Looks like Pats are going to get CB Gilmore from the Bills.
Probably the end of the Logan Ryan Era.
Probably the end of the Logan Ryan Era.
2017 Patriots FA & Trades Thread
- Thread starter RedOctober3829
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Ian RapoportVerified account @RapSheet 30s30 seconds ago
The #Patriots are closing in on signing free agent CB Stephon Gilmore, source said. Means they will say bye to Logan Ryan.
The #Patriots are closing in on signing free agent CB Stephon Gilmore, source said. Means they will say bye to Logan Ryan.
Regarding Gilmore -- I'd love that addition for you guys. Would be difficult to find younger, more talented CB duo in the league.
Ed Werner reporting that Hightower is in the $10-$13m range right now
I'd love to see him back in the 12mm range.
I'd love to see him back in the 12mm range.
Curious if the Patriots would kick the tires on Burkhead to fill the RB opening created by LGB. He seems like a very Patriots-esque type player, although his skillset may overlap a bit too much with what we currently have,
I like Barwin a lot in that role. But Long was coming off 2 signficiantly worse years than Barwin is (12 sacks vs 4). I bet he still is looking for a decent money deal, rather than a "prove it" type.
Just watched Cooks highlights.
I'd seen him play a bit, but man is he fast. He reminds me a bit of early-years Branch, but quicker.
But here's what I don't get: you'd have Edelman, Gronk, Allen, Mitchell, Hogan, Amendola, Cooks. Someone is the odd-man out.
Is it Gronk, with the idea being they'll move to more 4-WR sets and sign a power runner (like Adrian Peterson)?
I'd seen him play a bit, but man is he fast. He reminds me a bit of early-years Branch, but quicker.
But here's what I don't get: you'd have Edelman, Gronk, Allen, Mitchell, Hogan, Amendola, Cooks. Someone is the odd-man out.
Is it Gronk, with the idea being they'll move to more 4-WR sets and sign a power runner (like Adrian Peterson)?
From ESPN's Mike Triplett:
On the surface, a potential trade of WR Brandin Cooks for Patriots CB Malcolm Butler would make a ton of sense for the Saints. They're willing to sacrifice an offensive skill position player to improve the defense -- and Butler is another young, very talented player who would fill one of their biggest needs. The only drawback would be contract issues, since Butler is already a restricted free agent who will command top cornerback money. Cooks has one cheap year left on his rookie deal, then a team option for about $8-8.5 million in 2018.
On the surface, a potential trade of WR Brandin Cooks for Patriots CB Malcolm Butler would make a ton of sense for the Saints. They're willing to sacrifice an offensive skill position player to improve the defense -- and Butler is another young, very talented player who would fill one of their biggest needs. The only drawback would be contract issues, since Butler is already a restricted free agent who will command top cornerback money. Cooks has one cheap year left on his rookie deal, then a team option for about $8-8.5 million in 2018.
Amendola will be cut at his present cap number. Mitchell has a history of knee issues and Edelman has the foot issues as well as the number of hits he has taken over the years. I believe Cooks would upgrade the group and give them more depth and act as a buttress against Edelman going down.
Anyone else get the impression that the Cooks smoke is simply to distract from something else going on? it is very unlike the Patriots to pull the trigger on a deal like this that has been bandied about so publicly.
I still think they end up with Desean
I still think they end up with Desean
Chris BurkeVerified account @ChrisBurke_SI 2h2 hours ago
Trading with Belichick has to be as comforting as forming an alliance in Westeros.
Trading with Belichick has to be as comforting as forming an alliance in Westeros.
Saw that -- I don't buy it. Sure, he has a track record of turning 4th round picks into quality (Marty) or HOF-caliber (Moss) receivers. But Belichick isn't in the business of making trade partners look bad, much less friends like Payton.
Want no part of Desean ...
The only thing I'm worried about at this point is an overpay. Like, Butler plus #32 for Cooks. Tennessee can offer the higher pick, but not the quality of player to go along with it. So the only way I see the Pats beating what Tenn can offer is both Butler AND a pick.Ian RapoportVerified account @RapSheet
The belief is that the #Saints will be able to trade away WR Brandin Cooks by this afternoon. #Patriots, #Titans remain in the mix.
Unless Tenn is considering the "other" McCourty and their pick. In which case, it would come down to whether NO would rather have the lower 1st but the better player, or the higher 1st and the lesser, but still solid, player.
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I wonder what is going on with the Alan Branch negotiations. With Calais Campbell reportedly getting 13 to 14 millions a year can we still be hopeful he comes back for 5 to 6?
Ditto. These threads are tough to follow when all of the actual news is Unsupported Media.
Setting aside the fact that he's arguably the best TE ever, and whatever caveat people want to fret about re his back, it's worth noting that Gronk is on a REALLY favorable contract for the Patriots. Plus, the guy they just traded for, Allen, has had a bit of a time staying healthy consistently. Gronk, imo, is NOT getting traded. Why would the FO even reasonably consider it?
Getting value in the form of another player than can consistently play through a full season?
I've said it once, and I'll say it again: it doesn't matter how good a player is or how cheap they are or how much fun they are to watch party if they can't consistently - and more importantly, reliably - produce for your football team. You could have God on your roster, but if God is injury prone because of the way DBs have to approach tackling him, God doesn't matter all that much come your playoff run.
I realize Gronk himself isn't at fault for this, but it is what it is and his frequent trips to IR don't make his contract all that friendly if they're not consistently producing on-field results.
Ideal scenario: extend Butler, trade JG, get Cooks for picks, sign Verner, sign HT, sign Gillislee for a fifth, draft DE, LB, and TE. All doable.
I agree with this,that's my ideal too, but I'm worried the Butler thing won't happen, and I'm doubtful about Dont'a too.
Love all of this except Verner--as has been discussed elsewhere, his play has badly fallen off.
Adam SchefterVerified account @AdamSchefter 2m2 minutes ago
Free Agency Countdown starts at 2 pm on WatchESPN.
Free Agency Countdown starts at 2 pm on WatchESPN.
If Butler can be franchised after this season, would he take a 2 year deal for slightly more than the RFA-1st + Tag next year, with the agreement not to tag him at the end of it? He gets his money more evenly spread out then.
The countdown to the Countdown
My dream: sign DH, sign Gillislie for 5th., trade JG for 12+33, trade 32 or 33 for Cooks, Butler signs then extends,
Draft DE/OLB, DT, OL, ILB, QB, in that order. Maybe a flier late for someone to compete with Lengel.
Undrafted signee to camp Butler v 2.0
I think this is a "it's better to be a year early than late" move.
They have one reciever under 28.
Edelman is going to fall off a cliff sooner rather than later.
Gronk we know his history.
They sure as hell haven't had the best results when drafting speed recievers.
They had no one who could create seperation vs the Falcons until they were gassed.
One key point is that Gronk's 2017 contract is what it is; the Pats don't save very much at all (maybe $1M) if he's traded due to the bonus acceleration.
The other issue is that Gronk is a risk, so I don't think the trade market for him will be all that great. Not sure a 5th round pick is all that compelling; better to take chances with Gronk for another season.