I have no insight into Brady's mindset, but isn't it possible that his aversion to a franchise deal was more about years than dollars? Isn't his brand built around longevity? I'm wondering whether a 2-3 year offer doesn't need to be accompanied by the highest AAV because years is what he wants in the public record. Is that crazy?
That is why I have such a tough time rooting for the 49ers. Many Pats fans have this loving feeling for a former Pats backup that literally did basically nothing (he started two games in 2016) for the Patriots unless you give him credit for motivating Brady.
This is basically putting a band aid over a massive cut. They can’t afford to give away draft picks anymore for high priced talent.
I can’t see any team giving Brady a multiple year offer. Would Tom even consider starting in a new system with new coaches? Would a team want to accommodate a 43 year old QB besides the Patriots? It ultimately comes down to what Robert Kraft wants. If he wants TB12 back, he will be back.
It wasn’t a bad move. Jimmy G has played one full season since the trade. I get the 49ers had a great year this year, but it wasn’t solely because of Jimmy G. Their defense improved tremendously, and their running game is sick.
Agreed. While we have 12 picks in 2020 draft (before the Cincy penalty), 7 of them are in Rounds 6 and 7. Hopefully the penalty comes from that bunch.
Well, given their recent draft picks, maybe that is a good thing!
Forgot that. Yep, unless they think the kids who got injured are plug-and-play, it's a line-driven draft
And that's terrifying, because Bob Kraft is not the one we want making that decision.
The problem is Bill has never gotten Tom a real WR. Outside of Cooks, who isn’t even that good, when has Bill gone all in on a big time WR? Thinking this is the year it finally happens is foolish.
You’ve defined a really small set of guys. But interesting to note that OBJ totally failwd as an acquisition for the team who did get him...and I say thy as someone who wonders of Pats should indeed invest more at WR
I guess I just think that a lot needs to happen to make this team better next year. One way to go after that would be to deal draft picks, and to sign players who require commitments of future cap room, thus closing off options going forward. And betting once more on the declining core of Brady, Edelman, McCourty, Chung, Hightower, etc.
Edelman had a good year but really tailed off at the end when banged up. And being able to play at a high level through the physical toll of an entire season is one of the biggest concerns with aging players, so I don't think its something we can just write off as an unlucky thing. I agree that he has some good football left if he comes back (he played great at times this year) but I don't think its reasonable to expect him to be as good as he was at his peak, especially in the latter part of the season and playoffs.
Its true that younger guys always develop and improve. But if almost all of your best players are in the older and declining category, then its unlikely that improvement from younger guys is going to fully offset those declines. The defense was the strength of the 2019 team and its built around a bunch of 30+ (or very soon to be 30) guys in the back seven.
Like most other people on this planet, I have no idea what is going to happen next. Anything is possible but worrying about Belichick going to the Giants for nostalgia's sake (as much as the NY media has and will stoke that storyline) or any other franchise seems as likely as the Patriots discovering a game-changing player as a street FA.
I think this meme is yet another one that gets thrown out there but lacks context.
Well in all honesty, the only time that I hear about any of these nonsense conspiracy theories is when one of my friends or coworkers mentions it in passing, because they heard it on talk radio, ESPN, or local news (relatively new phenomenon there).
Well....yeah.
He may tail off some but if he's healthy (which to me is the concern going into 2020) he will still be a really good NFL receiver.
Yes true. But they also added some quality young guys. No question they will need to shore up some positions going forward and inject some youth to this franchise. 100%.
I agree that this draft is really important, but I feel that the 2019 draft is going to turn out to be a good one. I think Harry is going to be a really good NFL player (though maybe not quite the super stud we were hoping for). Williams already looks like a legit NFL defensive back. Winovich is going to be, IMO, a Ninkovich type - a guy with a high motor who just makes plays. He was much stronger in the first half of the season compared to the second, but that was true for basically everyone on the team. He's a good football player. Damien Harris, well, who knows, but I think he might very well end up being a lot better than Michel and maybe we will see Harris break out next year. The OL guys - Cajuste and Froholdt - both got a redshirt season so we don't know, but they have potential. Bailey was excellent this year. And I think Stidham at worst will be a capable NFL backup, which every team needs.
When has EVER demanded top dollars? And if he's coming back for another season, the ONLY reason he's coming back is for another shot at ring #7. Not to say that he'll play for peanuts, but he's smart enough to know that if he demands top 5 money, he's not getting the help he needs around him to get that ring.
100% agree on 2019 draft. Right now there are a lot of incomplete grades but those are mostly due to injuries and lack of opportunities. Harry should at least be a solid complementary option, basically what we hoped Sanu would bring. But he can still be more. JJ probably is a mainstay on the D next year. Winovich will likely have a solid career. You also have guys like Meyers and Gunner who’ll probably be on the team next year. Harris should at least be able to provide RB depth. As we know here, a redshirt year in NE at RB is not a big issue. If one of the OL guys from last year turns into a rotational guy or starter, we’re looking a lot better.
They have a lot more holes than just WR and TE. Also age is catching up to the defense. I personally think they are done and I'd start the transition now. The Patriots shouldn't keep this team together to win AFC East titles. The goal is the Super Bowl and they have been passed by by at least 3-4 teams that are younger and frankly better.
This is hilarious because Belichick is saying something like, "I'm sure you have lots of good questions, Ben, you're a prepared, thoughtful reporter" and Volin is basically like "nah dude, I'm just here for lazy takes."
I think this is right. I think the former scenario is most likely. But I also think everyone involved with Brady's extension last year recognized the latter was a possibility.
It certainly could turn out to be a good draft, but I've thought the same thing after the past few drafts and it hasn't panned out. We haven't gotten a Y2 leap from a draftee since Mason and Flowers.
Totally agree. There's some real "ifs" there. But hey, that's drafting, right? Gonna hit some, gonna miss some. Just hope you hit more than you miss. Plus, BB tends to get a lot of mileage out of UDFAs, which don't "count" for each team's draft class (because, uh, they weren't drafted) but which are just as important components to a year's "rookie" class. Obviously JC Jackson fits that bill. Dude was terrific this year in his 2nd year as an UDFA in 2018.
Last year at this time everyone thought the Rams were going to be a SB contender for several years. They were wholly mediocre this year. The Ravens and the Chiefs are better than the Pats at the moment, but both of those teams will lose FAs, coaches, etc. this offseason, just like everyone else. I don’t think the Pats are anywhere near the state where you blow them up.
I didn't say tank. But they can't commit 30 million a year to Brady and be Super Bowl competitive with the holes they have. If they want to win AFC East titles be my guest and bring Brady back but they aren't getting to the Super Bowl again with this roster as constituted with the holes and cap problems they have.
It’s time to get some speed/high twitch athlete types. You can coach up their smarts easier than making them faster.
This isn’t basketball where you tank for 1-2 players and it’s an instant fix. You tear it apart and it’s going to take 5 years.
They absolutely need more athleticism. The only guy who can consistently create separation is Edelman and he’s almost done. The Pats offense has always needed that quick twitch slot guy.
I didn't say you said tank. I asked if that's what you thought they should do.
Go with Stidham. Change the offense to suit the way he plays. Get more speed and athletic players and start to turn over that aging defense. The sooner they break this down the better off they will be in the long run. Hanging on to false hope gets teams in trouble. As BB has said its better to get rid of players a year early than a year late.
Where are people getting this 5 years bullshit?
