My Take On Immediate Priorities

[mgteich]

The first three items need to be done in the next week or so
1. Restructure or cut Willie
2. Restructure several with signing bonuses
3. Make a decision on Poole.
4. Continue with the "quick wins" perhaps by signing a couple out of
Dwight, A. Davis, Stone, Chad Scott, Evans,Chatham,Brown,Flutie,Fauria
Dwight, Chad Scott, Andre Davis and Troy Brown would be my choices.

Note we have already signed many from last year: Poteat, Hawkins, Tucker
D. Davis, S. Thomas, Alexander, Britt, Krug, Ventrone, Roehl and McGrew
I think the first three are definite keepers.
------------------------------------------
bb and pioli don't go into bidding wars, especially early in free agency, although we again trade a pick for a player. While we may get one of the following free agents, I expect them all to be gone:
Givens, Vinatieri, Ashworth, Neal

This seems the normal level of serious free agent losses. We will also lose a couple of the jags listed in the first group.
-------------------------------------------
MY PRIORITIES FOR SPENDING REAL MONEY
1. Extend Seymour
2. Extend Branch
3. Extend Koppen
4. Extend Samuel
5. Extend Graham
6. Extend Brady (making more cap money available)
I don't know how many of these will happen, but they are all much more important than overpaying by 50% (my guess) in the free agent market, competing with teams with $320M more to spend on free agents than they had yesterday. The number of players is not changing. So more will is likely to spent on each free agent, at least for this year.
-----------------------------------------------
There is a great opportunity to have this team set through the end of the decade. The way to do this is NOT to overspend on free agents, either this year or next.
---------------------------------------------

 

[hwc]

The Pats will pick up about $3 million in cap room on a simple restructure of Brady's existing contract.

They'll move $3 million of his salary to prorated bonus money. Then, they prorate that $15 million ($12 million option bonus and the new $3 million restructure bonus) over five years instead of four.

This will bring Brady's cap number down to about $11.4 million -- not bad considering that it's the last year year of proration ($4.5 million) from his old contract.

From there on out, the Pats are in great shape with Brady's contract -- the cap numbers remain pretty much level through 2010.

 

[DaBruinz]

Sal cap at 102 mill in 2006

And 109 million in 2007.

Its going to be very interesting.

The Patriots are at 90.5 million of the 101.5 million adjusted cap that they are under. Patriots have a 2.5 million cap adjustment to to NLTBE incentives that were earned last year.

That puts the Pats at $10-$11 million before any more roster moves.

Possible Moves:
1) Restructure Willie with a saving of up to 4.5 million
2) Cut Ty Poole, saving 1.5 million on the cap
3) Restructure Tom Brady, that could save 3 million on the cap
4) Richard Seymour extension, which could save a LOT on the cap
5) Deion Branch Extension, would add money to the cap
6) Dan Koppen Extension, would add money to the cap
7) Daniel Graham Extension, would add money to the cap.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

And 109 million in 2007.

Its going to be very interesting.

The Patriots are at 90.5 million of the 101.5 million adjusted cap that they are under. Patriots have a 2.5 million cap adjustment to to NLTBE incentives that were earned last year.

That puts the Pats at $10-$11 million before any more roster moves.

Possible Moves:
1) Restructure Willie with a saving of up to 4.5 million check
2) Cut Ty Poole, saving 1.5 million on the cap Keep him, re-watching the Oakland game of the week program should be a reminder of what he can do when he knocked the ball away from Moss on Moss' long TD - if the defense had been set up properly to allow for Safety help on the deep route that was an int by the Safety, as it was, Geno jumped the wide open TE underneath leaving Rodney to heck and gone on the other side of the field and Ty one on one with a premier WR - Ty made a great play, but no Safety help allowed Moss the chance to make one himself.
3) Restructure Tom Brady, that could save 3 million on the cap
4) Richard Seymour extension, which could save a LOT on the cap A quandary, does Sey take an extension and nice signing bonus, or hope to avoid injury and offer himself to the highest bidder next season?
5) Deion Branch Extension, would add money to the cap
6) Dan Koppen Extension, would add money to the cap Another tough decision, take a nice bonus now before your shoulder is tested in the season, or hope to have another great season and take it to the market - Hochstein filling in without to much trouble argues for the Pats keeping the Center's cap hit low....*&%%#$ decisions.
7) Daniel Graham Extension, would add money to the cap. This is on par with re-signing Branch and Seymour, only Graham has less leverage as the new crop of TEs prepares to enter the NFL. Offer him a deal on par with the one Light got.

