PATRIOTS NEWS OFFICIAL: Patriots Finally Acquire AJ Brown

[upstater1]

but then I could say you are looking at a period where they drafted particularly well.
If you split the difference it's a 50% hit rate.

The question remains, would you prefer to take a coin flip on a 1st rounder or use that 1st rounder on a proven commodity like AJ Brown for a very solid 2-3 year period while your QB is on a decent deal if you think AJ puts you over the top.

I'm NOT saying it's the only right decision -- what I'm saying is that it is a reasonable bet.

1st rounders are the lifeblood of any team.

Without them, you're going nowhere.

If you're going to trade them, there are only 2 reasons for doing so. One, to grab a 24 year old player like AJ Brown (what the Eagles did) or because you are so stocked up at all positions that you can afford to let go of your future to insure a Super Bowl run.

I find it really odd and telling that the Patriots/Belichick were heavily criticized for horrible drafting during the 2014-2019 era when they traded away multiple picks, lost picks due to scandal, blew picks, and yet, during the entire period, they were in the Super Bowl or else in contention (2015).

So, they sold the future to win now, and they won.

But the talent depletion was real.

 

[upstater1]

In sentiment.

I've never not rooted for the Patriots even when they've made poor decisions

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

So we know for sure it's a chronic issue that will impact his effectiveness?
I don't know that, and I have a hard time believing we would make the trade if that were the case.
It's common sense to say he's had problems in the past, it's guesswork to say it's chronic.

We don't know how it effects his game except looking at last year's playoffs. Not a good look. I assume Vrabel will manage it like he did Moses last year, every Wedensday off, maybe Thursday too. Skip a few games, hopefully 2 or 3 games at the end of the season to rest the knee. By season's end last year, the knee was shot. Vrabel will have to rest it a lot for the next few years.

A #1 WR like Brown with a cap hit of $7M and $11m over the next two years is not available for a late round draft pick unless there is something wrong. It is that simple. The knee issue is chronic.

 

[RxJock1120]

Thought maybe making the Superbowl last yr would make the list

It made the list, but this this time I would feel confident in us actually winning it.

 

[Brady85-23]

If it doesn't work it's on Vrabes. The pats HAVE to win a superbowl for this to be a good trade. If Gonzo gets greedy get a solid corner and 2 1sts

 

[ScottishPatriots]

I think the "bad knees" thing might be a bit overblown, he obviously has had some slight knee issues.

If his knees are in as bad shape as people like to claim this trade would be off cause no way he'd pass his physical, it doesn't matter how bad Vrabel wants him they aren't going to sign a guy with destroyed knees.

 

[PatsFan2]

What a daunting bar or hurdle for A.J. to.clear.

 

[scott99]

I like that the Pats have already listed AJ Brown on their official roster wearing #1 on their website/app. Love looking at the roster and seeing him there.

 

[ScottishPatriots]

If it doesn't work it's on Vrabes. The pats HAVE to win a superbowl for this to be a good trade. If Gonzo gets greedy get a solid corner and 2 1sts

They really don't though, that's the goal but you'll just know its a good trade when you see it.

If AJ Brown plays for the Pats for 3 seasons and has 3 x 1200 yard seasons and the Patriots lose in the AFC Championship game twice and the divisional round but they go 36-15 in the regular you can't say it was a bad trade.

AJ Brown continuing to help Drake Maye develop into an elite quarterback who can do this year after year would make this trade a success.

They gave up essentially one first round pick likely in the bottom half of the round, that's far from a haul we just spent the 4th overall pick on Will Campbell and no one would consider him a Super Bowl or bust player.

 

[RobertWeathers]

If it doesn't work it's on Vrabes. The pats HAVE to win a superbowl for this to be a good trade. If Gonzo gets greedy get a solid corner and 2 1sts

Poor take.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

We don't know how it effects his game except looking at last year's playoffs. Not a good look. I assume Vrabel will manage it like he did Moses last year, every Wedensday off, maybe Thursday too. Skip a few games, hopefully 2 or 3 games at the end of the season to rest the knee. By season's end last year, the knee was shot. Vrabel will have to rest it a lot for the next few years.

