FA Targets - available at a reasonable price

[Kontradiction]

I'm hoping for both. I'm hoping for Chandler in FA and Amaro in the draft. Also, would love to see WR James Jones in a Pat's uni, but would like to grab another WR in the draft as well. James Jones would mean syonara to one of Boyce or Thompkins most likely. Hoping we resign Edelman, then we'd have Edelman, Amendola, Dobson, Thompkins, Boyce and then possibly sign Jones. I would think unless Thompkins had a great camp again, he could be the odd man out, depending if Boyce shows up healthy and ready for the 2nd year jump.

I have no issue with this.

 

[signbabybrady]

Pryor and Clinton-Dix will be the first round safeties, more than likely. Pryor will be long gone and Clinton-Dix is a little too much like McCourty. We need a more physical presence back there, and even then Clinton-Dix might also be gone. I'm a safety-first guy as well, but the top two prospects might not even fall into our range and there are some good prospects that will be available in Days 2 and 3 if that happens. In general, I'm a SS, TE guy with this draft. As for the vet TE thing, if it's not a cheap vet, then who are you looking at? All that's available in FA is cheaper vets unless you think New Orleans isn't going to franchise Graham.

Obviously Graham is a pipe dream and I wasnt suggesting that when saying dont cheap out. I guess I just got the feeling you were thinking TE in first round and a cheap vet like Whooman.

You are right the pickings are slim in free agency but I feel it is important to find someone from that group that can be counted on to catch passes. I guess Pettigrew but he kinda sux.... not sure there are really any good options and it is making me rethink it and ASJ it is. I guess I want both but I dont want to spend alot on Pettigrew and he will probably get more than I would offer.

 

[goheels22002]

If Wilfork and/or Kelly are not brought back, a draft choice and a free agent DT or NT are needed. Not much out there, really, but Pat Sims is a possibility.

Recent news on Pat Sims - Oakland Raiders - Rotoworld.com

If his hamstring, ankle and forearm are sound, Pat Sims would be a good guy to bring in at interior DL. 6'22" 310 and just 28-years-old. His injury history is a bit bothersome, but that may be par for the course.

 

[Brady6]

FA Targets - reasonable price

A Gronk-like TE to go with Gronk is fine by me. Now that Amaro might go on Day 2, I would be fine with him as a move TE. I just didn't want him in the first round.

I would draft Fiedorowicz to be the Y-TE and use Gronkowski as the Flex-TE.

 

[Kontradiction]

Obviously Graham is a pipe dream and I wasnt suggesting that when saying dont cheap out. I guess I just got the feeling you were thinking TE in first round and a cheap vet like Whooman.

You are right the pickings are slim in free agency but I feel it is important to find someone from that group that can be counted on to catch passes. I guess Pettigrew but he kinda sux.... not sure there are really any good options and it is making me rethink it and ASJ it is. I guess I want both but I dont want to spend alot on Pettigrew and he will probably get more than I would offer.

I don't think Chandler is going to command much in FA, and he was who I was thinking of when I said a "cheap vet". ASJ is my numero uno priority when it comes to TE's, but I wouldn't be upset with either Amaro or Niklas, either.

I would draft Fiedorowicz to be the Y-TE and use Gronkowski as the Flex-TE.

What is it that you see in Fiedorowicz?

 

[JackBauer]

I have no issue with this.

There is little to no chance Boyce gets bumped off the roster.

I wouldn't mind picking up Jones and Chandler, but in my mind that should obviate the need for a WR in the draft, unless we're talking lower rounds.

 

[Kontradiction]

There is little to no chance Boyce gets bumped off the roster.

I wouldn't mind picking up Jones and Chandler, but in my mind that should obviate the need for a WR in the draft, unless we're talking lower rounds.

I don't think the Pats should be looking at drafting a WR until Day 3. I've been pretty adamant since the offseason started that a starter at WR should be picked up through FA.

 

[Brady6]

What is it that you see in Fiedorowicz?

I like his blocking and I think we need to continue to run the football more than in years past. I think he can be a solid receiving threat.

 

[JackBauer]

I don't think the Pats should be looking at a WR until Day 3. I've been pretty adamant since the offseason started that WR should be picked up through FA.

Agreed. Makes little sense when we already have slow-to-develop prospects that we should add more slow-to-develop prospects to the pile. What we really need is a proven receiver who can give us immediate production.

 

[Kontradiction]

I like his blocking and I think we need to continue to run the football more than in years past. I think he can be a solid receiving threat.

His blocking is fine but, as a receiver, he looks rather average to me. I would be fine if the Pats took someone else.

 

[signbabybrady]

Agreed. Makes little sense when we already have slow-to-develop prospects that we should add more slow-to-develop prospects to the pile. What we really need is a proven receiver who can give us immediate production.

