Godchaux - "Guys being kind of Selfish" - so... Who's Freelancing

[Ring 6]

I like Wolf because he’s going about things the way I want him to go about things. There were a few players I really wanted in free agency, Wilkins and Barkley were at the top of that list, but when they went off the board there weren’t many left that I wanted them to spend significantly on. We agree on their re-signings. Whether or not it was a good or great draft depends heavily upon Maye, if he turns out to be a franchise QB people will love it, if he busts they will hate it. Either way he did exactly what I as hoping he would do at #3, he stayed put and took the QB, so I can’t fault him for that regardless of how Maye turns out, because it’s what I wanted. I like the Polk pick, I think he’s a baller, but what I really wanted was for them to try to move back up in the 1st for Guyton OT, take Powers -Johnson (C) with the #34 pick, or trade up from their 3rd round pick into the mid 2nd for one of the remaining tackles. I didn’t know enough about Wallace to judge the pick. That said I liked the WR picks, and the draft as a whole, but I won’t know if I’m right about that for a few years. But if they hit on Maye, Polk, and Robinson then it’s safe to say it was very good draft.

So the reason I like what Wolf is doing is because he’s going about things the way I want him to. That doesn’t mean I’m right, it just means I agree with the approach he has taken. The next offseason will be different though, as he will have to be more aggressive in free agency, and the way they use their picks will also be different, as the class has different strengths and weaknesses, and they have 10 picks to use. Overall think you need to give a GM at least 4-5 years to gauge their success or failure, as that at least gives their first 2-3 offseasons the time to show whether they were good decisions or not. But I’m sure many want more immediate results, and will judge him according to their views on how to build a successful franchise.

The biggest thing fans are missing here is free agency. Like you they name a couple of the top players and say there was no one else you wanted. We were a 4-13 team that had some contributors (LT, secondary, LB, almost every position group) not return.
Free agency success has never been about the highest priced guys. It’s always been about the middle class of players, the solid contributors. Elevating positions from liability to decent can have a greater impact that elevating positions from decent to good. Especially in the stage we are in. We are only as strong as our weakest link, and weakness holds back strengths.

Probably the most successful free agent class in the history of the NFL was the Patriots 2001 class. It had many signings, at all position groups, with emerging players, and solid veterans, players who would make a weakness no longer a weakness.
We chose not to really even pursue those kind of players and leave $40,000,000 unspent. The talent level on this team has major issues at some spots and a severe dearth of quality depth. There were dozens of free agents available that were better than the players on our roster.
Instead we are playing guys like McMillan, Friends U Pharms, Hawkins, Johnson, Pettus, Wilson, Ekuake playing full time, Uche playing full time on defense and have turned a strength into a weakness. And we are rolling out a string of OL no one else wanted. Where would we be if we had made strategic additions on defense and brought in competent if not excellent OL so that we could put Maye on the field, run a real NFL offense and get young receivers involved? Maybe we could be competitive and assess the younger players properly, and know what we should do next off season.
Instead we are going to go into next off season in exactly the same shape e went into this one, with zero progress. And we aren’t even playing the QB to evaluate him, see how his game translates and get a better assessment of what to put around him.

I can’t really see anything this organization has done since the league year started that is positive unless I cross my fingers and hope the guys who did nothing else right nailed the draft.

 

[203Pat]

The biggest thing fans are missing here is free agency. Like you they name a couple of the top players and say there was no one else you wanted. We were a 4-13 team that had some contributors (LT, secondary, LB, almost every position group) not return.
Free agency success has never been about the highest priced guys. It’s always been about the middle class of players, the solid contributors. Elevating positions from liability to decent can have a greater impact that elevating positions from decent to good. Especially in the stage we are in. We are only as strong as our weakest link, and weakness holds back strengths.

Probably the most successful free agent class in the history of the NFL was the Patriots 2001 class. It had many signings, at all position groups, with emerging players, and solid veterans, players who would make a weakness no longer a weakness.
We chose not to really even pursue those kind of players and leave $40,000,000 unspent. The talent level on this team has major issues at some spots and a severe dearth of quality depth. There were dozens of free agents available that were better than the players on our roster.
Instead we are playing guys like McMillan, Friends U Pharms, Hawkins, Johnson, Pettus, Wilson, Ekuake playing full time, Uche playing full time on defense and have turned a strength into a weakness. And we are rolling out a string of OL no one else wanted. Where would we be if we had made strategic additions on defense and brought in competent if not excellent OL so that we could put Maye on the field, run a real NFL offense and get young receivers involved? Maybe we could be competitive and assess the younger players properly, and know what we should do next off season.
Instead we are going to go into next off season in exactly the same shape e went into this one, with zero progress. And we aren’t even playing the QB to evaluate him, see how his game translates and get a better assessment of what to put around him.

