Eliot Wolf is an interesting add. The Patriots don't usually add guys at that experience level who haven't been in the system, and Wolf has only worked in Green-Bay-type scouting systems, so it's a leap of faith on both sides. But probably six or seven teams have GMs that came up through GB / similar, so Wolf can give them a pulse on what those teams are doing.
Ron Wolf's son, right?Eliot Wolf is an interesting add. The Patriots don't usually add guys at that experience level who haven't been in the system, and Wolf has only worked in Green-Bay-type scouting systems, so it's a leap of faith on both sides. But probably six or seven teams have GMs that came up through GB / similar, so Wolf can give them a pulse on what those teams are doing.
Pet peeve: I strongly object to saying something as an absolute like must. They don't have to draft a WR or TE this year in the first 3 rounds. 4 reasons for why they actually shouldn't:The team definitely needs to get younger, so I’d be plenty happy with them drafting all the best available players in the 3rd. I’m no draft expert, but I feel like you still get pretty decent players in the 3rd. Minor caveat to the above is they MUST draft either a WR or TE (if not both) in the first three rounds, in my opinion.
I may sound defeatist, but I have watched so many drafted receivers come and fail that I wouldn’t Draft any given the current configuration of Brady and Bill.Should they draft someone who slips? Absolutely. But, I think they need one "high likelihood" impact WR they draft in the 3rd, and then take a chance on somebody on day 2 so that they have one in bag, with an upside of having two good receivers.
Zolak and Bertrand think the opposite. Zolak said he just texted someone from the team asking if that made things more or less likely for a Brady return. He was told "it's good for a Brady return"$14M for Thuney says to me that Brady ain't coming back unless something drastic happens.
Yeah, I don't think Zolak's thinking cap space when he says thatZolak and Bertrand think the opposite. Zolak said he just texted someone from the team asking if that made things more or less likely for a Brady return. He was told "it's good for a Brady return"
Not sure where they think they're gonna get cap space but maybe they're close to a long-term deal with Thuney, are gonna re-structure or cut some others.
well, he had texted someone with the team and that was their response.Yeah, I don't think Zolak's thinking cap space when he says that
I stopped reading after "thinking". I assume the rest is unnecessary.Yeah, I don't think Zolak's thinking cap space when he says that
THUNEY FOR HOPKINS!!!Thuney can still somewhat dictate where he goes though, right? He can't be traded until he signs the tender.
Hmm, maybe this is how they plan on filling the 2nd round draft hole. All three AFC East competitors were supposedly very much interested in signing him. He'll definitely have a good trade market.View: https://twitter.com/MikeGiardi/status/1239576762637520896
Giardi: Feeling around the league was that the #Patriots couldn't afford to keep Thuney. With the tag, he will be getting paid LT money. I'm skeptical that this is anything but a sign and trade situation so the team can get something of value for the player who their best OL last yr.
This is the brand of crazy talk that I can endorse!THUNEY FOR HOPKINS!!!
Big difference between signing him as a free agent and trading a top asset AND giving him a market setting contract.Hmm, maybe this is how they plan on filling the 2nd round draft hole. All three AFC East competitors were supposedly very much interested in signing him. He'll definitely have a good trade market.
Definitely. But he was always going to get a market-setting contract; this way a team can ensure they're the one who acquires him. This sort of scenario certainly plays itself out from time to time.Big difference between signing him as a free agent and trading a top asset AND giving him a market setting contract.
Getting AB's money off the books would be helpful. That's about $9M. Maybe they are confident that will happen soon?If we trust Miguel (PatsCap) then right now the Pats only have about $5.4M available and this DOES NOT include McCourty's contract.
Not by Wednesday. And they may be confident but unless it's a done deal I doubt they'd operate like it is.Getting AB's money off the books would be helpful. That's about $9M. Maybe they are confident that will happen soon?
Hmm, I thought that was the case. But they would get the space back if they rescind the tag.Thuney doesn’t count towards the cap until he signs
That is not correct.Thuney doesn’t count towards the cap until he signs
As I said in the other thread, I think that this may have been BB's plan all along. I agree with you here, that he's going to be focused and energized, and we're going to see him at his very best. I think the downgrade from the GOAT to Stidham (or whoever else it is) is going to be monumental, and the Pats may be in for a rough couple of years. But I expect them to turn back around and be very good relatively soon. Especially if he gets to draft near the top of each round for a couple of years. People tend to forget that when criticizing his drafting.Gotta think that BB is a bit energized by the challenge of losing Brady. It's still going to come out in a grumbly, perpetually-annoyed BB kinda way, with him saying the offense has tons to work on, but it's going to put his process-oriented approach to the test and will require him to pay attention to QB play and its trickle-down effects with a level of detail he hasn't needed for over a decade.
I wonder if BB (and Josh) are going to turn this offense into a completely new direction. Maybe following the trend set by QBs like Mahomes and Jackson. Bring back Michael Bishop!As I said in the other thread, I think that this may have been BB's plan all along. I agree with you here, that he's going to be focused and energized, and we're going to see him at his very best. I think the downgrade from the GOAT to Stidham (or whoever else it is) is going to be monumental, and the Pats may be in for a rough couple of years. But I expect them to turn back around and be very good relatively soon. Especially if he gets to draft near the top of each round for a couple of years. People tend to forget that when criticizing his drafting.
Seems somewhat moot for 2020 since they don't have much space. If Stidham plays well in 2020 they'll still be pretty attractive I would think.How attractive are the Pats as a FA destination now that Brady has moved on? Obviously not as attractive as they were, but how sizable a hit does the organization take in this context?
I’m not sure they’ve really had a notable advantage attracting FA. FA are generally looking for top dollar, and if other factors like team competitiveness come into play the Pats aren’t the only game in town (see: Chiefs, Eagles, Packers, Saints, Niners, etc.).How attractive are the Pats as a FA destination now that Brady has moved on? Obviously not as attractive as they were, but how sizable a hit does the organization take in this context?