Watching ESPN last night I was struck by some of the big name free agents still available. Are guys like Peters, Reid or Griffen too old/expensive for the Pats?
https://nfltraderumors.co/top-25-2020-nfl-free-agents-list/
Andrews is also a former team captain as I recall, and it was noted many times last season how he was around the team pretty much all season.For those that are advocating more veteran turnover to save cap money, don't the Pats run the risk of losing the identity in the locker room with so much turnover? It's the veterans that set the tone for how the team carries itself. If they cut too deep into that, isn't there a risk (especially with Brady absent on the offensive side of the ball)?
This is the one I don't understand. Theoretically, they have two FB's returning to the roster from injury. I can see where Develin might still be considered an injury risk, but Johnson impressed me in his limited time. I have to guess that Vitale's dead money would be nothing more than the $100k signing bonus if he doesn't make the roster.View: https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/1242502629370007554
(FB Vitale signing)
Vitale is more than just a FB. He can play H-back and a little TE. Versatility moreso than Develin and Johnson can give.This is the one I don't understand. Theoretically, they have two FB's returning to the roster from injury. I can see where Develin might still be considered an injury risk, but Johnson impressed me in his limited time. I have to guess that Vitale's dead money would be nothing more than the $100k signing bonus if he doesn't make the roster.
I feel like he always has his work cut out for him, and that there's always roster issues. It's probably similar for most other teams. The good news is that they'll have tons of money available to replace these guys - either with themselves or other people.One thing I like to do before the draft is look at the roster with a two-year view. It looks pretty ugly in a number of spots for 2021:
Add in the immediate needs at TE and WR, and Belichick has his work cut out for him.
- Front seven lost KVN, Collins, Shelton this year. It gets even worse next offseason, when Hightower, Guy, Butler, Simon, Wise, Copeland, Calhoun, and Rivers all hit FA. The only front seven players under contract for 2021 are Winovich, Bentley, Cowart, and Beau Allen
- CB runs six deep in 2020, but JMac, JC Jackson, and Bethel all hit FA after the season
- White and Burkhead are both FA after 2020, making receiving back a lowkey need
- Thuney and Andrews are both in the last years of their deals. Wouldn't be surprising to see an extension for either / both
And then he becomes Shane Vereen and someone else becomes James White.Could see someone stealing him away.
It’s like the Dread Pirate Roberts of the Pats.And then he becomes Shane Vereen and someone else becomes James White.
Not overly concerned about that if it happens but worth noting that both guys effectively redshirted their first year.And then he becomes Shane Vereen and someone else becomes James White.
Hmmm....Not overly concerned about that if it happens but worth noting that both guys effectively redshirted their first year.
That pass-catching back is a really complicated position in the Patriots offense. You have to know all the normal running back stuff, all the pass protection schemes, and all the routes, concepts, and nuances that wide receivers do. It's no wonder Vereen and White redshirted.Not overly concerned about that if it happens but worth noting that both guys effectively redshirted their first year.
This is more for the TB to TB thread, but I get a chuckle out of reading that the Bucs can just grab a passing back in the middle rounds of the draft. Like it's that easy.That pass-catching back is a really complicated position in the Patriots offense. You have to know all the normal running back stuff, all the pass protection schemes, and all the routes, concepts, and nuances that wide receivers do. It's no wonder Vereen and White redshirted.
If they want to draft a White replacement, the time is now.
Pats trading Burkhead to TB makes some sense for both sides, I think. Though we would just be a White injury away from the return of Brandon Bolden, pass-catching RB.This is more for the TB to TB thread, but I get a chuckle out of reading that the Bucs can just grab a passing back in the middle rounds of the draft. Like it's that easy.
Bolden is faster too :: ducks with you ::Pats trading Burkhead to TB makes some sense for both sides, I think. Though we would just be a White injury away from the return of Brandon Bolden, pass-catching RB.
Though to be fair, Bolden did have more receiving yards than N'Keal Harry last year. ::ducks::
Yeah, that was the point I was making. It can be replaced but it’s also overly optimistic to think you can just draft a 4th round guy in 2021 and be all set for that season. I hope they bring White back on a short deal.That pass-catching back is a really complicated position in the Patriots offense. You have to know all the normal running back stuff, all the pass protection schemes, and all the routes, concepts, and nuances that wide receivers do. It's no wonder Vereen and White redshirted.
