Three More Months Of Free Agency

Deus Irae said:

To hell with sipping, let's just go 100% Jonestown and chug it all down!

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I'd much rather take a huge gulp of the Pats sweet tasting kool aid than even one sip of your sour grape juice.

Yep. Puxtatawny Mel crawled out of his borough in Radio City Music Hall, and saw his shadow. Three more months of free agency again...

I think the only positions that the Patriots need more candidates is at reserve LB and perhaps reserve TE. Everyone forgets that we still have the next two talent acquisition methods to fill needs. The first is Trades to use to build the couple of reserve positions that they need to fill at LB and TE. The second acquisition method is to sign surplus veteran cuts from teams in TC.

Both needs are for reserves able to step in and play, but not necessarily front line candidates or stars. That speaks to NFL veterans being better sources rather than raw rookies.

AzPatsFan said:

I think the only positions that the Patriots need more candidates is at reserve LB and perhaps reserve TE. Everyone forgets that we still have the next two talent acquisition methods to fill needs. The first is Trades to use to build the couple of reserve positions that they need to fill at LB and TE. The second acquisition method is to sign surplus veteran cuts from teams in TC.

Both needs are for reserves able to step in and play, but not necessarily front line candidates or stars. That speaks to NFL veterans being better sources rather than raw rookies.

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I don't think that we are NECESSARILY set at running back with two out of Bolden, Develin and the UDFA's.

I am also not sure that we have enough at 3 DE's spots with Smith, Buchanan, Bequette and Moore.

So, I see potential additions at TE, LB, RB and DE. As you say, these additions could come in the late cuts. This could mean that these players could be added in the two weeks before and after Game One.

Jermichael Finley ‏@JermichaelF88 12m
Let's Try This Again. #GreenBay

Since this thread started, we have added LB Anderson (a very needed addition) and the UDFA's, and Swanson who was on the colts PS all last year.

TE
We've spoken about this a lot. Perhaps Keller and FInley aren't healthy enough to sign. Other prospects may not be seen as better than Williams or the UDFA's. But, there are JAG's put there who could compete with Williams for the mythical 3rd TE spot.

RB/FB
Many folks are all set with our five, thinking that no competition is necessary and no injury protection is needed (except from UDFA's). I expect us to being in a vet for competition.

LB
I'm fine with the 5 we have. However, we need injury protection. We could always use a 6th who is a top STer.

DE
I suppose it depends on how many we carry and on whether Easley is considered a DE. Also, we have the issue of the health of Easley and Smith. Perhaps, there are none out there who are good enough to compete to be our 9th or 10th DL. However, when cuts are made, I suspect that there may be vet who would good injury insurance for the season.

AndyJohnson said:

In all the years I have been on this board, I have never seen one single poster state that they believe BB is never wrong, yet you trot out this strawman on a daily basis, and it has become your mantra.

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It is simply posturing so that he and those like him can pretend they are just speaking the unvarnished truth and therefore obviously right on every subject, the rest of us are just ballwashing homers who can't see through our bias to the real truth, which they see clearly. However in all honesty it is hard to argue with their version of the truth as the record speaks for itself, Belichick and the Patriots are failures, and those of us not wearing rose colored glasses can see just how great their failure has been

Ivan said:

It is simply posturing so that he and those like him can pretend they are just speaking the unvarnished truth and therefore obviously right on every subject, the rest of us are just ballwashing homers who can't see through our bias to the real truth, which they see clearly. However in all honesty it is hard to argue with their version of the truth as the record speaks for itself, Belichick and the Patriots are failures, and those of us not wearing rose colored glasses can see just how great their failure has been

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Of course it is, thats why I pointed it out.
If I exaggerate your position, it makes mine sound better when I disagree with you.

Can't wait for training camp. A few positions where I would look to add a developmental player for camp.

DT: With the retirement of Armstead; rehab of Kelly (ACL); rehab of Wilfork (Achilles); rehab of Easley (ACL). We have Jones, Siliga, Vellano, Forston, and a couple more UDFAs (from Utah and USC I think).

Health will dictate if we need to bolster DT.

S: I am comfortable with McCourty and Harmon. The rest of our players at this position seem like STers: Wilson, Chung, Ebner. I don't know much about Kanorris Davis though they activated him to the 53 man last year prior to the AFC Championship game so maybe he takes a step forward in his second year.

Another theory is that instead of keeping 5 CB and 4 S that we skew towards more CBs 6/3 and that a player like Logan Ryan could slide back to S in some packages.

