6 picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money [merged]

[reflexblue]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

But what? I hope they don't trade for Peppers because of the risk factor. I don't see the Pats doing anything. They had a bunch of cap room last season and they didn't do anything.

I'm sorry man thats who I was alluding to Peppers. I'm not all that infatuated with him like others are,but he is the last major prize left out there i can think of off hand. Plus we now need a OLB to replace Vrable and ther are reports that bb is interested in Peppers.
Or maybe its a group of FA's instead of just one Major one.

I just don't think this is the end of it,because this trade wouldn't make sense if it was.

 

[Jared]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

I'm actually just as concerned about middle linebacker this season: plenty of bodies at OLB (ability TBD), but besides Bruschi and Mayo, who's in the middle?

Mr. Guyton?

 

[ivanvamp]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

Major players? Are there major players out there to spend on?

Pats' plan (from my lips to God's ears):

- WR Mike Furrey - very solid possession receiver. Just 2 years ago
he had 98 receptions for almost 1100 yds. Pats have had him in for a
look. Would be a solid 3rd receiver.
*or*
- WR TJ Houshmandzadeh - not much to say except he is one of the
better receivers in all of football. Trotting a 3 WR set of Moss,
Welker, and Housh......yikes.

- CB Leigh Bodden - solid CB by all accounts. Would be a very good
fit in this system. Visited NE yesterday and it "went very well",
though no signature on a contract. With $19 million freed up in cap
space, maybe another million per year would get it done. This would
be a huge addition.

- Trade a 2nd rounder in 2009 and maybe a 3rd rounder in 2009 for
Julius Peppers. Would be a stud OLB/DE. He'd be expensive, but wow,
would that be something.

- Use the remaining first day picks (1st rounder, 2 second rounders, 1
third rounder) all on defense. Get younger and faster.

- Use the remaining picks on OL. Pats seem to do well with late-round
OL types.

- Extend a couple of key guys, like Wilfork.

Suddenly the Pats would have improved at:

- QB (from Cassel to Brady)
- RB (the upgrade from Jordan to Fred Taylor)
- TE (adding Baker)
- WR (Gaffney to Furrey is a slight upgrade to Furry; but if we got Housh instead, this is a *major* upgrade from Gaffney)
- CB (adding Bodden)
- LB (upgrade from Vrabel to Peppers; return of Crable)
- youth (Peppers is younger than Vrabel; plus all the draft picks)
- long-term (extending a couple of key guys)

In how many offseasons can you say you have improved your team in virtually every single area?

 

[Seneschal2]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

Is everyone like me....watching the sports wires and going online to see
What we do next?

You kwow there we will make more moves before the draft. Everytime I go out I think i'll miss something.

Life is full of choices. You can stay glued to the wires and this board, or do what I did -- go out and shovel snow and miss 136 posts on Cassel being traded. :ugh: The snow could have waited.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

- long-term (extending a couple of key guys)

In how many offseasons can you say you have improved your team in virtually every single area?

I would love to see us extend Mankins before the start of the season.

 

[Wevegotmossyouaintgotoss]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

Pats' plan (from my lips to God's ears):

- WR Mike Furrey - very solid possession receiver. Just 2 years ago
he had 98 receptions for almost 1100 yds. Pats have had him in for a
look. Would be a solid 3rd receiver.
*or*
- WR TJ Houshmandzadeh - not much to say except he is one of the
better receivers in all of football. Trotting a 3 WR set of Moss,
Welker, and Housh......yikes.

- CB Leigh Bodden - solid CB by all accounts. Would be a very good
fit in this system. Visited NE yesterday and it "went very well",
though no signature on a contract. With $19 million freed up in cap
space, maybe another million per year would get it done. This would
be a huge addition.

- Trade a 2nd rounder in 2009 and maybe a 3rd rounder in 2009 for
Julius Peppers. Would be a stud OLB/DE. He'd be expensive, but wow,
would that be something.

- Use the remaining first day picks (1st rounder, 2 second rounders, 1
third rounder) all on defense. Get younger and faster.

- Use the remaining picks on OL. Pats seem to do well with late-round
OL types.

- Extend a couple of key guys, like Wilfork.

Suddenly the Pats would have improved at:

- QB (from Cassel to Brady)
- RB (the upgrade from Jordan to Fred Taylor)
- TE (adding Baker)
- WR (Gaffney to Furrey is a slight upgrade to Furry; but if we got Housh instead, this is a *major* upgrade from Gaffney)
- CB (adding Bodden)
- LB (upgrade from Vrabel to Peppers; return of Crable)
- youth (Peppers is younger than Vrabel; plus all the draft picks)
- long-term (extending a couple of key guys)

In how many offseasons can you say you have improved your team in virtually every single area?

I dont thinkt hat That will get Peppers tbh

Ben

 

[Wevegotmossyouaintgotoss]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

Oh And I don't want Peppers. I think Lewis would be perfect if Brush retired. However I think these are big money pipe dreams.

Remember "Short termism" is the reason the economy is screwed!!!

 

[reflexblue]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

Pats' plan (from my lips to God's ears):

- WR Mike Furrey - very solid possession receiver. Just 2 years ago
he had 98 receptions for almost 1100 yds. Pats have had him in for a
look. Would be a solid 3rd receiver.
*or*
- WR TJ Houshmandzadeh - not much to say except he is one of the
better receivers in all of football. Trotting a 3 WR set of Moss,
Welker, and Housh......yikes.

- CB Leigh Bodden - solid CB by all accounts. Would be a very good
fit in this system. Visited NE yesterday and it "went very well",
though no signature on a contract. With $19 million freed up in cap
space, maybe another million per year would get it done. This would
be a huge addition.

