The 2016-2017 Offense

Brady has his offense in place for the next two years. As always, Belichick will look for upgrades.

OFFENSE FOR 2017 IN PLACE
QB Brady, Garrapolo
WR Edelman, Amendola, Martin, Harper
TE Gronkowski, Williams (Derby)
RB Lewis, White, Gaffney
OL Solder, ???, Mason, Stork, Jackson, Kline

Our 2016/2017 needs are
#1 OT
#2 OT
#3 veteran OG
#4 a vet running back
#5 an addition WR

We have Vollmer, Cannon and Fleming at OT now.

The offensive line needs to be the priority. A skill set of gronk, lewis, edelperson, aj green, and demarius thomas would not have won us the game. Our line of 5 people could not block 3 people for more than 1.5 seconds.

However, anytime we loose a playoff game the chicken littles come out and want to redo the whole offense.

pctronics0072 said:

The offensive line needs to be the priority. A skill set of gronk, lewis, edelperson, aj green, and demarius thomas would not have won us the game. Our line of 5 people could not block 3 people for more than 1.5 seconds.

However, anytime we loose a playoff game the chicken littles come out and want to redo the whole offense.

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We played the championship game without starters Solder and Wendell. Solder is back. And we should sign Wendell or someone better. Obviously, we also draft an OT to two.

A significant upgrade at WR is in order

I would not be upset if our first 5 picks are LT, WR, LT/LG, WR, Move TE.

captain stone said:

I would not be upset if our first 5 picks are LT, WR, LT/LG, WR, Move TE.

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Well I fully agree with you so long as there are players of potential at those positions when we can select. Our defense is set and has been heavily drafted in recent years. An LB might be a good idea this year but most areas should focus on offense.

A good o-line coach might make a world of difference.

cmasspatsfan said:

A good o-line coach might make a world of difference.

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Of course it would, the question is how much it can be improved. Assuming decent health you have quality weapons: Gronk, Edelman, Lewis, Amendola, White, ??? X receiver.

We could always use a good RB or big bodied WR but that group is more than enough to wreak havoc if the OL can do its damn job.

I think having Solder back at LT and Vollmer back at his original RT position will be an upgrade. Hopefully, both Mason and Jackson can improve at guard in their second year and perhaps we can bring in a veteran at that position as well. We just can't afford to have Cannon and Kline starting again.
Getting Lewis back will also help!!!!!
Maybe Dobson has a break out year lol

I dont think its that far off. Sometimes things are not as far as they seem. Our 2009 team for example seemed like years away from being a 14-2 team. One good draft and brady one year removed from the acl come back made us just that.

I have a similar feeling towards our oline. They had a historically awful performance in denver and has several terrible games, but i can see potential for vast improvement. Solder at lt, vollmer back at rt are 2 instant significant upgrades. Mason and jackson have a season of growth. Stork hopefully doesnt miss half a season again. We get to build some continuity and the new ol coach cant be worse. I would look for a solid 3rd tackle and a prospect at og, maybe a cheap upgrade if a brian waters is available. Nothing drastic.

At the skill position again i dont see reason to panic. The 2014 team dominated in the playoffs with good ol play. The only differences at skill positions were lafell 2015 vs lafell 2014. Injuries could have had an effect being on pup. Totally possible he bounces back, or martin keeps improving to be that guy. Most likely a few guys will be brought in but again i dont see a drastic move here either.

Mainly would like to see a focus on ol in the draft, and if theres a playmaking rb available take a shot there wherever we can reach one.

varjao said:

A significant upgrade at WR is in order

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That depends on whether or not Lafell can round back into health. That said, they have a need at WR. Just not sure a "significant upgrade" is needed.

mgteich said:

Brady has his offense in place for the next two years. As always, Belichick will look for upgrades.

OFFENSE FOR 2017 IN PLACE
QB Brady, Garrapolo
WR Edelman, Amendola, Martin, Harper
TE Gronkowski, Williams (Derby)
RB Lewis, White, Gaffney
OL Solder, ???, Mason, Stork, Jackson, Kline

Our 2016/2017 needs are
#1 OT
#2 OT
#3 veteran OG
#4 a vet running back
#5 an addition WR

We have Vollmer, Cannon and Fleming at OT now.

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So let's be clear here, you have Amendola locked in and LaFell not even listed. Ok well let's take a look at that...

Last 2 seasons

LaFell - 27 games, 111 catches, 1468 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Amendola - 29 games, 92 catches, 848 yards, 4 touchdowns.