I agree that TE would be nice if we could get a player like Gonzalez to sign up for one more attempt at a ring. I always liked Dustin Keller (even though he was a Jet), but he is rehabbing from a really bad injury so maybe we sign him with little signing bonus and have him start out on PUP list for a Week 6 target and it gives us time to teach him the system while he rehabs the injury.

I think that overall this is a very good team, but time will tell if they reach their potential and most of that depends on getting healthy and staying healthy.

Gonazalez is only willing to co me in after the season starts and i really think that Belichick wants his team in camp and on the same page, and while i wouldn't rule it out 100% I think the likelihood of him ending up in NE is remote at best. He has made exceptions in the past (e.g..Waters) but in general he wants all of his players to be there in July.

mgteich said:

Since this thread started, we have added LB Anderson (a very needed addition) and the UDFA's, and Swanson who was on the colts PS all last year.

TE
We've spoken about this a lot. Perhaps Keller and FInley aren't healthy enough to sign. Other prospects may not be seen as better than Williams or the UDFA's. But, there are JAG's put there who could compete with Williams for the mythical 3rd TE spot.

RB/FB
Many folks are all set with our five, thinking that no competition is necessary and no injury protection is needed (except from UDFA's). I expect us to being in a vet for competition.

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Aren't there currently 7 RBs (not including Devlin) on the roster? The 3 from last year, White, Finch, Houston and Gray?

AndyJohnson said:

In all the years I have been on this board, I have never seen one single poster state that they believe BB is never wrong, yet you trot out this strawman on a daily basis, and it has become your mantra.

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That is 100% true my friend. However if you point out one mistake or failure of bellichick it causes quite a stir around here. And the poster is flamed and insulted and reminded of our AFC east dominance. However if you want to defend Bellichicks excellence I don't think that's the right tool, pointing at AFC east dominance. Its been week for the most part and EVERY team in the NFL with an elite QB makes the playoffs every year. However while Brady is the unquestioned best QB,he is the only one out of the big elites to not win a Superbowl trophy over the last 10 seasons. Many blame that on the failure to put the team and weapons around Brady to win a championship. Especially key positions in todays increadingly pass happy league whose players are getting faster and faster. Key positions like bona fide WR,game changing pass rusher that all those other teams that won it all possessed. Dues is correct that it can seem like you must agree everything Bellichick does is perfection. While i admit im a sore loser and disgusted when 10-6 teams kick our butts in the playoffs,But I think he would have more fun looking for things to be excited about instead.

Like im excited about Michael Buchanan! He has length/explosion/agility of top pass rushers and think he can greatly improve our passrush. I'm very excited over Dobson and his size/speed/quickness/athleticism/hands combo. I love Kenbrell and what he is doing and how hard he is working to catch up to his cousin Antonio Brown with their modern sophisticated training styles. Patrick Peterson is using similar training and credits it to his improvement. I hope it helps Kenbrell as much as Antonio in improving speed/agility/balance. I'm excited. About Easley potential. I know Collins will have a breakout. I'm excited about Beauharnais far surpassing expectations. I'm looking for Ryan to become an elite#2 Corner.

I'm hopeful we sign Jermichael Finley. Docs say he is better than fine! He is sending the report to all teams. His attitude and talent is just what we need. He has seam stretching speed. He snatches the ball in traffic. He is a red zone target at 6'5 with 35" arms. He runs disciplined routes. He blocks with attitude and intensity inline and down field. He can really dissolve any intimidation factor Chancellor showed Denver. He reboots our 2TE sets. Which will be more dynamic than before FAR MORE! FINLEY can block very well like Gronk which makes our Running game more dynamic in 2TE sets. It also makes our 2TE set unpredictable because if we run the ball Finley/Gronk are LI!e 2 XTRA OTs blocking. If we pass there aren't many LBs or FS or SS's that can cover them due to athleticism/physicality/Craft. Not to mention we have legit feared WR speed to go with the 2TE sets with 3 young WRs who run between 4.37-4.43. Also Finley wants to prove he is still a top TE. During After injury rehab he is working very very hard to regain his ability which means he could be faster with more endurance than ever. Gronk/Finley are formidable and will make our red zone offense feared instead of a weakness. I think Jermichael will be a game changing addition.

