Who would you like to see brought in, in FA?

How about Jabaal Sheard? I've heard that Bill always liked the guy.

Joey007 said:

How about Jabaal Sheard? I've heard that Bill always liked the guy.

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Reiss liked him. Never heard that BB did. I personally don't see him as a great fit, but that's just me.

I'm on the 're-sign their own players bus and really see OG as one of the few positions to address in free agency. Haven't looked at the list yet but can't really see a big name like Iupati being signed.

mayoclinic said:

Reiss liked him. Never heard that BB did. I personally don't see him as a great fit, but that's just me.

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I thought I heard rumors about a year or two ago that we called about Sheard's avalability. I could be mixed up though.

mgteich said:

I want us to re-sign our free agents on defense and Revis. There will be no additional money available.

The only "need" is at WR. Amendola should be considered a free agent, since there is no chance that he will be paid $4.4M by the patriots.

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You got it. People need to check our cap situation before they go shopping. Extending Revis and re-upping McCourty are out two biggest off-season priorities. THen, you take stock of how much you have left.

I'd cut Amendola too with that post June 1 designation. As long as we have a suitable replacement in mind. Either thru trade or free agency.

Joey007 said:

I thought I heard rumors about a year or two ago that we called about Sheard's avalability. I could be mixed up though.

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The only thing I recall is Reiss identifying him as a possible draft pick a frew years ago.

Defense --

Front 7: Im no expert on figuring out who fits a certain scheme but Jerry Hughes can sure play football. 10 sacks this year (yes I know its an overrated stat) and only 26 years old. Jason Pierre-Paul falls under this same category.. it would be great to get a more consistent "push" up front..Seems like majority of pressure is by bringing in an extra man to shoot the gaps, rarely from our DE overpowering or beating OT/OG. Love Ninko - but we need more athleticism coming off opposite side of CJ.

I am VERY comfortable with Mayo/Hightower/Collins/Ayers at LB

Backfield: If we can re-sign revis/mccourty we have an extremely solid defensive backfield (Mccourty/Revis/Browner all locked up)...If revis is signed, I see no reason to upgrade..


Offense -

Skill positions: I am not convinced we need to add much in terms of WR position at all.. Make Amendola take a paycut.. I am in minority but I still think Dobson/Tyms/Amendola/Edelmen/Lafell/Boyce can provide enough there. RB is interesting, but re-sign ridley to a 'prove it' deal, and find a way to hang onto vereen (if starting RBs arent getting big money, I doubt a 3rd down back gets much). How about Torrey Smith though as a name to throw out there?

TE - I like Wright/Gronk combo, wouldnt mind seeing us take a flyer on a "basketball convert" type in draft. Charles Clay/Owen Daniels - depth?

Line: This needs to be figured out, I'd really like them to sure-up the line in the draft. Draft a "Can't miss" guy in 1st round and pick up a vet. I have hard time evaluating O-line and wont even try, but seems like it is clear we need an upgrade here somewhere (seems like LT is an issue).

Little OT, but it's interesting looking at future free agents:

http://www.rotoworld.com/teams/contracts/nfl/ne/

Appears that we won't have too many Free agents to worry about in 2016 (assuming we don't use the option on Revis and either give him a long term deal or let him walk, and that we use the 5th year options on Jones/Hightower)

2017, on the other hand, looks like a nightmare-ish amount of guys that will potentially be on the market.

notex said:

I am VERY comfortable with Mayo/Hightower/Collins/Ayers at LB

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Ayers will be a free agent.

Joey007 said:

Ayers will be a free agent.

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Man I hope he stays. I don't expect him to be a rock star but the guy does everything pretty well- not Pro Bowl level- but pretty well.

Matt Overton. But he's going to be an RFA.

Are there any players under contract who are currently under contract but will be likely cap casualties before the next FA signing period begins?

The only FA's we should go after are our own. The biggest critical need is on the OL and none of the current ones that would solve our issue, like Iupati, can be had without breaking the cap budget for the OL. Our best bet to upgrade in that area is a combination of our high draft picks and current roster (Flemming).
At worst we'd end up with Wendell and Connolly again. Not great but serviceable, and STILL better than a lot of teams, at best Flemming becomes the kind of big RG I always had hoped Cannon might be, and our #1 pick can start right away at LG and be an upgrade.

After that you try and sign the boom or bust low end guys. Remember there isn't going to be much cap space if we sign Revis, McCourty,Ayers, et al. There were a lot of NLTB incentives paid out this season as well. Also don't forget we've drafted pretty well the last few years and guys like Jones, HIghtower and Collins are going to be coming up soon.

If big names are what gets you juiced up during FA, I think 2015 is going to be a bad year for you.

Maybe D.Thomas isnt such a pipe dream now with that money Brady freed up....can't see Denver letting him hit open market but anything can happen.

Josh Gordon on a one-year, high incentive rehab contract after the Browns cut him.

wahwho said:

Josh Gordon on a one-year, high incentive rehab contract after the Browns cut him.

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Why would they cut him ? If he is moved he will be traded... a player like Gordon on a rookie deal for year ? I am sure somebody will hand out a nice pick..

patfanken said:

The only FA's we should go after are our own. The biggest critical need is on the OL and none of the current ones that would solve our issue, like Iupati, can be had without breaking the cap budget for the OL. Our best bet to upgrade in that area is a combination of our high draft picks and current roster (Flemming).
At worst we'd end up with Wendell and Connolly again. Not great but serviceable, and STILL better than a lot of teams, at best Flemming becomes the kind of big RG I always had hoped Cannon might be, and our #1 pick can start right away at LG and be an upgrade.

After that you try and sign the boom or bust low end guys. Remember there isn't going to be much cap space if we sign Revis, McCourty,Ayers, et al. There were a lot of NLTB incentives paid out this season as well. Also don't forget we've drafted pretty well the last few years and guys like Jones, HIghtower and Collins are going to be coming up soon.

If big names are what gets you juiced up during FA, I think 2015 is going to be a bad year for you.

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I think most post-ers agree that our OL is sub-par. Getting better OG & OT is a must, if Brady is going to play beyond 2015 season. Paying more for pro-bowl type OG/OT should be as high a priority as re-signing Revis. You can ONLY SCHEME as much as you have talent (or lack-of) on the OL.

I almost threw-up when Josh Kline got bull-rushed and pushed onto the ground in the Bills finale game!

robertweathers said:

Man I hope he stays. I don't expect him to be a rock star but the guy does everything pretty well- not Pro Bowl level- but pretty well.

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Fortunately if he does leave, there seems to be a lot of guys of his type available this year in FA. Also remember that getting Mayo back next year will help fill some of the void.

I do want Ayers back, though. If he comes back I'd love to see him move to edge rusher full time and give Jones/Nink some rest on snaps. I feel like he'd thrive in that role.

But bottom line Revis and McCourty are priority number one.

So how much does Brady's huge cap saving restructure change things?

Joey007 said:

So how much does Brady's huge cap saving restructure change things?

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None at all - his restructure doesn't change a dime of the 2015 cap situation. What is does do is 1) free up immediate cash needs to the Patriots organization so they can pay large signing bonuses in March fairly easily, and 2) allows the Patriots to cut Brady for non-injury reasons with far less of a cap hit should they so choose.