2022 Patriots free agency period

JokersWildJIMED

Blinded by Borges
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Oct 7, 2004
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In 2020 he averaged 17.3 yards per PUNT return. That’s a ridiculously huge number for a punt returner. He was unbelievably good that year returning punts. In the Super Bowl era, only one guy has ever had a better average than Gunner: Leodis McKelvin of the Bills in 2012 at 18.7.

So Gunner’s PR average in 2020 was better than anyone but one guy in the last 59 years in the NFL.

All pro “by default”? Dude was historically great that year.
Cmon. It’s a high average because he only returned 20 punts. Usual leaders return close to 40 punts a year. Some years it’s been over 50.
 

EL Jeffe

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Aug 30, 2006
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I just don't see Jakob Johnson as a big loss. At all. PFF grades are what they are, but they had him at a 62.1 last year, which was 6th of 6 for FBs who received grades. He gives you basically nothing in the passing game, and he's inconsistent as a lead blocker. There's a reason he signed dirt cheap in LV; he just isn't good.

NE is better off:
  • signing a pure, lead blocking FB like Ricard
  • going with an H-Back; Jonnu might actually be useful in that role
  • 1-back set
  • 2-back set with White & Harris/Mondre, and try to create passing game mismatches with White
 

Over Guapo Grande

panty merchant
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Nov 29, 2005
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I just don't see Jakob Johnson as a big loss. At all. PFF grades are what they are, but they had him at a 62.1 last year, which was 6th of 6 for FBs who received grades. He gives you basically nothing in the passing game, and he's inconsistent as a lead blocker. There's a reason he signed dirt cheap in LV; he just isn't good.

NE is better off:
  • signing a pure, lead blocking FB like Ricard
  • going with an H-Back; Jonnu might actually be useful in that role
  • 1-back set
  • 2-back set with White & Harris/Mondre, and try to create passing game mismatches with White
I floated, and love, the idea of Jonnu as an H-back. I think it would be easier to get the ball in his hands in that role.
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
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Jul 15, 2005
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Cmon. It’s a high average because he only returned 20 punts. Usual leaders return close to 40 punts a year. Some years it’s been over 50.
That doesn’t mean he was “ok”. He was phenomenal. He deserved to be first team all pro.
He had the most return yards in the league despite the 20 returns. The league leaders had 29-30 returns.

Also, he only played in 13 games.
 

JokersWildJIMED

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Oct 7, 2004
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That doesn’t mean he was “ok”. He was phenomenal. He deserved to be first team all pro.
Once again, I said he was “ok” last year, in 2021…good in 2020. Agree that he deserved all pro in 2020, even given small sample size as there was hardly anyone else even decent in 2020.
 

sezwho

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Jul 20, 2005
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I floated, and love, the idea of Jonnu as an H-back. I think it would be easier to get the ball in his hands in that role.
Agreed, he sure isn’t showing value as TE. BB has succes used this role, whether we’re talking Faulk, Byers, Hernandez, or even Kevin Turner. Side note: I get these players were not pure h back (except maybe AH) but having someone in The backfield that can be super flexible has brought real value to BB.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Jul 2, 2006
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2/4 is pretty small but how much of a priority can RB be given we have Harris, Stevenson, White, and Taylor?

The seeming lack of urgency to do anything about OL, off ball LB, and CB is a bit perplexing.
 

Mystic Merlin

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2/4 is pretty small but how much of a priority can RB be given we have Harris, Stevenson, White, and Taylor?

The seeming lack of urgency to do anything about OL, off ball LB, and CB is a bit perplexing.
I just think this was probably a guy with a much colder market than anyone of consequence still available at a more premium position, and there are fewer dollars to haggle over because of how low his deal’s value is. No reason not to sign him now if you’ve budgeted for it.

Montgomery has versatility at some spots now vacated by Bolden (RB, KR, special teams), while being able to play WR in a pinch.
 

Dogman

Yukon Cornelius
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Mar 19, 2004
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The team has signed a CB and traded for a LB so it isn't as if the team has done nothing. Moreover, FA just started and letting the market settle is never a bad thing. What's more, the team has limited space so there will be no big splashes. Sure, the team made moves quickly last year and those moves are shaking out to be great deals for the team given what we know of FA signings the last two days.

Patience.
 

Cellar-Door

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Aug 1, 2006
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I have to wonder what is going on with Collins.
No trade value for a guy who is arguably as good or better than Mason. Then teams that were rumored to have trade interest not touching him as a FA?
 

Rudy's Curve

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Jul 4, 2006
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I have to wonder what is going on with Collins.
No trade value for a guy who is arguably as good or better than Mason. Then teams that were rumored to have trade interest not touching him as a FA?
He lost his job last year - the Cowboy fans on the board can certainly speak better to what exactly happened. As for the process, it appears any potential suitors just called their bluff and weren't willing to give up a pick and pay him $10 million. All the dots now connect to the Bengals, as they've got a glaring need at RT and OL coach Frank Pollack was Collins' coach his first three years. If they pass on him given those things, I'd definitely start to wonder what's going on.
 

kelpapa

Costanza's Hero
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Feb 15, 2010
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2/4 is pretty small but how much of a priority can RB be given we have Harris, Stevenson, White, and Taylor?

The seeming lack of urgency to do anything about OL, off ball LB, and CB is a bit perplexing.
Harris and JJ are both free agents after this year. Granted, Montgomery might be cut after this year, but it's a low price to have a backup running back locked in for two years if they want him.
 

