Free agent splash? (rehashing the Julius Peppers rumor) - New England Patriots Forums

Shockt327 · 01-12-2010, 01:02 PM

Is there a free agent splash coming? The free agent market will be depleted because of the unavailability of fourth- and fifth-year pros, taking potential “splash’’ players such as Shawne Merriman, Barrett Ruud, Oshiomogho Atogwe, DeMeco Ryans, Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall, Darren Sproles, and Elvis Dumervil off the open market.

There’s one big fish to keep an eye on - Julius Peppers. Remember, the Patriots sniffed around Moss for quite some time before trading for him, so last year’s rumblings about Peppers could’ve been a precursor to a real run at him. Peppers is almost certain to become a free agent, since the Panthers would have to tender him an offer of more than $20 million to franchise him for a second straight year.

The other good news on the pass rusher front is the draft is expected to be stocked with edge players who can bring pressure. The Patriots have four selections in the first two rounds to address those problems and other potential holes, which, because of the barren free agent market, might have to be dealt with in the draft.

Puzzling status - The Boston Globe

Lack of a Pass Rush is this team's biggest concern. Peppers would help big time. Scheme-wise, I'd imagine he'd easily replace Banta-Cain's role on the D. Or more Tully to the other side.

duce110 · 01-12-2010, 01:05 PM

I wanted to start a thread on this but couldnt cause my numbers are not up there yet but i can see them goin after him this year...

upstater1 · 01-12-2010, 01:11 PM

About the draft:

Overload of underclassmen entering upcoming draft - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

There are a lot of pass rushers, whether big guys who can play DE in a 3-4 like Carlos Dunlap, or pass rushing specialists at OLB like Ricky Sapp. And then there are the guys who are versatile and can do it all at OLB like Eric Norwood. And then there are the ILB studs like Rolando McClain. The Patriots have 4 top picks but this tells me the Patriots should be accumulating extra draft picks. This draft has two first rounds in it because of the impending rookie cap.

If it means trading 2011 picks for 2010 picks a round later, then do it.

If it means trading down from 22 (unless Rolando McClain is there) then do it.

robertweathers · 01-12-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upstater1

About the draft:

Overload of underclassmen entering upcoming draft - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

There are a lot of pass rushers, whether big guys who can play DE in a 3-4 like Carlos Dunlap, or pass rushing specialists at OLB like Ricky Sapp. And then there are the guys who are versatile and can do it all at OLB like Eric Norwood. And then there are the ILB studs like Rolando McClain. The Patriots have 4 top picks but this tells me the Patriots should be accumulating extra draft picks. This draft has two first rounds in it because of the impending rookie cap.

If it means trading 2011 picks for 2010 picks a round later, then do it.

If it means trading down from 22 (unless Rolando McClain is there) then do it.

Agreed on landing a pass rusher and solid OLB. Maybe two of them. It's a must.

It'll be interesting to see what the Pats do with regards to the draft, possible rookie cap and a potential lockout. They need youth. They need speed. My hope is that they find some balance w/ the draft and ensuring that they are in a position to be competitive year in/year out. Time will tell.

***BelichickFan*** · 01-12-2010, 01:16 PM

As long as Peppers isn't one to shut it down after getting a big payday (I have no idea either way), I'd be happy it we moved some higher paid vets out to make room for Peppers. We can't go another year we a "pass rush" like that. We just can't. I don't care how we get one but we have to get one.

Patspsycho · 01-12-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockt327

Is there a free agent splash coming? The free agent market will be depleted because of the unavailability of fourth- and fifth-year pros, taking potential “splash’’ players such as Shawne Merriman, Barrett Ruud, Oshiomogho Atogwe, DeMeco Ryans, Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall, Darren Sproles, and Elvis Dumervil off the open market.

There’s one big fish to keep an eye on - Julius Peppers. Remember, the Patriots sniffed around Moss for quite some time before trading for him, so last year’s rumblings about Peppers could’ve been a precursor to a real run at him. Peppers is almost certain to become a free agent, since the Panthers would have to tender him an offer of more than $20 million to franchise him for a second straight year.

The other good news on the pass rusher front is the draft is expected to be stocked with edge players who can bring pressure. The Patriots have four selections in the first two rounds to address those problems and other potential holes, which, because of the barren free agent market, might have to be dealt with in the draft.

Puzzling status - The Boston Globe

Lack of a Pass Rush is this team's biggest concern. Peppers would help big time. Scheme-wise, I'd imagine he'd easily replace Banta-Cain's role on the D. Or more Tully to the other side.

Peppers is overrated, pass-rushing 3-4 OLB'ers are overrated in terms of blitzing and sacking.

Effective QB pressuring/sacking/blitzing comes from not knowing where it comes from. If you continually and predictably blitz from the 3-4 OLB position, teams will just scheme to neutralize that.

Most of our problems on defense has to do with the youngsters not being able to handle complex schemes or communicating effectively in terms of coverage handoffs.

robertweathers · 01-12-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patspsycho

Most of our problems on defense has to do with the youngsters not being able to handle complex schemes or communicating effectively in terms of coverage handoffs.

Yes but an equal amount of the teams problems can be attributed to lack of experience in their reads (communicating as a part of it) and talent. The talent level was just lower than it had been in recent years.

Shockt327 · 01-12-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patspsycho

Peppers is overrated, pass-rushing 3-4 OLB'ers are overrated in terms of blitzing and sacking.

Effective QB pressuring/sacking/blitzing comes from not knowing where it comes from. If you continually and predictably blitz from the 3-4 OLB position, teams will just scheme to neutralize that.

Most of our problems on defense has to do with the youngsters not being able to handle complex schemes or communicating effectively in terms of coverage handoffs.

The first part of your post is utterly ridiculous. The latter is speculation; you have no clue if communication is a problem on the Pats right now.

robertweathers · 01-12-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockt327

The first part of your post is utterly ridiculous. The latter is speculation; you have no clue if communication is a problem on the Pats right now.

Thats why I said reads and recognition. We saw multiple times how Mayo, Meriweather, Guyton and some of the younger players be exposed in busted coverage.

I gotta think that they were talking. They perhaps just misdiagnosed the play. Thats where veterans can help.

WhiZa · 01-12-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patspsycho

Peppers is overrated, pass-rushing 3-4 OLB'ers are overrated in terms of blitzing and sacking.

Effective QB pressuring/sacking/blitzing comes from not knowing where it comes from. If you continually and predictably blitz from the 3-4 OLB position, teams will just scheme to neutralize that.

Most of our problems on defense has to do with the youngsters not being able to handle complex schemes or communicating effectively in terms of coverage handoffs.

If Peppers is overrated, I'd hate to see what you think of our current OLBs. On the Pats Peppers would play 4-3 DE I would think. Just like Banta-Cain did. If they made the switch to 3-4 you could keep him at DE (like they did with Jarvis Green) or bring in someone else like Woods at OLB.