Sign the Beast XIII - Pats interested in TE Zach Miller

@DougKyedNESN: I'm told the Patriots have shown interest in free-agent tight end Zach Miller. Recently cut by Seattle Seahawks.

Used to be a 60 catch, 700 yard guy in Oakland. Much fewer targets in Seattle.

I am really not interested in possibly cutting/trading Brandon Browner to save cap space and then going after Zach Miller.

If the secondary can be kept intact and cap space can be made, and the cost were reasonable, that would be another story entirely.

Well I am sure this is the Pats just keeping their options open.

I honestly believe right now as things stand Besides signing Revis the Pats view all other options as open. Which they should.

I think that Zach Miller would mostly come out of the Amendola money not the Browner money.

BobDigital said:

I think that Zach Miller would mostly come out of the Amendola money not the Browner money.

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I don't put too much stock in the Browner report, so take this with a grain of salt. But cap space is not allocated by unit. If the Pats had to cut or trade Browner and then signed Miller, I would be upset.

Things that I would do to create short-term cap space before cutting or trading Browner:

- Convert $7M of TB's salary into signing bonus ($5M cap savings)
- Cut Michael Hoomanwanui ($1.2M cap savings)
- Cut or trade Alfonzo Denard ($1M cap savings)
- Cut Danny Amendola with a post-June 1 designation ($4.5M cap savings)

Those moves would get the Pats $3M or so under the cap, even if the Pats exercise their option on Revis.

I understand that Jerod Mayo's situation is in limbo until he can pass a physical. And a Browner extension or restructuring is another matter entirely.

Problem here Mayo is Amendola is something later on, same can be sayed of Mayo. Its now Patriots need cap Space not in June.. Hooman + Dennard is 2 only.

His producation is down, but I'd take a flyer on him. He's 29 and I've heard that there aren't many TEs in the draft. He wouldn't be a #1--just a #2 TE anyways.

mayoclinic said:

I don't put too much stock in the Browner report, so take this with a grain of salt. But cap space is not allocated by unit. If the Pats had to cut or trade Browner and then signed Miller, I would be upset.

Things that I would do to create short-term cap space before cutting or trading Browner:

- Convert $7M of TB's salary into signing bonus ($5M cap savings)
- Cut Michael Hoomanwanui ($1.2M cap savings)
- Cut or trade Alfonzo Denard ($1M cap savings)
- Cut Danny Amendola with a post-June 1 designation ($4.5M cap savings)

Those moves would get the Pats $3M or so under the cap, even if the Pats exercise their option on Revis.

I understand that Jerod Mayo's situation is in limbo until he can pass a physical. And a Browner extension or restructuring is another matter entirely.

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I don't think Browner is walking either. I am just saying I doubt at this point they would use money being spent on D to bolster their O. Right now it is almost a 50/50 split of money being spent between O and D and I think that is the kind of balance the Pats generally prefer for the most part. I know cash spending is not a direct correlation to the talent of each unit but it is telling that the Pats like balance ideally I think which is true.

When I made my Amendola comment I was just thinking I doubt the Pats would gut the D to bolster the O. I would think if they try to improve the O they will simply look to make cost savings moves from that unit to do so ideally.

Edit: Also I am for all those moves but I doubt Brady will agree to yet another pay cut. You never know though.

Miller could be interesting, although he was cut by Seattle after failing a physical. Dunno how I feel about this, not sure about freeing up cap space from the defense to pay guys like Miller.

That's why I don't get that horrendous contract they gave to Slater, everybody knew the cap would be short at this time and a couple million makes a difference in either keeping Revis / other FAs that play a significant amount of snaps.

Luxusdk said:

Problem here Mayo is Amendola is something later on, same can be sayed of Mayo. Its now Patriots need cap Space not in June.. Hooman + Dennard is 2 only.

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Why is Amendola "later" on? If a free agent WR replacement is available, he could be cut on Wednesday, declared a post-June 1 cut, and a new WR signed for up to $4M. If the replacement WR is signed for less that a 2015 cap hit of $4M, then the excess can be used elsewhere.

varjao said:

That's why I don't get that horrendous contract they gave to Slater, everybody knew the cap would be short at this time and a couple million makes a difference in either keeping Revis / other FAs that play a significant amount of snaps.

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We should have a separate thread with regard to repeating in 25 posts in a row: the patriots do NOT have a huge cap problem. When the Revis situation is resolved later today, we will be under the cap, having signed Revis, McCourty and Gostkowski. Obviously, if Revis isn't re-signed, another $10M will be available.

As has been documented so many, many times, $30M of cap space can be produced if the need arises.

mgteich said:

Why is Amendola "later" on? If a free agent WR replacement is available, he could be cut on Wednesday, declared a post-June 1 cut, and a new WR signed for up to $4M. If the replacement WR is signed for less that a 2015 cap hit of $4M, then the excess can be see elsewhere.

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If they wanted to try trade him later on. If cut no problems!

varjao said:

That's why I don't get that horrendous contract they gave to Slater, everybody knew the cap would be short at this time and a couple million makes a difference in either keeping Revis / other FAs that play a significant amount of snaps.

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I thought the Slater contract was fair. The Pats have probably overall the best STs unit in the NFL and without slater I doubt they would. The Pats had 0 TDs from punt and kickoffs scored on them this year IIRC. Not something you think about often but it is important.

mgteich said:

Why is Amendola "later" on? If a free agent WR replacement is available, he could be cut on Wednesday, declared a post-June 1 cut, and a new WR signed for up to $4M. If the replacement WR is signed for less that a 2015 cap hit of $4M, then the excess can be see elsewhere.

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Maybe he didn't know that. The salary cap can be confusing you know : P

varjao said:

That's why I don't get that horrendous contract they gave to Slater, everybody knew the cap would be short at this time and a couple million makes a difference in either keeping Revis / other FAs that play a significant amount of snaps.

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We'll see what Marcus Easley gets on the open market and judge whether the Slater deal was bad. They're the two best special teamers in the league.

I, for one, would much rather have the best special teamer in the NFL than Zach Miller, a totally unremarkable backup tight end who is at best a fairly moderate upgrade over Michael Hoomanwanui.

BobDigital said:

I thought the Slater contract was fair. The Pats have probably overall the best STs unit in the NFL and without slater I doubt they would. The Pats had 0 TDs from punt and kickoffs scored on them this year IIRC. Not something you think about often but it is important.

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I thought his 3 All Pro selections and 4 Pro Bowl selections are based solely on his name.

Miller at this point would remind me too much of when we brought in the likes of Winslow/Shiancoe in the past. Kinda basing him off past production. Not very good anymore. Pass.

varjao said:

That's why I don't get that horrendous contract they gave to Slater, everybody knew the cap would be short at this time and a couple million makes a difference in either keeping Revis / other FAs that play a significant amount of snaps.

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I consider someone's ability to appreciate the impact of special teams a litmus test on their overall football opinion.

Seahawks fans praise his blocking ability and curse his durability. He's an upgrade over hooman's mediocre blocking and probably has greater receiving ability. I'm interested in him for the right price.

last person on my mind right now is miller...maybe after tomorrow!