An Approach To The Offseason

[superpats]

In short simple turns, cut wilfork if he doesn't retire and bring back at vet minimum.. Restructure Mankins and ninko. Cut Gregory,soapaga,wilson,wendall,and maybe Connolly.

Trade mallet for a #2 . Trade a #1 or Mallet and a draft pick to bring in Justin Blackmon. Either way Bellichick ends up with Justin Blackmon and a #1 or two #2 picks, and a lot of cap space.j

It would be an outrage if we dont get capspace for Hernandez. Come to think of it If Gronk is a team player he will take a restructure bases on being in games.

 

[mayoclinic]

Trade mallet for a #2 . Trade a #1 or Mallet and a draft pick to bring in Justin Blackmon. Either way Bellichick ends up with Justin Blackmon and a #1 or two #2 picks, and a lot of cap space.

Wow. Impressive. :bricks:

 

[mayoclinic]

From Reiss, FWIW:

1. The question isn’t so much whether the Patriots want free-agent cornerback Aqib Talib back in 2014 and beyond. It’s at what cost, because almost everything in free agency comes down to price. Our initial projection is that Talib is most likely to command a three- to 4-year deal with an average yearly value between $6-8 million, and bonuses and guarantees in the $12-14 million range. The factors considered in coming to that conclusion: Last offseason was a buyer’s market for cornerbacks and there are no tell-tale signs right now it will change in 2014, Talib is a top player, and there are also some injury questions as part of the consideration. If the numbers ultimately land in that range -- and we know it only takes one team to up the ante -- I think Talib is back in New England.

2. As for Julian Edelman’s potential market, it makes sense to think it will be close to Danny Amendola range after Edelman's 105-catch season. If that’s the case, the Patriots could absorb it but I think they would ultimately decide not to. If I’m Texans head coach Bill O’Brien, and the goal is to put a new quarterback in the best position to succeed, the idea of Edelman in the slot with Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins on the outside is particularly appealing to me unless there are strong feelings third-year pro Keshawn Martin, already on the roster, could fill the role.

Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Patriots - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[zoostation]

IMO the last 6 playoff losses are directly connected to the trenches specifically the O-line play in those games. I suspect the front office will make non sexy off season moves and work to improve the personnel and depth of the offensive and defensive lines.

A healthy Vince will do wonders for what was looking to be an improved pass rush and overall defense. But the more recent playoff losses were not lost by the defense. It was the offense that couldn't produce.

Sea-bass will help solidify the O-line, but he's not enough. The current personnel has trouble against top notch (playoff) defensive lines, especially if/when the game becomes 1 dimensional and the team is forced to throw. I realize this can be said about most teams, and again this is just my opinion, but you give TB12 a line that doesn't get tossed around in the intensity of a big playoff game and it won't matter who he's throwing to.

 

[mgteich]

For me, this Miguel's analysis is a good start. Obviously, we might find replacements at similar money, but we have a starting scenario which uses less than our currently available cap monies.

BTW, this is not a suggestion at final choices. Obviously, there are lots more choices to make.
For example, we are not going to have a $11.6M cap for Wilfork.
===========================
WHAT TO DO WITH OUR TWELVE UFA'S
A MODEST STARTING SUGGESTION FROM MIGUEL - COST $6.31M

Summary
Danny Aiken – Stays – 2014 cap hit – $800,000
LeGarrette Blount – Stays – 2004 cap hit – $1.5 million
Andre Carter – Retires
Austin Collie – Stays – 2014 cap hit of $635,000
Julian Edelman – Goes
Dane Fletcher – Stays – 2014 cap hit of $800,000
Michael Hoomanawanui – Stays – 2014 cap hit of $1,000,000
Matthew Mulligan – Stays – 2014 cap hit of $635,000
Brandon Spikes – Goes
Will Svitek – Stays – 2014 cap hit of $900,000
Aqib Talib – Stays – 2014 cap hit of $4,000,000
Ryan Wendell – Goes

Signing these seven free agents would take up $6.31 million in cap space as these players would displace players with a 2014 salary of $495,000 from the Top 51 list.

- See more at: Patriots Salary Cap

 

[zoostation]

Gregory played fine this yr no need to replace him. Collins has proven to be an elite blitzer, solid in coverage and solid against the run, elite special teamed. Collins had a sack, 5 QB hits and 8 hurries on 43 pass rushes. Jamie Collins played better then Dion Jordan. The fact that you don't like Devin McCourty shows that you don't watch film and in order to evaluate safety play you have to watch film.

