Two Weeks Into Free Agency - The Offense

Compared to 2014, I think that the offense figures to be better.

We all expect an addition of a veteran OG (could be Connolly) and the drafting of at least on veteran OG. We still might add Ridley or another veteran running back (in free agency or the draft).

We lost Vereen from last year's offense. We added Cadet, Chandler, Gibson and Dorsey. We might even see something out of a healthy Dobson. Hopefully Danny Amendola will be healthy for more of the year. But even if he isn't, his 2015 production figures to be at least what it was in 2014.

As an aside, the cost situation is better with Amendola's contract re-structure. Hopefully, Solder will sign a long-term contract.

We won't see any 500pt seasons with the tough defenses in our division. We'll be playoff ready though. I think our holes on offense are where you can find gems in rounds 3-4, G, RB and WR.

I'm really excited by thew signing of Chandler ... Gronk was pounded on and shut down slightly in the playoffs and Wright and Hooman were not viable options to take pressure from Gronk. I think Chandler is just dangerous enough to ease some of that pressure. Chandler probably had higher value to us than some other teams due to Gronk. Hopefully Chandler has enough left in the tank for games where Gronk needs less play.

I don't mean to be a trouble maker but how do we draft a veteran guard?

SammyBlueCat said:

I don't mean to be a trouble maker but how do we draft a veteran guard?

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Belichick will find a way.

patsfaninpa said:

We won't see any 500pt seasons with the tough defenses in our division. We'll be playoff ready though. I think our holes on offense are where you can find gems in rounds 3-4, G, RB and WR.

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It would not surprise me at all if the Pats hung a 50 burger on the Jets, Fins or Bills.

SammyBlueCat said:

I don't mean to be a trouble maker but how do we draft a veteran guard?

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Draft a guy from the Army or Navy teams.

IcyPatriot said:

I'm really excited by thew signing of Chandler ... Gronk was pounded on and shut down slightly in the playoffs and Wright and Hooman were not viable options to take pressure from Gronk.

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Not sure I'd even say shut down slightly. He tore it up in the 2nd 1/2 vs BAL, was mothballed vs Indy in the 2nd 1/2 b/c of the score and played fine vs the #1 D vs the NFL. He had a TD in every playoff game as well. He might have worn down a little last year as he spent the majority of the offseason rehabbing his knee and not following a program? Not sure.

IcyPatriot said:

I think Chandler is just dangerous enough to ease some of that pressure. Chandler probably had higher value to us than some other teams due to Gronk. Hopefully Chandler has enough left in the tank for games where Gronk needs less play.

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I agree with the thinking. It's a delicate balance though. For example, Bavaro was no longer Bavaro at 26. Ben Coates was done at 29. The position takes a pounding. Do you think those coaches wished that they had played those players less? Maybe but that potentially runs the risk of the team not doing all it can to win games.

Gronk is an elite player. In theory, you want to play your elite players as much as possible.The Pats' likelihood of winning goes up exponentially when he plays and performs well. However, I think the TE position is a bit different and Gronk is different. Gronk is hitting his athletic prime right now. I'm not sure it's in the best interest of the Pats and Gronk for him to play less. Maybe it changes in a few years. If Chandler can catch a few balls and help keep Gronk fresher and the team isn't sacrificing victories for it, then that works for me.

betterthanthealternative said:

Belichick will find a way.

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Speaking of veteran guards, any news on Evan Mathis? I know there was some chatter about us trading for him. Has he been cut?

YOUGOTMOSSED said:

Speaking of veteran guards, any news on Evan Mathis? I know there was some chatter about us trading for him. Has he been cut?

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http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/eagles/Trade-market-for-Evan-Mathis-looking-dry.html

Who would you rather have Connolly @ 2m or Mathis @ 5.5 ?

patsbrasilpatriotas said:

Who would you rather have Connolly @ 2m or Mathis @ 5.5 ?

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Assuming no significant diminishment of performance due to age, that's not a bad price for Mathis.

patsfaninpa said:

We won't see any 500pt seasons with the tough defenses in our division.

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Don't count that out honestly. Sure the first games against them will most likely be tough, but the second games... just watch for an ass whoopin. (ala Jets in 2010. They beat us the first game, the second game was a murderous 45-3 win).

Also since 2007, the Patriots and 500 point offenses usually go hand in hand.

YOUGOTMOSSED said:

Assuming no significant diminishment of performance due to age, that's not a bad price for Mathis.

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Why would you presume no significant diminishment of performance for a 34 player that was injured last year, especially when he is on the trading block even though his playoff contending team needs two guards?

No one can tell how Mathis will perform this year.

BTW, I'm fine with either Mathis or Connolly as a one-year rental. Wee need to draft two guards in any case.