Day One of Free Agency

[mgteich]

I am quite satsfied with where we are at the end of Day 1.

STEP ONE - DO WHAT WE CAN WITH OUR OWN FREE AGENTS.

Wilfork 5 year contract
Banta-Cain 3 year contract
Neal 2 year contract
Mankins stays or we get a 1st and 3rd in this draft
Gostkowski stays or we get a 2nd in this draft
Bodden ?????
Faulk ????? (next?)
Burgess ????
Green ????
Watson ????

 

[tanked_as_usual]

yeah.....we're only a half dozen or so players away from getting back to the WC playoff debacle

 

[carolinatony]

I agree with you. Signing Wilfork was HUGE imo.

Now lets use our first 4 pick( no tradebacks for picks next year) and get some solid players who can contribute next year.

People forget the Squeelers and Colts do very little in FA every year and while I am not a fan of either they are both solid teams every year.

 

[pats1]

I am quite satsfied with where we are at the end of Day 1.

STEP ONE - DO WHAT WE CAN WITH OUR OWN FREE AGENTS.

Wilfork 5 year contract
Banta-Cain 3 year contract
Neal 2 year contract
Mankins stays or we get a 1st and 3rd in this draft
Gostkowski stays or we get a 2nd in this draft
Bodden ?????
Faulk ????? (next?)
Burgess ????
Green ????
Watson ????

It's a good starting point, but as tanked said, all of these guys were around last season. It's a good thing that they're back (the worthwhile ones; we won't see Watson or Green or Hanson back), but more needs to be done.

This isn't like a post-championship or post-late playoff loss team when the goal was to just get the team back up to the prior year's level. The goal this year needs to be to get the team back to that level and higher, because that prior level wasn't good enough.

So while re-signing Wilfork, Neal, and TBC is good, and hopefully Bodden follows, these were moves that had to be made to get the roster back to its former state, although it's not even there yet. Now the team needs to go out through trades, free agency, and the draft and improve upon this starting point.

But all in all, I'm satisfied that they got the job done today. Securing Boldin would have been a plus, but there will be other opportunities to improve the team.

Hopefully they start with finding a tight end. Or two.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

I agree with you. Signing Wilfork was HUGE imo.

Now lets use our first 4 pick( no tradebacks for picks next year) and get some solid players who can contribute next year.

People forget the Squeelers and Colts do very little in FA every year and while I am not a fan of either they are both solid teams every year.

the difference is that as a 3-4 team, the steelers recognize the importance of having a strong LB group......at some point, this notion got lost on the pats regime

 

[The_Riddler]

yeah.....we're only a half dozen or so players away from getting back to the WC playoff debacle

Ya let's analyze this great day in Patriot Land:

1. Our one shot at a legitimate pass rusher, a difference maker, our biggest need right there for the taking, right in front of us. Management throws out a low-balled phony BS offer knowing it would be rejected by Peppers and thus the team saves face with the fan base and fools them into thinking they tried. Note to all: They didn't try.

2. At one point during the day, we are the favorites to land the perfect #2 compliment to Moss, the one physical WR who could make the tough in traffic catches, a legitimate threat for a mere 3rd and 4th round pick. Oops we didn't have that 3rd round pick to deal with, pissed away on one Derrick Burgess last year, GOOD-BYE Anquan, you would have looked good on that other side. Too bad we couldn't have parted with our lowest #2, would have been worth it for Tom Brady, oh well. Another failure.

3. The Jets under the cover of darkness, lock up the one defensive weakness and make an already great defense, a dominant defense. Compensation given up, just a mere 2011 #3 possible #2. Quite a deal Rex, let me pat you on the back myself.

4. We locked up a RG that is all done, no one wanted this available UFA and he basically came back begging and we took him back in at a 2 year deal. YIKES. Our right side was weak all season, it continues.

5. Oh, and Miami locks up Dansby...........

So a team that got smoked by Baltimore at home in the PO is in tact less 3-4 starters, with no additions.

EXCELLENT DAY TODAY

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

I am quite satsfied with where we are at the end of Day 1.

No me. Not in the least. The Patriots cheapness is starting to show ...

 

[carolinatony]

the difference is that as a 3-4 team, the steelers recognize the importance of having a strong LB group......at some point, this notion got lost on the pats regime

I can argue on that point. Wish we had gotten Dansby.

 

[LuthierJr]

I am quite satsfied with where we are at the end of Day 1.

STEP ONE - DO WHAT WE CAN WITH OUR OWN FREE AGENTS.

Wilfork 5 year contract
Banta-Cain 3 year contract
Neal 2 year contract
Mankins stays or we get a 1st and 3rd in this draft
Gostkowski stays or we get a 2nd in this draft
Bodden ?????
Faulk ????? (next?)
Burgess ????
Green ????
Watson ????

I agree. Was great to get these guys signed. Hoping to get the rest locked up soon. I think people expect the world in one day, and when it doesn't happen they get all mad, and chicken little. Without these guys we don't even make it back to the playoffs. I was dissapointed not to get Boldin but, for better or worse, I've gotta believe BB's got a plan as well as contingencies upon that.

 

[DaBruinz]

the difference is that as a 3-4 team, the steelers recognize the importance of having a strong LB group......at some point, this notion got lost on the pats regime

The difference is that the Steelers 3-4 Defense is a one gap system that relies on its linebackers being able to blitz to help the D-line.

The Pats 3-4 Defense is a 2-Gap system that relies on the D-line to tie up O-linemen so the Linebackers can make the plays in either of the 2 gaps they are responsible for.

The Pats never lost the notion that the LB group needs to be strong. They just haven't been able to keep up with attrition in that group.

