Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency, 4 pm Tuesday

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

This is another unusual offseason since teams do not know what the cap # will be less than 72 hours before FA... The league has apparently promised they will have the number to teams by Monday.

Apparently the problem arose when revenue wasn't up but benefit costs were. The cap formula calculates total cap including benefits based on revenue in the previous season. Last year it was $142M with almost $22M earmarked for benefits. If it is even $142M again and the cost of the benefits has risen, as is the case most everywhere in the real world, then the SALARY cap would have to go down or the benefits would have to be trimmed...

Teams are also said to be increasingly concerned about what this bodes for 2013 ergo some are reluctant to commit contract dollars until they know what the cap landscape is going to be...

They are still not even sure what the franchise tag amounts actually are, nor do they have better than guesstimates on RFA tender amounts.

 

[supafly]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

Yeah, not real sure what you saw out there that was good run D. When he was out there, which was mostly only after Carter was hurt he was eaten alive by blockers most of the time.

This quote is just ridiculous.

Taking a random game from the end of the year, this is what we actually see:

"Anderson also lined up at left defensive end in a three-man front, and he was double-teamed by the right guard and right tackle on each play. Even though he didn't generate any pressure, it was beneficial to consume a double team in that situation. Anderson was defeated by a single blocker on seven of his 18 pass rushes.

But don't let facts get in the way of many others stating that he improved against the run this yr.

 

[supafly]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

You keep saying he improved against the run like it will become true if you say it enough.

I am saying that Mark Anderson's weak link is obviously against the run, that cannot be disputed.

What I am also saying is that he improved on that this yr, even if he was still a liability.

 

[supafly]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

Doesn't really matter. I dont think any Patriot writers are any more capable of assessing what they see than you or I.

Last time I checked, Ron Jaworski was not a "Patriot writer."

Direct quote in regards to Anderson's play:

"Patriots DE/OLB Mark Anderson played a very solid game in the AFC Championship game in holding his ground and being stout when taking on blocks in the running game, and has the ability to pressure the QB coming off the edge---very good strength and power displayed in this game."

 

[mgteich]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

Yes, I can see the constraints and uncertainties.

However, I am surprised that Belichick has decided to lock up NO ONE, and to allow all to receive offers from other teams. Other teams have chosen a different approach.

This is another unusual offseason since teams do not know what the cap # will be less than 72 hours before FA... The league has apparently promised they will have the number to teams by Monday.

Apparently the problem arose when revenue wasn't up but benefit costs were. The cap formula calculates total cap including benefits based on revenue in the previous season. Last year it was $142M with almost $22M earmarked for benefits. If it is even $142M again and the cost of the benefits has risen, as is the case most everywhere in the real world, then the SALARY cap would have to go down or the benefits would have to be trimmed...

Teams are also said to be increasingly concerned about what this bodes for 2013 ergo some are reluctant to commit contract dollars until they know what the cap landscape is going to be...

They are still not even sure what the franchise tag amounts actually are, nor do they have better than guesstimates on RFA tender amounts.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

This quote is just ridiculous.

Taking a random game from the end of the year, this is what we actually see:

"Anderson also lined up at left defensive end in a three-man front, and he was double-teamed by the right guard and right tackle on each play. Even though he didn't generate any pressure, it was beneficial to consume a double team in that situation. Anderson was defeated by a single blocker on seven of his 18 pass rushes.

But don't let facts get in the way of many others stating that he improved against the run this yr.

Source?
By the way, that quote is referring to pass rushing, not run d.

 

[EJ Blitz]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

all i want is lloyd

then mario williams..yet it won't happen

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't want lloyd, do you people really think he's going to solve our problems? I don't buy the "I'm perfect for McDaniels' schemes" hype. I want to see stud WR get drafted, who actually gets to play in games.

 

[supafly]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

Source?
By the way, that quote is referring to pass rushing, not run d.

It doesn't matter what it was referring to, you claimed that he was eaten up by blockers the majority of the time, that's simply not true.

The source is an NESN article from a couple of months ago.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

Last time I checked, Ron Jaworski was not a "Patriot writer."

Direct quote in regards to Anderson's play:

"Patriots DE/OLB Mark Anderson played a very solid game in the AFC Championship game in holding his ground and being stout when taking on blocks in the running game, and has the ability to pressure the QB coming off the edge---very good strength and power displayed in this game."

I didn't say he sucked on every play he was in, I said he was a poor run defender. I remember a number of plays in that game where he was unable to separate from a blocker and Rice made good gains running at him.
If you want a 34 OLB to 'hold his ground' and let the RB outside of him, I don't know what to tell you.

Look, its fine, you have your opinion and I have mine. I am just telling you that the quality of run defense I saw from Mark Anderson this year when reviewing game tapes and focussing on his play showed he was overmatched often and that like this year he will only be on the field playing run defense for BB if we are out of other realistic options. Feel free to disagree but you aren't going to convince me that after watching the 200-odd running plays that he was on the field for this year that what he did was something different than what I saw.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

It doesn't matter what it was referring to, you claimed that he was eaten up by blockers the majority of the time, that's simply not true.

