Patriots 2015 Off-Seaon Free Agency Rumors

[ViperGTS]

Omar Kelly ?@OmarKelly 9m9 minutes ago
The Vikings are trying to move Cordarrelle Patterson, but there's A REASON (he can't learn the offense).

To think a Vikings fan friend of mine was thanking me last year for the Pats trading them the pick that got CP. Told I'd take Jamie Collins at a minimum over CP. Lol.

 

[luuked]

@JasonLaCanfora: Percy Harvin's visit with the Bills is complete. Mulling other possible visits. Things could come to a head over the weekend

Well looks like Harvin won't be a Bill, so it's New England next.

Mike Reiss has been pretty spot on about every move in FA so far; he even called Ayers going to the Rams ahead of time. Anyway, he also mentioned that he doesn't expect Harvin to end up with us. Adjust expectations accordingly..

 

[Wheelman]

Omar Kelly ?@OmarKelly 9m9 minutes ago
The Vikings are trying to move Cordarrelle Patterson, but there's A REASON (he can't learn the offense).

The guy couldn't even learn the Vikings offense and some people wanted us to take Patterson instead of trading down? Mind boggling!

 

[AzorianPats]

Harvin has never had a clearly defined role as a WR, slot, or the Vareen role, but he does have the unique talent to be any one of them. For that reason, he could probably fit into any game plan as long as he was doing it the way Brady wanted him to.

Im torn on Harvin. One end, he's a knucklehead and a trouble maker not to mention always injured, but with that, the guy has got some serious skill, and he can be a matchup nightmare on this offense, similar to what Hernandez was..

 

[KevinFaulk-33]

Im torn on Harvin. One end, he's a knucklehead and a trouble maker not to mention always injured, but with that, the guy has got some serious skill, and he can be a matchup nightmare on this offense, similar to what Hernandez was..

If he accepts a "prove-it" deal we won't risk anything. The worst case scenario is a cut and a goodbye. We did the same thing with Haynesworth and that same year we reached the Super Bowl.

I am not worried about his demeanor. If he behaves badly he will be gone before the season even starts.

 

[carmelo15]

Percy was outstanding when he played with Farve. In our offense he will draw CB2 I'd expect him to win that matchup 90% of the time. Lafell would draw CB3 that's also a mismatch.

 

[Danger Zone]

ProFootballTalk ?@ProFootballTalk 7m7 minutes ago
Saints reportedly shopping everyone but Brees and Cooks http://wp.me/p14QSB-9Jk4

 

[TomPatriot]

ProFootballTalk ?@ProFootballTalk 7m7 minutes ago
Saints reportedly shopping everyone but Brees and Cooks http://wp.me/p14QSB-9Jk4

Lewis for a 6th.

 

[seven]

Mike Loyko ?@NEPD_Loyko 4m4 minutes ago
NFLPA site lists #Patriots with over 18 million dollars in cap space.. Amendola restructure looks like i saved in neighborhood of 3 million

Mike Loyko ?@NEPD_Loyko 16s17 seconds ago
#Patriots don't need a lot of space to sign draft picks. Somewhere around 3 mil. Pick 32 has lowest cap #, other picks won't crack top 51

 

[slash83]

Mike Loyko ?@NEPD_Loyko 4m4 minutes ago
NFLPA site lists #Patriots with over 18 million dollars in cap space.. Amendola restructure looks like i saved in neighborhood of 3 million

Mike Loyko ?@NEPD_Loyko 16s17 seconds ago
#Patriots don't need a lot of space to sign draft picks. Somewhere around 3 mil. Pick 32 has lowest cap #, other picks won't crack top 51

That's awesome plenty of room to make Impact moves.

 

[ausbacker]

Mike Loyko ?@NEPD_Loyko 4m4 minutes ago
NFLPA site lists #Patriots with over 18 million dollars in cap space.. Amendola restructure looks like i saved in neighborhood of 3 million

Mike Loyko ?@NEPD_Loyko 16s17 seconds ago
#Patriots don't need a lot of space to sign draft picks. Somewhere around 3 mil. Pick 32 has lowest cap #, other picks won't crack top 51

More than enough room to make value acquisition and combinations of:
DT: Nick Fairley, Vince Wilfork/Randy Starks/B.J. Raji,
CB: Tramon Williams, Chris Culliver, Rashean Mathis
WR: Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson, Cecil Shorts, Denarius Moore, Nate Washington
RB: Reggie Bush, C.J. Spiller
TE: Rob Housler, Scott Chandler

 

[RobertWeathers]

I don't see why you wouldn't just bring VW back.......anyone who can do as much will cost more....anyone who will cost the same or less will not yield close to the same result.

In order to satisfy those who are concerned about his value, there can be an incentive for playing time. There is nobody in the price range that can come close to the snap count that VW can put up......I will admit that this needs to go hand in hand with an eventual replacement. but that replacement needs at least a year to get the system down. and if there is 2/10 on the table elsewhere, he will play here for 2/8, otherwise, he would have already been gone

I think the Pats would absolutely bring back VW but the question is how much they are willing to pay for an older player. At present, I think what we are seeing in the market is that older DTs (or ones grossly out of shape like Pot Roast or over 32) can be had for reasonable dollars. Redding is 3y/$6m. I bet Bryant will be around there. We agree that VW is a better option than those two players.

