Belichick Does Belichick

On the third day, Bill Belichick rested.

Sort of.

So, I like to think of myself as a fan of the game but if you're like me (and you're not a Baltimore Ravens fan), you'd probably never heard of DT Lawrence Guy before Saturday when the Patriots signed the versatile veteran. If you're a fan of any team other than the Pats or the Ravens, you probably greeted this signing with a shrug if you noticed at all. Because of all the hoopla and fireworks on Day 1 and 2, it's easy to miss that this was the first classic Bill Belichick free agency signing. Proven veteran talent, reliable (hasn't missed a game in two years) with scheme flexibility. Guy will join Alan Branch, Malcom Brown and Vincent Valentine to give New England an impressive group of defensive tackles Matt Patricia can rotate to keep fresh and take advantage of matchups.

The splash moves of Day 1 and 2 haven't been typical of Belichick but given his approach to the game itself, with opponent-specific game plans and his philosophical focus on situational football, we probably shouldn't be surprised when he goes "off script." Because he's always "on script."

I wonder if Bill Belichick is still pissed about Deflategate. I wonder if he'll always loathe and detest Roger Goodell. I would guess the answer to both of those questions is yes.

Unequivocally unambiguously yes.

Belichick has the greatest quarterback of all time. Tom Brady will be 40-years old but he's coming off an historical performance in Super Bowl 51 and while he may not be able to play five more years, he hasn't shown any signs of sucking. Still, it makes more sense to plan for 2017 than for 2022 when it comes to roster building. Whoever the Patriots had chosen at 32 might not make a significant contribution on the field until three years from now. Brandin Cooks will start tipping the field for Tom Brady in September.

Now, I can hear Belichick's own words talking about Tom Brady and his motivation to win SB51 echo in my head. It was disrespectful to say Brady cared more about 2016 than any other season of his Hall of Fame career and it would be equally disrespectful to Belichick to say that he is more motivated to win in 2017 than he ever has been before. Maybe Belichick hates Goodell with the white hot heat of a thousand suns but if that is the case, it would probably just be something he enjoys with a glass of fine red wine and a medium rare porterhouse after the game.

It really comes down to situational football. It always comes down to situational football.

The wide receiver group needs an infusion of youth and speed. Get Brandin Cooks.

The defensive line needs to an upgrade. Get Kony Ealy and Lawrence Guy.

Wide receivers just keep getting bigger. Get Stephon Gilmore.

It all starts in the locker room. Keep Alan Branch and Duron Harmon.

And - let's hope - Dont'a Hightower and Malcolm Butler.

Value Prop

What's better value?

1. Starting Stephon Gilmore and Malcolm Butler with Eric Rowe as your 3rd cornerback with no 1st round draft pick.
2. Starting Stephon Gilmore and Eric Rowe with Cyrus Jones in the slot plus a 1st round draft pick.

Rumors of a trade involving Butler to the Saints for a 1st round pick continue to fascinate pigskin pundits and bobbleheads. Neither one of the scenarios above has me thinking it tips the scales for New England's championship aspirations. Maybe it's a wash. Maybe it's next level calculus only Bill Belichick can solve for.

We might have to wait until the draft to determine where Butler will be playing in 2017. It could depend on who's still available when the Saints are on the clock. Speaking of the draft...

Obligatory Jimmy Garoppolo Mention…

"The Cleveland Browns have traded the #12 pick in the draft to the New England Patriots. New England is on the clock."

-Roger Goodell, April 27, 2017

If Jimmy Garoppolo is traded, I don't think it will happen until draft day and the Cleveland Browns are faced with the pu pu platter of mediocre quarterback prospects still available at #12.

So Crazy It Has To Happen…

Okay, what I'm about to say is crazy and it can't and won't happen (and yes I'm desperately going for the reverse jinx with those italics). Here goes...

New England trades Jimmy Garoppolo to the Browns for the 12th pick (and other assets).

New England trades Malcolm Butler (and those other assets) to the Saints for the 11th pick.

Timing would be a challenge as Belichick would have to close the deal for 12 before making the trade for 11 but Cleveland might be ready to deal as soon as the Jets take the QB they like with the #6 pick.

The Super Bowl champion Patriots would have the 11th and 12th pick in the 2017 draft.

And people thought that Kevin Costner movie was crazy.