NFL: News and transactions

jsinger121

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Jul 25, 2005
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Kenny Golloday signs a 4 year 72 million contract. Max of 76 million with 40 million guaranteed.
 

DeadlySplitter

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Oct 20, 2015
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So we can stop saying Bill mismanaged the WR market now?

I'm not saying he did amazing, but he was never paying Golladay that much. I think Agholor is a better fit than Samuel for NE, especially if Edelman is healthy - that's the only gripe I think one could have here. (please stop having anticlutch drops Nelson!). I think a receiver flyer in the draft wouldn't be shocking.
 

67YAZ

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Kyle Fuller reunites with Vic Fangio, 1 year at $9.5m in Denver.

Bears replace Fuller with Desmond Trufant, 1 year but not seeing any salary numbers.

Also rumors that Hicks would like to get back into Fangio’s schemes, but with Golladay off to New York, the Bears aren’t pressing to make a deal.
 

BaseballJones

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https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2021-nfl-free-agency-grades-browns-buccaneers-jets-vikings-among-smart-deal-makers/

Colts' Kenny Moore calls his four months with the Patriots depressing and 'robotic'
Moore says there's nothing fun about playing football in New England

Bill Belichick has established himself as one of the best NFL coaches of all time. He has more Super Bowl wins than any other coach with six, and more Super Bowl appearances and playoff wins as well. "The Patriot Way" is a term that has been thrown around when attempting to describe the kind of atmosphere Belichick has fostered in Foxborough, and with how serious its leader is, one could imagine that environment is built on discipline, focus and hard work. That "Patriot Way" is not for everyone, however.

During a recent interview with Tyler Dunne of "Go Long" Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore described his four months with the New England Patriots as a low point in his life. If you don't recall, Moore was actually picked up by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State in 2017, but didn't make the final roster.

"The longest four months of my life," Moore said when discussing his time in New England. "I thought I was done with football. My mental capacity and my mental space? I was just maxed out."

Moore described the atmosphere in New England as militaristic -- so much so that he wanted to quit. He said he butted heads with his position coach in Josh Boyer, which only added to his unhappiness. If this is what it was like playing with one of the best teams in the NFL, could it only get worse with another club?

"That was one of the low spots of my life," Moore said, "because that's really when I felt like, 'I'm probably not built for the league.' And having that feeling of, 'You're not good enough,' that's a bad feeling. You feel like you don't belong. I lost all of my joy and passion. I didn't even want to play football. I didn't want to go to work anymore.
- - -

Why in the world is a gripe session by a guy who spent FOUR MONTHS with the Patriots worthy of an entire article, especially at a time when free agents are *flocking* to New England, even taking lesser money in some cases to go there?
 

BuellMiller

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Mar 25, 2015
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https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2021-nfl-free-agency-grades-browns-buccaneers-jets-vikings-among-smart-deal-makers/

Colts' Kenny Moore calls his four months with the Patriots depressing and 'robotic'
Moore says there's nothing fun about playing football in New England

Bill Belichick has established himself as one of the best NFL coaches of all time. He has more Super Bowl wins than any other coach with six, and more Super Bowl appearances and playoff wins as well. "The Patriot Way" is a term that has been thrown around when attempting to describe the kind of atmosphere Belichick has fostered in Foxborough, and with how serious its leader is, one could imagine that environment is built on discipline, focus and hard work. That "Patriot Way" is not for everyone, however.

During a recent interview with Tyler Dunne of "Go Long" Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore described his four months with the New England Patriots as a low point in his life. If you don't recall, Moore was actually picked up by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State in 2017, but didn't make the final roster.

"The longest four months of my life," Moore said when discussing his time in New England. "I thought I was done with football. My mental capacity and my mental space? I was just maxed out."

Moore described the atmosphere in New England as militaristic -- so much so that he wanted to quit. He said he butted heads with his position coach in Josh Boyer, which only added to his unhappiness. If this is what it was like playing with one of the best teams in the NFL, could it only get worse with another club?

"That was one of the low spots of my life," Moore said, "because that's really when I felt like, 'I'm probably not built for the league.' And having that feeling of, 'You're not good enough,' that's a bad feeling. You feel like you don't belong. I lost all of my joy and passion. I didn't even want to play football. I didn't want to go to work anymore.
- - -

Why in the world is a gripe session by a guy who spent FOUR MONTHS with the Patriots worthy of an entire article, especially at a time when free agents are *flocking* to New England, even taking lesser money in some cases to go there?
<Pedro Martinez> Kenny Moore? Who is Kenny Moore ?</Pedro>
 

tims4wins

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Jul 15, 2005
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But check out the Tavon Wilson quote, it's really good

Possibly, safety Tavon Wilson put it best. He played for the Patriots from 2012-15 and was Moore’s Colts teammate last season. The two talked about life in New England often.

