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I never said a word about the d-line or linebackers on that 2001 team, or how many high draft picks were on that team, but thanks for putting words in my mouth (very tasty) ... As for all the high draft picks on the roster, are you implying that you or any people around the league viewed Antowain Smith, Rod Rutledge, Marc Edwards, Brandon Mitchell, and the unproven rookies and first-time starters as elite players at that point in time? That is after all (quality vs quantity) what was being discussed.First the team was filled with high draft choices, so someone who drafted them thought they were talented and second of course, hindsight counts here. But if you thing Their d-line and linebackers were a bunch of late round draft choices you are sadly mistaken. First and second round picks were all over that team.
Another person made the contention that 'quality not quantity wins championships', implying that the only way to win in the NFL was to stock your team with elite players, high draft picks, trade up into the first round etc. I countered with the example of the 2001 Patriots.
Belichick's philosophy has always been about being better than your opponent at every roster spot from #1 to #53, not just #1-5 or #1-10. Our #14 guy is better than your #14 guy, our #23 is better than your #23, etc. That 'quality over quantity' wasn't the theory back then and it isn't the business plan now; anybody that expects differently is going to be sorely disappointed in this team's approach each and every year. If someone is looking for a franchise that focuses on making a big splash with a big name signing every year, my suggestion is to follow the Washington Redskins.
'Hindsight does count here'? How's that? If we're going to all sit here and make snap judgements on this draft and then make comparisons to the 2001 team then in my opinion no, we do not get the benefit of ten year's worth of hindsight with that squad since the same is not true with the 2011 club. Pick one or the other, but it's got to be the same for both if we're going to compare the two.
As for that 2001 team I will still say that anybody that contends that they honestly and objectively considered that team to be talented on this day ten years ago is full of it. And I will still argue that the 2001 team was a champion due to 'quantity' (i.e. talent spread throughout the entire roster) and not 'quality' (i.e. a disproportional amount of talent on a very limited number of players.)