A #1 WR like Brown with a cap hit of $7M and $11m over the next two years is not available for a late round draft pick unless there is something wrong. It is that simple. The knee issue is chronic.

Maybe it's that simple, maybe it's not.
Maybe other NFL GMs weren't willing to wait till June 1st to make such a move and hope they get him. They made their hay in the draft and thru FA.
One thing NFL GMs are not, is patient.

 

[TommyD4207]

If it doesn't work it's on Vrabes. The pats HAVE to win a superbowl for this to be a good trade. If Gonzo gets greedy get a solid corner and 2 1sts

 

[Zuma]

If it doesn't work it's on Vrabes.

Their could be half a dozen reason why “if it doesn’t work”. Setting up the blame for Vrabel in June is a mistake.

The pats HAVE to win a superbowl for this to be a good trade.

Trading for Moss was also a good move…Super Bowl win or not.

If Gonzo gets greedy get a solid corner and 2 1sts

We can hold on to Gonzo for 3-4 more years if we want…without a new contract.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Their could be half a dozen reason why “if it doesn’t work”. Setting up the blame for Vrabel in June is a mistake.

Trading for Moss was also a good move…Super Bowl win or not.

We can hold to Gonzo for 3-4 more years if we want…without a new contract

Well technically franchising him is a new contract....just saying.

 

[LightSkinSmurf]

If it doesn't work it's on Vrabes. The pats HAVE to win a superbowl for this to be a good trade. If Gonzo gets greedy get a solid corner and 2 1sts

Nah, that is a ridiculous bar. As long as he turns out to still have juice and be a star for Maye and help him develop even more into a superstar for the next few years or so, it's a good trade.

 

[Zuma]

Well technically franchising him is a new contract....just saying.

Yeah I was thinking the same....but i said it anyway

 

[PatsFanInVa]

If nothing else, I think this will be a fun WR room to be in. Hope Boutte thinks the same!

I really understand if he doesn't see the fun in it, as a prospective outside guy hearing Kyle Williams' footstep and watching two new outside guys come in who are better than him. He goes from wanting to take a leap to be The Man, to wanting to start, to fighting to play a marginal "depth" role (Pop is the slottier of the two, so that's not even a landing spot here.)

This could be a historically great group to be part of, and it would be cool if Boutte saw it that way... but I don't think that's how he looks at it. I think he wants to start and there are teams where he would start. But heck, it's just Trade Deadline Eve... there's more to come.

 

[jimnance]

Poor take.

Yep. On both counts.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Yeah I was thinking the same....but i said it anyway

I knew what you meant, but the damn Engineer in me often has a mind of it's own and can't let mistakes go. It's a fault, I know.

 

[Brady85-23]

They really don't though, that's the goal but you'll just know its a good trade when you see it.

If AJ Brown plays for the Pats for 3 seasons and has 3 x 1200 yard seasons and the Patriots lose in the AFC Championship game twice and the divisional round but they go 36-15 in the regular you can't say it was a bad trade.

AJ Brown continuing to help Drake Maye develop into an elite quarterback who can do this year after year would make this trade a success.

They gave up essentially one first round pick likely in the bottom half of the round, that's far from a haul we just spent the 4th overall pick on Will Campbell and no one would consider him a Super Bowl or bust player.

Pats were slotted to pick at 4 and they took Campbell. Different situation. And will could give them over 10 years of solid play. On paper it's a bold move. And weather one agrees or not there can be argument made it was an overpay. Eagles gave up a 1 & 3 when AJ was 25. The patriots went to the superbowl without aj brown. They didnt have to give up a 1st rd pick. So I stand by my statement. For this to be a good trade they gotta win 1 and this was all Vrabes. He was hellbent on righting the wrong that was done in Tennessee. And if Wolf was the shot caller I dont think he makes the trade.
The good thing is I truly believe the pats have a good chance at winning 1 in the next 2 years. I like the team a lot. And it's cool if most don't agree just my take