Patriots own free agents in order of resigning priority…

[supafly]

Not enough playmakers. Were we missing gronkowski in all three of those losses? Yes. Is there any guarantee we will have him for next years playoffs? NO. We need to find electrifying playmakers this offseason that can compliment gronk, in case he gets hurt again or in case he gets shut down.

Your thinking coincides with my thoughts of not having to necessarily rely on one guy on either side of the ball, although that isn't exactly earth shattering news. In the past couple of AFCCG losses, we did not do this, and our over reliance on Gronk and Talib basically did us in in both situations.

I agree that we need to be better prepared on both sides (including the Talib situation) in terms of depth at CB and receiving targets, even if that means a bit of lessened talent for one player and more of a switch to better depth across the positions of CB and WR/TE themselves.

Basically, we need to continue to address both positions, so if/when our star receiver or pass defender goes down, we have adequate options to try and still produce.

 

[skspikex2]

How would you prioritize the resigning of our own free agents this offseason? I would list them as follows:

1. Talib
2. Edelman
3. Blount
4. Wendell
5. Spikes*
6. Hooman
7. Fletcher
8. Aiken
9. Mulligan
10. Collie
11. Svitek

Resign Talib is a must. As for Edelman and Blount, only if it the right price. No problem with Fletcher as a depth resigning.


Put the rest in the recycle bin.

 

[mgteich]

FREE AGENT PRIORITIES

ONE - TALIB
I'm with everyone else here. As far as priorities, Talib (or another top corner) is by far the first priority. Considering that alternatives are more difficult to find than at other positions, TALIB is head and shoulders ahead.

TWO - LOW COST FILLERS
I think that that the next most important is to fill minor holes at low cost. The alternative is to creates roster holes which will cost more later. FLETCHER, HOOMAN, SVITEK, AIKEN and COLLIE are inexpensive, valuable to us, upgradable backups. Even MULLIGAN may be signed to a minimum contract as camp competition.

THREE - BLOUNT
It is easy to say that there are one or two other free agents out there who might fill his role. That's not many. Blount understands the offense and provides a key component of our #10 running game. With Ridley in his contract year, I think that it is prudent to sign Blount. Vereen is also in his contract year, but really plays a different position.

FOUR - EDELMAN
I don't think that he is all that replaceable, except by Amendola. The team may decide that Edelman simply isn't worth big money. If we want to spend big money on a receiver, perhaps we will sign a downfield receiver, or not. More likely is a mid-level receiver. Of course, some would call guys like Sanders mid-level. So, sure the team wants to re-sign Edelman. However if that doesn't happen, it is likely that Belichick has some faith in his corps without Edelman: Amendola, Dobson, Thompkins, Boyce, Harrison and Moe. We will likely bring back Collie in any case. We will likely bring in the 2014 group of camp competitiors as we always do, at least two of which we as poster will be SURE is better than what we have.

FIVE - WENDELL
I disagree with almost everyone here who think than an average starting center who can step right in is easy to find. There are studs like Mack, but we are not paying the money. While I wnat Wendell, I expect that Belichick will let him walk. Personally, I would not be surprised with seeing us extend Wendell.

SIX - SPIKES
I do not see us re-signing Spikes.

 

[Ivan]

FREE AGENT PRIORITIES

ONE - TALIB
I'm with everyone else here. As far as priorities, Talib (or another top corner) is by far the first priority. Considering that alternatives are more difficult to find than at other positions, TALIB is head and shoulders ahead.

.

Not me. Imo Talib is too unreliable to give a big contract to. I was really disappointed in him for not at least trying to get back on the field in the AFCCG, and that's the second year in a row that has happened. i think he saved himself for free agency and really let the team down when they needed him most. He's a very good CB when he is out there but I don't think they are going to come close to offering him what it would take to keep him. I think he is gone.

 

[Ivan]

TWO - LOW COST FILLERS
I think that that the next most important is to fill minor holes at low cost. The alternative is to creates roster holes which will cost more later. FLETCHER, HOOMAN, SVITEK, AIKEN and COLLIE are inexpensive, valuable to us, upgradable backups. Even MULLIGAN may be signed to a minimum contract as camp competition.