I understand that there are reports that have teams offering VW 2/$10m but I wonder A) how true they are B) what the 2015 guaranteed $ is and C) why the Pats have not countered. Could be an agent trying to drum up interest so he pings Omar Kelly from the Sun Sentinel who is from South Florida to Tweet the news.

As we know, the Pats are letting the market determine VWs value and not getting into the game of bidding vs themselves.

The other reason why they have not signed VW or Branch is that they want to try and get younger at the position first. If they can't then they will go bargain shopping for DTs.

 

[Username]

I really don't understand how the cap works, but is there a chance the Patriots are looking to save money to put towards this time next year when Solder, Hightower, Collins & Jones will all need dealing with?

 

[IllegalContact]

I think the Pats would absolutely bring back VW but they question is how much they are willing to pay for an older player. At present, I think what we are seeing in the market is that older DTs (or ones grossly out of shape like Pot Roast or over 32) can be had for reasonable dollars. Redding is 3y/$6m. I bet Bryant will be around there. We agree that VW is a better option than those two players.

I understand that there are reports that have teams offering VW 2/$10m but I wonder A) how true they are B) what the 2015 guaranteed $ is and C) why the Pats have not countered. Could be an agent trying to drum up interest so he pings Omar Kelly from the Sun Sentinel who is from South Florida to Tweet the news.

As we know, the Pats are letting the market determine VWs value and not getting into the game of bidding vs themselves.

The other reason why they have not signed VW or Branch is that they want to try and get younger at the position first. If they can't then they will go bargain shopping for DTs.

I think it is fairly obvious Wilfork's first choice is to stay here or he would have signed somewhere else already. Given the big picture, I don't see an issue giving him 2 years for a total of 8M and most of it being guaranteed. The guy held up very well playing over 800 defensive snaps in the regular season alone. I just don't think that with who is left on the market that you can even get 400-500 snaps for that money much less get 400-500 of the kind of snaps that wilfork can contribute.

His kid is a star football player at Xaverian and he is going to be a senior next year.......seeing the man, I doubt dad wants to miss that.

I think the pats can and should make it happen for a guy who I strongly feel deserves to finish his career here....plus from a value standpoint, bringing him back is hard to beat

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think it is fairly obvious Wilfork's first choice is to stay here or he would have signed somewhere else already. Given the big picture, I don't see an issue giving him 2 years for a total of 8M and most of it being guaranteed. The guy held up very well playing over 800 defensive snaps in the regular season alone. I just don't think that with who is left on the market that you can even get 400-500 snaps for that money much less get 400-500 of the kind of snaps that wilfork can contribute.

I agree with VW's durability but philosophically thats where you and the Pats differ, Illegal. They absolutely will not guarantee ~$4m for a 34 year old player. I could be wrong but I don't think they ever have.

You also have to ask yourself with the Revis/Browner defections, are the Pats looking for more of a penetrating DT than VW? We all know VW commands double-teams every now and then which helps occasional blitzers like Collins, Mayo and HT but if they are playing more zone, they may be out in coverage more. Not sure...?

His kid is a star football player at Xaverian and he is going to be a senior next year.......seeing the man, I doubt dad wants to miss that.

Yep. Tippett's kid plays there too. A buddy of mine is his uncle. Says hes a great kid.

Keep in mind if VWs heartstrings are that strong, that is leverage for the Pats.

I think the pats can and should make it happen for a guy who I strongly feel deserves to finish his career here....plus from a value standpoint, bringing him back is hard to beat

We agree that both sides should find a deal that they can feel good about. They have the cap space now so maybe they can find common ground on an incentive-laden deal as you suggest.

 

[Oswlek]

I really don't understand how the cap works, but is there a chance the Patriots are looking to save money to put towards this time next year when Solder, Hightower, Collins & Jones will all need dealing with?

I'd have to imagine that's the number one reason they are freeing up cap space. But it's always much more exciting to think about bringing in big names from outside.

 

[Love The Drake]

Harvin will be a Pat

 

[Kontradiction]

Lewis for a 6th.

Keenan Lewis would be a very nice addition. Between him and Dennard and Arrington in the slot, we can play some press man this season and actually be adequate at it. We would still need to upgrade the safety position because Chung is no longer going to be able to play the same role, but it would be a start. I would take Lewis over Culliver.

 

[DarrylS]

When I read these threads am mindful that the Pats will probably not take a "shiny beads approach" to FA signings, some of our most successful long term players were molded and changed by our Coaches, Vrabel and Ninkovich immediately come to mind.

They will sign and trade for different pieces, but do not think there will be names like Harvin, Richardson or Bush on the back of a Pats Jersey.,.

If I am reading the BB tea leaves correctly he will continue to solidify our front D 7, add some strength/depth on the O line and try to develop some D backs. This roster has always been built on quality depth, and that method has more than proven its worth.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Moves/rumors up in the air:

Harvin to visit NE?
Bush to visit NE
Eagles closing in on Mathis trade, Pats may be the team (Dolphins and Vikings ruled out)