The Chaos Once Free Agency Hits

[patriot lifer]

Perhaps Belichick will focus on picking up a #9 receiver; perhaps not. We already have 5 WR's, 2 receiving TE's and 2 running backs as receivers.

As you indicated, the shortening of the offseason will reduce the time that a new receiver will have to learn the system. I suspect that this situation will be an advantage for Tate over any incoming receiver.

Right, but how many true wide receivers do we have? Welker is a slot guy and so are a lot of the other receiving threats. Branch works great for us outside the numbers. And then there's Tate, who doesn't inspire many of us. Perhaps Taylor can play the outside but we'll just have to hope he can play on the outside. What's more, how many games will Branch play? I sure hope he doesn't get hurt, but I ask myself what happens if Branch goes down?

As good as we ought to be in the slot, at TE, and (hopefully) in the running game, if we lose the legitimate threat of throwing to wide receivers, then teams won't respect the outside. That's why I think it's a legitimate option to go after a guy like Santana Moss. I say him specifically just because I have a gut feeling that he'd fit in well. We have brought in players like Reche Caldwell and then Gaffney. One has all camp to build chemistry with TB while the other comes in midseason and quickly becomes his favorite target.

Ideally Taylor and Tate emerge into their roles.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Well described, but what sounds simple in theory doesn't always play out so simply. Especially for teams trying to retain key players. The you-know-what could hit the fan for a team and they get desperate.

On a separate note, it's interesting how the suspense is building this lead-up to free agency compared to prior years. We never have had so many free agents (or players anticipating trades) this late in the process. Albert Haynesworth, Plaxico Burress, Reggie Bush, and Asomugha to name a few.

I think the so-called "Premium" Free Agent Players are in for a rude shock. Teams will be unsure and more reticent to sign somebody, without knowing what their own Rookies look like.

Plus there have been many, many disasters with signing premium FAs. Older vets seeking another year are in a different category. Can anyone name an actual Premium FA signing, that actually played through the end of his "Big Payday" contract?

 

[ausbacker]

Thomas and Stallworth were not busts. Arte you expecting every signing to be a stud? Martin and Hayes were cheap signings. A bust is a guy you spend a ton of money on who doesn't help you, not a piece added for cheap that doesnt work out.
We have had busts, you just are listing the wrong ones, but overall the track record has been as good better than any team.

I'm still trying to get my head around how Stallworth and Thomas are considered busts? They were pretty darn good for most of their tenure with the Pats. It was obvious the Pats weren't going to keep Stallworth because of that Randy Moss fella.

I'd really like to see Sidney Rice on the Pats. He'll provide that reliable and explosive deep threat the Patriots are searching for.

 

[patriot lifer]

I think the so-called "Premium" Free Agent Players are in for a rude shock. Teams will be unsure and more reticent to sign somebody, without knowing what their own Rookies look like.

Plus there have been many, many disasters with signing premium FAs. Older vets seeking another year arr a different category. Can anyone name an actual Premium FA signing, that actually played through the end of his "Big Payday" contract?

Ssshhhhhh, let's keep that secret in New England.

 

[italia44]

I think the so-called "Premium" Free Agent Players are in for a rude shock. Teams will be unsure and more reticent to sign somebody, without knowing what their own Rookies look like.

Plus there have been many, many disasters with signing premium FAs. Older vets seeking another year arr a different category. Can anyone name an actual Premium FA signing, that actually played through the end of his "Big Payday" contract?

Good analysis AZ......especially the FA"s,who fans are hoping to transition from 4-3 to a 3-4.(Osi).

 

[s3antana5757]

I think the so-called "Premium" Free Agent Players are in for a rude shock. Teams will be unsure and more reticent to sign somebody, without knowing what their own Rookies look like.

Plus there have been many, many disasters with signing premium FAs. Older vets seeking another year are in a different category. Can anyone name an actual Premium FA signing, that actually played through the end of his "Big Payday" contract?

Brees(TBD), Deion Sanders, Curtis Martin. Other than that, not much.

 

[JoeSixPat]

It's in the NFL and the Player's interests not to bog down this offseason further than it already has been.

My hope/prediction is that any rule changes that can be pushed to next year will be

That said, anyone who thinks teams and agents have not had private discussions despite the lockout or tampering concerns is incredibly naive

Belichick already knows who he wants and knows who wants to play for him - in some cases a player may play one team off each other but there's no question Belichick has a plan ready to be implemented

 

[Wolfpack]

When free agency finally starts (knock on wood), teams will begin the scramble to sign free agents. Teams will have to learn the new rules of a new CBA and make quick judgments of how best to deal with its intricacies. And to top it off, 100% of the rookies have to be signed to contracts.

Rookies (or at least the top round picks) will probably have slotted guarantees, so there probably won't be any negotiating there.

 

[s3antana5757]

Rookies (or at least the top round picks) will probably have slotted guarantees, so there probably won't be any negotiating there.

Hopefully. It's terrible when the top 5 guys or so are on SI's Top 50 wealthiest athletes for their respective year.

