The 1st day of the new League Year is March 15th at 4 pm.There's over a month from the Super Bowl to FA? Or is that February?
The 1st day of the new League Year is March 15th at 4 pm.There's over a month from the Super Bowl to FA? Or is that February?
I think where we disagree is in assessing how bad things are. They were terrible yesterday, no doubt, but Solder is a pretty important piece of this line. I'm also perhaps the only member of the Tre Jackson fan club (although Rick Trickett seems to be one) but he was out and he was generally the starting RG from day 1 of camp although he did compete with Kline for time, so you're down one solid starter and one guy who might be a starter. Kline and Vollmer both had fairly serious seeming injuries late in the season and neither have played particularly well since coming back; my suspicion is that both were playing injured and it affected their quality of play.I agree that they value continuity and that they would like to build the line in the way you describe, but there's a limit to the value placed on continuity versus talent and financial considerations - they jettisoned Mankins, Devey earlier this year, played three rookie interior OL over Chris Barker (who had two years in the system), and picked LaAdrian Waddle off the scrap heap and played him at LT over Cam Fleming after just two weeks. There are points where talent and / or finances trump continuity, and I think we've reached a point where the group they have has failed and they have little choice but to go outside the organization.
I agree they might do something like this, but this isn't a fix for 2016. Maybe they foresee enough growth from the kids to stand pat, but that seems pretty risky to me.
Well I included Andrews or Stork in there as well, to address another huge need for Arizona.Doubt 1yr of Chandler Jones nets you a first rd pick but would one year of Chandler Jones net you one year of Michael Floyd? That might be a great trade for both teams. AZ still has Fitz, John Brown, Jerome Brown and JJ Nelson who is basically a John Brown clone. Michael Floyd is exactly the type of outside the #'s physical receiver this team needs.
Player for player trades are extremely rare but this might be one that actually makes sense.
Belichick always said that Randy Moss was one of the smartest players he ever coached, in addition to being a world-class athlete. I'm guessing those kinds of receivers are in very short supply.Is Floyd that much better than Lafell? He's better, but LaFell (who was hurt for most of this year) isn't that bad. He's not that good either, though.I too want the Patriots to address the WR position, but I don't know enough about Michael Floyd to know if he would be a good fit on offense. Does his skill set really mesh with Brady's?
I know everyone wants the 07 stretch the field kind of offense, but i'm not sure that player is out there. If the Pats think he is, I would like them to go for it.
I think the OL has been pretty bad all season and it has only intermittently bit them because Brady's so quick getting the ball out. They built up a huge lead all the way back in Week 2 but still didn't even attempt to run the ball because they had no faith they could do so - and that's when Solder was healthy (though Stork was out). Opposing defenses don't have to respect their ability to run the ball at all. Any game where Brady was able to get the ball out in less than 2 seconds, the protection held up, but that doesn't mean the protection was good. McDaniels had to scheme around the offensive line's deficiencies all season, and he eventually ran out of options.I think where we disagree is in assessing how bad things are. They were terrible yesterday, no doubt, but Solder is a pretty important piece of this line. I'm also perhaps the only member of the Tre Jackson fan club (although Rick Trickett seems to be one) but he was out and he was generally the starting RG from day 1 of camp although he did compete with Kline for time, so you're down one solid starter and one guy who might be a starter. Kline and Vollmer both had fairly serious seeming injuries late in the season and neither have played particularly well since coming back; my suspicion is that both were playing injured and it affected their quality of play.
My hope and belief is that Mason-Stork-Jackson are all good enough (and young enough) that with another year they'll be a pretty decent interior line and that yesterday was just a terrible day at the office for a young, banged up line playing on the road at altitude against a great defensive line.
I certainly agree that if BB doesn't see Solder-Mason-Stork-Jackson-Vollmer and co as a promising line for next season he'll do something to fix it even if it is doing something a little out of character and hitting free agency.
Wouldn't this be the offseason to spend more for a top-flight OL that most fits their scheme?I think the OL has been pretty bad all season and it has only intermittently bit them because Brady's so quick getting the ball out. They built up a huge lead all the way back in Week 2 but still didn't even attempt to run the ball because they had no faith they could do so - and that's when Solder was healthy (though Stork was out). Opposing defenses don't have to respect their ability to run the ball at all. Any game where Brady was able to get the ball out in less than 2 seconds, the protection held up, but that doesn't mean the protection was good. McDaniels had to scheme around the offensive line's deficiencies all season, and he eventually ran out of options.
Yea. I think there are very few players they'd bring in for big money. Here are your UFA free agents this year (http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/wide-receiver/).Belichick always said that Randy Moss was one of the smartest players he ever coached, in addition to being a world-class athlete. I'm guessing those kinds of receivers are in very short supply.
