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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.It is on short supply... on both ends of the spectrum.
One or two.There are people here who ***** and complain whenever the Pats don't make a move on whatever free agent is available.
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.'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.
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).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.
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.In my opinion, the Pats need to be players in this free agency period.
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.There are simply too many holes on this team to fill through the draft alone.
"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.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.
"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.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.
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.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.
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?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.
Okay, NE signs Terrell Owens today, will that make you happy? I mean other then not throwing a bank vault at Bolden of course.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.
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.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.
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.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.
See above, Reiss's recap, and please get me that girlfriend's address and number.The division is better than it used to be and we can't afford to sit this one out.
Contrary to contrariness, I might have to check my calendar and repeat myself about the 2010 offseason time line. Just saying.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.
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