This is the offseason where everyone (but the Pats) gets worse

[tonyto3690]

It's almost shocking how across the league every relevant team is going through massive cap issues right now. The Packers are in the same boat as the Patriots, some minor issues to address but nothing significant. Niners are arguably as well but they are going to have several big time players up for contracts in the next couple years.


-Steelers had to, for the second consecutive season, backload more contracts to just get under the cap
-Giants cut multiple starters and significant players in their SB runs and will likely be losing Osi in FA.
-Ravens just blew their load on Flacco, and while this first year is fairly cap friendly, they still have a plethora of guys looking for paydays without much in the way of cap space.
-Broncos have a ton of significant starters/role players coming off as FA this offseason and don't have much cap space to deal with it. They're threatening to release guys like Dumervil if they don't take paycuts because they know they're up against the wall.


And for the Bengals, for all of their talk of massive cap space is a bit of an illusion. They can't give long term deals out to guys because Green and Dalton will be commanding Stafford/Calvin type deals in not too long. Obviously they are in a good position right now, but don't expect them to make any significant upgrades.

And of course the Jets. They have IIRC 12 starting positions they need to replace and are all of 7 million under the cap. Led by the great Mark Sanchez who's contract is unmanageable.


Led by Brady's contract restructure, the Patriots are in great shape and even if we just maintain and look to add depth/stay afloat, we are in great position by the fact most other teams are going to get worse anyways. Except for the Niners who are scary.

 

[Jimke]

It's almost shocking how across the league every relevant team is going through massive cap issues right now. The Packers are in the same boat as the Patriots, some minor issues to address but nothing significant. Niners are arguably as well but they are going to have several big time players up for contracts in the next couple years.


-Steelers had to, for the second consecutive season, backload more contracts to just get under the cap
-Giants cut multiple starters and significant players in their SB runs and will likely be losing Osi in FA.
-Ravens just blew their load on Flacco, and while this first year is fairly cap friendly, they still have a plethora of guys looking for paydays without much in the way of cap space.
-Broncos have a ton of significant starters/role players coming off as FA this offseason and don't have much cap space to deal with it. They're threatening to release guys like Dumervil if they don't take paycuts because they know they're up against the wall.


And for the Bengals, for all of their talk of massive cap space is a bit of an illusion. They can't give long term deals out to guys because Green and Dalton will be commanding Stafford/Calvin type deals in not too long. Obviously they are in a good position right now, but don't expect them to make any significant upgrades.

And of course the Jets. They have IIRC 12 starting positions they need to replace and are all of 7 million under the cap. Led by the great Mark Sanchez who's contract is unmanageable.


Led by Brady's contract restructure, the Patriots are in great shape and even if we just maintain and look to add depth/stay afloat, we are in great position by the fact most other teams are going to get worse anyways. Except for the Niners who are scary.

Don't gloat prematurely. The Patriots have a lot of good free agents like
Welker, Talib, Vollmer, Arrington, Woodhead, Edleman, and Thomas. If
the Patriots don't re-sign several of them, the team will be worse. I don't
expect them to make a major splash signing free agents from other teams.

 

[BlueThunder]

Seems that every year the Pats turn over their roster by 25-30%.

and every year they finish atop the AFC East.


Solid team that needs a few holes plugged. Good cap shape.

Some nice prospects that were signed recently and some players that missed games due to IR last season.

I'm not concerned about this season's version of the Pats, at least not yet. A few of their rookies from last year should improve and get more playing time.

BB has the situation analyzed and will put the pieces together for another run to the SB.

:rocker:

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Don't gloat prematurely. The Patriots have a lot of good free agents like
Welker, Talib, Vollmer, Arrington, Woodhead, Edleman, and Thomas. If
the Patriots don't re-sign several of them, the team will be worse. I don't
expect them to make a major splash signing free agents from other teams.

this year will be similar to 07 but not as big IMO..they will be spenders. They have to be to get over this hump and get another trophy before brady is done

They will sign 2-3 guys with decent contracts. or maybe guys like grimes, Aso, reed for cheap

 

[jah]

Really? I've always thought we would get worse with Brady getting a year older and all these free agents leaving.