Not to mention that this past year showed how important a solid front 3 is.

 

[mgteich]

I agree. We aren't even back to last year. We need a corner and a wide receiver to do that. I expect us to accomplish this and more in the coming MONTHS.

It's a good starting point, but as tanked said, all of these guys were around last season. It's a good thing that they're back (the worthwhile ones; we won't see Watson or Green or Hanson back), but more needs to be done.

This isn't like a post-championship or post-late playoff loss team when the goal was to just get the team back up to the prior year's level. The goal this year needs to be to get the team back to that level and higher, because that prior level wasn't good enough.

So while re-signing Wilfork, Neal, and TBC is good, and hopefully Bodden follows, these were moves that had to be made to get the roster back to its former state, although it's not even there yet. Now the team needs to go out through trades, free agency, and the draft and improve upon this starting point.

But all in all, I'm satisfied that they got the job done today. Securing Boldin would have been a plus, but there will be other opportunities to improve the team.

Hopefully they start with finding a tight end. Or two.

 

[DaBruinz]

No me. Not in the least. The Patriots cheapness is starting to show ...

What cheapness? Because they didn't throw around $150 million in contracts on 3 players?

Unless you know, for a fact, that the Patriots pulled out due to contract issues on Boldin, you don't know wtf you are talking about. You are just a puppet dancing to the media's tune.

 

[Disco Volante]

No me. Not in the least. The Patriots cheapness is starting to show ...

I agree, making Vince Wilfork the highest-paid nose tackle in the NFL was pretty cheap.

 

[MVPatsfan13]

I agree. We aren't even back to last year. We need a corner and a wide receiver to do that. I expect us to accomplish this and more "in the coming MONTHS".

i think we(including me) need to keep this perspective in mind

Im glad we locked up vince. im not worried he will get complacent with the new contract, he just doesnt seem that way.
Good to hear we locked up TBC, seems like a good motivating but safe contract.
I like the Neal resigning, hes a great RG when 100%

Hope we make a move on Dwan Edwards, but just a 2-3yr contract
same thing with Bodden, just 2-3 years

 

[pats1]

I agree. We aren't even back to last year. We need a corner and a wide receiver to do that. I expect us to accomplish this and more in the coming MONTHS.

Agreed, there is no rush.

 

[A.C Vegas]

Ya let's analyze this great day in Patriot Land:

1. Our one shot at a legitimate pass rusher, a difference maker, our biggest need right there for the taking, right in front of us. Management throws out a low-balled phony BS offer knowing it would be rejected by Peppers and thus the team saves face with the fan base and fools them into thinking they tried. Note to all: They didn't try. So you really think that the fact that they wouldn't over pay for a 30 year old DE that has never played in 3-4 they are not trying

2. At one point during the day, we are the favorites to land the perfect #2 compliment to Moss, the one physical WR who could make the tough in traffic catches, a legitimate threat for a mere 3rd and 4th round pick. Oops we didn't have that 3rd round pick to deal with, pissed away on one Derrick Burgess last year, GOOD-BYE Anquan, you would have looked good on that other side. Too bad we couldn't have parted with our lowest #2, would have been worth it for Tom Brady, oh well. Another failure. And what makes you think that the Ravens wouldn't have just one uped the offer

3. The Jets under the cover of darkness, lock up the one defensive weakness and make an already great defense, a dominant defense. Compensation given up, just a mere 2011 #3 possible #2. Quite a deal Rex, let me pat you on the back myself.And this has to do with how the Patriots are ru nand go after things how?

4. We locked up a RG that is all done, no one wanted this un-tendered UFA and he basically came back begging and we took him back in at a 2 year deal. YIKES. Our right side was weak all season, it continues.wow is misinformation fun first he was a UFA no matter what he wasn't even on the list to be tendered and the is no evidence that "no one wanted" him

So a team that got smoked by Baltimore at home in the PO is in tact less 3-4 starters, with no additions.

EXCELLENT DAY TODAY

So you are upset that the patriots didn't get on the maybe 3-4 worthwhile players that got moved in the first day

man this lack of patence is sad and pathetic

 

[JoeSixPat]

Belichick isn't perfect... I'm sure there's plenty of signings and non-signings that, in hindsight, he would do differently.

But I'm amused at the notion that any Patsfans member or troll thinks they know more about football than Belichick.

He had a reason for making every decision that was made today... as he will tomorrow and the next day. We can guess at what those reasons are, but none of us know.

And Belichick doesn't particularly care what we think. He's focused on putting a team together that can compete to win the Super Bowl, consistently, year after year.

He knows if he does that all the fan-second guessing in March won't matter a bit.

Let Rex Ryan declare himself the winner of the Super Bowl in March. I'll stick with Belichick contending for the real thing come January.

 

[juny]

Great news about keeping Wilfork. Otherwise, the team is treading water at this point. It appears that they will fill holes with the draft -- making this year's decisions extremely important with 4 picks in the first 53.

Wouldn't mind them picking up Thomas Jones if the price is right.

 

[Tucker]

I'm rather relieved we didnt sign Peppers.

Like AC Vegas said, he's never played in the 3-4, just because you're awesome in the 4-3 doesnt mean you'll transition well into the 3-4 defense. Look at Kampman from GB last year, he was good in 4-3 not so much in the 3-4.

Plus Peppers work ethic is in question...we dont need that kind of distraction in the locker room and media

 

[pats1]

Great news about keeping Wilfork. Otherwise, the team is treading water at this point. It appears that they will fill holes with the draft -- making this year's decisions extremely important with 4 picks in the first 53.

Wouldn't mind them picking up Thomas Jones if the price is right.

"Treading water" might be a good way to put it.

Either way, just gotta keep on chugging.