I don't see the Pats ponying up nearly $10 million for Welker and another $10 million a year for Jackson or Wallace. I don't see them spending 17% of their salary cap on 2 receivers when their defense was deplorable.
The offense cost them the SB, they have invested in defense heavily the last couple of years so finding a WR that can stretch the D makes all the sense in the world. Additionally, the cap is set to increase quite a bit after next season so your 17% figure is only valid for one year.Now, if they instead make a play for Mario Williams that is fine with me. However, the window to win with Brady still being an elite QB is only a couple of years. Time to go for broke.
I agree and disagree on the offense being the reason they lost to the Giants (twice). IMO, the offensive play calling was a bigger culprit than the actual offensive players' performance.Put slightly differently, the Pats scored 513 and 518 points the past two seasons and did not have to spend $20 million on two receivers to do so. It stands to reason that if they took that $10 million (with Welker staying) and invested it on defense that that would better benefit the team. Put slightly differently again, the Pats didn't want to give Randy Moss coming off a record breaking season $10 million a year. I doubt they pay two guys that much in the same season at the same position. If you want to say that that is shortsighted on their part, so be it.
I agree about the play-calling...when their offense stalls it usually come down to either that or pressure on Brady...now there's no doubt a WR like Jax or Wallace would be a huge addition for them...it would give them another dimension they don't have (and I'm not going to complain if they do something like that)...that being said I would rather they spend $ on the D and instead of bringing in big money WR's add a couple of Wrs that aren't too expensive but are upgrades over what they had last year ( I.e. Edelman, Ocho, Slater) which was close to nothing...looking at the free-agent WR list names like Wayne, Garcon, Lloyd and Laurent Robinson are all intriguing but somewhat difficult to guess what they will cost...guys that could come somewhat cheap are Doucet, Roscoe Parrish, Eddie Royal and Jerricho Cotchery...a combo of a guy from each group would probably cost a lot less than a Jackson but really upgrade the Pats offense...another guy I would look at is Jabbar Gaffney (it would have to come via trade)...the guy was a real nice fit in the Pats O and you could bring him in and not have to worry about him picking up the offense...
If the Pats do go out and get someone, I don't think it makes much sense to bring in another old, slow, possession type guy. They have had that the past few years. Gaffney was a good fit at the time, but without Moss and Stallworth I am not sure he fits the current make up of the Patriots. The other issue (which we have seen up close and personal) is deciphering who of any of these candidates could master the playbook and gain Brady's trust. IMO, the best option out of all of these could be Randy Moss again if he had an incentive laiden, low cost, easy to cut and not pay him deal. IMO, that makes more sense then spending big money on an in his prime deep threat or a past his prime Ochocinco redux. I doubt that would happen, but Moss for a couple million seems to make more sense to me than some of the other options. Won't happen, but it does make some sense. And I really don't understand why they want Ocho back. He was a waste of time, money, and a roster spot.
over the next 5 seasons.
