[quote]"He's been extremely supportive since the day I got here," said Brady, a sixth-round pick in 2000. "It's been pretty neat for me. There are a lot of older guys, too, from what I understand, that don't help the younger guys, that say, 'You learn yourself.' That's never the way he approached it and our relationship is still very strong."
But no matter how strong the relationship, the two will not be able to co-exist next year.
The recent imbroglio on who will start in tomorrow's Super Bowl may be a thing of the past now but Drew Bledsoe's future as Patriots' premiere quarterback is still in limbo.
Brady is being groomed as Patriots' future quarterback, but Drew made it clear he doesn't want to be a back-up quarterback next year.
Tomorrow's game could be Drew's last as a Patriot--if he gets to play at all.
Bledsoe's days
[ February 02, 2002: Message edited by: tzeile29 ]
Full Version: Bledsoe's days with Pats likely over
The Patriots have a tough decision to make, but considering what they could get for Bledsoe they'd be foolish to keep him as a backup. Its the Green-Warner situation from a couple of years ago. There are alot of teams who could use Bledsoe's services (Redskins, Bears, Cowboys, Dolphins?).
Hopefully the Cowboys will take a serious look at acquiring Bledsoe. Their salary cap situation has improved over the previous years, so that shouldn't be an obstacle. It really depends on how comitted Jones is to Carter's development, he was showing signs of improvement. Any of those teams would improve with the addition of Bledsoe, with his positive attitude alone. Why was Chicago mentioned, what's up with Miller and Matthews?
I agree the Pats should cut him loose. He's too expensive to keep as a backup. I'd like to see him go to the Bears since I don't see either Miller or Matthews guiding them to the next level, but not sure what their financial situation is for next year.
I wonder what happens if Drew Bledsoe has to play in the Superbowl and the Patriots win the game impressively?
[quote] I wonder what happens if Drew Bledsoe has to play in the Superbowl and the Patriots win the game impressively?
Ummm, hell freezes over?
Ummm, hell freezes over?
Drew is a) too good; 
too expensive; c) too damn cute to sit on the bench. I think the Pats could easily get two # 1 draft picks for him. The classy way he's comported himself the past couple of months has probably only increased his attractiveness to other teams - it's obvious he's an unselfish, team player. I wouldn't be surprised to see Drew leading the Panthers or Buccaneers next year; I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Patriots regretting their decision.
too expensive; c) too damn cute to sit on the bench. I think the Pats could easily get two # 1 draft picks for him. The classy way he's comported himself the past couple of months has probably only increased his attractiveness to other teams - it's obvious he's an unselfish, team player. I wouldn't be surprised to see Drew leading the Panthers or Buccaneers next year; I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Patriots regretting their decision.
[quote]Originally posted by Seph:
Ummm, hell freezes over?
Don't take my word for it, but I think according to Matthew 24:10 something of that sort will happen...but probably not during the Superbowl
Post Superbowl edit: I guess hells safe for another year.
[ February 03, 2002: Message edited by: sportinlife ]
Ummm, hell freezes over?
Don't take my word for it, but I think according to Matthew 24:10 something of that sort will happen...but probably not during the Superbowl
Post Superbowl edit: I guess hells safe for another year.
[ February 03, 2002: Message edited by: sportinlife ]
There are a lot of teams that could use a strong arm like Drew's but he would likely go to Carolina for some draft choices. Too bad because that could end his career. As bad as things turned out for Drew, imagine how little Glynn must feel now Serves him right.
Z
Z
Bledsoe deserves better than Carolina. Now Terry Glenn, he deserves Carolina. I'm not familiar with all the teams' salary cap situations, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see the Bears make a serious play for Bledsoe if they can afford him. Its also quite possible he would rework his contract to give himself more options because he obviously wants to start, and obviously should be a starter somewhere. The Bears were pretty close this year to being a real contender. The Qb was a major weakness. A serious upgrade in the QB position could solidfy them as favorites in the NFC Central and a contender for the NFC title next year.
How 'bout sending Bledsoe to Seattle? Isn't Washington his home state? I know he played college ball there...
The fans would love it, the Walrus would love it, and he might just put them in a play-off game for a change. Yes? No?
[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: Seph ]
The fans would love it, the Walrus would love it, and he might just put them in a play-off game for a change. Yes? No?
[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: Seph ]
If Drew reworks hit contract then Chicago would be a great place for him to go. I think Seattle should stick with the guy that hasn't lost a game in like 20 tries. Why people keep hating on Trent Dilfer, I will never know. He won the Super Bowl and keeps on winning. No he isn't pretty, but hell neither is Shaq. As a Lion fan, I would love to have someone like him but I would hate for him to spend so much of his time here and not win. The problem with Drew is he's not mobile and the game is moving toward that more and more. DB and LB are soooo much quicker that pocket QBs are going the way of Martina Hingis.
As a redskins fan, I would love to see Bledsoe go to Washington. The qback situation there has been hot or miss (more miss than hit) recently and I think a proven qback coach like Spurrier will be awesome with a great(looking) dude like Bledsoe.
[quote]Originally posted by Seph:
How 'bout sending Bledsoe to Seattle? Isn't Washington his home state? I know he played college ball there...
The fans would love it, the Walrus would love it, and he might just put them in a play-off game for a change. Yes? No?
[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: Seph ]
I think Holmgren is way to stubborn to admit he made a mistake with Hasselbeck. He had a Super Bowl MVP Qb on his bench all season and misse dout on the playoffs this season because he stuck with HIS starter instead of playing Dilfer, who has won something like 14 straight starts. I think its going to be Chicago, Washington, Miami or Dallas (in that order).
