Most critical off-season of the BB Era

[Patjew]

Patsylicious,

After the flippant reply, the serious answer is that I believe Belichick is going after a Super Bowl Lombardi Trophy this season. He believes that he has already rebuilt his Defense.Belichcik has said many times that the biggest improvment comes between the rookie and second season. The Defense will blossom as the sophomores play. He wants to have at least ONE Franchise QB under center, no matter what.

So he is NOT paying $15 million for a backup QB; he is insuring he HAS a STARTING FRANCHISE-LEVEL QB. He has the luxury to do so for this season at least, and I think he is doing it. What's more, I think Cassel is buying into the whole idea. He would MUCH RATHER end up as th QB of the Patriots, a perrenial contender; than the QB of the Lions, a perrenial loser.

MC is staying true to form. He stayed at USC, so he had a chance to be a Heisman winner, a collegiate QB of the #1, National Champion team. Matt didn't go, or later move to, a rinky-dink team merely to play. He is smart enough to know it takes more than just your own talent to win a Lombardi, and a MVP, and earn a chit toward the HOF. You have to be on a great team, top to bottom. He is.

There are all the earnest people who quote each other and the conventional wisdom that BB would NEVER do so. But on careful analysis it is quite affordable, this season, without taking any extraordinary measures. For example of an extraordinary measure, suppose the Pats draft a LB high; and Tedy reads the handwriting onthe wall, and retires. The CAP room jumps $1-$2 million. But you don't even need that to happen.

If there is anything we know of BB's methods, he wants the best depth of any team in the league and will beat your brains out in December, when you play scrubs for injured players, and he plays qualified NFL starters everywhere. (That includes QB, by the way.)

Some of the jr. GMs will worry about depth for a Long Snapper, but breeze over the concept of depth at the most important position of all, QB. (JP Loserman Wrecks Grossman?!?) Elsewhere I carefully outlined how the CAP economics fits this season. The others seem to think he couldn't trade Cassel in 2010.

Horse Feathers.

BB frequently banks draft picks, choosing to store them for a year. Cassel's value won't evaporate. The very fact that the greatest Coach in the league, just paid him $14 million to keep him, even if he didn't play, insures that.

The only thing I don't understand is when does BB not go for the Super Bowl? He's done this every year since 2001 as far as I can see, and he's had a legitimate shot in every year except maybe for 2002. Maybe I'm not following.

 

[Brettlax3434]

The only thing I don't understand is when does BB not go for the Super Bowl? He's done this every year since 2001 as far as I can see, and he's had a legitimate shot in every year except maybe for 2002. Maybe I'm not following.

Screw that, if brett bleepin favre beat the jets week 17 in 2002 we would have won another bowl.

 

[Patjew]

Screw that, if brett bleepin favre beat the jets week 17 in 2002 we would have won another bowl.

Yeah, that could be a good call. It's just that in retrospect that Pats team wasn't very good. They couldn't stop the run to save their lives.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I will be very shocked if Matt Cassel is playing at the 14.6 franchise number.. Its not fessiable.. Cassel being on the pats is fessiable at a Pats number.. Cassel will either sign a multi year deal with the Pats, or he is being traded.. We shall see.

 

[AzPatsFan]

The only thing I don't understand is when does BB not go for the Super Bowl? He's done this every year since 2001 as far as I can see, and he's had a legitimate shot in every year except maybe for 2002. Maybe I'm not following.

You try for the Super Bowl every year. But some years you have stronger teams that have a better chance.

BB wanted a SB this past year, but with 9 newcomers starting on Defense and missing his MVP QB, the odds weren't as good. 2009 rates as having 9 more acclimated guys on Defense plus AT LEAST ONE FRANCHISE QB available for the SB run.

 

[jsull87]

i agree. in my opinion every year you have tb under centre you are a chance and as soon as the defence starts to hold up its end of the bargain (even tho i think it is fine not excelent but fine) then you will be deep in the playoffs most years. i am still really excited about this years draft tho

 

[Ring 6]

Patsylicious,

After the flippant reply, the serious answer is that I believe Belichick is going after a Super Bowl Lombardi Trophy this season. He believes that he has already rebuilt his Defense.Belichcik has said many times that the biggest improvment comes between the rookie and second season. The Defense will blossom as the sophomores play. He wants to have at least ONE Franchise QB under center, no matter what.

So he is NOT paying $15 million for a backup QB; he is insuring he HAS a STARTING FRANCHISE-LEVEL QB. He has the luxury to do so for this season at least, and I think he is doing it. What's more, I think Cassel is buying into the whole idea. He would MUCH RATHER end up as th QB of the Patriots, a perrenial contender; than the QB of the Lions, a perrenial loser.