1010101010

 

[hwc]

Ty Poole was a pretty good corner back in the day. But, he's spent the last two seasons on injured reserve with knee injuries and basically has not played since the 2003 season. I believe the Pats can find plenty of guys to put on IR for less that $1.5 million a year.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Ty Poole was a pretty good corner back in the day. But, he's spent the last two seasons on injured reserve with knee injuries and basically has not played since the 2003 season. I believe the Pats can find plenty of guys to put on IR for less that $1.5 million a year.

Oddly enough, they have. One would think there is some contact going on in the NE secondary.

 

[Pats726]

The first three items need to be done in the next week or so
1. Restructure or cut Willie
2. Restructure several with signing bonuses
3. Make a decision on Poole.
4. Continue with the "quick wins" perhaps by signing a couple out of
Dwight, A. Davis, Stone, Chad Scott, Evans,Chatham,Brown,Flutie,Fauria
Dwight, Chad Scott, Andre Davis and Troy Brown would be my choices.

Note we have already signed many from last year: Poteat, Hawkins, Tucker
D. Davis, S. Thomas, Alexander, Britt, Krug, Ventrone, Roehl and McGrew
I think the first three are definite keepers.
------------------------------------------
bb and pioli don't go into bidding wars, especially early in free agency, although we again trade a pick for a player. While we may get one of the following free agents, I expect them all to be gone:
Givens, Vinatieri, Ashworth, Neal

This seems the normal level of serious free agent losses. We will also lose a couple of the jags listed in the first group.
-------------------------------------------
MY PRIORITIES FOR SPENDING REAL MONEY
1. Extend Seymour
2. Extend Branch
3. Extend Koppen
4. Extend Samuel
5. Extend Graham
6. Extend Brady (making more cap money available)
I don't know how many of these will happen, but they are all much more important than overpaying by 50% (my guess) in the free agent market, competing with teams with $320M more to spend on free agents than they had yesterday. The number of players is not changing. So more will is likely to spent on each free agent, at least for this year.
-----------------------------------------------
There is a great opportunity to have this team set through the end of the decade. The way to do this is NOT to overspend on free agents, either this year or next.
---------------------------------------------

A great analysis...
although I am not sure I would agree with every move...or agree with all the outcomes..but it's a good place to start. Congrats!!!
As to the first 4 things...restructures are fine...McGinest has been cut..and I would do the same with Poole..not sure why he is still around, esp given how he has been on IR the last 2 years and a total no show. I also like the
quick resigns...Like your 4 chioices, although I think CScott may want to shop around a bit..and Dwight may retire. Davis and TBrown to me are no-brainers. Stone may fit in this quick sign category as well as might Evans. You never can have enough RBs..even one that is more like an old time FB.
Fauria may be good as well, although I think he may do some shopping as well; "ditto" Chatham. Flutie might retire. As to bidding wars, I agree, one can't get into them..but I see possibly two and if one includes WIllieMcG in there, possibly 3 back. I am still believing AdamV will stay in a Patriot uniform
and that the Pats may sweeten the money some to keep him. If this does not happen, a kicker should be a top priority and it may be only a bit more to keep AdamV than a FA lesser kicker. Givens is gone..and I think Ashworth as well. Neal is more of a possible to stay, but some team may think he's a lot better than he is and overpay...which will mean he is gone as well.
what is right on the money though is extending Seymour and Branch..get that done, locked inand they'll be 2 happy campers. Koppen I am not sure of..as I really think he wishes to go to FA and then there is the whole injury question from last year. Graham and Samuel are next...esp the under rated Grahmbo..a super blocker and one who is getting better with his hands. Both keepers.
The one area that was not discussed was the free agency...and here, I really think a WR, CB and LB could be places where BB/SP start...although a vet like Mawae would be a great addition as well.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Insightful thoughts from Mgteich, and the rest of thread gives you plenty more to think about.

