What Would Bill Do?

I've wondered in the past why so many NFL franchises struggle. There are only 32 general manager jobs to be had; you'd think in a matter of a few years all of those jobs would be filled with competent employees. Granted, based on performance it appears to be a difficult job but how large is the applicant pool for those 32 jobs? Hundreds? Thousands? I'd say the same about head coaching positions. And yet, that is definitely not a happening thing. How many consistently good NFL franchises are there? I'm going to say six; Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, Broncos, Packers, Seahawks. Maybe you have another franchise or two you'd add to the list. The Chiefs lately? The Giants maybe? The point is that you're not coming anywhere close to naming even half of the league as consistently good.

I've also noted previously that context of relative mediocrity is the key to New England's success on the field. They've won most games - organizationally - before the football leaves the tee.

The Patriots are the blueprint. Eight consecutive divisional crowns, six Super Bowl appearances over fifteen years with four wins. So, why don't other teams just ask, "What would Bill do?"

I found myself asking myself this question after finding a link to this collection of petulant quotes from Darrelle Revis. Of course, when it comes to Revis, we already know what Bill Belichick would do. After SB49, local pigskin pundits and bobbleheads were begging Belichick to find some way to keep Revis on the Patriots' roster. Instead, he was more than happy to see a divisional rival cripple their cap by overpaying for an aging defensive back who didn't make the big play to win the big game.

Maybe the Jets can move Revis to safety but I don't think there's any evidence of the kind of leadership and mentoring the NYJ would need from Revis. Did the "I-Me-Mine" Revis do anything to rally the Jets secondary and defense? Did he show he had the moxie to compensate for his inevitable physical decline? No and no. More to the point of the fiduciary realities of the NFL, do I think Revis would be willing to take less money to stay with the team?

Has Darrelle Revis ever taken less money?

No.

So, what would Bill do?

He wouldn't move Revis to safety. He wouldn't offer to renegotiate. There's nothing to indicate Revis would be effective in making the position switch; instead of overpaying him to play corner, you'd be overpaying him at safety. We know what Bill would do. He'd cut Revis, eat the $6m in dead money and convert the $9m in cap space into three solid free agent signings.

This is hardly a revelatory observation. Everyone knows what Bill would do. He's been doing it forever, all the way back to Cleveland with Bernie Kosar.

Bill does Bill.

Look at how he's handling Jimmy Garoppolo. He lets it be known that if you're a QB-needy team it will take a 1st and a 4th, minimum, to secure Jimmy G in a trade. The gridiron cognoscenti scoff at the asking price but Bill knows (a) an NFL franchise already paid that price for Sam Bradford and (b) Garoppolo gives the Patriots the best backup QB situation in the NFL in 2017 when Tom Brady will be 40 years old. He isn't giving that up for cheap, no matter what the Pats think they have in Jacoby Brissett.

Remember the "Seinfeld" episode where George, whose best instincts have led to a life of loserdom, decides to simply do the opposite of whatever his gut tells him to do and in the process turns his life around? If you're Jets GM Mike Maccagnan I'd watch that episode before doing anything with Darrelle Revis.

Or you could just ask yourself, "What would Bill do?"