The complete and utter brilliance of this offseason

[Soul_Survivor88]

This is wild. Patriots can still go out and sign whoever they want.

....or extend any RFA on the roster who might be in a contract dispute

 

[The Gr8est]

I don't know if it was mentioned elsewhere in this thread, but in adding guys like Allen, Ealy, Gilmore, Cooks, and Burkhead, you are also adding players who do NOT have a ring and will be motivated to get one.

Not that other players are not, but complacency can set in even if unconsciously, and adding new faces helps prevent that.

That is just another reason why I would like to see if Mangold is in a ring-seeking mood.

 

[BTTA]

I don't know if it was mentioned elsewhere in this thread, but in adding guys like Allen, Ealy, Gilmore, Cooks, and Burkhead, you are also adding players who do NOT have a ring and will be motivated to get one.

Not that other players are not, but complacency can set in even if unconsciously, and adding new faces helps prevent that.

That is just another reason why I would like to see if Mangold is in a ring-seeking mood.

Gr8t point. This is one of the understated aspects of the Pats post-SB roster management. In order to counter the natural effects of winning, and of having an extended, exhausting season prior, you need to turn over a certain portion of a championship roster. You need players who will come in eager to learn, to drink the Kool Aid, and who have a full 6 weeks of rest and recuperation that the champions didn't have. 25% roster turnover seems to be the operative base.

Add ten or twelve rookies and UDFA to the camp roster, and there's a lot of fresh energy that will help keep the energy and aspirations high.