I agree. They weren't a good line this season. The plan appeared to be to have Mason/Jackson play through some growing pains and hopefully have everything jell by the end of the season and that didn't happen for a variety of reasons. The key question is whether one of the reasons the line was so shitty yesterday is because you're playing guys who realistically aren't good enough to be part of an above average--or even average- o line. My thought is that there's enough young talent on the interior that you build on that but who the hell knows. We'll have a pretty good idea about what Belichick thinks by the start of day 3 of the draft.I think the OL has been pretty bad all season and it has only intermittently bit them because Brady's so quick getting the ball out. They built up a huge lead all the way back in Week 2 but still didn't even attempt to run the ball because they had no faith they could do so - and that's when Solder was healthy (though Stork was out). Opposing defenses don't have to respect their ability to run the ball at all. Any game where Brady was able to get the ball out in less than 2 seconds, the protection held up, but that doesn't mean the protection was good. McDaniels had to scheme around the offensive line's deficiencies all season, and he eventually ran out of options.
Perhaps coincidentally, JJ was arrested last night for assaulting two women in a Foxboro bar. OK it probably isn't a coincidence.Jeff Howe @jeffphowe 10m10 minutes ago
Montee Ball and J.J. Worton were the only 2 practice squadders who didn't get future contracts from the Pats today.
Pretty sure this was just discussed on the previous page.Very stupid question, but could the Pats technically trade to get a first round pick or are the not allowed to pick in the first and fourth round regardless?
Thanks to the Commish's ad hoc jurisprudence, I believe the Pats would be able to use the lower pick in these rounds, meaning if they traded for the 18th pick in the first round, they would surrender that 18th pick back to the NFL in exchange for the return of their {swindled} original 29th slot.Very stupid question, but could the Pats technically trade to get a first round pick or are the not allowed to pick in the first and fourth round regardless?
Or by the end of today.I agree. They weren't a good line this season. The plan appeared to be to have Mason/Jackson play through some growing pains and hopefully have everything jell by the end of the season and that didn't happen for a variety of reasons. The key question is whether one of the reasons the line was so shitty yesterday is because you're playing guys who realistically aren't good enough to be part of an above average--or even average- o line. My thought is that there's enough young talent on the interior that you build on that but who the hell knows. We'll have a pretty good idea about what Belichick thinks by the start of day 3 of the draft.
It certainly makes it seem like BB thinks the guys have more talent than they demonstrated this year, doesn't it?Or by the end of today.
Well, you said someone like Sanu at low cost, so it's not like they'd be shopping at or near the top of the market.Do they want to bring in another a rrelatively low upside guy like Rishard Matthews or Jermaine Kearse? Maybe a guy like Mohammad Sanu could provide some solid impact at a relatively low cost; he's definitely stretched the field for Cincinnati. But it's never been like the Pats to shop at or near the top of the WR market.
Yea that was confusing. I meant more like "at the top of the market in a given free agent year". I'd expect Sanu to be one of the more coveted available WR's this season, and its not like the Pats to get into bidding wars for mid-level players. I do think he could be a very solid addition, Lafell with the ability to at least try to catch the ball deep.Well, you said someone like Sanu at low cost, so it's not like they'd be shopping at or near the top of the market.
Guys I'd like to know more about on that list: Kearse, Sanu, Jeffery, Inman.
They took that kind of leap of faith with the cornerback group this year, jettisoning pretty much everybody and handing Butler and Ryan (and later Coleman) major players with limited experience. That was more of a projection to a larger role - Butler and Ryan had shown flashes but were buried behind vets - whereas the young OL played a lot and were pretty bad. At CB, they also signed cheapish veterans like Brown, Fletcher, and McClair who could give them a defined floor. I could see that approach - maybe as simple as re-signing Wendell and maybe a guy like Waddle or Donald Thomas.I agree. They weren't a good line this season. The plan appeared to be to have Mason/Jackson play through some growing pains and hopefully have everything jell by the end of the season and that didn't happen for a variety of reasons. The key question is whether one of the reasons the line was so shitty yesterday is because you're playing guys who realistically aren't good enough to be part of an above average--or even average- o line. My thought is that there's enough young talent on the interior that you build on that but who the hell knows. We'll have a pretty good idea about what Belichick thinks by the start of day 3 of the draft.
On paper, Boone is perfect - he's a pretty good guard who also has experience at tackle. He might be expensive, though, and he's been known to criticize his coaches and teammates to the media - a big BB no-no.Alex Boone, G, San Fran
I'm confused as to why we'd be looking at safeties at all - McCourty is one of the best players on the team, Chung has been good in the SS role and is still under contract, Harmon's a capable third guy, and they just took Jordan Richards in the 2nd round.James Ihedigbo, S, Detroit
Reggie Nelson, S, Cincy
Chris Conte, S, TB
I don't have the specific wording to the penalty, but I don't think this was covered in it. In theory, this seems like one way to get around the penalty.Sorry if this has already been answered, but would the Patriots be allowed to trade for the rights to another teams 1st round selection after it has been made. As in, could they work out a trade beforehand, inform the other team who they want and then execute the trade after the other team picks.
