Predictions on who will or won't be back

I hadn't thought about Lloyd leaving. I think a lot of it will depend upon who they can replace him with. Who that would be, I do not know.

My feeling is everyone's back but Arrington, Fells, Pryor and Chung.

Woodhead and Edelman aren't gonna get the money everyone's thinking, and Welker is not getting $10 million anywhere. Let's not fool ourselves.

Also, look for a surprise trade. Maybe even Mankins, who hasn't really delivered on his huge contract. When he was out this year his back-ups performed well for a lot less money.

BB doesn't have many quality draft picks this year, and it'll take a big trade to get some.

Here is my take:

welker - I don't see us letting him go. Franchised and long term deal worked out.

edelman - He might decide to go for a bigger role but I think he would be wise to stay and continue what he has started. It took him four years to get real reps with this team (injuries slowed him down) but if he goes elsewhere and fails it is over for him if signs for a year or two here I think another team would give him one more shot after that. If the money is right he is out Punt returner and great depth at the WR position.

vollmer - This is a tough one as I think it comes down purely to money as he likely will get a large deal from someone but I think that someone could be us depending on what we think of Cannon. If they think Cannon can be a starter than it would be wise to use the money elsewhere and bring in cheaper depth if they dont think Cannon can start than they are as likely as any to pay him top dollar as we need Brady properly protected.

woodhead - Another tough one as he has been a perfect Patriot and no reason not to want him back except that we have 4 other RBs and while he wont get ridiculous money I think it will be just a touch to high considering what else we have.

hooman - stays - No reason not to. We will likely carry 4 again and he has shown to be a versatile and effective player for us. Ballard will be TE3 and Hooman TE4 with maybe a late round TE to compete with him.

talib - Another tough one but I think our need at CB, his time here, plus what the actual market will be for a troubled CB means we get the right price for him. And I think this gets done before FAency as both sides will see the logic.

chung - I think we move on clearly he was phased out and he will obviously want another shot at starting. I see him going to Philly.

arrington - I would be OK with bringing him back to be Nickle but we would need to find another CB for depth as I have no faith in him outside. In the end I think he would want a bigger role and another team would be willing to try. He wont get huge money but I think this is more about his role.

scott - This could either way. I think he proved to be a good back up and I see no reason we wouldn't bring him back but he might find better out in the market. Not sure where Cunningham plays into this as up until the suspension he was clearly behind Cunningham but if he passed him in the coaches eye I think that could be enough for him to like his role here.

pryor - no reason to bring back a player who cant play due to health.

As to the possibility of Lloyd being cut before the Roster bonus that would seem like a reasonable possibility but I think Lloyd showed just enough to still be worth it but this is more about continuity and depth. Above I assumed Welker would be back and with the TEs being healthy to start the year you really need very little by way of WR help. My plan would then be to draft a young kid with blazing speed to be the deep threat and being a rookie I think I would prefer to have a few players who have played with Tom. Plus he adds a level of balance to the team by where he attacks the D (outside the numbers in the intermediate area not overlapping Wes and Hernadez much).

I think you are doing your offense the best by having Wes, Lloyd, Edelman, Rookie WR. If you try and save on Wes or lloyd you have to replace them and you would practically be left with WRs with no experience working with Tom worked in 07 but what are the chances of finding that kind of skill again? I would assume stick with status quo and try and add the speedy deep threat as cheaply as possible and rely on health and Ballard to make the passing game better (which realistically you cant get much better we are talking more balanced and deeper not neccessarily more production).

olschool said:

Also, look for a surprise trade. Maybe even Mankins, who hasn't really delivered on his huge contract. When he was out this year his back-ups performed well for a lot less money.

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Would it cost the Pats too much in 2013 cap money to trade him? I was thinking Maybe Spikes going (not that I want it to happen) only because they may not be able to afford to keep him in 2014. Actually, forget it. thats a silly notion.

JackBauer said:

Don't really want him back.

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couldn't find the question "what does JackBauer want?' anywhere

IllegalContact said:

couldn't find the question "what does JackBauer want?' anywhere

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True. I just felt like goading you into revealing some more of your inner d-bag.

No to Arrington.

NE needs to get better here because the likelihood of the 3rd CB pressed into the starting role is so great. Arrington isnt the # 1 or # 2 CB for a reason.

No to Vollmer

Hes never been healthy. Investing in him isnt worth the risk.

No to Chung

The Pats should just let this mistake expire with no offer. Move on and draft a real Safety who can cover. Its suppose to be a good draft for Safeties.

No to Hooman

Ballard will bring more to the table.

No to Woody

I wish NE could keep him, but Vereen is the same player and NE needs a big bruiser at RB.

Yes to Welker

For the right price though. NE was able to use Edelman and Welker together. One backs up the other should injury occur. Brady wants Wes back and I wouldnt be surprised if he gave up $ so WW could stay.

Yes to Edelman

Special teams is better with him. He needs to play less recklessly to save his body.

