7/29 - The should have brought the sun tan lotion edition.

supafly said:

For those asking about LaFell:

LaFell hooked up with Brady on a deep pass that was the play of the day in TC, according to a couple of sources that I've read today. Everyone agrees that in the 4 prior practices he's had some pluses and minuses, but today seemed to be a good day from what I've read.

He also beat Revis on a TD the other day, although it's hard to know what to take from that without seeing it in action.

http://www.providencejournal.com/sp...0140729-brandon-lafell-says-hes-starting-to-f

Edelman also looked very good today from what I've read/heard.

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I would agree. LaFell has shown a steady progression over the 4 practices I've seen. He seems more comfortable and confident. I think he'll be fine as long as we all keep our expectations in line. LaFell isn't an elite or so called #1 WR. He's a decent WR who can play both in the slot and outside. He's an asset to the running game and a bigger target in the red zone. Anything over 55 catches and 700 yds and 5 TDs would be a bonus. He has a large catch radius and will make some great plays. And because he's NOT elite, he will likely drop a few as well. Its just all part of the package

I think the Pats are really going to try hard to spread the ball around more than in the recent past. Frankly it makes them harder to to defend if the defense doesn't have a focus.

Some other notes that come to mind.

I. I'm not going to comment on Garapolo after this. He looks fine in drills, so you know there is some physical talent there, but when faced with live competition, its clear (at least to me) that the game is much too fast for him right now. I hated the pick, and I can only assume that the brain trust see some future greatness in him. I bow to their assessment since they have infinitely more data to base that opinion on.

But the hard fact is that Garapolo, coming from E.ILL to the NFL is way too big a gap to expect to see anything approaching someone who is ready to actually play in games this year. He has a good arm and a very quick release, and we needn't bother to talk about him again until about 2016.

2. Ryan Mallet on the other hand is having an excellent camp. Iimho) Not only has he been throwing the ball well and making better decisions, he is showing a bigger personality than he's ever shown before. He's taking a bigger leadership role with the offense as well.

I think teams in the future will regret not trading for him. In the end, unfortunately, we are going to probably wind up with only a 3rd round comp pick in 2016 in return for his 4 years with us (along with being a legit back up for 3 years) I'm become more comfortable with thought how this team would fair if TB went down with a short term injury.

3. The closer you look, the more you miss. By concentrating on the DL, I completely missed what should have been the highlight of the camp for me, having Marcus Cannon playing RG with the first offense. My dream come true and I didn't even know it happened. Go figure.

4.

patfanken said:

2. Ryan Mallet on the other hand is having an excellent camp. In the end, unfortunately, we are going to probably wind up with only a 3rd round comp pick in 2016 in return for his 4 years with us

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The NFL compensatory formula is based on:

--SALARY (buzzer sound regarding a mid round pick for Mallett)

--PLAYING TIME (buzzer sound regarding a mid round pick for Mallett)

--POST SEASON AWARDS (buzzer sound regarding a mid round pick for Mallett)

The only way that N.England would even get a comp pick or two would be if we end up losing more quality players than we brought in during the offseason free agent period anyway, so the whole thing becomes moot if it ends up being balanced. Perhaps we do end up with a low round pick, but that won't be determined for quite some time. Even then, Mallett wouldn't be bringing a 3rd rd pick by himself anyway, as he would factor into a meshing of the entire situation, which would consist of several players of worth.

Last year we received a 4th round compensatory pick for losing the following players: Wes Welker, Danny Woodhead, Donald Thomas (starter OL for the Colts), and Pat Chung. I believe it was the highest comp pick that we've received in quite sometime, although I could be wrong.

The combination of those 4 players' salaries, recent playing time, and awards were taken into play, along with the fact that we brought in Will Svitek and Danny Amendola. I'd find it difficult to believe that our backup QB is going to bring us a 3rd round compensatory pick all by himself, but we'll all be hopeful (and hearing about it for the next year and a half in numerous threads).

Thanks, Ken. Wonderful to have someone who (as they say) "takes their eye off the ball" and gives scouting observations about individual technique -- also great to have so much material for off-season optimism!

supafly said:

The NFL compensatory formula is based on:

--SALARY (buzzer sound regarding a mid round pick for Mallett)

--PLAYING TIME (buzzer sound regarding a mid round pick for Mallett)

--POST SEASON AWARDS (buzzer sound regarding a mid round pick for Mallett)

The only way that N.England would even get a comp pick or two would be if we end up losing more quality players than we brought in during the offseason free agent period anyway, so the whole thing becomes moot if it ends up being balanced. Perhaps we do end up with a low round pick, but that won't be determined for quite some time. Even then, Mallett wouldn't be bringing a 3rd rd pick by himself anyway, as he would factor into a meshing of the entire situation, which would consist of several players of worth.

