My Blueprint For the Pats

[mayoclinic]

Harvin has made it well known that he expects to get paid this offseason, whether it's by the Vikings or someone else. So I think that any Pats move for Harvin would require that Welker moves on. The issue isn't so much in 2013 (Gronk is still cheap), bit in 2014 when Gronk, Hernandez, Lloyd, Harvin, and Welker would all have cap hits of at least $4.2M, and quite a bit more for Welker and Harvin, most likely.

This isn't a direct response to you, Sciz, but I'll take the Welkah I know over the quasi-Welkah I don't.

Just to be 100% clear, Harvin is NOT part of my "blueprint" for the Pats. My priorities are to preferably re-sign Welker to a 3 year deal (I think he's proven he's not going to drop off anytime soon) and franchise him as a backup option, re-sign Edelman, and draft a developmental WR, a number of whom have been discussed in this thread and elsewhere.

The Harvin idea is just something to keep an eye on. He's a guy with some potential interest given his skill set, and a guy that BB apparently had some interest in previously. Depending on how sour his relationship in Minny gets, his sitation could become interesting, and chance favors the prepared mind. Getting Jeff Demps or Jake Ballard wouldn't have been part of my "blueprint" a year ago, but both were good opportunities that the Pats seized when they arose, and if Harvin because available and the opportunity presented itself, I expect they would explore it - either as an alternative to Welker if that situation wasn't progressing, or in addition if it could be finagled under the cap. But the probability is exceedingly low, and I wouldn't do any more than tuck the idea away for now and keep an eye on his situation after the season.

 

[Water Boy]

And for those who like a daily dose of "Ziggy porn", watch him lay out the QB below.

Did anyone catch Ansah in the Poinsettia Bowl last night? I only saw a few snaps, but what I saw was not flattering. He was slow off the snap, and definitely did not look like a "high motor" guy.

 

[mayoclinic]

Did anyone catch Ansah in the Poinsettia Bowl last night? I only saw a few snaps, but what I saw was not flattering. He was slow off the snap, and definitely did not look like a "high motor" guy.

Good. It's fine with me if the Ziggy Train derails a bit.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Did anyone catch Ansah in the Poinsettia Bowl last night? I only saw a few snaps, but what I saw was not flattering. He was slow off the snap, and definitely did not look like a "high motor" guy.

It wouldnt surprise me if they were game planning for him a bit, that said, we do NOT want him to be a finished product, you'll have to pay retail and then some for a finished pass-rusher, in order for him to be available to us we need him to have some rough edges that need to be worked out.

 

[manxman2601]

Did anyone catch Ansah in the Poinsettia Bowl last night? I only saw a few snaps, but what I saw was not flattering. He was slow off the snap, and definitely did not look like a "high motor" guy.

Good. It's fine with me if the Ziggy Train derails a bit.

I saw someone on the Intertubes say that he's not JPP, he's Chandler Jones. I think this is spot on albeit he's a more athletic Chandler Jones with perhaps a little more work needed. And I want 2 Chandler Jones'!

 

[mayoclinic]

I saw someone on the Intertubes say that he's not JPP, he's Chandler Jones. I think this is spot on albeit he's a more athletic Chandler Jones with perhaps a little more work needed. And I want 2 Chandler Jones'!

NE Patriot' Draft made the same comparison in their review of prospects from the BYU-SDSU game:

2013 NFL Draft Scouting Notes: Poinsettia Bowl (BYU vs San Diego State) | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2013 NFL Draft

 

[patsfaninpa]

I don't think we usually look for the diamond in the rough early in the draft. The athlete who is not quite the football player yet. We will later. And, I don't mean off-field issues when comparing the two. Like Spikes, AHern or Dennard. I mean a great athlete like JPP or DRC. It's probably a good thing we don't. They tend to be your busts. You'll get the occasional boom. But, it's not something you can count on. I'm not sure any of these wr's are near enough complete players to pique BB's interest. Don't know if they fall. But, mayo has pointed out guys like; Warmack, Cooper, Jenkins, Hankins would be no-brainers. Maybe more proven players like Okafor or Montgomery. Read that my binky Matt Elam is headed back to Florida. Might be happy with something like


