2018 Patriots Roster

bagwell1

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Jul 31, 2006
442
Jacksonville
Jags have released Chris Ivory as expected. He turns 30 next month. Could be a good depth signing on a 1-2 year deal if Lewis and Burkhead leave as free agents.
After watching him in Jax for 2 years, hard pass. 7 fumbles in 2 years with limited carries doesn't seem like the Patriot way.
 

bakahump

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I remember him at Michigan. One of the Few times I said "That Kid will be good....I hope the Patriots get him" and turned out to be right.
 

Van Everyman

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Apr 30, 2009
26,951
Newton
Not to fire up the conspiracy machine but I do wonder whether Brady or McDaniels had some input on the Cooks trade. On the face of it, it didn’t seem like a move they needed to make (obviously a different story when JE11 went down). But Hogan in 2016 was he first legit deep threat Brady had since Moss and I wonder if what was out of character there was him or Josh pushing for more of that, given what they already had underneath.

I know we rarely think of the Pats operating from a position of disagreement but it could explain a move that, I agree, seemed at least somewhat out of character.

Also: am I misremembering or did Cooks have one somewhat expensive option year? Or am I thinking of a franchise tag?
 

Mystic Merlin

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Sep 21, 2007
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Cooks is a very productive, 24 yo receiver who doesn't agitate for targets, and the other main cogs of our WR corps are 30 plus or, in the case of Mitchell, has a chronic knee issue. The trade made sense long-term.

He's due to make about 8M on the rookie contract fifth year option that NO exercised last year. I suspect they'll try to extend him, although they might let that 8m figure ride.
 

RedOctober3829

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Not to fire up the conspiracy machine but I do wonder whether Brady or McDaniels had some input on the Cooks trade. On the face of it, it didn’t seem like a move they needed to make (obviously a different story when JE11 went down). But Hogan in 2016 was he first legit deep threat Brady had since Moss and I wonder if what was out of character there was him or Josh pushing for more of that, given what they already had underneath.

I know we rarely think of the Pats operating from a position of disagreement but it could explain a move that, I agree, seemed at least somewhat out of character.

Also: am I misremembering or did Cooks have one somewhat expensive option year? Or am I thinking of a franchise tag?
He has the 5th year option on his rookie contract coming to him at $8.45 million.
 

RedOctober3829

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Cooks is a very productive, 24 yo receiver who doesn't agitate for targets, and the other main cogs of our WR corps are 30 plus or, in the case of Mitchell, has a chronic knee issue. The trade made sense long-term.

He's due to make about 8M on the rookie contract fifth year option that NO exercised last year. I suspect they'll try to extend him, although they might let that 8m figure ride.
The Patriots actually picked up the 5th year option last April.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Dec 4, 2005
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Not to fire up the conspiracy machine but I do wonder whether Brady or McDaniels had some input on the Cooks trade. On the face of it, it didn’t seem like a move they needed to make (obviously a different story when JE11 went down). But Hogan in 2016 was he first legit deep threat Brady had since Moss and I wonder if what was out of character there was him or Josh pushing for more of that, given what they already had underneath.

I know we rarely think of the Pats operating from a position of disagreement but it could explain a move that, I agree, seemed at least somewhat out of character.

Also: am I misremembering or did Cooks have one somewhat expensive option year? Or am I thinking of a franchise tag?
Two factors that I think weigh in :

- the WR corps is getting old. Amendola only has so many years left, Mitchell obviously has injury issues and Edelman is more likely to Welker-out, if you will, sooner rather than later. They needed someone longer term.

- Cooks is young, a whole different dynamic this offense has ever see and BB has shown a penchant for making moves for guys that he’s seen in joint practices.
 

pappymojo

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Jul 28, 2010
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Not to fire up the conspiracy machine but I do wonder whether Brady or McDaniels had some input on the Cooks trade. On the face of it, it didn’t seem like a move they needed to make (obviously a different story when JE11 went down). But Hogan in 2016 was he first legit deep threat Brady had since Moss and I wonder if what was out of character there was him or Josh pushing for more of that, given what they already had underneath.

I know we rarely think of the Pats operating from a position of disagreement but it could explain a move that, I agree, seemed at least somewhat out of character.

Also: am I misremembering or did Cooks have one somewhat expensive option year? Or am I thinking of a franchise tag?
I think that trade was Belichick. He saw how hard Cooks worked in joint practice sessions and said this guy can definitely make our team better.
 

Carmine Hose

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Aug 2, 2001
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I think Dion Lewis will find that the money is not going to be out there for him. The question will be will he leave for a sh*t team for a few dollars more.
 

slamminsammya

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Jul 31, 2006
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As a free agent he has a lot of things working against him. But as usual it only takes one team to pay up. And there are several teams with more cap space than they know what to do with. Whats $5 million in cap space to a team like, say, Tampa who have $72 million in space?

Yea he's old for an RB and has a terrible injury history. So just give him lots of money on a short deal and he'll take it. Less risk for the team, and virtually no real cost if you have that much space (there are 6 teams that have over $60 million in space).

This is why he won't stay in New England, I don't think.
 

dbn

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Feb 10, 2007
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That Lewis quote is so very NEP-y. It said a lot of things that are obvious, praised his organization, and gave away nothing that could be used to advantage. Well done, young man.
 

RedOctober3829

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Nate Solder does indeed plan to continue playing football, per sources. There had been speculation over a potential retirement. Negotiations with the Patriots haven’t started yet, but he’s got a couple weeks before free agency.


Danny Amendola’s market is heating up. Wouldn’t be surprised if he landed between $3M and $5M annually. The Patriots will have to make a competitive offer.
 

bsj

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Dec 6, 2003
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5 million seems very high for Amendola.

