Rebuilding this Offseason

[supafly]

I don't remember a non super bowl winning year with so much talent on IR. Should make reloading a bit easier. I'd bet my house BB drafts a QB. Then assuming the injured come back healthy we need a CB, LB and DL help.
Anyone know how we are with cap space?

I believe that we’re currently projected to have about 13m assuming that the cap increases to 178m, which is right about where the experts have it.

We can pretty much double that (at the least) by dumping guys such as Bennett, Allen, Branch, Harris and McClellin. I believe that we could actually free up to around 20m if all 5 of those players were released, although they could try to keep one of Bennett/Allen, especially due to the Gronk situation. Speaking of, if he retires, we’d save about 7m against the cap, although we’re all obviously hoping that it doesn’t come to that.

Any way you look at it, I think the team will be focused mainly on trying to keep its own players this year, as well as possibly even trying to extend a guy like Flowers, Cooks, or Mason who are all set to become FAs after next season. I think we’ll see our usual level of bargain basement signings here and there, but I’m not expecting anything close to a splash with big names.

 

[ATippett56]

I don't remember a non super bowl winning year with so much talent on IR. Should make reloading a bit easier. I'd bet my house BB drafts a QB. Then assuming the injured come back healthy we need a CB, LB and DL help.
Anyone know how we are with cap space?

$13,935,489

New England Patriots Salary Cap | Over the Cap

Which, of course, does not take into account the following unrestricted free agents:

Solder, Nate
Fleming, Cameron
Waddle, LaAdrian
Lewis, Dion
Burkhead, Rex
Bolden, Brandon
Amendola, Danny
Slater, Matthew
Flowers, Marquis
Butler, Malcolm
Bademosi, Johnson
Ebner, Nate
King, Brandon (RFA)

Howe: Indepth look at Patriots’ roster, decisions to be made

 

[MainePatsFan26]

Most will likely disagree, but this defense is a nose tackle away from being dominant again. We need the "Wilfork" type of player to clog the middle because such a player will draw double teams and let us do more disguised packages. The lack of talent and physical prowess at the center of the defense meant that we couldn't set a tone against talented offensive lines.

 

[supafly]

Most will likely disagree, but this defense is a nose tackle away from being dominant again. We need the "Wilfork" type of player to clog the middle because such a player will draw double teams and let us do more disguised packages. The lack of talent and physical prowess at the center of the defense meant that we couldn't set a tone against talented offensive lines.

I definitely don’t agree with the premise of “rebuilding,” as we go through this exercise every year. Every single offseason we have key players who are free agents. Every year we have holes that need to be patched, depth that needs to be improved upon, and an eye looking toward next year.

Getting a space eating beast on the DL seems like a fine idea. Not sure how Belichick may prioritize that, but I don’t think you’ll find anyone who would necessarily be against it.

 

[AzorianPats]

Most will likely disagree, but this defense is a nose tackle away from being dominant again. We need the "Wilfork" type of player to clog the middle because such a player will draw double teams and let us do more disguised packages. The lack of talent and physical prowess at the center of the defense meant that we couldn't set a tone against talented offensive lines.

I definitely think NT is a need. Branch quality of play went down bad last season, and we had no replacement for him. Again though it all depends on how the FO feels about Vincent Valentine.

We need better play out of our linebackers though. Hightower coming back helps that, but he hasn't lasted a full season since God knows when.

 

[DarrylS]

Do not see it as a rebuilding year, more of a "tweaking" year.. time to jettison some of our older guys and injury prone guys who do not produce.. McClellin, Bennett, Branch, Gillislee and Harris immediately come to mind. Also time to restructure some of the contracts as well to free up some cap space; Gilmore, Cooks, McCourty and Dwayne Allen..

Donta Hightower might be a surprise release..

Resign Solder, Deion Lewis, Amendola, Ebner, Waddle or Cameron and Francois..

Then add where there were some obvious deficits.. Interior D Line and Linebacker are glaring needs...

Last year there was something like 11 new players on our roster at the beginning of the season, it is what the Pats do always try to make things better in this culture of "fear"....

 

[BradyMoss812]

Dump Jordan Richards

This. All. Day. Long.

 

[StockingAnarchyNumber12]

Get a grip!

 

[Sciz]

Donta Hightower might be a surprise release..

His salary is guaranteed, so you’re not really gaining anything by cutting him.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

His salary is guaranteed, so you’re not really gaining anything by cutting him.

