Belichick has a plan
He must. Almost every year the off-season for the Patriots is a slow burn. Last year was not the norm. It was an attempt at a course correction after letting Brady walk, replacing him with Cam fucking Newton, going 7 -9, watching Brady win a Super bowl, and having every draft pick fail in front of you. They needed an influx in talent and had the money to do it where a lot of other teams didn’t.
This season it’s back to Belichick looking at his roster and seeing potential in the unknown names looking for “value” in the market. The trouble with that is every other team in the AFC is lapping them with talent additions. Miami just traded a mother loving haul of picks for Tyreek Hill. They also picked up a starting left tackle and a couple fast RBs in Edmonds and Mostert. The Bills grabbed Von Miller. Even the Jets spent a shit ton not that it was on anyone stellar.
Move over to the arms race in the AFC West. The Chargers sign JC Jackson away from you, re sign Mike Williams, trade for Khalil Mack. Denver gets Russell Wilson. Chandler Jones and Devante Adams head to Las Vegas. KC replaces Hill with JuJu.
Then you have Matt Ryan filling the annual void at QB for Indy like a Tuesday at Irene’s and the Browns spent the city’s entire GDP on Deshaun Watson. The Bengals sured up their offensive line and the Steelers, well they got Mitch Trubisky. Freaking Jacksonville dropped 1/2 their cap this season on mediocre players just for the chance to get better. And the Patriots signed Malcolm Butler. Woof.
I know there are a lot of “in Bill we trust” people out there and I lean more that way than not, but it’s hard not to start to question his vision and/or his ability to execute it. We didn’t even touch on the fact that they have stripped their coaching staff down to a skeleton crew working the mid night shift at Arby’s.
Here’s some positives. The Patriot’s offense will be better just through the passing of time. Mac Jones, Hunter Henry, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, and Jonnu Smith are all entering their 2nd year in the system. With no McDaniels, but the system won’t change. The strategy may change but chemistry will continue to grow. There is a good amount of talent in that group. Add in what is always a strong run game, Jackobi Myers and the fact that the Patriots are still looking for WR help.
“..Fowler also noted the Patriots are expected to "comb the (trade) market" for wide receiver options..”
Belichick has taken all of this into consideration.
Here is the totally realistic, reasonable, unbiased, not grasping at straws or freaking out about how shitty the roster looks plan Bill Belichick 100% is working with.
The turbulent field of AFC roster turnover plan.
Yes, we just rattled off an onslaught of talent coming into the AFC but with new editions come question marks. Let me give you a couple examples.
The Chiefs “dynasty” took a big hit trading Mahome’s binkie in Tyreek Hill. That offense has shown cracks in the armor the last few years and now they lose their #1 weapon. Sorry, JuJu isn’t making up for what Hill brought. Are the Pats as good as KC now? No, but in that AFC west the Chiefs could have a hard time making the playoffs.
Deshaun Watson has a very good chance to not play another entire year of football. The Browns prepared for him to be suspended by only playing him $1 million of that $230 million they guaranteed. A new grand jury is now taking another look at the criminal cases. He still has 22 pending civil cases. Plus he hasn’t played in a year and what will be almost 2 years if he comes back. Plus, he’s now responsible for shaking 40 years of suck off the Cleveland name.
The Chargers are flat out unproven. Young QB and young dumb ass coach missed the playoffs last year with foolish errors and play calling. The talent is undeniable. The decision making isn’t. Show me you can make the playoffs in before we deem you the crown prince can you please?
Matt Ryan is now all of a sudden the 2nd coming? The Colts started last season 0 - 3 and failed to make the playoffs because they couldn’t beat the pathetic Jacksonville Jaguars in week 18. I know Carson Wentz sucks, but don’t sit here and tell me a team that loses to the Jags with the playoffs on the line is simply Matt Ryan away from running the AFC.
The Titans are destined to take a step back. Tannehill is public enemy #1 in that town. Julio is cut, Henry is another year older. The mystic is worn off. one on back to the mean Vrabes.
Russell Wilson hasn’t been a Super Bowl QB in SEVEN seasons. This is his first new team in his whole career. Expect an adjustment period. Yes, he is good. Yes, the Broncos have a pretty good roster. Again, they have to slug it out in the AFC west.
Miami is a trash organization that given a chance will step on its own foot at every turn. Unintentionally or intentionally like ya know, bribing their coach with $100K to tank the season so they fire him because he black, allegedly. New Coach, bad QB, and high end purchased talent in a toxic environment. Show me this works before I believe this works.
Josh McDaniels was the best coordinator in football. What is he has a head coach his 2nd time around? Question Mark. Can he turn Derek Carr into a winner after 10 years of tripping over his own painted on eye brows? Question Mark.
Big prove it year for Lamar Jackson. Remember when they missed the playoffs last year because the under sized QB who runs better than he throws couldn’t stay healthy? Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.
Mitchell - freaking - Trubisky
Super Bowl hang overs are really and some of them last a life time Mr. Burrow. Ask Dan Marino.
The Bills are really good. The Jets, Jags, and Texans are really bad. NO Question Marks.
Winner
So, if Bill’s plan is to just to wait and see how many of these question marks end in disappointment for their fan base and then swoop in to own the bottom of what’s left are we okay with that?
I’m not freaking out. You’re freaking out.
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