I could buy the 3 million number. That being said, I think he truly likes it in New England and may take, say, 2 million from New England over 3 elsewhere.

Probably wouldnt take 2 over 5 though...
 

kelpapa

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Feb 15, 2010
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The reason Garcia missed all of last year was due to blood clots in his lungs. Expected to make a full recovery:
 

RedOctober3829

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Howe brings up a trade proposal of Cooks for Beckham. Nothing but speculation, but an interesting scenario. Both make the same money next year and the Pats could let OBJ walk for a 3rd rd pick. Howe’s logic is that the Pats might not want to pay Cooks big money and the Giants may want to commit long term to Cooks rather than OBJ.

 

dcmissle

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Howe brings up a trade proposal of Cooks for Beckham. Nothing but speculation, but an interesting scenario. Both make the same money next year and the Pats could let OBJ walk for a 3rd rd pick. Howe’s logic is that the Pats might not want to pay Cooks big money and the Giants may want to commit long term to Cooks rather than OBJ.

This would be Revis redux because the chances of the Pats' meeting OBJ contract expectations going forward are slim and none. I know OBJ is a binkie here; doesn't matter. The Pats don't throw that kind of money at the position, and they certainly don't do it for a guy like OBJ -- we've seen zero evidence that he is close to growing up; Coughlin could not control him.

So if you have decided Cooks is not being extended no matter what, maybe. But only if you figure one year of OBJ is significantly better than Cooks for 2018. And the underlying assumption is that OBJ is going to be mature enough to capitalize on 2018 to enhance his value going forward. Dude wants to be paid yesterday.
 

RedOctober3829

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This would be Revis redux because the chances of the Pats' meeting OBJ contract expectations going forward are slim and none. I know OBJ is a binkie here; doesn't matter. The Pats don't throw that kind of money at the position, and they certainly don't do it for a guy like OBJ -- we've seen zero evidence that he is close to growing up; Coughlin could not control him.

So if you have decided Cooks is not being extended no matter what, maybe. But only if you figure one year of OBJ is significantly better than Cooks for 2018. And the underlying assumption is that OBJ is going to be mature enough to capitalize on 2018 to enhance his value going forward. Dude wants to be paid yesterday.
That would be the carrot in front of OBJ. If he can perform in a Patriots uniform and stay on the straight and narrow that would go a long ways in his desire to get big money.
 

southshoresoxfan

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Jul 15, 2005
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If you can’t come to an extension w Cooks I do that deal in a heartbeat.

Hell with limited Brady years I may do it anyways. The talent upgrade is pretty big.
 

Super Nomario

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They already had the best offense in football last year. Deal Cooks for defensive help, fine, I'm on board. But for another wideout, and one who doesn't address the long-term age concerns at the position?
 

RedOctober3829

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They already had the best offense in football last year. Deal Cooks for defensive help, fine, I'm on board. But for another wideout, and one who doesn't address the long-term age concerns at the position?
If you were Belichick, would you pay Cooks or Beckham upwards of $13-$15 million a year after next year? If you're not, then neither player is helping the long-term concerns. Sure, if you can get a stud defensive player on a rookie deal for Cooks I'd be all for that too. But for one year the upgrade from Cooks to Beckham would be worth it to me.
 

wnyghost

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Aug 8, 2010
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What in earth makes anyone think the Patriots are an environment where ODB would thrive or even want to be a part of?
 

SMU_Sox

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Jul 20, 2009
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If you were Belichick, would you pay Cooks or Beckham upwards of $13-$15 million a year after next year? If you're not, then neither player is helping the long-term concerns. Sure, if you can get a stud defensive player on a rookie deal for Cooks I'd be all for that too. But for one year the upgrade from Cooks to Beckham would be worth it to me.
I think in a vacuum you can make that argument but when you look at the rest of the roster I am I not sure would want to either given the other holes on the roster.
 

soxhop411

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Dec 4, 2009
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Lewis is gone

he veteran running back market typically doesn’t include players who draw extensive interest. This year, it could be different.

Patriots running back Dion Lewis is expected to get serious consideration from multiple teams, per a source with knowledge of the situation.

Potentially interested teams include the Jets, Texans, 49ers, Raiders, and Colts. As many as six or seven teams are expected to pursue Lewis.

A fifth-round pick of the Eagles in 2011, he arrived in New England after stints in Philly, Cleveland, and Indy. His best year by far came in 2017, with 896 rushing yards (an average of five yards per attempt) and 214 receiving yards. He had six rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/01/plenty-of-interest-in-dion-lewis/
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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He's dealt with Randy Moss and Chad Johnson. I can't stand Beckham's act, but if he's playing for a huge payday one would think he'd keep in line for 1 year.
Those guys were not young. Moss had faded and Johnson was a ghost of his former self. They didn’t have much choice but to fall in line. OBJ is nothing I want any part of and I don’t think he’d be a similar transition. Ymmv.
 

dcmissle

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Those guys were not young. Moss had faded and Johnson was a ghost of his former self. They didn’t have much choice but to fall in line. OBJ is nothing I want any part of and I don’t think he’d be a similar transition. Ymmv.
Both had been humbled. Both were desperate. This guy acts like an asshat, ends up with a season ending injury, then floats numbers like $20 million a year. He is immature at best, borderline crazy at worst. He plainly does not get it at any level, and I would not be confident in self interest guiding him to paint by the numbers. I could see him fucking up, then reiterating insane contract demand.

Oh, and the shadow boxing with the kickers net would last about 2 seconds in Fox.
 

joe dokes

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Jul 18, 2005
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I dont see OBJ being able to separate business from football as Revis did so well.