Patriots about to sign another DL from the CFL

[JackBauer]

I think the Pats should try and trade Fells now for some minimal consideration if they can get it, because realistically I don't see the value of keeping him on the roster if they re-sign both Ballard and Hoomanawanui. They won't likely carry more than 4 TEs, and Fells was behind Hooman on the depth chart. Cutting him frees up almost $1M this year, and $1.85M in 2014.

Would we want to even keep Hooman, considering he's not very good?

 

[ATippett56]

I think the Pats should try and trade Fells now for some minimal consideration if they can get it, because realistically I don't see the value of keeping him on the roster if they re-sign both Ballard and Hoomanawanui.

I'm not sure if the New England Patriots could even fetch a seventh round draft pick for Daniel Fells.

 

[Deus Irae]

I think the Pats should try and trade Fells now for some minimal consideration if they can get it, because realistically I don't see the value of keeping him on the roster if they re-sign both Ballard and Hoomanawanui. They won't likely carry more than 4 TEs, and Fells was behind Hooman on the depth chart. Cutting him frees up almost $1M this year, and $1.85M in 2014...

I'm not sure if the New England Patriots could even fetch a seventh round draft pick for Daniel Fells.

Cutting Fells would seem to imply that Ballard's looking good in his rehab. I'm not sure they'd make that move before being comfortable with what would be the remaining option(s). I could be wrong on that, of course, but I think they're probably wary of being too thin at that position after the past 2 seasons.

Would we want to even keep Hooman, considering he's not very good?

He should be gone. They either need a real fullback or a better H-back.

 

[mayoclinic]

Would we want to even keep Hooman, considering he's not very good?

He was good enough to be ahead of Fells on the depth chart, at a much lower price. Whether there are other options remain to be seen.

I'd personally favor getting someone like Kyle Juszczyk as a fullback/H-back, and go with Gronk/Ballard as the in-line TE and Hernandez/Juszczyk as the move TE, with Juczczyk also taking the fullback spot. He showed soft hands and good blocking at the Senior Bowl, and nice ability to be a receiver both out of the backfield and in motion. He reportedly has 4.5+ speed, though we'll find out for sure in a month.

 

[JackBauer]

He should be gone. They either need a real fullback or a better H-back.

I'm inclined to agree. After watching him get ragdolled against the Ravens, and considering he offers essentially nothing in the passing game, I see no reason to keep the guy.

 

[JackBauer]

He was good enough to be ahead of Fells on the depth chart, at a much lower price.

An endorsement of Hooman, or an indictment of Fells?

 

[Deus Irae]

He was good enough to be ahead of Fells on the depth chart, at a much lower price. Whether there are other options remain to be seen...

UhOh doesn't really play the same position that Fells does, though. Fells is a true TE, while UhOh is Garrett Mills.

 

[1%er]

Another signing that seems to make more sense for the 3-4 than the 4-3....

In my view the Patriots ran in 2012 and will continue to run moving forward the same type of 3-4 over/under defense that Saban runs at Alabama that most call a 4-3.

3-4 Jack LB
Rob Ninkovich
Marcus Benard
Jason Vega
LDE
Armond Armstead
Brandon Deaderick
NT
Vince Wilfork
Kyle Love
Marcus Fortson
Myron Pryor
RDE
Jones
Cunningham
Francis
Bequette
SILB
Spikes
Rivera
WILB
Mayo
Fletcher
SAM
Hightower
White

(Sort of undecided as to if I see Cunningham more as a DE or Jack LB)


Ninkovich, Benard and Vega all have the ideal skill set for a Jack LB because they're capable of setting the edge as a DE, pass rushing as a DE or OLB and dropping into coverage. I'm especially excited for Benard IMO he was a great pickup who was coming into his own under Mangini and then regressed in switch to a straight 4-3.

I see this pickup and Benard as more of a commitment to specific players for specific assignments and not as much moving pieces in 2013/14.

 

[1%er]

Cutting Fells would seem to imply that Ballard's looking good in his rehab. I'm not sure they'd make that move before being comfortable with what would be the remaining option(s). I could be wrong on that, of course, but I think they're probably wary of being too thin at that position after the past 2 seasons.



He should be gone. They either need a real fullback or a better H-back.

What stuck out about Hoom that you view him this way? IMO he filled his role as a FB/TE well but maybe I missed something.

 

[Deus Irae]

What stuck out about Hoom that you view him this way? IMO he filled his role as a FB/TE well but maybe I missed something.

He's far too inconsistent, IMO. There were games where he played at such a poor level that he didn't look like he belonged anywhere near the NFL. Most of that was early on, but his game against the Ravens seemed to sum up far too much of his Patriots tenure for my liking.

 

[1%er]

In my view the Patriots ran in 2012 and will continue to run moving forward the same type of 3-4 over/under defense that Saban runs at Alabama that most call a 4-3.

3-4 Jack LB
Rob Ninkovich
Marcus Benard
Jason Vega
LDE
Armond Armstead
Brandon Deaderick
NT
Vince Wilfork
Kyle Love
Marcus Fortson
Myron Pryor
RDE
Jones
Cunningham
Francis
Bequette
SILB
Spikes
Rivera
WILB
Mayo
Fletcher
SAM
Hightower
White

(Sort of undecided as to if I see Cunningham more as a DE or Jack LB)


Ninkovich, Benard and Vega all have the ideal skill set for a Jack LB because they're capable of setting the edge as a DE, pass rushing as a DE or OLB and dropping into coverage. I'm especially excited for Benard IMO he was a great pickup who was coming into his own under Mangini and then regressed in switch to a straight 4-3.

