Could the Pats afford to be active in FA early in the offseason?

[mgteich]

I don't see much effort in signing any top level free agents from other teams.

1) I don't think that the patriots will pay $14M for the backup QB position. Even if Bady is delayed, O'Connell or the #2 should be expected to start, after much work in Training Camp.

2) Cassel and the team will work together on making the transition work for both of them. I would think everything would completed by March 1st.

3) I expect us keep Ventrone (ERFA) and Woods (RFA).

DEALING WITH OUR OWN IN EARLY FREE AGENCY
5) The earliest FA priorities are re-signing what we can of the relatively low priced players. My list includes Evans, Paxton, Lew Sanders, Hanson and Tank Williams. Also here are decision about bringing back Seau and/or Colvin. I would welcome Colvin back. Seau can wait; he doesn't need camp.

6) The next priority would be to re-sign the mid-level players or replace them with similar players from other teams. My list here includes Gaffney, Hochstein and Jordan.

7) Then there is Mike Wright. He is deserving of starter pay. I would pay it.

8) Finally, we should consider extensions of Wilfork, Seymour, Green, Mankins, Kaczur, Neal, Brady and Light. Some of these would increase the cap. Some would be a reduction.
==========================
We are then ready to evaluate the projected team and upgrade in free agency and the draft as value is there. My team before these additions would be:

OFFENSE (25)
QB: Brady, Gutierrez, O'Connell
RB: Morris, Faulk, Maroney, Jordan, (BJGE)
FB: Evans
WR: Moss, Welker, Gaffney, Aiken, Washington
TE: Watson, Thomas, DeVree
OL: Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur
LeVoir, Hochstein, Yates, O'Callaghan, (Connolly), (Wendell)

DEFENSE (22)
DL: Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Wright, Green, Smith
LB: Vrabel, Mayo, Guyton, Thomas, Bruschi, Colvin, Woods, Crable
(Robertson), (Redd), Craig)
DB: Hobbs, L. Sanders, Wheatley, Wilhite, Richardson,
Meriweather, J. Sanders, Williams

SPECIALISTS (6)
K: Gostkowski
P: Hanson
DS: Paxton
ST: Slater, Spann, Ventrone
================

I believe that the above roster is as good as the 2007 team which was a play away from being one of the top five teams ever. I believe that this is as good as the 2008 team, which injury kept from being on the top 5 ever.

There may a free agency upgrade or two. The draft will be, and should be, focused on 2010. We will get 2010 contributions from them, but that should only be critical in injury situations.

 

[billdog3484]

1) I don't think that the patriots will pay $14M for the backup QB position. Even if Bady is delayed, O'Connell or the #2 should be expected to start, after much work in Training Camp.

i think you make some very good points. however, QB is the one position on the field that changes everything. i think under normal circumstances you would never put 29M into one position. however, the QB position is the one that you do. I know we drafted O'Connell to possibly take over for Brady, but i doubt that he is ready. We have the luxury of possessing a backup QB who is capable of very good, if not great things. there is no way he is let go if Brady isnt ready. if Brady isnt ready, Cassel will be on our roster, it would be assenine not to do that. we definitely have some cap room to make this happen, although we would have to wiggle some players money into future years. we will have a bunch of draft picks in the top 3 rounds and will be able to plug some holes. this will certainly allow us to forego free agency and head into the season with hope

if brady is healthy, we will tag Cassel and get at least a second round pick, there is no question in my mind. you cannot let a really good qB leave without receiving compensation. especially, the pats, we are too smart to let this happen.

 

[mcsully]

I don't see much effort in signing any top level free agents from other teams.

1) I don't think that the patriots will pay $14M for the backup QB position. Even if Bady is delayed, O'Connell or the #2 should be expected to start, after much work in Training Camp.

2) Cassel and the team will work together on making the transition work for both of them. I would think everything would completed by March 1st.

3) I expect us keep Ventrone (ERFA) and Woods (RFA).

DEALING WITH OUR OWN IN EARLY FREE AGENCY
5) The earliest FA priorities are re-signing what we can of the relatively low priced players. My list includes Evans, Paxton, Lew Sanders, Hanson and Tank Williams. Also here are decision about bringing back Seau and/or Colvin. I would welcome Colvin back. Seau can wait; he doesn't need camp.

6) The next priority would be to re-sign the mid-level players or replace them with similar players from other teams. My list here includes Gaffney, Hochstein and Jordan.

7) Then there is Mike Wright. He is deserving of starter pay. I would pay it.

8) Finally, we should consider extensions of Wilfork, Seymour, Green, Mankins, Kaczur, Neal, Brady and Light. Some of these would increase the cap. Some would be a reduction.
==========================
We are then ready to evaluate the projected team and upgrade in free agency and the draft as value is there. My team before these additions would be:

OFFENSE (25)
QB: Brady, Gutierrez, O'Connell
RB: Morris, Faulk, Maroney, Jordan, (BJGE)
FB: Evans
WR: Moss, Welker, Gaffney, Aiken, Washington
TE: Watson, Thomas, DeVree
OL: Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur
LeVoir, Hochstein, Yates, O'Callaghan, (Connolly), (Wendell)

DEFENSE (22)
DL: Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Wright, Green, Smith
LB: Vrabel, Mayo, Guyton, Thomas, Bruschi, Colvin, Woods, Crable
(Robertson), (Redd), Craig)
DB: Hobbs, L. Sanders, Wheatley, Wilhite, Richardson,
Meriweather, J. Sanders, Williams

SPECIALISTS (6)
K: Gostkowski
P: Hanson
DS: Paxton
ST: Slater, Spann, Ventrone
================

I believe that the above roster is as good as the 2007 team which was a play away from being one of the top five teams ever. I believe that this is as good as the 2008 team, which injury kept from being on the top 5 ever.