THREE - BLOUNT
It is easy to say that there are one or two other free agents out there who might fill his role. That's not many. Blount understands the offense and provides a key component of our #10 running game. With Ridley in his contract year, I think that it is prudent to sign Blount. Vereen is also in his contract year, but really plays a different position.

Agree on the fillers but i am not sure what you are thinking in terms of Blount, what do you think they will pay and do you think he will take that. I am guessing they offer 2 years 5-6 million and i doubt that will get it done. However I have been way off the mark on contracts before and actually have much more confidence in your take on that than my own.

 

[Ivan]

FOUR - EDELMAN
I don't think that he is all that replaceable, except by Amendola. The team may decide that Edelman simply isn't worth big money. If we want to spend big money on a receiver, perhaps we will sign a downfield receiver, or not. More likely is a mid-level receiver. Of course, some would call guys like Sanders mid-level. So, sure the team wants to re-sign Edelman. However if that doesn't happen, it is likely that Belichick has some faith in his corps without Edelman: Amendola, Dobson, Thompkins, Boyce, Harrison and Moe. We will likely bring back Collie in any case. We will likely bring in the 2014 group of camp competitiors as we always do, at least two of which we as poster will be SURE is better than what we have.

FIVE - WENDELL
I disagree with almost everyone here who think than an average starting center who can step right in is easy to find. There are studs like Mack, but we are not paying the money. While I wnat Wendell, I expect that Belichick will let him walk. Personally, I would not be surprised with seeing us extend Wendell.

SIX - SPIKES
I do not see us re-signing Spikes.

Agree on Wendell and Spikes, but again i am not sure what you are referring to for "big money" Edelman. I think they will go to 16-20 for 4 but don't believe they will go to 25-30. I would be fine with it if they did because i think they can structure such a deal so it won't bite them in the ass, I am just not sure how high they will go. Edelman is the offensive priority ofr them imo and I really want them to make sure he stays. the last thing they need is to go backwards at WR right now.

 

[tmajr3]

Pats better resign Edelman. Letting TB's favorite target go back to back year? After that they might as well let Gronk go the next year.

 

[mgteich]

I haven't a clue to what will get it done on Blount. We had a great bargain in 2013 with a #10 running game using three players on their rookie contracts and a vet on a show-me contract. We now have to use resources or op draft choices for the next couple of years at the running back position.

Agree on the fillers but i am not sure what you are thinking in terms of Blount, what do you think they will pay and do you think he will take that. I am guessing they offer 2 years 5-6 million and i doubt that will get it done. However I have been way off the mark on contracts before and actually have much more confidence in your take on that than my own.

 

[JackBauer]

We desperately need a starting center who is better than Wendell. As for center being one of the least important positions in the NFL...what a silly thing to say.

 

[Ivan]

I haven't a clue to what will get it done on Blount. We had a great bargain in 2013 with a #10 running game using three players on their rookie contracts and a vet on a show-me contract. We now have to use resources or op draft choices for the next couple of years at the running back position.

I think they can re-sign both Ridley and Vereen next offseason and they can get a power back to replace blount in the draft at a mid or late round price. they aren't going to be as good as Blount is but i doubt the Patriots will pay market price for Blount so they won't have much choice.

 

[mgteich]

We would certainly hope that Ridley and Vereen have solid years, better than 2013. They will need to that if Blount's replacement isn't as good as Blount.

Under those circumstances, I don't see why you think that we will be able to re-sign BOTH Vereen and Ridley.

I think they can re-sign both Ridley and Vereen next offseason and they can get a power back to replace blount in the draft at a mid or late round price. they aren't going to be as good as Blount is but i doubt the Patriots will pay market price for Blount so they won't have much choice.

 

[Ivan]

We would certainly hope that Ridley and Vereen have solid years, better than 2013. They will need to that if Blount's replacement isn't as good as Blount.

Under those circumstances, I don't see why you think that we will be able to re-sign BOTH Vereen and Ridley.

1) The Patriots are a gameplan team so running backs are only used heavily in certain weeks.

