After a disappointing playoff loss to Denver, New England needs to bounce back. But how will they if head coach Bill Belichick and Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli let their free agents walk without finding replacements?
Three Super Bowl wins in four years. They know what they are doing.
That's the thinking of many Patriots fans as they watch head coach Bill Belichick and Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli do practically nothing during the first two weeks of free agency.
If recent history tells the fans anything, it's that this duo knows what's best for the team. Sure fans will disagree as they express themselves on talk radio. But the track record speaks for itself.
But this season of free agency is testing the loyalty of the fan base. Some very familiar names won't be with the team, and it seems New England let them walk with little or no resistance.
But remember: Three Super Bowls in four years. They know what they're doing.
It's not the first time Belichick and Pioli made decisions that were unpopular at the time. When they traded then franchise quarterback Drew Bledsoe, to division rival Buffalo no less, there was a backlash. And when the team failed to make the playoffs the following season, some questioned whether Bledsoe was sent packing too soon. Winning the next two championships with Tom Brady under center proved the doubters wrong.
What was more shocking was unceremoniously releasing safety Lawyer Milloy, just days before the 2003 season started. He quickly joined Bledsoe in Buffalo and the Bills throttled the Pats 31-0, with Milloy and Bledsoe having stellar days. The instant the game ended, fans had their confirmation that releasing a team leader was a huge mistake.
The fans were right for no more than four weeks. From week five and through the playoffs, New England won all their games, including a payback 31-0 shutout of Buffalo. And it was done with Rodney Harrison filling the role of intimidator and leader in Milloy's absence. In fact, Harrison sealed the Patriots' third Super Bowl win with two interceptions. Running tally for championships with the Pats: Milloy 1. Harrison 2.
Three Super Bowls in four years. They know what they're doing.
So when Belichick and Pioli elect to watch key players depart during this season of free agency, should they be questioned?
Tight end Christian Fauria had fallen to third in the depth chart behind Ben Watson and Daniel Graham, two younger, more athletic players who have proven to be big play threats catching and running with the ball. Fauria won't be missed.
But maybe the loss of two receivers will be. Andre' Davis was acquired through a trade with Cleveland and became New England's occasional deep threat. He signed with Buffalo (they have a thing for former Patriots, it seems), leaving New England with just two receivers under contract.
A role player is easier to replace than a starter. The problem is the Pats must do both since David Givens signed with Tennessee. New England tried to sign Givens to a long term deal last year, but he rolled the dice and won the gamble. He hit the jackpot with the Titans on a 24-million dollar contract and the opportunity to be primary receiver. New England had an offer, but no where near that rich. They also wouldn't make him the top receiver as long as Deion Branch is with the team.
The Pats began filling holes by signing Reche Caldwell from San Diego. He's about the same size as Givens and Caldwell has similar physical traits, but that's where the similarities end. Caldwell has been injury-prone and there are questions about his toughness. Some say he's not fond of going over the middle and suffers from alligator arms. But for now, he has first shot at the void left by Givens.
Three Super Bowls in four years. What are they doing now?
By the time New England had signed Caldwell, linebacker Willie McGinest had already signed with Cleveland to play for head coach Romeo Crennel, his former defensive coordinator when Crennel was a Patriots assistant.
Losing McGinest is more than losing 56 tackles and seven sacks. McGinest was a established leader on the team, a veteran presence who spent his entire 12-year career with the team. When he spoke, players listened.
And his on-field experience was valuable as well. He may not always get the sack or tackle the ball carrier for a loss, but he would rarely be out of position.
Who takes his place is anyone's guess. If players aren't juggled into new positions, one of two inexperienced 'backers will battle to start: fourth-year Tully Banta-Cain or Ryan Claridge, a second-year player fresh off of injured reserve during his rookie season. A third option would be if the Patriots use a early selection to draft a McGinest clone. Whoever it is, there's a good chance they will make mistakes that wily Willie wouldn't fall for.
Three Super Bowls in four years. When will they do something?
And just as people were wondering if things could get any worse, kicker Adam Vinatieri signs with rival Indianapolis. While it's understood that Vinatieri is just a kicker, how many kickers can lay claim to the fact they booted two game-winning Super Bowl field goals and was the difference in a third championship? Vinatieri wasn't just a kicker. He was king clutch. With the game on the line, he's the one most players wished they had on their team.
The inverse of Vinatieri is Mike Vanderjagt, a potential replacement for the man that had become a legend in New England. If the Patriots sign Vanderjagt, it would be the equivalent of G.I. Joe welcoming Cobra Commander as a tactical specialist -- the fans wouldn't welcome him.
To Patriot Nation, Vander-jerk embodies everything that is not the Patriot Way. He threw Colts quarterback Peyton Manning under a bus during a television interview. He also talked trash to the Patriots and their fans. Granted trash talking is nothing new, but you better back it up if you're gonna run your mouth.
Which is where Vanderjagt comes up short (or wide right per say). While Vanderjagt statistically is the most accurate kicker in NFL history, stats don't separate critical attempts from pressure-free kicks. With the game on the line, Vanderjagt choked. He did so in the 2004 season opener against New England and recently shanked a game-tying kick in the 2006 Divisionals against eventual Super Bowl champions Pittsburgh. This is the guy Belichick and Pioli want over Vinatieri?
Three Super Bowls in four years. What will they do next?
It's a nervous time in New England. Fans are wondering what is happening to their team. More importantly, why is the brain trust seemingly doing nothing to keep the team in one piece or finding suitable parts to make the team whole? This year is not like years past when the replacement was obvious and already with the team. For now there are silhouettes and no one suitable to fill the empty frames.
Many fans are ready to jump off a cliff. Some are even close enough to look down over the edge and invision the Patriots free-falling back down to the inept levels that dominate their history. But they won't jump because Belichick and Pioli turned around the franchise and made the Pats an elite team. Some of their decisions weren't popular, but they proved more than once the moves were in the best interest of the team. Time will tell if Belichick and Pioli did the right thing letting Givens, McGinest, Vinatieri, and others walk. Despite the feeling of uneasiness during the early part of free agency, the fans will play the waiting game. But if things don't go right, Belichick and Pioli will be held responsible for their errors in judgement. There won't be a free pass this year.
Three Super Bowls in four years. They know what they're doing. Now prove it.