Rebuilding, or playing to win?

[lancerman]

Depends

 

[upstater1]

First, the offense has to do offense-type things. So much so that the opposing DC stays up at nights trying to devise a system to stop the attack.

The Patriots ain’t anywhere near there. Some promise don’t score TDs.

And the OL remains a question mark. Will Campbell will obviously flame out at LT. He’s a guard with his Fantasy Island midget wingspan.

And I love the leadership Morgan Moses is bringing. But at his age Matt Light was already retired. Clearly, at the ninth inning of his career.

The QB is going to struggle with his accuracy. Was a problem his final year at UNC at times. His last game he stunk up the joint against NC State.

Tom Brady he ain’t. (Brady’s last game in college he carried the PeePee Pants to victory in a clearly more talented Alabama team on a New Year’s bowl in 2000 in New Orleans.)

And the kicker drafted who’s shanking or missing half his attempts? WTF is going on with that? Has anybody checked on his tats?

As a Michigan State fan you had a 1st row seat to Brady at Michigan. He wasn't Brady yet there either. Not saying the kid is a future All-Pro but I am saying that remembering a game from college as though it's truly meaningful -- well, Maye was pretty young as a college QB. I would not put huge amount of emphasis on it.

 

[Wozzy]

Health is the great equalizer in football. The #1 ranked team in the NFL entering any season can get derailed by injury… so set that aside for a moment.

Turn on Madden football and turn off the injuries option, the 2025 Patriots have the talent to win now.

Whether they can avoid the injury bug and tap into their deep well of rookie talent has yet to be determined… but the talent is there.

Not every team can say that, even at this time of year when everyone is starting over again healthy.

 

[farn]

I want them to try to win. But what does that mean ? If it means trading away young players with potential for aging vets who can « take you over the hump » (not that the NFL is heavy into that, unlike other leagues) : I’m out.

What prevents the team from trying to win AND trying to acquire / develop talent ? I’d love to see them make the playoffs. But I’m not putting money on that.

 

[Sect140]

Straddling the fence here. Both.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Win now - but realize that you are still rebuilding.

i.e., this team is should not be expected to be a Super Bowl contender.

Now if Maye went down with an injury mid season, I'd say start shuffling the roster to see what you have in some of the backups and accept another season in the Top Ten of the draft.

But aside from that, this team needs to practice winning more than anything

 

[SlowGettingUp]

We are of course playing to win, but not to the extent that we are sacrificing the future. For us, next two/three years are more important than this year. There are other teams that have mortgaged the future trying to win now (hello void years!) but we are absolutely not there yet.

Our biggest current unknown is the OL. If that turns out to be competent, then we can think about acquiring a WR1 and trying to win now.

 

[fnordcircle]

Imagine what people would be saying if we were having this exact conversation on July 27 2001.

 

[n1997y]

It’s a rebuild until it’s clear Drake is the guy. IMO.

So what will that take? When does it become clear Maye is The Guy? There seem to be quite a few observers ready or close to ready to acknowledge that, based on his performance last year and thus far this year. So what will it take to tip the balance for you?

 

[Ring 6]

We are of course playing to win, but not to the extent that we are sacrificing the future. For us, next two/three years are more important than this year. There are other teams that have mortgaged the future trying to win now (hello void years!) but we are absolutely not there yet.

Our biggest current unknown is the OL. If that turns out to be competent, then we can think about acquiring a WR1 and trying to win now.

I think it’s rare that any team sacrifices the future to win now. They may sign veterans to replace young guys but those aren’t future stars. Teams turnover half their rosters every couple of years.
Most teams that manipulate the cap just keep pushing it down the road. Ultimately it catches up, but it takes a while and within 2 years the cap is cleaned

 

[n1997y]

Health is the great equalizer in football. The #1 ranked team in the NFL entering any season can get derailed by injury… so set that aside for a moment.

Turn on Madden football and turn off the injuries option, the 2025 Patriots have the talent to win now.

Whether they can avoid the injury bug and tap into their deep well of rookie talent has yet to be determined… but the talent is there.

Not every team can say that, even at this time of year when everyone is starting over again healthy.

Agreed that injuries are a big wild card that can often be the determining factor for whether a season is playoff bound or a disaster by midseason. That factor seems somewhat uncontrollable though.

Your assertion that the talent is there is not universal, on this board or in the broader football world. I think that may be the most controversial question about the Patriots at the moment. I tend to agree, but with the caveat that there are numerous questions about it. To me those questions boil down to basically two: can rookies demonstrate their talent by performing? And has age, injuries, and overall mileage eroded veterans’ ability to demonstrate their talent by performing? But there are others who question or debate even whether there is any real talent on this roster.

Rookies are the biggest question. Until they produce performances to demonstrate their talent they are unproven and it’s easy to question whether they’re really talented or not. Polk is a case in point, as is the T Rex wingspan of our rookie LT. But going through the roster I see a lot of talent. Even Baker is talented, unfortunately a talented head case is difficult to predict. Even some young vets, such as Strange and Sow and Wallace, have yet to demonstrate their talent by producing performances that leave no unanswered questions.