1. Sylvester Williams - DT - UNC
2. OLB - Arthur Brown, K. Greene or Van Noy
3. WR - Wheaton could slide here.

Would like to have a g and safety. But, we just don't have the picks. Kind of got hosed on last year's trade downs. Teams know we will looking to add picks. They are dealing from the position of strength if they have extra picks. Has there been any info on comp picks? I thought we might get one or two. For losing LawFirm and Mark Anderson. But, I've read that when comparing free agent signings. The league doesn't go position by position any more. Lloyd negates LawFirm and Fanene would negate Anderson. Plus, we signed; Fells and Gregory.

 

[manxman2601]

Did anyone catch Ansah in the Poinsettia Bowl last night? I only saw a few snaps, but what I saw was not flattering. He was slow off the snap, and definitely did not look like a "high motor" guy.

Not sure about questioning his motor. Saw him make an attempted tackle 10 yards down field on the sideline after getting there from the LOS. Then gets himself up and finally makes the play another twenty yards downfield (and this was on a RB or WR).

By all accounts he was looking tired which might explain a "lack of motor" later in the game but that's just down to conditioning which can be fixed.

 

[EwanSellars]

i love the 2014 draft aj mcCarron would be great hes not flashy, has played in big games and he would have the weapons around him also love the TE out of washington also in the 2013 i think ziggy and austin are a little low but could happen especially with ziggy. id take ziggy arthur brown and quinton patton this year and then next year get mccarron, elam and jenkins (obviously we wont get all three) we would be setting ourselves up incredibly i could see BB trading the 2nd 7th this year and a 3rd next year for a first next year if its a higher team if not 2nd and 3rd for a playoff team

 

[Water Boy]

By all accounts he was looking tired which might explain a "lack of motor" later in the game but that's just down to conditioning which can be fixed.

Ya. He definitely looked like he was gassed.

 

[DaBruinz]

They are dealing from the position of strength if they have extra picks. Has there been any info on comp picks? I thought we might get one or two. For losing LawFirm and Mark Anderson. But, I've read that when comparing free agent signings. The league doesn't go position by position any more. Lloyd negates LawFirm and Fanene would negate Anderson. Plus, we signed; Fells and Gregory.

Comp picks have NEVER been based on position. They've always been based on the salary of the players lost vs. the salary of the players gained. And only players who make the team count. And only players who are being paid above the vet minimum (typically).

Lloyd would negate Lawfirm. Fanene does not count because he was cut by the team prior to Camp. Just like Gallery doesn't count. Nor Gonzalez, Nor Addai, Nor Stallworh, Nor Gaffney. Yes, the Pats signed Fells and Gregory. As you mentioned, they lost Anderson. They also signed Marquice Cole.

It was talked about in another thread that the Pats ended up signing like 2 more than they lost, when it was all boiled down.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Would like to have a g and safety. But, we just don't have the picks. Kind of got hosed on last year's trade downs. Teams know we will looking to add picks. They are dealing from the position of strength if they have extra picks. Has there been any info on comp picks? I thought we might get one or two. For losing LawFirm and Mark Anderson. But, I've read that when comparing free agent signings. The league doesn't go position by position any more. Lloyd negates LawFirm and Fanene would negate Anderson. Plus, we signed; Fells and Gregory.

