Remaining Cap space: How to use this?

Don_the_patfan said:

I don't worry about any other position EXCEPT CB. I really don't see how we fix that this season. It will be a major weak link unless we trade for a CB. If that doesn't happen we will be soft in the backfield. That's the truth.

Ohh and we only need 1.5-2 mill for draft not 3-4 mill.

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Not saying they won't do anything at CB, but they won the SB with a 2nd year 4th round CB (Assante Samuel) and rookie FA CB (Randall Gay) 10 years ago. They did have a very good front 7 (I feel we have a good front 7 now too). And a good veteran safety in Harrison (we have a good veteran safety in McCourtey). The precedent is there, it can be done.

That being said, I don't think the Pats are finished with their secondary moves. Though Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler may be your new Samuel and Gay.

I'm going to change the the tread title because, as others have pointed out, those numbers are just plain wrong.

Froob said:

Bring Sterling Moore home! Been a good player for Dallas shouldn't break the bank either.

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We've seen Sterling on the outside. We have slot guys that are better than him. Not a priority.

scott99 said:

That being said, I don't think the Pats are finished with their secondary moves. Though Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler may be your new Samuel and Gay.

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I don't know...I see way too much of Ryan's back chasing his man. He has to prove himself this year in camp and preseason before I can not put up a big groan everytime I see his number on the field.

robertweathers said:

We've seen Sterling on the outside. We have slot guys that are better than him. Not a priority.

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He's been better for Dallas. Can't grade 2015 Sterling with 2012 marks. Unless you are judging him from his Dallas days. I saw a bit of him there and he looked solid.

BlueThunder said:

I don't know...I see way too much of Ryan's back chasing his man. He has to prove himself this year in camp and preseason before I can not put up a big groan everytime I see his number on the field.

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Ryan just strikes me as too small to play in man coverage, as a CB anyway

scott99 said:

Not saying they won't do anything at CB, but they won the SB with a 2nd year 4th round CB (Assante Samuel) and rookie FA CB (Randall Gay) 10 years ago. They did have a very good front 7 (I feel we have a good front 7 now too). And a good veteran safety in Harrison (we have a good veteran safety in McCourtey). The precedent is there, it can be done.

That being said, I don't think the Pats are finished with their secondary moves. Though Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler may be your new Samuel and Gay.

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Sorry but the 04 front 7 (front 8 really) is vastly superior to the 15 team front 7. They played more base D but the talent level is not close.

The secondary is about even. Need to see. If the '15 team had the 04 front 8 then I'd feel a little better.

Froob said:

He's been better for Dallas. Can't grade 2015 Sterling with 2012 marks. Unless you are judging him from his Dallas days. I saw a bit of him there and he looked solid.

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I agree hes better in Dallas but I still don't want him as a starting CB on the outside. Need a bigger, better athlete...

robertweathers said:

I agree hes better in Dallas but I still don't want him as a starting CB on the outside. Need a bigger, better athlete...

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same we need a #1 but sterling would be nice depth. Going into the season with Butler (who I actually really like) and Ryan as the starting corners is just asking for trouble. I stilll think cutting Browner will be a huge mistake but I hope I'm wrong.

PATSNUTme said:

I'm going to change the the tread title because, as others have pointed out, those numbers are just plain wrong.

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http://www.patscap.com/

The Patriots 2015 adjusted cap number is $144,578,084. $143,280,000 (League Cap) + $5,258,054 (2014 Ending Cap Space + $1,184,000 Aaron Hernandez salary grievance credit - $5,143,970 (LTBE/NLTBE adjustment) = $144,578,084. $144,578,084 - $131,816,547= $12,761,537 in cap space.

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Do you have more accurate numbers?

Heading into the draft with a void at one position is not unprecedented. In '10 and '13 Belichick loaded at one position. The CB position is pretty deep in the 30 - 55 range. Maybe the plan is to draft 2 CBs.

My bigger concern is Chung. How much of his improvement in 2014 was the result of the press coverage that Revis and Browner were able to play. If the defense has to return to a soft zone scheme, is Chung going to revert to 2012 form?

Froob said:

same we need a #1 but sterling would be nice depth. Going into the season with Butler (who I actually really like) and Ryan as the starting corners is just asking for trouble. I stilll think cutting Browner will be a huge mistake but I hope I'm wrong.

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I've been going back and forth on the Browner situation.

One one hand, I can understand the team not picking up the $2m option and pay ~$4.5on a soon-to-be 31 year old CB that allowed a bunch of completions and committed a lot of penalties. If they are going to play more zone than man then it doesn't make sense. If they think hes a liability in coverage down the field then that's highlighting the reasons why not to bring him back.

The reasons why would be that he match up with taller receivers well, the non-blocking TE's or RBs out of the backfield. Last time I checked the team was still average in that area. Why can't he play the "big nickle" SS/DB the team employs? Why can't he play that "cover LB" role. His physical presence was a benefit.

I wish he stayed.

I like the idea of a trade for Morris Claiborne. Big talent that has really flopped so far in the NFL. Could try to steal him from old Jerry for a mid rounder.

Don_the_patfan said:

Ohh and we only need 1.5-2 mill for draft not 3-4 mill.

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I think you are forgetting about the #6 pick in your calculations.

stinkypete said:

Heading into the draft with a void at one position is not unprecedented. In '10 and '13 Belichick loaded at one position. The CB position is pretty deep in the 30 - 55 range. Maybe the plan is to draft 2 CBs.

My bigger concern is Chung. How much of his improvement in 2014 was the result of the press coverage that Revis and Browner were able to play. If the defense has to return to a soft zone scheme, is Chung going to revert to 2012 form?

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I truly believe that our secondary got better mainly due to Revis AND Browner. I doubt Chung will play better now that they lost these guys.

As for our LCB/RCB, you really need taller CBs in the league to cover taller WRs...

VectorPrime said:

Anyone else find it a bit disconcerting that the defending Super Bowl Champions are finding it a bit difficult to attract free agents this offseason?

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I would if that were true.

I think they are just working out a trade for AP. That's the most logical reason for the cap space, right?

robertweathers said:

http://www.patscap.com/



Do you have more accurate numbers?

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No I'm not a capologist. But when it states that $12million does not include Chandler and Branch, the thread title was misleading to those who do not read the commentary.

stinkypete said:

My bigger concern is Chung. How much of his improvement in 2014 was the result of the press coverage that Revis and Browner were able to play

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If you phrased that as simply the talent at CB and not the scheme, I'd share your concern. It wasn't the press man outside that made a difference, it was that NE was comfortable enough with the corners and McCourty to absolve Chung of deep coverage responsibilities.

Considering that NE extended Pat with the knowledge that Revis might go, I'd say they aren't as concerned. It also helps that the LBs are much better in coverage than they were in 2011 and 2012 when he struggled.

I would love to see New England grab Rashean Mathis and then draft someone like Justin Cox later in the draft. If Tillman can get healthy, that'd be a great pick-up too, but that's a big if. Might have to retire.