Next Season looks good, with all healthy and a good draft

[supafly]

I expect Kelly to be back and Sapoaga gone. Given that, it's possible the Pats stand pat with their collection of young backup DTs (including we hope Armstead).

It will be interesting to see what happens with Tommy Kelly. All of the reports and articles that I have read state that the odds are that they will part ways, simply due to how the contract is structured. Of course they may see him as an important part of their defense just the same, and deem it justified to pay him that year two money. Time will tell of course.

As far as standing pat at the position of DL, I surely hope not...I think that it was a glaring area of weakness depth-wise, and we are now paying the price for that mistake. Some may not agree, but that was a concern of mine just as much as the position of WR heading into the year. It's certainly time to spend a draft pick or two at the position of DT in my opinion, along with the possibility of a middle tiered free agent signing.

 

[Brady6]

I honestly don't think Talib stays next year. Some team is going to offer him a ridiculous contract and judging our history with paying our players I dont think pats will match whatever that figure is. I do hope I'm wrong though.

As I posted in the top 50 UFA thread - I don’t understand why people think Talib is going to garner so much more interest this season than he did last season when he was resigned for 1 year/$5.5 million? Talib has always played at a high level and show the ability to do what he has done this season, yes he has been more consistent; Talib has 15 interceptions and 35 pass defends in his first 3 season despite missing 7 games, on his career he has 23 interceptions and 69 pass defends in 74 games point being he has always been an exceptional cornerback. The things that prevented him from a big contract last season still exist; in fact the hip issue has been reinforced.

Also keep in mind there are a lot of very good corners on the market this season:

• Tillman
• Verner
• Grimes
• Jennings
• Davis
• Hall
• Browner (pending suspension decision)
• Graham
• Shields

 

[supafly]

As I posted in the top 50 UFA thread - I don’t understand why people think Talib is going to garner so much more interest this season than he did last season when he was resigned for 1 year/$5.5 million? Talib has always played at a high level and show the ability to do what he has done this season, yes he has been more consistent; Talib has 15 interceptions and 35 pass defends in his first 3 season despite missing 7 games, on his career he has 23 interceptions and 69 pass defends in 74 games point being he has always been an exceptional cornerback. The things that prevented him from a big contract last season still exist; in fact the hip issue has been reinforced.

Also keep in mind there are a lot of very good corners on the market this season:

• Tillman
• Verner
• Grimes
• Jennings
• Davis
• Hall
• Browner (pending suspension decision)
• Graham
• Shields

I tend to agree with you that the situation will be similar to last year's. The one unknown that we just can't comment on is what kind of multi-year offers Talib received last off-season, both from the team here and also from any outsiders (reportedly WAS was one of them).

I still believe that something in the range of the Leigh Bodden deal is adequate, and that something in the range of 4/25 is his ceiling. Those are obviously just my personal opinions. The market for CB's will also come into play, just as it did last season, so let's hope that it stays the same.

Either way you look at it, all of those "guarantees" from various posters that he'd command 5/50 or 5/55 were completely ridiculous, and I think that still stands, but we'll know soon enough how close they were.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

there are always injuries...let just see to who in 2014

 

[Archeryaddict12]

there are always injuries...let just see to who in 2014

Unfortunately, I have come to the same conclusion that we will again see some significant injuries to this team next year. Just have to hope the next guy can step up.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

It will be interesting to see what happens with Tommy Kelly. All of the reports and articles that I have read state that the odds are that they will part ways, simply due to how the contract is structured. Of course they may see him as an important part of their defense just the same, and deem it justified to pay him that year two money. Time will tell of course.

As far as standing pat at the position of DL, I surely hope not...I think that it was a glaring area of weakness depth-wise, and we are now paying the price for that mistake. Some may not agree, but that was a concern of mine just as much as the position of WR heading into the year. It's certainly time to spend a draft pick or two at the position of DT in my opinion, along with the possibility of a middle tiered free agent signing.

I don't question your logic (DT appears to be an area of need), however, it just doesn't seem like BB uses this logic when it comes to the draft. With the possibility of poor recollection on my part noted, BB appears to draft more often based on best available player versus positional need. If that is the case we will have to hope a 2014 version of Vince is best player available when it's BB's turn to pick (or the trade landscape exists to get value out of a trade and land the best available player which happens to be a DT).
Otherwise, let's hope, FA provides some solid options at DT. I don't think we need the second coming of Vince, I'll be happy simply to see a couple of 'hard to move' wide bodies.

