Offseason Free Agents thread....

[patfanken]

What would you offer floyd to come back for one year?

I guarantee him a million in salary and incentives up to 7MM if he gets numbers like a #1 receiver, and then challenge him to work out with Brady this off season in Cali with Julian, and earn that $7MM. (which is what he got this season)

If he stays in NE for that one year deal and succeeds, then he can be a FA in 2018 with a Patriot pedigree and a completely rehabbed image. Remember he's likely going to get a 2-4 game suspension next season. I think he'd stay with the Pats for something like that. He needs us more than we need him.

BTW all you have to do is see the group picture the WR's took just before the SB, and you can't help notice that he makes the 6'2 Hogan look like a child, and the rest of our sub 6' receivers like babies.

 

[luuked]

I guarantee him a million in salary and incentives up to 7MM if he gets numbers like a #1 receiver, and then challenge him to work out with Brady this off season in Cali with Julian, and earn that $7MM. (which is what he got this season)

If he stays in NE for that one year deal and succeeds, then he can be a FA in 2018 with a Patriot pedigree and a completely rehabbed image. Remember he's likely going to get a 2-4 game suspension next season. I think he'd stay with the Pats for something like that. He needs us more than we need him.

BTW all you have to do is see the group picture the WR's took just before the SB, and you can't help notice that he makes the 6'2 Hogan look like a child, and the rest of our sub 6' receivers like babies.

Kraft should invite him over to watch how some of our FAs will get paid in March by other teams. In fact, he should just see how Bennett rebuild his value with one good -- but not quite excellent -- year. That should get him thinking how he could cash in after one year in Foxboro.

 

[luuked]

The problem with franchising Hightower is that there is that they don't make any distinction between OLB's and ILB's. OLB's like Von Miller have increased the LB franchise tag to over 14MM currently. Next year it will will likely be over 15MM. The peak of the ILB market is Luke Keckely (sp?) at 12MM. Hightower's fair market price should be just below that.

So I don't think franchising Hightower is a smart move UNLESS you use it just to give you more time to complete the LT deal. I don't see Hightower playing the year under a franchise tag.

I agree that HT will not play the year under the franchise tag. They will only franchise him if they see a realistic way to extend him but just need more time to work on the details. I think Mankins and Wilfork are a good historical example for that. Welker could have been as well if his agent didn't totally overestimate how much he was worth.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

MUST SIGN: Donta Hightower, Alan Branch

WOULD BE NICE: Logan Ryan, Martellus Bennett, Duron Harmon

UNKNOWN: Michael Floyd, Lagarette Blount


Hightower and Branch are must signs. Can't let either of them go. Belichick has openly praised both so I think they will be priorities.

Michael Floyd should be signed to a reasonably cheap 1 year Prove It contract. Shouldn't be too difficult considering he cleared waivers (no one wanted him) and he really only played in that Miami game for us so his value didnt go up. I don't see too many teams offering him a long term contract but you never know.

Blount is on the wrong side of 30 and looked terrible in the SuperBowl. He had his best year ever but we paid him basically nothing. It will depend on if he wants to take another discount contract to stay with a team he seemingly loves.

Bennett is a question mark. He seems like he might take a discount deal, but someone out there might offer him a boatload of money that he won't be able to turn down.

Duran Harmon may go somewhere he gets to start full time.

Logan Ryan is gonna get paid. Especially with Butler being the priority, and Eric Rowe emerging as a solid CB. Cyrus Jones hopefully makes a 2nd year leap. BB might let Logan Ryan walk.

 

[luuked]

Michael Floyd should be signed to a reasonably cheap 1 year Prove It contract. Shouldn't be too difficult considering he cleared waivers (no one wanted him) and he really only played in that Miami game for us so his value didnt go up. I don't see too many teams offering him a long term contract but you never know.

No one wanted him at that price for 3 games.

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

Don't think any of the guys highlighted get that per year. Long was on a $1mil contract and can't imagine the Pats paying him more than double what he made this year with another year of tread on his tires.

Branch has been great, but doubt he gets that much. If he does, won't be upset about it.

Blount IMO is not worth that much...i know he had an absurd amount of TD's, but that was without Lewis for 3/4 of the year, the offense giving him a lot of gimme's, and he's on the wrong side of 30. He kind of faded down the stretch and as others mentioned, certainly missed a few open holes in the playoffs.

