Have the Pats really adopted a "Win Now" philosophy?

[Rob0729]

All I have heard on the radio for the last week or so is how the Pats have adopted a win now philosophy and radically changed their approach to free agency. But have they really?

Take away Revis and everything they have done seems pretty consistent to previous years. Re-signing Edelman is consistent to what they do. Offer him a contract at what they perceive market value and let him shop himself to find out there is no big money out there. Browner and LaFell are both mid market free agents no different than Amendola last year. In other words, a guy with decent to big upside potential but not among the best guys at his position available.

Even Revis fits their model to a point. The Pats have always loved going after once in a generation talent on low risk one year moves. They did that with Moss and Dillon. The only difference is that Revis is still in his prime and didn't have massive down years coming to the Pats like Moss and Dillon. So he commanded a big contract to sign.

I would argue that take away Revis and people would be killing the Pats for bargain shopping in free agency just like I think if it wasn't for Welker leaving last year people would have loved the Amendola move around this time last year. But because of Revis, even Belichick bashers like Callahan and Felger are gushing over him for "going for it" and "realizing Brady's window is closing".

I just don't know if I see it that way. If Belichick was in that mode, he would make a run at Jared Allen or DeMarcus Ware before he was signed. I don't think he will touch Allen and his price tag. I just think arguably the greatest CB in the league and possibly all time fell on his lap and it was too good to pass up.

I like what the Pats have done in free agency thus far, but I still think they are doing what they always do.

 

[Observer]

Signing the most expensive free agent in the market is the polar opposite of what they always do.

 

[1960Pats]

They're trying to win now AND later. I like that plan.

 

[PatsFan2]

All I have heard on the radio for the last week or so is how the Pats have adopted a win now philosophy and radically changed their approach to free agency. But have they really?

Take away Revis and everything they have done seems pretty consistent to previous years. Re-signing Edelman is consistent to what they do. Offer him a contract at what they perceive market value and let him shop himself to find out there is no big money out there. Browner and LaFell are both mid market free agents no different than Amendola last year. In other words, a guy with decent to big upside potential but not among the best guys at his position available.

Even Revis fits their model to a point. The Pats have always loved going after once in a generation talent on low risk one year moves. They did that with Moss and Dillon. The only difference is that Revis is still in his prime and didn't have massive down years coming to the Pats like Moss and Dillon. So he commanded a big contract to sign.

I would argue that take away Revis and people would be killing the Pats for bargain shopping in free agency just like I think if it wasn't for Welker leaving last year people would have loved the Amendola move around this time last year. But because of Revis, even Belichick bashers like Callahan and Felger are gushing over him for "going for it" and "realizing Brady's window is closing".

I just don't know if I see it that way. If Belichick was in that mode, he would make a run at Jared Allen or DeMarcus Ware before he was signed. I don't think he will touch Allen and his price tag. I just think arguably the greatest CB in the league and possibly all time fell on his lap and it was too good to pass up.

I like what the Pats have done in free agency thus far, but I still think they are doing what they always do.

The Chicken little crowd like myself have been clammoring for an approach like this for years. Brady's window is probably Three year Tops at a semi-high level he's not Elite anymore. Baring injuries we are the Favorites in the AFC. I would like to see them win one more. I love the make up of this Defense.

 

[mayoclinic]

All I have heard on the radio for the last week or so is how the Pats have adopted a win now philosophy and radically changed their approach to free agency. But have they really?

Take away Revis and everything they have done seems pretty consistent to previous years. Re-signing Edelman is consistent to what they do. Offer him a contract at what they perceive market value and let him shop himself to find out there is no big money out there. Browner and LaFell are both mid market free agents no different than Amendola last year. In other words, a guy with decent to big upside potential but not among the best guys at his position available.

Even Revis fits their model to a point. The Pats have always loved going after once in a generation talent on low risk one year moves. They did that with Moss and Dillon. The only difference is that Revis is still in his prime and didn't have massive down years coming to the Pats like Moss and Dillon. So he commanded a big contract to sign.

I would argue that take away Revis and people would be killing the Pats for bargain shopping in free agency just like I think if it wasn't for Welker leaving last year people would have loved the Amendola move around this time last year. But because of Revis, even Belichick bashers like Callahan and Felger are gushing over him for "going for it" and "realizing Brady's window is closing".

