Pats FA Watch: LGBT Back on a 1-year Deal

54thMA · Jan 27, 2016

Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt said:
That gets me all excited, and then I think, Expected by whom? And how the hell do they know? And since when do he he patriots reveal even a hint of their cards to anyone, let alone LaCanfora?

Agreed; that article was a whole lot of nothing, wrapped in nonsense. It would be one thing if he said "My sources tell me it's early in the process yet, but they are already targeting so and so".................I'll believe it when I see it.

That said, it was worth reading if for nothing else the comments section, some of them cheered me up after being down in the dumps for three days.

The wins are always awesome, the losses leave a mark.

The sting from this one us right up there with the 2007 AFCCG and the 2008 Super Bowl.

Erik Hanson's Hook · Jan 27, 2016

Yeah, same here. Usually I'm able to let go of losses relatively easily, but this one sticks in my craw. Mostly because 1) it was easily winnable 2) all the Peyton ballwashing, and 3) you just know the whole country outside of New England was waiting for our season to end, even if an AFCCG loss is still better than 90% of other teams could hope for.

Go Carolina. And please hire Rick Trickett or Brian Ferentz for the o-line, Bill.

Jed Zeppelin · Jan 27, 2016

Mooch said:
I'd like to see a big receiver who can win one on one battles down the field. Rueben Randle might fit that bill and he could be relatively cheap after having a down season in '15.

Randle is one of the last guys I would target. He has poor hands, runs imprecise routes and has perpetually been on a different page than his QB. Brady would murder him.

E5 Yaz · Jan 28, 2016

Doug Kyed lists potential fits for the Pats -- including Mohamed Sanu and Cleveland OT Mitchell Schwartz

http://nesn.com/2016/01/mohamed-sanu-among-five-free-agents-who-fit-patriots-biggest-needs/

ElcaballitoMVP · Jan 29, 2016

E5 Yaz said:
Doug Kyed lists potential fits for the Pats -- including Mohamed Sanu and Cleveland OT Mitchell Schwartz

http://nesn.com/2016/01/mohamed-sanu-among-five-free-agents-who-fit-patriots-biggest-needs/

Good list, even mentions some backup candidates. I like the suggestions of resigning Hicks and going after Trevathon. I think he could be a nice coverage LB that allows Hightower, Collins and Sheard to be a bit more aggressive attacking the line of scrimmage. Schwartz is an interesting name, but I think he'll be out of their price range, unless they move on from Vollmer, as Kyed notes.

soxhop411 · Jan 29, 2016

“@JasonColeBR: Insider Buzz: Browns C Alex Mack Likely to Opt Out of Deal, Hit Free Agency https://t.co/5sEbkNJXdh via bleacherreport”

dbn · Jan 29, 2016

E5 Yaz said:
Doug Kyed lists potential fits for the Pats -- including Mohamed Sanu and Cleveland OT Mitchell Schwartz

http://nesn.com/2016/01/mohamed-sanu-among-five-free-agents-who-fit-patriots-biggest-needs/

I have no problem with articles like that, even like them. Unlike many other articles, he's not insinuating inside knowledge while making up stuff; he's just throwing out ideas and opinions, which is cool.

That said, I'll nitpick his comment that they'll draft a running back of the future. Okay, one never knows what the Patriots will do in the draft, but they have Lewis already, more pressing needs at OL and WR, and we all know that RBs are easily found - well, unless your #1 and #2 are both lost in-season and you have to sign the ghost of Steven Jackson, but that applies to most positions.

E5 Yaz · Jan 29, 2016

dbn said:
That said, I'll nitpick his comment that they'll draft a running back of the future. Okay, one never knows what the Patriots will do in the draft, but they have Lewis already, more pressing needs at OL and WR, and we all know that RBs are easily found - well, unless your #1 and #2 are both lost in-season and you have to sign the ghost of Steven Jackson, but that applies to most positions.

I have no way of knowing this, but it wouldn't surprise me if that comment by Kyed was meant as an indirect reference to Keenan Reynolds who, if he's still there in the third or fourth round, has the feel of a Belichick pick

dbn · Jan 30, 2016

E5 Yaz said:
I have no way of knowing this, but it wouldn't surprise me if that comment by Kyed was meant as an indirect reference to Keenan Reynolds who, if he's still there in the third or fourth round, has the feel of a Belichick pick

As a RB, QB, or WR? Or, as a RB, QB, and WR? He and Edelman would be a dynamic pair of ex-college QBs, for sure.