Floyd graded out as something like the 92nd WR out of 110 qualifies (ballparking, can't find source), was inactive for the playoffs, AND has a huge legal issue hanging over his head. No way the Pats give him that much unless it's over 2 or 3 years. For reference, Edelman is still playing on a 4 year, $17 mil contract with only $8 mil guaranteed.

***Long made $2,504,485
Terms: One year, $2.375 million
Total guarantee: $1 million
Signing bonus: $500,000
Base salary: $1.25 million ($500,000 guaranteed)
Roster bonus: $625,000
***Branch made $3,500,000
2016 Base Salary:$1,200,000
Signing Bonus:$350,000
2016 roster bonus-part 1: $400,000 (paid on first day of 2016 league year if on the roster)
2016 roster bonus-part 2: $400,000 ($25,000 per game on the roster)
2016 playing time incentives: $750,000
2016 weight bonus: $400,000

Info = Miguel's site***

I agree with you about Blount i would pay him 1.5m tops but he is reliable and next year Lewis and White are FA's. So a 2 year deal would be ideal. I can't see we paying White. It's not Bill's MO. I think we draft one this year (RB) and sign Blount for another 2 years ( He will be our insurance). Maybe we extend Lewis again. And next year we draft another Rb plus a PS guy like DJ Foster.So basically this year Blount - Rookie - Lewis - White. 2018 Rookie - Rookie - Blount - White

Floyd is not considered a slot WR that's why he gets more money. Don't get me wrong i want 2 or 3 Edelman's instead of Floyd but that's not how the market works. He was inactive for the playoffs because he does not know the playbook yet. And his legal issues are the reason that the price dropped. Floyd is a #1 round pick for a reason; he has the tools to be dominant and like JG if they pay him it's for his potential. Let's wait and see. But if we grab 2 Rb's i will miss Blount but we can live without him and if Floyd is gone let see what Lucien can do.

 

[luuked]

Floyd is a #1 round pick for a reason; he has the tools to be dominant and like JG if they pay him it's for his potential. Let's wait and see. But if we grab 2 Rb's i will miss Blount but we can live without him and if Floyd is gone let see what Lucien can do.

I am sorry but after 4 years in the league it doesn't matter where you have been drafted. Your worth is determined by what you did in those four years and the projection of the player's role on his team and not his potential. Add in some legal trouble and you can expect a relatively cheap one year deal for Floyd.

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

I am sorry but after 4 years in the league it doesn't matter where you have been drafted. Your worth is determined by what you did in those four years and the projection of the player's role on his team and not his potential. Add in some legal trouble and you can expect a relatively cheap one year deal for Floyd.

They paid him 1.2m for 3 games. They knew that he would not be a factor in the playoffs. So 1.2m was just to have the preference to meet the player and maybe work a deal with him first ( before March 9)

He has better career numbers than Hogan ( He has one 1000 yds seaon + 2 800+ yds season). He is younger. He is durable. He will make less money just because his DUI. But if you guys think that he will take a 2m deal per, i have to quote our TE ''YOu know They overpay shuper Bowl Champions"

 

[luuked]

They paid him 1.2m for 3 games. They knew that he would not be a factor in the playoffs. So 1.2m was just to have the preference to meet the player and maybe work a deal with him first ( before March 9)

He has better career numbers than Hogan ( He has one 1000 yds seaon + 2 800+ yds season). He is younger. He is durable. He will make less money just because his DUI. But if you guys think that he will take a 2m deal per, i have to quote our TE ''YOu know They overpay shuper Bowl Champions"

They paid him 1.2m because by all accounts they were interested in him as FA target anyway and because Amendola's situation regarding the postseason was unclear. Also it was 1.2m for 6 potential games with the postseason essentially a certainty at that point.

I don't think his contract will be a total of 2m but highly incentive-based to the point where it will be cheap compared to similar receivers.

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

They paid him 1.2m because by all accounts they were interested in him as FA target anyway and because Amendola's situation regarding the postseason was unclear. Also it was 1.2m for 6 potential games with the postseason essentially a certainty at that point.

I don't think his contract will be a total of 2m but highly incentive-based to the point where it will be cheap compared to similar receivers.

3m but another 2m LTBE is possible. He had his worst season his incetives should be really easy to achieve.

 

[mihap]

They paid him 1.2m for 3 games. They knew that he would not be a factor in the playoffs. So 1.2m was just to have the preference to meet the player and maybe work a deal with him first ( before March 9)

I disagree with you. They claimed him because he was insurance incase any receiver would get hurt. With Gronk out losing some of the Hogan, Mitchell, Edelman..
Bennet was injured with ankle, Mitchell had problems with knee...
They tried to trade Collins for Hopkins, so Floyd was perfect fit.