Personally I dont see WR as a need at all. I would like to have Edelman back but not a priority but if he isnt back one Vet is needed and we might be better off to find a vet who plays more vertically than Jules. Though having someone like Jules who knows the system cant be understated either way this should not be to big a cap hit.

My real opinion of the WR position comes down to Dobson who I really think highly of and Thompkins who I think will be a very good 3rd or 4th option. I am not sure exactly what to think of Boyce as we did not see as much of him but he showed flashes in one game before getting hurt.

Unless you are giving up on all 3 or 2/3 then there isnt a need at WR. I know it is hard for us fans to sit here and rely on the developement of young somewhat unproven talent but that is where we are at. Fortunately we have BB making this decision and he wont hesitate to move on if thinks they wont be the answer but until he does that I am going to assume these 3 young WRs are the future and with DA and Jules/or replacement vet the position is full.

 

[JackBauer]

Personally I dont see WR as a need at all. I would like to have Edelman back but not a priority but if he isnt back one Vet is needed and we might be better off to find a vet who plays more vertically than Jules. Though having someone like Jules who knows the system cant be understated either way this should not be to big a cap hit.

My real opinion of the WR position comes down to Dobson who I really think highly of and Thompkins who I think will be a very good 3rd or 4th option. I am not sure exactly what to think of Boyce as we did not see as much of him but he showed flashes in one game before getting hurt.

Unless you are giving up on all 3 or 2/3 then there isnt a need at WR. I know it is hard for us fans to sit here and rely on the developement of young somewhat unproven talent but that is where we are at. Fortunately we have BB making this decision and he wont hesitate to move on if thinks they wont be the answer but until he does that I am going to assume these 3 young WRs are the future and with DA and Jules/or replacement vet the position is full.

I like Dobson/Boyce/Thompkins (though I think his ceiling is lower than the other two), and I am assuming Edelman will walk. That leaves us with Amendola as the sole proven wide receiver on the roster. I, too, am banking on good things from the now sophomores, but they really need to hedge their risk on this one to avoid a repeat of this past season.

 

[patfanken]

This is clearly the area where the Pats should be looking for FA's Here a few comments on the Comments:

1. TE's - I'm hoping that TE will be one of our first 2 picks, preferably the 2nd. But we really need to add 2 new TE's. So let me make a case for Scott Chandler. I think he'd be a very interesting choice for one of the 4 TE's I expect to be on the 53 man roster. Over the last 3 years he's averaging 40-50 catches per year (from a string of pretty bad QB's, btw) and over 500yds.

He also has experience in splitting wide with some success. He's experienced, a big target, a willing if not dominate blocker, and he'd come very cheap. If he became the "move TE", I wouldn't be surprised to see him increase his numbers by about 10-15% with a better QB and overall offense. With Chandler on board, the drafted TE will have the luxury of easing into the offense and provide a plus type depth to the TE position.

2. WR - With over 50 WR FA's on the market this off season, we should avoid any WR in the draft like the plague. I'm pessimistic that JE will be back. That would leave us with Amendola, Thompkins, Dobson, and Boyce. Frankly, I'd be OK going into the season with those guys if I knew they'd be healthy. IMHO, if we are going to carry 4 TE's, I find it hard to believe we'd be able to carry more that 5 WR's plus Slater on the 53.

I'd like to think that out of those 50+ FA WR's we can find someone who can make a contribution. It could be Sanders, it could be JE, or maybe a one year deal with the likes of Nicks, Britt, or Jones But regardless of who it turns out to be, there is one thing I'd bet you can count on. He's going to cost less than $4MM against the cap.

3. We definitely need more help at DE and I don't think we'll find it in the draft. For all the depth you hear about this year, there are 2 positions where there is very little in the way of depth, and one of them is pass rushing DE's. All the talk about Jarod Allen has me intrigued. This would be a great fit for him style wise, and a real chance for him to get to his superbowl before the end of his career.

He has proven he can play both sides so, between Nink and Jones he'd get plenty of snaps without having too many for his age. The issue I fear is the money. For most of his career, Allen has been getting top dollar to rush the passer, and even though his numbers dropped last season, they still were double digit. I just don't see him taking a $4-6MM/yr kind of deal that would get him here.

It would be cool to see him in silver and blue, but the reality is the Pats are likely going to have to rely on Mike Buchanon developing or adding a low end, slow to develop guy like E Griffi

3. The other shallow position in this year's draft at Safety. There are reportedly only 2 impact rookie S's in this draft and both will be long gone before the Pats pick. After them there is a huge drop off in talent, and from what I understand, none of them can be projected as being any better was what we have right now.