Your point about tapping their well of talent is another good one, and it’s not just a question for rookies. Trent Brown is the poster child for a player undeniably talented but erratic about tapping it consistently throughout his career. Keion White and Barmore are both talented but still need to build a body of work showing they consistently perform to that potential.

It’s going to crucial for the young players to tap the potential of their talent. If they do I think this roster can win now; if they don’t there will be rebuilding needed.

 

[BobDigital]

My goal has always been the same. Playoffs or bust for Maye in year 2.

It is super rare young QBs or any QBs win it there first time in the tournament.

With Maye we have a 5 year window where his low contract can give us a massive advantage assuming he can be really good.

We already wasted year 1. This year is all about setting up years 3 4 and 5. We need to continue building around him. Adding talent and building a culture. This draft class looks good. We now need 1 more and more good free agent signings.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

I would love this question to be asked to Vrabel in a presser
I am sure the Jack Nicholson eyes would appear

 

[n1997y]

I would love this question to be asked to Vrabel in a presser
I am sure the Jack Nicholson eyes would appear

Can we please see Volin ask it?

 

[sb1]

So what will that take? When does it become clear Maye is The Guy? There seem to be quite a few observers ready or close to ready to acknowledge that, based on his performance last year and thus far this year. So what will it take to tip the balance for you?

Winning more than 3 games as a starter would be a good start…

 

[WhatJustHappened]

First, the offense has to do offense-type things. So much so that the opposing DC stays up at nights trying to devise a system to stop the attack.

The Patriots ain’t anywhere near there. Some promise don’t score TDs.

And the OL remains a question mark. Will Campbell will obviously flame out at LT. He’s a guard with his Fantasy Island midget wingspan.

And I love the leadership Morgan Moses is bringing. But at his age Matt Light was already retired. Clearly, at the ninth inning of his career.

The QB is going to struggle with his accuracy. Was a problem his final year at UNC at times. His last game he stunk up the joint against NC State.

Tom Brady he ain’t. (Brady’s last game in college he carried the PeePee Pants to victory in a clearly more talented Alabama team on a New Year’s bowl in 2000 in New Orleans.)

And the kicker drafted who’s shanking or missing half his attempts? WTF is going on with that? Has anybody checked on his tats?

Obviously? You're a fkn idiot, WTF ARE YOU DOING?
Talk about idiocy, just look up States posts.
Bah, fk u dude, take your nonsense to Gang Green.

 

[BTTA]

You are rebuilding until you have a QB that can provide regular SB runs. Then it is win now. If a team is young at a few key positions, then there's some understanding of the developmental timeline, but little patience.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Just saw the argument over these two conflicting strategic assertions over in the thread about centers and thought it would be interesting to poll the board to see if there is a consensus. Should be good for some fun discussions, especially around OL composition: young guys, or vets, as starters?

I voted win now, but my projection is still the same, 9-10 wins, possible Wild Card spot. Vrabel is looking to win every week, but he knows they aren’t a Super Bowl contender yet.
I think it’s more just building, as wins and losses are going to matter this season, but they are far from a finished product. This was a great offseason, and the coming season will clarify who will be part of their longer term plans and who won’t.

 

[Huckleberry1]

First, the offense has to do offense-type things. So much so that the opposing DC stays up at nights trying to devise a system to stop the attack.

The Patriots ain’t anywhere near there. Some promise don’t score TDs.

And the OL remains a question mark. Will Campbell will obviously flame out at LT. He’s a guard with his Fantasy Island midget wingspan.

And I love the leadership Morgan Moses is bringing. But at his age Matt Light was already retired. Clearly, at the ninth inning of his career.

The QB is going to struggle with his accuracy. Was a problem his final year at UNC at times. His last game he stunk up the joint against NC State.

Tom Brady he ain’t. (Brady’s last game in college he carried the PeePee Pants to victory in a clearly more talented Alabama team on a New Year’s bowl in 2000 in New Orleans.)

And the kicker drafted who’s shanking or missing half his attempts? WTF is going on with that? Has anybody checked on his tats?

I thought Gilbert Gottfried was dead, turns out he is alive and posting on this board.

 

[KCSVEN]

It's the NFL, it's always win now, 50% of the team changes over every couple of years.
They have a weak looking schedule in 2025 while 2026 looks way tougher so just put off trying to win until next year?
They have, IMHO, a top 5 QB, a top OC and a top HC. That combo, barring a pathetic defense AKA the Bengals, should get you into the playoffs.
Was Washington rebuilding or win now last year?
Were the Texans in 2023 rebuilding or win now?
This team is miles better in talent and coaching over last year where They had SIX 1-score losses including 2 in OT.
The Jaguars and Colts had 9 wins, the Jets, for the love of God, had 7 wins. Patriots, with health, should get 10 wins.
I have them 4-0 going into Buffalo.