 

[supafly]

I think the so-called "Premium" Free Agent Players are in for a rude shock. Teams will be unsure and more reticent to sign somebody, without knowing what their own Rookies look like.

Plus there have been many, many disasters with signing premium FAs. Older vets seeking another year are in a different category. Can anyone name an actual Premium FA signing, that actually played through the end of his "Big Payday" contract?

While you make a very good point about the teams not knowing exactly what their own rookies have to offer, it will also be interesting to see how they word and implement this new '90%' rule that I keep hearing about. From what I understand, it pretty much makes it a rule for teams to spend a cash minimum of 90% of the cap space, which will make more 'thrifty' teams forced to spend.

When you couple that, and the likelihood that all free agents will be cut down in year requirements from the (somewhat ridiculous) 6 yrs that it was this yr, you will also have an increased load of free agents. I believe that it will definitely be at the minimum--5 yrs experience, if not even 4, which will open up a whole new category of free agents.

While it is an opinionated quote from NBC/PFT's Mike Florio, it does offer the viewpoint of an increased spending season:

"With all fourth-year, fifth-year, and sixth-year players having expired contracts likely eligible for unrestricted free agency (except for those restricted by the franchise tag) and with an anticipated requirement that teams spend cash in the amount of 90 percent of the salary cap, there could be record spending and activity once football officially returns."

Don't get me wrong, I think what you say has extreme merit, and I even tend to agree with that..I am simply offering another look at other various factors. In my opinion, I don't know if there will be 'record spending' or not. It really all depends on this '90% rule,' and how many years experience a free agent will define. I am just pointing out that these are factors to also consider when thinking of the situation.

In all likelihood, our opinions and the view of the media and guys like Florio (who I am not sticking up for whatsoever), will likely meet somewhere in the middle..and it will probably ending up balancing itself out, and be closer to a 'regular' free agency yr than WE or THEM figure.

 

[Fencer]

Meh Donte was decent in his role in 07.

Let's not forget Welker,Moss,Vrabel,Harrison,Dillon,Phifer,Crumpler,Patten and Co.

Welker pretty much was a FA. but Moss and Dillon weren't. (Neither was Ted Washington.)

 

[Fencer]

Brees(TBD), Deion Sanders, Curtis Martin. Other than that, not much.

Reggie White?

 

[patriot lifer]

Rookies (or at least the top round picks) will probably have slotted guarantees, so there probably won't be any negotiating there.

I don't doubt it, but I don't know if it will be effective this year. It might take first effect starting next year. Same thing with like the franchise tag. They could get rid of it but with a grace period in which teams can still use it until it terminates.

 

[patriot lifer]

While you make a very good point about the teams not knowing exactly what their own rookies have to offer, it will also be interesting to see how they word and implement this new '90%' rule that I keep hearing about. From what I understand, it pretty much makes it a rule for teams to spend a cash minimum of 90% of the cap space, which will make more 'thrifty' teams forced to spend.

A bit OT but I bet that a certain Bills owner and Bengals owner (and other less profitable teams with stingy owners) are the ones making a fuss about this aspect of the new CBA negotiations. Among other things, they might dislike this stipulation most of all. It's the "Anti-Cheap rule," which really flies in the face of an owner like Ralph Wilson.

 

[patriot lifer]

Ozzie Newsome expects Ravens to be patient in free agency | ProFootballTalk

A related posting by PFT. Features the perspective of Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens.

 

[Ring 6]

I'm still trying to get my head around how Stallworth and Thomas are considered busts? They were pretty darn good for most of their tenure with the Pats. It was obvious the Pats weren't going to keep Stallworth because of that Randy Moss fella.

I'd really like to see Sidney Rice on the Pats. He'll provide that reliable and explosive deep threat the Patriots are searching for.

I really don't think the Patriots are 'searching for a deep threat'.
I think Moss was an anomoly for our system.
I heard everyone crying about not having a deep threat after Moss eas traded and we only had arguably the most effective offense ever for half a season.
Defenses need to assign players to cover the deep part of the field regardless of which WRs you send there.

 

[Ring 6]

A bit OT but I bet that a certain Bills owner and Bengals owner (and other less profitable teams with stingy owners) are the ones making a fuss about this aspect of the new CBA negotiations. Among other things, they might dislike this stipulation most of all. It's the "Anti-Cheap rule," which really flies in the face of an owner like Ralph Wilson.

Cinci and Buffalo are not "less profitable franchises" and there has always been a salary floor.

 

[patriot lifer]

Cinci and Buffalo are not "less profitable franchises" and there has always been a salary floor.

so this floor is no different than past ones? I doubt that.

 

[patriot lifer]

Cinci and Buffalo are not "less profitable franchises" and there has always been a salary floor.

NFL Team Valuations - Forbes.com

They are among the bottom teams in revenues (hence why they don't want to spend a lot on player personnel costs). I'm not sure where you're getting your information.

 

[patriot lifer]

Jeff Ireland: Start of free agency will be “nuts” | ProFootballTalk

Another related article from PFT. Ireland of Miami echoing the craziness to be. Should be quite the spectacle from our ivory tower.