While I agree that what we have at S besides McCourty is NOT ideal, its a lot better than many here think it is. Yes it would be great if we could up grade the position. but its not a pressing problem. We have 3 very young and developing S's on the roster. Personally after looking at what's out there in FA and in the draft, we are more likely to upgrade Gregory from one of those guys.

4. I'd like to see us re-sign Svitek to be the swing tackle. That would free up Cannon to play RG and allow us to cut Connolly and his cap number. Back up interior OL depth could be handled by some of the graduates of Dante's school for successful unknown OLmen, like Josh Kline, and a draftee from the first 3 rounds.

Miguel has shown us ways for the Pats to get as much as $30MM under the cap rather conservatively. But reality is never as smart as Miguel, so after the whatever cuts and restructures are done, I think we'll wind up with a number closer to $20MM. If so, then that would leave us around $15MM to spend on FA's

With that kind of money I can easily see us getting back Talib, signing Alex Mack, signing Scott Chandler, and extending McCourty, and still have enough money for several of the kind of low end FA signings the Pats are known for. Those 4 moves alone would make this a great start to the off season.

 

[ashley]

I don't think the Pats should be looking at drafting a WR until Day 3. I've been pretty adamant since the offseason started that a starter at WR should be picked up through FA.

Agree totally!!! I think at wide receiver we should start with resigning Edleman and then as far as the draft goes, focus on the defensive line, safety position, offensive line and tight end.

A am really intrigued by Jarred Allen. I am wondering if he is looking to break the bank, but I would like to see someone on 3rd down really getting after the quarterback.

 

[Brady6]

FA Targets - reasonable price

His blocking is fine but, as a receiver, he looks rather average to me. I would be fine if the Pats took someone else.

I think Amaro has bust potential and would likely have to be selected at #29 if he is even on the board. I would prefer ASJ but I am not sure he will last to #62.

 

[Kontradiction]

Agree totally!!! I think at wide receiver we should start with resigning Edleman and then as far as the draft goes, focus on the defensive line, safety position, offensive line and tight end.

A am really intrigued by Jarred Allen. I am wondering if he is looking to break the bank, but I would like to see someone on 3rd down really getting after the quarterback.

Well, it depends on what Edelman wants. IMO, he's a solid WR3 and the Pats should look to pay him as such. If he wants more, I wouldn't care if they let him walk. James Jones would be excellent in this offense, IMO. With Brady he would be poised to post career-best numbers (assuming health) since he would get more looks in our offense than he would have in Green Bay's loaded passing offense (particularly with Jennings). I would love to see Allen brought in, but he might demand more than what the Pats are looking to pony up.

 

[ripatsfan91]

I like his blocking and I think we need to continue to run the football more than in years past. I think he can be a solid receiving threat.

I agree with your thought that we need to stay committed to the run, but I think Niklas can be just as good of a blocker and a better receiver. I just don't think Fiedorowicz can be a consistent receiving threat at the next level; I think he is a Hooman/Mulligan clone.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think Amaro has bust potential and would likely have to be selected at #29 if he is even on the board. I would prefer ASJ but I am not sure he will last to #62.

Well, every draftee has bust potential. But I more or less agree with you about Amaro. I would only be interested in him if he drops out of the first round. His stock has taken a bit of a dive so it is possible. But I would like ASJ or Niklas. Obviously, I would love Ebron but he's going to be long gone by that time.

 

[FCB02062]

I think we should take a look at these guys who can be had at a good price

TE - Brandon Pettigrew. He's a solid blocking back who can be a red-zone threat. He can compliment Gronk and if he's out he can provide us a poor man's Gronk.

FS - Kendrick Lewis, phsycial safety who's solid against the run (if Wilson is cut)

WR - James Jones - good size can play on the outside.

G - Willie Colon, he's older, but we only need a year or two out of him

Why does everything with the Patriots have to be a "good price" or "good value"? What has "value" gotten them the last 9 seasons? No trophies with the best qb and coach in the league. I swear 90% of the posters on PatsFans have been successfully brainwashed by the Patriots organization into thinking the Pats can only sign or draft a player if there's good "value"...how about spending some real money and signing some good players who aren't on the wrong side of 30 with injury histories??????

 

[Brady6]

FA Targets - reasonable price

Agree totally!!! I think at wide receiver we should start with resigning Edleman and then as far as the draft goes, focus on the defensive line, safety position, offensive line and tight end.



A am really intrigued by Jarred Allen. I am wondering if he is looking to break the bank, but I would like to see someone on 3rd down really getting after the quarterback.

I would like to see them draft Jeff Janis at #126.

The UFA market is flooded with safeties so they could go that direction and draft a player like Jonathan Dowling late. He has a lot of upside.