I would add that an 'immediate priority' is to make a decison on the RB situation, which I believe is in crisis mode. There is no way that BB and Pioli are counting on Dillon as a certainty for next year. He is at a very vulnerable age for RB's, just had his first season of prolonged injury problems, and looked very up and down when he was on the field. that means the Pats don't have a RB they can bank on and that scares the water right out of me when I think of what kind of beating TB took this year at least partly as a result of the weak running game.

So when FA starts tomorrow night I say the Pats MUST make an early move and not wait for the leftovers unless they are willing to draft a RB in the first round.

That $5mil guarantee they gave Dillion is the only thing keeping him on this team. And that bonus is one heck of an albatross when you look at the increase of the salary cap and realize without the Dillon dollars we would certainly be in the picture for James.

 

[hwc]

I don't think Belichick would be in the market for James. He's not really the kind of back the Pats seem to like.

What Belichick wants from a back is the ability to pound the ball and pick up a 3rd and 1 or score from the 3 yard line. The number one thing he wants from a back is moving the chains, grinding the clock late in the game, and taking pressure off the passing game. E. James is mediocre power back.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Huh?

Edgerin James doesn't move the chains?

James doesn't grind the clock at the end of games?

James doesn't take pressure of the QB?

I politely point out you're dead wrong on all three plus James is an excellent blocker on Blitz pick ups, usually the sign of one tough hombre.

 

[mgteich]

RUNNING BACKS

I don't know the answer, but I don't think this is a decision for the first week of free agency. The restructures and few quick signs will be plenty.

1. I wish EVANS really were an old-fashioned fullback, but he can't block.

2. With regard to DILLON, I think we're paying him $3M to be our #1 back and to carry 25 times a game. If he can't do this, he should be cut. The $5.4M bonus money needs to hit the cap sometime. Personally, I think he'll be just fine.

3. I'm also more than fine with Faulk and Pass.

4. I agree that we need to sign a free agent running back. There are many, many out there. Dillon could be hurt again.

5. The open question is whether we carry a back of the future. We shall see.

 

[mgteich]

I agree. James is a GREAT running back from all places on the field, and especially in the crunch.

Huh?

Edgerin James doesn't move the chains?

James doesn't grind the clock at the end of games?

James doesn't take pressure of the QB?

I politely point out you're dead wrong on all three plus James is an excellent blocker on Blitz pick ups, usually the sign of one tough hombre.

 

[mgcolby]

The only thing I don't like about James is his uncanny ability to fumble the ball at the most inopportune time. Other then that he is a great back.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

RUNNING BACKS

I don't know the answer, but I don't think this is a decision for the first week of free agency. The restructures and few quick signs will be plenty.

1. I wish EVANS really were an old-fashioned fullback, but he can't block.

2. With regard to DILLON, I think we're paying him $3M to be our #1 back and to carry 25 times a game. If he can't do this, he should be cut. The $5.4M bonus money needs to hit the cap sometime. Personally, I think he'll be just fine.

3. I'm also more than fine with Faulk and Pass.

4. I agree that we need to sign a free agent running back. There are many, many out there. Dillon could be hurt again.

5. The open question is whether we carry a back of the future. We shall see.

If I may put my own interpretation on your notes - address the O-line depth.

I believe the Britt/Krug duo who camped on the practice squad are part of that carrying over from last season. Tucker also fits that bill. Steitz and Roehl in NFLE are warm bodies at this point, but Andruzzi needed time to develop into the 3-ring mauler he became.

I would like Neal and Ashworth back - remember Traylor being escorted off the field on Tommy's QB sneak for a 1st down in the Miami home game? Neal decked him! The problem with re-signing them is offering a competitive dollar with other clubs. That said, I like this draft for replacement O-linemen if we want to grab one or more.

