Fifteen Decisions Made, Twenty To Go

[mgteich]

As we enter free agency, I thought that I'd summarize where we are. Obviously, we have a long, long way to go.

SIGNIFICANT ADDS (4)
Armstead, Vega, Kafka, Benard

GONE (7)
Larsen, HiX, Silvestro, Brace, Quarles, Lockett, Ventrone

RE-SIGNED (6)
Develin, Ebert, Holmes, Robertson, Fletcher, Tarpinian
==================================
FREE AGENTS
RB Woodhead
WR Branch, Edelman, Stallworth, Welker
TE Hooman (RFA)
OL Richard, Thomas, Vollmer, Waters (patriots control his contract)
DL Scott
ST Koutouvides, White
CB Allen, Arrington, Cole, Martin, Talib
S Barrett, Chung

 

[Jimke]

The Patriots have seven good free agents. They are as follows:
Arrington. Edleman, Talib, Thomas, Vollmer, Welker, and Woodhead.

If no one better is signed Cole, Koutouvides, and White would be low cost roster additions. Out of courtesy, Branch and Stallworth might be brought back.

Allen, Barrett, Chung, Martin, Richards should not be re-signed.

Hoomanawaui should be tendered. Can always be cut later.

Leave Waters on the reserve list forever.

 

[Brady6]

As we enter free agency, I thought that I'd summarize where we are. Obviously, we have a long, long way to go.

SIGNIFICANT ADDS (2)
Armstead, Vega

GONE (7)
Larsen, HiX, Silvestro, Brace, Quarles, Lockett, Ventrone

RE-SIGNED (6)
Develin, Ebert, Holmes, Robertson, Fletcher, Tarpinian
==================================
FREE AGENTS
RB Woodhead
WR Branch, Edelman, Stallworth, Welker
TE Hooman (RFA)
OL Richard, Thomas, Vollmer, Waters (patriots control his contract)
DL Scott
ST Koutouvides, White
CB Allen, Arrington, Cole, Martin, Talib
S Barrett, Chung

I'd add Kafka and Benard to the added list. Benard will likely compete to backup Ninkovich as the jack LB.

 

[supafly]

If no one better is signed Cole, Koutouvides, and White would be low cost roster additions.

I would expect at least one of them to be signed for ST purposes, although as you said there could be someone else to add an improvement.

 

[Brady6]

I would expect at least one of them to be signed for ST purposes, although as you said there could be someone else to add an improvement.

Cole would be good to bring back.. Good ST solid depth CB

 

[Joey007]

I'd add Kafka and Benard to the added list. Benard will likely compete to backup Ninkovich as the jack LB.

What happened to Benard?? The guy had 7.5 sacks in 2010. Injuries were really that bad??

 

[mgteich]

I added them. I don't expect either to make the roster.

I'd add Kafka and Benard to the added list. Benard will likely compete to backup Ninkovich as the jack LB.

 

[Brady6]

What happened to Benard?? The guy had 7.5 sacks in 2010. Injuries were really that bad??

Changed to a 4-3 really struggled. Then had some type of motorcycle accident. He was really good under Eric Mangini so I have high hopes for him here as that hybrid LB/DE on the strong side similar to build to Ninkovich but much more explosive.

 

[Brady6]

I added them. I don't expect either to make the roster.

Really? I think Benard could be a good player for us. I think Vega will be cut but I haven't seen enough of him to know for sure

 

[Brady6]

What happened to Benard?? The guy had 7.5 sacks in 2010. Injuries were really that bad??

http://www.clevelandfrowns.com/2011/10/the-really-sad-story-of-marcus-benard/

 

[Brady6]

I added them. I don't expect either to make the roster.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/03/17/breaking-out-10-pass-rushers-to-watch/

I actually think he will have a Mark Anderson type season for us. Not 10+ sacks but consistent pressure in his opportunities. Kafka I agree he will miss unless Mallett is traded then its 50/50 IMO

 

[mgteich]

I don't expect Vega to make it either.

