The Quest for 7: Patriots D legit, Thank you Scarnecchia, T.B+J.G.=BFFs, Links 1.29.20

Morning! Welcome to The Quest for 7, where volunteer writer, Steven Viner, scours the net for seven Patriots related articles from other sites offering different points of view on the six-time champs. Paid subscribers not only get to read all seven, but they also get to check out his always fiery "Steve's Soapbox" at the end.

1. After hours of film review, Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard posted the 3rd of his 5-part series: Grading the 2019 Patriots III: In just two years, Belichick completely revamped the passing defense. The offense may have taken a step back from two years ago, but Greg's findings show that this is far from the case when it comes to the defense.

2. In Super Bowl performances, I believe Tom Brady once had a 505 yards 3 TD game, a 10 point 4th quarter comeback against a historic defense, (which was a record at the time) only to top that by erasing a twenty-five point deficit in the greatest comeback in sports history. Yet, Anthony Threash of Pro Football Focus lists every Super Bowl performance by a quarterback PFF has ever graded, and TB12 can't crack the top 9? Normally I agree with most data put together by PFF, but if you're judging on sheer performance, this list reeks of an NFL locker room laundry cart.

3. A rumor circulating around the league had New England squaring off against the Dolphins in a neutral location. Unfortunately, Bernd Buchmasser of Pats Pulpit reports that the NFL refutes the Patriots playing next season in this country. If this meant New England skipping the haunted Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, I would've turned political and approved that message.

4. Sad but proud news fell upon Patriots Nation on Tuesday. Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub writes about this all-time great coach hanging up his whistle, and what Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, and Brady had to say about Dante Scarnecchia's retirement. Greg Bedard of BSJ also pays tribute to the GOAT offensive line coach, and what affect Dante Scarnecchia's retirement might have on the Patriots' Brain Drain. Thank you, Scar, from all of us.

5. Years ago, reporters and certain talk show hosts did their best to fuel the "Brady hates Garoppolo" narrative. But after multiple sightings of the two at the Kentucky Derby, and Jenna West of Sports Illustrated reporting what Tom texted Jimmy ahead of Super Bowl LIV, I think it's time to drop the speculation of how the GOAT feels about his former teammate into the Charles River with cement boots.

6. Oh what could have been. Years ago, the Patriots signed Emmanual Sanders to an offer sheet. Unfortunately, the Steelers matched the offer and the potential connection made in Gridiron Heaven never came to fruition. Henry McKenna of Patriots Wire shares where Sanders felt his career would have gone if he had become a Patriot.

7. With Brady Kardashian unable to escape the news for 5 minutes, Logan Mullen of NESN shares the latest on Tom's living/real estate situation.  Then, Tyler Sullivan of CBSSports touches on how Rob Gronkowski betrayed us Pats fans by advising Tom Brady on what to do in free agency. Gronk! ... Shhhhhh.

STEVE'S SOAPBOX

The place where Steve gets to give his take of the day from the perspective of a Patriots fan.

The Patriots have 47 million in cap space, but honestly, they might as well have $47.12 with a 2-dollar coupon to Dunkin. A huge chunk will be gone if Brady returns. McCourty and Slater are the long-lost sons of Belichick, so they're likely to be back at around their old price. Maybe either Van Noy or Collins comes back, most likely neither will. Underrated Shelton should get a raise and hopefully stays. (Imagine our shaky run defense without him?) Thuney? Pfft. Gone! Think keeping all these players is impossible? Not if the icy-cold Belichick goes full-artic, and makes some tough cuts.

Gone               Savings

Hightower      8.9 million

Sanu                6.5 million

J. McCourty   4 million

Harmon          4.3 million

Gostkowski     3.8 million

Burkhead         3 million

Bethel               2 million

Bolden             1.5 million

Izzo                   .6

There’s also about 7 million in savings if you cut 11 players who have nearly zero dead money counting against the cap who have very little shot at making the team.

That’s about 40 million, added this to the 47 million already available and Walla! 87 million in cap space. Enough to sign Brady, (27 mill) McCourty, (8 mill) Thuney, (10 mill) Van Noy, (11 mill) Collins, (6 mill) Shelton, (3 mill) Slater, (2.5 mill) draft picks, (3.5 mill) with 17 million left for free agents. These salaries are my best guesses. For me, the only one that hurts is Hightower. But our Super Bowl hero has more miles than a 73 Ford Pinto, and needs to be replaced with a Bentley. As in, Ja’Whaun Bentley. The rest? Please. Let’s get real, and start making some tough cuts and get back to playing in February.

Be on the lookout for more The Quest for 7 features. Want more Salty Tears and Soapbox? Click on my name above and scroll down for previous Quests!