Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

[Eagles]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

The Patriots have been the worst run in Boston over the past few seasons. Too many trades with zero return that will help them now. All they do is stock pile draft picks that have turned into guys like Terrence Wheatley, Shawn Crable, Kevin O'Connell, Kareem Brown, David Thomas, Garrett Mills, and Ellis Hobbs. Who are these guys? The 3rd and 4th round picks the Patriots have drafted since 2005 that haven't really made a name for themselves.

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

This is weird. I was talking to a friend at lunch yesterday about potential improvement at key spots, maybe they're coming around a bit, the offense actually looked like a real offense and not an Arena League team, and with perhaps four picks in the top 50 spots of the 2011 draft, with Oakland's right now projecting to a No. 5-6 and Carolina's projecting to No. 33-36, and if they can hit on three of those picks, and blah blah blah . . .

And then I stopped myself and thought, "What the hell am I talking about? They're FOUR games into this season!" What kind a shi**y fan I am to be thinking like this when they're 3-1, 2-1 in the division, in what is right now a wide open NFL. Who are the dominant teams? The Jets? Baltimore? Pittsburgh? The Saints? 1-2 Dallas? 2-2 Indy? Sure, right now they look like they can't compete consistently on defense. But let's see where they are in week eight, twelve, etc. Who knows what might happen?

And now this. It's really disappointing, especially coming off the biggest road win for this organization in at least 22 months. I was excited to see what they could bring to the table vs. 3-1 Baltimore.

I understand their reasons for this. But I'd feel a lot better if they could've at least landed a backup D lineman or a nickleback who could help this year. I hate the feeling that they've so dramatically taken away from the 2010 product four weeks into the season.

So in an uncapped year, they've traded Maroney's and Moss's salaries and picked up draft choices that they'll be paying in capped years. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense if your goal is to win games and win championships.

[CarlS]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

Was wrong on the compensatory pick if Moss left as a free agent - from Mike Reiss at ESPN Boston:

"When analyzing the trade of Randy Moss to the Vikings, one consideration is compensatory draft picks.

Had the Patriots kept Moss for the season, the team could have received a 2012 compensatory draft choice when/if Moss signed with another team in the offseason.

That pick could have been no higher than a fifth-rounder in 2012, because Moss has 10 accrued seasons in the NFL.

That was likely a consideration for the Patriots when they accepted a 2011 third-round pick as compensation from the Vikings."

[Rover]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

Here's a radical thought. Maybe they should have extended Moss' contract?

IF there's no other moves coming here, and this a straight up Moss-3rd rounder, I'm done with this team for awhile. This is a Bruins move - keep making the team worse with dumb trades but lie with a straight face and say the team's getting better. I'd f v cking sick of stockpiling 3rd and 4th rounders. It doesn't work. I'm sick of trading down. It doesn't work. They need to re-stock the team with high first rounders. What the f u ck are they doing with all the money the team earns? Aren't they the second most valuable franchise after Dallas? I don't see the Colts or Steelers continually having free agent fire sales every year. This is becoming a pattern of bad deals (Law, Branch, Samuel, Vrabel, etc etc) where we've let guys go or given them away for pennies on the dollar that could have helped the team. Might be time for the team to take away Belichick's personnel duties and let him focus on coaching.

[FiveHole12]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

The Patriots have been the worst run in Boston over the past few seasons. Too many trades with zero return that will help them now. All they do is stock pile draft picks that have turned into guys like Terrence Wheatley, Shawn Crable, Kevin O'Connell, Kareem Brown, David Thomas, Garrett Mills, and Ellis Hobbs. Who are these guys? The 3rd and 4th round picks the Patriots have drafted since 2005 that haven't really made a name for themselves.

You forgot to add nameless players like Gostkowski, R4, '06; Ohrnberger R4, '09' and Hernandez R4, '10'.
The Pats roster is full of draft picks since '05', including Chung, Butler, Crable, Edelman, Gostkowski, Gronkowski, Hernandez, Mayo, Meriweather, McCourty, Ohrnberger, Vollmer etc.
Roster
Looks to me like a lot more have stuck than the number of busts mentioned above.

