While New England reloaded for another Super Bowl, I can't help but feel like this offseason has gone off the rails for us. I am trying to be optimistic, and I love our core, but I fear that the tumult of this offseason will result in a pretty big step back on the field this year. And it will take another year for us to reach our Super Bowl potential. In a nutshell:
1. Jerry misplays the Romo situation and we get nothing for a franchise QB who still can play. He's not playing now for a reason. No one was going to give us anything significant for him and his contract.
2. We make no free agent signings of note and lose 3/4 of our starting DBs (which I was OK with) and 2/5 of our starting OL. The DB's stunk and Free was no big loss and easily replaceable. Leary was the only real free agent loss, but you can't blame the FO for not giving out 3rd best interior lineman that kind of $
3. We miss out on all of the speed pass rushers in the first round of the draft (and allow Atlanta to leapfrog us for the last one) and draft yet another LDE. We didn't allow anything, it was an event out of our control that happened. Frankly, Atlanta did us a favor because Takk was completely overrated and not even a speed rusher according to his borderline horrible workout #'s. And there's more than 1 way to get to the QB. Not every DE needs to be a speed rusher. This board said the same crap about Bosa not being fast or quick twitchy enough. Taco can still be an impact player, you haven't even seen him play yet.
4. Our most promising pass rusher and disruptor, David Irving, gets suspended 4 games, continuing a pattern set by D Law and Gregory. Bone headed on his part no doubt, but 4 games isn't the end of the world.
5. Our starting SLB, and best coverage LB, Damien Wilson, assaults a woman with his car and pulls a rifle on her friends. No doubt, he'll be suspended for a long time. Not our best coverage LB. Not even close. Wasn't even going to play in the nickel if Jaylon is healthy like he is supposed to be.
6. Our franchise RB may be suspended, according to John Clayton. I'll believe this when I see it. Still waiting for that Dez tape...
7. Even our choir boy QB and leader is accused of fraud, for selling memorabilia he did not sign by hand. Who cares
On top of this, we have a very difficult first place schedule. I am excited for our future. But, in all honesty, I expect to be diaappointed this season.