2014 FA: Building 19 Opened for Bizzness

[Reardon's Beard]

Sucks that Peppers didn't come but without Wilfork being cut there is no way Peppers comes here. That being said let's get Jared Allen NOW!

 
Agreed. Get Allen and figure out Wilfork later if need be - you can always cut him without a restructure or extension, as brutal as it might be you can make the numbers work.
 
Full press on Allen. Sell him on joining the best D in the AFC and, with his addition, one that will challenge Seattle.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Jared Allen won't be signing for anything less than what Julius Peppers got.  As much as I want him, I'm not sure it's the best way to use the remaining money they have. 

 

[Reardon's Beard]

Jared Allen won't be signing for anything less than what Julius Peppers got.  As much as I want him, I'm not sure it's the best way to use the remaining money they have. 

 
Any budget solutions?

 

[RedOctober3829]

 
Any budget solutions?

Would necessitate a Wilfork cut and I don't want to cut him unless it's the last option.  As said before, you could extend out DMC, Ghost, and a few others to free up some money. 

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

 
Any budget solutions?

Maybe Shaun Phillips.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

Maybe Shaun Phillips.

 
Any indication he's close to signing with anyone else? Also what kind of scratch he'd be going for - it would be poetic justice to swipe one of Denver's defensive players.

 

[Jungleland]

Do we know Browner's cap hit yet? Right now it looks like:
 
10.4 million - Browner's hit 
 
Potential to cut/restructure Wilfork, extend McCourty and Ghost
 
If Browner's hit this year is 13/17 of his average annual salary that would be about 4.3 million. Wilfork would save 7.58. That would put the space at roughly 13.68 million dollars to sign a draft class, Edelman, and potentially another impact player on either line. Doable?

 

[RIrooter09]

Would necessitate a Wilfork cut and I don't want to cut him unless it's the last option.  As said before, you could extend out DMC, Ghost, and a few others to free up some money.

You don't think the cap space is more valuable than Wilfork at this point? Who knows what he'll look like coming back from an Achilles. Kelly, Siliga, and a draft pick should be sufficient to fill that position ahead of Jones and Vellano. Armstead should hopefully be ready to contribute as well.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

 
Any indication he's close to signing with anyone else? Also what kind of scratch he'd be going for - it would be poetic justice to swipe one of Denver's defensive players.

I haven't heard anything on him. I wouldn't be surprised if he's available in the 1/4 or 2/8 range but that's just a total guess.

 

[RedOctober3829]

You don't think the cap space is more valuable than Wilfork at this point? Who knows what he'll look like coming back from an Achilles. Kelly, Siliga, and a draft pick should be sufficient to fill that position ahead of Jones and Vellano. Armstead should hopefully be ready to contribute as well.

I understand completely w/r/t cap space.  But, he's a great locker room guy and he'll still play at a level where he'll be better than Siliga.  I want Siliga to be a rotation guy and not have to be counted on to play a ton of snaps.  Cutting Vince should be the last possible option. 

 

[Ed Hillel]

That is a crazy amount of money for Peppers at this stage, even if it's essentially a one-year deal. If that's the market, draft a couple of pure pass-rushers (which Bill finally has the luxury to do) and use the money elsewhere.

 

[bankshot1]

Other than Clowney, who's a highly regard pass-rusher coming out this year, that might be available at #29?

 

[RedOctober3829]

In a conference call with reporters late Friday, Smith said he was on the phone with New England coach Bill Belichick while on the way to Baltimore.
“I had spoken to Coach Belichick personally when I was at the airport on my way to Baltimore,” Smith told reporters. “We had a conversation that indicated that they were very interested in me. And I was also open to going there as well, but I really felt like after sitting here that (Baltimore) is the place that I felt would best fit me, and they convinced me that I would fit in here very well.”
 

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2014/03/15/patriots-were-close-on-wide-receiver-steve-smith/

 

[lambeau]

Peppers and Ware got $30 M--so that's what Allen will want. The guarantees were 7.5 M and 20 M so best case maybe Allen would take $12 M guaranteed.
Jerry Jones has to be going after him--the fans are not happy.