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

I disagree with you. They claimed him because he was insurance incase any receiver would get hurt. With Gronk out losing some of the Hogan, Mitchell, Edelman..
Bennet was injured with ankle, Mitchell had problems with knee...
They tried to trade Collins for Hopkins, so Floyd was perfect fit.

I disagree. Insurance for what/whom? What you call Lucien that guy the actually knows the playbook?
He played ONE game. They claimed Floyd because if the investment didn't quite pan out they would recoup a pick. And if they like him, they can steal a talented guy for cheap. At least for one year.

 

[luuked]

I disagree. Insurance for what/whom? What you call Lucien that guy the actually knows the playbook?
He played ONE game. They claimed Floyd because if the investment didn't quite pan out they would recoup a pick. And if they like him, they can steal a talented guy for cheap. At least for one year.

I don't get why you two are arguing as both of you are right. Floyd was indeed an insurance in case of additional injuries (or Dola not coming back) but at the same time all you just said is true as well. Which is why picking him up was a good move despite its hefty price tag.

One thing to consider about PS players is that they are part of the scout team, so you wanna have a diverse set of skills and sizes on there where not everyone of the PS is necessarily relevant for the active roster or in the long term plans of a team. Lucien obviously has -- longshot -- chance at making the roster next preseason/camp but lets not kid ourselves to the point where he and Floyd and comparable.

 

[farn]

If there is sufficient room : HT on the massive 14-15M franchise tag isn't completely ridiculous. They have a lot of room and often make solid choices elsewhere. If NE can get a potential replacement for him in the draft (maybe a pick in the mid first round for instance) it does make sense to have the leader back to show him the ropes. Not to mention the fact that HT has figured very prominently in both of the last two SBs.

I can see HT playing hardball on $. It will be interesting to see how much BB values him being on the team. If he is indeed tagged - it tells us BB desperately wants him here, even knowing HT wanted to go get his max dollars.

 

[luuked]

I can see HT playing hardball on $. It will be interesting to see how much BB values him being on the team. If he is indeed tagged - it tells us BB desperately wants him here, even knowing HT wanted to go get his max dollars.

It will come down to offsets and incentives. Mayo sounded optimistic on the most recent Ex-Pats Podcast that him (and Gronk (!)) will understand that the team will want some insurance because both of them haven't shown that they are consistent 16 games participants.

He also mentioned something else interesting regard Hightower. He referred to him as having a "shorter (shortened?) ACL" which is another reason for the team to be careful with guarantees. I guess he is referring to HT ACL injury at Alabama in 2009 but I have no idea what he means by the "shortened" part.

 

[Todd Bradley]

On "Inside The NFL" last night, Phil Simms kept nudging and hinting Brandon Marshall to sign with New England.

Marshall looked nervous and didn't reply both times.

Just found that interesting.

 

[Ring 6]

I agree that HT will not play the year under the franchise tag. They will only franchise him if they see a realistic way to extend him but just need more time to work on the details. I think Mankins and Wilfork are a good historical example for that. Welker could have been as well if his agent didn't totally overestimate how much he was worth.

I can't see Hightower sitting out a season and saying no thanks keep the 15 mill

 

[Ring 6]

On "Inside The NFL" last night, Phil Simms kept nudging and hinting Brandon Marshall to sign with New England.

Marshall looked nervous and didn't reply both times.

Just found that interesting.

We don't want him. And I think he knows it

 

[Todd Bradley]

We don't want him. And I think he knows it

Agreed.

Locker room fights and flights out to NYC to tape a show is the exact opposite of the Patriot Way.

But, was interesting to see Simms put it out there in the open.

 

[IllegalContact]

I am sorry but after 4 years in the league it doesn't matter where you have been drafted. Your worth is determined by what you did in those four years and the projection of the player's role on his team and not his potential. Add in some legal trouble and you can expect a relatively cheap one year deal for Floyd.

well........Floyd did quite a bit as a secondary target to Larry Fitzgerald....his numbers went down because the cards figured to have him split looks with John Brown......Brown never did any better. The dui sealed the deal given he was gone at the end of the season anyway

Someone will give him a shot......I hope its the Pats as he is a good WR and brings a dimension to the WR core.