@Deadspin: Reports: LeSean McCoy is "not happy" about going to Buffalo, could hold out: http://t.co/F223lFBA5Z
2015 Offseason: Non-Revis Edition
- Thread starter SeoulSoxFan
- Start date
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 14s14 seconds ago
More #Saints news: They’ve informed veteran RB Pierre Thomas that they are releasing him, source says.
More #Saints news: They’ve informed veteran RB Pierre Thomas that they are releasing him, source says.
Corsi said:
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/573229775856091136"]14s14
link to tweet seconds ago[/url]
More #Saints news: Theyve informed veteran RB Pierre Thomas that they are releasing him, source says.
BB used to love him. Possible Vereen replacement.
Not to be the guy who says every FA could be a fit on the Patriots, but I think this shows that there are a decent number of "3rd down backs" on the market. Pierre Thomas is another guy who could probably offer a substantial portion of Vereen's skills at a lower price. (39+ catches 5 of the last 6 years, including 77 in '13.)
Don't know much about him as a blocker, or whether he lost a step this year.
Don't know much about him as a blocker, or whether he lost a step this year.
If I recall, Belichick tried to trade for Pierre Thomas a couple years ago.
edit: Yikes, 5 years ago
edit: Yikes, 5 years ago
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/04/the-saints-almost-traded-pierre-thomas-to-the-patriots/
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
I think Amendola's value has to be looked at in the context of his post-season contribution. Sure, it's a small sample, but it's also the sample that matters for assessing the guy who is basically the fourth option after Gronk & Edelman with Vereen as the standard short outlet.
There's been a lot of talk of late of how to assess QBs as they play against better defenses in the post-season. Well, this should be a big consideration of how we assess lesser receiving options too, as the team faces better defenses that force the QB to other receivers. This is especially critical for a team like the Patriots that expects to make the playoffs.
During the regular season, Amendola had 27 receptions on 42 targets (PFR) for 200 yards and 1 TD. In the postseason, he had 11 receptions on 16 targets for 137 yards and three touchdowns. As per the above lens, note that it was against the superior defenses that he got most of his production there: 5 of 6 for 81 yards and 2 TDs v. BAL and 5 of 7 for 48 and 1 TD v. SEA.
When the defenses got stiffer, the guy stepped up. He gave exactly what you want from a non-primary option receiver.
This is my argument for Vereen, too: he played more of a role against the better pass defenses. With Amendola, his contributions are inflated by the Edelman pass that essentially required no skill on his part. Take that away, and Amendola was fine, nothing special.There is no Rev said:
I don't see Johnson as a realistic option, but ideally they'd find someone better or at least cheaper than Amendola.
There is no Rev said:
I agree with this logic. I don't think Amendola is ideal and if he was a FA, then I'd be more willing to move on from him. But the reality is that he's under contract, we don't gain much by cutting him, and he does a pretty decent job providing what the offense needs out of his role, which is to play about 1/3 of the snaps in certain personnel packages, provide backup cover for both inside and outside receivers, and know the offense cold enough that if McDaniels comes up with specific game plans against tough defenses (especially in the playoffs, as you mention) that rest on exploiting that 4th option, he's going to be able to step up and make plays.
All that said, I think there's a decent chance that he's cut next year, when the calculus on him really shifts (cap savings go from $1.6M to $4.2M).
They save $4.5 MM by cutting him this offseason if they designate him a post-6/1 cut. His cap figure is $5.7 MM; I have a hard time believing he'll stay at that number.Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
Super Nomario said:
They save 4.5M against the cap for 2015 if they do that, but they kick the other 2.4M forward onto 2016. I can see them approaching him about a restructure but eating 3.6M in dead money isn't an ideal situation either, especially given the cost and uncertainty involved in replacing him.
Dead money is dead money - the $3.6 MM is a sunk cost, and they can spread it over one, two, or three years depending on what they do. But they don't have to pay Amendola his $4 MM salary and $500K roster bonus. Is Amendola a $4.5 MM player? I think they can use that money better.Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
Fair enough. He's definitely overpaid. There have been some bargains in the WR market in recent years (Sanders, LaFell) so I can see at least shopping for alternatives. I would not underestimate the importance of fit and comfort with Brady though. Given the number of cheap veteran WRs that have come to NE and never really made an impact or clicked with Brady, there is a bird in hand element at play.Super Nomario said:
Field Yates @FieldYates 6s7 seconds ago
Via his agent @RosenhausSports, former Cardinals DL Darnell Dockett has signed with the 49ers.
