NFL Trade Deadline Discourse

[Real fan 02]

I’d be fine with grabbing a WR high in 2026. One guy I loved prior to this college season is Nyck Harbor from South Carolina. He’s 6’5” 230, and runs a 4.2+ forty. That being said, he’s had a disappointing season so far, despite being tied for the team lead in catches, and leads the team in receiving yards and receiving TDs. QB LaNorris Sellers had been getting a lot of hype prior to the season, but has been even more disappointing than Harbor.

Harbor would be a ridiculous weapon for Maye, deep threat, red zone matchup nightmare. But because of his so-so season, some not HIS fault, he will probably drop in the draft, unless he runs a sub 4.3 forty.

I'm trying not to fall into the draft fascination becuase for some reason in NE it never seems to happen.. I'm Holding out hope for K Williams... so we'll see..

 

[n1997y]

BB would be pretty motivated to screw the Krafts which brings up a question.

Would McDaniels up and go to be the OC for BB? I say yes if he was asked.

I’d say no, as long as he’s not in a toxic situation here. And I’m highly confident that he won’t be.

He’s on record about his feelings toward making New England his home and raising his family here iirc. He’s got a very cushy gig here as long as it doesn’t go sideways.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Do we blame Cowden or Wolf for not landing some players?

Maybe. I think it was pretty clear we weren't going to make any big splashes and the small splashes we were looking for weren't there.

On Cowden vs. Wolf, I think some people think Cowden has all the power in the personnel department because he is Vrabel's guy. Others point to Wolf retaining his job title and working on contracts, such as Jones, to show that he's still the GM. I suspect it is somewhere in the middle and both defer to what Vrabel wants.

 

[n1997y]

I think Josh is here for the remainder of his career barring him going after a 3rd chance at HC which who knows if he goes after.

As long as Jonathan doesn’t go crazy and things don’t go sideways some other way.

 

[PatsFan2]

I hear you, but Meyers and Diggs are redundant players.

Diggs has given more that I realistically expected this year

I expect S Diggs to be the focus this week if Boutte is out. We also could use a Big Game from H Henry.

 

[Real fan 02]

As long as Jonathan doesn’t go crazy and things don’t go sideways some other way.

Be interesting to see if anything changes with the new ownership group..

 

[PatsFan2]

I’d be fine with grabbing a WR high in 2026. One guy I loved prior to this college season is Nyck Harbor from South Carolina. He’s 6’5” 230, and runs a 4.2+ forty. That being said, he’s had a disappointing season so far, despite being tied for the team lead in catches, and leads the team in receiving yards and receiving TDs. QB LaNorris Sellers had been getting a lot of hype prior to the season, but has been even more disappointing than Harbor.

Harbor would be a ridiculous weapon for Maye, deep threat, red zone matchup nightmare. But because of his so-so season, some not HIS fault, he will probably drop in the draft, unless he runs a sub 4.3 forty.

What do you think of that Chris Brazzell II kid from Tennessee?? He's Big and Fast!

 

[Bill Lee]

We had this discussion on the draftboard.

Manxman2601 favored Eisen's approach, targeting Julian Sayin in 2027.

But there's no guarantee Sayin comes out (he will be a RS sophomore in 2027) or that the Jete will be in position to get him.

My take: take the QB now, then when he fails you have a headscart on the next rebuild.

Very interesting. I agree with your point of view. Eisen's approach is too clever by half. So many ways it can fail. Also, Woody Johnson is not known for being patient. Maybe Rich is just stirring the pot to generate content.

 

[Thunderhead]

I think it's a joke that the Patriots sold at the deadlne, made the team worse, when they've played so well. Sends a clear message to the locker room that they aren't worth investing in. They have zero depth and I bet it comes back to bite them.

 

[PatsfanTN]

What do you think of that Chris Brazzell II kid from Tennessee?? He's Big and Fast!

You know my opinion. Kid is big, strong, and the ball just sticks to his hands. He’s been amazing this year

 

[PatsFan2]

I think it's a joke that the Patriots sold at the deadline, made the team worse, when they've played so well. Sends a clear message to the locker room that they aren't worth investing in. They have zero depth and I bet it comes back to bite them.

They're banking on certain key guys not getting injured and we know who they are *biting nails*. We have been very fortunate so far knock on wood.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

PLEASE STOP!

