The Pats had a proven formula for success and they have strayed from that formula while the Jets are doing things the way the old Pats did them so I feel great about our offseason and I quetion NE's offseason. My main thing w/ FA is not overpaying for players, the only player we overpaid was Coleman BUT he wasn't a break the bank type player while NE ovrpaid for AT and vastly overpaid for Welker.
I expect NE to win the divison mainly b/c #12 is still there. The ONLY move you made that I fear is getting Moss but that's if we see he old Moss s that is a big if. Welker is an average WR and return man, Stallworth can stretch the field but always i slowed bu nagging injuries, I like Brady as a blocker. i think you have had a good offseason in brining in big names but as a Pats fan you should realize that's not the way teams win Championships.
it is desperation, it's a desperation to get back to the dynasty years. I hve seen it first hand this decade w/ the Yankees. Different sport, same basic idea. 2 franchises doing things differently trying to recapture past glory.
I love these 'redskinesque' posts. The only similarity is the Pats were active players in free agency.
Welker might be overpaid. 3m/yr for a good slot rcvr & returner? Big deal. If he even approaches last years production he's a steal at that price.
As to the "Patriots model", it's been an evolving process. BB doesn't let his team stagnate, and always tries to stay ahead of the curve. If they were to follow your advise, they would still be using the 2001 offensive plan, and never would have bothered getting a 'real RB'.
The Jets are smart to follow the model, the early version, because of where their team stands at the moment. The Pats would have been criminally negligent to do the same this year.
The draft class did not evidently meet their needs, so they had their draft in free agency instead, picking up an amazing fit in A Thomas (a much better LB than they would find in the draft), and Welker (Gonzo might be better than him, but likely not this year).
Stallworth, Washington & Moss? No-brainers! Short money for all three (max of 7M or so for all three this year = amazing value). Just think...if Moss has a good year, he leaves for more money, and the Pats could get up to a 3rd rd pick the following year as compensation! Damn that Belichick is one smart dude.
Add in the smart vet pickups in James, Brady & Morris, with the pending re-signing of Seau, and this will likely go down as one of the best, if not the best, offseasons any team in the NFL has ever seen. I do agree that it will take a 4th ring to make that a reality, but they are surely set up to do it if any team can!
One thing fans and media alike have missed to date is the major reason the Pats have 'broken their mold': the new surface at Gillette. Before it was installed, it was an advantage to have a slow messy surface, and they built their roster accordingly, with wr's with good hands, that ran disciplined routes, & a boatload of 2 TE / 3 TE sets. Speed was not required. Now? They have FieldTurf, as do many of their opponents, including the Jets & Colts. Speed is a necessity now, not a luxury! I'll be tthe media 'discovers' this sometime in September. :D
With a receiving corps of Moss, Stallworth, Welker & Watson for Brady to throw to, with Maroney and Faulk out of the backfield, there's not a defense in the league that will keep the Pats from scoring, almost at will.
It's unfair really. "Built to win now"? Yup, and also in the future. Unlike the 'skins', none of the deals are cap-killers, now or in the future. I'm afraid the Pats are looking real good for the next 3-4 yrs. Glad I have my season tickets already!