2) The Patriots are a running back by commmittee team so neither is going to have big numbers.

3) The RB market has changed and teams now view them as expendable and don't pay them big money.

4) They will be done with The Prisoners cap hits and the cap should go up at some point in the near future. If they want them they should have the money to sign them.

 

[mgteich]

Almost every team using the running back by committee approach. Ridley and Vereen will be valuable commodities. They will not command huge money, but then neither will anyone else.
What is clear is that we will need to pay for two running backs not on rookie contracts as t additional cost to the cap.

I don't know what dead money we will have next year. As always at this point in the season, next year's dead money is low. In any case, counting on significantly increased cap money available seems a wrong approach.

I would hope that we would extend some players. Such a strategy has low first year effect and higher effect in 2015, 2016 and beyond.

1) The Patriots are a gameplan team so running backs are only used heavily in certain weeks.

2) The Patriots are a running back by commmittee team so neither is going to have big numbers.

3) The RB market has changed and teams now view them as expendable and don't pay them big money.

4) They will be done with The Prisoners cap hits and the cap should go up at some point in the near future. If they want them they should have the money to sign them.

 

[kennyb]

I see them signing edelmen but letting talib go. He's injured too much.

Question is does a tag and trade make sense? Or is it too risky they'd get stuck with him.

 

[Kdo5]

Aqib Talib is #1. I think this is a guy that Belichick really wants to stay. Then it is Edelman. He is our best slot guy and Brady's most reliable guy. Blount too fora reasonable price.

 

[PatsFan2]

I look at it differently:

1. Talib. Not even close. Need to keep the secondary intact for continuity, need his outside coverage ability. Take him away and the defense falls apart against playoff-caliber opponents.






2. Blount.
3. Edelman. These 2 are close, and are way behind Talib for me, because there are reasonable-cost alternatives available. Minnesota RB Toby Gerhart is a UFA and is an excellent alternative to Blount who should be available at reasonable cost; he has more potential as a receiving threat than Blount. Edelman is an excellent player, but he has only 1 complete season under his belt. The Pats have Amendola and Boyce; they might be better off spending less money for a WR who complements who they already have. There will be a bunch in FA: Eric Decker (too expensive), Hakeem Nicks (probably too expensive), Riley Cooper (good choice), Jeremy Maclin (good choice), Emmanuel Sanders, and more.






4. Fletcher. He has tremendous utility as a reserve because he can play all 3 LB positions, and at a fairly high level.
5. Svitek. Like Fletcher, he can play multiple positions at a decent level.






6. Dump the rest. I don't want Spikes back, or Wendell particularly. I want better TEs than Hooman and Mulligan, and I don't really see a place for Collie. Aiken is a LS, and those can be found as UDFAs; he's not so good that he can't be easily replaced. I wouldn't spend a dime on any of these guys, at the very least until I've filled the major holes; the last thing I want to do is chew up valuable cap space on lesser targets.

I don't know how you have Blount at #2 a guy who couldn't even get out of his own way last game...I'll pass we still have Ridley and Vereen and Bolden.

 

[Kontradiction]

We desperately need a starting center who is better than Wendell. As for center being one of the least important positions in the NFL...what a silly thing to say.

Welcome to the dark side.

 

[Jimke]

Not me. Imo Talib is too unreliable to give a big contract to. I was really disappointed in him for not at least trying to get back on the field in the AFCCG, and that's the second year in a row that has happened. i think he saved himself for free agency and really let the team down when they needed him most. He's a very good CB when he is out there but I don't think they are going to come close to offering him what it would take to keep him. I think he is gone.

Give Talib a contract similar to Vollmer, based on playing time.

 

[Ivan]

I don't know how you have Blount at #2 a guy who couldn't even get out of his own way last game...I'll pass we still have Ridley and Vereen and Bolden.

Do you even watch football? They didn't use Blount against Denver, blaming that on him is complete garbage.


Blount sucks and you want them to "break the bank" for the worst WR in football. Unbelievable.

 

[JackBauer]

Welcome to the dark side.

It's not the first time I've whiffed on my assessment, and it won't be the last!