Bedard: Bill ready for an aggressive offseason

[BTTA]

Yes my favorite second round picks have not panned out.
I was a big Geno Wilson fan.
Darius Butler
Chad Jackson
God then you can go Ras I dowling
Joe Juan Williams
It’s not pretty at all

good second round picks Matt Light
Geno Wilson Deion Branch I’m drawing blanks but there had to be more.

You know that Dowling was considered a top 10 draft pick but the injury risk pushed him into the 2nd round, just like Gronk? And despite the injuries, he went on to having a middling NFL career for a 2nd round draft pick. About half of 2nd round picks don't last past year 2.

The Patsfans mythology about Dowling being a symbol of 2nd round futility is absurd. If you are going to trash that pick, you also have to trash the Gronk pick. They were essentially the same risk/reward calculation. To get a Gronk-like success, you have to throw a lot of stuff at the wall, most of which won't stick. Its like innovation in the business world: if you aren't having failures, you aren't taking enough risk, and won't create anything worthwhile.

 

[Doctor DDS]

The only 1 of those 3 he should’ve been attempting to negotiate an extension with was Thuney. It was wise to save money and get the comp picks on KVN/Collins then and it looks even better now.

I completely agree. I was generally happy that he re-set the cap this year. Would have liked them to have seriously considered trading Thuney at the deadline unless they plan to sign him long term.

 

[Ring 6]

BB could have attempted to sign Collins, Van Noy and Thuney to longer term deals to lower their 2020 cap hits if he wanted to. Would not have been easy and am not saying he should have done it but he could have made a series of moves to free up cap space if he was willing to move significant money into the future.

Not reasonably.

 

[BTTA]

NFL Rumors: Bill Belichick Ready For 'Aggressive' Offseason - NESN.com

“We’ve heard what Bill has said … basically since the first loss, that’s when Bill’s been in excuse-making mode. After the finale, and on Monday, I was worried about some of the things that he said, which were half-truths or not close to the truth.
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I'd like to see Bedard's list of Belichick's 2019 lies and excuses (and please, distinguish between the two). Give it to us in bullet points.

It is a childish, emotionally immature reaction to interpret given reasons as excuses. Just because something is disappointing doesn't mean that someone has done something wrong. Absorbing disappointment and responding constructively is one of the hallmarks of growing beyond childhood. In the media, this is a bright red line that distinguishes shock jocks entertainers from journalists.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

I completely agree. I was generally happy that he re-set the cap this year. Would have liked them to have seriously considered trading Thuney at the deadline unless they plan to sign him long term.

Idk where everyone stands on this but if we locked up thuney I would’ve attempted to deal Mason. I like Shaq but just see Joe as the better more versatile lineman.

 

[Ring 6]

Idk where everyone stands on this but if we locked up thuney I would’ve attempted to deal Mason. I like Shaq but just see Joe as the better more versatile lineman.

They are both good players why would one depend upon the other?

 

[ivanvamp]

It's absurd for anyone to be upset at the state of the Patriots, or to "blame" anyone for this "failure". It's been an unprecedented run of greatness. Of COURSE the bill is going to come due at some point. It's nobody's "fault". It was, to quote Thanos, inevitable. And even this required a bunch of bizarre circumstances to bring it to a head.

I'm sure BB will make a lot of moves to improve the team, some (many?) of which will leave a lot of us scratching our heads.

 

[ivanvamp]

You know that Dowling was considered a top 10 draft pick but the injury risk pushed him into the 2nd round, just like Gronk? And despite the injuries, he went on to having a middling NFL career for a 2nd round draft pick. About half of 2nd round picks don't last past year 2.

The Patsfans mythology about Dowling being a symbol of 2nd round futility is absurd. If you are going to trash that pick, you also have to trash the Gronk pick. They were essentially the same risk/reward calculation. To get a Gronk-like success, you have to throw a lot of stuff at the wall, most of which won't stick. Its like innovation in the business world: if you aren't having failures, you aren't taking enough risk, and won't create anything worthwhile.

