My ideal off-season:
- sign Butler long-term
- compensate Edelman in a way that doesn't feel exploitative
- don't pay Gilmore near that much
- Keep Long, Ryan, Blount, Bennett
- find a way to rest Brady the first 4 games at least
- More undrafted free-agent types, or overlooked prodigies (get players the sports announcers haven't heard of or say are "journeymen" - the fact the sports announcers are trumpeting the talent of our picks is actually a very bad sign)
- more OL signings
- something positive in DE.
The first three of these items, taken together, cannot be good for team chemistry. The idea that Gilmore is making multiples of the combined salaries of Edelman and Butler just doesn't feel right with me.
Not for now, but I don't think Gronk is likely to remain healthy into the playoffs. Same with Brady: even if he looks good now, I'd rather not bet the team on new discoveries in sports science: let the guy rest a few games to start the season.
WHERE WE AGREE:
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Although I disagree with most of what you're referring to, I would have liked to have seen Butler extended, as well. The big money splash given to Gilmore was surprising, but Belichick took his chance on a bigger, proven CB who he's seen 2x a year throughout his career. While not always correct, I trust his evaluation in talent.
WHERE WE DISAGREE:
I can't get behind your thinking on the exploitation of Edelman. He signed a 2 year extension for 5.5m dollars a year AAV. That's a win for the team, but he and Brady have been known to take a bit less for the benefit of the team. He and his agent both signed off on it. It is comparable to the pact given to Wes Welker in DEN.
Worrying about the losses of role players like Long, Blount, Ryan, etc is silly. If anything, we're stronger and more versatile at RB. The loss of Ryan was met with signing the premier CB on the market in free agency. Again, it appears that the position has been strengthened, not weakened. You've already admitted that the TE situation is fine with Allen, and the return of Gronk. I'm not sure where the concern lies, outside of maybe DE, and even then, what percentage of reps was Long seeing last year?
The Patriots brought in about 1/4 of the current 90 man roster with
new UDFAs, so I can't get behind your griping on that one, either. They will most likely be extending their streak to 13 straight seasons where an UDFA makes the team. Even if they didn't have a new undrafted player make the squad, so what? I thought we wanted as much solid talent as possible. Who cares if the announcers already know their names? That shouldn't have anything to do with it. I guess I'm missing how that's an ominous sign in your mind?
As far as the OL goes, they had a draft pick from last year develop nicely so far in Karras, and re-drafted at the OT position for next year. Twice. Hopefully, a year in Dante's academy will pay off with one of them for next season. In the meantime, the top 6 positions look pretty solid with Solder, Thuney, Andrews, Mason, Cannon, and Karras. While somewhat underwhelming, having a proven veteran guy like Cameron Fleming as your 7th OL isn't a terrible thing. After all, the projections currently show that he'll be a top 3 free agent at the position next spring. Even a guy like Waddle (who may not even make the team) is projected as a top 10 free agent at the position. Sure, that's mostly due to the lack of talent at the position, but these guys can't be THAT bad, can they?
Geez...
