We are just like the patriots....

I think our blueprint is to be like the Titans. Stay under the cap, draft well even if it means taking no big names, and making it about the team. The thing is we don't have Pioli (best GM in the game) or Belicheck. Fisher probably has a big enough ego to believe he can do what Bill is doing and how he plugs players into his system. Also if there were a team to be compared to it would be the 2001 Patriots where there were a bunch of nobodies. Not saying we are like them, but it is interesting to look at. Vince Young is better than that Tom Brady, we got just as good RB's, our TE's are better, we have no name WR's like they did, our oline is solid. The question is our defense.

 

The biggest difference..

The pats had dominant defensive players.

Yes they have a great head coach and yes romeo crennel was a fine DC but look at the players they have had.

Seymour-mcginest-bruschi-vrabel-law-samuel-harrison-malloy-colvin-izzo.

Ty law is a HOF type player, seymour will likely be there. Seymour has made the pro bowl every year since 2002. Even larry izzo has been to some pro bowls.

Lawyer malloy was a blaine bishop type SS and when he was getting a bit older and wanted too much money they let him go and replaced him with rodney harrison. When they won their second super bowl samuel was just a nickel back.

In the last decade how many inside linebackers have been better than ted bruski? Maybe 5? What team has had more versatile OLB than vrabel and mcginest? They added roosevelt colvin when they already had one of the best groups of linebackers in the league. Colvin has 8 sacks each of the last 2 years..

Yes the pats have a solid concept but they have made a committment to a certain type of team and have had the players to make it work.

We need 3-4 more quality defensive players to make that comparison.

 

The Patriots have always had great players and they have also signed FAs when they thought a player would upgrade the team. They draft well AND they go get vets that can help them. Add in that they have the best coach and the best system and that is why they have success.

Interesting how someone would post we are like the Patriots in a year where the Patriots all but aknowledged they made a huge mistake letting quality WRs leave without bringing in replacements. Their WR core last year may have cost them a SB. Look at what they did this off-season. They gave up a 2nd round pick and nice money for Welker, a guy who arguably isn't better than guys like Bennett or Wade.

Also, the Patriots have never been afraid to use high draft picks or FA signings to bolster their defense. They take seriously, very seriously their front 7 on defense and prefer to use high picks for DL. Their philosphy is simply if we can beat you in the trenches we have a real good chance of beating you (note almost our whole DL this year are in their last year of their contract). Notice they signed probably the best defensive player in FA this year, Thomas.

In conclusion we should also note that even if both teams swapped players the Pats would still beat us because their HC and their DC will always dominate our HC and DC. Even with a core of players that were one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year Belichick would find a way for those guys to be more than respectable and guys like Thompson would be cut the first day of camp.

 

Patriots in the draft..

Obviously a huge committment to the defensive line despite already having perhaps the best D-lineman in the league. 3 1st rd picks in the last 5 years were defensive lineman. They also used a first rd pick for watson a TE when they already had graham.

Colvin was signed when they were hardly desperate for linebackers. You see that they are thinking ahead because once mcginest left colvin was essential and now with graham gone watson could become a top TE. 2 of those 3 lineman will start along with seymour.

 

No my friend, we are just like the Titans. Don't ever forget that.

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Vrabel should never be mentioned in a 'great' player line. Sorry, just had to say it. He's one of the most over rated players ever.