What is the most unexpected development with the Patriots so far?
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Maybe this is too obvious, but what is the most unexpected thing you’ve seen with the Patriots so far? Has to be Stephon Gilmore’s inability to do anything right, right? What did they see in this guy to give him all that money? – Mike N.
I’m not going to get into too much detail in this answer, because Gilmore was a big topic in Tuesday’s Sports Q regarding the worst free-agent signings of the Belichick era.
(Note: Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth, popular answers to that question and certainly two of the biggest disasters on Belichick’s transactional ledger, were both acquired via trade.)
But yes, Gilmore’s ineptitude is the easy choice for the most unexpected development. You know Belichick and Nick Caserio did their due diligence on the guy before giving him $35 million guaranteed, because they do their due diligence on everything.
So what did they miss? Why is this happening? How can a defensive back have no clue who he is supposed to be covering on multiple plays per game? It’s bewildering, and you have to figure it will get better. He’s talented, the coaches know what they’re doing, and frankly, it can’t get much worse.
As for a positive in the unexpected category … well, I suppose nothing Tom Brady does is totally unexpected. But consider this: He’s 40 years old, his tackles have turned into turnstiles, he’s been sacked nearly as much through four games (13 times) as he was all of last season (15 times), and yet he’s on pace to complete 412 of 620 passes for 5,596 yards, 40 touchdowns, and no interceptions. That’s a ridiculous year on the easiest level of Madden. It’s unfathomable for mortals. Let’s not even think about where they might be without him.
What do you say? What is the most unexpected development with the Patriots this year (perhaps besides the Gilmore mess). I’ll see you in the comments.
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