There may a free agency upgrade or two. The draft will be, and should be, focused on 2010. We will get 2010 contributions from them, but that should only be critical in injury situations.

Nicely put and agree with you. The team is built around youth and experience with some additional depth..

Two things I tend to differ from you is

1. I don't see Colvin coming back

2 . Paying Mike Wright a starters salary..

I tend to believe high draft picks (1s and 2nd) will be used to address the front 7

 

[j00fek]

if they keep both qb's itll be another year of delta oneil signings, because of the fact that you have what 20% tied up in 2 players

 

[jsull87]

yeah but if we trade cassel the cap hit goes away. and i think we hope that our secondary has improved enough to no longer need another oneil

 

[cartmen]

i tend to believe that Colvin will be back if not he might retire. He strikes me as a guy who like to spend time with his kids and being a dad (very commendable) so if he doesnt get a job with us here where his kids are or somewhere close to his old stomping grounds of Perdue then he will hang em up.

Two words for all you people monitoring the Dallas team. Terrance Newman, he is sick of the crap and is due a big hike in salary if i recall correctly. if he gets cut I would love to see him in a NEP jersey

 

[Jimke]

yeah but if we trade cassel the cap hit goes away. and i think we hope that our secondary has improved enough to no longer need another oneil

Recently, the Patriots have signed a whole bunch of Deltha O'Neal quality

veteran cornerbacks. I hope they draft another cornerback on day one.

Wheatley and Wilhite show some promise but are still not proven quantities.

 

[Jimke]

yeah but if we trade cassel the cap hit goes away. and i think we hope that our secondary has improved enough to no longer need another oneil

Recently, the Patriots have signed a whole bunch of Deltha O'Neal quality

veteran cornerbacks. I hope they draft another cornerback on day one.

Wheatley and Wilhite show some promise but are still not proven quantities.

I agree that 2009 free agency should concentrate on signing our own free

agency.

 

[mgteich]

We drafted Wheatley on Day One. Whoever we would draft would also not be a proven quantity. That being said, I support drafting a corner and an ILB on Day One.

Recently, the Patriots have signed a whole bunch of Deltha O'Neal quality

veteran cornerbacks. I hope they draft another cornerback on day one.

Wheatley and Wilhite show some promise but are still not proven quantities.

 

[mgteich]

Please name all the teams that have ever spent $29M in one year for the QB position. If Brady is not ready, we will sign a free agent QB for $2M - $5M. The cap savings of $9M - $12M would be critical in re-signing players, in signing free agents from other teams, in paying for a player we might trade for and/or for extensions of players.

i think you make some very good points. however, QB is the one position on the field that changes everything. i think under normal circumstances you would never put 29M into one position. however, the QB position is the one that you do. I know we drafted O'Connell to possibly take over for Brady, but i doubt that he is ready. We have the luxury of possessing a backup QB who is capable of very good, if not great things. there is no way he is let go if Brady isnt ready. if Brady isnt ready, Cassel will be on our roster, it would be assenine not to do that. we definitely have some cap room to make this happen, although we would have to wiggle some players money into future years. we will have a bunch of draft picks in the top 3 rounds and will be able to plug some holes. this will certainly allow us to forego free agency and head into the season with hope

if brady is healthy, we will tag Cassel and get at least a second round pick, there is no question in my mind. you cannot let a really good qB leave without receiving compensation. especially, the pats, we are too smart to let this happen.

 

[Miguel]

That seems a tad disrespectful to a QB who should have his bust carved on the mountaintop of great QBs. I know the Patriots are not afraid to make tough decisions for the better of the organization, but Brady is unquestionably the greatest player in the history of the franchise. The only way he gets cut is if he's done.

Cutting Brady was not my idea. I was just trying to summarize his position.

 

[mcsully]

Please name all the teams that have ever spent $29M in one year for the QB position. If Brady is not ready, we will sign a free agent QB for $2M - $5M. The cap savings of $9M - $12M would be critical in re-signing players, in signing free agents from other teams, in paying for a player we might trade for and/or for extensions of players.

Name how many teams lost their reigning probowl QB in the 1st game of the year and was able to develop another potential probowler in one year?

This is uncharted water for everyone.. Its going to be exciting to see what events unfold..

 

[Taxed in Maine]

"if Brady isnt ready, Cassel will be on our roster, it would be assenine not to do that."

Except that, according to Miguel's 'unofficial Salary Cap Page', the Pats are only sitting on about $19M in salary cap space with only 49 players under contract. Take over $14M for Cassel and you don't even have enough left to sign your rookies. Who are you going to release to make cap room for all of the other things that need to happen to get ready for next season?

The idea that the Patriots are going to keep Cassel beyond the first week of March is assanine..... no,..... it's virtually impossible.

 

[cstjohn17]

Could this mean the Pats will be quiet in FA in 09?

No they can't.

 

[AzPatsFan]

if they keep both qb's itll be another year of delta oneil signings, because of the fact that you have what 20% tied up in 2 players

So what ? You have F-I-V-E First day players being added to the team. Where do you put them?

Despite all the caterwauling about our Defense. It still finished ranked Top 10 in the League. Pat fans are spoiled when Top 10 is "terrible". That was playing 7 first time starters too. Integrating five more high picks should be a relaxed cakewalk by comparison. Will the Defense finish in the Top Three or the Top Five?