How 'bout sending Bledsoe to Seattle? Isn't Washington his home state? I know he played college ball there...
The fans would love it, the Walrus would love it, and he might just put them in a play-off game for a change. Yes? No?
[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: Seph ]
I think Holmgren is way to stubborn to admit he made a mistake with Hasselbeck. He had a Super Bowl MVP Qb on his bench all season and misse dout on the playoffs this season because he stuck with HIS starter instead of playing Dilfer, who has won something like 14 straight starts. I think its going to be Chicago, Washington, Miami or Dallas (in that order).
I think the Patriots would be very hesitant to send Bledsoe to Miami and give him the opportunity to really make them regret it twice a year. My guess is they'll try to send him to the NFC first, and failing that, will try for an AFC West or Central team. I think he'll wind up in Carolina or Chicago.
Interesting note: Bledsoe was "no show" at the Pats' Victory Parade today. Maybe he and his agent were manning the phones instead??
I wouldn't mind at all seeing Drew in a Bears uniform.
I wouldn't mind at all seeing Drew in a Bears uniform.
ESPN reported last night that patriots owner Bob Kraft promised Bledsoe that he would only trade him to a team he approves of. It would be understandable to be skeptical of such promises, but given the way Bledsoe handled himself this season, Kraft would come off as a big time loser if he were to break this gentlemen's agreement.
But if this agreement is real and true, I don't see Bledsoe going to Carolina. He wants to go somewhere he can win right away. Chicago, Miami and Washington fit that mold. Other teams that could use him-Dallas, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston and Carolina. The more I think about it, I gotta think Bledsoe would LOVE to go to DC to play for pass-happy Spurrier.
I believe Bledsoe would definitely rework his contract to play with a contender, making it easier to trade him. He 'd be less likely to do that to go to a lesser team.
And what about the Ravens? Clearly, Grbac is not wanted there. Any chance Drew goes there?
But if this agreement is real and true, I don't see Bledsoe going to Carolina. He wants to go somewhere he can win right away. Chicago, Miami and Washington fit that mold. Other teams that could use him-Dallas, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston and Carolina. The more I think about it, I gotta think Bledsoe would LOVE to go to DC to play for pass-happy Spurrier.
I believe Bledsoe would definitely rework his contract to play with a contender, making it easier to trade him. He 'd be less likely to do that to go to a lesser team.
And what about the Ravens? Clearly, Grbac is not wanted there. Any chance Drew goes there?
No chance of Bledsoe in Baltimore either. Like Holmgren, Billick has too much pride to say that he made a mistake by bringing Grbac there. The Ravens will be stuck with Grbac for a while, which is fine with me.
Some good points made about Drew's next team....I agree that Bledsoe would love to go to DC and play for Spurrier (btw, the Skins are unveiling their "new" retro-style uniforms and helmets on Wednesday that will coincidentally closely resemble Florida State's helmets/unis with a spear/tomahawk on the helmet to go along with the new darker burgundy jerseys and gold pants, instead of the Skins former yellow pants -- think Spurrier will cringe when his new team looks like his former hated rival at FSU?)....
Anyway, back on topic -- there are definitely quite a few teams that could use Bledsoe but I tend to agree that although he could immediately turn Seattle and Baltimore into powerhouses (since QB appears to be the weak link for both franchises), I think the egomaniacs Holmgren and Billick are too stubborn to admit they were wrong by benching "their guy"....considering Bledsoe went to high school and college in Washington (although I believe his father now lives in Mass. with Drew and helps run his foundation), the Seahawks would seem to be a perfect fit....my guess at this stage is that Chicago and Washington are the leading candidates but stranger things have happened.
If the Pats gave up 2 picks (including a first rounder) to get Belichick from the Jets, what do you suppose they'll want in return for Bledsoe?....after all, they just gave him a 10 year, $103 Million contract less than one year ago -- and he has only started 2 GAMES since he signed that huge contract, so the Pats management can't admit they were that foolish a few months ago....rumor also has it that Spurrier and the Skins are interested in Mark Brunell (which seems odd to me given Brunell's age and tendency to get injured) but, if that does occur, maybe the Jags will go after Drew if their salary cap doesn't limit them too much....looks like the only thing we know with virtual certainty is that Bledsoe will NOT be back on New England's sidelines backing up Tommy again next season.
[ February 05, 2002: Message edited by: gamecock ]
Anyway, back on topic -- there are definitely quite a few teams that could use Bledsoe but I tend to agree that although he could immediately turn Seattle and Baltimore into powerhouses (since QB appears to be the weak link for both franchises), I think the egomaniacs Holmgren and Billick are too stubborn to admit they were wrong by benching "their guy"....considering Bledsoe went to high school and college in Washington (although I believe his father now lives in Mass. with Drew and helps run his foundation), the Seahawks would seem to be a perfect fit....my guess at this stage is that Chicago and Washington are the leading candidates but stranger things have happened.
If the Pats gave up 2 picks (including a first rounder) to get Belichick from the Jets, what do you suppose they'll want in return for Bledsoe?....after all, they just gave him a 10 year, $103 Million contract less than one year ago -- and he has only started 2 GAMES since he signed that huge contract, so the Pats management can't admit they were that foolish a few months ago....rumor also has it that Spurrier and the Skins are interested in Mark Brunell (which seems odd to me given Brunell's age and tendency to get injured) but, if that does occur, maybe the Jags will go after Drew if their salary cap doesn't limit them too much....looks like the only thing we know with virtual certainty is that Bledsoe will NOT be back on New England's sidelines backing up Tommy again next season.
[ February 05, 2002: Message edited by: gamecock ]
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