Quote:
Originally Posted by rm1369
The Patriots were the exact opposite of the colts. No they didn’t buy big name free agents often, but they took chances on veteran players constantly and reinvented their team constantly. Just the top of my head they traded for:
Randy Moss
Corey Dillon
Danny Amendola
Wes Welker
And I believe signed Darrell Revis as a free agent. Plenty more guys they acquired other than in the draft. They loved experienced vets. They changed much more than the Colts did and you didn’t see them with the same weaknesses year after year either.
Yes having a hall of fame level QB makes sustained success easier. I don’t disagree.
No a rookie contract isnt a requirement, but it’s a significant advantage. Especially for a team that wants to straight line contracts.
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They cheated as well, so they're not a franchise I'd model after, unless you're willing to engage in constant, rampant cheating. I think I'd model after KC, which just so happens to be the team from which Ballard came to the Colts. What does KC do? Draft well, retain their best players, and take calculated risks to make their team better. What does Ballard do? Draft well, retain his best players, and take calculated risks to make his team better.