Agree, the Pats schedule was brutal (.527 SOS) but it won't be as easy as you think this year (.496 SOS) even with less travel.
New Orleans will be a shell of this year's team. That alone changes those numbers. I don't think the Bills sweep BB next year - 4-2 in the division is very doable. I'm expecting regression in Tenn, as well. Teams that lean so heavily on a big RB usually flame out pretty quickly, although Vrabel's built a good and solid unit there.
There's real concern over offensive talented players wanting to come play for Patriots given their QB situation. If you recall, even when Brady was here, there were several WR/TE that chose to go elsewhere (even when offered more $$). Now, we're not only missing the GOAT but we're getting negative advertising from guys like Stafford and Amendola of all people.
I don't buy into any of that garbage. We're not getting a "Brady discount," or SB discount, but the competition isn't going to be hot for most of these guys since so many teams have serious cap issues and will be shedding talent. Guys who don't want to play hard shouldn't be considered in the first place - and most of the "negative press," as with Amendola, is media nonsense. Watch his statement. he went out of his way to praise BB.
For most players, particularly the mid-listers coming off rookie deals, it comes down to $$$ and possible exposure. So sure, the Suhs and maybe the JJ Watts want to play for SB, but how many teams are out there with a realistic chance and will need their services? if you're going anywhere in the NFC other than Tampa, Green Bay, or maybe LA, are you really going thinking you're getting a ring? Why would any receiver or tight end want to go to Tampa and ride the bench? Heck, they might SHED a good TE and a receiver!
If this was as much of a problem as people here are making it, then why did teams like the Jets and the Browns win every off-season, and why did NE miss out on players with near-matching offers for the last two decades? Every player in that league who's looking to improve his game and exposure knows that BB is the best coach in the league.
We also need to make big decisions regarding our own free agents (Thuney, Andrews, Guy, White, Butler, Burkhead, McCourty, Folk, Bethel, Jackson) before we even look elsewhere. Some of those players are the best talent this team has left, if they walk, you're basically starting from scratch. There's also no guarantee players like Hightower, Cannon or Chung come back.
White would barely see the field this year on the Pats, barring injuries.
Thuney is a blue chipper - when have the Pats ever had trouble developing a lineman?
They can keep Andrews if they really want to.
I love Lawrence Guy and he wants to stay, but if he breaks the bank, it is what it is. He's not Aaron Donald. he's a solid, versatile DL. Same with
Butler - and I doubt the pats let both of them walk.
Burkhead might be all done. He can't stay on the field. Love him, hope he's back, but he won't be expensive (if he can even be ready to play in time).
Jason McCourty lost a step this year. He'll be back if he wants to, but he's not top end at this point in his career.
Folk probably won't be on the team. Not worried about it.
They'll re-sign Bethel, I think, even with Bolden coming back. Won't be expensive.
Patscap built JC Jackson's 1st-round tender into their calculation. With so many teams cash-strapped, you think someone will bite on that?
Almost all the other guys you listed on the team are JAGS. You also don't address the most important position, unless you mean you're OK with bringing Cam back at QB.
I'm not a nervous Nellie type just trying to keep my expectations in check. Getting this terrible feeling that the Pats have lost their aura of excellence and therefore their ability to attract talent, unless we draft it. Given the potential for high turnover means familiarity and communication may be lacking which may result in losses.
I'm guessing the same 8-8 record, like I did last year. Even if we split with Bills and win any one of the Chargers/Titans/Browns/Colts games, a 10-6 record won't guarantee a trip to the playoffs (MIA missed playoffs with that record). I hope I'm wrong.
I think you're wrong. This year was a train wreck and BB pulled out a 7-9 season. Am I okay with Cam coming back? Shrug. He looked pretty good when they let him turn it loose in a couple of games, then SUCKED after COVID. At the time, i was saying "COVID brain" and I meant it - Newton even said that things looked "foggy."
Exactly like Tatum (and several writer friends of mine). That should be cleared up - he'll play better next year. I think they can upgrade, though, and think they will.