To the best of my knowledge, they never did. There are a few major rules that need to be followed. In particular, players don't count (as FAs lost by the old team or gained by the new team) if:

(A) They are waived by their old team (note that failure to pick up an option is not considered waiving a player) (e.g., nearly every FA the Pats signed in 2008 and 2009).
(B) They are not UFAs (e.g., Hoomanawanui doesn't count next year).
(C) They are acquired via trade.
(D) They are acquired too late in the offseason or in the regular season (e.g. Brian Waters last year).
(E) They do not spend a certain amount of time on the new team's roster (e.g., a player released in the offseason or in, say, week 2).
(F) They sign a deal subject to the Minimum Salary Benefit (i.e., "vet-minimum" deals).

Players who don't count in the calculation

 

[captain stone]

Seeing the manner in which Brady has consistently been beaten-up since Thanksgiving, I feel that acquiring
a Center/Guard to help protect The Franchise has now reached critical mass. Wendell makes Dan Koppen
look like Dermonti Dawson, Connolly is much less effective at Guard than at Center, and oldMankin$ just
cannot stay healthy throughout a 16+game season.

Jonathan Cooper or Barrett Jones should now be given very serious consideration with our 1st-round pick.

Edit: Bill's refusal to move Connolly to Center and Donald Thomas to RG, and Wendell to the bench
where he belongs, remains a constant source of frustration.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Seeing the manner in which Brady has consistently been beaten-up since Thanksgiving, I feel that acquiring
a Center/Guard to help protect The Franchise has now reached critical mass. Wendell makes Dan Koppen
look like Dermonti Dawson, Connolly is much less effective at Guard than at Center, and oldMankin$ just
cannot stay healthy throughout a 16+game season.

Jonathan Cooper or Barrett Jones should now be given very serious consideration with our 1st-round pick.

No player on the team gives us more impact than TFB. Also, giving TFB better protection will not just be felt in 2013 but for many seasons afterwards.

Also, TRADE MALLETT!

 

[stelfans]

Cooper would be awesome. Ridley would love him for sure.

 

[manxman2601]

Cooper would be awesome. Ridley would love him for sure.

Glad to see all the Cooper love. My favourite player.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Seeing the manner in which Brady has consistently been beaten-up since Thanksgiving, I feel that acquiring
a Center/Guard to help protect The Franchise has now reached critical mass. Wendell makes Dan Koppen
look like Dermonti Dawson, Connolly is much less effective at Guard than at Center, and oldMankin$ just
cannot stay healthy throughout a 16+game season.

Jonathan Cooper or Barrett Jones should now be given very serious consideration with our 1st-round pick.

Edit: Bill's refusal to move Connolly to Center and Donald Thomas to RG, and Wendell to the bench
where he belongs, remains a constant source of frustration.

Another thing, suppose we put Donald Thomas at LG and Mankins to RG, that would allow Connelly to move back to C.

With an offseason of rest and rehab, and also being further away from his ACL tear, Mankins should be MUCH more effective.

At that point, where would we best be able to spend that 1st round pick to get us more impact? I'm hoping we can use it to snag Ansah, who I think will be an absolute defensive stud, and that we could get a 2nd from a Vollmer franchise, and use it primarily for Kyle Long.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

absolute defensive stud, and that we could get a 2nd from a Vollmer franchise, and use it primarily for Kyle Long.

Wouldn't that basically be taking the devil you don't know over the devil you do?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Edit: Bill's refusal to move Connolly to Center and Donald Thomas to RG, and Wendell to the bench where he belongs, remains a constant source of frustration.

Um, perhaps you might want to ask Scar why he thinks that C Wendell-G Connolly is better than C Connolly-G Thomas?

 

[Snake Eyes]

Wouldn't that basically be taking the devil you don't know over the devil you do?

I don't think so, we know Vollmer can play when healthy but when he's healthy is a big unknown. It's also likely that his agent will try to get LT money for him as he's shown to be be effective there.

I think he'll cost too much and be carry too many injuries. I could also see some crap team think of him as a proven player who they would use as a stop gap for a few years that could be worth a 2nd round pick assuming he passes their physical.

I'd rather restock now, with Mankins at RG we'd only have 1 new player on the line, which would minimize the disruption from a chemistry pov.