[DRM08]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Not to quibble with your logic, but we also lost to BUF 24-20 and CIN 27-24 in 2022. Not to put too fine a point on it, we lost those games because we couldn't score points, because we were fielding those same role players. And if not for the Damar thing, we might not have gotten the 1-seed.

So the fact that that it worked once, well, let's be honest and admit there was a few mitigating factors that helped us out along the way.

I get that acquiring DHop would probably mess up the careful architecture of what Veach's put together the last three or so years. I get that it would probably mean letting some good players go earlier than expected, like Sneed/Gay/Bolton. It might. It's even likely.

But again, I'm not necessarily hung up on DHop or bust. He's just convenient as an example.

But Parris? Come on, we can't do better than that? One step up in class isn't worth a look? Maybe just peek at a good WR2 (WR between 33 and 42?)?

Toney goes out for any significant length of time, which is somewhat likely, and it's:

MVS

Skyy

Watson (if he comes back)

Ross (if either is healthy enough)

Kemp/Powell/Fryfogle???

And what happens if Kelce misses any time? That's the crew you want to roll with? How much can Pat carry?

Here's the thing: You seem to see 2022 as a blueprint for how to move forward. I see it as something of an aberration. A lot of lucky things happened. Like a 7th round rookie suddenly becoming a top-tier RB1. Another 7th round rook being thrust into a starting role, and not only playing well enough, but making a few big plays.

And so on. That doesn't make it the only best way. it just means we have incredible coaching, generational talents at both QB and TE, and a few things just bounced in our favor.

Simply putting some better quality pieces out there means needing less luck. They don't have to be Elite, but they shouldn't have to be JAGs either.

It's a thin margin between winning and losing. Luck is a factor in every championship season. I can go through the Patriots 6 rings and show you a TON of lucky moments for them, starting with Brady's fumble in the snow against the Raiders. Similar bizarre stuff happened in many other championship years for them too.