One team considered free agency the way to go, shopping for high-priced starters. The other built its team the old-fashioned way: through the draft. And when it needed to add final pieces, it turned to free agency.
Those two teams play Sunday, having taken nearly opposite paths to arrive at their roster.
New England is 7-0 and considered a Super Bowl favorite. They’ve also won three world championships since 2001. Washington is 4-2, but has only one winning season since 2000 and only two playoff appearances since 1992.
“Being able to get players and get the right players and then keep them together and play whatever scheme you play, they’ve been outstanding in acquiring talent,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said.
Here’s how the teams have been built:
» The Draft. Since 2000, the Patriots have drafted 70 players — 22 more than the Redskins. The disparity hasn’t lessened under Joe Gibbs. In the past four drafts, the Patriots have selected 34 players to Washington’s 21.
New England has traded eight draft picks in eight years; Washington has traded 24 — 14 in the past four drafts.
The difference can be found in the starting lineups: New England has 14 draft picks starting compared to eight for Washington, though seven of the Redskins’ starters were selected in the last four drafts.
The Redskins, until the past couple years, were always having to find players who fit a new scheme because of the coaching changes, whether the head coach or defensive coordinator. But New England has had one head coach since 2000.
That continuity has helped New England develop players. Eleven starters are in their fifth year or more with the Patriots. The Redskins have one such player.
“They plug guys in and they play great,” Redskins running back Clinton Portis said.
» Free agency. The Redskins have used free agency to bolster its roster; New England has used it to fill in gaps. Only five starters were unrestricted free agent pickups: receiver Donte Stallworth, linebacker Mike Vrabel, linebacker Adalius Thomas, fullback Heath Evans and linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. Half of Washington’s starters were found via free agency.
» Trades. New England traded a fourth-rounder for Randy Moss; Washington traded a third- and fourth-rounder for Brandon Lloyd. New England also swapped second- and seventh-round choices to get restricted free agent Wes Welker from Miami. Moss and Welker have 91 combined receptions this year, 90 more than Lloyd.
Three Redskin starters were obtained in trades: receiver Santana Moss, running back Clinton Portis and guard Pete Kendall.