Siliga (sp?) has some interesting considerations. I did a quick read on him and two things jumped out at me: He came out as a Junior which was probably a mistake. Also the year he entered the NFL was the strike year which probably stunted his development (which he REALLY needed). So hopefully with some Patriot coaching/influence/development along with his previous two seasons of PS squad membership means he'ss ready to show he can be a solid run stopping DT.

 

[Tunescribe]

there are always injuries...let just see to who in 2014

That is exactly why fantasizing about "next season" is a fool's game. Right now is what it's all about.

 

[fair catch fryar]

With everyone healthy and a good draft this team will be incredible. 10-3 with this many injuries is ridiculously good.

That's nice and all, but a lot can happen in a year. Who would've thought that Aaron Hernandez would be looking at spending the next 25-50 years in prison on top of the only constant in the NFL.....injuries. Honestly, I'm not totally giving up on the Pats THIS year. I'm definitely off the kool-aid at this point and lean to the camp that doesn't see them making it past a playoff road game, but if there is one thing I've learned watching this team and ALL the Boston teams for that matter is that nothing will surprise me.

 

[MassPats38]

I think he's just saying to be a realist and tell it like it is, rather than the constant ballwashing that occurs with comments like "19-0" etc.

No one would ever claim that being optimistic isn't the way to go, but some of the comments from a handful of mega-optimistic, candy canes and fluffy cloud posters starts to wear on people's patience.

I think AA12 is a good poster, and I'm not as much meaning to come to shed's defense as I am attempting to explain the reasoning behind his comment; nothing more.

Some here construe pessimism as realism. It is equally annoying, and far more depressing, to listen to the Debbie Downers "just keepin' it real." There are far too many of those populating the board here and showing up in force after losses proclaiming how they were right. Without an actual count and just visiting the board, I suspect the ridiculously pessimistic posts outweigh the ridiculously optimistic by a long shot.

Football is a game of probabilities. The Pats, for all their flaws, are guaranteed to win nothing. They are also guaranteed to lose nothing. Realism is in 3 games, the Pats could lose 1 or more games. Pessimism is predicting 2 or more losses in that stretch. There were many of those beacons of light on this board predicting losing to 9-7 seasons this year, despite this team's history. I prefer to watch games with the belief the Pats can win any game rather than accepting failure and being surprised game after game by the outcome like the village idiot amazed that he keeps seeing the same house passing by while twirling on a merry-go-round. This team's history would seem to merit a measure of optimism.

This team has flaws. I get it. There are injuries, critical injuries, to be sure. But people citing all the "almost losses" are no more realistic than those citing the "almost wins" to a perfect season in predicting what happens tomorrow or next year. The great thing about the overly optimistic or pessimistic positions is they are based on hope rather than facts, and really don't merit much attention in the face of statistics. For my part, outside of enjoying the more reasonable discussions of football, I don't see enough glowing optimism here to be annoyed by it.

 

[patsfan13]

This is one of the weirdest seasons I have ever seen. The D has been shredded by injuries, however if the O skill players can stay healthy (and Dobson returns soon) we could win a SB.

We can beat any of the AFC teams if we are playing at home, there is no dominate team. Anyone like Andy Dalton or Manning throwing on a windy day in Foxboro?

The interesting part is IF we were to get to the SB, the best of the NFC teams (Seattle, NO & SF) don't play in cold weather climates, will they be effective playing in the Meadowlands in Feb? The site this year is a big advantage to the Patriots IF they get there.


As to injuries next year...... the NFL is a war of attrition and the Pats are good year in and year out due to the depth BB builds into this roster. Rarely there are years when a team is lucky and stay healthy, see last year SF 9ers and the low nmber of games lost by starters, if this team were ever to get that sort of insane luck, wow. One should never plan on getting that lucky though.

 

[MassPats38]

It will be interesting to see what happens with Tommy Kelly. All of the reports and articles that I have read state that the odds are that they will part ways, simply due to how the contract is structured. Of course they may see him as an important part of their defense just the same, and deem it justified to pay him that year two money. Time will tell of course.

As far as standing pat at the position of DL, I surely hope not...I think that it was a glaring area of weakness depth-wise, and we are now paying the price for that mistake. Some may not agree, but that was a concern of mine just as much as the position of WR heading into the year. It's certainly time to spend a draft pick or two at the position of DT in my opinion, along with the possibility of a middle tiered free agent signing.

