Could Flowers, Grissom and R. Johnson threaten C. Jones' future with the Pats?

Sicilian said:

I like Sheard, but I'm not sure I can get behind this before he's played a regular season snap for us.

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Fair point. I just think Sheard could have a Bennett type impact from when he went from the Bucs to the Seahawks. He's been dominant in TC/preseason. Wasn't meant to be a knock on Jones. We have the best depth at DE in the NFL.

patsinthesnow said:

Fair point. I just think Sheard could have a Bennett type impact from when he went from the Bucs to the Seahawks. He's been dominant in TC/preseason. Wasn't meant to be a knock on Jones. We have the best depth at DE in the NFL.

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It's a really exciting problem to have, for sure

I would keep Rufus Johnson and get rid of Zach Moore at this point. Although, Moore should be eligible for the PS.

patsinthesnow said:

Fair point. I just think Sheard could have a Bennett type impact from when he went from the Bucs to the Seahawks. He's been dominant in TC/preseason. Wasn't meant to be a knock on Jones. We have the best depth at DE in the NFL.

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The Back End of our D is going to need them.

patriot1136 said:

I would keep Rufus Johnson and get rid of Zach Moore at this point. Although, Moore should be eligible for the PS.

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That's a no-brainer. The problem is that there may not be room for either of them.

patriot lifer said:

The contract situation reminds me of 2009 a bit. We had Richard Seymour, Logan Mankins, and Vince Wilfork. We knew that retaining all of them would be a huge cap drain, so we jettisoned Seymour for the first rounder and extended both Logan and Vince. Of course, 2009 was a dud year anyways (not sure if they were thinking that at the time).

If someone offered us a first rounder for Chandler would you take it? Next year would be better timing for a trade IMO. Chandler might increase his value this season, and the cap savings next year is more substantial. That would also make it easier on using the franchise tag on other players.

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I don't know if anyone would though.

PatsFan2 said:

The Back End of our D is going to need them.

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This defense is a lot like Carolina in 2013. Only they didn't have a dominant safety like McCourty in the back.

patsinthesnow said:

Sheard is an upgrade over Jones. Flowers would be way better than any #3 DE we had last year.

Sheard, Ninkovich, Flowers, Grissom, Johnson would be a strong group.

Jones is a luxury for us IMO and our best trade asset.

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I think you're underrating Jones. Sheard, Ninkovich, Flowers, Grissom, Johnson would indeed be a strong group, but said group + Jones would be an elite group.

patriot1136 said:

I would keep Rufus Johnson and get rid of Zach Moore at this point. Although, Moore should be eligible for the PS.

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Zach Moore bulked up and moved inside at the request of the Pats.. Unlikely they'll get rid of him unless he has some other issues.. Moore is currently your back-up to Easly on the inside with Chris Jones on the Reserve/PUP list.

For quite a while I've felt that 2016 would be Jones' last year with the Pats. I don't see him getting an extension after his rookie deal's option year is played out. The Pats are going to need to extend Hightower and Collins (and Butler, if his play warrants it) that same offseason, and there's only so much money to go around.

I think Flowers and Grissom were drafted as a forward-thinking move knowing that there would be an eventual need on the edge, both because of Ninkovich's age and Jones' contract status. I'm not sure that Rufus Johnson figures into things so much--I'd like to see him make a real play in a meaningful game before I reach that kind of conclusion--but I definitely think that OP is right to link the Grissom/Flowers picks with some long-term uncertainty re: Jones. If I was him, I wouldn't be buying any houses in New England.

Fencer said:

I'd be that emphatic if Ninkovich were younger.

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Rob will be 32 before the start of next season. This has to be a big consideration.

I still don't understand why people talk about the Jones/Collins/Hightower trio and not the Jones/Sheard/Ninkovich one. All three DEs are set to hit free agency at the same time, so I don't see a problem with Jones hypothetically being the one significant contract at that position, especially if a guy like Flowers is ever ready for a significant role while still on his rookie contract.

I mentioned in one of the threads about using Jones as trade bait to possibly get a first rounder for him. It could happen. Nobody expected to see Seymour traded!

KDPPatsfan85 said:

I mentioned in one of the threads about using Jones as trade bait to possibly get a first rounder for him. It could happen. Nobody expected to see Seymour traded!

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No, but Seymour was in a dramatically different point in his career and wasn't still on a rookie contract.

I am preparing a "LOCK UP RUFUS" Sign.........

Which teams would be interested in expending a high pick to trade for Chandler Jones?

I suppose the two that immediately jump out to me are the Giants who need JPP insurance and the 49ers who lost Aldon Smith.

One other question. If the Patriots were in the market for a pass rusher, would you endorse giving up a future high pick for Chandler Jones?

JackBauer said:

I think you're underrating Jones. Sheard, Ninkovich, Flowers, Grissom, Johnson would indeed be a strong group, but said group + Jones would be an elite group.

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I agree. However, if we are getting torched through the air, I think we can agree that Jones would be our best asset to get a legit corner if Butler/Brown do not cut it.

https://vine.co/v/eTrPMUIppP7

That is Flowers bull rushing the heck out of the 9th pick in the draft, Ereck Flowers.

@PP_Rich_Hill: Trey Flowers is the steal of the draft. #Patriots https://t.co/7rAD99exY9

More freakish athleticism from Flowers.

@DougKyedNESN: And while Rufus has been very good, Trey Flowers has been even better. He dominated yesterday: http://t.co/RtXiAl1Maj

@PFF_Steve: @MikeGiardi kid is a stud, first round talent


If Flowers is a gem/stud, it does complicate things. A nascar defense can't be our main defense obviously. We may have four starting caliber DEs.

Four starting caliber DEs, 1-2 starting caliber CBs. A trade would make sense and help the team, that is all I'm saying.

In the meantime, try to get as many of these pass rushers (including Easley) on the field on 3rd down and RIP to opposing QBs.

patsinthesnow said:

https://vine.co/v/eTrPMUIppP7

If Flowers is a gem/stud, it does complicate things. A nascar defense can't be our main defense obviously. We may have four starting caliber DEs.

Four starting caliber DEs, 1-2 starting caliber CBs. A trade would make sense and help the team, that is all I'm saying.

In the meantime, try to get as many of these pass rushers (including Easley) on the field on 3rd down and RIP to opposing QBs.

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Best offense Pats ever had, lost to Giants Nascar, NOT the CBs they had.

patriot1136 said:

I would keep Rufus Johnson and get rid of Zach Moore at this point. Although, Moore should be eligible for the PS.

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It's quite possible that both will be cut, with at least one being kept on the PS.