NFL Free Agency Thread

Deus Irae said:

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.

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Fine, but try and show me where we can fit in some more offensive lineman on the 53? Solder, Kline, Mason, Jackson, Stork, Andrews, Cooper aren't going anywhere. Vollmer likely not going anywhere either, and we just signed Waddle to a 2 year deal. There is likely an opening for another tackle through the draft but that is it. I understand you want to improve the O-line - I'm just saying it doesn't look liklet they will do much more, aside from maybe a Cannon cut.

zipster9 said:

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.

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With Waddle and Cannon still on the roster, do you think one of them will be released? I think most people here on the board are expecting Cannon to eventually be released or have his contract re worked. Also, do you think we would use an early pick on a tackle or use a later pick on a more developmental player?

All quiet on the western front

Brady_to_Moss said:

All quiet on the western front

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Yep. Now the teams have leverage. They can wait for the draft to fill spots or put the clamps on a vet who is a complimentary player to lower their contract demands.

zipster9 said:

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.

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Not only is the age a concern but both Vollmer's contract is up after 2016 and Solder's is done after the 2017 season. They have time to groom a quality player if they so choose.

Cannon may get cut or come back in a reduced salary and the jury is still out on Weddle.

zimmy said:

Fine, but try and show me where we can fit in some more offensive lineman on the 53? Solder, Kline, Mason, Jackson, Stork, Andrews, Cooper aren't going anywhere. Vollmer likely not going anywhere either, and we just signed Waddle to a 2 year deal. There is likely an opening for another tackle through the draft but that is it. I understand you want to improve the O-line - I'm just saying it doesn't look liklet they will do much more, aside from maybe a Cannon cut.

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Why would any g on the roster or Andrews be considered a lock under any circumstances? If we bring in better players any of them would be gone.

Just read Volin's piece on the offseason (can't stand the guy, but his take on Okung's contract is worth reading).

Denver took advantage of the guy, big time. I hate seeing this and I hope it will make any other FAs going in to meet with Elway and his renowned "charm" toward players realize what a snake he really is.

AndyJohnson said:

Why would any g on the roster or Andrews be considered a lock under any circumstances? If we bring in better players any of them would be gone.

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Probably because we only drafted Jackson and Mason last year ands its far too early to give up on them. Probably because we only just signed Kline to a 2 year extension. Probably because we just traded for Cooper. I'm not saying we can't improve on them, I'm saying the front office isn't bringing in more guards anytime soon.

50-yard-line said:

Just read Volin's piece on the offseason (can't stand the guy, but his take on Okung's contract is worth reading).

Denver took advantage of the guy, big time. I hate seeing this and I hope it will make any other FAs going in to meet with Elway and his renowned "charm" toward players realize what a snake he really is.

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Was a good piece, agreed. Elway really screwed over a guy without an agent.

zimmy said:

Probably because we only drafted Jackson and Mason last year ands its far too early to give up on them. Probably because we only just signed Kline to a 2 year extension. Probably because we just traded for Cooper. I'm not saying we can't improve on them, I'm saying the front office isn't bringing in more guards anytime soon.

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Its very, very rare that BB cuts a player that had significant playing time during their rookie year.

In fact, I can't think of a one. With that said it doesn't mean that he won't double dip in the draft on the same position the following year.

It would not surprise me at all if a G or OT they loved fell to within striking distance so that they could trade up to get him they would in fact make that choice.

Ross12 said:

Was a good piece, agreed. Elway really screwed over a guy without an agent.

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He screwed over himself for not hiring one.

robertweathers said:

Its very, very rare that BB cuts a player that had significant playing time during their rookie year.

In fact, I can't think of a one. With that said it doesn't mean that he won't double dip in the draft on the same position the following year.

It would not surprise me at all if a G or OT they loved fell to within striking distance so that they could trade up to get him they would in fact make that choice.

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I would say there's an exactly 0% chance they cut Mason or Jackson other than a legal circumstance.

robertweathers said:

He screwed over himself for not hiring one.

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Not the brightest decision.

Marqui said:

I would say there's an exactly 0% chance they cut Mason or Jackson other than a legal circumstance.

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Correct. You might see them keep 10 OLs this year with Cannon and perhaps Kline being swapped out for draft picks....maybe.

T Cannon (?)
T Waddle
T Solder
T Vollmer
C/G Stork
C Andrews
G Shaq
G Jackson
G Kline
G Cooper

Agent Drew Rosenhaus refused to address Rob Gronkowski's contract Sunday at the NFL Owner's Meetings.

Ross12 said:

Not the brightest decision.

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I think it is dumb. I know Tedy negotiated his own deal with the team and you can say it worked out in the end but IIRC he left a good chunk of money on the table. Its what he wanted and thats fine. He wanted to control the communication in his negotiations I respect that. With that said there is no reason as player you can't control the negotiations even when you have an agent negotiating on your behalf.

I also don't buy the "I let my agent handle this..." stuff. Thats a cop out. The agent works for the player- at least thats the way it should be.

Okung was out of his depth here. He saved on agent fees but got ZERO in guaranteed money. They totally fleeced him.

robertweathers said:

I think it is dumb. I know Tedy negotiated his own deal with the team and you can say it worked out in the end but IIRC he left a good chunk of money on the table. Its what he wanted and thats fine. He wanted to control the communication in his negotiations I respect that. With that said there is no reason as player you can't control the negotiations even when you have an agent negotiating on your behalf.

I also don't buy the "I let my agent handle this..." stuff. Thats a cop out. The agent works for the player- at least thats the way it should be.

Okung was out of his depth here. He saved on agent fees but got ZERO in guaranteed money. They totally fleeced him.

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Yeah it doesn't even matter how good you are, has a big money no guarantee contract ever worked out for a player? Even Revis got cut after one year when he had one.

Ross12 said:

Was a good piece, agreed. Elway really screwed over a guy without an agent.

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Who's fault is that? I say it's the player's for not hiring a professional.

crownontherocks said:

Agent Drew Rosenhaus refused to address Rob Gronkowski's contract Sunday at the NFL Owner's Meetings.

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Because he's smart enough to realize that it won't help matters.

I honestly don't think GRONK is particularly angry; after all, he's said that he hasn't spent a dime of the money the Pats have given him. Yes, he'd like more money, but I highly doubt he's going to hold out.

Marqui said:

I would say there's an exactly 0% chance they cut Mason or Jackson other than a legal circumstance.

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Especially Mason, given the praise he's gotten.