I Don't Expect Much From Free Agency

[Rob0729]

I have no idea if Kiwanuka's injury healed or not but that's the big question and you obviously defer to your medical staff on that call. If he's 100%, sure, he'd be a great fit.

Charles Johnson was not franchised (Kalil was).

Panthers' Kalil gets franchise tag beside name | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

My bad on Johnson. I thought he was.

 

[mgteich]

Moore gets paid $650K a year for 2 years and took a year to develop, I suppose if Edwards wanted the same, we might give it to him.

If Eric Moore could convert, why not Edwards?

 

[Shelterdog]

My bad on Johnson. I thought he was.

It's hard to keep track of all these guys.

Manny Lawson is probably a third candidate at OLB.

 

[VJCPatriot]

1) Sure we'll sign enough UDFA's to fill the camp roster.
2) We might make an offer or two to our own free agents (waaaay fewer than normal).
White certainly comes to mind, perhaps G. Warren.
3) We'll see if there is any value out there at OG and OLB.
4) We'll look for camp competition at WR and RB.

This could all be done in a week or two. There are no NEEDS. That is, the team is ready to go without any free agency at all. Sure, we can ALWAYS use upgrades. However, because of the timing, (and because we've added 30 players in the last 3 drafts), we have never needed free agency less.

Once we have a CBA, what I see as much more interesting is whether we use the opportunity to extend players.

Why don't we just pass on free agency then? This team has no needs as you say. Let's sign nobody new at all. It's not like the 2001 Patriots didn't hit the jackpot with underappreciated free agents who helped them to win a Superbowl or anything like that.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Scout.com: 2011 NFL Free Agency OLB Rankings

Here are the FA ranked by position. I don't know how old this list is but it does seem to show those who have been franchised and those who are RFA, at the moment.

 

[mgteich]

Reading comprehension and memory are difficult things. First, belichick will sign free agents since upgrades are are fine idea. I listed the kids of free agents I expect us to sign. I did not say that we shouldn't sign any. As far as 2001, I believe that our 2011 has better talent and less needs that the 2001 did going into free agency. I guess you ahve a better memeory than I do.

Why don't we just pass on free agency then? This team has no needs as you say. Let's sign nobody new at all. It's not like the 2001 Patriots didn't hit the jackpot with underappreciated free agents who helped them to win a Superbowl or anything like that.

 

[Deus Irae]

The team needs to upgrade at DE, OLB, WR and OG, so the team should be looking at free agency (and, theoretically, trades) to solve those problems. There's not much out there at DE or OLB in free agency right now, but there may be some players available at WR and OG, depending upon what the RFA/UFA rules are for the upcoming season.

 

[mgteich]

G. Warren is probably the best 3-4 DE upgrade out there. I would want him instead of Pryor.

I expect that there will be a free agent or two that is an upgrade over Edelman or Tate, or who could at least compete with them for a roster position.

The team needs to upgrade at DE, OLB, WR and OG, so the team should be looking at free agency (and, theoretically, trades) to solve those problems. There's not much out there at DE or OLB in free agency right now, but there may be some players available at WR and OG, depending upon what the RFA/UFA rules are for the upcoming season.

 

[Deus Irae]

G. Warren is probably the best 3-4 DE upgrade out there. I would want him instead of Pryor.

I expect that there will be a free agent or two that is an upgrade over Edelman or Tate, or who could at least compete with them for a roster position.

I don't consider Warren an upgrade, since he was with the team last year. It's a bad year for the DE/OLB free agent, as of now. My hope is that there's a surprise cut somewhere.

 

[Rob0729]

G. Warren is probably the best 3-4 DE upgrade out there. I would want him instead of Pryor.

I expect that there will be a free agent or two that is an upgrade over Edelman or Tate, or who could at least compete with them for a roster position.

Cullen Jenkins is probably the best 3-4 DE. Now is a two gapper though is the question. I would say the best DE with 2 gap experience on the free agent market is Marcus Spears who is better than Warren.

Other possibilities are Shaun Ellis (although he would only be a pass rush specialist at this point) and Wallace Gilberry (the guy had 7 sacks with the Chiefs last year and RFA with a second round tender).

 

[Rob0729]

I don't consider Warren an upgrade, since he was with the team last year. It's a bad year for the DE/OLB free agent, as of now. My hope is that there's a surprise cut somewhere.

There are some good talent. If the Pats can walk away from free agency with Mathias Kiwanuka and Marcus Spears (rumors had the Pats looked into trading for him last year), they did some significant upgrading. Both those moves are conceivable granted it will take a second rounder to get Kiwanuka.

 

[Deus Irae]

There are some good talent. If the Pats can walk away from free agency with Mathias Kiwanuka and Marcus Spears (rumors had the Pats looked into trading for him last year), they did some significant upgrading. Both those moves are conceivable granted it will take a second rounder to get Kiwanuka.

