It’s time to start blaming someone other than Belichick
Jalen Ramsey was just traded to the Dolphins for a measly 3rd round pick (The Patriots pick they used for DeVante Parker) and some scrub Tight End. Ramsey was the guy I had them targeting this season. It felt like a bit of a pipe dream due to the reported cost being at least a 1st round pick, but I felt it was worth it because of the track record Belichick has with an elite LCB. Now, come to find out all it would take is a 3rd!?!?
I will leave the door open for the idea that it was a football decision and Bill didn’t like the player. I’ll even grant you it was a management decision and they have bigger plans for the offensive side of the ball which clearly needs more help. In the same breathe I’ll say bullshit. Belichick loves talent. Don’ t let anyone fool you. Especially when it comes to certain positions. Especially defensive positions. Especially LCB. Law, Talib, Revis, Gilmore. Ramsey falls in that category. Bill is even willing to pay him on his terms. Gilmore was the highest contract in the history of the NFL for DBs. Revis was top of the market, I’ll be it for the one year. Matthew Judon has a cap hit of $18 million this year. Belichick loves value and a hierarchy of contracts. He has his philosophies, but he aint cheap. That description could be saved for someone else.
The Patriots have spent the 2nd least amount of real cash dollars on their roster over the past 7 years.
Our spending in 2020, our spending in 2021 and our spending in 2022, the aggregate of that, was we were 27th in the league in cash spending. Couple years we're low, one year was high, but over a three-year period, we are one of the lowest spending teams in the league.” - Bill Belichick
Then there is the NFLPA report card to take into consideration where the Patriots ranked 24th out of 32 teams based on the aggregate grades.
Jalen Ramsey is going to make about $19 million in cash a year the next two seasons. Only $12.3 of it is guaranteed. Ramsey is a top 5 CB in the league and gets paid as such. You don’t have Tom Brady anymore. Veterans aint coming here for that special sauce and duck boat parades. How’s the “value” philosophy working out for you these days? I’m not trying to go full Kanye on these guys, I’m just sayin..
The Krafts clearly have a business model that they would like to hold true to and keep their margins and financially blah, blah, blah. It’s time to start loosening up Daddy’s wallet in order to bring in the necessary talent to stay competitive in a world where you don’t have Brady.