Which are you more excited about ... The Draft or FA?

[TB146]

Definitely free agency. Because you have a shot to get a legitimate talent who can contribute right away.

I was about to post something like this, but then Chad and Albert said "Really?".

Of course, then Carter and Anderson said "Really."

The odds are better than the draft, but it's not 100% guaranteed.

 

[Deus Irae]

The hoopla of the draft (and everything leading up to it) is definitely more engaging as a fan. But as far as what I'm actually more excited for to make our team better? Definitely free agency. Because you have a shot to get a legitimate talent who can contribute right away.

I haven't really broken down the FA success percentages for the Patriots, but this team has gotten production out of at least one rookie from the draft every year since BB arrived (Although 2000 is sort of debatable on that score).

I think it's safe to expect at least one rookie from this upcoming draft to produce, as well.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

I haven't really broken down the FA success percentages for the Patriots, but this team has gotten production out of at least one rookie from the draft every year since BB arrived (Although 2000 is sort of debatable on that score).

I think it's safe to expect at least one rookie from this upcoming draft to produce, as well.

I truly hope that 2 firsts/2 seconds......wildly assuming they use them all....will translate to more than 1 rookie helping....they definitely have the spots needing help that rookies can take care of...the right rookies that is.

Here is to hoping that the Pats have a successful draft to take care of TFB's window of opportunity.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I think the FA will have a bigger impact...but you never know

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

I'll answer this the same way I answer the question, "What's you favorite meal?"

My answer is typically, "The next one."

 

[goheels22002]

Definitely free agency. The Patriots can be first in line rather than last as is the case every year because they win so much.

This is not a knock on the Patriots draft performance which is right there with every other playoff team. It was amazing to look at last year's playoff teams and see that just about everybody had 50%+/- of their roster made up of FAs and their own selections. - Patriots right on the number with 27 FAs and 26 their own picks. Solid.

Teams that sucked for a long time had more picks than FAs because they pick higher every year and FAs are not interested except to hang on. If you are a fifth year guy with lots to offer do you want to go to the Rams or the Patriots? Onlly if the money from the Rams is absurd do you go to a franchise with so far to go.

The Pats are right there for another run in 2012-13, so the free agents will be lining up for a shot at the brass ring.

Expectations around here are too high for the draft. When you start with the 27th or lesser player every year, the draft is a crap shoot, even with the #1s and #2s.

This year, the top 26 guys will be gone before the Patriots get a selection. What can you expect? The good news is the money is more rational in 2012 than ever before for these pampered college kids who face an unkind new world in the pros.

 

[cstjohn17]

Good question, I didn't vote because IMO they are one in the same. Roster development.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

The Draft is a lot more interesting to me because it is so much more mysterious. With FAs you usually know what you are going to get because the players are veterans with years of tape to watch.

The Draft however is witchcraft. There are always some guys at the top who turn into flop or jags but the really interesting part are the guys who are drafted low and turn into stars or simply play at a higher level. Then there are all the rankings most of which is off quite a bit which creates surprises on draft day. Then there are fiendish jockeying through trades and moves.

I also used to love the bonehead owners that would be terrible picks; I will miss Al Davis and even Synder does not seem to make picks anymore. Which owner will take up the cause and make terrible picks this year? My bet is on Jerry Jones and Irsay...

 

[363839]

Both are going to be exciting events but I give the edge to the Draft because the Pats are not likely to sign a real big name because of salary demands. So with the Draft, the ceiling for catching a great talent is higher.
Put it this way, if Rob Gronkowski made all his achievements with another team and would be an available free agent, no way the Pats sign him.
Same scenario with Tom Brady of course as well as others.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I was about to post something like this, but then Chad and Albert said "Really?".

Of course, then Carter and Anderson said "Really."

The odds are better than the draft, but it's not 100% guaranteed.

And then Waters said,Really? WTF about me?,Don't I count?

 

[Mosi Moose]

Call me crazy but for some reason I'm more curious to see what we are going to do with FA this year.

Agree. If someone was to promise me that we would use all 4 picks in the first 2 rounds of the draft, I'd say the draft - but since I know that's not going to be the case, I'm hoping that we make some noise in FA.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I don't mean to be rude, but I'm not excited for either. The Pats very rarely go for a big free agent, so free agency is usually a snoozefest for me. And though I'm a huge draft nut, BB never picks quality and usually goes for quantity and future picks, which I find extremely boring and extremely frustrating. I always laugh at the draft gurus on ESPN during the draft after Belichick screws up, and they usually say, "well Belichick is a draft genius, you can't question his success, nobody runs the draft board better than Belichick" and I sit there shaking my head knowing exactly how many picks BB has f*cked up the last 7 or so years.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

I don't mean to be rude, but I'm not excited for either. The Pats very rarely go for a big free agent, so free agency is usually a snoozefest for me. And though I'm a huge draft nut, BB never picks quality and usually goes for quantity and future picks, which I find extremely boring and extremely frustrating. I always laugh at the draft gurus on ESPN during the draft after Belichick screws up, and they usually say, "well Belichick is a draft genius, you can't question his success, nobody runs the draft board better than Belichick" and I sit there shaking my head knowing exactly how many picks BB has f*cked up the last 7 or so years.

I know it man, he sucks, hes only been to 5 super bowls in the last 11 years, imagine if he could really run a team, we would have won 11 in a row

 

[Snake Eyes]

I'm WAY more excited about free agency, and it's not even close. Free agency this year has VASTLY more impact players than the draft. The though of adding Reggie Wayne, Brandon Lloyd, and Mario Williams makes me giddy.

 

[TB146]

And then Waters said,Really? WTF about me?,Don't I count?

You're absolutely right, but I just picked two of each - good and bad.

 

[MaineMan]

At the moment, FA.

Who the Pats manage to re-sign out of their own FAs and who they pick up from other teams before the draft often seems to make many aspects of the subsequent draft process more exciting.

 

[102 Pat]

Just the whole rumour during Super Bowl week of BB retiring makes me wonder if there are going to be some big FA signings. Although I hope the team is careful as to whose front door the Brinks truck back up too...lol...

 

[TruthSeeker]

I know it man, he sucks, hes only been to 5 super bowls in the last 11 years, imagine if he could really run a team, we would have won 11 in a row

Like I said, BB has made MANY draft mistakes the last seven years, and consequently that's the last time they've won a SB. How many BB drafted players have made a real difference since 2005, only Mankins, Mayo, Gronkowski & Hernandez have been successful in the last 7 years. That's 4 players that can be considered good to great picks made by BB in the last 7 years. That to me signifies poor drafting.

 

[Deus Irae]

Like I said, BB has made MANY draft mistakes the last seven years, and consequently that's the last time they've won a SB. How many BB drafted players have made a real difference since 2005, only Mankins, Mayo, Gronkowski & Hernandez have been successful in the last 7 years. That's 4 players that can be considered good to great picks made by BB in the last 7 years. That to me signifies poor drafting.

Dude, there are issues with the team's drafting. However, the reasons they've not won a Super Bowl since 2004 are a dropped pass by Welker (other problems were there too, but that's the 'straw' as it were) and a helmet catch by a player who wasn't long for the NFL.

 

[Steve102]

FA for sure. The players for me are much more of a known quantity. I agree with the other posters who find the draft disappointing. I don't study the college game enough to be a draft-nic, so i find myself disappointed when I hear "the New England Patriots have traded their first round pick with ______ ..." Strictly from the TV entertainment POV. I'll go back after the draft and review the picks during the week and will no doubt find little gems. I know the whole value thing...I get it, but geez I'd like the impact OLB/DE pass rusher or other glory pick.