Harry Hooper · Jan 31, 2016

dbn said:
I have no problem with articles like that, even like them. Unlike many other articles, he's not insinuating inside knowledge while making up stuff; he's just throwing out ideas and opinions, which is cool.

That said, I'll nitpick his comment that they'll draft a running back of the future. Okay, one never knows what the Patriots will do in the draft, but they have Lewis already, more pressing needs at OL and WR, and we all know that RBs are easily found - well, unless your #1 and #2 are both lost in-season and you have to sign the ghost of Steven Jackson, but that applies to most positions.

I doubt it will be an early draft pick either, but to echo something Merloni said on WEEI this week, the Pats need three effective all-around running backs to keep defenses honest. And no, Bolden counts only as an emergency plug-in. So you've got Lewis back and (hopefully improving) White, need to add another guy {FA or pick} you can more comfortably rely on.

E5 Yaz · Jan 31, 2016

Reiss echoes the running back / running game need today:

After the offensive line struggled considerably against the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, there’s naturally been a lot of media-based discussion on what has to happen for things to improve in 2016. Count me among those who believe the issue is more about the ability to run the ball than subpar line personnel. I thought Belichick’s post-game comments highlighted this, as he said the Patriots couldn’t run the ball well enough to take the Broncos out of what they were doing defensively.

When you’re one-dimensional and playing on the road using a silent snap count, that’s a tough combination for any offensive line; thus, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots take a 2011-type approach in the draft (e.g. Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley) and select two running backs. Losing Dion Lewis (torn ACL, Nov. 8) and LeGarrette Blount (hip, Dec. 13) ended up hurting the Patriots more than I could have imagined at the time. Blount, by the way, was seen walking with the aid of crutches as of last week.

SeoulSoxFan · Feb 1, 2016

If BB wanted to cash in on Garoppolo, wouldn't this be a good time to do so? Not a franchise QB in the draft, and JG has shown more in limited showing than Mallett ever did.

If BB can wrangle a 1st or a decent 2nd rounder, why not recoup the lost pick and trade Garoppolo?

E5 Yaz · Feb 1, 2016

SeoulSoxFan said:
If BB wanted to cash in on Garoppolo, wouldn't this be a good time to do so? Not a franchise QB in the draft, and JG has shown more in limited showing than Mallett ever did.

If BB can wrangle a 1st or a decent 2nd rounder, why not recoup the lost pick and trade Garoppolo?

Because Brady is 38 years old?

SeoulSoxFan · Feb 1, 2016

E5 Yaz said:
Because Brady is 38 years old?

If there's a probable chance that Brady plays for at least 3 more years?

chief1 · Feb 1, 2016

SeoulSoxFan said:
If there's a probable chance that Brady plays for at least 3 more years?

But to think he is immune to injury and missing games, especially at 38 years old, is certainly not how BB thinks or constructs a team. If there is a backup out there he likes better, different story. But the cost for a FA backup QB ($5 mil?) would be taken into consideration by BB as well.

shoosh77 · Feb 1, 2016

SeoulSoxFan said:
If BB wanted to cash in on Garoppolo, wouldn't this be a good time to do so? Not a franchise QB in the draft, and JG has shown more in limited showing than Mallett ever did.

If BB can wrangle a 1st or a decent 2nd rounder, why not recoup the lost pick and trade Garoppolo?

Beaten to death already, you only trade for a 2nd if you are talking about this year. Otherwise, the first goes up in smoke thanks to Gotohell.

Saints Rest · Feb 1, 2016

shoosh77 said:
Beaten to death already, you only trade for a 2nd if you are talking about this year. Otherwise, the first goes up in smoke thanks to Gotohell.

Not entirely true. A trade for ANY first round pick ends up being a trade for the 30th pick. So you don't want to waste a trade for something like the 20th pick as you would end up losing that pick and getting back the Pats' regular pick. Someone upthread mentioned trading for Arizona's pick (#29) -- that would make sense. Trading for someone like Oakland's pick (#14) makes no sense.

shoosh77 · Feb 1, 2016

So then no reason, since no one from 23-back is giving up a first round pick for him.