He's going to be highly coveted in Ohio alone as the Bengals definitely want to keep him while Hue Jackson loves him. He's not coming off a big statistical year but I imagine his age and ability combined with the shallow WR market is going to get him paid.Marvin Jones might be interesting.
I think this was answered already, but I'll give my take why this wouldn't work.Sorry if this has already been answered, but would the Patriots be allowed to trade for the rights to another teams 1st round selection after it has been made. As in, could they work out a trade beforehand, inform the other team who they want and then execute the trade after the other team picks.
Yes. I don't imagine a coach gets fired because of one game. It's also not their style to punctuate a dismal performance by a next day in-your-face dismissal. Or to scapegoat. This has been brewing.It certainly makes it seem like BB thinks the guys have more talent than they demonstrated this year, doesn't it?
I love Tyms but he's squarely on the bubble. Here are two intriguing names on the FA list:
- Alshon Jeffrey: if you want someone to get those deep throws, here's your man.
I've seen a fair amount of Bears games because the ol' lady's from Chicago, and while I'm not great football mind, I'm not sure I agree with this assessment or the love for Forte. Jeffrey is tall with a big body, and as great as he is going deep, he's also very good at muscling his way to the sticks and using his frame to pick up first downs. He's not quite tight end big, but I think he'd be a great complement to Gronk as another large receiver with great hands and someone who can also stretch the field. Remember, whether Brady can hit him on every deep route or not, opposing defenses will still have to respect him going long.So we can watch Brady throw more deep picks? That's not his strong suit, and its never been. Even in 2007 it was more of a factor of Moss being able to reel in bad throws. Boldin would be a better choice IMO.
They need OL help obviously, and another WR who can get open quickly to replace LaFell, or still catch the ball when really not open (like Boldin).
His thinking is that they have most of roster all set and can easily make more cap room.That gets me all excited, and then I think, Expected by whom? And how the hell do they know? And since when do he he patriots reveal even a hint of their cards to anyone, let alone LaCanfora?
This has to be the most annoyingly written piece of journalism I've ever read.
Maybe it's aThat gets me all excited, and then I think, Expected by whom? And how the hell do they know? And since when do he he patriots reveal even a hint of their cards to anyone, let alone LaCanfora?
Yeah, I guess, but his unsourced, uncited claim that you can expect them to make a big move, or they are expected to, is super vague and sketchy. Hey, I hope he's right, I'm psyched! I'd love for them to do any number of things he quasi-alludes to. I'm just skeptical and feel like the article doesn't have a lot of meat on the bone, no matter how excited I was to read his assessment.His thinking is that they have most of roster all set and can easily make more cap room.
FixedA surprise roster move may be to KEEP Blount, who won't command much in the market. A 1-year, min. vet deal works for me.
Another would be to also KEEP LaFell, giving him a mulligan this year, but rework the deal to spread out the cap hit. We all know how difficult it is to find a veteran WR who can learn the system. LaFell was inconsistent year-to-year in Carolina, and 2016 could be more like 2014 for him.
Okung isnt going to be cheap nor is he likely willing to play RT when he can get paid more money to play LT (and do an average or above average job there)What about trading Vollmer and signing Russell Okung to play RT?
Then Okung could play LT and Solder move over to RT. I just want to upgrade the tackle position if in fact Vollmer has trade value.Okung isnt going to be cheap nor is he likely willing to play RT when he can get paid more money to play LT (and do an average or above average job there)
Keeping Blount if he would stay for the vet minimum wouldn't really seem like a surprising move to me.A surprise roster move may be to KEEP Blount, who won't command much in the market. A 1-year, min. vet deal works for me.
Another would be to also KEEP LaFell, giving him a mulligan this year, but rework the deal to spread out the cap hit. We all know how difficult it is to find a veteran WR who can learn the system. LaFell was inconsistent year-to-year in Detroit, and 2016 could be more like 2014 for him.
How much reworking can the Patriots do? He's being paid $2.5 million next year. They stand to save $1.5M if they cut him. That's basically Scott Chandler money. I'm skeptical that the Patriots can do better by cutting him. Reworking would make sense with Amendola.Keeping Blount if he would stay for the vet minimum wouldn't really seem like a surprising move to me.
LaFell has had one good 3/4 of a season. Not opposed to keeping him on a reworked deal necessarily, but he's more likely than not to be bad next year.