We've lost Brace and Scott and added Armstead and perhaps Pryor, if he is healthy at the cut date. I certainly would like to see a veteran or even first round DL upgrade.

I would note that (in addition to Vega and Benard), we have starters Wilfork, Love, Ninkovich, Jones, Mayo, Hightower and Spikes; and backups Cunningham, Armstead, Francis, Bequette, Deaderick, Forston, Robertson, Fletcher, Pryor; and STers Rivera and Tarpinian. I expect that we'll add at least another STer, perhaps White and/or Koutouvides.

So, sure Benard COULD make the team.

Really? I think Benard could be a good player for us. I think Vega will be cut but I haven't seen enough of him to know for sure

 

[Fencer]

A Ventrone is never truly gone.

 

[supafly]

I certainly would like to see a veteran or even first round DL upgrade.

I think we may have a decent chance at seeing the upgrade that we all want in some form. I'm actually wondering if it won't be at the DE position myself, although some would possibly not agree. I'm wondering if Michael Bennett isn't our guy this year in free agency?

I would expect to see at least a handful of signings at the DL spot, whether that's through the draft/free agency, or both. Much like WR, Belichick likes his competition on the DL, and in the front seven in general.

 

[mgteich]

Cole is an excellent special teamer and fine as an emergency (4th or 5th) corner.

Cole would be good to bring back.. Good ST solid depth CB

 

[Brady6]

I think we may have a decent chance at seeing the upgrade that we all want in some form. I'm actually wondering if it won't be at the DE position myself, although some would possibly not agree. I'm wondering if Michael Bennett isn't our guy this year in free agency?

I would expect to see at least a handful of signings at the DL spot, whether that's through the draft/free agency, or both. Much like WR, Belichick likes his competition on the DL, and in the front seven in general.

I see Bryant being another DL we take a run at. He seems to be a similar player in terms of build to Fanene but younger and much more athletic.

I like Bennett but he isn't going to play inside in a base defense at 270lbs. And BB seems to like using a jack type like Ninkovich at strong side DE.

 

[Brady6]

Cole is an excellent special teamer and fine as an emergency (4th or 5th) corner.

Yeah I like him too. Made some good ST plays, gets down the field real fast. Be a good end of the roster guy.

 

[Leemo]

Cole is an excellent special teamer and fine as an emergency (4th or 5th) corner.

I'll take him as 5th corner and an important ST guy.

But Kyle Arrington, please don't let us re-sign him

 

[mgteich]

Kyle Arrington is a solid nickel back and awful as an outside corner.

I'll take him as 5th corner and an important ST guy.

But Kyle Arrington, please don't let us re-sign him

 

[supafly]

I see Bryant being another DL we take a run at. He seems to be a similar player in terms of build to Fanene but younger and much more athletic.

I like Bennett but he isn't going to play inside in a base defense at 270lbs. And BB seems to like using a jack type like Ninkovich at strong side DE.

I'm simply assuming Bennett since we are in need of additional DE talent, and were reportedly very interested in Michael Johnson from Cincinnati who is actually almost 5 lbs lighter than Bennett.

Assuming that we could use an upgrade at the DE spot, thus making Ninkovich more rotational etc, why would he necessarily have to move inside?

Are you saying that he wouldn't be replacing Ninkovich due to Ninkovich's ability to play the "end of line" position (as Belichick refers to it) by using more versatility to move around in different schemes?

I was simply viewing Bennett as a potential upgrade to Ninkovich, who is more than an excellent rotational player, but may possibly use an upgrade as a starter at DE.

FWIW--I definitely agree with you that we should see a handful of additional depth and talent brought in for an interior presence also, and that D.Bryant would be an excellent candidate.


Here's what the Seahawks did with Bennett after taking him as an UDFA in 2009:

"The team initially believed he could serve at left defensive end. After working with coaches during training camp, he was moved to the inside as a pass-rushing tackle. During the preseason, he compiled nine tackles, two sacks, five QB hurries, a tipped pass and a fumble recovery. He made the final roster by the end of the preseason."

When he was claimed by Tampa Bay, they moved him back to DE permanently.