I can’t really see anything this organization has done since the league year started that is positive unless I cross my fingers and hope the guys who did nothing else right nailed the draft.

 

[Ring 6]

But I’m right

 

[signbabybrady]

The biggest thing fans are missing here is free agency. Like you they name a couple of the top players and say there was no one else you wanted. We were a 4-13 team that had some contributors (LT, secondary, LB, almost every position group) not return.
Free agency success has never been about the highest priced guys. It’s always been about the middle class of players, the solid contributors. Elevating positions from liability to decent can have a greater impact that elevating positions from decent to good. Especially in the stage we are in. We are only as strong as our weakest link, and weakness holds back strengths.

Probably the most successful free agent class in the history of the NFL was the Patriots 2001 class. It had many signings, at all position groups, with emerging players, and solid veterans, players who would make a weakness no longer a weakness.
We chose not to really even pursue those kind of players and leave $40,000,000 unspent. The talent level on this team has major issues at some spots and a severe dearth of quality depth. There were dozens of free agents available that were better than the players on our roster.
Instead we are playing guys like McMillan, Friends U Pharms, Hawkins, Johnson, Pettus, Wilson, Ekuake playing full time, Uche playing full time on defense and have turned a strength into a weakness. And we are rolling out a string of OL no one else wanted. Where would we be if we had made strategic additions on defense and brought in competent if not excellent OL so that we could put Maye on the field, run a real NFL offense and get young receivers involved? Maybe we could be competitive and assess the younger players properly, and know what we should do next off season.
Instead we are going to go into next off season in exactly the same shape e went into this one, with zero progress. And we aren’t even playing the QB to evaluate him, see how his game translates and get a better assessment of what to put around him.

I can’t really see anything this organization has done since the league year started that is positive unless I cross my fingers and hope the guys who did nothing else right nailed the draft.

You're making some very valid and scary points.

I would point out that the free agent class you're referring to was in Bill's second year. If Mayo and Wolf can do that next off-season we'll all forget about this year.

 

[203Pat]

But I’m right

You just yell about free agency. Free agency is a cheap pop. It isn't a way to build a team. It is a way to supplement a team. Bridge guys to start for a couple years while your draft picks develop or a high priced guy with a year or two left in his prime that you feel can get you over the hook.

 

[Huckleberry1]

That was spread out before the Patriots. Acquire underrated Garner Minshew or, ideally, Justin Fields, whom the Steelers will have to give up a fourth-rounder if he plays 51% or more. Keep Mac Jones. Trade out of pick 3. Acquire a stud tackle. An extra first-rounder this year? Definitely next year.

Draft a Joe Milton or a Spencer Rattler as a developmental quarterback prospect.

It was all right there.

But the team followed conventional wisdom and went for the bright shiny object.

And had he done what you want they would have no shot at a franchise QB, because next year’s QB’s suck. And if he had done what you suggest we would have totally different takes on Wolf, as I would be one of those hating his approach, and wanting him gone as soon as possible.

 

[Huckleberry1]

And Bill lost his job as a result. I was a big Mayo supporter before he became HC but he cannot afford to seem to players that he can be tuned out. If this is true then he needs to nip it in the bud.

You do realize Belichick had the same problem, and so does every team in football. Defensive players freelancing is commonplace in the NFL, and teams often end up letting those players go. Jamie Collins was a great example of this under Belichick, as was Adalius Thomas. Defensive backs take gambles on interceptions, and DL and linebackers blow off assignments and try to get to the QB. It happens all the time, and every coach has to deal with it.

 

[Clonamery]

You do realize Belichick had the same problem, and so does every team in football. Defensive players freelancing is commonplace in the NFL, and teams often end up letting those players go. Jamie Collins was a great example of this under Belichick, as was Adalius Thomas. Defensive backs take gambles on interceptions, and DL and linebackers blow off assignments and try to get to the QB. It happens all the time, and every coach has to deal with it.

Sure. But it's Game 4. If they don't think they can win and they don't care about winning, perhaps they should sit White/Uche?

 

[Ring 6]

You do realize Belichick had the same problem, and so does every team in football. Defensive players freelancing is commonplace in the NFL, and teams often end up letting those players go. Jamie Collins was a great example of this under Belichick, as was Adalius Thomas. Defensive backs take gambles on interceptions, and DL and linebackers blow off assignments and try to get to the QB. It happens all the time, and every coach has to deal with it.

There is a difference between a defense predicated on doing your job that over 20 years has an example or 2 of selfish players and a defense that after 4 games is defined by and has players calling each other out.

