the beginning of the end??

[T-ShirtDynasty]

Funny thread. I remember last year it was the begining of the end because we didn't sign enough "big" names in free agency. This year, it's all over because we signed too many (like, ummm... two). This poor team just can't do anything right.

 

[cstjohn17]

I don't know about any retirements or the dreaded "Window of Opportunity" but I consider myslef to be lucky to be watching the Patriots play.

We are watching "the good old days", it doesn't get any better than this. Lets hope to 2-3 more championships so we can tell our grandkids about how good these teams were.

 

[Gunnails]

I don't know about any retirements or the dreaded "Winow of Opportunity" but I consider myslef to be lucky to be watching the Patriots play.

We are watching "the good old days", it doesn't get any better than this. Lets hope to 2-3 more championships so we can tell our grandkids about how good these teams were.

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I have no idea what BB and SP plans are for the future.

But it does make sense that at some point they will move on, Coaching a team for more then 5 years is not at all a common thing, and did not BB by a house in NY?

I would enjoy while you can because, the only thing that never changes, is that every thing changes. Change can be a good thing.

 

[patsfan13]

BB understands that situations like what we have in New England don't last forever.

Last year we were a single player away from a fourth superbowl. You either use opportunity or lose it. Last year we lost it

I think he's commited to using our long term salary cap surplus (because that's what we have) over the next five years, to bring home as many super bowl victories as possible.

He's smart enough to know that no one can predict that far into the future, so he might as well spend it now.

Actually we may have a a few cases of the flu away from the SB.

This year is any different. Most of the FA signings are value/versatility guys (Welker & Morris st as well as position players) and role players (Brady blocking TE). When the opportunity exist you go for the guy who can fit the systemand and make impact plays (Thomas).

Looking at the roster overall the OL is young and should be better than last year, the RB's. say a push, perhaps Morris will not be as good as the 2006 Dillon (Not sure of that but...) , Faulk will be a year older, Evans will continue in his role and Maroney should be better (and not have to be a KR due to the addition of Welker. we have a HOF QB in his prime, the WR psoition looks to be improved by the addition of Welker and the familiarity of Caldwell and Gaffney with the system, Welker should be an improvement over a 35 yr old T Brown,

Looking at the roster Faulk is the only guy over 31 (we have a few turning 30 this year This is an O with most guys entering theor prime. Same on the D twith the exceptions of the LB's but than again BB likes experience in his LB's to run the D properly.

This doesn't include possibly adding Stallworth and all the draft picks/.. This team has another good 5 years. The FO has shown the ability to find quality players to replace the losses (compare the roster today with the 2001 roster.

This is a great time for us as fans and we some very good years to look forward too.

 

[solman]

AM I the only one who thinks that we were NOT a single player away from the SB but two bad ref calls (which they acknowledged) from the SB.....god dont get me started on that game again.....it was only yesterday since Ive been able to watch nfl live again

I never said this, even though it is attributed to me. As far as I am concerned, bad calls are part of football. You have to put a good enough team on the field to overcome your fair share of them.

The AFCC was close enough that any number of players (Branch, Harrison, or even Seau) could have been the difference between wining and losing.

 

[jimmyjames]

They are reloading for a run at history

Most Super Bowl wins by a franchise (currently tied at 5: Cowboys, 49er's, Steelers)

Most Super Bowl wins by Head Coach (currently Chuck Knoll with 4)

Most Super Bowl wins by a QB (Currently tied at 4-Bradshaw, Montana)

 

[ClevTrev]

Am I the only one who thinks that all this loading up and mega signing is to make one more run at the superbowl.....I would put money on the fact that if we win a superbowl this year or next year BB will retire and the end of the dynasty will have come.

If so Ill toast the dynasty with any one of youz guyz (gotta put the jersey touch on this thread)

You go for it. Anytime something positive happens to the Pats, a payment to Hades must be made. Talk about glass half empty. Sheesh . . .

It's a game, enjoy it!

 

[AzPatsFan]

Belichick uses the tools at his disposal.

If he has a bunch of draft picks, he picks players in the draft; if he doesn't have any draft picks, he knows he can't draft anybody.

Seems simple.

If he has a bunch of cap money to spend, he spends it; if he doesn't have any cap room money, he knows he can't spend it on anybody. He had such money in 2003 and 2007, he didn't all the other times.

Seems simple.

Belichick and Pioli are not one dimensional. They know that there are five ways to acquire football talent with which to win football games. To succeed, they use them all. They also know that all the Teams have the same resources, so you have to excel in each method as well. These acquisition avenues are:

a) draft picks (everyone get the same amount; get more, use them better)
b) UDFA picks (everyone get them; get more or better ones)
c) veteran FA pickups who have excelled (ex-starters "over the hill" guys; select well)
d) trades for players (everyone can; get the best values)
e) veteran pickups who have not yet excelled (developmental scrubs, chose carefully, coach them up)

In general BB/SP use trades as the final source to fill holes that exist, after all other methods have proven to be insufficient. Bill has recognized that Teams are only as strong as their WEAKEST link; not how strong their STRONGEST players are.