Please stop what? This is an Internet messageboard where people chat, express their views, speculate, predict, guess, etc. You want the posters to continue some aspects of the board and stop others? Seems unlikely.

 

[The Gr8est]

Maybe. I think it was pretty clear we weren't going to make any big splashes and the small splashes we were looking for weren't there.

On Cowden vs. Wolf, I think some people think Cowden has all the power in the personnel department because he is Vrabel's guy. Others point to Wolf retaining his job title and working on contracts, such as Jones, to show that he's still the GM. I suspect it is somewhere in the middle and both defer to what Vrabel wants.

Maybe the Pats just have better impulse control, as opposed to the Jerry Joneses of the world.

Delayed gratification leads to better rewards later.

 

[n1997y]

[Edit note: I kinda ignored the word "trade" in my response & spoke to player acquisition (draft-trade-waiver wire etc) in general.]

IMHO:

Wolf is the Data-gatherer & Financial-mgr. The organizer of scouts input who stacks into batches or tiers of quality by position. & guy who manages the back-end of the process of how to fit them in the cap & puts in the workout clauses etc.

Cowden is the Analyzer. the guy who takes the batches & racks in the stacks & says - "we want to go for this guy to fill this hole" or "this or that guy can fit - lets discuss."

Vrabel is the Driver: Provides those holes & attributes desired to fill those holes to Cowden & Wolf (who gives attribute focus to scouts). Breaks the deadlocks when Cowden throws up for grabs & he-Wolf disagree.

I think it actually is more "collaboration" and "team-work" than some on the board want to give credit for. I dont see Elliot going anywhere. Cowden actually more likely to leave due to poaching than I think Elliot due to being fired / power-played out by Cowden. I hope they can keep posting similar results to 2025. If so,.... another dynasty is born.

I think that’s generally a good summary, except it omits Stretch and his role in the grand scheme of things.

Stretch is Vrabel’s “Pink Stripes” Ernie Adams. He’s the sounding board and strategist that provides an independent objective observer as a check to balance Mike’s cognitive biases. He’s privy to Vrabes’ thoughts on team shape and philosophy. So he acts as gatekeeper and consigliere, and performs a lot of the duties Gumby ascribes to Vrabel (e.g. tiebreaker) so Vrabes can focus on everything else on his plate as well.

So if Wolf is the Details Guy, Cowden is the Analyzer, and Vrabel is the Driver, Stretch is the Strategist and Gatekeeper, or perhaps the Consigliere.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Be interesting to see if anything changes with the new ownership group..

The new owners have a very small %. The Krafts have a supermajority. Nothing will change unless the Krafts change it.

More curious is why did the Krafts pull cash out? To help pay the Inheritance tax that is coming?

 

[n1997y]

I think it's a joke that the Patriots sold at the deadlne, made the team worse, when they've played so well. Sends a clear message to the locker room that they aren't worth investing in. They have zero depth and I bet it comes back to bite them.

How does cutting dead wood make the team worse?

 

[mayoclinic]

I think it's a joke that the Patriots sold at the deadlne, made the team worse, when they've played so well. Sends a clear message to the locker room that they aren't worth investing in. They have zero depth and I bet it comes back to bite them.

Why so optimistic?

They got rid of dead wood that didn't fit and wasn't producing. No loss.

I expect they would have added depth, but not at exorbitant cost, and the biggest sellers didn't want to play with us.

 

[Thunderhead]

How does cutting dead wood make the team worse?

The team is worse without Dugger and White when they did nothing to replace them. I don't see how that's even remotely debatable. And no, I don't count that safety practice squad signing as a real addition.

 

[n1997y]

Please stop what? This is an Internet messageboard where people chat, express their views, speculate, predict, guess, etc. You want the posters to continue some aspects of the board and stop others? Seems unlikely.

Yes.

Stop killing joy.

Stop Inventing alternate realities and then wasting time discussing them like they’re real. Especially when they just reinforce negativity and make you miserable. Picking scabs to see what’s underneath doesn’t help you get better, it just creates a bloody mess.

In other news I’m turning into the board’s resident curmudgeon. Get off my lawn d%#*!@t!

 

[n1997y]

Maybe the Pats just have better impulse control, as opposed to the Jerry Joneses of the world.

Delayed gratification leads to better rewards later.

Checks and balances help. Wolf and Cowden may help provide that.