Stitch01 · Feb 1, 2016

Also the idea that someone is giving up a first or second round pick for Jimmy G right now is kind of ludicrous. Given he's burnt two years of his rookie contract, his return value is probably a mid to late rounder.

( . ) ( . ) and (_!_) · Feb 1, 2016

Can we make Allen Robinson the new ubiquitous trade target now that Larry Fitz is up there in age?
On a rookie contract, a team that has no history of winning, the Jags have other offensive weapons in Hurns/Thomas/Yeldon, he seems like a team guy and not a diva. I think Robinson for Jimmy G should happen!

Phragle · Feb 2, 2016

SeoulSoxFan said:
If BB wanted to cash in on Garoppolo, wouldn't this be a good time to do so? Not a franchise QB in the draft, and JG has shown more in limited showing than Mallett ever did.

If BB can wrangle a 1st or a decent 2nd rounder, why not recoup the lost pick and trade Garoppolo?

Trading JG would be great but I doubt they'd do it without another backup on the roster.

( . ) ( . ) and (_!_) said:
Can we make Allen Robinson the new ubiquitous trade target now that Larry Fitz is up there in age?
On a rookie contract, a team that has no history of winning, the Jags have other offensive weapons in Hurns/Thomas/Yeldon, he seems like a team guy and not a diva. I think Robinson for Jimmy G should happen!

It should have happened in 2013 or whenever that draft was when they let Allen Robinson go one pick before Jimmy Garoppolo

RedOctober3829 · Feb 2, 2016

Does anybody agree with me that the Patriots should shop Chandler Jones around this offseason if they truly think they won't re-sign him next year?

MillarTime · Feb 2, 2016

RedOctober3829 said:
Does anybody agree with me that the Patriots should shop Chandler Jones around this offseason if they truly think they won't re-sign him next year?

I know that is the BB way, but I'm not necessarily sold on this approach...really depends on what you are getting back. Given their window for winning #5, I'm not sure if I'd be willing to give up Jones for anything that doesn't help 2016 (2017 pick, etc). If they can get something that fills a need for 2016 (2016 picks, OL help, etc.), great, but I wouldn't be looking to trade simply because I think he's gone after next year....

tims4wins · Feb 2, 2016

I fully agree RO - somewhere else I advocated a Jones to Arizona trade for their first round pick

RedOctober3829 · Feb 2, 2016

MillarTime said:
I know that is the BB way, but I'm not necessarily sold on this approach...really depends on what you are getting back. Given their window for winning #5, I'm not sure if I'd be willing to give up Jones for anything that doesn't help 2016 (2017 pick, etc). If they can get something that fills a need for 2016 (2016 picks, OL help, etc.), great, but I wouldn't be looking to trade simply because I think he's gone after next year....

Would you do a trade for Jones-for-Mo Wilkerson straight up? Take the Pats-Jets relationship out of it.

soxhop411 · Feb 2, 2016

tims4wins said:
I fully agree RO - somewhere else I advocated a Jones to Arizona trade for their first round pick

Why? The NFL will just take the pick. So we are giving it to them for free

RIrooter09 · Feb 2, 2016

soxhop411 said:
Why? The NFL will just take the pick. So we are giving it to them for free

Think about that one again.

MillarTime · Feb 2, 2016

RedOctober3829 said:
Would you do a trade for Jones-for-Mo Wilkerson straight up? Take the Pats-Jets relationship out of it.

Isn't Mo a UFA? Assuming you can trade Jones' 2016 for Mo's 2016, I would do it because I think Mo is the better, more disruptive player.

Section15Box113 · Feb 2, 2016

RIrooter09 said:
Think about that one again.

You missed the joke from another thread.

RedOctober3829 · Feb 2, 2016

MillarTime said:
Isn't Mo a UFA? Assuming you can trade Jones' 2016 for Mo's 2016, I would do it because I think Mo is the better, more disruptive player.

I agree with this which is why I'd be interested in doing it. I'd also rather spend the money it'd take to extend Wilkerson rather than Jones. The only bad thing about this trade(and the one that would shoot it down from a Patriots perspective) is if Wilkerson had to play out the franchise tag it'd be an increase of over $7 million in cap space from Jones.

Phragle · Feb 2, 2016

RedOctober3829 said:
Does anybody agree with me that the Patriots should shop Chandler Jones around this offseason if they truly think they won't re-sign him next year?

