Requesting your input on Akeem Ayers

I am going to use this

http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-...5/bengals-jason-campbell-free-agent-breakdown as a template to look at the 15 free agents that the Patriots.

Would like the best reasons
for why the Pats will re-sign Akeem Ayers
for why the Pats will not resign him

Of course, I will credit you unless you state that you wish to remain anonymous.

why they wont:
Other teams will offer more money
He will want more playing time

Why they will:
Joined the team and made an instant impact.
Only got part time playing hours, but had full time stats, numerous sacks, etc.
Seems like a perfect fit for this defense

Why the Patriots won't re-sign Akeem Ayers.
-disagreement about the numbers(years/money).

Why the Patriots will re-sign Akeem Ayers
-perfect scheme fit.
-still has lots of tread on the tires if he remains healthy.
-high round draft pick that has shown flashes of very good play under sub-standard coaching staffs. Leaving the potential he turns into very good contributer.
-the contract is cheap because some teams may still be scared about his knees and overall health. So he may be willing to take slightly less than market to stay on a winning franchise.

Why they Will

• Chandler Jones has been a little injury prone so the cover is nice.
• Versatile. Can play 4-3 DE, sub DE, 5-2 OLB and base MLB/SLB.
• Was fairly productive as a pass rusher.

Why they won't

• Will likely get a better offer elsewhere
• Strong draft for Edge players this year. We could go DE early in the draft
• His snaps plummeted on Chandler Jones' return. Just how highly does BB rate him? There was little effort to get him on the field.

We need a good rotation of pass rushers so Ninkovich and Chandler Jones don't get burned out.


Belichick doesn't agree though and plays them hard all year. Therefore Ayers playing time dropped off when Jones returned from injury.


We also need depth as we have NOTHING behind those 2 DE's. But…. Ayers will get better money elsewhere.

A description of the player's 2014 role would also be really helpful. Sorry for not mentioning that sooner.

2014
Ayers was the 3rd DE. He was a pass-rusher, and occasionally a LB in pass-rushing role. He did very well when called upon. He starter for much of the year in place of Chandler Jones.

WHY SHOULD RE-SIGN AYERS
1) We need a backup DE who can be quality starter when needed. Jones has had injuries, and it really isn't reasonable to continue to expect Ninkovich to play a higher percentage of defensive reps than any player in the NFL. Our other backup DE's are Moore and Easley.
2) The hole in the defense would be significant and we would again be risking being in a tough situation if there were an injury to Ninkovich or Jones.

ANALYSIS
The issue is money. How much is a backup DE worth to the patriots. Personally, I would rather have Ayers on the 2015 team than Mayo. Of course, the issue that some team will want Ayers a starter. I'd pay him $4M a year and not look back.

Why they won't re-sign him: Ayers, who was saved from Tenn. and got a golden opportunity to showcase himself on a SB bound team, took advantage of it at just the right time as his rookie contract expired. Knowing this is more than likely will be his only real chance to cash in on a long term deal and a Patriot club with much bigger fish to fry (Revis, McCourty, Gostowski and trying to restructure and/or extend many others) and some fair depth on the edges, I beleive he'll thank NE and move on with class. Who will blame him (provided he doesn't end up in Green-and-White)? Hope it works out well for you Akeem and don't burn this bridge. If a guy like Bill likes you, you could still get re-hired should the situation arise (see:L. Blount).Happy trails kid!

I seem to think that ayers inability to hold the edge or excel against the run makes him a one trick pony, and while the one trick may be pass rushing, unfortunately bb wants more.