Alright everyone I was just as stunned as the rest the collective Patriot nation when I saw that the Pats only got a second-round pick for Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel.  At first I was so confused, my head was spinning.

Now that the dust has settled, here is where I am sitting after reflective thoughts ran through my mind along with a few barley and hops yesterday

Tom terrific must have a clean bill of health.

As a true New England fan, I am always a skeptic in thinking that the organization was giving me some "lip service" in telling me that Mr. Brady and his high profile wedding is just fine.  But this deal solidifies the notion that Brady is going to be ready to go for the New England Patriots.  Do you think Billy Belichick would give up Cassel if he thought Brady was 75%?  And this also plays into how much stock Bill is putting into their backup in Kevin O'Connell.

Taking a look at the combine and talent  coming up, this draft didnt require a first rounder.

How many of you sat out there and asked yourself, "Self, do you really think that the New England Patriots are going to sit on 30 million dollars in quarterbacks?"  Or you might have looked in the mirror and asked your smug face, "Face, If all of these other teams in dire need for services at quarterback are looking for their franchise guy, then why do we need to hold onto him if we can get some good compensation for him?"  Look, we all knew it was coming sooner than later to face reality .. this is Tom Terrific's team and we need to accept that.  The hard part for people to swallow is the number of pick in the draft that they gave up.  A high second rounder but it seems to me that Bill Belichick has the innate ability of taking later round draftees and turning them into gems ahead of the big ticket prices players.  Remember, if they get high first round picks, they have to pay for them.  And as I reference later in this blog, the Patriots will probably be spending this money elsewhere in an area where needed like DEFENSE..

Many people have asked me if this had to do with Bill doing Scott Pioli a favor because they are pals.  That is silly talk.

This is not Bill Belichick's first rodeo.  Do you think that this wasn't market driven?  This was a necessary move that needed to be done and the Patriots organization felt that it was a comparable trade to make and both sides winning.  What happens if Cassel is a bust without Moss and Welker and Morris running?  Then the Patriots look like geniuses but what happens if he succeeds then the second round pick we are getting from him and making O'Connell the number two will pay off on the long run.  Either way Patriots will win.  We have to think this way and not with our hearts people!

I know Mike Vrabel was a fan fav but he was a slowing 33 year old linebacker.

Look, we all felt it when WIllie McGinest had to leave.  I felt a hollow part of my heart when Big Willie left for Cleveland and I even felt soured when I saw him in the Browns uniform but it is a fact of life.  Player does well in NE then ages ... then is released but in this case, I think Bill Belichick payed respects to Vrabel by trading him instead of releasing him.  This was a true sign of respect for a guy who gave blood sweat and tears!!

Julius Peppers and Ray Lewis are still viable pickups.

I think that most of us think something will happen and whether it is Peppers or Lewis coming to Foxborough is still left to see but, if it doesn't happen, don't beat yourself up Patriot fans, IN BILL WE TRUST!!On a personal note though, I don't think I want to see Ray Lewis here.  I don't know how well he would do outside of the mythic and god-like mantra he had in Baltimore ... just a thought that I am sure will get some banter about :)

There’s been a lot of action already, and we’re only two days into
free agency. But I think the Patriots are just getting warmed up.