And returning to the football discussion and thread, next year is tough to get a handle on. Aging, injured players and contracts are always tough to predict with the Pats. Wilfork is a physical freak and could bounce back (Greg Ellis returned to All-Pro form at the same age, but toting 270 pounds rather than likely 370 pounds adds to the difficulty level of that recovery), but I doubt the Pats will pay him at the level he was to be paid and gamble on that. How does he respond? I think Kelly will be back. I wrote Talib off as too high priced when he was being lauded by commentators as the best CB in the NFL, but his injuries, more than his history, likely may drive his price to the point he may return.

The Pats flashed an outstanding defense when all the players were healthy, so there is cause for hope. In the offseason, address TE and linemen issues (offensive and defensive), and this team could be in great shape. I see more "what if's" in that regard than I believe I can recall in prior seasons. It will be a very interesting offseason, and I believe this team may again look radically different next year.

 

[Huckleberry1]

That is exactly why fantasizing about "next season" is a fool's game. Right now is what it's all about.

I agree that "fantasizing" about next year's team in terms of their record etc... is foolish, especially when people start talking unbeaten etc...., hower imo there is plenty to be optimistic about overall as this team has 14 rookies, many of whom are getting valuable reps and experience, and people are understandably looking forward to getting guys like Wilfork, mayo, and gronk back, so from that point of view I think looking forward to next year's team makes plenty of sense. I think the overachieving and winning this team is doing is going to create a winner mentality that they will reap benefits from for years.

 

[supafly]

I think Kelly will be back.

I don't think it's an issue of Tommy Kelly's play, but more of how the contract was specifically structured. As I stated in another thread, here is a quick glance at what they're working with in regards to his current pact:

(courtesy of boston.com)

"On the other hand, this injury might not bode well for Kelly's long-term future with the team. He was signed on a two-year, $5 million contract this past offseason. He would count for $3 million against the salary cap in 2013 according to sports contracts website Spotrac. The Patriots could get back all but $500,000 of that by releasing him. He will be 33 years old next season, and coming off a serious knee injury, the Patriots may have second considerations."

 

[A man named Brady]

19-0 next year

 

[RayClay]

19-0 next year

Absolutely. With everyone healthy and every draft pick the best possible player, how can we lose?

 

[MassPats38]

I don't think it's an issue of Tommy Kelly's play, but more of how the contract was specifically structured. As I stated in another thread, here is a quick glance at what they're working with in regards to his current pact:

(courtesy of boston.com)

"On the other hand, this injury might not bode well for Kelly's long-term future with the team. He was signed on a two-year, $5 million contract this past offseason. He would count for $3 million against the salary cap in 2013 according to sports contracts website Spotrac. The Patriots could get back all but $500,000 of that by releasing him. He will be 33 years old next season, and coming off a serious knee injury, the Patriots may have second considerations."

As with Wilfork, there may be a restructuring to permit him to remain. He bounced back after a 2007 knee injury, and has been healthy since. Raiders seem to stick because they see what a competitive team looks like.

Out of curiosity, and with reference to the "serious knee injury" statement in the article, have you read anything that indicated precisely what the knee injury was? He tried to play on it, so it seemed more on the margin and sufficiently limiting that he may have been that way all year so the team pulled the IR trigger. Tough to say what happens to him without that detail.

 

[RayClay]

I'm also assuming that every play call will be the best one possible and everyone will execute perfectly on every play. After all, we have the best QB and coach, so the aforementioned execution is absolutely possible.

 

[supafly]

As with Wilfork, there may be a restructuring to permit him to remain. He bounced back after a 2007 knee injury, and has been healthy since. Raiders seem to stick because they see what a competitive team looks like.

Out of curiosity, and with reference to the "serious knee injury" statement in the article, have you read anything that indicated precisely what the knee injury was? He tried to play on it, so it seemed more on the margin and sufficiently limiting that he may have been that way all year so the team pulled the IR trigger. Tough to say what happens to him without that detail.

I think we're all hoping for a restructure/extension MP38, although they may be cautious due to Kelly's age and the injury itself. I am not aware of the specifics, but if I had to guess I would hover in the MCL sprain area just to speculate.

It seemed that he was attempting to recover in the timeframe that would coincide with something in that family (although that is vague, I understand), just due to the reported "severity" statements that we heard, and also due to the fact that Belichick and the team seemed comfortable in giving him a chance to return later in the year.