2011 Free Agency Thread

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

I think the baby is almost out....re: AdBrant this am on Opening Drive.

What kind of moves do you want to see our team make, it should be a fast and furious couple days.

Who will be let go? What areas need addressing? What are some big names that you'd like to see in a Patriots uni, other than S. Rice obviously...

I think we have some great core young talent, bring in some big name playmakers while #12 is in his prime.

Thank god football is close to being back...

[MoLewisrocks]

I think you and any fantasy type fans may be disappointed. As Real Pats tweeted yesterday time for fans to remember it's about teambuilding here and not talent collection.

I think the Patriots will be comparatively minor players in UFA for a lot of reasons. I think they may look at some value veterans who don't get the attention they anticipated in this compacted FA scenario or cuts other teams make to free up cap space, but I think they also will weigh long term value into the equation since most FA would struggle to contribute to this system at a high level in 2011 given the lack of an off season to assimilate. We have enough players signed already to field a team, many teams's do not and may be inclined to overpay due to cap space and cash cap requirements. I do expect BB probably has assembled quite a list of choice UDFA's to approach given the TC roster expansion to 90 as potential long term projects via the PS or even shadow PS roster (including IR).

I also doubt you see any cuts pre camp. We don't need to cap wise so those decisions will likely be made on an as needed basis. Bill likes his veterans, particularly those with experience in his system. You never really know how a player will perform within this system until you get him into your program, and the program won't be nearly what Bill prefers it to be this TC season.

[HomerSchooled]

Like basically everyone, I've come not to expect much, but I'll bite anyway. I've already expressed my interest in DE/OLB Jason Babin, but Shaun Ellis has been catching my eye lately, as well. 3-4 DEs have been much more BB's speed, and Ellis has been one of the better ones over the past ten years, maybe the next best behind Seymour. Very durable, and a consistent threat rushing the passer for his position (4 seasons with 8 or more sacks, twice as many as Seymour). Had 2 sacks against us in the Jets playoff game. Can't recall him running his mouth too much like some of his team mates. He's getting a little old, but he could prove a valuable veteran on maybe a 2-3 year deal. Some Jets fans are hoping to keep him at the veteran minimum, but I can't believe there's any way he'd take that. I'd happily offer him 4 million a year.

[IllegalContact]

I would like the pats to bring in one of the better OG's available to replace neal.

A WR is possible, but I would not expect one of the better ones......

that's about it

[Patriot 37]

Originally Posted by HomerSchooled

Like basically everyone, I've come not to expect much, but I'll bite anyway. I've already expressed my interest in DE/OLB Jason Babin, but Shaun Ellis has been catching my eye lately, as well. 3-4 DEs have been much more BB's speed, and Ellis has been one of the better ones over the past ten years, maybe the next best behind Seymour. Very durable, and a consistent threat rushing the passer for his position (4 seasons with 8 or more sacks, twice as many as Seymour). Had 2 sacks against us in the Jets playoff game. Can't recall him running his mouth too much like some of his team mates. He's getting a little old, but he could prove a valuable veteran on maybe a 2-3 year deal. Some Jets fans are hoping to keep him at the veteran minimum, but I can't believe there's any way he'd take that. I'd happily offer him 4 million a year.

No one is talking about Ellis, but he would be a great pick up for the reasons you listed. At the very least jack up the price for the Jets.

I think a lot top players are going to get offers from teams that ussually don't do much in FA.

A lot of teams (Arz, Jax, TB ect) are so far under the cap that to reach the minium spending level it seems they would have to hit the Free Agent market hard (I've heard reports that the Bucs are $60 million under the cap). These teams will be most likely going after younger players (like Edwards, Holmes and Cro) So the Pats will probably in the mix for the 2nd tier and older players.

[Urgent]

On free agents in general this year:
There is a far larger group this year than normal, due to all the players who would have been free agents last year who were not - but suddenly become free agents. The supply will be larger - so there might be value opportunities.
The Patriots like value opportunities.

They are also under the cap, and may be interested in adding a couple contributing players, since they will need to spend up to the cap anyway.

OLBThere's a huge opportunity to improve here. There are several different routes:

- Experienced 3-4 OLB's - looking at Manny Lawson and Matt Roth. Very different players. Lawson struggled at times in San Francisco, but now has four years of experience in a 3-4. He has great speed, experience setting the edge, and is strong in coverage. Rotational player in SF. Roth is similar to Ninkovich - not exceptional, solid.
- 4-3 pass rushers - top candidates are Charles Johnson, Cliff Avril, Ray Edwards, and Jason Babin. None would have much time to transition to the 3-4, so might take time to pick up the system. I think Avril is the best fit for the team needs, in terms of size, speed, and performance.

