The Quest for 7: Patriots to offer Brady $$$? Gilmore makes history, Seymour snub, Links 2.3.20

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. If you were invited to some random party last night like I was, for some insignificant reason that you didn't pay much attention to, Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal can fill you in on this mysterious event with his column on the 49ers' collapse.

2. After a forgetful boring Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com came out with the best Patriots' news in quite some time. Boston Sports Journal's own Greg Bedard also weighed in on all of yesterday's Brady rumors. if Kraft is willing to spend this much to bring Tom Brady back, I love our chances of the GOAT returning. Can I gettah Hallelujah to the Amennnnnnn!!!!!!! 

3. Despite Rapoports's big news, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Raiders are letting it be known that they are interested in Tom Brady if he doesn't return to the Patriots. Great job, Oakland. You just alienated Derek Carr if you can't arrange to transfer the GOAT from Foxboro to your soon-to-be zoo.

4. After Brady's most recent social media post brought all of the magnifying glass holding football sleuths out in search of clues, Adam Wells of Bleacher Report informs us that the cryptic pic is reportedly for a Super Bowl LIV commercial. Too bad no one will ever see it after they canceled the big game due to lack of interest. #I'mNotInDenial

5. Another day, another disrespect card dealt to the Patriots. Matt Dolloff of 98.5 The Sports Hub informs us that Richard Seymour will not be making the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. When it comes to the Pats, perhaps the voters should take a page out of MLB's book: Maybe make Brady and Belichick wait a year or seven before induction? A unanimous vote for them? Ha! Poppycock!

6. Currently, New England's offense has the speed of Vince Wilfork in quicksand, so Patriots fans may want to check out Pro Football Focus Michael Renner's wide receivers rankings in the 2020 NFL draft. Also, Mark Pantorno of AM New York gives us his 2020 NFL mock draft. Depending on the expert, it feels like the player he has the Pats taking is a "steal" or a "reach."

7. Conor Roche of Boston.com spreads the glorious news that Stephon Gilmore took home the Defensive Player of the Year award. Most knew this was a foregone conclusion and some sweet history was made here. Has a Patriot ever won the DPOY? When was the last time a cornerback took home the honor? What is the meaning of life?

STEVE'S SOAPBOX

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

Screw that Patriots-free imposter of a Super Bowl last night. I’m doing a series where I'll force myself to select the person MOST responsible for the Patriots winning or not winning the Super Bowl out of Belichick the Coach, Belichick the GM, and Tom Brady the QB. This is Part 1 of 5, (years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003.) Fight me in the comments if you disagree — but no touching the hair!

2000: The only year I won’t make a selection. Belichick pulled on his work gloves, built his foundation, and turned the singular greatest draft pick in all of sports history into an imperial dynasty that would reign for 20-years.

Belichick the Coach: 0 … Belichick the GM: 0 … Brady the QB: 0

2001 Belichick the Coach: +1. If it’s not the best, it has to be in the top-5 coaching performances of all-time. The Hoodie had the balls to keep a 100 million-dollar QB on the bench for what was basically a rookie. With a bunch of end-of-the-line veteran free agents — mostly on defense — he took a previously 5-11 team to the Super Bowl where these old dogs took down the Rams who were considered the greatest offense in football history, (up until that point.)

Belichick the Coach: +1 … Belichick the GM: 0 … Brady the QB: 0

2002 Belichick the GM: -1. Typical Super Bowl hangover. It seemed veterans Roman Phifer, Bobby Hamilton, Anthony Pleasant, Otis Smith, Victor Green checked out after winning their ring, giving up 2,200 rushing yards at 4.7 a carry. Belichick the GM displayed loyalty by keeping them and you can’t blame him after what this crew accomplished the year before. Brady showed signs that he’d be more than a system QB, and it felt like he was the only one who stayed hungry and worked harder in the offseason. This year featured a stat more shocking than Antonio Brown staying off his phone for an hour … it's the only time the Patriots have had a 3-game losing streak in nineteen years. Wow.

Belichick the Coach: +1 … Belichick the GM: -1 … Brady the QB: 0

2003: Belichick the GM: +1. Most of the old guys were out or had their roles reduced, (Although Phifer was exceptional.) Belichick the GM made a gutsy call snipping Lawyer Milloy, had a great draft, and reloaded on defense with Rodney Harrison, Ty Warren, Ted Washington, Eugene Wilson, and Asante Samuel. Plus it was clear he had hit on Dion Branch and David Givens from the previous year.

Belichick the Coach: +1 … Belichick the GM: +1 and -1 … Brady the QB: 0

To be continued tomorrow with 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007!

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!