Entering this bold and new era of New England Patriots football the first order of business was to re-sign four players from 2020 draft class, re-signing on to two of the free agents spending spree from 2021, and keeping players on the margins from the previous season.
I doubt there was a real football reason behind ousting Belichick, the only real motive was Robert Kraft’s son didn’t want to wait around for him to retire to inherit the team. So now they’re running the “it’s all Bill’s fault” playbook.
Besides a few quibbles, I don’t think the Patriots had a bad off-season. They can roll the cap space over into next year where hopefully the free agent class is better and their reputation is rebuilt and they can go big game hunting.
Bringing back Kendrick Bourne, I don’t care how player-friendly the contract is, was a dumb move because he’s 29, coming off an ACL tear and was a malcontent for the past two years. He commits too many penalties and relies too much on his speed to reasonably expect him to return to form this upcoming season. The alternative was chasing Hollywood Brown and K.J Osborn, the latter of whom they did sign in a deal I liked, and not being played by Calvin Ridley’s representation to have the Titans inflate his market.
Losing linebacker Mack Wilson is a disaster. Wilson is a scraper, very smart and capable. He was a key part of the Patriots defense that remained in elite form even after losing its two best players early in the season. His departure is an indictment on the Jerod Mayo regime and how players inside and outside the league will regard the franchise post-Bill.
Regardless, the loud mouthed Elliot Wolf’s approach to building through the draft and keeping the powder dry is a reasonable one. I would have preferred them to chase Baker Mayfield or Gardner Minshew in free agency, I don’t think they should take Drake Maye at three because he isn’t going to be any good.
Bringing back Jacoby Brissett is great just for rising the ceiling of a shallow quarterback depth chart. Bailey Zappe perhaps in the future can become a solid backup that runs scout teams and follow the trajectory of Brian Hoyer, but as of now he’s a ways from being that. Brissett can serve as a starter or a mentor for a rookie quarterback, should they foolishly decide to draft one.
Another quibble I have is them jettisoning Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown for Austin Hooper. The first two players I listed are better than Hooper and would cost less to keep. This is another instance of the new regime signing a player because fans and media have heard of him. Same with Ridley. Gotta chase those headlines.
If you’re a ride or die Patriots fan (why?) the only thing that should concern you is will the braintrust allow Kraft’s kid, the media and fanbase bully them into taking Maye when Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu are better options long term. They’re destined to be stalwarts on the offensive line and this Patriots team needs to get younger at that position with David Andrews getting long in the tooth (they don’t play the same position, but you know what I mean), and Trent Brown can go kick rocks on his way out of town.
At this point I’d settle for them taking Marvin Harrison Jr. At least I know the Patriots didn’t piss away the value of the third pick by drafting a player who stinks.
Good Time Basketball 