“The NFL is a production-based so when you go to New England, they just want to work and want to win,” Wilson says. “My first two years, I didn’t understand it. But my third year, once I got comfortable and all that, New England is literally one of the most fun places to be. I’m not bullshitting you. The locker room is off the charts. You will not find a better locker room than New England. Because everybody ‘hates Bill,’ supposedly, but realistically everybody respects what he’s doing and he expects everybody to do their job.

“The older I got, the more I understood: If you do your part, he doesn’t give a f--- what else you do. But as a younger player? They are on you.”
 

SeoulSoxFan

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I saw that on Yahoo and chuckled, thinking to myself, "I have literally never heard of this guy."
I think he had a good training camp once?

I'm not that bothered, either. His personality didn't mesh with what BB has in store. Some, like Brown, is exactly what they needed. Eh, happens.

What bothered me were players like Adalius Thomas and his comments after being late to practice—established big-money players who chirp how they aren't being respected.
 

johnmd20

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I think he had a good training camp once?

I'm not that bothered, either. His personality didn't mesh with what BB has in store. Some, like Brown, is exactly what they needed. Eh, happens.

What bothered me were players like Adalius Thomas and his comments after being late to practice—established big-money players who chirp how they aren't being respected.
I am not bothered either, it's just funny. The content machine must be fed and they fed it with a guy nobody has ever heard of, who didn't make the team, talking about stuff that is four years old.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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I am not bothered either, it's just funny. The content machine must be fed and they fed it with a guy nobody has ever heard of, who didn't make the team, talking about stuff that is four years old.
Exactly. I think the media as a whole is missing the big bad cheatin' Patriots. By amplifying this small local story, it feels like the well's dry for a lot of them.

I also enjoyed PFF's Sam Munson calling the Pats FA moves "desperate" but eh, what's new.
 

BigSoxFan

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Exactly. I think the media as a whole is missing the big bad cheatin' Patriots. By amplifying this small local story, it feels like the well's dry for a lot of them.

I also enjoyed PFF's Sam Munson calling the Pats FA moves "desperate" but eh, what's new.
That's the funny part of all this.

Last Year: "These Patriots don't scare you. They just don't have the talent"

[Patriots upgrade talent significantly in free agency]

Now: "Woah....woah....look at how crazily these guys are spending!"

Like, were the Patriots supposed to fill their extensive needs at QB, TE, WR, LB, DL, S, etc. with 3 top 100 picks or something and low budget FAs?
 

DJnVa

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I also enjoyed PFF's Sam Munson calling the Pats FA moves "desperate" but eh, what's new.
This is just dumb. How do you defend that? The Patriots were LAST in the NFL in TE production the last 2 years and signed the 2 best free agent TEs, who are complementary players and did not overpay them.

That's just a dumb, dumb take.
 

Gunfighter 09

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This is just dumb. How do you defend that? The Patriots were LAST in the NFL in TE production the last 2 years and signed the 2 best free agent TEs, who are complementary players and did not overpay them.

That's just a dumb, dumb take.

What?

Smith and Henry are the 3rd & 4th best tight ends in the league? They are worth twice what Darren Waller gets paid, or 50+% more than Gronk? Because that is how they are being paid in terms of AAV on these contracts.

They deserve the most guaranteed money of any TE's in the league, more than Kelsey, Kittle or Waller, all of whom are miles better than them?

There are 3 tight ends in the league worth what the Pats paid Henry and Smith, and they are Kelsey, Kittle & Waller.

They will probably be good additions to the Pats offense. But they are overpaid, that is what happens when you buy the top of the market in the early days of FA. Bill got his guys, but he overpaid several of them relative to their position.
 

Average Game James

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What?

Smith and Henry are the 3rd & 4th best tight ends in the league? They are worth twice what Darren Waller gets paid, or 50+% more than Gronk? Because that is how they are being paid in terms of AAV on these contracts.

They deserve the most guaranteed money of any TE's in the league, more than Kelsey, Kittle or Waller, all of whom are miles better than them?

There are 3 tight ends in the league worth what the Pats paid Henry and Smith, and they are Kelsey, Kittle & Waller.

They will probably be good additions to the Pats offense. But they are overpaid, that is what happens when you buy the top of the market in the early days of FA. Bill got his guys, but he overpaid several of them relative to their position.
The Pats certainly didn't get bargains on Smith and Henry, but the only contract you're comping them to that was signed by a true UFA is Gronk and even that is a unique case as it seems he only wants to go year to year and only wants to play with Brady. Kelce and Kittle both signed extensions before they reached FA and were certainly hindered in negotiations by the threat of the franchise tag (number for TEs only $11 million, so teams could have franchised them two consecutive years for only $24 million). Waller will end up being one of the great bargain contracts in the league, but don't forget he signed that extension 5 games into the 2019 season - to that point, he had a grand total of 55 catches for 537 yards and 2 TDs across his 3+ years in the NFL and was headed to RFA. The Austin Hooper contract is probably the best comp for Hunter and Smith - he got 4 years/$42 million with $23 million guaranteed. Smith and Henry are both better players and got paid a bit more. Not steals, but reasonable contracts in the context of the market.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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Sure, but the quote was 2 best FREE AGENT TE, not the 2 best TEs in the league.