 

[RIrooter09]

Jared Allen will turn 32 in April so I think he still has a couple elite or semi-elite years left. I'd have no problem giving him a similar contract as Ware/Peppers, even if it requires a Wilfork release. The name of the game in 2014 is getting to the QB and a 3 man rotation of Allen/Jones/Ninkovich would be the best thing we've had since McGinest/Seymour at creating pressure. And now that the secondary is full of playmakers, I think it'd give the Pats the potential of having a dominating top 5 defense that would be able to slow down Manning enough to win.

Agreed. I would hate for this secondary to be wasted because we still have problems getting pressure. Sign Allen and a WR, fill out the rest via the draft.

 

[Devizier]

Anthony Spencer is also available. He may not be as "sexy" as Allen, but he's younger and possibly better going forward. That said, he has a lot of interest around the league and I think he'll get a larger-ish contract. Then you have Robert Ayers and Shaun Phillips. Building 19 types. I'm thinking that the draft might be the way to go here.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Would the Pats be ok paying someone that kind of money purely as a pass rusher for, I don't know, 60% of the snaps? Would Allen be willing to play 60% of the snaps? I just think the situation presents itself much better for a rookie or a vet making more reasonable money. I thought Peppers may have been the latter, but Green Bay apparently doesn't think so. Maybe BB will surprise me and sign Allen, but I just don't see it.

 

[Jungleland]

Given that their cap hits are likely to be similar I think signing Allen over retaining Vince is a no brainer. If Vince comes around on the pay cut, however, and the equation becomes Vince and Edelman vs Allen alone, or even Vince, Edelman, Phillips, the answer isn't so clear. Ultimately of every free agent left on the market and everyone likely to be available at pick 29, Jared Allen is probably going to give you production harder to find anywhere else. (While sad to think about, my first reaction to RedOctober's post above, for example, was an almost complete lack of confidence in post achilles injury Vince outperforming Siliga.) Whether that means he's worth breaking the bank for is the question. He feels like the last missing piece to the pass defense and I'm not sure that's just the fantasy football talking. I do fully agree with Ed it's unlikely to happen.

 

[bankshot1]

The Wilfork situation has to be resolved before the Pats commit a big chunk of their cap to what could be a situational pass-rusher.

 

[Devizier]

Would the Pats be ok paying someone that kind of money purely as a pass rusher for, I don't know, 50% of the snaps? Would Allen be willing to play 50% of the snaps? I just think the situation presents itself much better for a rookie or a vet making more reasonable money for the opening. I thought Peppers may have been the latter, but Green Bay apparently doesn't think so. Maybe BB will surprise me and sign Allen, but I just don't see it.

 
Given the contract Tuck got, I think he might have been the best candidate for that role, especially because he has shown the ability to move inside and out on the line. But the guy got a smallish, short-term contract from one of the league's worst teams after being "disrespected" by the Giants, which tells me that he may be d-o-n-e. Same goes for Lamar Woodley for that matter, because ex-Steelers tend to be horrible when they're let go.

 

[rodderick]

brandon spikes ‏@BrandonSpikes55  4m
Free at last, free at last. I thank God I’m free at last. Free at last, Free at last !!!!!! #LetsGetIt #PoWwWwW

 
What a douche.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I'm trying to think of the best way to describe that tweet, but I can't come up with anything. "Wow" may do it.

 

[mascho]

 
What a douche.

 
Enjoy going 4-12, Brandon.  

 

[lars10]

 
What a douche.

or clueless...I mean he's going to Buffalo.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

He's a good run stuffer, sure, but I bet Blount could run him the fuck over.

 

[Otis Foster]

Free at last.....to do what, precisely?

Good luck to Doug riding herd on this guy.

 

[ShaneTrot]

Apparently he never bought into the whole 'do your job' approach.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

Given the relatively low $$$, maybe Spikes meant that HE is "free" at last.

 

[mascho]

Is there some RapShit parody Twitter account out there?  My mom just texted me all excited about the Pats trading for Julio Jones according to Rapoport.  Can't find anything on that.  Anyone else?

 

[Ed Hillel]

Enjoy that Buffalo weather, Brandon.

Given his apparent racial angst, he should enjoy the diversity as well.