I just don't know if I see it that way. If Belichick was in that mode, he would make a run at Jared Allen or DeMarcus Ware before he was signed. I don't think he will touch Allen and his price tag. I just think arguably the greatest CB in the league and possibly all time fell on his lap and it was too good to pass up.

I like what the Pats have done in free agency thus far, but I still think they are doing what they always do.

I think that most of what the Pats are doing is consistent with past behavior. Attempt to re-sign their own for competitive but not ridiculous money, then let them test FA if they don't come to terms. Talib got funny money thrown at him, so he was gone, Edelman found out the market wasn't what he hoped, so he re-signed. That's SOP. So is signing a guy like Brandon Fells.

The Revis and Browner moves are a bit more aggressive than anything we've seen since 2007. The Revis opportunity came up unexpectedly, and was too good to pass up. Reiss' view was that the Pats are willing to break their mold for a HOF player (Moss, Revis), but not for a garden-variety Pro Bowler. Browner was also a fairly aggressive move, but I think that it makes sense - the team was already looking at him as a lower cost alternative in case Talib left, and once Revis signed the prospect of putting together that kind of secondary was just a great opportunity.

I think the Pats will continue to be aggressive and opportunistic - perhaps more so than in the past, at least since 2007 - but they won't go crazy, and won't overspend ridiculously.

 

[Rob0729]

Signing the most expensive free agent in the market is the polar opposite of what they always do.

But going after once in a generation players is not. Revis is a special player. Other than Julius Peppers, the Pats have never been in a position to go after a guy like that in free agency in their prime because HOF caliber players in their prime don't become free agents very often,

 

[Rob0729]

I think that most of what the Pats are doing is consistent with past behavior. Attempt to re-sign their own for competitive but not ridiculous money, then let them test FA if they don't come to terms. Talib got funny money thrown at him, so he was gone, Edelman found out the market wasn't what he hoped, so he re-signed. That's SOP. So is signing a guy like Brandon Fells.

The Revis and Browner moves are a bit more aggressive than anything we've seen since 2007. The Revis opportunity came up unexpectedly, and was too good to pass up. Reiss' view was that the Pats are willing to break their mold for a HOF player (Moss, Revis), but not for a garden-variety Pro Bowler. Browner was also a fairly aggressive move, but I think that it makes sense - the team was already looking at him as a lower cost alternative in case Talib left, and once Revis signed the prospect of putting together that kind of secondary was just a great opportunity.

I think the Pats will continue to be aggressive and opportunistic - perhaps more so than in the past, at least since 2007 - but they won't go crazy, and won't overspend ridiculously.

I don't see Browner as different. Schematically, it is a different approach to what the Pats look for in a CB (moving from the smurfs to big, aggressive, physical CBs), but from a free agency strategy standpoint he is no different. Browner is probably ranked the 6th to 8th best CB available in free agency. He seems more in lines to the type of players the Pats usually go after. A guy who has baggage and fell out of favor with his past team, but has big upside if he rebounds.

 

[Sicilian]

Signing the most expensive free agent in the market is the polar opposite of what they always do.

Wasn't Adalius up there? He was definitely considered one of the top defensive free agents that year, and the Pats were aggressive in going after him. It wasn't Revis money, but he wasn't a Revis talent.

 

[ivanvamp]

Signing the most expensive free agent in the market is the polar opposite of what they always do.

Is Revis the most expensive player signed this offseason? We know he'll never see year two of that contract. So is his 1 year, $12 million contract the most expensive? I don't think so.

And they have signed expensive free agents before.

 

[Rob0729]

The Chicken little crowd like myself have been clammoring for an approach like this for years. Brady's window is probably Three year Tops at a semi-high level he not Elite anymore. Baring injuries we are the Favorites in the AFC. I would like to see them win one more. I love the make up of this Defense.

You were calling for business as usual. Again, take away Revis and you would be biatching about their approach for free agency. And if Revis wasn't available this offseason, the Pats might be in the DRC sweepstakes right now with the Jets and Giants.

As I said and mayoclinic pointed out Mike Reiss backs up, Revis is a special situation where an once in a generation HOF player was available and the Pats pounced. That is the only difference between this year and last. It is a big difference, but it isn't like the Pats adopted what the Broncos are doing and loading up to win this year or bust.

 

[Rob0729]

Is Revis the most expensive player signed this offseason? We know he'll never see year two of that contract. So is his 1 year, $12 million contract the most expensive? I don't think so.