I see this pickup and Benard as more of a commitment to specific players for specific assignments and not as much moving pieces in 2013/14.

I also see the nickel as a 3-3-5 with the Jack at the line or hand in the dirt and the dime as a 3-2-6 with the Jack at the line or hand in the dirt. Jones does stand up sometimes in the subs giving a 2-4 look as well. It's a great scheme for the personal and I think Saban and BB have an unspoken agreement for Alabama being the triple A team.

 

[1%er]

He's far too inconsistent, IMO. There were games where he played at such a poor level that he didn't look like he belonged anywhere near the NFL. Most of that was early on, but his game against the Ravens seemed to sum up far too much of his Patriots tenure for my liking.

Yeah I agree with that. He isn't really good at anything just average at multiple things. I just can't see us committing a roster spot to a pure FB for a full season. They do have Larsen and Fiammetta under contract still so maybe. We did struggle sometimes running at the goal line.

 

[DocHoliday]

Cunningham stays only if he can be smarter about using his 'special juice'. Sure, tons of players use it, but if you get caught you're no good.

Really feel we'll get a real fullback or H-back. Hooman and Fells go, Ballard and an H-back come in (my heart says Tebow, my mind says draftee).

Really stumped on what happens with Demps and Woodhead and Vereen. One will almost certainly have to go. Alternatively, if we do get a fullback, it may make Bolden expendable (if he too remains stupid about his PEDs) since while it leaves Ridley without a backup it allows a serviceable replacement in either the fullback himself or a fullback blocking for Woodhead/Vereen.

Argh, I hate to even think of it.

 

[Bhelmet]

Cunningham stays only if he can be smarter about using his PEDs.

It may take him proving he was not a product of them.

 

[Deus Irae]

Yeah I agree with that. He isn't really good at anything just average at multiple things. I just can't see us committing a roster spot to a pure FB for a full season. They do have Larsen and Fiammetta under contract still so maybe. We did struggle sometimes running at the goal line.

Just quickly off the top of my head, some replacements worth a price check as blocking TEs who might be able to work out of the backfield on occasion, IMO:

Anthony Fasano
Ben Hartsock

More longshot types (and lesser fits), but maybe worth a phone call
Steve Maneri (if he's not tendered)
Dallas Clark

 

[Bhelmet]

Just quickly off the top of my head, some replacements worth a price check as blocking TEs who might be able to work out of the backfield on occasion, IMO:

Anthony Fasano
Ben Hartsock

More longshot types (and lesser fits), but maybe worth a phone call
Steve Maneri (if he's not tendered)
Dallas Clark

I like Hartsock - intriguing. Miami would be crazy not to keep Fasano.

 

[RI Patriots fan]

Another video on Jason Vega:


Jason Vega Game Ball - YouTube

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I think the Pats should try and trade Fells now for some minimal consideration if they can get it, because realistically I don't see the value of keeping him on the roster if they re-sign both Ballard and Hoomanawanui. They won't likely carry more than 4 TEs, and Fells was behind Hooman on the depth chart. Cutting him frees up almost $1M this year, and $1.85M in 2014.

Your 2 restructurings would free up $5.5M. Add $1M from Fells and you have an additional $6.5M in cap space, which might cover the 2013 cap hit of one of the 3 major re-signings depending on how the contract was structured.

I've also suggested that Gostkowski and Connolly could be candidates for restructuring or pay cuts. Both make over $3.3M this year and over $3.8 next year. That seems like an awful lot to spend. Both are fine players, but there may need to be some brutal decision making over the next month or so. I also wonder if they might try and tack on another year to Brandon Lloyd's deal and knock his numbers down some ($4.5M in 2013, $5.5M in 2014).

Regardless, I think the Pats have some work to do to manage their cap situation in order to move forward, and I think these kind of cheap depth signings are an important part of the process. If any one of them pans out, it works out great for the team.

Great suggestions. I'd be thrilled if we could get a 6th for Fells. He's an established NFL TE. TEs are in vogue and he's not expensive cap wise for a team wanting to try that "Oh so trendy" 2 TE offense or wanting a capable backup.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

He's far too inconsistent, IMO. There were games where he played at such a poor level that he didn't look like he belonged anywhere near the NFL. Most of that was early on, but his game against the Ravens seemed to sum up far too much of his Patriots tenure for my liking.

Before the latest game not to be mentioned I optimistically thought Hoo was progressing and contributing. But we really do not want guys on the 46 who go into the foxhole in big playoff games. Unless he was sick or injured, it's back to the South Pacific for Hoo.

 

[Deus Irae]

Before the latest game not to be mentioned I optimistically thought Hoo was progressing and contributing. But we really do not want guys on the 46 who go into the foxhole in big playoff games. Unless he was sick or injured, it's back to the South Pacific for Hoo.

That's pretty much my take. Easily replaceable guys who wet their pants in the big moments are guys who should be replaced, IMO. Second and third chances are for guys with higher end talents. It's a cold approach, but the NFL is a cold league.