MC is staying true to form. He stayed at USC, so he had a chance to be a Heisman winner, a collegiate QB of the #1, National Champion team. Matt didn't go, or later move to, a rinky-dink team merely to play. He is smart enough to know it takes more than just your own talent to win a Lombardi, and a MVP, and earn a chit toward the HOF. You have to be on a great team, top to bottom. He is.

There are all the earnest people who quote each other and the conventional wisdom that BB would NEVER do so. But on careful analysis it is quite affordable, this season, without taking any extraordinary measures. For example of an extraordinary measure, suppose the Pats draft a LB high; and Tedy reads the handwriting onthe wall, and retires. The CAP room jumps $1-$2 million. But you don't even need that to happen.

If there is anything we know of BB's methods, he wants the best depth of any team in the league and will beat your brains out in December, when you play scrubs for injured players, and he plays qualified NFL starters everywhere. (That includes QB, by the way.)

Some of the jr. GMs will worry about depth for a Long Snapper, but breeze over the concept of depth at the most important position of all, QB. (JP Loserman Wrecks Grossman?!?) Elsewhere I carefully outlined how the CAP economics fits this season. The others seem to think he couldn't trade Cassel in 2010.

Horse Feathers.

BB frequently banks draft picks, choosing to store them for a year. Cassel's value won't evaporate. The very fact that the greatest Coach in the league, just paid him $14 million to keep him, even if he didn't play, insures that.

What you are suggesting is that BB worry abot depth ONLY at the QB position. Sure you can create an austerity budget that has us fit Cassell under the cap, but we end up with no depth elsewhere. Look at the 50 guys under contract. We are at least 10-15 players away from fielding a team with the type of depth BB needs.
Your plan will have Cassel ready for that Decemeber run if Brady gets hurt again but after a few injuires he wont have a SB caliber team around him.
I'm not interested in a plan that guarantees us the chance to have Cassel QBing a team that is worse than the one he QB'd this year, and thats what paying him 14.65mill would amount to,

 

[BradyManny]

You try for the Super Bowl every year. But some years you have stronger teams that have a better chance.

BB wanted a SB this past year, but with 9 newcomers starting on Defense and missing his MVP QB, the odds weren't as good. 2009 rates as having 9 more acclimated guys on Defense plus AT LEAST ONE FRANCHISE QB available for the SB run.

If Tom Brady and Adalius Thomas stayed healthy, there is no way in hell we are not the favorites to win the Super Bowl. If those two guys had a healthy 2008, I think we probably would've made another run at perfection with that absurdly easy schedule, and a weak AFC.

 

[Ring 6]

You try for the Super Bowl every year. But some years you have stronger teams that have a better chance.

BB wanted a SB this past year, but with 9 newcomers starting on Defense and missing his MVP QB, the odds weren't as good. 2009 rates as having 9 more acclimated guys on Defense plus AT LEAST ONE FRANCHISE QB available for the SB run.

9 new comers? Which 7 of Seymour, Wilfork, Warren,Vrabel, Thomas, Bruschi, Hobbs, Sanders, Harrison do you consider newcomers? We started the season with TWO new starters.
What, now you are saying BB predicted last off-season that there would be injuries, so didnt really expect to turn 18-1 in 2007 into a Championship in 2008, but now he thinks having a solid backup QB, albeit one that couldnt lead his team to win the division over the previously 1-15 Dolphins, everything is in perfect shape for a Championship?

You should stop at this point because its clear you have decided a conclusion and are trying to back into reasoning for it, all of which is severely flawed.

 

[Jimke]

What you are suggesting is that BB worry abot depth ONLY at the QB position. Sure you can create an austerity budget that has us fit Cassell under the cap, but we end up with no depth elsewhere. Look at the 50 guys under contract. We are at least 10-15 players away from fielding a team with the type of depth BB needs.
Your plan will have Cassel ready for that Decemeber run if Brady gets hurt again but after a few injuires he wont have a SB caliber team around him.
I'm not interested in a plan that guarantees us the chance to have Cassel QBing a team that is worse than the one he QB'd this year, and thats what paying him 14.65mill would amount to,

Twelve of the players on our current roster were on the practice

squad or promoted from the practice squad when injuries occured

last year.

 

[Tunescribe]

I think every season we have Tom Brady as our qb is critical. We should try to win it every year that he is here. Don't want to get stupid like the Redskins/Cowboys. But, I'm willing to trade picks for vets. And, try to win this year.