Yes. I wonder if a player for player deal would be the best option considering the draft pick thing. Maybe there's a team with plenty of cap space and more depth at OT/CB than at DE.

BigSoxFan · Feb 2, 2016

Phragle said:
Yes. I wonder if a player for player deal would be the best option considering the draft pick thing. Maybe there's a team with plenty of cap space and more depth at OT/CB than at DE.

Chandler Jones for Jason McCourty? Get it done, Theo!

brandonchristensen · Feb 2, 2016

No real other place to post this, but I was just thinking.

The first quarter in 2008 Tom Brady injury ended up being the half way point in his career and could end up being something well before the half mark depending on how things go.

I remember when that happened, everyone was saying he wouldn't/couldn't come back from that and be the same. Maybe we would get a few more years, etc.

But he's still going, better than ever.

Pretty crazy shit. We are stupid lucky.

SeoulSoxFan · Feb 5, 2016

Let the Matt Forte watch begin!
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000633101/article/matt-forte-on-future-i-want-to-be-in-super-bowls?campaign=Twitter_atn

"It's not even about the money," Forte emphasized. "I want to be in the Super Bowls." If the two sides do part ways, New England makes sense as a potential landing spot.

The Patriots have played in five consecutive AFC Championship Games and have a glaring need at running back after watching Steven Jackson and James White hamstring their efforts in their season-ending loss to the Broncos. Might the rich be getting richer atop the AFC East?

Forte is a UFA at age 30 in 2016, after coming off of a 4 year, $30.5m contract with the Bears.

In 2015, he had perhaps his worst year as a pro, with less than 900 yards for the first time. His total receptions were also career-low at 58.

However, the low stats can be partly contributed to missing three games due to a sprained MCL suffered in week 8 (similar to another MCL sprain suffered in 2011). Were he to play all 16, as he has done 5 out of 8 seasons in the NFL, surely he would have broken the 1,000 yards rushing and 450+ yards receiving marks (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FortMa00.htm).

It'll be too optimistic for him to come close to his 100+ receptions & 1,000 yards rushing season in 2014, but as a capable #2 back I think he'd be a perfect fit. Personally, I'm not too worried about him duplicating roles with Lewis. With both Lewis & Forte in the fold, you can run out a back that can run, catch, and pass protect on all three downs. Sure, it's fun to daydream about a Calvin Johnson scenario, but getting Forte in Foxboro seems like a much more realistic, or even a more likely than not possibility.

Oh yeah, BB loves this guy & had this to say in 2014: http://nesn.com/2014/10/bill-belichick-bears-matt-forte-maybe-the-best-running-back-in-nfl/

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick heaped praise on Bears running back Matt Forte while discussing Sunday’s matchup with reporters Wednesday. As far as Belichick is concerned, Forte stacks up favorably with the NFL’s best. “They can run the ball. They’ve got a great runner and one of the best backs in the league, maybe the best back in the league,” Belichick said of Forte. “He’s certainly been an impressive guy to watch, both in the passing game and in the running game. (He) breaks tackles, has good quickness, good balance, good vision, excellent hands, smart and aware in the passing game. He doesn’t just catch the ball well, but he knows how to get open.”

Signing Forte to a team-friendly 2-year deal seems like a win-win. NE gets a big upgrade over Blount/Jackson/Bolden to pair up with Lewis, and Forte gets his best chance for a ring. It also frees up a day 2 pick to spend somewhere else other than an RB (other than a late-round flyer).

Stitch01 · Feb 6, 2016

Like the fit but even a team friendly contract is probably too much to be prudent given needs elsewhere.

dcmissle · Feb 6, 2016

Can someone identify the advantages, if any, of not having a first round pick?

I get the overall team salary cap and recall that some portion of that is allocated to draftees. Is that portion walled off, or may the team tap it to sign a FA or extend a veteran, for example?

Thanks.

RedOctober3829 · Feb 6, 2016

dcmissle said:
Can someone identify the advantages, if any, of not having a first round pick?

I get the overall team salary cap and recall that some portion of that is allocated to draftees. Is that portion walled off, or may the team tap it to sign a FA or extend a veteran, for example?

Thanks.

