conspiracy theory?

After settling in to the fact that the Pats just couldn't pull things together this year, my son and I were having a "what if" discussion.

Point 1 - As much as we love TB's heart and talent, he had a tough year, whether it was injuries or frustration or lack of talent around him or a combination, we probably will never know. Tom is to classy a guy to really throw anyone under the bus. But at times his throws were horrible, missing wide open receivers, INT's, and just at times seeming to be "going through the motions".

Point 2 - BB's personnel decisions this year could be placed in the category of "WTF" from the fans perspective. But that is what it is, opinions and perspective. We are privy to the insight and intelligence that a head coach has access to.
a. Tight Ends - With Gronk retiring, why in the name of all that is holy would you ship off Hollister. Granted that he isn't a top tier TE, but better than anyone they had on the roster. We probably will never know if there was truly serious discussions for OJ Howard or any other top talent.
b. WR - Seriously, a 2nd for Sanu. Maybe we need to drug test coaches and front office staff. I've watched Sanu since his Cincy days. He is a serviceable WR but definitely not worth a 2nd. Letting Patterson walk after showing that he is a multi-faceted offense/return threat was not a great move either.
c. Trading of Garappolo and Brissett for basically a gift basket from the local flower shop. It's no secret that BB wanted to keep JG.

So to the conspiracy side. Is there some sort of actual rift between Brady and or BB and or Kraft. Did Brady intentionally play sub par as a poke at BB for his lack of adding talent? Did BB screw up the roster to show Brady and / or Kraft that he is the "big dog"? (i.e. JG trade)

interested to hear y'all's thoughts.

Brady made some bad and curious throws, but also looked incredibly sharp often as well. I genuinely think most of it was on the skill players. Edelman was badly injured, Dorset disappeared, Harry and Meyers played like rookies, Sanu came and did nothing well other than one game, and the TE position was non existent.

They destroyed Pittsburgh early on and the offense looked unstoppable.

Patriots aren't infallible, it just feels like it sometimes. There is no need for an intricate conspiracy theory. They just had a bad year on and off the field.

None of that ... the season just didn't work out.
Injuries to Brady, Edelman, Watson, Sanu, Andrews and Chung & AB's stupidity
were too much to overcome ... the best and healthy teams made it ... so it is what it is.

A top threat at WR or TE would have made a HUGE difference. It's a shame they can't draft wide receivers. It's a shame AB was batsh!t crazy. It's a shame they didn't even try to replace Gronk.

August 31: The Seahawks release Hollister. They don’t want him.

September 1: Hollister clears waivers. Nobody wants him.

September 1-October 11: Hollister is on the Seahawks’ practice squad available to be signed. Nobody wants him.

one thing i will say that goes against the whole brady/BB rift...



watch the end. BB is pumped. this doesnt look like a man that spites his QB

Sciz said:

August 31: The Seahawks release Hollister. They don’t want him.

September 1: Hollister clears waivers. Nobody wants him.

September 1-October 11: Hollister is on the Seahawks’ practice squad available to be signed. Nobody wants him.

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I find it hard to accept why Lacosse and why no Hollister.
Not a huge game changer but improvements here and there lead to game changing big plays.

IcyPatriot said:

None of that ... the season just didn't work out.
Injuries to Brady, Edelman, Watson, Sanu, Andrews and Chung & AB's stupidity
were too much to overcome ... the best and healthy teams made it ... so it is what it is.

Click to expand...

Tight End was badly mismanaged though. I don’t know that a healthy, 27-year old of Ben Watson suffices for that offense. Expecting anything from him, LaCosse, Izzo was an epic reach. Considering what they traded for Sanu, now I wish they’d just ponied up for OJ Howard.

Unbelievable that the fan base thinks that Bill is trying to lose on purpose out of spite...

IcyPatriot said:

I find it hard to accept why Lacosse and why no Hollister.
Not a huge game changer but improvements here and there lead to game changing big plays.

Click to expand...

Yea it sucks that we traded away Hollister he had a decent year. It’s a shame he got lost in roster shuffle at the beginning of the year.

while giving him a bath, my dog said that during the season, BB is always very focused on the here and now, but that during the offseason he balances the present with the future.

And the draft is 3 1/2 months away, free agency 2 1/2 months away, so that leaves, oh, so much time for interesting topics like this.

By and large this thread title always also contains its own answer.

bigballas said:

one thing i will say that goes against the whole brady/BB rift...



watch the end. BB is pumped. this doesnt look like a man that spites his QB

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That was probably my favorite play of the year.

TB_Helmet said:

That was probably my favorite play of the year.

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I agree, and my god this year's offense sucked.

TommyBrady12 said:

Unbelievable that the fan base thinks that Bill is trying to lose on purpose out of spite...

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SB 52. Until we know the truth, the suspicion will be there. No one should be above having to answer for their actions, but BB worshippers and a craven owner have raised BB to that level. Imagine if another coach had done what he did when he did it and never explained why. The outrage would have been enormous and demanded an explanation or the head of the person who saw himself above having to give one.

IllegalContact said:

while giving him a bath, my dog said that during the season, BB is always very focused on the here and now, but that during the offseason he balances the present with the future.

Click to expand...

I have my dog a bath, she farted.

Where did the story about BB wanting to keep Jimmy come from? I hear it on here on Patsfans.com all the time, but I've never seen a statement from BB himself on the matter and Bill isn't quite the open book with his private feelings.