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

People here are overstating the "problems" with the pass rush. They were top 10 in sacks (5) and adjusted sack rate (8) last year. It's just not the weakness it has been in the recent past.

Moreover, I see no scenario in which a greatly improved secondary doesn't make the pass rush more effective. We've seen teams in the recent past play effective pass defense with an elite Dline and weak secondary (NYG) or a weak (pass rushing) Dline and a great secondary (09/10 Jets). With an elite secondary and an above average d-line, I don't think the pass rush will be an issue. Not just because rushers will have more time to get to the QB (i.e. the "coverage" sack) but also because excellent coverage allows more room for risk taking with blitzing.

 

[rodderick]

Is there some RapShit parody Twitter account out there?  My mom just texted me all excited about the Pats trading for Julio Jones according to Rapoport.  Can't find anything on that.  Anyone else?

 
Yeah, it's @Rapsheeet, with three "e"s.

 

[Toe Nash]

People here are overstating the "problems" with the pass rush. They were top 10 in sacks (5) and adjusted sack rate (8) last year. It's just not the weakness it has been in the recent past.

Moreover, I see no scenario in which a greatly improved secondary doesn't make the pass rush more effective. We've seen teams in the recent past play effective pass defense with an elite Dline and weak secondary (NYG) or a weak (pass rushing) Dline and a great secondary (09/10 Jets). With an elite secondary and an above average d-line, I don't think the pass rush will be an issue. Not just because rushers will have more time to get to the QB (i.e. the "coverage" sack) but also because excellent coverage allows more room for risk taking with blitzing.

Agree with this totally. I also think that against guys like Manning (or heck, maybe just against Manning -- he's still the main competition) that if his first read is open, he gets rid of the ball so fast that the pass rush doesn't matter. As we saw in the SB, if that guy is blanketed or can't get off the line freely, then Manning had to wait and only then did the rush have a chance to get there. Denver only allowed 20 sacks in the regular season (with the second-most pass attempts) but I don't think it was because they have an elite line and it certainly wasn't because Peyton is good at escaping tackles -- it's because Manning reads who's going to be open and gets the ball away (and is great at reading blitzes as well).
 
Certainly there are 17 other games to worry about, but if you want to get past Denver, you should focus IMO on covering / disrupting receivers rather than getting to Peyton.

 

[Reverend]

Is there some RapShit parody Twitter account out there?  My mom just texted me all excited about the Pats trading for Julio Jones according to Rapoport.  Can't find anything on that.  Anyone else?

 
https://twitter.com/paxton/status/444612256613945344
 







User Actions
  Follow

Paxton Boyd‏@paxton

Patriots add CBs Revis and Brandon Browner, reportedly in talks with the Falcons to add Julio Jones? Mercy.

 

•  Reply 
•  Retweet 
•  Favorite 
• 
  
   More
  
  

 

 
 

• RETWEETS5
• 

7:13 PM - 14 Mar 2014







Tweet text

Reply to @paxton

 

Dismiss
Image will appear as a link

1. 
   
   
   young sir ‏@TravisBounsy  26m
   “@paxton: Patriots add CBs Revis and Brandon Browner, reportedly in talks with the Falcons to add Julio Jones? Mercy.” This isn't real
   
   •  Reply 
   •  Retweet 
   •  Favorite 
   • 
     
      More
     
     
   Details
   
   
   

 

[Reverend]

I don't know how to embed tweets correctly.

 

[Reverend]

 
Yeah, it's @Rapsheeet, with three "e"s.

 

Ian Rapoport @RapSheeet

Yes, I am the fake Ian Rapoport. No, none of the news I tweet is real. Yes, you fell for it.

 

[mascho]

Rev, you calling my mom a dummy?

 

[Phragle]

Is there some RapShit parody Twitter account out there?  My mom just texted me all excited about the Pats trading for Julio Jones according to Rapoport.  Can't find anything on that.  Anyone else?

 
Julio Jones? Never going to happen.

 

[SMU_Sox]

You'd have to have pictures of Arthur Blank shopping at Lowes for that to happen. Anyone?