I agree. A healthy Brady is the optimum factor, and this is the last year of Moss's contract -- the window is closing on that pairing. As long as both are present, I say mortgage a bit of the future if necessary to win now.

 

[Ring 6]

I agree. A healthy Brady is the optimum factor, and this is the last year of Moss's contract -- the window is closing on that pairing. As long as both are present, I say mortgage a bit of the future if necessary to win now.

Moss is signed through 2010

 

[Ring 6]

Twelve of the players on our current roster were on the practice

squad or promoted from the practice squad when injuries occured

last year.

Meaning there are 38 'regular' players that are under contract, including Cassel.
We need 15 players if ALL we do is get back to where we started last year, ie not have ot rely on guys who didnt make the 53 out of camp.
That 3mill of cap room aint getting that done

 

[BradyManny]

Meaning there are 38 'regular' players that are under contract, including Cassel.
We need 15 players if ALL we do is get back to where we started last year, ie not have ot rely on guys who didnt make the 53 out of camp.
That 3mill of cap room aint getting that done

Well put. (10)

 

[AzPatsFan]

I agree that Belichick is way ahead of us in dealing with these issues. However, $14.6M is a lot of cap money. We can have a few restructures to sign the midrange pieces you mention and still be able to pay the rookies, but I think that it's close.

And so do I; but on reflection and close inspection, and relying on Miguel's numbers, I calculate that it is just do-able. Other wise it would be plain that we cannot afford to carry two franchise QBs, in order to insure we have AT LEAST ONE able to play the whole season.

Then Cassel would have to be moved or we would have to cut a good player, and weaken the team. My assumption all along is that would not be wanted, or necessary. But making a cut, is still something that BB might do. Having a spare QB is expensive, until you don't have one, then its almost priceless...

Part of my feelings is the total unwilligness to actually calculate the possibility, by so many posters. Just arbitrarily saying we've never done it so we never would. Sort of like "BB has never drafted a LB", "never drafted a G", etc, until of course he did, with Mayo and Mankins.

 

[mgteich]

Belichick can choose to burden the 2009 patriots with a $10M handicap or not. The going rate for a top backup QB is certainly no more than $4.6M. There are lots out there at different values. I would not expect us to be near the playoffs with Cassel at quarterback at a cost of $14.6M, given our schedule, and given the artificial cap contraint. So, I don't see the point of keeping Cassel. I understand that many think that Cassel is a pro-bowler. Great! There are a lot of teams looking for quarterbacks. Maybe one of them will part with more than a 1st for him.

The patriots with a veteran backup and two top free agents at $5M each for a one-year contract is a much stronger team that a team with Cassel. I would not recommend the rent-a-player strategy, but you ahve.

And so do I; but on reflection and close inspection, and relying on Miguel's numbers, I calculate that it is just do-able. Other wise it would be plain that we cannot afford to carry two franchise QBs, in order to insure we have AT LEAST ONE able to play the whole season.

Then Cassel would have to be moved or we would have to cut a good player, and weaken the team. My assumption all along is that would not be wanted, or necessary. But making a cut, is still something that BB might do. Having a spare QB is expensive, until you don't have one, then its almost priceless...

Part of my feelings is the total unwilligness to actually calculate the possibility, by so many posters. Just arbitrarily saying we've never done it so we never would. Sort of like "BB has never drafted a LB", "never drafted a G", etc, until of course he did, with Mayo and Mankins.

 

[JMarr]

I agree. A healthy Brady is the optimum factor, and [2010] is the last year of Moss's contract -- the window is closing on that pairing. As long as both are present, I say mortgage a bit of the future if necessary to win now.

I'm a spoiled fan and I couldn't agree more. The future is now and you do everything within your power to cover all the bases in the offseason, not just some. No more asking a Deltha O'Neal or Mike Webster to shut down elite WRs, or expecting untested rookies and aging LBs to be part of a dominating defense.

This year the Pats might want to trade up for a cant-miss stud on defense if he's there, or sign an Asomugha, Dansby, or Suggs if one of them is available. And they're going to need Cassel's 15 million to do it.

 

[captain stone]

We need 15 players if ALL we do is get back to where we started last year, ie: not have to rely on guys who didn't make the 53 out of camp.
That 3mill of cap room aint getting that done.

Damn right it ain't; that's why there is No Effin Way that there's gonna be $29M of QB on the 53 on Opening Day, because if there is, then that will also mean that we will - again - have has-beens, never-were's & never-will-be's at DB & LB.