The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallworth

[JMC00]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

Now they need to go Quick or Streeter in the draft if anyone of them are sitting for them in the 3rd or 4th round

Gronk
Welker
Lloyd
Hernandez
Gonzalez (assuming he stays healthy)
Stallworth
Streeter or Quick

Then you got Fells who is good for a 1st down every time he catches the ball averaged 12.1 a catch with Tebow.

 

[Triumph]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

I frimly believed that Branch was not going to be resigned and it's just a matter of time before Ocho is gone. So we can honestly say WR will be a NEED. I still want a Rookie WR via the Draft First or Second Round.

It always was a need IMO.

Other than Welker and Branch, no other NE WR had more than 17 receptions.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

Patriots agreed to terms with WR Donte' Stallworth

Completely revitalizing the WR corps.

Donte' Stallworth - New England Patriots - 2012 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

Stallworth averaged better than 14yd/catch last year so he's not a stiff, yet. He's only 31, I thought he was older. if nothing else he's camp fodder, and a fall back plan should Gonzales strain a pinky tightening his laces.

The Pats really need to get some youth at WR, quality youth, not Edelman and Underwood. BB, please draft a WR, OK?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

I'm guessing Gonzo/Stallworth/Branch/Ochoc Cinco will fight for one or possibly two roster spots. Ocho is cheap to keep when you factor in the cap hit they'd take if they cut him so he still has a chance to make it.

Really he isn't, not compared to the others. If he flat out took a salary cut to minimum his cap hit will still be $2.5M. If they just cut him they can spread the cap hit and take $1.5M in each of 2012 and 2013 and use the $1M salary towards someone else with no dead cap. Gonzo is a miminum deal, so will Stallworth's be, Branch could probably be had for $1M or so.

Chad wasn't feeling well this weekend. Bet he's feeling even worse today...

 

[BradyManny]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

There's really not much incentive to cutting Ocho now. If he did, in fact, restructure his contract, the cap repercussions might actually be worse if we cut him this year. We have a $1.5 prorated bonus this year and next for him - so cutting him is a $3 million cap hit this year.

IF he did restructure, say to vet min + incentives to get his money back, then you're talking about 2.5 milli cap hit basically, instead of the 4.7 it would be right now.

So if he restructured, he's coming to camp.

I expect Branch back on a vet min type deal.

You're bring to camp:

LOCKS:
Welker
Lloyd
Rookie wideout

MAYBE:
Stallworth
Gonzalez
Edelman
Branch

LESS LIKELY:
Underwood
Ocho

That's how I would view it. It would be a dogfight to see who makes it through cuts - but that's a good thing. Competition breeds better play.

 

[JFK]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

Perhaps Welker is going to get traded. I honestly feel that way.

 

[Steve102]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

I would say you've got Lloyd, Wes as locks at WR. That leaves Stallworth, Gonzalez, Branch, Ocho, AGon, Edleman, Slater and Kid-n-play to battle for possibly two-three more slots. Figure Slater as special teamer, so he's in. AGon is hurt ALOT, so the odd man out (kid-n-play) likely lands on practice squad to fill in for injuries. Any one of the seven listed could get cut in camp. I would say based on production, Branch and Ocho get shown the door. I still think they'll draft a burner again.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

Perhaps Welker is going to get traded. I honestly feel that way.

The Pats have only added on slot WR who is an injury risk and probably won't make it through camp. It is doubtful the Pats are making these moves to replace Welker.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

Really he isn't, not compared to the others. If he flat out took a salary cut to minimum his cap hit will still be $2.5M. If they just cut him they can spread the cap hit and take $1.5M in each of 2012 and 2013 and use the $1M salary towards someone else with no dead cap. Gonzo is a miminum deal, so will Stallworth's be, Branch could probably be had for $1M or so.

Chad wasn't feeling well this weekend. Bet he's feeling even worse today...

How come they can spread the cap hit? I thought it was accelerated into this season if they cut him. Is this part of the new CBA? Or am I just wrong altogether...

I think the restructure with him was done so they can bring him to camp, not worry about an injury making them stuck with him. With a min type base salary, it wouldn't really matter, would it.

They're going to have to take a hit whether they cut him now or in August, so they might as well see if he learned anything in his offseason other than how to be a reality TV star.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

I would say you've got Lloyd, Wes as locks at WR. That leaves Stallworth, Gonzalez, Branch, Ocho, AGon, Edleman, Slater and Kid-n-play to battle for possibly two-three more slots. Figure Slater as special teamer, so he's in. AGon is hurt ALOT, so the odd man out (kid-n-play) likely lands on practice squad to fill in for injuries. Any one of the seven listed could get cut in camp. I would say based on production, Branch and Ocho get shown the door. I still think they'll draft a burner again.

I'm guessing Branch may not be competing for a roster spot at this point. The Pats have signed three WRs and none of them are Branch who would be an one year veteran minimum deal.

I am guessing Ochocinco is gone too. But I don't think Gonzalez will be on the final 53 man roster.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

How come they can spread the cap hit? I thought it was accelerated into this season if they cut him. Is this part of the new CBA? Or am I just wrong altogether...

Nope. You can designate 2 players cut prior to June 1 as June 1 cuts allowing you to spread the cap hit over two seasons (as long as there are two or more remaining). Been that way for a while, stayed that way in the new CBA.

 

[strngplyr]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

If he still has his speed he'll be of use. Even if he doesn't he should be good competition for camp. Obviously all of these wr's won't make the roster but we should have a noticeably better wr corps than last season.

 

[Haley]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

Not particularly excited for this one. I can't really see myself cheering for this guy.

 

[Steve102]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

I'm guessing Branch may not be competing for a roster spot at this point. The Pats have signed three WRs and none of them are Branch who would be an one year veteran minimum deal.

I am guessing Ochocinco is gone too. But I don't think Gonzalez will be on the final 53 man roster.

What a log jam, though, eh?

 

[Nunchucks]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

This is a fantastic signing, not because I expect Stallworth to make the team, which he probably will, but because it means the Patriots are showing that they are dedicated to improving the WR situation right NOW. Lots of competition in camp means that the Patriots should have 4-5 guys that can play ball.

 

[JackBauer]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

Not particularly excited for this one. I can't really see myself cheering for this guy.

Why not?

...

 

[PatsFan2]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

I'm guessing Branch may not be competing for a roster spot at this point. The Pats have signed three WRs and none of them are Branch who would be an one year veteran minimum deal.

I am guessing Ochocinco is gone too. But I don't think Gonzalez will be on the final 53 man roster.

Whooaa Rob! my expectations of Gonzalez are higher than yours i'll say this "IF" he's healthy he will surprise even you. Ohio State WR's often do very well in this League.

 

[MP-Logick]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if some of this is leverage to make Welker sign for less, and Branch accept a dirt cheap deal.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Re: The Patriots agree to a one-year deal with free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallwo

Don't worry.. it'll work itself out during training camp. The best 7 will end up on the roster in time for regular season.

could be 8 with one less RB on the roster ... I mean who needs a RB. :confused2:

Seriously I bet we carry just 4 RB ... maybe even 3.