Offseason impresses AFC rivals
PHOENIX — With Bill Belichick on the other side of the country, the Patriots coach’s AFC counterparts fawned over his team’s offseason additions.
Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott quipped the Pats’ offseason is why he wakes up every day at 3 a.m. Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, a chief Belichick rival, was more colorful with his compliment of the Patriots boss, who skipped the annual AFC coaches’ breakfast yesterday in order to attend the University of Florida’s pro day.
“He’s not slowing down,” Harbaugh said. “He is stumbling over all the rings he is winning.”
Harbaugh went on to wax poetic about the most under-the-radar acquisition of Belichick’s prolific offseason. Former Ravens defensive lineman Lawrence Guy, who signed a four-year contract worth up to $19 million, will be a stable contributor on the field and a gem in the locker room, according to his former coach.
“They’re getting a bluecollar, undervalued player around the league,” Harbaugh said. “Don’t sleep on Lawrence Guy. Don’t underestimate this player. He is a really good football player, run and pass. I love him to death. Every time I see him, he gives me this big giant Lawrence Guy hug. He is a great guy, will be a leader in the locker room. I thought it was a great signing by the Patriots.”
Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano effusively praised tight end Dwayne Allen, who was packaged with a sixth-round draft pick in a trade to the Pats for a fourth-rounder. It was a financially motivated move for the Colts, as they signed Allen to a fouryear, $29.4 million contract last year and cut bait after shelling out $11.9 million in the first season of the deal.
“I think we lost a great player in Dwayne,” Pagano said. “He’s been a staple in our offense for the last five years. We came (to the Colts) together back in 2012. You’re getting a really good football player. You’re getting a great person. You’re getting a guy that is going to be excellent in that locker room. You’re getting a guy that will buy in, and he is going to do his job.”
Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis wasn’t as effusive in his praise for running back Rex Burkhead. The Patriots lured him with a one-year deal worth up to $3.1 million, which was surprising considering Burkhead had a minimal role for nearly four years before racking up 211 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in his last two games.
“I think anytime someone moves from one team to another, there is going to have to be a step up (the depth chart) in order for the guy to make the move,” Lewis said. “Rex wanted an opportunity. He felt like he didn’t maybe have as much of an opportunity open for him to have the opportunity to play (with the Bengals). They obviously must have been able to impress him in some way differently.”
The bottom line, as Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien put it, is the league was already trying to catch up to the Super Bowl champions. And now the Patriots have doubled down with an impressive offseason.
“We’re all chasing them,” O’Brien said.