The Patriots let go of Jimmy Garoppolo

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What it means:

Belichick and Co. have moved all chips to the center of the table and have decided to gamble on Brady for the next couple of seasons, with hopes of shoring up their defense corps for another 1-2 season Super Bowl run with Belichick and Brady at the helm.

Belichick and Brady will likely exit stage left when the run is over. Don't be surprised if both announce retirement at the same time.

Garoppolo's post-injury status is concerning to the Patriots' staff, enough so that they were motivated to deal Jimmy G while they could get something for him in return. In other words - maybe Garoppolo is at-best an average QB who will struggle under a different coaching system.

Nevertheless - a huge move for New England, and probably a logical move given what they know versus what everyone else doesn't know.

If Jimmy G was that good - they wouldn't deal him imo.

Sneakylong

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They offered him a long term deal which he declined. He wants to play somewhere and you can't blame him. How good is he? We don't know for sure just yet.

Supposedly Cleveland's coaches are mad that their front office never called to inquire about Jimmy G. He wasn't going to Cleveland because Cleveland fired Belichick. The Browns should be taken over by receivership because of their owner / management's malfeasance.

I agree Brady and Belichick will probably retire at the same time or at least they should. It's been a great ride for Patriots fans and the ride isn't quite over with just yet.

Spuzz

and/or they flip the draft pick for some help on D, or maybe WR.
It's also likely they feel there are other back up QB's that are of similar ability to JG as well.
If Brady gets hurt, season is over, so they aren't done yet, imo.

rsvman

My prediction: They will be very good but not quite get over the hump. No more Super Bowl wins between now and Brady's retirement.

After Brady and Belichick retire, they will go downhill relatively quickly. In a perfect world, they will become the new Cleveland Browns, and Sneakylong will be on here whining all the time.

(OK, so that last sentence was just wishful thinking.)

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Sneakylong

I think so. Belichick hasn't been keen on developing talent through the draft the last several years, preferring free-agent acquisitions who've been in the system for a few years and are yet still coachable that he can plug into his own system. And it's been a very successful strategy. So I'm not going out on a limb in assuming that dealing Garoppolo for a 2nd round pick in 2018 affords him the ability to wheel and deal next season for another piece of their postseason puzzle.

I also think there's a push going on in NE right now to utilize Brady's availability the next couple of seasons to make another championship run, and since he's so much a part of their system - they undoubtedly feel that no other QB, young or old, could come in and duplicate what Brady does within the confines of their overall strategy.

And that "push" (imo) comes down to a realization that once Brady is no longer physically capable of holding down the fort in NE - what Belichick does really no longer matters, since he's not looking beyond that point in time within his own career. So why not gamble now, in hopes of perhaps acquiring the role players they need going into next season and the following season... I mean - if Brady went down - it really wouldn't matter who is under center for NE at the moment. Brady is the only player in the league who understands the limitations of his offense, who can also read defenses, and still figure out a way to win football games. If Brady goes down next week - the Patriots season would effectively be over, regardless of whomever is taking the snaps and running the offense.

Belichick/management is banking on Brady staying healthy.

And we shouldn't overlook the fact that Belichick is usually 2 steps ahead of everyone else in the league. If he felt Garoppolo was truly an incredible talent - he wouldn't have traded him at this juncture, especially considering that they could've gotten so much more from him prior to the start of the season.

The bottom line is that no one can replace Brady, and he alone shoulders the burden for NE the next few seasons. If they lose him - it really no longer matters. They've put all of their eggs in his basket, and who really could blame them given all that he's meant to this team over the years.

Belichick and Brady are on the 15th hole of the back-nine of their careers. They might sense that this season isn't their year to get it done. But they have a couple more seasons at-best to continue their dynasty of sorts and they're taking the needed steps to try to make that happen.

And as it relates to Garoppolo - I don't think he'll be a difference maker in SanFran anytime soon. Six quarters of football, however impressive it might've seemed against average teams with mediocre coverage last season, doesn't quite equate to bonafide stardom.

The verdict is still very much out on his ability to lead. And it wouldn't surprise me if he became another Brock Osweiler.

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Sneakylong

The Browns have had three winning seasons going all the way back to 1990.

THREE.

The owner should sell. And if it means that the team needs to be relocated, so be it. Cleveland has been an absolute dumpster fire for professional football. And quite frankly - Cincinnati ain't that far behind either.

brownmoose13

Belichek only gets rid of a player because he believes that the player cannot play up to his standard. Does the name Matt Cassell ring a bell. Name the last player that BB let go or traded that went on to a very good career.
The Browns were not interested in JG because at the beginning of the season Jackson said that he and Kizer are joined at the hip.

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brownmoose13

Most people had never heard of Garoppolo prior to standing in for Brady last year.

Then he goes up against mediocre defenses for 6 quarters and fans lose their ever-loving minds that they've just witnessed the heir to the Brady era. When, in reality, it was the system that enabled him to flourish, with play calling and right match ups that helped him succeed in those situations.

Like Sneaky said - much too early to predict whether he'll be a good starter or not. But I think it's worth pumping the brakes before assuming that he's gonna be a full time starter in the NFL. Given the dysfunction in SanFran - I wouldn't go out on a limb.

That same franchise let go of Harbaugh, and then hired Chip Kelly, mind you...

Sneakylong

brownmoose13

Not quite true. The Patriots are very good at managing players within the salary cap. They typically get rid of players who get too greedy. I don't blame players for trying to get as much money as they can while they can.

Also, there's been several players who thought the grass was greener elsewhere, but came back to New England. Deon Branch and Patrick Chung come to mind.

It's also possible either this week (or soon) there will be 3 former Patriots QB's starting in the NFL. Brady, Brissett and Garoppolo.

RobertThomas

They could not afford Graf and I am sure they will pick up another stud next year.

Sneakylong

The Browns are beyond inept. Reportedly they were all giddy they had made a deal with Cincinnati for (former Alabama quarterback) A.J. McCarron. Unfortunately someone forgot to file the proper paper work before the deadline. Typical Cleveland.

San Fran has new management, led by former player John Lynch (G.M.). Lynch appears to know what he's doing. Time will tell, but he's making some good decisions so far.

braveheart

Contract negotiations between Grappallo and the Patriots has been going on since April. He will want more money and the Patriots want a draft pick. They continually look to build and they do it so well. They will get Hoyer as a backup. Knows the system and is a career backup QB. Brady, certainly can't go on forever. He sure is in fine form right now. He makes everyone around him better as well. Whether he helps the Patriots win another Super Bowl or not, they will remain dominant and contend for years to come. I can smile and be pleased knowing I got to see something special for a long time.
Good luck to Jimmy G..

garyt1957

I'm surprised the Pats didn't get a player rather than a draft pick. They need help now, not next year. They're obviously still very good, but not the overall favorite they usually are.