That's a great post right there.

 

[RIpats88]

I sure hope so. I also think watching brady tear it up in tampa while Bill gets scrutinized is eating away at him.

All starts at QB though. Still hoping for a stafford or Jimmy G.

 

[sb1]

I sure hope so. I also think watching brady tear it up in tampa while Bill gets scrutinized is eating away at him.

All starts at QB though. Still hoping for a stafford or Jimmy G.

I think Brady's success in Tampa is great for the Pats for exactly that reason. We know Bill won't be complacent and he will respond to it in some way and I think this "leak" is part of that.

Would love to see JG back. And let's not forget JG was one pass away from beating the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Or if Kittle doesn't get called for a ticky tack OPI. He also kicked our asses this year in Foxboro.

 

[p8ryts]

NFL Rumors: Bill Belichick Ready For 'Aggressive' Offseason - NESN.com

“We’ve heard what Bill has said … basically since the first loss, that’s when Bill’s been in excuse-making mode. After the finale, and on Monday, I was worried about some of the things that he said, which were half-truths or not close to the truth. And I worried that what Bill was saying publicly, maybe he’s caring that forward privately in terms of how he views this team. Maybe he’s gotten to the age where he thinks he can do no wrong and that they’re just a couple of plays away from doing this or that, or that they just need good quarterback play and they’ll be OK.

“After talking to some people the last few days, it sounds like Bill knows exactly what’s going on. I think they’re going to set an aggressive path toward this offseason. And that means in a whole bunch of areas, from free agency to trades to the offense. I think he spent a good part of the second half of the season realizing where his team was and he’s ready to do something about it.”
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Sounds a little like damage control to the media who is starting to call Bill out for his excuse-making this year. Also doesn't really jive with not closing the door on Cam as next year's QB here.

We'll see. I hope he's right.

It's ironic that for twenty years the media has blasted Belichick for being unresponsive to questions. He gives an answer and then they jump all over him as an excuse maker. Sorry pundits. I BELIEVE Bill knew exactly what he was doing this year. Moving on from Brady, something that had to be done sooner or later, bite the bullet. Clearing out the cap. It's quality time for the second guessers, the Brady lovers and BB haters, and in particular the Currans and Bedards of the world who are experts at reviewing the all 22, whispering to people in the Foxboro tunnels, and telling the world where BB screwed up. Hind sight is always better. Can't wait for Bill's next steps.

 

[p8ryts]

I think there are a lot of noises out there right now and I wouldn't really pay too much attention to it. BB is not one who leaks information out, so most of the stuff we hear/read are probably more speculation than anything else. I do think BB will be "aggressive", but whether that means ponying up for Hunter Henry/Kenny Golladay or signing 10 tier 2/3/4 guys, we will have to see.

How many games have Henry and Golladay missed in their career? Too many I think.

 

[203Pat]

You know that Dowling was considered a top 10 draft pick but the injury risk pushed him into the 2nd round, just like Gronk? And despite the injuries, he went on to having a middling NFL career for a 2nd round draft pick. About half of 2nd round picks don't last past year 2.

The Patsfans mythology about Dowling being a symbol of 2nd round futility is absurd. If you are going to trash that pick, you also have to trash the Gronk pick. They were essentially the same risk/reward calculation. To get a Gronk-like success, you have to throw a lot of stuff at the wall, most of which won't stick. Its like innovation in the business world: if you aren't having failures, you aren't taking enough risk, and won't create anything worthwhile.

Are you talking about Ras-I Dowling? He played in 12 career games with a whopping 11 tackles. That is hardly "middling".

 

[RIpats88]

I think Brady's success in Tampa is great for the Pats for exactly that reason. We know Bill won't be complacent and he will respond to it in some way and I think this "leak" is part of that.

Would love to see JG back. And let's not forget JG was one pass away from beating the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Or if Kittle doesn't get called for a ticky tack OPI. He also kicked our asses this year in Foxboro.

I just don't know what to take of all the comments in San Fran. The coach and GM keep saying they expect him there next season.

