News Flash: Willie McGinest joins the ever-growing list of former Patriots, signing a 3-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. The 12-year veteran, released just last week, wasted little time re-uniting with his former defensive coordinator, current Browns Head Coach, Romeo Crennel.
Teddy’s Take: Take a deep breath and repeat after me…In Bill we trust! In Bill we trust! In Bill we trust!
Bill Belichick’s success has led to an enormous reserve of good will from the Foxboro football faithful, and at no time since the release of Lawyer Milloy has the leader of the Patriots dynasty had to draw on so much of that good will. McGinest is by far the most popular of last year’s Pats to sign with another team and many Pats fans, including this one, are sad to see him go.
Let’s be clear. Big Willie may indeed be past his prime, and until we’ve seen who’s brought in through free agency and the draft, it’s way too early to comment on New England’s off-season. But as of right now, the scorecard reads; Outgoing-5 Incoming-0, and if Adam Vinatieri is the next to go, it will look like a loss no matter who the newcomers are.
Yes, the current system forces roster turnover, but you can’t continue losing key contributors without bringing in solid replacements and expect to win in the NFL. No amount of Belichick’s coaching genius, of which there’s plenty, could turn Chad Brown and Monte Beisel into good defensive players in ’05 and unless quality players are brought in to replace McGinest, David Givens and whoever else may leave, the Lombardi trophy won’t return to Foxboro anytime soon.
That’s my take…what’s yours? Should we be worried about the direction the Patriots are headed in? Is this just a byproduct of the modern NFL where dynasties don’t last more than a few years at a time? How confident are you about keeping Adam Vinatieri?
As you said Teddy, in Bill we trust. He doesn't allow himself to "fall in love" with players. As I'm also sure he doesn't enjoy losing players of McGinest's and Vinateri's caliber. But what seperates him from the rest of the world is his discipline to the grand master plan. All of these losses may hurt us going into next year but may allow him to rebuild in a shorter amount of time. Not saying that he's rebuilding, but if McGinest doesn't fit in his formula that has brought us 3 superbowls, then who are we to question? But let's also not forget the off-season is not over yet. He always seems to have something up his sleeve or someone in mind. Scott Pioli is also still here and they're doing the same thing since they got here, allowing more flexibility to lure players with the right attitude who want to play here to win. The guy just doesn't allow himself to be taken out of his game plan by anybody. He's consistent and you can't ask him to change now. And that's why, In Bill I Trust.
Ted,
The Browns paid too much for Willie's services. As will the Pack for Vinatieri's..... You got to let them go....man...
I'd like to see the Pats pick LenDale (I'm better than Bush) White at 21 if he lasts that long...The guy will be good and more durable than Bush... Then I would like to see the Pats take linemen and Linebackers only...rounds 6 - whatever take a few receivers and a kicker....
Christo
Screw Willie. I'm glad to see him go. I've never liked him since I met him two years ago in Houston. He's lucky that I was in a good mood and didn't slap him around in front of his owner and coaches. The nerve of that guy. Wouldn't give me an autograph. He was at a VIP meet and greet with the Pats Club owners and he had the gaul to tell me that he won't sign an autograph while he was with his family. All I can say is that his wife definitely wanted my autograph.
I'm a huge fan of Willie McGinest, he was a great player in the Patriot's defensive system. However, we all have to believe that the PATS have planned for this. Whoever they bring in will be coached by the best coaching staff in the league and I'm confident that by playoff time next year the defense will be playing at a championship level. If the secondary from last year was able to "gel" at playoff time the front seven will certainly be able to overcome the loss of Willie. Remember, we are still 20 million under the salary cap so we WILL get a good replacement. Plus our defense still has Bruschi, Vrabel, Seymour, Colvin, Warren, etc. We'll be just fine.
Im on both sides of the ball with this one... I love big willey #55, he steps it up in big games, he knows the system, after his early years he's been pretty reliable and hes a proven winner... but on the other hand hes also a older veteran, who wants more money than we can pay him, and as you said In Bill We Trust, so i say let him go lets gets some younger talent rely on Belichek, we might not be that great this year or next but wasting money on an older player will cost us for the years too come.
In Bill We Trust!!!! Bill is no Parcells. He Knows what he is doing. He won 3 Super Bowls to Parcells Zero.Yes I said Zero. The offseason is not over I'm sure he has something up his sleeve. Cleveland will never win anything paying that much money to an old run down player.
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