LB, 3/4 starting S, 2/3 specialist corps - it's day "effing" two of Free Agency and team X has won the Super Bowl - time to castrate yourself and become a monk, maybe you can find peace."Obvious?" In this post I've seen you wander past the "obvious" once or twice while complaining bitterly about "your" team - "obvious" isn't a word choice winner here.1. What did Bolden want? It was in Bolden's best interest to go for the maximum contract with the maximum guarantees. It was in NE's best interest to have the NE management "manage" risk vs. return...case in point: Jay "dirty diaper" Cutler and the Chicago Bears management. One personnel head has been fired over Cutler's acquisition - tell me, honestly, after they gave Cutler a huge new contract and got a full diaper pail of success for it, does the "money" Peppers is getting smell like a "win" to you? Truthfully my friend.

2. It's day "effing" two of Free Agency - Bolden was "about the money," Chicago was "about the money" (that's why they got Cutler and that's why they got Peppers), there is a parallel, and there's a moral to these stories, and, to paraphrase the Princess Bride, it's NOT "never go against Chicago when money is on the line."Oh, I guess I shouldn't have bothered to discuss risk vs. return above, this is all about what I want and I want it now. I suppose if your girlfriend hasn't gotten you off in the first minute you storm out of the apartment in a rage too. Well, have it your way, but could you give me her number and address please?Okay, NE signs Terrell Owens today, will that make you happy? I mean other then not throwing a bank vault at Bolden of course.Dansby? Now didn't I recently read here where Heath Evans talked about how the thought of Dansby at ILB on an opposing team gives Bill Belichick the kind of staying power a true cougar rider needs? I'm thinking Irish had better use #12 overall on Cody or the team of Crowder and Dansby is going to push Bill past the four hour limit.

Cromartie? His new GM is calling him a gamble. Talk about a vote of confidence.Have I mentioned it's day "effing" two yet? I must have forgotten, sorry, as an FYI - it's day "effing" two, buck up.See above, Reiss's recap, and please get me that girlfriend's address and number.Contrary to contrariness, I might have to check my calendar and repeat myself about the 2010 offseason time line. Just saying.

Ur not making any sense. From your logic the Patriots should just stand Pat resign their own players because last year's team was great. Comparing TBC and Peppers? Why we could have had them both. Cromartie a gamble? Well thats one I would like to take considering the CB's currently on our depth chart are Spring,Whilhite, Butler, Wheatley.

So i suppose your a proponent of hanging on to our draft picks and rebuilding through the draft? While picking up vertans such as David Patten as opposed to someone like Boldin?

Well you can hope and wish on draft day and when the pats first round selection comes up you will find they traded out of the first round. Then they will trade some of their 2nd round picks for future picks. With the ones they do keep they'll end up picking up a tight end and either an OL/DL.

You can call me whatever names you like. Fact remains seen this same story before. There is no salary cap there is no excuse. Remember that is what many of you all used as a "silver lining" of us not advancing in the playoffs is the fact that there were no restrictions to us in Free Agency.

Fact remains the other 2 teams in the division improved and we of Course stood Pat

 

[A.C Vegas]

make sure you say it right they "stood pat" for one day. Put a bid in on the top DE out there and tried to trade for a good WR. Signed a cornerstone of the defense.

People need to stop thinking that the Patriots are the only team out there 31 other teams are going after the same players, and typically the players that are signed the first day don't care where they go as long as they get the most money.

If they don't do anything at all during FA then there is plenty of reason to complain but like BOR said it's day 2.

There as not been anywhere close to equal positive and negative on the board lately as evidence by this thread started by me to have some positivity and support for the team (and i don't mean just "blind homer love") yet people still got negitive

 

[fair catch fryar]

I just stood up......seriously, but now I'm sitting down again.

The lack of FA signings doesn't bother me in the least. As long as they took care of some of their own and I'm sure BB will bring in some of his yearly reclamation projects, in which I think he's due at this point since it's been a while since they've had an Antowain Smith, Bryan Cox, Rodney Harrison, and Mike Vrabel impact type guy step up.

I'm hoping BB is able to confidently finally cash in all of the draft picks this year like a kid at the carnival whose been saving all of their tickets from playing alley ball all summer.

 

[patsfan1251]

make sure you say it right they "stood pat" for one day. Put a bid in on the top DE out there and tried to trade for a good WR. Signed a cornerstone of the defense.

People need to stop thinking that the Patriots are the only team out there 31 other teams are going after the same players, and typically the players that are signed the first day don't care where they go as long as they get the most money.

If they don't do anything at all during FA then there is plenty of reason to complain but like BOR said it's day 2.

There as not been anywhere close to equal positive and negative on the board lately as evidence by this thread started by me to have some positivity and support for the team (and i don't mean just "blind homer love") yet people still got negitive

They offered Peppers a contract sig lower then what he wanted,hoping that he would take a discount in order to play for a title contender

 

[Don Kipines]

Boston sports fans are unbelievable.