Kiwanuka has failed as a linebacker in the past, because he couldn't cover. If he was brought in, I'd be viewing him more as a pass rushing specialist than as a positional linebacker.

 

[townes]

QB-All set

RB-No need if Faulk returns, if not they can go with what they have and add a UDFA or low $ FA.

TE-All set

WR-1 WR who can stretch the field would help, possibly Sydney Rice.

OT-All Set. I would like Light re-signed to a 3 year deal where he moves to OG either this season or next.

OG-If they can add a decent OG in free agency then do so.

Franchise Mankins and either deal him for a first or withstand another hod-out and wait until he comes back in week 10 if needed. Connolly can replace Neal for now and Cannon looks like he will be a viable long term replacement for Mankins.

OC-They lack depth here and it should be a draft priority next year. A decent vet on a short deal as a back-up would be nice.

Overall WR and OG are really the only free agency needs on offense.



DL-I think they have what they are going with here and will re-evaluate the position after this year, possibly with major changes. I think Belichik wants to determine what he has with Brace, Moore, Pryor and others before retooling it any more. I don't see much movement here.

ILB-Set, unless Guyton is moving outside, then they may add some depth.

OLB-I would love to see them add a pass rusher and hope that is their focus in free agency. Edwards and Kiawanuka seem to be the best options.

S-Set

CB-Set

ST-Set.



Overall they are in really good shape and only have to significant needs, OLB and WR, at least imo.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Kiwanuka has failed as a linebacker in the past, because he couldn't cover. If he was brought in, I'd be viewing him more as a pass rushing specialist than as a positional linebacker.

Agreed. I'd be comfortable with this though. In 2009 he had 26 QB pressures and 14 QB hits. Those numbers alone would lead the 2010 Patriots defense.

His neck injury last year may reduce his $$ a bit. We'll see.

 

[Rob0729]

Kiwanuka has failed as a linebacker in the past, because he couldn't cover. If he was brought in, I'd be viewing him more as a pass rushing specialist than as a positional linebacker.

He failed as a 4-3 OLB. Far different responsibilities in coverage. He must cover more field in a 4-3.

He is a very good two gapper against the run. He is a great pass rusher. If his coverage skills aren't the best, it isn't the biggest deal since on obvious passing downs, he will most likely be lining up as a DE in a four man front.

 

[mgcolby]

I wouldn't mind seeing them taking a flyer on Greenway. He is fast, athletic, good in coverage, very good against the run (in the 4-3) and he is smart. I think he could be an outstanding pass rusher in the 3-4. His biggest question mark would be setting the edge.

Edit: Nevermind just read that he signed his frachise tag....

 

[Shelterdog]

I wouldn't mind seeing them taking a flyer on Greenway. He is fast, athletic, good in coverage, very good against the run (in the 4-3) and he is smart. I think he could be an outstanding pass rusher in the 3-4. His biggest question mark would be setting the edge.

He's pretty good. Which is probably why the Vikings franchised him.

[I also suspect that the franchise tag survives this labor situation-Manning, Vick, Ngata and Woodley are too valuable to their teams for the owners to approve a deal without free agency.]

 

[Deus Irae]

He failed as a 4-3 OLB. Far different responsibilities in coverage. He must cover more field in a 4-3.

He is a very good two gapper against the run. He is a great pass rusher. If his coverage skills aren't the best, it isn't the biggest deal since on obvious passing downs, he will most likely be lining up as a DE in a four man front.

Agreed but, even though I've been basically accused of being myopic and wanting only a pass rusher, that's not my only area of focus. While TBC isn't anything special, he does have some pass rushing abilities, and I'm still asking for an OLB. While I'd be more than happy with having a guy like Kiwanuka for pass rushing duties, the team also needs an OLB who can cover some ground, because Spikes/Mayo/Cunningham is a bad coverage trio right now, and Guyton can't hold the point on the outside.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I don't see why BB wouldn't look to add an OG via FA with Neal retired. He's gone that route before. Even with the draft picks bringing in a vet RB is another offensive possibility. Don't know the FAs but a deep threat WR would be nice.

On defense, he'll assess veteran conversion projects for OLB. And if our #2 is projected at FS, then a veteran CB for depth is another possibility.

Long snappah?

 

[Rob0729]

Agreed but, even though I've been basically accused of being myopic and wanting only a pass rusher, that's not my only area of focus. While TBC isn't anything special, he does have some pass rushing abilities, and I'm still asking for an OLB. While I'd be more than happy with having a guy like Kiwanuka for pass rushing duties, the team also needs an OLB who can cover some ground, because Spikes/Mayo/Cunningham is a bad coverage trio right now, and Guyton can't hold the point on the outside.

I think if they can rush the passer better, the coverage of the LBs will be significantly better. If the QB has 3-5 seconds to throw the ball, most TEs and slot WRs are going to get open.