How many years did keeping Allen and signing Carr set back the team?

Not in the early going they weren't. They talked about it and talked about it.....it was referencing the ability to draft well, coach em up and let the overpriced vets leave. Once they started winning consistently and won the Super Bowl, then it became the "we know more and better than you" so we will take chances on these players HOPING they would get lucky and get the next great dominating player. The Patriots were very successful with that ploy.

The early going? They won their first SB in 2001.....it was the Patriot way pretty much from that point forward....you have no idea what you're talking about....Face is spot on....

And it wasn't a ploy, for years they had the best scout staff in the NFL....