A Hope And Plea: re-sign our own top 8 free agents, keep Lloyd, tender Hoomanawanui

[mgteich]

BASE CASE - LAST YEAR'S TEAM
Let's re-sign our own top eight free agents, pay Lloyd's option, and tender Hooman.

Welker
Edelman
Woodhead
Vollmer
Thomas
Talib
Arrington
Cole (STer)
===================
To the degree that we can improve over any of these, we should. We can draft a safety, corner, and a wide receiver or two with our top four picks (after a trade down).
==================
I've listened to all the arguments over the past months. I still would rather sign our own. I understand (and accept) the logic of the alternative of passing on one of these in order to sign a safety or a pass-rusher.

 

[Brady6]

A Hope And Plea

BASE CASE - LAST YEAR'S TEAM
Let's re-sign our own top eight free agents, pay Lloyd's option, and tender Hooman.

Welker
Edelman
Woodhead
Vollmer
Thomas
Talib
Arrington
Cole (STer)
===================
To the degree that we can improve over any of these, we should. We can draft a safety, corner, and a wide receiver or two with our top four picks (after a trade down).
==================
I've listened to all the arguments over the past months. I still would rather sign our own. I understand (and accept) the logic of the alternative of passing on one of these in order to sign a safety or a pass-rusher.

I agree with our big name players. I do think we could upgrade players like Arrington with a Toler for a similar price, and also add some other complementary pieces to add camp competition. But I like the fact you want to build the core through retention and the draft.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I want to keep Welker and Talib first.

I'm willing to let Vollmer, Woodhead and Edelman walk because I want to use the money they would get for a pass-rusher and safety. I think the upgrade at those positions would be greater than difference between Vollmer/Cannon, Woodhead/Vereen and Edelman/Draft pick.

If there's money left after my pass-rusher and safety are added. I'd go after the rest of the list. My .02

 

[Deus Irae]

BASE CASE - LAST YEAR'S TEAM
Let's re-sign our own top eight free agents, pay Lloyd's option, and tender Hooman.

Welker
Edelman
Woodhead
Vollmer
Thomas
Talib
Arrington
Cole (STer)

Welker - must keep
Edelman - bring back for fair value
Woodhead - bring back for fair value
Thomas - will be looking for starting job or starter's money, so buh bye
Arrington - Easily upgraded, so bring back only if his number is extremely reasonable
Vollmer - bring back only if he's willing to sign a contract that reflects his back issues
Talib - plenty of other CB fish in the sea, so the need for Talib specifically isn't there
Cole - if he's low end money (minimum or barely above), yes. Otherwise, buh bye

 

[signbabybrady]

Personally I have my feelings about each player individually but as whole I feel that barring complete disaster either way this unfolds we will be ok.

Either we resign the guys and we are where we were and we improve via the draft, other minor moves, and the overall youth improvement.

Or most or all of those guys leave and we spend 25 Mil on their replacements and unless all of these guys fail we will wind up with a pretty good team with improvements coming via those changes (of these changes some might weaken but others would be stronger example if wes were to walk we likely wont improve the WR group but if we spend the money right the secondary could/should instead), the draft and the overall youth movement.

Basically the core is under contract and is the basis for our team either way. oon offense that Core being Brady, The RBs, The TEs, Solder, Mankins and on D that being Vince, Jones, Ninko, The LBs, McCourty and Dennard (yes he is core as he is good and I dont believe he will miss any camp). I lumped RB, TE, and LB into groups as they are on the bottom of most peoples needs lists.


Call me a homer, Talk about what have you done for me lately blah blah blah, But In BB I Trust and equally in Brady and the core of this team I trust. I know that there is enough talent on this team already that combined with a new draft class, whatever guys are retained, and any new FA we will be right where we have been for over a decade which is competing for a championship. But I will take it further that if everything were to spin just right I see no reason why this team should not be set up as good as any over the last decade including ones going into 03,04,07.

 

[DocHoliday]

Welker - must keep
Edelman - bring back for fair value
Woodhead - bring back for fair value
Thomas - will be looking for starting job or starter's money, so buh bye
Arrington - Easily upgraded, so bring back only if his number is extremely reasonable
Vollmer - bring back only if he's willing to sign a contract that reflects his back issues
Talib - plenty of other CB fish in the sea, so the need for Talib specifically isn't there
Cole - if he's low end money (minimum or barely above), yes. Otherwise, buh bye

I would hope we'd have enough quality CB to dump Cole

 

[Deus Irae]

I would hope we'd have enough quality CB to dump Cole

I was thinking of his ST play, not his CB work. I'm certainly with you on his CB play.

 

[DaBruinz]

BASE CASE - LAST YEAR'S TEAM
Let's re-sign our own top eight free agents, pay Lloyd's option, and tender Hooman.

Welker
Edelman
Woodhead
Vollmer
Thomas
Talib
Arrington
Cole (STer)
===================
To the degree that we can improve over any of these, we should. We can draft a safety, corner, and a wide receiver or two with our top four picks (after a trade down).
==================
I've listened to all the arguments over the past months. I still would rather sign our own. I understand (and accept) the logic of the alternative of passing on one of these in order to sign a safety or a pass-rusher.