I don't think Will Smith makes the team. He is past his prime and never was great. He had one or 2 good seasons. Coaching up and developing Buchanan and Moore should be a priority IMHO. They both have top physical skills to be impact passrushers. A washed up has been stealing their snaps doesn't get this team closer to the championship title trophy.

PatFanCraig said:

That is 100% true my friend. However if you point out one mistake or failure of bellichick it causes quite a stir around here. And the poster is flamed and insulted and reminded of our AFC east dominance. However if you want to defend Bellichicks excellence I don't think that's the right tool, pointing at AFC east dominance. Its been week for the most part and EVERY team in the NFL with an elite QB makes the playoffs every year. However while Brady is the unquestioned best QB,he is the only one out of the big elites to not win a Superbowl trophy over the last 10 seasons. Many blame that on the failure to put the team and weapons around Brady to win a championship. Especially key positions in todays increadingly pass happy league whose players are getting faster and faster. Key positions like bona fide WR,game changing pass rusher that all those other teams that won it all possessed. Dues is correct that it can seem like you must agree everything Bellichick does is perfection. While i admit im a sore loser and disgusted when 10-6 teams kick our butts in the playoffs,But I think he would have more fun looking for things to be excited about instead.

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But is most certainly is NOT true that every team in the NFL with an elite QB makes the playoffs every year, unless you want to restrict 'elite' to Brady and Manning only. Rodgers has missed the playoffs. Brees has missed the playoffs. Rothlisberger, Flacco, Matt Ryan, Jay Cutler, Tony Romo. All miss the playoffs. Virtuall6y every team thats gone to the super bowl during this period has subsequently fallen off and had to rebuild.

The Pats rebuilt this time entirely without once being out of contention, only missing the playoffs one time on a fluke after posting an 11-5 record with a QB who hadn't started a game since HIGH SCHOOL.

Remind me again which teams have gone to the Super Bowl 5 times this century?

Like dues said you can't even hint anything negative! LOL BY elite I mean Rodgers/big Ben/brees/manning/Brady. When they missed the playoffs the starter missed games. If Brady went down would we had made the playoffs last season? How many SUPER BOWL "TROPHIES" IN LAST "DECADE" ZERO! EVERY other elite QB has won a Superbowl in the last 8 seasons except Brady.We been to the playoffs every year. With Brady that's expected! Elite or even franchise QBs have been the difference in a team being terrible or a playoff team. What's the packers record without Rodgers last season. If Brady missed 5 games last season how many of those games would we had won?

Bellichick is a great coach,the best right now. But he isn't perfect nor is the only reason we dominate the AFC east or make post season every year. Having the best QB ever has a lot to do with that. Don't you think? But history has shown having a top3 QB can carry a team to the post season but can't do it all by himself against a superior team. He will eventually run into a more talented team with better weapons/a better passrush he has to stare down with a franchise QB of their own. I dont think anybody here doesn't think Bellichick is a great coach. When they criticize him as a gm its just frustration because they want a Superbowl trophy. And when we get our butts kicked in the playoffs due to lack of weapons/weak passrush,people are just showing frustration that all them busts. Fans are just wishing a couple of them busts were one of the Good WRs or pass rushers he bypassed for the busts. I don't think anybody here for one second doesn't think Bill is the best coach in the NFL.

rochrist said:

But is most certainly is NOT true that every team in the NFL with an elite QB makes the playoffs every year, unless you want to restrict 'elite' to Brady and Manning only. Rodgers has missed the playoffs. Brees has missed the playoffs. Rothlisberger, Flacco, Matt Ryan, Jay Cutler, Tony Romo. All miss the playoffs. Virtuall6y every team thats gone to the super bowl during this period has subsequently fallen off and had to rebuild.

The Pats rebuilt this time entirely without once being out of contention, only missing the playoffs one time on a fluke after posting an 11-5 record with a QB who hadn't started a game since HIGH SCHOOL.

Remind me again which teams have gone to the Super Bowl 5 times this century?

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rochrist said:

Aren't there currently 7 RBs (not including Devlin) on the roster? The 3 from last year, White, Finch, Houston and Gray?

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Yes, and as of now the three from last year and White are almost locks, with the only competition being from UDFA's. I see no reason to believe that Belichick will not consider a roster cut by another team to worthy of competing with Bolden and the kids for a roster spot (or/and to compete with Develin).

What we have is an injured Vereen with a rookie backup in White. And we have Ridley.

To be more clear, Bolden and Develin need better competition than UDFA's. Also, we might consider a veteran in case of an injury to Ridley.