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

People here are overstating the "problems" with the pass rush. They were top 10 in sacks (5) and adjusted sack rate (8) last year. It's just not the weakness it has been in the recent past.

Moreover, I see no scenario in which a greatly improved secondary doesn't make the pass rush more effective. We've seen teams in the recent past play effective pass defense with an elite Dline and weak secondary (NYG) or a weak (pass rushing) Dline and a great secondary (09/10 Jets). With an elite secondary and an above average d-line, I don't think the pass rush will be an issue. Not just because rushers will have more time to get to the QB (i.e. the "coverage" sack) but also because excellent coverage allows more room for risk taking with blitzing.

 
It would still be nice to have somebody who can give Jones and Nink a breather every once in a while.

 

[E5 Yaz]

I don't know how to embed tweets correctly.

 
Y'think?

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Is there some RapShit parody Twitter account out there?  My mom just texted me all excited about the Pats trading for Julio Jones according to Rapoport.  Can't find anything on that.  Anyone else?

@rapsheeet got me this am too. Texted phragle at 7am fully erect

 

[E5 Yaz]

 
Julio Jones? Never going to happen.

 
Why would Atlanta want Mallett?

 

[slamminsammya]

People here are overstating the "problems" with the pass rush. They were top 10 in sacks (5) and adjusted sack rate (8) last year. It's just not the weakness it has been in the recent past.

 
Where are you getting these numbers from? I see different numbers on footballoutsiders.com .

 

[Super Nomario]

People here are overstating the "problems" with the pass rush. They were top 10 in sacks (5) and adjusted sack rate (8) last year. It's just not the weakness it has been in the recent past.

They did a pretty good job converting pressure into sacks, but the pressure wasn't there consistently. PFF ranked them 31st in pass rush. Greg Bedard, who did his own count of pressures, disruptions, and hits for MMQB, ranked the Pats 20th in his "Pressure Points" stat. That fits with what my eyes told me
 

Moreover, I see no scenario in which a greatly improved secondary doesn't make the pass rush more effective. We've seen teams in the recent past play effective pass defense with an elite Dline and weak secondary (NYG) or a weak (pass rushing) Dline and a great secondary (09/10 Jets). With an elite secondary and an above average d-line, I don't think the pass rush will be an issue. Not just because rushers will have more time to get to the QB (i.e. the "coverage" sack) but also because excellent coverage allows more room for risk taking with blitzing.

I agree that the improved secondary will help the pass rush, but I also see the pass rush as one of the major areas they need to improve this offseason - both depth at the edge and someone who can get pressure up the middle.

 

[dbn]

Brandon Spikes to the Bills.
 
John Wawrow ‏@john_wawrow 23m
Person familiar with talks has confirmed to AP that LB Brandon Spikes has agreed to deal with #Bills.

 
Clearly a move to counter the Pats' signing of Clarett.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I agree that the improved secondary will help the pass rush, but I also see the pass rush as one of the major areas they need to improve this offseason - both depth at the edge and someone who can get pressure up the middle.

 
With the additions of Revis, Browner, and the return of Mayo, I think there's a very good chance we'll see significantly more of that from the combination of Collins and Mayo. Plus you have Kelly coming back and possibly the presence of Zombie Armstead. I certainly wouldn't mind addressing both edge and inside in the draft, but I think that high motor pass-rusher on the outside is really the last piece to the puzzle.

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

 
Where are you getting these numbers from? I see different numbers on footballoutsiders.com .

Look at the blue numbers. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl

 

[j44thor]

Jared Allen will turn 32 in April so I think he still has a couple elite or semi-elite years left. I'd have no problem giving him a similar contract as Ware/Peppers, even if it requires a Wilfork release. The name of the game in 2014 is getting to the QB and a 3 man rotation of Allen/Jones/Ninkovich would be the best thing we've had since McGinest/Seymour at creating pressure. And now that the secondary is full of playmakers, I think it'd give the Pats the potential of having a dominating top 5 defense that would be able to slow down Manning enough to win.

Allen wasn't elite last year no way he is anything more than a situational rusher at this point, definitely better ways to use the money

 

[j44thor]

I wonder if the browner signing was fine at least in part to allow Collins to blitz more next season, I believe his comp at the combine was ware