If they want to draft a White replacement, the time is now.
I like Bolden. Solid receiver, and a decent runner when given the chance. Great at special teams. Solid player to have on the team - very useful guy. Not good enough, obviously, to be an every-down back in the league, but he's very capable as a backup.Bolden is faster too :: ducks with you ::
Well played. (I’ll most likely kill you in the morning.)It’s like the Dread Pirate Roberts of the Pats.
How he handles this draft could also provide some insight on how long BB plans to stick around.BB has always played on a pick in the future is worth less to a team than a pick today, so he traded current picks for greater value the following year. This seems like a year to double down on this even more, given that the time value of the pick is much smaller with a potential shortened, or non-existent season. So, will we see BB trading the current picks for a boatload next year? Trade a three and a seven for a 2 next year. A four and a five for a 2 in 2021? I suspect a number of GMs will still be tempted to get their guy this year, minimizing that their guy may not play this year.
Between trading some of our vets for value, I could see this as the year to essentially punt. How BB might do this would be fun to watch.
That's true, but he's usually had a pretty solid roster and prioritized filling the few holes with veterans in anticipation of (yet another) deep playoff run.BB has always played on a pick in the future is worth less to a team than a pick today, so he traded current picks for greater value the following year. This seems like a year to double down on this even more, given that the time value of the pick is much smaller with a potential shortened, or non-existent season. So, will we see BB trading the current picks for a boatload next year? Trade a three and a seven for a 2 next year. A four and a five for a 2 in 2021? I suspect a number of GMs will still be tempted to get their guy this year, minimizing that their guy may not play this year.
Between trading some of our vets for value, I could see this as the year to essentially punt. How BB might do this would be fun to watch.
It would certainly be an interesting strategy to see, but a potential 2021 draft after a shortened or non-existent college football season would require a lot of guesswork and could result in a class of rookies who are less ready than normal to play professional football having missed a year of experience. In a vacuum, I think I'd rather have more rookies this year getting a season "in the room" than more rookies later who hadn't played at all in almost 2 years.BB has always played on a pick in the future is worth less to a team than a pick today, so he traded current picks for greater value the following year. This seems like a year to double down on this even more, given that the time value of the pick is much smaller with a potential shortened, or non-existent season. So, will we see BB trading the current picks for a boatload next year? Trade a three and a seven for a 2 next year. A four and a five for a 2 in 2021? I suspect a number of GMs will still be tempted to get their guy this year, minimizing that their guy may not play this year.
Between trading some of our vets for value, I could see this as the year to essentially punt. How BB might do this would be fun to watch.
An interesting theory, but I think there are some arguments against that strategy.BB has always played on a pick in the future is worth less to a team than a pick today, so he traded current picks for greater value the following year. This seems like a year to double down on this even more, given that the time value of the pick is much smaller with a potential shortened, or non-existent season. So, will we see BB trading the current picks for a boatload next year? Trade a three and a seven for a 2 next year. A four and a five for a 2 in 2021? I suspect a number of GMs will still be tempted to get their guy this year, minimizing that their guy may not play this year.
Between trading some of our vets for value, I could see this as the year to essentially punt. How BB might do this would be fun to watch.
No one has been more wrong than Jason LaCanforaWhile OJ Howard was not a part of the Gronk trade, I'm told there remains a diatinct possibility he ends up in New England. That is hardly the only option for him but it is very much alive
View: https://twitter.com/jasonlacanfora/status/1252957276224266240?s=21
This is a really interesting discussion. I am starting to talk myself into the idea of instead of punting the 2020 draft, punt the 2021 draft. Trade all major assets in 2021 for better picks in 2020 and just load up. Hell trade 23 + 2021 1st to move up if you believe in Tua.An interesting theory, but I think there are some arguments against that strategy.
1. This is actually generally considered a class that is both deep and good, so accumulating picks in the middle rounds might bring good value
2. If the NFL season is short or canceled it means college season is even shorter or canceled, and drafting kids who have just taken a full year off without the kind of training opportunities that pros have is going to be a disaster.
