Gardenhead said:
Explain away? Thats what you call the truth explaining away? Facts are every team in the league has to manage the cap Belichick and Saban all face the same issues when it comes to players contracts. Look At Givens and Vaniteri both demanded top Dollar at their respective positions. Some of these teams have lived in cap hell for yrs (tenn comes to mind) yet they are so eager to rebuild instantly they throw money out there to pick up a Givens type player which was just out of line for a #2 Wr. So what do you expect the Pats to do just keep uping those contracts until the team is in salary cap hell. I think many of you look at the cap issue very simplisticlly like its just mad money lying around for these teams to spend.
I Think when it comes to managing the cap Belichick/Pioli are probably 2 of the best in the league and the reason they are 2 of the best is the have a system of player vs position value. It is that very system of cap management that has allowed the Pats to win 3 out of 4 SB's because the cap is managed for the long haul not just to win this year at all cost. A system of mostly tier 2 players that allows the team some depth behind those starters. It allowed NE to win SB's in years when they have started 40+ different players. If you want a fair contract AND a chance to compete for a championship NE has been the place to be since Belichick came on board. If you just want big paydays then NE isn't a place for you. I gotta say this team has been doing something right to win those titles especially they way they have had to win them with injuries to so many players each year. Who ever heard of J.R. Redman or Freddie colman, David Patten and others before NE played for a championship?
Ask your self do you really think branch is worth the kind of money the jets have offered? Or how about Givens and what tenn is paying him? Every fan has this knee jerk reaction that if anyone offers one of your FA's a big offer you have to offer more to keep them well easier said than done. When you win back to back SB's or 3 out of 4yrs some players tend to get greedy it also tends to make other teams try and raid your FA with rediculous contract offers all wanting a piece of the pie and unfortunately big fat over inflated contracts still don't buy championships just ask the colts or the redskins.
Funny that if you look at both Vaniteri and Givens both are on the sidelines fighting injuries right now, not what you want to see when you layout big contracts to a player. As for weapons disappearing rapidly I disagree with that statement. They aren't disappearing but rather they are being reloaded.
Wait and see what NE does with the 4 tight end sets. Watson is going to be a terror this season plus Maroney will contribute big to the running game. Chad Jackson if he can get healthy should also be a big help. Also expect to see no names like Bam Childress step up to the plate. We have a good "O" line and a very good "D" line and some great key players coming back from injuries. You guys seem to forget NE has won more with less than any other team to win this many SB's.
