I.M. Fletcher
2nd Team Getting Their First Start
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2012
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So, let me preface this by saying, as always, Brady staying should be the priority. I dont need to get in to the whys or hows or ifs, but I think most, if not all will agree that is the preferred ending to this off-season.
With that said, one thought that I keep bouncing around my head is what would actually motivate Brady to leave, and what would he need in place?
The list has been talked about quite a bit. Money, market, talent level. Many have guessed that if he were to leave, it would be to a place that had a coaching opening, so he could shoehorn McDaniels in to the transaction. But, is that really enough? There are lots of great talents in the league, and many talented players that Brady would love to play with, but is he really going to change so much of his system at this stage of his career?
So, here is where I center in on the Chargers. They have the market, they have the means (well, somewhat debatable, but Brady would pay for himself 10-fold), and they definitely have top tier talent, with Allen, Ekeler and Williams as receiving options.
My guess is, as talented as those guys are, Brady will want his own guys. Who would love a chance to live near the beach, full marketing opportunities and a chance to brand himself as an LA guy more than Gronk? You will say hes retired, which is fair, but if there is one thing that I think would be fair to say about Gronk, is that he absolutely loves the spotlight, and theres none bigger or brighter than LA.
What about Edelman? I think its a fair guess that if Brady wasnt here anymore, he would be 50/50 to retire (at best). But would Brady push hard to bring his fellow Californian with him, to make life easier on all the underneathe space now open, with 2 great outside threats, and the big man in the middle?
All this leads back to the Patriots, and Belichick, and in some way, Kawhi. For those fluent in NBA, Kawhi basically held the Clippers ransom this summer saying he would only come if they could get Paul George. The Clippers didnt love the cost that George would be, but their reasoning for doing that trade was simply "you arent paying that price for George, you are paying that price for George and Kawhi".
So, if Brady were to leave, and decided he needed his guys (and McDaniels, and maybe Ossenfort or Caserio) do you think think they would balk at paying the 6th overall for Gronk and Edelman? The compensation might be high or it might be low, but I think its something worth weighing. In this picture you can see the Chargers coming out of this with one of the best offenses in the NFL, while moving in to a brand new building they desperately need to sell tickets in. If the price was a very high draft pick, does the timing of the move make the cost make more sense?
From the Pats POV, why give up their only receiver, give up on Gronk and let Brady go? Well, this all hinges on a deal with Brady not being able to be struck. But, if that door closes, does Edelman being back for one more season really make a new starters life that much easier, especially if hes a retirement risk? Doesnt it make sense to start fresh and build younger options around a young QB? Plus, the added cap space allows you to build a top tier defense and pour money in to an offensive line that would help alleviate the pressure placed on any QB tasked with leading the need next.
So, while this is all fantasy, but maybe its this type of situation that would help Brady finish the way he wants, while helping build the next great Patriots team. I hope for a better finish here for Brady than what we got this year, but it doesnt mean both parties cant move forward and be successful.;
With that said, one thought that I keep bouncing around my head is what would actually motivate Brady to leave, and what would he need in place?
The list has been talked about quite a bit. Money, market, talent level. Many have guessed that if he were to leave, it would be to a place that had a coaching opening, so he could shoehorn McDaniels in to the transaction. But, is that really enough? There are lots of great talents in the league, and many talented players that Brady would love to play with, but is he really going to change so much of his system at this stage of his career?
So, here is where I center in on the Chargers. They have the market, they have the means (well, somewhat debatable, but Brady would pay for himself 10-fold), and they definitely have top tier talent, with Allen, Ekeler and Williams as receiving options.
My guess is, as talented as those guys are, Brady will want his own guys. Who would love a chance to live near the beach, full marketing opportunities and a chance to brand himself as an LA guy more than Gronk? You will say hes retired, which is fair, but if there is one thing that I think would be fair to say about Gronk, is that he absolutely loves the spotlight, and theres none bigger or brighter than LA.
What about Edelman? I think its a fair guess that if Brady wasnt here anymore, he would be 50/50 to retire (at best). But would Brady push hard to bring his fellow Californian with him, to make life easier on all the underneathe space now open, with 2 great outside threats, and the big man in the middle?
All this leads back to the Patriots, and Belichick, and in some way, Kawhi. For those fluent in NBA, Kawhi basically held the Clippers ransom this summer saying he would only come if they could get Paul George. The Clippers didnt love the cost that George would be, but their reasoning for doing that trade was simply "you arent paying that price for George, you are paying that price for George and Kawhi".
So, if Brady were to leave, and decided he needed his guys (and McDaniels, and maybe Ossenfort or Caserio) do you think think they would balk at paying the 6th overall for Gronk and Edelman? The compensation might be high or it might be low, but I think its something worth weighing. In this picture you can see the Chargers coming out of this with one of the best offenses in the NFL, while moving in to a brand new building they desperately need to sell tickets in. If the price was a very high draft pick, does the timing of the move make the cost make more sense?
From the Pats POV, why give up their only receiver, give up on Gronk and let Brady go? Well, this all hinges on a deal with Brady not being able to be struck. But, if that door closes, does Edelman being back for one more season really make a new starters life that much easier, especially if hes a retirement risk? Doesnt it make sense to start fresh and build younger options around a young QB? Plus, the added cap space allows you to build a top tier defense and pour money in to an offensive line that would help alleviate the pressure placed on any QB tasked with leading the need next.
So, while this is all fantasy, but maybe its this type of situation that would help Brady finish the way he wants, while helping build the next great Patriots team. I hope for a better finish here for Brady than what we got this year, but it doesnt mean both parties cant move forward and be successful.;