Via his agent @RosenhausSports, former Cardinals DL Darnell Dockett has signed with the 49ers.
Corsi said:
Yeah, I just wasn't seeing the huge market contracts for Vereen. The Super Bowl shine is probably starting to wear off for potential suitors.
Maybe Chip will give him a look if a Spiller deal doesn't work out.
Brad Biggs @BradBiggs 2m2 minutes ago
Sources: #Bears are exploring trade options for WR Brandon Marshall. http://trib.in/1DYNtAl
Sources: #Bears are exploring trade options for WR Brandon Marshall. http://trib.in/1DYNtAl
soxhop411 said:
I don't want to trade for him under his current contract but if he's released and the the price is right, or he wants a ring, I'd love to have him. I don't think he has fallen off much. He's certainly better than Andre Johnson.
Mary Kay Cabot @MaryKayCabot 11m11 minutes ago
The #Patriots are also interested in Brian Hartline. He's taking his physical right now w/ #Texans. #Browns still in the running.
The #Patriots are also interested in Brian Hartline. He's taking his physical right now w/ #Texans. #Browns still in the running.
I'm not sure fit and comfort with Brady is a point in Amendola's favor, given how unproductive he was on a per-snap basis. Maybe he wasn't physically right until the end of the season or something, but he was almost completely useless most of the year. Upthread some are suggesting that Vereen - a fair more productive receiver in 2014, and at a position where such receiving capability is fairly rare - is overpaid at $3.5 MM per year. I have trouble justifying $4.5 MM for Amendola.Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
If the reports are true and the Patriots are interested in Hartline, what's the possibility of Hartline coming in under that $4.5MM price tag of Amendola? It would make cutting DA much easier.Super Nomario said:
pappymojo said:
It is unlikey. I had thought he was a changed man, but I forgot he traveled to NY every week to film the Showtime thing. If winning isn't important to him he won't be here.
Super Nomario said:
There's a chance this is the case.
RedOctober3829 said:
Amendola and Hartline are pretty different receivers. Do you put Edelman in the slot more to accommodate Hartline?
Not surprising to hear Hartline wants the most money. More than a few whispers out of Miami said his ego completely changed once he got paid by the Dolphins.Corsi said:
RedOctober3829 said:
The guy got paid but he's only made around $14-15M in his career. I'm not crying poverty for him but that's only like 7-8M after taxes, which is a nice chunk of change but not exactly "I've set up my family for life" territory, especially given that he has probably blown a good bit on stupid shit, like most football players. This might be his last shot at a decent sized deal given that he'll be 29 in the fall, so maximizing dollars seems pretty reasonable.
If the Pats lose out on Revis, is there any chance they make a run on Suh? Obviously he wants to get paid, but as others have said, the Pats are willing to do so for truly elite talent. If we can't have an elite secondary, a consistent pass rush would be a nice consolation. Jones, Easley, Suh and Nink would be a pretty formidable d line.
sonofgodcf said:
And though I really don't like Suh and think he's a very dirty player, he'd then be *our* dirty player and he'd give the entire defense a huge edge of nastiness that would probably be beneficial. Him and Browner on the same defense would have some real attitude.
Honestly don't see how Hartline's skillset fits the Pats. He's the same receiver as Amendola, isn't he? No, I'm not saying that cause he's white, but he's a possession guy. I don't see a role for him on the team unless it's for low money and Amendola is cut.
Same for Marshall, really, except Marshall is significantly better at what he does.
Helu is interesting though. A far lesser known name that is essentially a cheaper Vereen.
Same for Marshall, really, except Marshall is significantly better at what he does.
Helu is interesting though. A far lesser known name that is essentially a cheaper Vereen.
They don't have nearly the amount of cap space to sign Suh plus address other needs. There is talk of $17 million per year and over $60 million guaranteed. The track record of team success after signing a player to that kind of contract is not good.ivanvamp said:
Doug Kyed@DougKyedNESNhttps://twitter.com/DougKyedNESN
It's funny how many people think Brian Hartline is a slot receiver.
It's funny how many people think Brian Hartline is a slot receiver.
Marshall has character issues, too. One case in which there seems to have been some genuine growth and rehabilitation, but still worth considering.