Offseason Free Agents thread....

[luuked]

TACO CHARLTON BRANCH BROWN FLOWERS

HIGHTOWER FOSTER KVN

BUTLER RYAN
CHUNG
DMC

Spending the Jimmy G draft picks already ?

 

[AtomicDawg]

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.

Simms also mentioned the fact that the conditioning the Pats do in terms of running laps and up hills and drills is something that contributed to them winning the SB. When he told Marshall that's what he would have to look forward to, Marshall just laughs and shakes his head. He is not ready for that type of grind.

 

[Ring 6]

I've agreed with most of your comments re: the Hightower situation, but this one sucks, and is being overused quite a lot lately.

I would bet that "the money has been there" before (or could very easily have been maneuvered) with other key players who Belichick has watched walk away in the past. He isn't likely going to budge too far from the value that he places on the player, which is the main reason why we have that much available cap space to begin with.

How many key players has he let walk in their prime though?

 

[DaBruinz]

Not sure how accurate this report is, but I was surprised when to read that teams didn't think JG was worth a 1st round pick.

"There has been talk that the New England Patriots are seeking a first-round pick for backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, but in surveying teams around the league, they don't think Garoppolo is worthy of that price tag." - Charlie Campbell, WalterFootball.com
Two general managers think Garoppolo is worth a third-round pick, so he'll probably fetch a second-rounder.

It's called downplaying a player to try and lessen his price tag. It's part of negotiation 101.

I put no stock in guys from blog pages who claim to have gotten information from a GM. I just don't see a League GM talking to Walter Football. Ever.

 

[DaBruinz]

Any chance Butler walks?

No. He's a restricted free agent..

 

[DaBruinz]

Veteran O line stud please. The pressure numbers on Brady in the SB were ridiculous. And if JG brings NE an extra #1, maybe time to groom the LT of the future.

I just don't see them bringing in a "veteran O-line stud". They have a very young O-line. I see them adding an OT regardless of whether they trade JimmyG for another 1st since Solder is a UFA at the end of the 2017 season.

I wouldn't mind them bringing in someone to push Andrews at Center or to battle Waddle for the 4th OT position..

 

[DaBruinz]

Enough with safeties. Drafted plenty of them, Harmon 3rd, Tavon Wilson 2rd, Jordan Richards 2rd. If there is no Thomas IV, or Mccourty II, no need for safety.

The Patriots need a 3rd Safety to be there with McCourty and Chung since they play a LOT of 3 safety in their Nickel/Dime Packages.

Unfortunately, Richards hasn't shown up the way the team has hoped, not even cracking the line-up on special teams and being inactive. The team can't be happy with that.

BTW, you realize that Kam Chancellor was a later round pick, right?

 

[DaBruinz]

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.

Floyd actually played in 3 games, in total, for the Patriots. 2 in the Regular Season (NYJ & MIA) and 1 in the play-offs (HOU). s

He had 5 receptions for 51 yards and a TD.

The Pats took Floyd for a variety of reasons that you BOTH have mentioned.
For Insurance this year. While Lucien may know the play-book, the Pats also know Lucien. They may not have felt that his skills would replace Amendola/Mitchell in the event of their injury. Furthermore, Floyd is an amazing blocker. I don't believe that Lucien is even close to that level.

For the potential to add to the team next year. These 7 weeks gave the Pats an in-depth look at Floyd. At his mannerisms. At his work ethic. Things they wouldn't get prior to signing him as a FA normally. Considering what they got with the likes of Chad Johnson, Donald Hayes, Joey Galloway, etc, I'm sure they are glad they got the inside look at Floyd because it will help them gauge what they need to do in Free Agency and with Amendola.

 

[patriot1136]

Very interested in the Floyd situation. Could be a great BB reclamation project. I wonder what his price tag will be. Also interested in seeing Lucien in camp and if he progresses or not.

 

[IllegalContact]

I've agreed with most of your comments re: the Hightower situation, but this one sucks, and is being overused quite a lot lately.

I would bet that "the money has been there" before (or could very easily have been maneuvered) with other key players who Belichick has watched walk away in the past. He isn't likely going to budge too far from the value that he places on the player, which is the main reason why we have that much available cap space to begin with.

The statement still stands that the money is there ... yes, I realize how, for the most part, this organization operates. So my point remains that if the pats want him, he will be here

If the market for him is 12-12.5M and the pats offer 10, that means they didn't want him

 

[ohiopatsfan]

I am interested in what happens to Amendola this year. He is due $6M and I am sure that BB will ask him to take one for the team again, as he has for the past two seasons. At age 31, this is Dola's last chance to score a fairly big multi-year deal, so maybe he balks at this, especially since the Pats have a lot of room under the cap this year. Also, with Floyd in the house and Lucien on the PS, BB may not feel he needs Dola any more. It would be a shame to see him go, but that possibility is very real.

 

[The Gr8est]

Simms also mentioned the fact that the conditioning the Pats do in terms of running laps and up hills and drills is something that contributed to them winning the SB. When he told Marshall that's what he would have to look forward to, Marshall just laughs and shakes his head. He is not ready for that type of grind.