 

[condon84]

The biggest thing fans are missing here is free agency. Like you they name a couple of the top players and say there was no one else you wanted. We were a 4-13 team that had some contributors (LT, secondary, LB, almost every position group) not return.
Free agency success has never been about the highest priced guys. It’s always been about the middle class of players, the solid contributors. Elevating positions from liability to decent can have a greater impact that elevating positions from decent to good. Especially in the stage we are in. We are only as strong as our weakest link, and weakness holds back strengths.

Probably the most successful free agent class in the history of the NFL was the Patriots 2001 class. It had many signings, at all position groups, with emerging players, and solid veterans, players who would make a weakness no longer a weakness.
We chose not to really even pursue those kind of players and leave $40,000,000 unspent. The talent level on this team has major issues at some spots and a severe dearth of quality depth. There were dozens of free agents available that were better than the players on our roster.
Instead we are playing guys like McMillan, Friends U Pharms, Hawkins, Johnson, Pettus, Wilson, Ekuake playing full time, Uche playing full time on defense and have turned a strength into a weakness. And we are rolling out a string of OL no one else wanted. Where would we be if we had made strategic additions on defense and brought in competent if not excellent OL so that we could put Maye on the field, run a real NFL offense and get young receivers involved? Maybe we could be competitive and assess the younger players properly, and know what we should do next off season.
Instead we are going to go into next off season in exactly the same shape e went into this one, with zero progress. And we aren’t even playing the QB to evaluate him, see how his game translates and get a better assessment of what to put around him.

I can’t really see anything this organization has done since the league year started that is positive unless I cross my fingers and hope the guys who did nothing else right nailed the draft.

All of this.

You look at a team like the Commanders, brand new GM, brand new coaching staff and thus far it looks like they've nailed their offseason moves.

Reinforced their OL and defense through FA and picked the right OC to help develop their rookie QB.

 

[Ring 6]

All of this.

You look at a team like the Commanders, brand new GM, brand new coaching staff and thus far it looks like they've nailed their offseason moves.

Reinforced their OL and defense through FA and picked the right OC to help develop their rookie QB.

No, this was the only year ever in history that there weren’t any free agents worth signing. No team could have improved. It wasnt possible .

 

[PatsFan2]

No, this was the only year ever in history that there weren’t any free agents worth signing. No team could have improved. It wasn't possible .

Sarcasm??

 

[Ring 6]

Sarcasm??

Yeah that’s what people keep telling me.

 

[PatsFan2]

Yeah that’s what people keep telling me.

I get it AJ you were spot on with your criticisms.

 

[Real fan 02]

Why does that matter to you? You thought he sucked and didn’t want them to take him.

LMAO.. ok.

 

[TheRainMaker]

LMAO.. ok.

You've been calling for Maye to play week 1 all off-season. I haven't seen you say a negative thing about him.

 

[Real fan 02]

You've been calling for Maye to play week 1 all off-season. I haven't seen you say a negative thing about him.

Thank you brother. That threw me for a loop.. I was over the moon we got Drake. I've resigned to the fact that we likely won't see maye any time soon. I understand it better now looking at the state of the team. Some posters believe that becuase we will have all this cap space next off season that will will get difference makers...

If we have to go through the next 12 weeks looking like we are I just cannot see how we attract guys unless we see Drake at some point and allow him to show his abilities and potential.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Thank you brother. That threw me for a loop.. I was over the moon we got Drake. I've resigned to the fact that we likely won't see maye any time soon. I understand it better now looking at the state of the team. Some posters believe that becuase we will have all this cap space next off season that will will get difference makers...

If we have to go through the next 12 weeks looking like we are I just cannot see how we attract guys unless we see Drake at some point and allow him to show his abilities and potential.

I think we'll see Drake by the mid season point at the latest. It's week 4 and I rightfully predicted fans/media would call Brissett's benching by this time. Brissett's play is going to force Mayo hand very soon.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think we'll see Drake by the mid season point at the latest. It's week 4 and I rightfully predicted fans/media would call Brissett's benching by this time. Brissett's play is going to force Mayo hand very soon.

Your absolutely correct I owe you that credit you did say that. As I've expressed I just cannot accept as a fan Mayo saying Brissett gives the team the best chance to win.. it's malarkey.

We know the line has been a problem all camp into the regular season. The QB quantifies the problem can't protect and can't hit open WRs.

 

[PatsFan2]

You do realize Belichick had the same problem, and so does every team in football. Defensive players freelancing is commonplace in the NFL, and teams often end up letting those players go. Jamie Collins was a great example of this under Belichick, as was Adalius Thomas. Defensive backs take gambles on interceptions, and DL and linebackers blow off assignments and try to get to the QB. It happens all the time, and every coach has to deal with it.

Getting to Jacoby in practice against a Practice squad OL doesn't translate on Sundays. I think our Defenders are realizing that thus the freelance.