Yes to Talib

Corners are so hard to find and especially for this team. Talib is part of the solution to fixing NE pass defense.

Triumph said:

No to Arrington.

NE needs to get better here because the likelihood of the 3rd CB pressed into the starting role is so great. Arrington isnt the # 1 or # 2 CB for a reason.

No to Vollmer

Hes never been healthy. Investing in him isnt worth the risk.

No to Chung

The Pats should just let this mistake expire with no offer. Move on and draft a real Safety who can cover. Its suppose to be a good draft for Safeties.

No to Hooman

Ballard will bring more to the table.

No to Woody

I wish NE could keep him, but Vereen is the same player and NE needs a big bruiser at RB.

Yes to Welker

For the right price though. NE was able to use Edelman and Welker together. One backs up the other should injury occur. Brady wants Wes back and I wouldnt be surprised if he gave up $ so WW could stay.

Yes to Edelman

Special teams is better with him. He needs to play less recklessly to save his body.

Yes to Talib

Corners are so hard to find and especially for this team. Talib is part of the solution to fixing NE pass defense.

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I can agree, but I would keep Woody. Even if that meant losing WW - Woody, Vereen, and Edelman could make up for his production. I think Tom really likes Woody as well.

Bhelmet said:

I can agree, but I would keep Woody. Even if that meant losing WW - Woody, Vereen, and Edelman could make up for his production. I think Tom really likes Woody as well.

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Don't we all.

fnrr fnrr.

olschool said:

Also, look for a surprise trade. Maybe even Mankins, who hasn't really delivered on his huge contract. When he was out this year his back-ups performed well for a lot less money.

BB doesn't have many quality draft picks this year, and it'll take a big trade to get some.

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Trading Mankins would cost the Pats $12M against the cap to trade, which is $2M more than he'd cost to keep. Not happening.

No to Arrington.

NE needs to get better here because the likelihood of the 3rd CB pressed into the starting role is so great. Arrington isnt the # 1 or # 2 CB for a reason.

No to Vollmer

Hes never been healthy. Investing in him isnt worth the risk.

No to Chung

The Pats should just let this mistake expire with no offer. Move on and draft a real Safety who can cover. Its suppose to be a good draft for Safeties.

No to Hooman

Ballard will bring more to the table.

No to Woody

I wish NE could keep him, but Vereen is the same player and NE needs a big bruiser at RB.

Yes to Welker

For the right price though. NE was able to use Edelman and Welker together. One backs up the other should injury occur. Brady wants Wes back and I wouldnt be surprised if he gave up $ so WW could stay.

Yes to Edelman

Special teams is better with him. He needs to play less recklessly to save his body.

Yes to Talib

Corners are so hard to find and especially for this team. Talib is part of the solution to fixing NE pass defense.

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I agree with all of the these with the possible exceptions of Volmer and Talib. I can see those two guys possibly coming back. If they do not bring back Talib it should be clear as day that the need a Talib-like CB.

I think Wes comes back but only if Brady pitches in.

As I mentioned earlier Brady has been willing to restructure to bring players here. Is there the chance that Brady would restructure to keep WW here? I think it is likely the only scenario under which WW stays. That is really going to be interesting. More than anything else WW is Brady's security blanket. It would not be a surprise at all if the Pats landed this thing in Brady's lap. "You want him Tom...put your money where your mouth is."

So if Brady puts some money in the pot then I think Welker stays.

mgteich said:

I do not expect Woodhead to go. Other than that I agree, except that Vollmer might cost a bit more than you think.

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If they keep Woodhead they will have

Ridley
Vereen
Woodhead
Bolden
Demps

There are only so many snaps to go around I don't see the value in keeping him. Unless we were to get some type of value in return and move Vereen or Bolden to a place looking for a #1 back.

Woodhead is clearly more valuable than Bolden or Demps. I see no disadvantage in keeping 5 running backs, especially if one is a returner.

We want to be able to run. We need backups. Bolden and Demps are fine in those roles. IT is NOT a matter of all of the players being productive when everyone is healthy. Backups are often on the bench or even inactive.

1%er said:

If they keep Woodhead they will have

Ridley
Vereen
Woodhead
Bolden
Demps

There are only so many snaps to go around I don't see the value in keeping him. Unless we were to get some type of value in return and move Vereen or Bolden to a place looking for a #1 back.

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1%er said:

If they keep Woodhead they will have

Ridley
Vereen
Woodhead
Bolden
Demps

There are only so many snaps to go around I don't see the value in keeping him. Unless we were to get some type of value in return and move Vereen or Bolden to a place looking for a #1 back.

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The value in Woodhead is that he is better than Vareen, Bolden, and Demps. Hopefully Vareen continues to improve and passes him. But I do agree there is enough talent not to invest in Woody. I think for him it all comes down to price and I could see that going either way. It only takes one team to everpay but no one will mistake Woody for an every down player so it could stay within range and if the price is right why not.