Yesterday the Pats locked up three key starters and spent $31 million guaranteed on two of them. They might have lost these players -- and even if they kept Wilfork on the tag, the failure to do a long-term deal with him now would have meant he was gone for sure next year.

These were huge moves. In the Pats' recent history they've only had a few days like yesterday -- Brady's deals, the Moss re-sign, the Seymour deal, the AD deal, the Ty Warren deal. Signing Wilfork now when they could have just kept him on the tag for another year shows that they're making a serious effort.

Only in Boston does a team lock up its best defensive player for five years and have the fans complain. Unbelievable.

Moreover, I look at last year's team and I see a club that was a lot closer to being a contender than the 2008 team. They were no longer fatally old on defense and had rising young talent all over the field. In addition to the obvious pass rush problem, it mostly seemed like they had leadership/morale issues. I think it's a smart move to basically retain last year's team, jettison a few malcontents and make a few additions, then keep developing the young guys. With Butler, Chung, Meriweather, Mayo, Banta-Cain and Wilfork, they've got a nice core of under-30 talent on the defensive side of the ball. They've got pretty good depth everywhere but tight end. I don't see what everyone's flipping out about. When Brady's your quarterback, you're never that far from contending, and this Patriots team has a lot more talent going into the offseason than some others I can think of -- after 2002 looked comparatively grim, as did the post-2005 and 2006 teams.

And Jesus, this is the first day of free agency. For day 1, this was a massive haul. Does anyone really think they're done? That they won't grab help at running back, wideout, corner, tight end and defensive end somewhere? It's all coming. Yesterday was a good day.

 

[Section103]

We have to remember that they still have a budget that they will adhere to regardless of the lack of a cap. It could be more than usual, it could be less. They obviously wanted these other players but only placed a specific value on them and would not go above it. IT's what they done for the last decade. No different. They build a team with their type of players at a cost that fits their budget and value scale.

No Peppers, oh well. Huge talent, only an impact when he wants to be. It's a bloated salary worth the few extra plays he MIGHT make over someone else? We never thought Vrabel would be the difference maker he was in 2001...

No Boldin, well if we knew the guy would be healthy through the season then I'd say this is too bad. But we don't know, so nothing to get choked up about. Would it have been nice to get another WR like a Stallworth or Walter, sure. But they set priorities and have several different fronts to attack (re-signing their own included), if one falls through, I doubt it's easy just pick up immediately on another one and they lose out. It's not Madden franchise mode. I hope there is a plan B, C, D etc...

Otherwise, what else have they lost out on so far? There are free agents and trades still out there. There are also players who will get cut again after teams re-evaluate, or fail to sign players to an extension or they sign new free-agents.

I'm not so worried about jumping into the fray on day 1, I am worried about the needs they address come training camp... and more so how they play in the season, regardless of the name. We were all stoked about Adalius Thomas and how did that pan out? Colvin was a free agent prize that year, got hurt, then was never the same. (although he was serviceable)

There's also this little thing called the draft coming up.. I am more worried about the Pats whiffing on their picks as they have in the last several years.. (although last year's class was more promising)

 

[PatsFan37]

This is why I often "take the offseason off" here. Too many people who lack any sort of perspective and balance. Too many people who vow to post the same viewpoint over and over, in many threads, until absolutely everyone agrees with them.

Intelligent criticism and discussion is welcomed but is in short supply.

Listening to the fans is like Thanksgiving at the in-laws:

"You want some more turkey?"
"Yes, please! Best turkey I've had."
"What's the matter, you don't like the potatoes?"

So after a solid block of Wilfork and Neal, spiced with ten sacks of Banta Cain, everyone's miserable because someone stole the Pepper(s).

You just can't please 'em.

 

[bigfandan]

Nice way to say Peppers=TBC. Sack is not everything. But I never wanted Peppers on this team. The price is too rich.

half the "fans" complain we sign a 10 sack LB/DE for about a quarter of the only other 10 sack DE and people complain.

 

[Wretch]

This is true, I think they have a REAL coach now, so they should get better.

Agreed they will get better with the coaching change, but Shanahan is going to have to gut the roster to make progress. Too many long term deals to 30+ old FAs have hamstrung the team. The uncapped year is going to help the Redskins more than most teams because they can get rid of there bad contracts.

Bad contracts teams like the Pats don't agree to in the first place.

 

[Sivy]

I've sceen so many threads like this in the past.

 

[TarHeelPatsFan]

I think it has something to do with the fact that all of those guys were on the roster last year and, well, you know what happened then.

I think more than a few people can take the blame, remember Brady was on the team too. I want to keep him .