Cellar-Door

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Aug 1, 2006
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Yeah Montgomery is arguably a better version of Brandon Bolden. He can play some pass down, he can play STs, he can even move to WR at times.
Also, White may not be back for the beginning of the season and I saw nothing out of Harris or Stevenson that makes me think either is anywhere near the pass down back that Montgomery is at this point.
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
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Jul 15, 2005
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Isn't Montgomery the guy who fumbled the kick return down by 2 points with 2 minutes to play, thereby not giving Rodgers a chance at a game winning drive?
 

Rudy's Curve

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Isn't Montgomery the guy who fumbled the kick return down by 2 points with 2 minutes to play, thereby not giving Rodgers a chance at a game winning drive?
Yep - then Gurley somehow converted a third and 10 in easy FG range when the whole world knew they were running and fell down inside the 5. I didn't have the over that game or anything.
 
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Euclis20

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Aug 3, 2004
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I'm actually pretty happy for him. That's a really nice contract for 32 year old RB whose never been more than an occasional 3rd down back or special teamer. Ideally the Montgomery signing and White coming back means we don't miss Bolden at all.
 

Mooch

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Jul 15, 2005
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I'm actually pretty happy for him. That's a really nice contract for 32 year old RB whose never been more than an occasional 3rd down back or special teamer. Ideally the Montgomery signing and White coming back means we don't miss Bolden at all.
Agreed. Bolden had a nice year but he's the dictionary definition of a RB JAG.
 

ShaneTrot

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If you go to Sportrac, the Pats only have 27 players signed for 2023 for $86 million. That obviously does not include the 2022 draft class, they will have a lot of flexibility next year but will have needs all over the roster. One hilarious note is that if they picked up Harry's fifth-year option, his salary for 2023 would be $12,425,000 which would be 5.6% of their cap.
 

Mystic Merlin

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Sep 21, 2007
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Shit, Bucs are snapping up the just-released Logan Ryan. I expect he wanted to join one of the more talented teams in the league, but sucks that the Pats couldn’t add him to the corner room for depth purposes. I don’t know how much he has left in the tank, but the Pats need bodies.
 

BigSoxFan

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May 31, 2007
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Shit, Bucs are snapping up the just-released Logan Ryan. I expect he wanted to join one of the more talented teams in the league, but sucks that the Pats couldn’t add him to the corner room for depth purposes. I don’t know how much he has left in the tank, but the Pats need bodies.
Isn't he mostly a safety now anyways? Always liked him though and agree on the larger point. I am pretty uncomfortable with where the CB depth chart currently stands.
 

Dogman

Yukon Cornelius
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Mills, Jones, Williams, Mitchell, Bryant, Wade are the CBs for now. I suppose Duggar could be included in this group.

I'm guessing Bryant and Wade will not be here when the season starts.
 

Cellar-Door

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Aug 1, 2006
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Mills, Jones, Williams, Mitchell, Bryant, Wade are the CBs for now. I suppose Duggar could be included in this group.

I'm guessing Bryant and Wade will not be here when the season starts.
yeah none of those guys is worse than Logan Ryan at CB right now, he got moved from toast CB to below average S.

Not bad. I assumed they'd bring back one of Hightower/Bentley. Mixed in with more speed around them they could be good.
 

Van Everyman

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yeah none of those guys is worse than Logan Ryan at CB right now, he got moved from toast CB to below average S.



Not bad. I assumed they'd bring back one of Hightower/Bentley. Mixed in with more speed around them they could be good.
Yes. He seems to have a high FB IQ which I know Bill values. They still may bring back Hightower but I’d guess that is less likely now.
 

Mystic Merlin

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yeah none of those guys is worse than Logan Ryan at CB right now, he got moved from toast CB to below average S.



Not bad. I assumed they'd bring back one of Hightower/Bentley. Mixed in with more speed around them they could be good.
I didn’t realize Logan had collapsed so fully, that’s reassuring (if not for him). Hasty on my part - thanks for the insight.
 

GB5

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Aug 26, 2013
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Bill is not afraid to let go of guys he whiffed on, but I would be very surprised if Wade is not on this team this year. They sought him out in a trade and paid a reasonable draft pick for him. I think he sticks for at least the year.
 

BaseballJones

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Oct 1, 2015
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Bentley is pretty decent at what he does best. There's nothing wrong with that. But this doesn't solve the major LB issues, and obviously BB knows that. Still...it's a lot of snaps that they've got covered here with a decent player at a non-insane price.
 

Super Nomario

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Bill is not afraid to let go of guys he whiffed on, but I would be very surprised if Wade is not on this team this year. They sought him out in a trade and paid a reasonable draft pick for him. I think he sticks for at least the year.
He cost a 5th, they've cut 5th-rounders after one season plenty of times. Heck, they've cut 5ths during their rookie seasons.
 

Cellar-Door

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Bentley is pretty decent at what he does best. There's nothing wrong with that. But this doesn't solve the major LB issues, and obviously BB knows that. Still...it's a lot of snaps that they've got covered here with a decent player at a non-insane price.
yeah the problem with our LBs wasn't that each of them was bad, it was that they all had the same really bad weakness. You can scheme to let one big strong LB make tackles and not get stuck in coverage or speed mismatches... when all of your LBs are coverage and speed mismatches..... yeah.
 

chief1

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Aug 10, 2012
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Bill is not afraid to let go of guys he whiffed on, but I would be very surprised if Wade is not on this team this year. They sought him out in a trade and paid a reasonable draft pick for him. I think he sticks for at least the year.
They gave up TWO picks for him. A 5th and a 7th. They gave up more for Wade than they got in return for Mason.