Anyone consider Moss may be a negative influence in the locker room at this point? They smoke Miami and the coach and team are jacked, and Moss looks like he just lost the family dog. Gotta get rid of cancer.

[Chickens@NU]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

Here's a radical thought. Maybe they should have extended Moss' contract?

IF there's no other moves coming here, and this a straight up Moss-3rd rounder, I'm done with this team for awhile. This is a Bruins move - keep making the team worse with dumb trades but lie with a straight face and say the team's getting better. I'd f v cking sick of stockpiling 3rd and 4th rounders. It doesn't work. I'm sick of trading down. It doesn't work. They need to re-stock the team with high first rounders. What the f u ck are they doing with all the money the team earns? Aren't they the second most valuable franchise after Dallas? I don't see the Colts or Steelers continually having free agent fire sales every year. This is becoming a pattern of bad deals (Law, Branch, Samuel, Vrabel, etc etc) where we've let guys go or given them away for pennies on the dollar that could have helped the team. Might be time for the team to take away Belichick's personnel duties and let him focus on coaching.

I completely disagree with this statement. I think this is a matter of addition by subtraction. Brady hasn't been Brady since Moss got here. Look at this past week. He threw to Moss once (quick play, won't fault Moss for that) but Brady had a 107 passer rating. Week before, 2 passes to Moss (albeit 2 TDs) and a 142 passer rating. Against the Jets, 10 out of 36 passes to Moss, 8 dropped or picked off, 72 passer rating. Moss isn't necessary. What has Branch done since he left? Not more than 49 passes. Hasn't played a full season since he left (14 games twice, 11 and 8). I will give you the moves on D were bad letting some of the vets go, but with the O, I think this team is better without Moss.

[Rover]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

I completely disagree with this statement. I think this is a matter of addition by subtraction. Brady hasn't been Brady since Moss got here. Look at this past week. He threw to Moss once (quick play, won't fault Moss for that) but Brady had a 107 passer rating. Week before, 2 passes to Moss (albeit 2 TDs) and a 142 passer rating. Against the Jets, 10 out of 36 passes to Moss, 8 dropped or picked off, 72 passer rating. Moss isn't necessary. What has Branch done since he left? Not more than 49 passes. Hasn't played a full season since he left (14 games twice, 11 and 8). I will give you the moves on D were bad letting some of the vets go, but with the O, I think this team is better without Moss.

Sorry, but this is Bruins thinking. Lets get rid of the star player for nothing and we're better off for it. No offense, but that makes no sense. Instead of drawing coverage away from Welker, you can now expect him to be doubled all day while teams crowd in 10-15 yards downfield and dare someone like Tate to beat them.

The bottom line is this team has not won a Super Bowl in 6 years and their draft choices have not panned out into impact players in eons. Gostkowski = who cares? Kickers are a dime a dozen and we already have one before he came along. All the rest of them are not top line players. That's why the team keeps falling further behind the elites in the league, and is now in a dogfight for their own division.

Used to be we'd be on the other side of these transactions (Moss for 4th rounder, Ted Washington for 2nd rounder). Now we're the ones getting fleeced left and right. At some point you have to ask yourself why the team keeps getting itself into contentious free agent wars with its own players. Why can the Steelers and Colts keep their impact stars and we can't?

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

Belichick:

Over the course of the past several months, I have spoken with Randy and his representative about Randy's place on our team and his future in football. Consistent with my dealings with Randy from the day we acquired him through our conversation this morning, it has been honest, thoughtful and with great mutual respect.

While I will keep private the details of internal conversations with players and staff, suffice it to say that many things were taken into consideration before making the trade. In this business, there are complex and often difficult decisions, but it is my responsibility to make them based on what I feel is best for our football team, in both the short term and long term. I am grateful for the opportunity to have coached Randy Moss and aside from facing him as an opponent, I wish him the very best for the remainder of his Hall of Fame career.