Sure they could. You have to allocate a certain amount of money to picks and if you don't have a lot of picks you don't have to spend as much to sign them. Not having a first rounder saves them money but you lose out on an impact player at a cheap price.

On Forte: go get him. They need to upgrade the RB position.

tims4wins · Feb 6, 2016

Reiss brought it up today but I like the idea of signing Ridley - if he wants to come back a la Chung

RedOctober3829 · Feb 6, 2016

tims4wins said:
Reiss brought it up today but I like the idea of signing Ridley - if he wants to come back a la Chung

I don't. He did not show much of anything when he came back. They need more of a sure thing to pair with White and Lewis.

tims4wins · Feb 6, 2016

RedOctober3829 said:
I don't. He did not show much of anything when he came back. They need more of a sure thing to pair with White and Lewis.

He was coming off an ACL. He will likely be MUCH better in 2016

edit: like Welker was in 2011 after looking so-so in 2010

Ale Xander · Feb 6, 2016

They still need a power back, i.e. someone good on 3rd and 4th and 1 or 2. I'd be inclined to package White to upgrade Blount.

I love Forte, but he's not really a power back. He would nonetheless be a significant upgrade for us and I'd rather have him get 15+ carries then anyone else on the roster. Bolden is your ST guy, Lewis is your 3rd and medium/long (and change of pace) back.
Blount isn't good enough outside of Colts games and White is redundant. Then again, Lafell needs more upgrade (big WR) than RB in a McDaniels offense.

The team needs more superior talent on offense against the Broncos and Jets of the world. Gronk and Edelman isn't enough.

E5 Yaz · Feb 6, 2016

tims4wins said:
He was coming off an ACL. He will likely be MUCH better in 2016

edit: like Welker was in 2011 after looking so-so in 2010

You realize that two different human beings, with two different body sizes, playing two different positions, are not guaranteed to respond exactly the same after having surgeries to the same body part ... right?

There's no factual basis for saying he's "likely to be MUCH better" next season.

BigSoxFan · Feb 6, 2016

This team needs to be less predictable on offense when it comes to the running game. I'm much more inclined to kick the tires on Arian Foster if he becomes available.

Harry Hooper · Feb 6, 2016

RedOctober3829 said:
I don't. He did not show much of anything when he came back. They need more of a sure thing to pair with White and Lewis.

Also need to get away from this is our "running" RB and this is our "passing" RB. Yeah, still make sure to have a beefy Blount-type on the roster, but only as a slight;y-used specialist.

Saints Rest · Feb 6, 2016

Forte would be nice as he would be the first true run/pass threat in a long time (I'm not sure BB has had anyone who fits that bill). He would replace Blount as your lead back. But are we looking at Corey Dillon or Fred Jackson in terms of success at the tail end of a great career?

Lewis remains as the pure pass-catching guy. That is the position that the Pats have had a long history of success with. (Lewis, Vereen, Woodhead, Faulk, and really all the way to Dave Meggett at the end of his career).

Bolden stays on the roster because his ST role is so valuable, but also because he is your depth in the lead (running) RB role.

White stays because he is the Lewis backup.

tims4wins · Feb 6, 2016

E5 Yaz said:
You realize that two different human beings, with two different body sizes, playing two different positions, are not guaranteed to respond exactly the same after having surgeries to the same body part ... right?

There's no factual basis for saying he's "likely to be MUCH better" next season.

Fair but the list of football players who come back
much stronger in year 2 after an ACL is pretty large now

RedOctober3829 · Feb 6, 2016

tims4wins said:
Fair but the list of football players who come back
much stronger in year 2 after an ACL is pretty large now

I understand he might be better next year but its not a sure thing. They need a player to come in and make a big impact at RB. I'm not putting my eggs in the Ridley basket. As a flyer, sure. But they need a better player.

tims4wins · Feb 6, 2016

I personally would be fine with Ridley, Blount, White, Bolden, Lewis, and a draft pick or two but maybe I am in the minority.

Also, unlikely they would sign both Blount and Ridley

( . ) ( . ) and (_!_) · Feb 6, 2016

tims4wins said:
I personally would be fine with Ridley, Blount, White, Bolden, Lewis, and a draft pick or two but maybe I am in the minority.

Also, unlikely they would sign both Blount and Ridley

They won't carry more then 4 running backs. Maybe 5 in a lightening in a bottle situation.

You are suggesting 7.

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