How the Patriots could extend their reign and doom the NFL
The New England Patriots are up to something and it's not good.
New England Head Coach Bill Belichick and their front office are notorious for being steps ahead of the rest of the league during their nearly two-decade reign of dominance of the NFL. Belichick became the head coach in 2000, coinciding with quarterback Tom Brady being selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft that same year. Since, the Patriots have won eight conference titles, five Super Bowls and have a current streak of seven consecutive AFC Conference title games. Their dominance of the AFC East has spanned almost the entirety of the new millennium (15 out of a possible 18 division titles). 'The Patriot Way' has become a recognized philosophy in the league that refers to the thinking that it's better to get rid of a player a year too early than a year too late. In doing so, older veterans who have lost a step but still productive are cycled out of the system in favor of younger, hungrier albeit less experienced talent. As a result the level of play stays consistent and it's also more cap-friendly than keeping a roster full of high-priced talent.
That being said, on the surface it looks as if the Patriots' run of dominance is coming to a close. They have lost many impact players on both sides of the ball. In this offseason alone, wide receiver Danny Amendola has bolted for Miami, Super Bowl hero cornerback Malcolm Butler and leading rusher Dion Lewis are now members of the Tennessee Titans. Both offensive tackle that protected Brady in the Super Bowl are gone. Nate Solder is a New York Giant and Cameron Fleming is a Dallas Cowboy. That's a lot of key free agent defections for a team with a championship pedigree that borders on mythical. From the outside, it looks like the empire is crumbling piece-by-piece. Then a funny thing happened on the way to bury the kings.
Not funny ha ha, funny uh-oh...
In what's arguably their most head-scratching move, New England traded their young speed-burning wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams. In the deal, the Patriots send Cooks and their 2018 4th-round pick to Los Angeles in exchange for the Rams' first round pick (23rd) and LA's 6th-round pick. Just like that, New England divests themselves of two key receiving threats in their 2017 Super Bowl run in Amendola and Cooks. In the 24-year old Cooks, they lose the player with the capability of taking the top off any defense and has averaged over one thousand yards, seven touchdowns and 75 receptions in each of the last three seasons. Couple all the defections with the rumors of a fracture in the front office between owner Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick and Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowskis' ongoimg absence at the start of voluntary workouts; the end looks nearer than ever. One thing we've learned however is the Patriots always seem to be a step ahead of the rest of the league. What ARE they up to this time?
Here are three doomsday scenarios that could unfold on draft day that could make us all want to stop watching NFL for good:
1. The Patriots trade up to the top of the draft and steal one of the 'big four' quarterbacks consisting of Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen and Sam Darnold. The have-nots of the NFL are jockeying for position at the top of the NFL Draft next Thursday in order to choose the man who will (hopefully) lead their franchises into the future. Armed with not one but two first-round picks, the Patriots could package them both and possibly offer up a third first-round pick in 2019 to give a team that may be on the fence about drafting a quarterback (such as the New York Giants who pick second) to bow out of the top ten and accumulate more talent. Conversely, the Giants could repackage the two firsts to move back up the draft, possible into the top 10-15 spots in the draft. Belichick and the New England front office has shown excellent judgement when it comes to quarterbacks as evidenced by the gritty, impressive performances of Jimmy Garopolo and Jacoby Brissette last season as they were both unexpectedly jettisoned from the Patriots in 2017. Scoring one of the big four quarterbacks could bridge the gap created when Brady calls it a career with little dropoff and keep them at the top of the AFC for the forseeable future.
2. The Patriots include Gronkowski in a package to trade up into the top five and keep a first rounder. Gronkowski has passed the expiration date of the 'Patriot Way' credo and the only reason Gronkowski is still a Patriot today is because of Brady. The numerous back, knee, hip injuries, mounting concussions and missed games should show the writing on the wall. Gronk hasn't committed to returning for the new season. In my opinion, he knows if he doesn't leave on his own he will be shown the door. When he is on the field he is the best tight end in the game and he will be a sexy trade chip. Add Gronk, the Pats' 2018 first rounder (23rd pick) and two second-round picks to the aforementioned Giants and it could be enough to wrest the second pick away from the New Yorkers. In doing so, they still salvage their original 31st selection.
Thirdly, and most terrifying of all...
3. The Patriots give both first-round picks in a package to trade for Odell Beckham Jr. The Giants have been anything but consistent in their intentions for their diva wide receiver. Beckham Jr. obviously wants a new contract after a stellar first four years as a professional. Despite missing most of last season with an ACL injury, Beckham Jr. has established himself as a superstar. His on and off-field antics have worn thin on the front office to the point where what should have been a done deal yesterday still isn't done and there is talk among the NFL insiders that the Giants are fielding phone calls for Beckham Jr. If the Patriots would package their first-round picks it would give the Giants three first round picks and save them the debate over whether to pay Beckham Jr. a huge contract extension. Moreover, they max out what they can get now instead of risk Beckham Jr. holding a grudge and leaving the team for nothing in return. The Patriots win because they get arguably the best wide receiver in the league, in his prime, to complete an unholy trinity of Brady, Gronk and Beckham Jr. In doing so, the Patriots could extend their stranglehold on the AFC as top dogs and Super Bowl runs for years to come.
Or...
New England could offer a Gronkowski-for-Beckham exchange and include one first-round pick this year, a first-round pick next year and an additional second or third-round selection. Both teams exchange their problem children and get the best player at their positions in return. Both offenses get a major upgrade, trade their prodigies out of their conference and still have plenty of draft capital to work with. Sound far fetched? Maybe so, but New England didn't get to where they are today by thinking inside the box. The Patriots are up to something and we should all be concerned...