The source is an NESN article from a couple of months ago.

And we were clearly talking about run defense. I never said he struggled as a pass rusher. You are changing the topic.
Can you link the article? I've never seen NESN break down play by play like that, I'd love to read it and find more articles by whoever the author is.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

Yes, I can see the constraints and uncertainties.

However, I am surprised that Belichick has decided to lock up NO ONE, and to allow all to receive offers from other teams. Other teams have chosen a different approach.

But there has been very little action by any teams, right?
Its not unusual, I think, to sign some of the keepers in the last few days before FA starts, too right?

Its not like we have a lot of irreplacable guys we stand to lose.
I'd like to see Connolly signed.
Anderson would be nice, but there are other Andersons out there, so as long as we either get a full time player who can pass rush or replace Anderson with another sub rusher, thats fine.
BJGE probably is refusing to sign without testing the market.

Most of the rest are either fringe guys, special teamers, or guys we may just not want back.

I'm going from memory, but who have I missed?

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

This quote is just ridiculous.

Taking a random game from the end of the year, this is what we actually see:

"Anderson also lined up at left defensive end in a three-man front, and he was double-teamed by the right guard and right tackle on each play. Even though he didn't generate any pressure, it was beneficial to consume a double team in that situation. Anderson was defeated by a single blocker on seven of his 18 pass rushes.

But don't let facts get in the way of many others stating that he improved against the run this yr.

Nevermind the request for the link I found it. I also noticed that you left out the next paragraph:

Anderson's weakness has been his run defense, which has been the reason why he hasn't been on the field for all three downs, despite the fact that he's got nine sacks. It's also likely the reason why Anderson has made the shift outside to the rush-linebacker position.

Intersting when compared to the last sentence of the post where you use the truncated quote to claim Howe says he improved against the run.

 

[supafly]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

I didn't say he sucked on every play he was in, I said he was a poor run defender. I remember a number of plays in that game where he was unable to separate from a blocker and Rice made good gains running at him.
If you want a 34 OLB to 'hold his ground' and let the RB outside of him, I don't know what to tell you.

Look, its fine, you have your opinion and I have mine. I am just telling you that the quality of run defense I saw from Mark Anderson this year when reviewing game tapes and focussing on his play showed he was overmatched often and that like this year he will only be on the field playing run defense for BB if we are out of other realistic options. Feel free to disagree but you aren't going to convince me that after watching the 200-odd running plays that he was on the field for this year that what he did was something different than what I saw.

That's fair enough.

I don't think we're super far away from what we believe anyway, which is that Anderson's liability is against the run, and that he very well may be seeking a bigger payday than he's actually worth. My only point was that due to Pepper Johnson's increased role as a mentor, he has helped Anderson in some areas via better film study and watching the offensive lineman more to try and help this weakness. I believe that he succeeded, and we heard it pretty regularly from the mediots and commentators during the stretch run.

The article link is as follows, sorry for not posting it in the first place, but I had to go through the history to find it as I had seen it earlier in the day and could not locate the link when posting several minutes ago:

Mark Anderson Shows Excellent Efficiency Rushing the Passer Against Broncos in Andre Carter's Absence - New England Patriots - NESN.com

 

[mgteich]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

Each year we have about 20 free agents. And each year, Belichick re-signs some of them before free agency starts. Some are "critical" players. Most are not. Getting some of these signing out of the way allows these players not to be an issue after free agency starts. Time needn't be taken negotiating these players after free agency.

So, it is NOT a matter of who we MUST sign. It is a matter of normal Belichick business practice.

Each year, the team makes a list of those that they want to bring back. They negiotiate with them in the week or so before free agency. Some of these deals are concluded and announced.

Apparently, this year, the strategy has changed.

In the end, you miss the point. I want to sign the special teamers now, rather than have them on the list when free agency starts. They will clearly be of low priority once free agency starts.

Sure, I'd like to re-sign Anderson, Connolly, Koppen or Green-Ellis. But I would be fine to see re-signs of White, Slate and/or Ihedigbo. It makes no sense to me to lose players like White because we are worrying about the overall slary cap.

But there has been very little action by any teams, right?
Its not unusual, I think, to sign some of the keepers in the last few days before FA starts, too right?

Its not like we have a lot of irreplacable guys we stand to lose.
I'd like to see Connolly signed.
Anderson would be nice, but there are other Andersons out there, so as long as we either get a full time player who can pass rush or replace Anderson with another sub rusher, thats fine.
BJGE probably is refusing to sign without testing the market.

Most of the rest are either fringe guys, special teamers, or guys we may just not want back.

I'm going from memory, but who have I missed?

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

Each year we have about 20 free agents. And each year, Belichick re-signs some of them before free agency starts. Some are "critical" players. Most are not. Getting some of these signing out of the way allows these players not to be an issue after free agency starts. Time needn't be taken negotiating these players after free agency.

So, it is NOT a matter of who we MUST sign. It is a matter of normal Belichick business practice.

