1%er

You make a very good point.

I see him as are big 3-4 DE who shades Wilfork on the side of the Rush OLB/DE and DT in the sub packages where we were forced to use undersized players like Cunningam, Francis and Bequette this year.

I think next year we will have more redefined roles with the development of Jones and Hightower.

mayoclinic

But I also see him as a 4-3 LDE opposite Jones. Remember, the Pats pursued 323# Red Bryant last year, who plays 4-3 LDE for Seattle, before signing Jonathan Fanene. I don't think that Armstead is limited to playing outside in 3-4 schemes only. Look at JJ Watt, who played mostly 4-3 DE in college, or Cam Jordan, who played in a 3-4 scheme in college but a 4-3 scheme in the pros. Think about how the Pats were rumored to be looking at using Fanene this year before his injuries led to his being cut. They will be "multiple". If you bulk a guy like Armstead up you may get a very good DT, but you also probably limit his ability to be used in multiple schemes. I'm not sure that's in the team's best interest.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

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BelichickFan

Armstead gets $655k guaranteed - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

"Armstead's pact is a three-year deal, with base salaries of $405,000 in 2013, $495,000 in 2014, $585,000 in 2015.

The entire $405,000 base salary in 2013 is guaranteed, while $250,000 of the base salary in 2014 is guaranteed."

Walpole Pats Fan

Found this from the National Football Post written in July 2011 when he was still under the radar a bit and had more questions about his abilities...

Third player listed...
NFP Scouting Series: Southern Cal | National Football Post

FourierSeries

Oddly enough, I live in Toronto but don't follow the CFL. I remember the city going crazy when Toronto won the Greg Cup though.

Anyways, hopefully this will be a solid addition.

mayoclinic

This is really great news. First, the team has Armstead's rights for 3 years. Second, they have him at very low cost. Third, they've invested enough in him to show that they have some confidence that he will be a part of the team.

From my point of view, Armstead "completes" the Jonathan Fanene deal, at minimal additional cost. If the Pats can somehow recoup any of Fanene's money (unlikely), that may pay for Armstead, so that the "dead money" tied up in Fanene would actually go towards the position which Fanene was intended to fill.

The Armstead signing is also indicative of how BB is constanting "churning" the roster to fill a positional need. If one player doesn't work out, he tries again. Look at how he kept doing it with the TEs until he hit big time with Gronk and Hernandez. He tried to get Bryant, then he tried with Fanene. Now he's trying with Armstead, who may or may not be the answer, but who is young, and with a lot of upside, at a very reasonable investment. Good risk/reward move that could pay big time dividends if the kid works out. And if he does work out, the Pats could just possibly be set up for the long term with bookend end players in Jones and Armstead, depending on how they develop and position him.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

ausbacker

If and I say a big if Armstead works out, the Patriots defensive line is one beast tackle away from being excellent in a 4 man front. This also depends on whether or not you plan on playing Rob Ninkovich.

Armstead <insert tackle> Wilfork Jones

There's still a need to upgrade tackle IMO. The pocket needs to be collapsed straight back into the QB's face in this day and age.

ATippett56

That deal is nothing short of highway robbery. I fully expected that a team would at least offer a contract equivalent to a late first/early second round draft selection.

Ras-I Dowling's contract comes to mind.

Ras-I Dowling

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mayoclinic

That was what I expected too, or at least something between what Dowling got and what Tavon Wilson got. I was shocked at how cheaply they got Armstead. But they have his rights for 3 years, and most importantly, for peanuts during the next 2 years when the cap is flat. That's brilliant. If he works out, in 2 years they can renegotiate a long term deal.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

ATippett56

What's with all the negativity towards Ninkovich?

Left to right as viewed from a defensive prospective:

Ninkovich - Wilfork - Armstead - Jones

Now, if Myron Pryor could ever stay healthy and contribute as a third down interior pass rusher.

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