What do you think? No chance or could it happen? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
The Greg One
@LordoftheGregs
#HotTakeMessenger
#NFLDraft2018
New England Head Coach Bill Belichick and their front office are notorious for being steps ahead of the rest of the league during their nearly two-decade reign of dominance of the NFL. Belichick became the head coach in 2000, coinciding with quarterback Tom Brady being selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft that same year. Since, the Patriots have won eight conference titles, five Super Bowls and have a current streak of seven consecutive AFC Conference title games. Their dominance of the AFC East has spanned almost the entirety of the new millennium (15 out of a possible 18 division titles). 'The Patriot Way' has become a recognized philosophy in the league that refers to the thinking that it's better to get rid of a player a year too early than a year too late. In doing so, older veterans who have lost a step but still productive are cycled out of the system in favor of younger, hungrier albeit less experienced talent. As a result the level of play stays consistent and it's also more cap-friendly than keeping a roster full of high-priced talent.
That being said, on the surface it looks as if the Patriots' run of dominance is coming to a close. They have lost many impact players on both sides of the ball. In this offseason alone, wide receiver Danny Amendola has bolted for Miami, Super Bowl hero cornerback Malcolm Butler and leading rusher Dion Lewis are now members of the Tennessee Titans. Both offensive tackle that protected Brady in the Super Bowl are gone. Nate Solder is a New York Giant and Cameron Fleming is a Dallas Cowboy. That's a lot of key free agent defections for a team with a championship pedigree that borders on mythical. From the outside, it looks like the empire is crumbling piece-by-piece. Then a funny thing happened on the way to bury the kings.
Not funny ha ha, funny uh-oh...
In what's arguably their most head-scratching move, New England traded their young speed-burning wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams. In the deal, the Patriots send Cooks and their 2018 4th-round pick to Los Angeles in exchange for the Rams' first round pick (23rd) and LA's 6th-round pick. Just like that, New England divests themselves of two key receiving threats in their 2017 Super Bowl run in Amendola and Cooks. In the 24-year old Cooks, they lose the player with the capability of taking the top off any defense and has averaged over one thousand yards, seven touchdowns and 75 receptions in each of the last three seasons. Couple all the defections with the rumors of a fracture in the front office between owner Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick and Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowskis' ongoimg absence at the start of voluntary workouts; the end looks nearer than ever. One thing we've learned however is the Patriots always seem to be a step ahead of the rest of the league. What ARE they up to this time?
Here are three doomsday scenarios that could unfold on draft day that could make us all want to stop watching NFL for good:
1. The Patriots trade up to the top of the draft and steal one of the 'big four' quarterbacks consisting of Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen and Sam Darnold. The have-nots of the NFL are jockeying for position at the top of the NFL Draft next Thursday in order to choose the man who will (hopefully) lead their franchises into the future. Armed with not one but two first-round picks, the Patriots could package them both and possibly offer up a third first-round pick in 2019 to give a team that may be on the fence about drafting a quarterback (such as the New York Giants who pick second) to bow out of the top ten and accumulate more talent. Conversely, the Giants could repackage the two firsts to move back up the draft, possible into the top 10-15 spots in the draft. Belichick and the New England front office has shown excellent judgement when it comes to quarterbacks as evidenced by the gritty, impressive performances of Jimmy Garopolo and Jacoby Brissette last season as they were both unexpectedly jettisoned from the Patriots in 2017. Scoring one of the big four quarterbacks could bridge the gap created when Brady calls it a career with little dropoff and keep them at the top of the AFC for the forseeable future.
2. The Patriots include Gronkowski in a package to trade up into the top five and keep a first rounder. Gronkowski has passed the expiration date of the 'Patriot Way' credo and the only reason Gronkowski is still a Patriot today is because of Brady. The numerous back, knee, hip injuries, mounting concussions and missed games should show the writing on the wall. Gronk hasn't committed to returning for the new season. In my opinion, he knows if he doesn't leave on his own he will be shown the door. When he is on the field he is the best tight end in the game and he will be a sexy trade chip. Add Gronk, the Pats' 2018 first rounder (23rd pick) and two second-round picks to the aforementioned Giants and it could be enough to wrest the second pick away from the New Yorkers. In doing so, they still salvage their original 31st selection.
Thirdly, and most terrifying of all...
3. The Patriots give both first-round picks in a package to trade for Odell Beckham Jr. The Giants have been anything but consistent in their intentions for their diva wide receiver. Beckham Jr. obviously wants a new contract after a stellar first four years as a professional. Despite missing most of last season with an ACL injury, Beckham Jr. has established himself as a superstar. His on and off-field antics have worn thin on the front office to the point where what should have been a done deal yesterday still isn't done and there is talk among the NFL insiders that the Giants are fielding phone calls for Beckham Jr. If the Patriots would package their first-round picks it would give the Giants three first round picks and save them the debate over whether to pay Beckham Jr. a huge contract extension. Moreover, they max out what they can get now instead of risk Beckham Jr. holding a grudge and leaving the team for nothing in return. The Patriots win because they get arguably the best wide receiver in the league, in his prime, to complete an unholy trinity of Brady, Gronk and Beckham Jr. In doing so, the Patriots could extend their stranglehold on the AFC as top dogs and Super Bowl runs for years to come.
Or...
New England could offer a Gronkowski-for-Beckham exchange and include one first-round pick this year, a first-round pick next year and an additional second or third-round selection. Both teams exchange their problem children and get the best player at their positions in return. Both offenses get a major upgrade, trade their prodigies out of their conference and still have plenty of draft capital to work with. Sound far fetched? Maybe so, but New England didn't get to where they are today by thinking inside the box. The Patriots are up to something and we should all be concerned...
What do you think? No chance or could it happen? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
The Greg One
@LordoftheGregs
#HotTakeMessenger
#NFLDraft2018
posted by TheLegacyKey | 12:39 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home