Each year, the team makes a list of those that they want to bring back. They negiotiate with them in the week or so before free agency. Some of these deals are concluded and announced.

Apparently, this year, the strategy has changed.

Is this memory or fact? Can we find a list of signings prior to the start of Free Agency for the last few years?

 

[supafly]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

Intersting when compared to the last sentence of the post where you use the truncated quote to claim Howe says he improved against the run.

We were talking about your statement that he was getting abused and eaten up by blockers at that point. I was giving you direct quotes to prove that wasn't the case. I agreed with you about his run weakness, with my only argument being that he wasn't getting his fair share for improving on it.

I didn't intentionally leave out anything, b/c I was proving that your statement of being eaten alive by blockers was false. At that point we weren't even talking or disputing his run weaknesses. We were talking about something else entirely.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

This is both memory and fact. This one week used to be on the nfl calendar, the time when we could exclusively negotiate with our own free agents.

I don't ahve the time to check transactions. By all means check them. I assure you that every year, we re-sign a few players in the week before free agency.

Is this memory or fact? Can we find a list of signings prior to the start of Free Agency for the last few years?

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

Is this memory or fact? Can we find a list of signings prior to the start of Free Agency for the last few years?

Obviously last year is irrelevant because of the lockout.
Here is 2010, every transaction listed prior to 3/5. I am assuming 3/5 is the first day of FA because there are a ton of players listed as 'declared FA'.

03/04/2010 Chris Baker (TE) cut.
03/04/2010 Chris Baker (TE) cut.
02/24/2010 David Patten (WR) signed.
02/24/2010 David Patten (WR) signed.
02/22/2010 Vince Wilfork (DT) Designated franchise player.
02/22/2010 Vince Wilfork (DT) Designated franchise player.
02/10/2010 Shawn Crable (LB) Taken off IR (groin).
02/10/2010 George Bussey (T) Taken off IR (knee).
02/10/2010 Tyrone McKenzie (LB) Taken off IR (right knee).
02/10/2010 Wes Welker (WR) Taken off IR (knee).
02/10/2010 Brandon Tate (WR) Taken off IR (knee).
02/10/2010 Bret Lockett (S) Taken off IR (groin).
02/10/2010 Chris Taylor (RB) Taken off IR (shoulder).
01/13/2010 Rob Myers (TE) signed.
01/13/2010 Robert Agnone (TE) signed.


Looks like all we had was Patten who we signed so he could retire a Pat, and practice squad guys.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

Here is 2009

02/21/2009 Billy Yates (G) re-signed.
02/18/2009 Tully Banta-Cain (LB) signed.
02/18/2009 Billy Yates (G) cut.
02/18/2009 Brad Listorti (TE) signed.
02/17/2009 Kelley Washington (WR) cut.
02/09/2009 Pierre Woods (LB) Taken off IR (jaw).
02/09/2009 Kenny Smith (DT) Taken off IR (arm).
02/09/2009 Terrence Wheatley (CB) Taken off IR (wrist).
02/09/2009 Tank Williams (S) Taken off IR (knee).
02/09/2009 Shawn Crable (LB) Taken off IR (shin).
02/09/2009 Jason Webster (CB) Taken off IR (ankle).
02/09/2009 Rodney Harrison (S) Taken off IR (thigh).
02/09/2009 Adalius Thomas (LB) Taken off IR (broken left forearm).
02/09/2009 Ryan O'Callaghan (T) Taken off IR (shoulder).
02/09/2009 Matt Cassel (QB) re-signed/franchise (one-year tender offer).
02/09/2009 Eric Alexander (LB) Taken off IR (hamstring).
02/09/2009 Anthony Clement (T) Taken off IR (knee).
02/09/2009 Tom Brady (QB) Taken off IR (knee).
02/09/2009 Barry Stokes (G) Taken off IR (back).
02/09/2009 Laurence Maroney (RB) Taken off IR (shoulder).
02/09/2009 Bo Ruud (LB) Taken off IR (ankle).
02/05/2009 Matt Cassel (QB) Designated franchise player.
175 Transactions

I bolded the ones that werent IR moves, and it looks like Yates was cut then signed (dont remember why) TBC was signed and a futures contract guy.
I wont post them all but I went back 5 years and each one looks the same.


Here is this year.


02/22/2012 Released OL Rich Ohrnberger and DL Mike Wright.
02/07/2012 Signed LB Markell Carter, WR Britt Davis, OL Matt Kopa, DE Aaron Lavarias, LB Mike Rivera, WR Tiquan Underwood and DB Ross Ventrone to future contracts.
02/04/2012 DE Alex Silvestro signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. WR Tiquan Underwood released.


I don't think we are seeing a change in operations, but just some misremembering about when we signed guys in the past.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Tick Tick Tick 72 hours until free agency

This is both memory and fact. This one week used to be on the nfl calendar, the time when we could exclusively negotiate with our own free agents.

I don't ahve the time to check transactions. By all means check them. I assure you that every year, we re-sign a few players in the week before free agency.

See above, I did check them, and it seems not to be the case.