Let's applaud the Pats FO for

[mcsully]

Re: Lets applaud the Pats FO for

I'm just pointing out Watson is a better all around player for the pats.. He's versatile.. Something, along with a lower salary, they value

 

[jeffbiologist]

I want to contradict this post. Lets remember back to us coming off the first SB, and we traded a first, third, and seventh rounder for Graham. We now know BB has a fascination with TEs, but I think BB will likely admit the reason he drafted Watson in the first was because Graham,well, for his draft position was definately a BUST. We could have had BOTH Ed Reed and Randy McMichael and still had a 7th round pick left over......But you cant win em all!

 

[JoeSixPat]

Re: Lets applaud the Pats FO for

Let's round off some numbers. Brady = $2 million and Graham = $5 million

Now, do you think that the Patriots would have paid the extra $3 million if they knew it would have won them the Super Bowl?

Of course they would have. However, they didn't have the benefit of hindsight. They thought they could replace Graham's production with a cheaper tight end. They were wrong. For most of last season, that didn't matter. However, in the biggest game in NFL history, it mattered a great deal.

Shanahan signed Graham and was willing to pay him $15 million guranteed - and sign him to a $30 million 5 year contract, because he believed he could be a productive pass catcher as well as a blocker.

If he were that all around TE he'd be worth that - but he's not. He's a blocking TE - a damn good one too. With Graham's salary inflating to $3.2 next year, $3.8 in 2010 and $4.2 in 2011 I think there's a good chance he'll be cut.

If he's cut next year he'll have received about $17 million over 2 years.

If he's cut the year after he'll have received about $21 million over 3 years.

That averages out to between $7 and $8 million a season - not $5 million as you say.

No question that Belichick values a good blocking TE as we all do - but is that worth $8 million a year? Or even "just" $7 million a year?

I don' think Belichcik would value it anywhere near that high - nor would I - nor do I expect that, knowing what he knows today, Shanahan would agree to such a contract either.

 

[shmessy]

Re: Lets applaud the Pats FO for

LIke talking to a wall with some of you... Actually blown away with these comments.. Woud you pay player X top TE money if he could only block? If you think yes, then you really need to learn more about what the pats have done over the years..

If you think the pats would have kept him for that price, then why didn't they? because they didn't value him at that price.. Considering he has 2 catches this year and is making top TE money.. That is absolutely not a good deal for the Broncos..

& the comments about the Pats going 19-0.. We'll never know because he's not here..

I don't think I proved a point... Point is made by facts.. Little production, big money.. and no longer a pat..

Lemme guess - - you're in 4 or 5 Fantasy Football leagues?

The point about 19-0 is arguable. They DEFINITELY would have won the SB game against the Giants if Graham was a Patriot. That games was decided by the Ginats DL against the Pats OL. However, whether or not they would have 18-0 on the way to that game is a different question (salary cap considerations versus being able to spend on Moss, welker, Stallworth AD, etc).