 

[Metaphors]

I think that there will be a lockout in 2011. But if there is not a lockout I think that the cap will be higher than it was in 2009.

If there is a lockout, I think it will be resolved before games are lost. That would be 5-6 months of players worrying about losing paychecks...including nearly 300 players that have never collected a check before (unless they went to USC).

I'm curious why you believe the cap will go up from 2009. Wouldn't that mean that the owners would have gained nothing from all this? They would have gone from paying 59.5% of a large revenue pool to...what? 58% of the same revenue pool? 59.5% of a slightly smaller revenue pool? Are you thinking there is going to be an expanded schedule that makes the revenue pool significantly larger?

The owners are positioned well for 2011 and the players aren't. This is the time for the owners to set the salary structure for the next generation of football. If they don't do it now, they never will.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Ur not making any sense. From your logic the Patriots should just stand Pat resign their own players because last year's team was great. Comparing TBC and Peppers? Why we could have had them both. Cromartie a gamble? Well thats one I would like to take considering the CB's currently on our depth chart are Spring,Whilhite, Butler, Wheatley.

So i suppose your a proponent of hanging on to our draft picks and rebuilding through the draft? While picking up vertans such as David Patten as opposed to someone like Boldin?

Well you can hope and wish on draft day and when the pats first round selection comes up you will find they traded out of the first round. Then they will trade some of their 2nd round picks for future picks. With the ones they do keep they'll end up picking up a tight end and either an OL/DL.

You can call me whatever names you like. Fact remains seen this same story before. There is no salary cap there is no excuse. Remember that is what many of you all used as a "silver lining" of us not advancing in the playoffs is the fact that there were no restrictions to us in Free Agency.

Fact remains the other 2 teams in the division improved and we of Course stood Pat

If not you yourself, others with similar gloomy outlooks have called me names in an effort to belittle my perspective. Now I don't believe I called Kontra names in my response, and if I did I humbly beg his forgiveness.

Now, your point is what? NE should have given Bolden and/or Peppers every penny they asked for regardless of the Professional Personnel staff's assessment of their relative worth? That seemed to have been both Chicago and Baltimore's approach. In a bidding war there are successful bids, and people who withdraw when the economic aspects no longer match their perception of value.

Peppers had choices between NE, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Isn't it odd, but the team with the poorest record of the three, and also the one with the poorest record of the three for the past decade, should be the one bidding the most for Peppers' services?

In order to be competitive, Chicago has to improve their team. They've done that by spending big money and using high draft picks to a acquire a QB who led the league in interceptions last season - he threw 30% more interceptions than the next highest QB. He cost two 1st round draft picks, one 3rd round pick, $20M in guaranteed money, and last year's salary whatever that was. In addition it cost them an Offensive Coordinator and the head of Professional Personnel because one couldn't get that high priced pony to play nice and the other helped bring him to Chicago - they threw money at a problem and didn't get better. Is it really going to work a second time do you think?

Baltimore advanced one game further than NE in the playoffs, both teams ended up with the same win/loss record counting the playoffs. Do you really think if those two teams had met again one week later the results would have been the same? I don't. NE may have had more meltdowns last season then has been normal in recent years, but that's "normal" for a "young" team - and make no mistake, NE got much younger last season and probably will again this season. Baltimore is worried about losing Derrick Mason to retirement. They signed Donte Stallworth to try and improve at WR, and now they've gone and thrown $10M guaranteed at Bolden. It may not sound like much compared to some signings, but that's a fair chunk of change for a #3 WR - Baltimore may require him to be their #1 guy, NE has one of those already - it makes a difference.

Would I have liked to have Bolden? Yes, I'm sure he would have helped, but I also like the team NE has fielded since Coach Belichick took over - he's proven himself to be a much better Head Coach then Lovie Smith, and Ozzie Newsome may be a Belichick protoge and an expert personnel man, his teams of the past decade don't measure up to the NE teams of the same time period - in Bill Belichick I trust because he's proven to be better at his job then most in this league. I'll "stand Pat" with the Head Coach in my hand, you can do the same or pick another who you think can/is doing better - Belichick wins.

 

[Tunescribe]

Here is how I look at it: BB is probably the best coach ever in the NFL. Kraft is a good owner. They've both proven through the years they are generally competent in the personnel department and that they care about winning. I just sit back and watch free agency play out, trusting they do what they can with what they have. If they can sign most of the key guys already on the roster and eventually sign a mid-level FA or two to fill some gaps, I'm fine with that. To me, the draft is a much bigger deal.

 

[pats1]

I think more than a few people can take the blame, remember Brady was on the team too. I want to keep him .

Again, nowhere did I say those players shouldn't be kept. All I'm saying is that you need to get players above and beyond what you had last year.

 

[RobertWeathers]

To me, the draft is a much bigger deal.

Me too. I'm a big believer that is how you truly build championship teams and sustain long-term success.