Well Brandon, if you don't want to put in extra effort and still insist that you be the focal point of the passing offense, then I would suggest the Indianapolis Colts could be the place for you.

Don't even consider the Pats if you are not willing to pay the price and stifle the ego.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I am interested in what happens to Amendola this year. He is due $6M and I am sure that BB will ask him to take one for the team again, as he has for the past two seasons. At age 31, this is Dola's last chance to score a fairly big multi-year deal, so maybe he balks at this, especially since the Pats have a lot of room under the cap this year. Also, with Floyd in the house and Lucien on the PS, BB may not feel he needs Dola any more. It would be a shame to see him go, but that possibility is very real.

I doubt he leaves. They don't want him gone and he doesn't want to leave

I suspect they'll shoot for another $1.25-$1.5m base/guaranteed and all kinds of performance and playing incentives to get him to $2.5-$3m in 2017.

Everyone who follows this team knows his value at WR and STs. I'm sure BB does too.

 

[luuked]

I doubt he leaves. They don't want him gone and he doesn't want to leave

I suspect they'll shoot for another $1.25-$1.5m base/guaranteed and all kinds of performance and playing incentives to get him to $2.5-$3m in 2017.

Everyone who follows this team knows his value at WR and STs. I'm sure BB does too.

I think they will cut him and give him the courtesy of checking out if someone is gonna overpay him in FA (in the relative sense). So he could be gone if he gets a crazy offer given his age and the pay cuts he already took.

But there will definitely be a base offer for him to return for 1-2 years on the table.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think they will cut him and give him the courtesy of checking out if someone is gonna overpay him in FA (in the relative sense). So he could be gone if he gets a crazy offer given his age and the pay cuts he already took.

But there will definitely be a base offer for him to return for 1-2 years on the table.

Yea I thought about that. Based on Miguel's #s they'd take a $1.4m hit if they cut him. While its not a big number, I'm sure they'd rather see some production for the cap space.

My impression is the team and his camp have a good working relationship with open dialogue and I'm sure it'll be amicable whatever path is taken.

 

[RIpats88]

I think alot of the free agents will stay here. just because I dont see teams overpaying for alot of those guys.

Harmon, branch, likely will be back as I dont see teams overpaying for them.

hightower will be paid either through the tag or an extension. he is the type of player the pats sign. captain on the team, leader, impact player.

Bennett- I think will be surprised with lack of interest. here is a 31year old tight end who has been injured his last year in chicago and this year. and has a history of being a lockerroom problem in chicago/dallas. BB will likely let him test waters. but I believe he will be back. Julius thomas is likely being cut from the jags and after a lackluster year could be someone the pats target.

amendola- he will take another paycut to stay. he knows no team will pay him big money on the open market. injury prone. BUT he is clutch for the pats.

players likely gone.

sheard- I dont see them re-signing him for what he will want. unless there is no interest out there. really tapered off this year.

chris long - will be replaced by another veteran looking for a ring. I think he retires likely.

Logan ryan- this is 50/50 for me. look at seattle where their #2 corner has been overpaid each offseason by a mediocre team thinking they are a #1(and discounting the effect of sherman/thomas). I could see a garbage team overpaying for ryan to be a #1. and him being garbage next year. when really he is a slot corner IMO. but I think BB feels he can replace him with one of the jones'

blount- unless he comes back on a cheap deal. I think they look for an upgrade. he was fantastic all season but once again a non-factor in the postseason

 

[mihap]

The Patriots need a 3rd Safety to be there with McCourty and Chung since they play a LOT of 3 safety in their Nickel/Dime Packages.

Unfortunately, Richards hasn't shown up the way the team has hoped, not even cracking the line-up on special teams and being inactive. The team can't be happy with that.

BTW, you realize that Kam Chancellor was a later round pick, right?

You didnt get my point. My point was enough with the safeties in round 1 and 2. I know that if Patriots value player as the best when they pick, they will select that player. But i dont want another Tavon or Richards.
They can extend Harmon

 

[supafly]

If the market for him is 12-12.5M and the pats offer 10, that means they didn't want him

Or...they simply didn't want him at that specific market price. For example, we know that they still wanted Revis. We know they still wanted Vereen. We know they still wanted Hicks last year. We know they still wanted Welker.

They certainly had the funds available for those players. They just didn't want to match market value.

 

[The Gr8est]

No. He's a restricted free agent..

He could still walk if a team makes an offer that the Pats don't match.

You know he'll get a 1st round tender though.

 

[supafly]

How many key players has he let walk in their prime though?

I don't know exactly what your definition of the word "key" would be, but I think we've seen contributing players leave just about every year. At least in most years.

The qualifier you used was "in their prime," so that is more specific. Guys like Hicks and Vereen come to mind as recent examples. We certainly went down to the wire with Devin McCourty, who reportedly turned down more money from the Giants and at least one other team to stay here. Would Hightower do the same? We will find out.