Who's to blame for the offensive woes this year?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Who do you think is most responsible for lack of offensive productivity this year?

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

The Twig for not honoring his contract.

 

[patsgo]

plain and simple no weapons on the outside

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I think there is alot of blame to go around,but Im not ready to judge this season until its over.

 

[MrTumnus]

I am stunned that I am the first to lay blame at the front office. You know the saying; burn me once, shame on you, burn me twice shame on me. Back in 2002 we all drank down the Kool-Aid when the FO brought in Donald Hayes. They didn't learn then and they're not learning now....

The thing that bothers me most about all of this is.... Was Deion Branch an NFL #1? I'd have to say no. But he sure as heck was the Patriots #1. And he played an enormous role in helping the team win 2 Super Bowls!!!

It is the height of stupidity that this team knew going into the off-season that they were in danger of losing BOTH starting WR's and still did absolutely nothing to help out in this area (except casting their lot with an always injured rookie!). It seems to me that the Patriots - as an organization, simply can't accept losing a negotiation battle - so much so... that they very seldom seem to give a fraction, let alone an inch. They don't just want to get a good deal, they want to crush the player they are negotiating with. In the long run, it's just terrible business and it has them in the position they're in now, $8 million under the cap and absolutely no talent. How can our running backs flourish when everyone knows they don't need to respect the pass?

It's just common sense to me. The offense has been killing the defense this year and now the defense is tired (yes, and now hurt really bad too!).

I say, shame on the front office for believing they could place anyone at WR and have the offense move like clockwork. I love this team and I want them to win but I do believe (for this year, at any rate...) the ego's got in the way of truly doing "what's in the best interest of the organization."

They better hope like hell they get lucky in next year's draft because if they think they're going after a REAL WR, they're gonna be shocked to know they'll have to pay more than they would have for Deion Branch.

Me personally.... I wish I was getting ready to watch David Givens break the all-time playoff receiver record for TD's and I wish Deion was ready to break his own mark of 11 catches in a Super Bowl, but that's not going to happen now.... at least, not with the Pats.

And it's a shame.

 

[nescott]

we all know the play calling has been bad but it comes down to the talent and excution on the filed and both have not been there with this group of wide outs except Brown. Flush em all and get some quality recievers for Brady before he is gone.

 

[PatsDeb]

Can you add a category, "A little bit of all of the above."? That would be my answer.

 

[patsox23]

It is the height of stupidity that this team knew going into the off-season that they were in danger of losing BOTH starting WR's and still did absolutely nothing to help out in this area (except casting their lot with an always injured rookie!). It seems to me that the Patriots - as an organization, simply can't accept losing a negotiation battle - so much so... that they very seldom seem to give a fraction, let alone an inch.

It is not reasonable to say that the FO "knew...they were in danger of losing BOTH starting WR's" THIS YEAR. Givens? Sure. And they replaced him ably with Caldwell. But Branch? HE WAS UNDER CONTRACT. And there is nothing that has shocked me more than his attitude, and his aggressive and lengthy hold-out. I don't think it's fair to lay this at their doorstep, particularly given that the PATRIOTS offer was comensurate with what Branch's value ACTUALLY is. Or do you want to argue that he IS worthy of being the 7th-highest paid WR in the world?

As for them not accepting losing a negotiation battle...Tom Brady, Richard Seymour, Stephen Neal, Matt Light, Mike Vrabel and Rodney Harrison (among others) say HI.

 

[shakadave]

It wasn't one of your poll options, but I blame Me-on Branch.

 

[DarrylS]

It wasn't one of your poll options, but I blame Me-on Branch.

I agree, but another option not noted here is lack of execution..dropped balls, penalties, turnovers and not completing plays.

 

[Jimke]

Forum members seem very reluctant to place the blame where it belongs.

The front office was responsible for acquiring receivers who could get

open and catch the ball. Unfortunately, this was a year when good wide

receivers were in short supply. When David Givens and Deon Branch bolted

the team, the Pats were screwed. From what I read, next year's free agency

is also a poor year for wide receivers so the Pats will have a tough time

resolving the problem.