Define fine? Watch the second Miami game and you'll see Gregory take wrong angle after wrong angle to virtually single handedly lose that game. Watch the stellar backup play here to ummm attempt to keep the Fins out of the end zone in the closing seconds of the first half. Miami Dolphins show resilience in win vs. New England Patriots - NFL.com (the play starts at about the 1:05 mark on this video).
I was one who was sticking up for Gregory earlier in the season as he had a solid 2012, but his play was horrendous this year. Not pinning the entire game on him, but win that game and the AFCCG is in Foxboro 2 weeks ago.

 

[All22PatsFan]

Define fine? Watch the second Miami game and you'll see Gregory take wrong angle after wrong angle to virtually single handedly lose that game. Watch the stellar backup play here to ummm attempt to keep the Fins out of the end zone and the play in front of him in the closing seconds of the first half. Miami Dolphins show resilience in win vs. New England Patriots - NFL.com (the play starts at about the 1:05 mark on this video). I was one who was sticking up for Gregory, but his play was horrendous this year. Not pinning the entire game on him, but win that game and the AFCCG is in Foxboro 2 weeks ago.

All safeties have bad plays. The only way to evaluate safety play is to watch All22 and Gregory mainly plays in a robber role in cover1 which fits him well. He is also good against the run. My main point is Gregory has a simple role, DMac locks down the deep middle with his elite closing speed as shown with only 1 target per 35 attempts and he basically plays every snap. there is no need to draft a S or spend any money to replace Gregory. I would also expect a camp battle between Gregory and Harmon

 

[zoostation]

there is no need to draft a S or spend any money to replace Gregory. I would also expect a camp battle between Gregory and Harmon

I see your point and I agree with this statement

 

[patsderoer]

All safeties have bad plays. The only way to evaluate safety play is to watch All22 and Gregory mainly plays in a robber role in cover1 which fits him well. He is also good against the run. My main point is Gregory has a simple role, DMac locks down the deep middle with his elite closing speed as shown with only 1 target per 35 attempts and he basically plays every snap. there is no need to draft a S or spend any money to replace Gregory. I would also expect a camp battle between Gregory and Harmon

These guys who expect perfection from Gregory should just go and watch the other teams. There are so many bad safeties starting that it's not even funny.

If Gregory is cut, then there is no depth at the position. Who's going to provide that depth? A rookie? All of them will struggle to adapt to the game in the NFL.
A FA ? A solid starting safety will ask for more than what Gregory is getting.

 

[superpats]

Not a Gregory fan. He plays one role halfway decent at best. He is very limited schemes and ability. We need a Markbarron type safety. Somebody who can cover te in single coverage, or pop out of zones to break up and blow up passes in this passing league. Also who can flash on the scene and tackle. I think Harmon could develop into a functional ss with a yr in the film room and weight room. i like the tj wards but i think your either making a difference either winning or losing the game. And i see the limited Gregory on the receiving end way to much. I dont want players you have to find a role that they can somewhat. Gregory would free up cap space to fix one of the holes on the team

 

[superpats]

Tj ward is great all except when asked to match up on the tight ends like thomas graham Cameron's which around 6 feet is minimum for ideal ss. Not that i wouldn't like to have tj ward. I kinna like harmon after yr in weight and film room along with some good position coaching. At about 210lbs Harmon could blossom into effective very very solid ss

 

[micronin127]

I see no need to cut Gregory either. I see a need to get players that can play man-to-man be they CB or S. What Talib did against Jimmy Graham and Julio Jones was amazing. Getting personnel that allow us to disrupt what the other team is trying to do is key.

So... re-signing Talib could help, provided he can stay healthy all the way through the season.

Without Talib, I fear with our personnel we would regress to soft zones and get picked apart by the likes of Ryan Tannehill or similar. With Talib, plus another either CB or S, we could really disrupt the other team.

Pass rush can also be added to disrupt the other team. With Chandler Jones providing this from DE, a DT that can be disruptive would be a good complement. I see Wilfork as not so much disruptive as a run-stuffer. Though at times, he was also a pocket collapser in 2012. I'm not sure he was ever healthy in 2013. Siliga and Jones look OK.

Defensive needs: re-sign Talib, draft a DT and a CB/S

re-signing Dane Fletcher would also leave us pretty well setup at LB with Mayo, Hightower, Collins, and Fletcher.

