NFL Free Agency Thread

long distance said:

ok since everything has calmed down (even the gordon chronicles)
and big back is the only real need left in FA - what's the latest vote on that?

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Steven Jackson?

long distance said:

ok since everything has calmed down (even the gordon chronicles)
and big back is the only real need left in FA - what's the latest vote on that (with Starks now gone)?

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You keep saying that Big Back is the only real need left in free agency, but it's still not true…
...not by a long shot.

Snake Eyes said:

d%#*!@t, I wanted him, thought he could eventually take over for Amendola.

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People will rate that as funny but I actually thought he was a decent player too.

captain stone said:

You keep saying that Big Back is the only real need left in free agency, but it's still not true…
...not by a long shot.

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Is there a big need I'm missing?

Left Guard, Swing Tackle and Defensive End.

I think that Blount will be resigned once he is Healthy enough to pass a physical. Hopefully his hip is healed.

captain stone said:

Left Guard, Swing Tackle and Defensive End.

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Cooper, Waddle, Long.

All those spots already got filled.

Big-T said:

Cooper, Waddle, Long.

All those spots already got filled.

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Waddle played one half of one game before getting injured. And that was after he got cut by the Lions of all teams.

VectorPrime said:

Waddle played one half of one game before getting injured. And that was after he got cut by the Lions of all teams.

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While I agree that having Waddle doesn't make us set at swing tackle, I think it's unfair to count the team he was cut from against him. Plenty of good players get cut by bad teams, like Woodhead. That's one of the reasons bad teams stay bad.

I think the major moves are done unless something unexpected presents itself. Any remaining holes, like RB and WR depth and a swing tackle/Vollmer replacement, are hopefully going to be found in the draft.

VectorPrime said:

Waddle played one half of one game before getting injured. And that was after he got cut by the Lions of all teams.

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Waddle played well for the Lions before he tore his ACL. He rushed back and wasn't ready, from everything I can find, and simply wasn't good that next season.

ACLs can take more than a year to fully heal (and for the player to get his confidence back in the leg, which can be equally devastating). Will he come back to where he was before the injury? Who knows? Seems like another question mark on a few of the players the Pats have picked up.

Does Long have another good year or two in him?
Will a fresh start rejuvenate Cooper?
Will McClellin (and Bostic) play better under a solid system with reliable coaching?
Will Hogan continue to improve?

When you don't have a lot of money and two critical pieces that need and extension, and no first-round pick, I guess this is what you're reduced to.

Big-T said:

Cooper, Waddle, Long.

All those spots already got filled.

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IMO, between Cooper, Kline, Mason and Jackson (plus Stork & Andrews), the IOL is probably secure. They'll add a couple depth guys that likely are just camp bodies but I don't think they're gonna add any further to that group. As for OT, getting Solder and Vollmer healthy is huge. I believe Waddle can be the swing tackle we need but we will have to wait and see. Cannon is an okay reserve tackle or spot starter but his salary is obviously way too high, and I really hope he restructures. I would like the team to draft and develop a tackle, but I don't see a need to sign another one at this time.

At DE, we've got a bunch - Long, Sheard, Ninkovich, Flowers, Johnson, Grissom... Plus Easley at times, and McClellin can play some DE too. Those top 3 guys should get most of the snaps, and hopefully 2 out of the next 3 take the "next step" this year. If they can all stay healthy then the team is probably fine, but that's a huge "if". This is the one spot where a couple cheap veteran signings that may just be camp competition for the young guys or may not makes sense to me.

Cunk said:

Steven Jackson?

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I'd like to see a bit more of Jackson. With that crap O-Line it was hard to get any evaluation, he can't be much worse than Blount who's 30 too.

varjao said:

I'd like to see a bit more of Jackson. With that crap O-Line it was hard to get any evaluation, he can't be much worse than Blount who's 30 too.

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Yeah, that one time they blocked for Jackson he looked pretty good. You don't want to burn him out though too early in the season. Maybe limit him big time or just sign him mid season again?

captain stone said:

Left Guard, Swing Tackle and Defensive End.

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Waddle isn't the tackle? And they signed Long for DE (and likely Flowers and Grissom will get a lot more playing time). Left guard they may have just taken care of with Cooper, right?

There is no glaring need at guard or tackle right now. Can Cannon/Waddle be upgraded? Of course, but in terms of numbers there aren't many spaces on the OL (or DL for that matter).

We will carry 9/10 lineman on the 53.

Solder
Vollmer
Mason
Jackson
Stork
Andrews
Kline
Cannon
Waddle
Cooper

Cannon or Vollmer may get cut because of their cap if we draft a lineman early but other than that, we are more or less set. Similarly at DE: Nink, Sheard, Long, Flowers and Grissom are more or less guaranteed to make the roster, which again doesn't leave much room.

varjao said:

he can't be much worse than Blount who's 30 too.

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Blount was on pace for about 1000 yards before he got injured.. Had a 4.3 ypc average which I believe was top 15 in the league for RB

zimmy said:

There is no glaring need at guard or tackle right now. Can Cannon/Waddle be upgraded? Of course, but in terms of numbers there aren't many spaces on the OL (or DL for that matter).

We will carry 9/10 lineman on the 53.

Solder
Vollmer
Mason
Jackson
Stork
Andrews
Kline
Cannon
Waddle
Cooper

Cannon or Vollmer may get cut because of their cap if we draft a lineman early but other than that, we are more or less set. Similarly at DE: Nink, Sheard, Long, Flowers and Grissom are more or less guaranteed to make the roster, which again doesn't leave much room.

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Adequate numbers of players on an offseason roster (something that the Patriots actually don't currently have) doesn't equal adequate competency for the regular season.

Man I was hoping we were getting long... But I'm happy we got okung. The oline is Denvers. Offseason project. You know... That and getting a QB. As long as it's not Sanchez starting I'm thinking Denver won't have to draft for need...

There is no doubt that Patriots will select at least one OT in the draft. I am thinking 3 offensive lineman.

Vollmer is getting old. Solder will be 28 before the season. Need to groom next OT's.