Last year we received a 4th round compensatory pick for losing the following players: Wes Welker, Danny Woodhead, Donald Thomas (starter OL for the Colts), and Pat Chung. I believe it was the highest comp pick that we've received in quite sometime, although I could be wrong.

The combination of those 4 players' salaries, recent playing time, and awards were taken into play, along with the fact that we brought in Will Svitek and Danny Amendola. I'd find it difficult to believe that our backup QB is going to bring us a 3rd round compensatory pick all by himself, but we'll all be hopeful (and hearing about it for the next year and a half in numerous threads).

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Thanks for the reality check. My 3rd round comp projection came from the thought that If Mallett walks away from here into a starting job elsewhere, it would have to be worth a 3rd round pick.

Now I guess our best chance at getting a decent pick for him would be if Brady gets hurt for a month and the Mallett and the Pats go out and win 3 of the 4 games. THAT would likely bring in some decent trade offers (3rd round and up)

BTW- based on what you wrote, if Revis leaves, as many expect, you'd think the type of contract that would lure him away would guarantee a 3rd plus some lower picks?

patfanken said:

Thanks for the reality check. My 3rd round comp projection came from the thought that If Mallett walks away from here into a starting job elsewhere, it would have to be worth a 3rd round pick.

Now I guess our best chance at getting a decent pick for him would be if Brady gets hurt for a month and the Mallett and the Pats go out and win 3 of the 4 games. THAT would likely bring in some decent trade offers (3rd round and up)

BTW- based on what you wrote, if Revis leaves, as many expect, you'd think the type of contract that would lure him away would guarantee a 3rd plus some lower picks?

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If Revis leaves after the 2014 season it will be because he was cut due to his contract structure, so comp picks would not be in play. After 2015, comp picks would be in play.

patfanken said:

Thanks for the reality check. My 3rd round comp projection came from the thought that If Mallett walks away from here into a starting job elsewhere, it would have to be worth a 3rd round pick.

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Mallett was worth it either way - in that we used a 3rd round pick on a quality backup QB. I hope it's an insurance policy we never cash in but we aren't the Browns or the Bills, we are a contender and we need to have a player who can help us contend if disaster strikes. Clearly there's no more important position than QB and we are lucky to have a HoF starter, a talented backup like Mallett and an interesting developmental one on Jimmy G. I have not regret about either of the latter two being picked.

patfanken said:

Now I guess our best chance at getting a decent pick for him would be if Brady gets hurt for a month and the Mallett and the Pats go out and win 3 of the 4 games. THAT would likely bring in some decent trade offers (3rd round and up)

BTW- based on what you wrote, if Revis leaves, as many expect, you'd think the type of contract that would lure him away would guarantee a 3rd plus some lower picks?

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Ken, The Hammah is a FA next year so any such Brady injury & great Mallett wins plus the trade would have to happen before the trade deadline. Pats would be crazy in those circumstances to trade away their backup because as you said JAG is too raw in 2014.

PatsWickedPissah said:

Ken, The Hammah is a FA next year so any such Brady injury & great Mallett wins plus the trade would have to happen before the trade deadline. Pats would be crazy in those circumstances to trade away their backup because as you said JAG is too raw in 2014.

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Actually PWP, I was thinking of something like what happened with Cassell. Some team willing to trade for a QB after the season, to avoid the player getting to the open market. Remember there are usually a couple of weeks between the end of the superbowl and the beginning of FA. That's when a trade would happen.

patfanken said:

Thanks for the reality check. My 3rd round comp projection came from the thought that If Mallett walks away from here into a starting job elsewhere, it would have to be worth a 3rd round pick.

Now I guess our best chance at getting a decent pick for him would be if Brady gets hurt for a month and the Mallett and the Pats go out and win 3 of the 4 games. THAT would likely bring in some decent trade offers (3rd round and up)

BTW- based on what you wrote, if Revis leaves, as many expect, you'd think the type of contract that would lure him away would guarantee a 3rd plus some lower picks?

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Anything is possible, as you point out, Ken. While we're at it, thanks again for the updates, they are much appreciated, especially coming from a great poster.

I was just stated that should Mallett leave in FA, he'd have to be signed to a fairly significant contract to weigh that heavily into the factoring.

With Mallett, Ridley, Vereen, McCourty, etc all as free agents, it's certainly possible that we will get some sort of comp pick for 2016 based on who leaves, and who we sign at free agent replacements.

I think many have been assuming a 3rd round compensatory pick in exchange for Ryan Mallett leaving for quite awhile, and I was just stating the misconception. He would factor into the combined formula with all of the players, but I don't think he'd be bringing anything too significant myself. Then again, maybe he goes out and scores a mega deal--who knows?