Brownfan80
In the Starting Line-Up
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.p8ryts said:Good move, shores up the fulcrum of the line.
We know Beoli favors the the big boys and now we have both O and D lines signed for the next few years. Now that is a foundation.
The plan evolves.
As for Samuel and Graham. My favorite play is the Wham where Graham comes back and traps the incoming d lineman but it remains that he is nicked up a lot, similar to Branch and Givens. I don't think they will overpay for him and the ground work for replacing him occured in this years draft with Thomas and Mills. He was also outspoken about the Branch deal and said the Pats will get one chance to make an offer and if he does like it he is out of here. I think he will definitely be gone next year. Samuel is more durable, not very big but a reasonably sure tackler, reasonbly good cover guy, both traits sought by Beoli. That said, I think Samuel sees the market for a cover corner being greater than what the Pats will likely offer and has a 50/50 or greater chance of ending up elsewhere. Start watching the corners for next years draft. We still will have Hobbs, Wilson and Scott so we won't be bereft of options.
Just something interesting to look out for. Gives the "hand wringing whiners" something to hang onto.
By the way, I am a big Thomas fan and I think as he gets more chances he will surpass Ben Watson as a pass catching option, he needs to work on his blocking but its been better than I expected.
Repeat after me 10 times "It is what it is" Now I feel a lot better.
Another just for the record - the claim that Grahambo made a 'one chance to make an offer and then I'm gone' statement came in a Ron Borges' column quoting a "friend," I'll leave it to your judgement on the reliability of the reporting.p8ryts said:He was also outspoken about the Branch deal and said the Pats will get one chance to make an offer and if he does like it he is out of here. I think he will definitely be gone next year.
I expect a SERIOUS secondary draft next year. Like a #1, #3 #4 or even more kind of push. I really like the 3 Safeties, we should get one with one of our #1s.Box_O_Rocks said:I think the "need" shopping list in next year's draft focuses on the secondary, the Pats aren't looking that shabby anywhere else.
Fencer said:One of the papers had a list of the players the Pats have re-signed early. It consisted entirely of young linemen and mature linebackers. That said, I think it forgot an aged RB or two ...
MoLewisrocks said:A Koppen comparison from Mike this AM sounds like we got a really good deal done that reinforces utilizing the remaining year on rookie deals as Branch simply refused to consider, while trying to utilize comparables that really weren't comparable in his case. Notice that Koppen isn't in the same stratosphere as say LeCharles Bentley and his 6/$36 with $12M guaranteed. Market isn't getting what the elite at your position get unless you actually are:
"Some emailers have asked how center Dan Koppen's deal -- a five-year extension through 2011, with $7.5 million in bonuses that could be worth up to $20 million -- compares with others around the league.
A good comparison is the contract signed by Justin Hartwig with the Carolina Panthers prior to this season. Hartwig was an unrestricted free agent and he inked a five-year, $17 million contract with $7 million in bonuses ($5 million to sign, $2 million option bonus).
It's likely that Hartwig's deal, which came on the open market, was one of the "comparables" that both sides worked off when putting the Koppen extension together.
Based on Hartwig's deal, which was signed in March, it looks like Koppen got a fair market deal. Hartwig's deal averages $3.3 million per year, while Koppen's deal -- assessed over a six-year term because it doesn't kick in until 2007 -- is at the same figure.
Posted By: mreiss | Time: 11:13:49 AM
Squarely in the we'd like him back and hope to heck he does, but improved blocking from his juniors has lowered the panic level if he moves on.5 Rings for Brady!! said:Box of Rocks: Welcome to the 'we'd like for Grambo to be back' camp. We've been somewhat divided here as of late, however.
Do you plan on staying on the 'We'd like him back but fear he is gone' side of camp, or the 'We'd like him back and think it'll likely happen' side of camp?
I regard defensive ends and tackles as being "linemen." ... As for Brady, my recollection is that on at least one occasion he REJECTED the chance to sign early for short money. I've forgotten whether he ever had a true mid-contract renegotiation (as opposed to cap shenanigans) or whether he just signed a big contract as an RFA.Pawn512 said:Don't forget a certain quarterback and defensive end
I wouldn't be at all surprised. It's the biggest need position(s), not counting ILB. That said, if two but not three of Gabriel, Jackson, and Caldwell look like they're making it, don't be surprised to see Yet Another Round 2 WR. And if Graham doesn't re-sign -- well, I'm sure you can finish that sentence.BelichickFan said:I expect a SERIOUS secondary draft next year.
Box_O_Rocks said:- For ILB I'm curious to see what Cory Mays does in next years Training Camp, his size on the Patriots.com roster is larger than I thought, and he acted like a ball magnet in the Hula Bowl; Alexander is an enigma, but I can't see BB keeping him around just on the chance Izzo or Davis slide, he may be getting some game time inside if the score allows for training opportunities; I was impressed by Gardner in the preseason, if Woicik can bulk him up more between now and the next Training Camp, we may have the next veteran surprise. I'm feeling very cynical about a possible ILB on the first day of the draft.
I think the "need" shopping list in next year's draft focuses on the secondary, the Pats aren't looking that shabby anywhere else.