For offense... the list is longer. Let's assume that the Denver game was an aberration as two of the critical sacks were given up by Solder and Mankins respectively. Solder missed time with concussions (plural) and who knows if he was 100%. Mankins had to leave the field in Week 16 with an ankle issue and that may have reduced his mobility. Can we assume that Mankins, Vollmer, and Solder are 3 of our starters? I think so. So we are looking to upgrade at C and RG. I personally think that Connolly, Cannon, and a reserve G/T to be named could round out a group as our 3 reserve players, assuming we carry 8 O-linemen. So a starting C and RG that can allow us to be more of a power running team and form a better pocket would be good.

At WR, I am assuming that Edelman is gone, because I am assuming a team will overpay him and we will hold to our number, not because I don't want him back. So we have Dobson, Boyce, Amendola, and Thompkins. I think another big WR, like Kelvin Benjamin (Florida State - redshirt sophomore) who is 6'5" would be a good target. We need a TE, and we have one of the best in Gronk. Can he stay healthy? Same question I had for Talib, durability. So drafting a TE that can fill the void created by AH, so called 'joker' TE is also a need.

So, offense has many needs: C, RG, WR, and TE.

Given our cap constraints from all the 'dead money'. Draft picks are the way to fill these needs. Getting more draft picks has to be part of the plan. The only currency we have for a 2nd or 3rd rounder (Day 2 pick) is Ryan Mallett. It is a QB draft though, so anyone drafting in the top-10 will likely hang tight if their guy is available. After Manziel, Bortles, Bridgewater, and Carr are gone there is a dropoff though some like Boyd in the 3rd round. Fortunately there are more than 4 teams that need a QB, so we can probably trade Mallett and get a pick or two.

I bet we don't sign many or any FA's from other teams except for veteran minimum deals after the initial frenzy.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Regular season wins are awesome
And postseasons with no pass rush are awesome
And post seasons with no deep threat are awesome
Can't forget giving up long 3rd down conversions.....simply awesome
And watching other teams host Lombardis the last 9 years..........

9 years?

Your Jets haven't been in the show in almost 50 years.

 

[Deus Irae]

All safeties have bad plays. The only way to evaluate safety play is to watch All22 and Gregory mainly plays in a robber role in cover1 which fits him well. He is also good against the run. My main point is Gregory has a simple role, DMac locks down the deep middle with his elite closing speed as shown with only 1 target per 35 attempts and he basically plays every snap. there is no need to draft a S or spend any money to replace Gregory. I would also expect a camp battle between Gregory and Harmon

Neither Gregory nor Harmon is a starting caliber safety. Gregory is an S3, at beast. Harmon's not even at that level.

 

[All22PatsFan]

Neither Gregory nor Harmon is a starting caliber safety. Gregory is an S3, at beast. Harmon's not even at that level.

What are you basing this on? Safety is not a concern to the Patriots. The role Gregory plays does not require a first or second round pick. Gregory plays his role and plays it well, getting beat happens to all safetys. Harmon was a rookie and he played well.

 

[manxman2601]

The reason that I think Harmon was so important for the Pats and why he was seemingly drafted so high is that in The Patriots cover 1 scheme, the McCourty single high safety role is not one that can easily be found at a reasonable price. Harmon played that role almost exclusively in college to a more than competent standard. Harmon is a better than average backup to McCourty's important role. And for third round value, I like better than average.

 

[Deus Irae]

What are you basing this on? Safety is not a concern to the Patriots.

You keep making this claim. The actions of the HC/GM run contrary to that claim. BB clearly knows there's a problem there.

The role Gregory plays does not require a first or second round pick. Gregory plays his role and plays it well, getting beat happens to all safetys. Harmon was a rookie and he played well.

Gregory is not a starting caliber safety and, if you think Harmon played well, there are people all over the world, in all sorts of deserts, who'd love to sell you some bridges.

 

[manxman2601]

You keep making this claim. The actions of the HC/GM run contrary to that claim. BB clearly knows there's a problem there.




Gregory is not a starting caliber safety and, if you think Harmon played well, there are people all over the world, in all sorts of deserts, who'd love to sell you some bridges.

Horribly pedantic I know but the people in the deserts were buying, not selling, the bridge.

As for Harmon, as you can see above, I disagree.

 

[All22PatsFan]

You keep making this claim. The actions of the HC/GM run contrary to that claim. BB clearly knows there's a problem there.




Gregory is not a starting caliber safety and, if you think Harmon played well, there are people all over the world, in all sorts of deserts, who'd love to sell you some bridges.

To you watch Coaching film because that is the only way to evaluate safety's its pretty simple you see all 22 players. Unless you watch all22 its tough to credit your evaluation of WRs and DBs

 

[chasa]

If you were a Browns, Bills or Raiders fan we'd have to talk you down off a ledge.

id probably just let him jump.