But it also could be smokescreen because if someone they like better becomes available why stick with the guy who has been healthy for 1 out of 3 seasons and who you didn't trust to throw the ball in the playoffs

 

[NYCPATS4LIFE]

You know that Dowling was considered a top 10 draft pick but the injury risk pushed him into the 2nd round, just like Gronk? And despite the injuries, he went on to having a middling NFL career for a 2nd round draft pick. About half of 2nd round picks don't last past year 2.

The Patsfans mythology about Dowling being a symbol of 2nd round futility is absurd. If you are going to trash that pick, you also have to trash the Gronk pick. They were essentially the same risk/reward calculation. To get a Gronk-like success, you have to throw a lot of stuff at the wall, most of which won't stick. Its like innovation in the business world: if you aren't having failures, you aren't taking enough risk, and won't create anything worthwhile.

A middling nfl career? His name is glass i dowling. He was a bust. Guy started two games total. The guy had a history of being nicked up. He was basically another Dominique Easley.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

It's ironic that for twenty years the media has blasted Belichick for being unresponsive to questions. He gives an answer and then they jump all over him as an excuse maker. Sorry pundits. I BELIEVE Bill knew exactly what he was doing this year. Moving on from Brady, something that had to be done sooner or later, bite the bullet. Clearing out the cap. It's quality time for the second guessers, the Brady lovers and BB haters, and in particular the Currans and Bedards of the world who are experts at reviewing the all 22, whispering to people in the Foxboro tunnels, and telling the world where BB screwed up. Hind sight is always better. Can't wait for Bill's next steps.

Merloni too, he's been insufferable with his BB excuse making take.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

They are both good players why would one depend upon the other?

They are and we actually have cap room to keep both. I just prefer to only pay 1 interior lineman that kind of money and I like Thuneys versatility. Think we can put Onwenu in masons spot and the line would be fine.

 

[borg]

I'd like to see Bedard's list of Belichick's 2019 lies and excuses (and please, distinguish between the two). Give it to us in bullet points.

It is a childish, emotionally immature reaction to interpret given reasons as excuses. Just because something is disappointing doesn't mean that someone has done something wrong. Absorbing disappointment and responding constructively is one of the hallmarks of growing beyond childhood. In the media, this is a bright red line that distinguishes shock jocks entertainers from journalists.

Tremendous post !!!!
Your "absorbing disappointment" phrase should be the first words of the title of a study that examines the fragility of an entitled New England fan base.
One title possibility
"Absorbing Disappointment?"...... F*%K That!

Regarding Bedard and the local hot-take flame throwers:
Just a gaggle of payback-opportunists attempting to extract a pound or two of flesh from Sir Belichick the Uncooperative when his armor is revealing the slightest crack.
And it goes without saying: Context never required
---------------------------------------------------
Yesterday was a glorious day for the Kill Bill crowd.
First, a Belichick $20 mill+ salary number gets floated by PFT
Then, a couple local vulchers twist themselves in knots trying to establish a Belichick salary / lack of Patriots cap expenditure connection
Now that the "path" is no longer a viable topic worthy of four hours of daily overkill, Belichick Salary Angst will likely consume these flesh extractors for months if not longer until the next low hanging fruit falls onto their laps
And the Johnny Foxboros will swallow every bite of this cheap fast food

 

[Sciz]

They are and we actually have cap room to keep both. I just prefer to only pay 1 interior lineman that kind of money and I like Thuneys versatility. Think we can put Onwenu in masons spot and the line would be fine.

I wouldn't consider Mason's remaining contract to be big money. The signing bonus has already been paid and will hit the cap either way, so the relevant numbers here are the remaining $23 million in new money over the next three years. That's somewhere around half of what Thuney is expected to get.

 

[BTTA]

A middling nfl career? His name is glass i dowling. He was a bust. Guy started two games total. The guy had a history of being nicked up. He was basically another Dominique Easley.

Just even the slightest bit of research, just 2 minutes worth, would show you how wrong you are.