Yes: In Bill we trust

Does anyone out there in Patriots Nation really and truly believe that coach Bill Belichick was hoodwinked by his former pupil, Scott Pioli?

The fact that the Patriots got "only" a second round pick, 34th overall, for quarterback Matt Cassel — while throwing in one of the key defenders on The Dynasty, Mike Vrabel — has apparently got a lot of peoples' undies in a bunch.

Let's look at the happenings in Foxboro the last few days.

1. Brady is alive, married ... and well.

First and foremost, news that the Patriots feel quarterback Tom Brady is going to be at or near 100 percent by the time training camp opens in late July is cause for celebration in itself? Why isn't that making headlines? Weren't there stories circulating that Brady, who was "lagging" two months or more behind rehab, with his "loose" and "infected" tendons, possibly never being the same again?

2. The timing.

March 1 is an important date in the NFL offseason. It is the date all NFL teams must be under the salary cap ($123, million for 2009). Cassel, who was franchised by the Patriots and thus down for $14.76 million of the new cap. By dealing him and Vrabel before March 1, the Patriots opened up more than $17.5 million space. Vrabel was also slated to receive a $1 million check on March 2 if the Patriots were going to retain his rights for 2009. What this means is the Patriots are in position to make some noise in the free agent market.

3. Cassel's worth.

Is Cassel worth more than the 34th overall pick? You bet. I'll repeat this again: I believe Cassel is a franchise quarterback. I believe he is not simply a product of the Patriots system. Apparently, new Broncos coach and former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who worked side-by-side with Cassel for three years believes the same thing. McDaniels was trying to work a deal in which the Patriots would have received a first round and probable third round pick from Tampa (in a three-team deal). The problem was that offer, it appears now, came too late. Imagine the stories if Belichick had called off the Chiefs deal, before the paper work was signed, sealed and delivered?

4. Belichick and Pioli.

Unlike Belichick and ex-Patriots defensive coordinator Eric Mangini, this breakup was orchestrated, approved and done on admirable terms. Belichick and Pioli, it says here, aren't done dealing now or in the future. Each knows the other. Who knows? Maybe there is another deal (see Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez) in the works? If these two have a pinky-swear agreement, my guess is it will come to fruition.

5. Natives are getting restless.

The Belichick naysayers are growing. It has been four seasons since the Patriots last won a Super Bowl. Spygate, 18-and-1 and some questionable coaching (see Colts game in 2008) and management (see Deion Branch and Asante Samuel) have put some serious chinks in Belichick's armor. We have become such fat cats when it comes to winning lately (see Red Sox, Celtics and even the Bruins) that we think second place is for losers. The Cassel-Vrabel exodus to Kansas City looks a lot worse when thinking about the Lombardi Trophy drought.

6. Patriots are still the team to beat.

The Patriots are favored to the win the Super Bowl next February. Las Vegas bookmakers have the Patriots at 7-to-2 favorites to win it all, barely ahead of the defending champion Steelers (4-to-1) and Colts (9-to-2). That is remarkable considering the losses of coaches and players over the last half-dozen seasons. True to his word back in 2000, Belichick has kept the Patriots at the top of the heap when nearly every other team has gone the 5-11 route before returning to some semblance of glory.

7. Help is still on the way.

It is only March 3, six months and one week before the season opens on Sept. 10. Didn't the Patriots sign free agent running back Fred Taylor, who might end up being the Patriots' version of John Smoltz, who is only one year removed from a 1,202-yard season as the Jaguars go-to back? In other words, it is way too early — only a month after the Super Bowl — to be whining about the fall of 2009. Yes, there are holes, primarily at cornerback.

8. The NFL Draft.

The Patriots own four of the first 58 picks (23rd, 34th, 47th and 58th). Going back a few years, say 2002, with that collection of picks, the Patriots could have chosen Ed Reed (24th by Baltimore), Andre Gurode (37th by Dallas), Clinton Portis (51st by Denver) and Michael Lewis (58th by Philadelphia), all Pro Bowl regulars. It's not to say the Patriots will be as lucky, but there is some good fruit to be had. The Patriots have a lots of opportunities to find productive players who can make an immediate impact.

9. Patriots didn't want the first round pick?

Belichick would rather have the 34th pick instead of third pick overall (the Chiefs first first round pick)? Are you kidding me? Even if Belichick didn't feel there was someone worthy of the $30 million bonus that player would have received, he would have traded back for more late first rounders and second rounders. If you have the opportunity to find a game-changer, be it a Richard Seymour (sixth overall in 2001) or Jerod Mayo (10th overall in 2007) you grab it willingly.

10. In Bill We Trust.

There have been bumps in the road. Belichick has been far from perfect over the last few seasons. But look at the future of this team. They are still Super Bowl favorites. At worst, with Brady back, they are contenders. Belichick is the best in the business. He had probably one of his greatest seasons as a team manager in 2008. A little luck here or there, and they could have pulled off another miracle run. But it didn't happen. I say the Patriots are in very capable hands. If that's called being a lap-dog, bring me some more.

You can e-mail Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.

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