Does anyone really believe that Hoomanawanui is worth 1.3Million on a tender? I don't. And I think that the money is better used on someone like Delanie Walker.

I think that Vollmer, Woodhead, Thomas, Talib and Cole are probably gone. I think that someone is going to pay huge money for Vollmer. I wouldn't be surprised to see Minnesota, Cincy or Detroit sign Woodhead.

Thomas is going to get starting money somewhere. I think that Talib will get a long term deal with a team like Cincy as well..

Cole is someone who can be replaced on Special Teams by an incoming player.

 

[JackBauer]

Does anyone really believe that Hoomanawanui is worth 1.3Million on a tender? I don't. And I think that the money is better used on someone like Delanie Walker.

I don't know why people want Hooman back, period. Dude sucks.

 

[mgteich]

As you know, the tender is a no-coster; no bonus money is involved. Hooman can be cut if a free agent or Fells beat him out for a roster spot.

Does anyone really believe that Hoomanawanui is worth 1.3Million on a tender? I don't. And I think that the money is better used on someone like Delanie Walker.

 

[DaBruinz]

I don't know why people want Hooman back, period. Dude sucks.

I wouldn't say he sucks. But not being a part of Special Teams Coverage doesn't help him. His blocking is below average. His hands seem pretty good though for pass catching.. But the Pats need him blocking and on Special Teams.

 

[DocHoliday]

I think it's very interesting that a day after the Patriots expressed interest in Browns WR Josh Cribbs, the Browns have expressed interest in Edelman, who fills a somewhat similar role.

 

[patfanken]

We are definitely going to carry 4 TE's next season. Gronk, Hernandez, and Ballard, are going to be 3 of them (assuming Ballard makes a full recovery from his knee injury). There will be at least 3 additional TE's brought in to fight for that 4th job....at least. Herrman, Fells, and Hooman, make a good start and there probably will be more.

If we lose Volmer, we would certainly survive. We have a couple of good prospects already on the team, (Cannon and Zuvie) plus there are several "adequate"/solid FA's on the market (Sam Baker, Eric Winston types) who would cost less. Plus if we chose to use our first round pick on an OT, there would likely be a guy available at 29 who could be good enough to start as a rookie. HOWEVER.....

The entire OL and depth would be vastly better if we re-sign Volmer. Instead of being an adequate RT, Cannon could possibly evolving into an impact OG, or at worst better than average depth at 3 positions. I say pay him, as long as you can build in adequate protections against his back problems. I'm thinking 8-9MM/yr structured such that the avv doesn't reach that level for at least 2 years

Cole I will be happy regardless of what the Pats decide to do. He's a solid bottom of the roster guy. Someone you are happy to have on your team, yet someone you are always trying to upgrade.

Woody is my quandary. One of my favorite players from the moment he arrived, but his skills are, of all our FA's, the ones most easily replace by others on the roster. If you keep him you are not only taking cap space, you are ******ing the development of another player who's snaps Woodhead would take away.

 

[Jimke]

BASE CASE - LAST YEAR'S TEAM
Let's re-sign our own top eight free agents, pay Lloyd's option, and tender Hooman.

Welker
Edelman
Woodhead
Vollmer
Thomas
Talib
Arrington
Cole (STer)
===================
To the degree that we can improve over any of these, we should. We can draft a safety, corner, and a wide receiver or two with our top four picks (after a trade down).
==================
I've listened to all the arguments over the past months. I still would rather sign our own. I understand (and accept) the logic of the alternative of passing on one of these in order to sign a safety or a pass-rusher.

The system is everything with the Patriots. The players you list are all
pretty good players. Why replace them with players not familar with
the system? The Patriots ended up the 4th best team in football. All
they need is a free agent or two and another good draft to contend again.

 

[JackBauer]

I wouldn't say he sucks. But not being a part of Special Teams Coverage doesn't help him. His blocking is below average. His hands seem pretty good though for pass catching.. But the Pats need him blocking and on Special Teams.

I guess we disagree. Mediocre receiver + terrible blocker + poor playoff performances equals a no brainer cut to me.

 

[mgteich]

I would suggest that if we signed our own, we would not need to sign any significant free agents at all to contend again. Also, we may not be able to afford any significant free agents.

Obviously, we would sign backups and camp competition, especially at DL, DB and WR; but, the cap effect will be tiny.

If our very young team comes back in total, we can count on the youngsters (as a whole) contributing more. As you say, we will also add draftees (and Armstead, Vega and Bennard). Perhaps they will help this year.

All they need is a free agent or two and another good draft to contend again.

 

[Brady2Moss]

I only want to keep Talib and Welker let Vollmer and his back walk. Maybe try keeping Edelman, but he plays 6 games a year so it won't hurt them to lose him.

 

[DaBruinz]

I only want to keep Talib and Welker let Vollmer and his back walk. Maybe try keeping Edelman, but he plays 6 games a year so it won't hurt them to lose him.

He actually averages 12 games a season, but don't let facts get in the way of your complaining about him.

 

[Brady2Moss]

He actually averages 12 games a season, but don't let facts get in the way of your complaining about him.

Actually every time he is used heavily as a receiver he gets hurt. Notice his only 16 game season is when he had 11 targets all season.

So tell me again how he isn't injury prone