Belichick, Mad or Genius?

On April 23rd the Patriots signed wide receiver Marqise Lee. This was directly after Rob Gronkowski was traded Buccaneers and the sports world quickly attacked Bill Belichick.

Jerry Trotta of 12up wrote "We mean no disrespect to Lee, but signing him is a perfect testament to Belichick's bundle of underwhelming attempts to upgrade New England's laughable skill player situation."

Belichick may have whiffed on few players But the Patriots don't win a superbowl if he doesnt bring Amendola, a virtual unknown. We saw last season what happens when an undrafted center gets injured, and don't forget about Collins or Shelton. Nobody was breaking down their doors to sign them.

Trotta also wrote "Lee's most productive season came in 2016, when he posted 63 receptions for 851 yards and three touchdowns. In five years in the NFL, he's appeared in all 16 games just once, and he missed the entire 2018 campaign with a torn ACL.

Belichick and the Patriots are floundering, and it's a strange sight to behold."

If Lee can deliver 30 catches and 400 yards that would be okay. All the Patriots need him to do is be productive. In other words, get seperation, catch the ball, and maybe help teammates by drawing coverage if he can. That's it.

New England once acquired a whiff of a receiver,  who previously caught 42 passes for 553 yards and 3 Touchdowns in his prior year. Nobody in Patriots Nation can let him go, his name; Randy Moss.

What's funny is that Trotta started his article by saying "Any team in need of a speedy pass-catcheer would surely take a flier on Lee down the road". 

When Belichick signs him early Trotta changes his opinion to "Patriots reportedly sign former Jaguars receiver Marquis Lee and Bill Belichick is lost".

Belichick isn't lost, he's just smarter than the rest. That's why he jumped early. It's why he later traded out of the first round of the 2020 draft. Just when we think we have the answers, Belichick changes the question and leaves us all baffled.