Paying top dollars is just pay-to-play for going after the players you want, before someone else jumps in.

The contracts are really for 2 years and although above "market value", I think they are fair compensations for shoring up arguably the weakest position on the team.

I also think there's value added for signing players who aren't 30+ in FA.
 

Super Nomario

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Sure, but the quote was 2 best FREE AGENT TE, not the 2 best TEs in the league.

Paying top dollars is just pay-to-play for going after the players you want, before someone else jumps in.

The contracts are really for 2 years and although above "market value", I think they are fair compensations for shoring up arguably the weakest position on the team.

I also think there's value added for signing players who aren't 30+ in FA.
Henry's is, though there's still $5 MM dead Y3. Smith's isn't, with almost $14 MM in dead money if they cut him Y3.

I don't think either deal is outrageous. Neither is a bargain though. I would say there is not much chance either player outperforms his contract.
 

DJnVa

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What?

Smith and Henry are the 3rd & 4th best tight ends in the league? They are worth twice what Darren Waller gets paid, or 50+% more than Gronk? Because that is how they are being paid in terms of AAV on these contracts.
I said best 2 FREE AGENT TEs. And every single offseason, the price goes up. The cap hits for this year are relatively miniscule. And I would rather have either of them on their current deal, than Gronk on a 1 year deal.

But all that aside--to go from NO PRODUCTION to this---that's not desperate.
 
Last edited:
Apr 24, 2019
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Agree that that Kenny Moore story is undeniably stupid clickbait B.S., but I couldn't help thinking that maybe an undrafted FA joining a team with historic success and a pretty good veteran core doesn't want to find himself "butting heads" with his position coach or anyone else on the staff. Head down, shut up, do your job.
 

JM3

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Kenny Moore has turned into a pretty nice success story - has started a bunch of games for the Colts over the past 3 years; had 4 interceptions, a TD & 80 tackles last year; signed a 4/$33m/$9m with the Colts in the 2019 off-season which seems like a good bargain for them, etc. That's not bad for a 5'9 undrafted guy.

He may not have enjoyed his time with the Patriots, but he almost certainly benefited from it, & of course is entitled to his opinion. The work isn't going to be for everyone & is part of the coaches' jobs to see who it is for.
 

pappymojo

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I think it's hard to judge Belichick for paying to acquire free agents from other teams by comparing those contracts with contracts that other players took to stay with their existing teams.

Just as we applaud Belichick when Andrews turns down bigger deals to stay with the Patriots, we have to understand that other players may do this with their team.

Specifically, I am referring to the comparison with the Waller contract. This is a guy who was suspended for a full year while with the Eagles, but who seems to have found a healthy spot with the Raiders.
 

snowmanny

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Yeah don’t free agents going to other teams generally get paid at the top of their market? Where’s the shocker in that story?
 

JM3

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Having an easily tradeable contract isn't exactly a benefit to Mariota over being able to choose his own team (if there was a market for his services). It's just another benefit to the Raiders.
 

Gunfighter 09

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Gruden sucks at many things. He is damn good with Quarterbacks and MM has had a year to observe this fact.

So.....hey.... you guys willing to offer a second round pick for a QB much better than anyone on your roster right now?
 

Ferm Sheller

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Butler's such a great story. The Pats plucked him out of a Popeye's Fried Chicken and he's made a nice career for himself.
 

nighthob

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I am not bothered either, it's just funny. The content machine must be fed and they fed it with a guy nobody has ever heard of, who didn't make the team, talking about stuff that is four years old.
The best part was how upset he was by the oganizational focus on winning.
 

DourDoerr

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Butler was one case in which the talk of training camp actually held water. I remember him being mentioned as a standout throughout his first camp. As we know, he excelled for a time as a starter which isn’t the usual arc. Does he still have Brady’s truck?
 

BigSoxFan

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Butler was one case in which the talk of training camp actually held water. I remember him being mentioned as a standout throughout his first camp. As we know, he excelled for a time as a starter which isn’t the usual arc. Does he still have Brady’s truck?
Brady should give him a new truck every year.
 

JM3

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I hope there are some fun stipulations on that 2022 1st like the Eagles get the better of the Dolphins or 49ers pick unless it's top 3 or something.