chevss454
Data-driven decision-making is science and art.
No need to suffer. Why not sign a reasonable FA QB and draft a QB who could be the future?Eh. I know. But I want to win super bowls again. Would rather suffer a few years and find the guy then sign a retread.
Perspective is always good. Good post, GO.Just keep in mind this: The Pats are favorites tomorrow, as they should be compared to the NYJetes. If they win, they'll finish 7-9 on the year. I know it hasn't looked good, there are glaring issues, this is not me dismissing the very real problems that exist with the Patriots roster. That being said:
The Saints went 7-9 in 2016. With Drew Brees starting every game.
The Packers went 6-9-1 in 2018. With Aaron Rodgers starting every game.
And these were years where there were offseasons, not in the middle of a global pandemic. Despite the pandemic, the loss of the GOAT, the opt-out of 9 starters, the new QB getting COVID, and so forth, the Pats have a chance to finish just 1 game under 500. A handful of plays go differently, and we'd be looking at wins instead of losses in the Seattle, Buffalo, and Houston games, and a team potentially finishing 10-6. That being considered, I don't think we're that far off from being competitive, no matter how much it may seem otherwise. 2 years with minimal improvements spent building towards the future, to get together a roster able to legitimately compete for Super Bowls again? It could be worse.
All teams have bad years. It's inevitable. The Saints you mention were 7-9 in 3 consecutive years--> 2014, 2015 & 2016. The Packers were also 7-9 in 2017. In the last decade the Colts suffered through that 2-14 suck for luck season in 2011 and were 4-12 in 2017 and 7-9 in 2019. They also went 8-8 in '15 and '16. We could go on and on but the point is clear. The margin between good and bad seasons is narrow. The Pats were really good for 20 consecutive years but Brady had a 9-7 year and two 10-6 years; they weren't all 12-14 win seasons.
I also believe we're not that far off from being relevant again. We know our needs; everyone knows our needs. A good FA off season and draft this year and we're competitive again. With 2 in a row we should be back on top again by 2023.