I'm also comfortable with Dillon, Faulk, and Pass. Despite Evan's blocking, I'd like to have him back, especially with the way WR is currently looking - we could always play Faulk and Pass more at WR, if only Evans can improve his blitz pick-up. With Evans onboard, I would advocate for 4 backs this season, I like his power running and receiving.

I think Charles is slated for the Practice Squad if he does what I think he is capable of doing in NFLE.

 

[Pats726]

RUNNING BACKS

I don't know the answer, but I don't think this is a decision for the first week of free agency. The restructures and few quick signs will be plenty.

1. I wish EVANS really were an old-fashioned fullback, but he can't block.

2. With regard to DILLON, I think we're paying him $3M to be our #1 back and to carry 25 times a game. If he can't do this, he should be cut. The $5.4M bonus money needs to hit the cap sometime. Personally, I think he'll be just fine.

3. I'm also more than fine with Faulk and Pass.

4. I agree that we need to sign a free agent running back. There are many, many out there. Dillon could be hurt again.

5. The open question is whether we carry a back of the future. We shall see.

I agree..I don't really see it as needing to be addressed now..UNLESS they really think that CD is going to need a LOT of help..and I just do not think that...but that is IMO..and BB/SP's may differ...VERY true..1)Evans can not block..needs to learn..but he does run more like an old fullblock..(wish he could block like one..but??) 2-3)...I agree here as well..
4)...5).. Who is that backup back... a vet or a rookie RB of the future..I tend to think Cobbs was suppose to be but couldn't...Chapman was taken by INdy and hasn't so??? UNless they are in a dire situation...not an immediate situation...

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

I don't think Belichick would be in the market for James. He's not really the kind of back the Pats seem to like.

What Belichick wants from a back is the ability to pound the ball and pick up a 3rd and 1 or score from the 3 yard line. The number one thing he wants from a back is moving the chains, grinding the clock late in the game, and taking pressure off the passing game. E. James is mediocre power back.

Not to pile on hwc here but ... "James is a mediocre power back." Oh really? Then how could the following statement in an article today be true? "James is running tougher than ever, leading all backs in yardage after the initial hit in 2005." Ouch, babe.

 

[smg93]

I've always liked Mike Alstott of the Bucs. Anyone else think a guy like him could fit in with the Pats?

 

[hwc]

Again, E. James is an excellent running back. He is NOT the type of running back that Belichick seems to prefer. In the Pats offense, E. James is better suited to the Kevin Faulk role than the Corey Dillion role.

This is not to say that Belichick wouldn't make good use of an Edgerin James. But, I don't see him as the kind of back that Belichick would go spend $5 to $7 million a year on. Note, that the Colts do not use the same kind of runnng offense as the Pats. Almost everything they run is based on zone blocking schemes with cut-backs off the stretch play. Belichick likes to be able to line up on 3rd & 1 and pound the ball.

 

[Feep_FLA]

I like Alstott as well but he's resigned with Tampa Bay for one more year then plans to retire.

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

Again, E. James is an excellent running back. He is NOT the type of running back that Belichick seems to prefer. In the Pats offense, E. James is better suited to the Kevin Faulk role than the Corey Dillion role.

This is not to say that Belichick wouldn't make good use of an Edgerin James. But, I don't see him as the kind of back that Belichick would go spend $5 to $7 million a year on. Note, that the Colts do not use the same kind of runnng offense as the Pats. Almost everything they run is based on zone blocking schemes with cut-backs off the stretch play. Belichick likes to be able to line up on 3rd & 1 and pound the ball.

On top of that, we have:

If James does leave Indy, he'll especially miss Dungy, whose practices tend to emphasize learning and precision rather than physical intensity. "I don't want to be with somebody who's trying to kill me in practice," James says. "I know what I have to do to get ready for Sunday, so I'd like to play for a coach who'll tell the linebackers and defensive backs to keep their f------ hands off me during the week." http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/michael_silver/03/10/open.mike/index.html

hehehe.. could you see the hissy-fit that would get thrown the first time Rodney "I only know how to hit one way" Harrison nailed him in practice?