Peter King tweeted this morning about a "minor piece" of the deal beyond a third-rounder. I haven't heard this anywhere else. Anyone?

[Chickens@NU]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

Sorry, but this is Bruins thinking. Lets get rid of the star player for nothing and we're better off for it. No offense, but that makes no sense. Instead of drawing coverage away from Welker, you can now expect him to be doubled all day while teams crowd in 10-15 yards downfield and dare someone like Tate to beat them.

The bottom line is this team has not won a Super Bowl in 6 years and their draft choices have not panned out into impact players in eons. Gostkowski = who cares? Kickers are a dime a dozen and we already have one before he came along. All the rest of them are not top line players. That's why the team keeps falling further behind the elites in the league, and is now in a dogfight for their own division.

Used to be we'd be on the other side of these transactions (Moss for 4th rounder, Ted Washington for 2nd rounder). Now we're the ones getting fleeced left and right. At some point you have to ask yourself why the team keeps getting itself into contentious free agent wars with its own players. Why can the Steelers and Colts keep their impact stars and we can't?

I only disagree with Moss. It's like A-Rod idea. He's a great player, but 9 times out of 10 you're better off without him. I think for Brady's mentality, he's better off without Moss. I think the rest of the moves you're talking about (Samuel, Law, Seymore, Vrable, etc.) on the defense, they should have ponied up the cash, not made the trade whatever. The offense has always been, plug X into lineup here and he produces. Plug X into another team, he becomes a bust. Offensively, As long as Brady's there, I think we're ok. Defensively, they've been stupid (along with Thomas being a total bust signing).

[mookie1995]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

Has the smear campaign started on eei yet?

As a stillers fan, I am obviously thrilled.

[whatever]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

Looks like a done deal.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...ng/10/06/moss/

The only smear I'll give is that this officially makes the Patriots a team full of 100% team players now. We'll see how this goes.

Just in time for the J-E-T-Z game next week, too!

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

Seriously? Was Moss taking off plays or something? He's still the best WR in Patriots history.

Why is there any kind of smear campaign? The Patriots always play hardball with their FAs and the talks always become contentious. It happens with just about all their players.

But it's always the selfish player? It can't always be true. I think Moss was worth more, and probably was worth more before the season started.

[Chickens@NU]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

I only disagree with Moss. It's like A-Rod idea. He's a great player, but 9 times out of 10 you're better off without him. I think for Brady's mentality, he's better off without Moss. I think the rest of the moves you're talking about (Samuel, Law, Seymore, Vrable, etc.) on the defense, they should have ponied up the cash, not made the trade whatever. The offense has always been, plug X into lineup here and he produces. Plug X into another team, he becomes a bust. Offensively, As long as Brady's there, I think we're ok. Defensively, they've been stupid (along with Thomas being a total bust signing).

And If the offense struggles after this, I will eat those words.

[Jon]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

This is a Bruins move

The Patriots have been the worst run in Boston over the past few seasons.

We really need to get you two together.

I'm in the "this is a bad move" camp.

As a stillers fan, I am obviously thrilled.

and this is why.

mookie, you should know better to listen to EEI unless you want to heard Manny bashing, Obama bashing or how much fat guys like to eat sandwiches.

[whatever]

Re: Patriots 2010: the Year We Make Contracts

Seriously? Was Moss taking off plays or something? He's still the best WR in Patriots history.

Why is there any kind of smear campaign? The Patriots always play hardball with their FAs and the talks always become contentious. It happens with just about all their players.

But it's always the selfish player? It can't always be true. I think Moss was worth more, and probably was worth more before the season started.

No argument with that. It's just that a Patriots with a team mentality achieved so much more than a team with Moss did. There were times when it did look like Moss was dogging it, but for keeping him as happy as possible at least outwardly, the Patriots did well.

That's not to say that there is a genuine replacement for Moss. There doesn't seem to be, and this is a puzzling move. I assume Belichick is still in the hunt for a Super Bowl slot at the end of the regular season.