Quote:
Originally Posted by rm1369
They go heavy on vets. They don’t gift guys playing time. They mostly figure out how to use the Hankins, Andersons, and Simons on their roster. They take risks on guys with character issues. They aren’t playing for a window 2 years from now. I guess they both love draft picks. That’s hardly unique among teams though.
I assume you are referring to their cap management, but I see more differences than similarities. While they are responsible enough to maintain flexibility they do it in a significantly different way. At least a different way than Chaka envisions Ballard operating. Chaka’s whole post that I replied to is about how Ballard is maintaining flexibility to pay the home grown guys proven in the Colts system. I agree with him that that’s Ballard’s plan. But NE is specifically known for not investing heavily in their home grown talent. They are known for getting a players best years and letting someone else pay them in their decline.
So you are right - I won’t concede that Ballard’s approach has a lot in common with NE’s because it doesn’t. I am 100% certain that if Belichick were running the Colts this year he would be focused on winning a super bowl this year. Do you really believe that’s Ballard’s focus? Or is he focused on stacking drafts and maintaining flexibility for 2-3 years from now? We both know the answer to that question.
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The Patriots prioritize adding guys through the draft and supplementing with mid and low-tier UFAs, as well as finding cheap trades. Yes, the Patriots have signed more seasoned vets in those scenarios, but they are highly emphasizing the draft like Ballard.
On your last notes, I concede that Ballard wasn't prioritizing winning a Super Bowl in 2018 or 2019. He's trying to maximize the team's chances in 2020-2025. I've already said that I would have done it differently, but I acknowledge that his plan can work just fine. He's just looking at things on a longer timeline.