 

[patsfan-1982]

as long as brady is the QB the pats will always make a run at the SB but that dose not mean the team is better or worst...BOTTOM LINE whoever the pats sign or dont sign we wont relly know if they are better or worst untill the playoffs start

 

[Salva135]

It's almost shocking how across the league every relevant team is going through massive cap issues right now. The Packers are in the same boat as the Patriots, some minor issues to address but nothing significant. Niners are arguably as well but they are going to have several big time players up for contracts in the next couple years.


-Steelers had to, for the second consecutive season, backload more contracts to just get under the cap
-Giants cut multiple starters and significant players in their SB runs and will likely be losing Osi in FA.
-Ravens just blew their load on Flacco, and while this first year is fairly cap friendly, they still have a plethora of guys looking for paydays without much in the way of cap space.
-Broncos have a ton of significant starters/role players coming off as FA this offseason and don't have much cap space to deal with it. They're threatening to release guys like Dumervil if they don't take paycuts because they know they're up against the wall.


And for the Bengals, for all of their talk of massive cap space is a bit of an illusion. They can't give long term deals out to guys because Green and Dalton will be commanding Stafford/Calvin type deals in not too long. Obviously they are in a good position right now, but don't expect them to make any significant upgrades.

And of course the Jets. They have IIRC 12 starting positions they need to replace and are all of 7 million under the cap. Led by the great Mark Sanchez who's contract is unmanageable.


Led by Brady's contract restructure, the Patriots are in great shape and even if we just maintain and look to add depth/stay afloat, we are in great position by the fact most other teams are going to get worse anyways. Except for the Niners who are scary.

If you have an elite QB, you're happy as a fan. Rodgers is in his prime, they can screw up the draft and cap for the next 8 years and they will still be a force in the league.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I suspect that Belichick has broken the comings and goings down to a positional basis and is noting new strategic weaknesses on teams and may adjust his own team to take advantage of that

With the Jets secondary looking to get weaker for instance - and with question marks at CB elsewhere among next years opponents, this might be the perfect time to revert back to a Moss-ish deep game to take advantage of that.

They've got the money to pretty much do what they want to create a deep game.

Even if Welker doesn't re-sign, how difficult would it be to defend a receiver set offering say, Wallace and Hernandez lining up as WRs with Gronk and Ballard playing TE, with Woodhead coming out of the backfield as another pass catching threat.

I mean who the hell do you double team?

I think a deep game is going to be a huge priority in the offseason - and I tend not to look to the draft for sure fire WR help.

Just the fact that the Patriots can give some teams fits trying to figure out how to defend against a 3 TE Set (and don't think Belichick won't use it) is enough to be excited about.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Even if Welker doesn't re-sign, how difficult would it be to defend a receiver set offering say, Wallace and Hernandez lining up as WRs with Gronk and Ballard playing TE, with Woodhead coming out of the backfield as another pass catching threat.

I mean who the hell do you double team?

You hope for injuries, which the football gods have been very generous in providing the last 2 years. :rain:

 

[strngplyr]

this year will be similar to 07 but not as big IMO..they will be spenders. They have to be to get over this hump and get another trophy before brady is done

They will sign 2-3 guys with decent contracts. or maybe guys like grimes, Aso, reed for cheap

The more I think about it the more I want us to spend this FA on DL/DB help and use the draft on offense, just pull a 180 on what we did last offseason and sign every CB/DT/DE we can realistically get as opposed to every WR and TE that was cut.

Draft a pair of WR's and OL depth early and play around in the back end of the draft with whatever projects you want.

I wouldn't mind an offseason haul of Michael Bennet and Brent Grimes along with hopeful resignings of Arrington, Edelman, and Welker if we could afford it.

Depends what theyre asking for but it should be doable, although tight against the wall. A Wilfork or Mankins extension/restructure would be great if they were willing.