Pats might have their eye on someone in draft and if that doesn't happen for them, they turn to Howard for a year.No one has been more wrong than Jason LaCanfora
No one has been more wrong than Jason LaCanfora
https://www.espn.com/blog/tampa-bay-buccaneers/post/_/id/23634/tom-brady-lures-rob-gronkowski-showing-bucs-all-in-to-win-hometown-super-bowlWhat if Gronkowski plays only a year, yet the Bucs part ways with O.J. Howard, the 19th overall draft pick in 2017? Has Arians completely given up on him? No roster move has been made, but it's hard to imagine keeping him, Gronkowski and Cam Brate, who restructured his deal earlier this offseason. Not when those resources could be used elsewhere.
Though general manager Jason Licht said at the NFL combine, "We have plans for O.J. being in our offense this year," the Bucs have listened and will continue to listen to offers.
A source told ESPN that the Bucs were in discussions to trade Howard two months ago to the Washington Redskins in exchange for offensive tackle Trent Williams, but talks fell through. The Bucs have until May 5 to determine if they'll pick up the fifth-year option on Howard's contract for 2021.
In 2nd/3rd Miami has #39, #56, and #70.So I was “spitballin’,” as I said in the mock draft, when I mentioned a trade with New England for Joe Thuney.
And then a source, who obviously read the mock, texted that it was given consideration by the Dolphins. No, not after they read it in the newspaper, which would be so amusing.
The idea of signing Thuney is something the Dolphins actually wanted to do before free agency. And when Thuney was franchised by the Patriots in March, the possibility of trading for him was also discussed.
If they decide to trade Thuney, the return for him should face more scrutiny than the Gronk deal. They don't have to trade him, so they don't have to cut baitIn 2nd/3rd Miami has #39, #56, and #70.
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article242192911.html
Flip side is he is on a 1 year contract for $15M. He'll be a UFA next year so the acquiring team could in theory franchise him again but that would cost them even more in 2021. So his value is limited. Personally I'd be happy with a late 2nd or early 3rd (in the 60s). That said my preferred outcome is a 4-5 year deal.If they decide to trade Thuney, the return for him should face more scrutiny than the Gronk deal. They don't have to trade him, so they don't have to cut bait
I'm not fluent on this, but couldn't the Patriots franchise him again? Price goes up, though, right?Flip side is he is on a 1 year contract for $15M. He'll be a UFA next year so the acquiring team could in theory franchise him again but that would cost them even more in 2021. So his value is limited. Personally I'd be happy with a late 2nd or early 3rd (in the 60s). That said my preferred outcome is a 4-5 year deal.
Yeah see my edit - they'd end up paying him like $32-33M for 2 years. Super super pricey for a guard.I'm not fluent on this, but couldn't the Patriots franchise him again? Price goes up, though, right?
You are correct. But I don't see how they can move forward with 2 big money deals at the guard spots. Any deal with Thuney is going to start with more guaranteed money than the 2 franchise years.If they decide to trade Thuney, the return for him should face more scrutiny than the Gronk deal. They don't have to trade him, so they don't have to cut bait
Agreed. I like Thuney but Mason got the contract. We generally haven’t had many issues filling interior OL. I’d be ecstatic for a 2. Would be fine with a 3rd.You are correct. But I don't see how they can move forward with 2 big money deals at the guard spots. Any deal with Thuney is going to start with more guaranteed money than the 2 franchise years.
Yep, that's why it seems inevitableYou are correct. But I don't see how they can move forward with 2 big money deals at the guard spots. Any deal with Thuney is going to start with more guaranteed money than the 2 franchise years.
Maybe they should trade Mason instead.Agreed. I like Thuney but Mason got the contract. We generally haven’t had many issues filling interior OL. I’d be ecstatic for a 2. Would be fine with a 3rd.
Mason might have plateau'd, he's had ankle issues and he has the big deal. You're not getting nearly as much for him as you would for a guy who ascended to All-Pro statusMaybe they should trade Mason instead.
Yeah. Thuney is the guy to go and we’d just have to hope that 2019 was simply a down year for Mason. I may be a fanboy but I’ll be ok with however we settle this as long as Thuney isn’t traded for like a 4th or something.Mason might have plateau'd, he's had ankle issues and he has the big deal. You're not getting nearly as much for him as you would for a guy who ascended to All-Pro status
Only way that would make sense is a post-June 1 trade as that would save almost $6 million.Maybe they should trade Mason instead.