WRThe current roster includes five presumed players: Branch, Welker, Edelman, Tate, Price. With an extra QB and potentially extra TE, there is very little chance the Patriots keep six. So, any WR should be an upgrade to one of those. Looking at the roster:
Branch - traded for him last year, but is he nearing the end?
Welker - unimaginable that they cut him
Edelman - future slot receiver, improving
Tate - the kick returner, the deep threat, but candidate to be upgraded
Price - future potential starter, hard to imagine cutting him
Most likely candidates to be upgraded, then, are Branch and Tate. If Branch, then you need to target a top starter, not a rotational player. If Tate, then you probably need KR ability. I think a WR is less likely.

OG/CA ton of good candidates here that might miss the first wave of free agency. With the uncertainty surrounding Mankins and Cannon, I think this is very likely. I assume there will be something more than an Ojinnaka move here - a starting-quality guard is a likely target. I assume this is a target of UDFA's as well.

Slot cornerThe Patriots have three potential outside candidates in Bodden, McCourtey, and Dowling. There are no veteran slot corners on the team. I wouldn't be suprised to see a veteran slot guy brought in to compete with Butler and Wilhite for that role.

[Big-T]

I'd like to see the Pats go after Mike Sims-Walker, everyone will concentrate on Rice etc, but MSW is a good receiver and has managed to look good in a Jags team that doesn't do a lot of passing.

[mgteich]

PHASE A - Review the rules
This will happen before free agency begins. The cap and floor rules need to be reviewed, as well as the tag, contact term, contract length, and free agency rules.

PHASE 1 - The 72 hour window to sign our own
The first stage of free agency will be the 72 hour rush to sign our own free agents.

PHASE 2 - The UDFA's
When the floodgates open for free agents from other team, we will sign our UDFA's within a few hours.

PHASE 3 - Setting the bar
In the first week, there will be lots of flashy signings. I doubt that we will make any early top signings. We MIGHT sign a mid-level player or two in this phase. This phase will be important this year. It is not at all clear how the market will play out with free agency coming after the draft.

PHASE 4 - "Real" Free Agency
I don't see much for the patriots. Obviously, much depends on the contract status of Light, Faulk, White, G. Warren, Green-Ellis, Page, McGowan, Morris and even Mankins at this point in the process.

[Armchair Quarterback]

After signing Mankins, I could see the Pats sign

WR/KR Brad Smith-Versatile
WR Donte Stallworth-Could be had cheap

RB Ricky Williams-Vet if no Faulk
RB Ronnie Brown-Vet if no Faulk

OLB Manny Lawson- Unfortunately not much of a pass rusher but has other skills
OLB Matt Roth-Experienced in the 3-4

DE Shawn Ellis

DB Richard Marshall-As a Safety
DB Jarrod Page-re-sign


Players I'd like to see:

One of:
C Ryan Kalil
C Olin Kruetz
C/G David Baas

And at least one of:

DE Haloti Ngata- I would give up 2 1st rounders for him but the Pats won't.
OLB Lamar Woodley- Won't be franchised, I'd offer good money.
DE/OLB Mathias Kiwanuka-More likely than Ngata or Woodley

[Off The Grid]

Originally Posted by HomerSchooled

Shaun Ellis has been catching my eye lately, as well. 3-4 DEs have been much more BB's speed, and Ellis has been one of the better ones over the past ten years, maybe the next best behind Seymour. Very durable, and a consistent threat rushing the passer for his position (4 seasons with 8 or more sacks, twice as many as Seymour). Had 2 sacks against us in the Jets playoff game.

Can't recall him running his mouth too much like some of his team mates. He's getting a little old, but he could prove a valuable veteran on maybe a 2-3 year deal. Some Jets fans are hoping to keep him at the veteran minimum, but I can't believe there's any way he'd take that. I'd happily offer him 4 million a year.

Too risky.

If Coach Bill acquired the guy he was traded for ~ 5/6 of him, anyway ~ it could generate a Paradox that would rip an hole in the Time/Space Continuum and create a Super Black Hole, suck everything into its Vortex, and consume us all.

I hate it when that happens.