Amendola also has x2 the cap hit than LaFell does.

Personally, I'm not trying to part with either of them until we have a certain upgrade but to when a player has more production for half the price tag I cannot help but question it.

I think like many times in the past you are more focused on the name on the back of the jersey than the actual production and performance. LaFell played injured all year you want him gone but when Amendola played poorly because of injury you defended the wall.

Brady6 said:

So let's be clear here, you have Amendola locked in and LaFell not even listed. Ok well let's take a look at that...

Last 2 seasons

LaFell - 27 games, 111 catches, 1468 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Amendola - 29 games, 92 catches, 848 yards, 4 touchdowns.

Amendola also has x2 the cap hit than LaFell does.

Personally, I'm not trying to part with either of them until we have a certain upgrade but to when a player has more production for half the price tag I cannot help but question it.

I think like many times in the past you are more focused on the name on the back of the jersey than the actual production and performance. LaFell played injured all year you want him gone but when Amendola played poorly because of injury you defended the wall.

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I have no issue at all if Belichick chooses to continue to have LaFell on the roster. In that case, we wouldn't use the money on a free agent.

I have exactly zero expectation of Amendola not playing for the team this year.

KontradictioN said:

That depends on whether or not Lafell can round back into health. That said, they have a need at WR. Just not sure a "significant upgrade" is needed.

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I'm fine with letting belichick judge whether LaFell is worthy of coming back as one of our 4 wide receivers instead of trying for a free agent yet again.

cmasspatsfan said:

A good o-line coach might make a world of difference.

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We should all just pretend like we traded our first rounder for the BB of O line coaches... whoever that is going to be.

We'll be ok without Shaun Ellis.

mgteich said:

I have no issue at all if Belichick chooses to continue to have LaFell on the roster. In that case, we wouldn't use the money on a free agent.

I have exactly zero expectation of Amendola not playing for the team this year.

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You think that he is going to pay a 30 year old Amendola more money than he was willing to pay Welker a few years ago? Listen if Amendola restructures to a team friendly deal he will be back but if he doesn't he is gone. We can replace 600 receiving yards for a lot less than $6.8M.

mgteich said:

I have no issue at all if Belichick chooses to continue to have LaFell on the roster. In that case, we wouldn't use the money on a free agent.

I have exactly zero expectation of Amendola not playing for the team this year.

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You dos realize Amendola has a bigger cap hit than Gronkowski and anyone else on the offense besides Brady and Solder right? He is our #3 WR... Your expectations are off my friend..

Brady6 said:

Last 2 seasons

LaFell - 27 games, 111 catches, 1468 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Amendola - 29 games, 92 catches, 848 yards, 4 touchdowns.

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I admit to being a bit floored by those numbers.

Brady6 said:

You think that he is going to pay a 30 year old Amendola more money than he was willing to pay Welker a few years ago? Listen if Amendola restructures to a team friendly deal he will be back but if he doesn't he is gone. We can replace 600 receiving yards for a lot less than $6.8M.

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You have your own method of analysis.

Amendola's contract calls for him to be paid $5.4M. The question among the rest of us in what he will be paid. I have suggested a $2M reduction. Some think less, some more. In no case, is anyone suggesting that Danny be paid $6.8M or even $5.4M.

Offers to welker simply don't matter, at least to most of us.

Brady6 said:

You dos realize Amendola has a bigger cap hit than Gronkowski and anyone else on the offense besides Brady and Solder right? He is our #3 WR... Your expectations are off my friend..

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LaFell is on the books for $2.675M of new money.

Amendola is on the books for $5.4M of new money. Everyone is suggesting a discount. I suggest $2M to $3.4M of new money

Why would I pay Amendola more, in addition to his being able to return punts.

2015

LAFELL 74 targets, 37 receptions, 515 yards and 0 TD's

AMENDOLA 87 targets, 65 receptions, 648 yards and 3 TD's

ANALYSIS
A) The total number of targets is similar.

B) The last player who had production like Lafell (Lloyd) never played a gain.

C) I agree with your suggestion that we wait with regard to LaFell (as I suggested when we got rid of Lloyd.

D) However, I believe that Amendola's 2015 production was better than LaFell's. In the end, one isn't paid for past production. I believe that Amendola is much more important to the offense than LaFell.

E) BOTTOM LINE
I would be fine with the same receivers in 2016 as in 2015, with better health. Adding Martin was a big plus.