By far the worst thing about Pioli here (other than losing) is having Pat trolls tell us how great his way is.

Doesn't matter.

He is crucial to our team because of our QB situation and lack of receivers.

SOMEONE is going to pay him, if it's not us, we failed.

I'm talking about what goes on in Foxboro.

Then don't call it the Patriot Way.

Call it Tom Brady.

There's no question he's a damn big part of it. Can't go to five Super Bowls in 11 years without him, no question.

But the philosophy of how the Patriots are run is a sound one. Fans hate to lose guys like Willie McGinest, Deion Branch, Asante Samuel, Ty Law and Richard Seymour, but I've seen teams in cap hell, and I've heard about teams that are run by a few guys in the locker room, and I'll take what Belichick has installed at Gillette, thanks.

Bill Polian and Peyton Manning didn't get to FIVE Super Bowls and they had more years together than the Patriots have had with Brady. Oh wait, in fact, NO COACH/QB COMBO EVER has gone to five Super Bowls. Sure, we lost two while leading in the final minutes, but still, it's a helluva accomplishment. Brady is the engine, no question, but you need tires, high octane gasoline, aerodynamics, etc. etc. as well.

or else you end up being Dan Marino...

See my next post.

You can't win championships in the NFL without a very good /great QB. That is a given. The question is how do you put the team in the best position to win every year, with or without that great quarterback.

Peyton Manning has gone to two SBs in 14 years (or whatever) while frequently being in a relatively soft division. Marino went to one. Favre went to, what, two? Brees one (so far). Rodgers one (so far). Vick zero. McNabb one. Rivers zero.

It takes more than Brady to get to the Super Bowl.

Don't know how great Pioli's way is. I don't pay enough attention to what he does, to be honest.

You are missing the point. Some are suggesting he is an elite receiver who deserves elite money. If he was offered that he would have signed but he clearly was not offered that. He doesn't necessarily deserve Johnson, Johnson or Fitzgerald money but the next level I think is appropriate.

My son, you have sinned.

Go forth and draft three 5-technique DTs in the first round, and throw 10 hail marys to Dexter McCluster!

You know this how? Link?

Roddy White had 175 targets last year. Wes Welker had 169.

In 2010, Reggie Wayne had 172, White had 167, Fitz had 168.

Bowe had 130 last year and 125 the year before.

Give him a QB and put him in an offense that's designed to be modern and he'd put up 1500, easily.

I would support this model as well. As much as I love Bowe, I'd tell him to go **** himself on his big money if we had Tom Brady at QB.

That slight difference is HUGE in comparing the systems. The Chiefs rely on stiffing their good players on new contracts. So do the Patriots. The difference is that the Patriots don't need Bowe, Seymour, Carr, or even Brian Waters. We do.

And that's when an efficient system becomes severely inefficient.

Do you realize what you get if you take Roddy White's targets, and plug in Bowe's catch percentage and yards per catch?

109 catches, 1,559 yards.

Now do it for 2010:

96 catches, 1,548 yards.

Mother**** you, Scott Pioli.

And FWIW, Roddy White dropped 15 balls last year and 9 in 2010.

I figured I'd get back from running errands and see someone attempt to make this argument.

He only had Warner for 2 years? Seriously?

He could have had Warner for TWO GAMES and the level of QB play he's received would be heads and ****ing shoulders above what Bowe has gotten.

Delhomme? Dude's thrown for 20,000+ yards in this league, and has a 300+ 3/0 game in a losing effort in the Super Bowl.

Only a Grade A fool would even attempt to compare the QB play Fitz and Smith have gotten to what Bowe has gotten.

Fitz and Smith have played with some shit QB's.

Bowe has played with nothing but shit QB's.

Thanks for confirming your ignorance.

if he didn't drop so many balls he'd probably be in the top five...