And they have signed expensive free agents before.

Actually if Talib is a bust in Denver, he could be cut and made the same exact money that Revis made this year.

Revis got the most money for an one year deal, but it wasn't the most money.

 

[Observer]

But going after once in a generation players is not. Revis is a special player. Other than Julius Peppers, the Pats have never been in a position to go after a guy like that in free agency in their prime because HOF caliber players in their prime don't become free agents very often,

I disagree. The usual M.O. has been to go out and sign those who had top drawer talent at some point but can be had way cheap because they are past their prime or due to other reasons. The only thing consistent has been an unwillingness to spend the big bucks in FA. The Revis signing is dramatically different in that regard. Example:

Usual activity:
1. Randy Moss
2. Chad Ochocinco
3. Torrey Holt
4. Albert Haynesworth
5. Fred Taylor ,etc.

Exceptions:
1. Adalius Thomas
2. Darrell Revis

 

[RayClay]

They didn't care if they won before, as long as they played fair.

 

[Rob0729]

I disagree. The usual M.O. has been to go out and sign those who had top drawer talent at some point but can be had way cheap because they are past their prime or due to other reasons. The only thing consistent has been an unwillingness to spend the big bucks in FA. The Revis signing is dramatically different in that regard. Example:

Usual activity:
1. Randy Moss
2. Chad Ochocinco
3. Torrey Holt
4. Albert Haynesworth
5. Fred Taylor ,etc.

Exceptions:
1. Adalius Thomas
2. Darrell Revis

As I pointed out, Revis was an exception but not the win now exception, but the "once in a generation player exception" which the Pats have done to a lesser extent. They did give up a second rounder for Dillon.

 

[Observer]

Is Revis the most expensive player signed this offseason? We know he'll never see year two of that contract. So is his 1 year, $12 million contract the most expensive? I don't think so.

And they have signed expensive free agents before.

Pretty sure Revis is going to make the most money next year out of all the free agents.
And we have signed an expensive free agent before, like one time in 8 years, thus further supporting the case that this is exceptional.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

FWIW, the Browner signing has only $1 million in guaranteed salary, and no signing bonus at all, per Reiss. So there's almost no risk.

 

[BobDigital]

I would call it more a "load up" than "all in".

All in implies you are somehow mortgaging your future which they have not done yet.

 

[Rob0729]

FWIW, the Browner signing has only $1 million in guaranteed salary, and no signing bonus at all, per Reiss. So there's almost no risk.

I started another thread with this, but it is certainly a Patriots type of contract:

Total value: $12.35 million
Maximum value: $16.8 million
Signing bonus: $0

2014
Base: $1 million (guaranteed)
Offseason workout bonus: $250,000
Roster bonus: $500,000 for making the 53-man roster at any point during the season (just has to be on it for one day and he sees this)
Second roster bonus: $150,000 per game he's on the 46-man roster
Playtime incentives: Up to $1.25 million

2015
Base: $1.9 million
Roster bonus: $2 million (90-man roster at start of league year)
Second roster bonus: $100,000 per game he’s on the 46-man roster
Playtime incentives: Up to $500,000 ($250k for 75 percent playing time; another $250k for 85 percent playing time)

2016
Base: $1.9 million
Roster bonus: $2 million (90-man roster at start of league year)
Second roster bonus: $100,000 per game he’s on the 46…
Playtime incentives: Up to $500,000 ($250k for 75 percent playing time; another $250k for 85 percent playing time)

Closer look at Brandon Browner's contract - ESPN

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

All I have heard on the radio for the last week or so is how the Pats have adopted a win now philosophy and radically changed their approach to free agency. But have they really?

Rob, you're first mistake is thinking that the "radio" or media really believe what they say or just going for the continued mantra of trying to whip up an emotional frenzy.

I'm sure, if pressed, BB would say he's doing what he always does and that would be "doing what's best for the team". If we had pulled in Denver like transactions, then it would feel more like a change in philosophy and even that might be pushing it. or if we sign Jared Allen for that 9-10 per year, then this line of thinking might have more legs.

 

[Patriot Missile]

They are doing what they have to do to compete for the Afc Championship. If you look at their schedule it is full of good passing teams this season.

Without Talib I don't think there was any way the Pats would be able to compete with the likes of Denver or New Orleans etc. Bill did what he had to do and then some. I think the results will be fantastic as long as he hits on his needs in the draft.