The Patriots are outsmarting the league again
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Last month we looked at the upcoming offseason the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots are facing. With several free agents, we opined that the Patriots may have to reinvent themselves this offseason.
Not to worry. Coach Bill Belichick is a master of reinvention. And less than one full day into free agency, we have seen New England’s plan take shape. The Patriots are reloading again. And it looks like they are doing a brilliant job of it. On a fascinating first day of the 2017 NFL calendar, the champion Patriots were one of the most productive teams in the league. Any early free-agency winners/losers list has to have New England at the top.
The truth is that the Patriots simply operate at a higher, more intelligent level than every other team. There’s no other way to explain it. After virtually every move they make, the rest of the league collectively thinks. ‘They did it again,” and, “Why can’t that be us?”
There is only one Belichick, and he is dominating the league. And his 2017 wheeling-and-dealing is just beginning.
Thursday began with the Patriots snagging top-of-the-line cornerback Stephon Gilmore from AFC East foe Buffalo. There were few signs that the Patriots would be in the mix for a big-ticket player, especially at cornerback. But that’s what the Patriots do. They work with stealth diligence. Gilmore now becomes the Patriots’ top cornerback. New England drafted, developed and got a lot out of Logan Ryan. Yet, when they evaluated things, the Patriots figured signing Gilmore and letting Ryan walk (he is still unsigned at the time of this story posting) was smart business. So, they made the move.
New England also decided to take care of two of their own key defensive players by re-signing defensive tackle Alan Branch and safety Duron Harmon. Both Branch and Harmon work well within the Patriots defense. New England does an excellent job of identifying great fits for its defense. When a player is a perfect fit, he stays. If the Patriots think he can be replaced, he’ll be replaced.
That’s the case on offense at tight end. The Patriots have decided to let Martellus Bennett walk in free agency. In making that decision, the Patriots traded for Dwayne Allen of the Indianapolis Colts. Allen has had his moments, but some people around the league believe he hasn’t reached his full potential. Nothing like going to play for Belichick and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and playing with quarterback Tom Brady to bring out a guy’s full potential.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re talking about Allen having his best NFL season in about 9 months. Another thing in Allen’s favor is that he is known for his football intelligence. That smacks of the Patriots Way. The Bennett-Allen trade out was classic New England.
New England’s reinvention process for this year is not over. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower – one of the best players still available – is still reportedly in talks with the Patriots. If they don’t re-sign him, they will likely regroup and make another big move.
And the Patriots could also still add in a big way through a trade. They are reportedly talking to New Orleans about a deal that would bring receiver Brandin Cooks in exchange for cornerback Malcom Butler, a restricted free agent. Yes, Butler was a Super Bowl hero and he has become a top player. But the Patriots developed him from an undrafted free agent. Swapping a former undrafted free agent for a 23-year-old No.1 receiver would be incredible. It would be so Belichick. And, of course, the Patriots could also flip backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for a big package if they choose to.
The Patriots are definitely in control. As usual.
