[Lefty Noob]

The 2006 New England Patriots free agents are:

Unrestricted
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Tom Ashworth, t
Troy Brown, wr
Matt Chatham, lb
Mike Cloud, fb
Andre Davis, wr
Tim Dwight, wr
Heath Evans, fb
Christian Fauria, te
Doug Flutie, qb
David Givens, wr
Stephen Neal, g
Chad Scott, cb
Michael Stone, s
Adam Vinatieri, k

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None

Wow, were to start? How about the fact that Vinatieri is officially a free agent? Or that there are 4 WRs on this list, including Givens? Are we seeing the beginning of the end for the mighty Patriot dynasty?

[Wizard of Os]

[quote=Lefty Noob]The 2006 New England Patriots free agents are:

Unrestricted
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Tom Ashworth, t
Troy Brown, wr
Matt Chatham, lb
Mike Cloud, fb
Andre Davis, wr
Tim Dwight, wr
Heath Evans, fb
Christian Fauria, te
Doug Flutie, qb
David Givens, wr
Stephen Neal, g
Chad Scott, cb
Michael Stone, s
Adam Vinatieri, k

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None

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Wow, were to start?

How about Patriot fans begin with a few moments of sober silence followed by a little quiet whimpering, followed in turn by the warm security that Bellichik and Brady are still there. Sort of security. Maybe.

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

How about the fact that Vinatieri is officially a free agent? Or that there are 4 WRs on this list, including Givens? Are we seeing the beginning of the end for the mighty Patriot dynasty?

No! Let's not start with Vinatieri! I don't want to have to think about this. The Patriots should wait to see the highest offer, double it and be done, period. He's not just a kicker, he's Vinatieri, the man who should have been Super Bowl MVP.

Brown, Davis, Dwight and Givens is quite a list of WRs to lose; two or three of these guys can be convinced to stay, surely.

As for "seeing the beginning of the end," well, we'll see. Everyone wants to be the first to declare the patient DOA, but certain dominant football teams have a way of sticking around at the top, consecutive Bowl appearances or no. Check out the Bradshaw Steelers: four Bowls in six years. Or the Montana 49ers, who won four Bowls, none back-to-back. There is nothing to suggest that the Patriots will finish second or worst in the still weak AFC East. In the playoffs, they're dangerous.

We'll see how the draft goes for teams that appear to be next year's marginals: Miami, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, maybe even Houston with Bush. A break or two (and they've got a bit of karmic payback coming after the Denver game where Lady Luck had long left their side) and New England's in the AFC championship, in which Brady and Bellichik are still undefeated. Imagine if they get Indianapolis again...

Personally, i'd like to see Fauria, Neal, and a few WRs to stay. Lombardi only knows what can be done about the embarassing secondary, but here's where the Patriots may themselves be looking. And if Flutie doesn't retire and New England doesn't resign him, i'll never forgive the boys in blue.

Patriots fans and advocates have always stuck to their steadfast belief in the superiority of Bellichik's intricate schemes. They've seen the departure of all-stars like Terry Glenn and Ty Law shrugged off, and the absence of Teddy Bruschi filled adequately. They'll have to do without Willie McGinest next year and no doubt not all the unrestricted free agents will be resigned.

The scheme, however, goes on. 2006 will prove a most stringent test to the game plan and fans' faith in it.

[Lefty Noob]

The scheme, however, goes on. 2006 will prove a most stringent test to the game plan and fans' faith in it.

No doubt about that. I mean, theoretically speaking, if they were to lose most of these guys, especially Vinatieri and the 2-3 of the WRs, plus McGinest and who knows what else, and still somehow wind up winning the divison or at least a Wild Card? Then Belichick is officially a certified, bonafide, legitimate, Grade-A coaching genius.

Of course, that'll never happen. They won't lose EVERYBODY. They'll resign who they absolutely need, cut the dead weight, fill some holes and still be a playoff team. That's the way things work in New England, right?

[Wizard of Os]

Right!

(Then why does the prospect of losing Master V make me secretly quake?)

Cheers.

[Lefty Noob]

Wow, Os, I'm sorry man. I was completely wrong - the Pats have had a terrible offseason. Losing McGinest, Vinatieri and Givens, among others. But at least they resigned Chad Scott and picked up Caldwell. I'm sure that makes you feel better, right?

[Wizard of Os]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

the Pats have had a terrible offseason. Losing McGinest, Vinatieri and Givens, among others. But at least they resigned Chad Scott and picked up Caldwell. I'm sure that makes you feel better, right?

Lefty (et al),

Well, the Pats' offseason is looking a sight better than terrible at this point, as they've also managed to re-add Troy Brown and Stephen Neal as well. The McGinest loss was unfortunately a project of economic reality, guldarnit, and the Vinatieri loss was this short of inexcuseable. (Though my hero, the espn Sports Guy, suspects something is up with the state of Master V, body-wise, which actually bears thinking about.)

However unhappy beaneaters may be right now, though, panic must not ensue yet. Fact is they still have the BBBoys around and, though no longer perfect, they have yet to lose in overtime. The fact is that SI Sportsman of the Year Brady hasn't hit his prime yet (scary). The fact is that New England must be considered the favorites to win the weak weak AFC East. (Culpepper's helming the Dolphins? Sheesh.)

Quite simply, 2006 will represent a pure test of the Bellichik system. The Patriots have fewer superstars than they have since the 1990s, and fewer intangibles with Master V's departure. Bellichik worshippers (hey, i'm one) have always placed their faith with the undressed genius and his complex schemes. The world will see this season. Me, i'm dying of curiousity.

Cheers.