Official Free Agency 2018

[sambam94]

Lewis is by far their best RB, losing him would be a big loss. Gillislee sucks, I have no interest in him coming back.

actually, he doesn't suck at all..$2m 2018 salary is very reasonable.

I don't see how they can keep Lewis if he wants 5-6m..White is 4m, Rex? No way they keep all 4

 

[Ivan]

actually, he doesn't suck at all..$2m 2018 salary is very reasonable.

I don't see how they can keep Lewis if he wants 5-6m..White is 4m, Rex? No way they keep all 4

Lewis is worth 6 per. If need be I would let both Burkhead and Gillislee go and draft a back in the mid rounds. Losing Lewis would be a big mistake imo.

 

[ohiopatsfan]

I look at Bo Scarborough as a potential day 3 big RB. Although he has had injury problems and some question his commitment, he is a handful to bring down and could be Blount 2.0.

 

[Snooky97]

I look at Bo Scarborough as a potential day 3 big RB. Although he has had injury problems and some question his commitment, he is a handful to bring down and could be Blount 2.0.

I think its his running style which worries a lot of people as he runs upright a lot of the time, and apparently has a small lower body.

 

[luuked]

There’s no guarantees about anything, but finding a power back for a fractional role in their offense is about the easiest thing to find in football.

And yet we were stuck with Blount the last 2-3 seasons who notoriously was not able to pick up pass protections and limited the playbook on every snap he was on the field.

Finding a good RB is not as easy as it seems. Same with guards or centers..

 

[zipster9]

I'd like to keep Lewis & Burkhead. Drop Gillislee and use that $$$ for these 2.

 

[Deus Irae]

Gillislee was a serviceable contributor during the first half of the 2017 season (before Lewis got hot and Burkhead returned from injury - temporarily)

No, he was not, which is how he wound up at 3.68 ypa.

 

[Ivan]

And yet we were stuck with Blount the last 2-3 seasons who notoriously was not able to pick up pass protections and limited the playbook on every snap he was on the field.

Finding a good RB is not as easy as it seems. Same with guards or centers..

Gillislee was hardly on the field for passing downs so it’s not like that’s a loss. The power back role is limited and to me it pales in comparison to keeping Lewis. And while I would love to see Burkhead return I’d sacrifice brining him back as well to ensure that Lewis stays right here. To me he’s the only one who would be really hard to replace.

 

[jboston19]

Royce Freeman from Blount's Alma mater is my choice for a big back if we take one this draft.

 

[maineman209]

There’s no guarantees about anything, but finding a power back for a fractional role in their offense is about the easiest thing to find in football.

Perhaps for other teams.

Looking at the "power backs" that the Pats have had over the past decade and how they were acquired and how they performed - it doesn't seem like it's been all that easy for the Pats.

 

[Joey007]

I pay Lewis the money.

I’d be open to Burkhead returning but it’ll have to be at the right price. Cutting Gillislee saves 2.1 million, so I wouldn’t offer Rex much more than that.

We can draft another RB if his price is too steep.

 

[maineman209]

I look at Bo Scarborough as a potential day 3 big RB. Although he has had injury problems and some question his commitment, he is a handful to bring down and could be Blount 2.0.

That's the crucial phrase.

1) Is the team able to acquire this guy without shorting themselves at another position of need?

2) Does the team cut Gillislee before they're certain that this guy will be an adequate replacement?

 

[AzorianPats]

Throwing this out there...

Why are we constantly looking at a big, powerful back for goalline and 3rd/4th and short that doesn't offer us anything in the passing game or special teams when we have a back on the roster already that runs hard and always keeps his legs moving, and is a beast on ST in Brandon Bolden?

He always makes the best of his opportunities to me.

 

[Ivan]

Perhaps for other teams.

Looking at the "power backs" that the Pats have had over the past decade and how they were acquired and how they performed - it doesn't seem like it's been all that easy for the Pats.

We just disagree, I don’t think it’s a big role or that important of one. Keeping Lewis is the priority, keeping guys who couldn’t even get active doesn’t matter.

 

[maineman209]

Gillislee was hardly on the field for passing downs so it’s not like that’s a loss. The power back role is limited and to me it pales in comparison to keeping Lewis. And while I would love to see Burkhead return I’d sacrifice brining him back as well to ensure that Lewis stays right here. To me he’s the only one who would be really hard to replace.

I'm really having difficulty seeing how keeping Gillislee has any real direct bearing on whether or not the team manages to keep Lewis.

 

[AzorianPats]

I pay Lewis the money.

I’d be open to Burkhead returning but it’ll have to be at the right price. Cutting Gillislee saves 2.1 million, so I wouldn’t offer Rex much more than that.

We can draft another RB if his price is too steep.

I'm reluctant to give Lewis that money.

Last year was his first playing a full healthy season since God knows when.

This draft is loaded at RB.

 

[maineman209]

We just disagree, I don’t think it’s a big role or that important of one. Keeping Lewis is the priority, keeping guys who couldn’t even get active doesn’t matter.

If it "doesn't matter" if they do or don't keep Gillislee, then what does it have to do with Lewis? Their skill sets and roles seem entirely different to me.

 

[Ivan]

If it "doesn't matter" if they do or don't keep Gillislee, then what does it have to do with Lewis? Their skill sets and roles seem entirely different to me.

I think Belichick appropriates money in relation to units, and I’d rather see the money go to Lewis. I’m not saying the relationship is completely direct but I think he only wants to spend so much at RB, and using it on a guy who isn’t playing doesn’t make sense.

 

[Snooky97]

Royce Freeman from Blount's Alma mater is my choice for a big back if we take one this draft.

Like him. He's surprisingly quick as well. Doesn't seem to break lots of tackles, but he makes people miss. I'd draft him with our 4th or 5th

 

[maineman209]

I'm reluctant to give Lewis that money.

Last year was his first playing a full healthy season since God knows when.

This draft is loaded at RB.

Which means that maybe two dozen RBs will be drafted.
Half of those will be out of the league after their first or second seasons.
About 8 of the remaining dozen will have careers that last much past their rookie contracts.
Maybe 3 or 4 of those will be at least decent contributors through their second contracts.