- Trade a 2nd rounder in 2009 and maybe a 3rd rounder in 2009 for
Julius Peppers. Would be a stud OLB/DE. He'd be expensive, but wow,
would that be something.

- Use the remaining first day picks (1st rounder, 2 second rounders, 1
third rounder) all on defense. Get younger and faster.

- Use the remaining picks on OL. Pats seem to do well with late-round
OL types.

- Extend a couple of key guys, like Wilfork.

Suddenly the Pats would have improved at:

- QB (from Cassel to Brady)
- RB (the upgrade from Jordan to Fred Taylor)
- TE (adding Baker)
- WR (Gaffney to Furrey is a slight upgrade to Furry; but if we got Housh instead, this is a *major* upgrade from Gaffney)
- CB (adding Bodden)
- LB (upgrade from Vrabel to Peppers; return of Crable)
- youth (Peppers is younger than Vrabel; plus all the draft picks)
- long-term (extending a couple of key guys)

In how many offseasons can you say you have improved your team in virtually every single area?

Man i hope God is listening.

 

[dalero]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

Not really. That is why a lot of us were hoping the Pats acquired the 3rd pick in the draft to take Curry or a stud O-lineman.

You really want to tie up that kind of dough on one player?

 

[maverick4]

Re: Cassel/Vrabel Trade Signals Pats Will Be Players in FA Market

When I start seeing some good signings I'll feel better...

The Pats seem very interested in Leigh Bodden and have been targeting free agents aggressively.

Also, remember happened the next 2 seasons after we cut Milloy? Don't be so down

 

[SVN]

Re: Cassel/Vrabel Trade Signals Pats Will Be Players in FA Market

prettysure they will use it up to extend existing players considering the uncapped yr. people will be angry that they didnt spend on any new FA's since it wont be as much on new players.

 

[mcsully]

Re: Cassel/Vrabel Trade Signals Pats Will Be Players in FA Market

I disagree 100%. Not much talent out there to spend on.. I think we look ourselves in the mirror and sign up our guys.. And restock the defense and OL in the draft.. Which makes me sick because Lito Sheppard would be great for us.. Something we desperately need.. but of course we didn't trade our 2nd rounder for him.. Like our 2nd rounders have been any good lately..

 

[LoganMankinsPancakeBlocks]

Re: Cassel/Vrabel Trade Signals Pats Will Be Players in FA Market

prettysure they will use it up to extend existing players considering the uncapped yr. people will be angry that they didnt spend on any new FA's since it wont be as much on new players.

If they were going to just use it on their own guys, what is the rush to deal Cassel? If cap space wasn't a problem, they could've held on to Cassel and dealt him much closer to the draft. The 34th pick in the draft for Cassel and Vrabel isn't exactly a "blow you away" type offer.

I agree with the OP, this trade signals the Patriots will be active in free agency. That's the only reason they'd deal Cassel so quickly for a return that was nothing overwhelming.

You can always extend contracts much later on and that's not a reason to rush to deal Cassel. You don't trade Cassel this early unless you need the money. Brady could always suffer a setback before the draft, etc.

 

[SVN]

Re: Cassel/Vrabel Trade Signals Pats Will Be Players in FA Market

If they were going to just use it on their own guys, what is the rush to deal Cassel? If cap space wasn't a problem, they could've held on to Cassel and dealt him much closer to the draft. The 34th pick in the draft for Cassel and Vrabel isn't exactly a "blow you away" type offer.

I agree with the OP, this trade signals the Patriots will be active in free agency. That's the only reason they'd deal Cassel so quickly for a return that was nothing overwhelming.

You can always extend contracts much later on and that's not a reason to rush to deal Cassel. You don't trade Cassel this early unless you need the money. Brady could always suffer a setback before the draft, etc.

well the rush to deal cassel was probably because they werent sure what they would get later. yes the lions and bucs were interested but they want to send him to denver for cutler .maybe they wouldve budged in the draft or done some other dumb deal like the vikes did with rosenfels and the pats wouldve probably not got much .
it was a case of take the best deal on the table right now than take a chance later.

 

[maverick4]

Re: Cassel/Vrabel Trade Signals Pats Will Be Players in FA Market

If they wanted to resign their own players they could slightly improve cap space and also lock in key guys for longer term without having to deal Cassel. Unloading Cassel right now without maximizing potential value is really only meaningful at this time because free agency just started. I will be a little perplexed if we don't make a few more key moves on top of what we've already done.

 

[maverick4]

Re: Cassel/Vrabel Trade Signals Pats Will Be Players in FA Market

I've been thinking about this some more. The freed up money must be a huge factor for Belichick. Otherwise, it makes zero sense how the Jets just traded a 2nd and 5th for Lito Sheppard, while we trade Cassel and Vrabel for a 2nd. If we don't put that freed up money to good use then I'd have to say Floyd Reese has gone senile.

Just like with the Milloy or even Bledsoe situation, I'm a bit baffled right now and trying to understand the reasoning, but I hope to be pleasantly surprised and proven wrong by Belichick once again

 

[Patriot Missile]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

I think 4 picks in the top 58 sounds better.

 

[upstater1]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

You really want to tie up that kind of dough on one player?

Was it my imagination or did Miguel really come on here several weeks ago showing us that the actual money earned by top draft choices is 1/3rd of what gets reported. Apparently, there are a lot of impossible to reach incentives in those early draft pick contracts. They make 1/3rd of what's reported.

 

[upstater1]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

I think 4 picks in the top 58 sounds better.

Well, we already have 3 picks, so... it's not like there's a choice between a 1st rounder and 4 picks otherwise.

 

[patman12]

Re: 6 Picks in the top 100 & $20M in cap money

They had a bunch of cap room last season and they didn't do anything.

I thought they spent to the cap. Maybe not on a ton of outside FAs but they locked up Moss and worked out other deals, no?