Unless there is some significant emotional baggage there, why would we release him? We don't know how much he'll have in the tank and wouldn't we rather find out if he'll still be dominant before hastening his exit? Moreover, I'd think Belichick would rather trade him for picks if Hightower isn't worth keeping.

 

[ivanvamp]

I most certainly didn’t mean to suggest as much. I’m with you 100%. I’m simply pointing to the need of a more athletic LB in addition, that’s all.

That said, I don’t think that a 700k dead cap loss would necessarily prevent Belichick from making any moves that he saw fit, either, especially with the option of a post June-1 release which would actually save money.

Either way, Van Noy is likely here for another year. He’s tough and smart.

Van Noy is a fine LB to have. It's not so good if he's by FAR your best linebacker (which was the case this year once Hightower went down), but he's certainly fine.

I've said all along that they need two more LBs - with SPEED. This defense needs to get faster.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

Going into this offseason, the team is in worse shape than I can remember.


Future QB. We know it's gonna happen. The Pats love drafting QBs to push Brady and groom for the future. Garoppollo, Ryan Mallet, Jacoby Brisset, Kevin O'Connell. With 2-3 years left for Brady, you can guarantee the Pats will take another QB in the top 3 rounds of this years draft. I wouldnt even be surprised if the Pats used their 1st rd pick on a QB.

Linebacker is desperately needed. Elandon Roberts is terrible. David Harris experiment didnt work. Do they take the risk with Hightower coming back? He's always been injury prone due to his hard playing style. Whats the status of Shea McClellin? He might get cut. I think this gets addressed in rd 2 of the draft.

DT. Malcom Brown will hit FA next year and Alan Branch is done. We have nothing here and our run defense got destroyed. Theres a few good DT in this years free agency. I'd love to see the Pats sign Sheldon Richarson.

CB. Malcolm Butler was our #1-#2 CB all year and hes definitely gone. Hard to replace this guy. He's not just a CB, he was a core part of the defense. I heard the Broncos might release Aqib Talib. Pats have to jump on that opportunity if it comes up. Otherwise, we're screwed here because Belichick will probably find a 5'8" 3rd or 4th rounder and expect them to start and play against other teams best WR's. We've seen him do it so many years.

DE. It goes without saying the Pats need to do something here. Depth is non existant.

The entire offense is aging. Gronk has maybe 2 years left if we are extremely lucky. Next big injury is game over for Gronk. Amendola and Edelman are both on the wrong side of 30. Dion Lewis might be gone in FA.

How have you not been banned yet as a troll?

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Most will likely disagree, but this defense is a nose tackle away from being dominant again. We need the "Wilfork" type of player to clog the middle because such a player will draw double teams and let us do more disguised packages. The lack of talent and physical prowess at the center of the defense meant that we couldn't set a tone against talented offensive lines.

I’m with you that DT is the biggest need on the DL but we still need to add more speed at LB even with the return of Hightower and we need a solid corner opposite Gilmore.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

I think the DE's are already on the roster. Rivers, A. Butler, Wise etc... but they need a solid NT/DT to balance the front four out.

Agree with the rest.

Lawrence Guy had a good year for the club. Sometimes I wonder if people watch these games. Another underrated missing piece on IR this year, was Vince Valentine.

I think people are missing some key facts: The team was decimated by injuries, in particular on D.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

Van Noy is a fine LB to have. It's not so good if he's by FAR your best linebacker (which was the case this year once Hightower went down), but he's certainly fine.

I've said all along that they need two more LBs - with SPEED. This defense needs to get faster.

Agreed, as it all trickles down from the Bruschi/Mayo/Hightower role. I remember in 2013 when Hightower was thrust into the Mayo role, people started wondering if Hightower was a bust. I couldn't believe it.

1. The role is heavy on responsibilities, where the LB is setting up everyone else to make plays.Very cerebral position.

2. The work Van Noy did was unheralded, but he's also a bit underrated because he'd be even more valuable back in his main role. He'd be Pitt's best LB right now. Think about that.

People keep saying "lack of talent" at LB, which really isn't fair. Teams don't have Pro Bowl players coming off the bench.

I also warned of the McClellin injury being bigger than people anted to admit or even know about because he's our fastest LB (now Flowers is), and the speed factor up and around the line, was sorely missed, in particular in the SB.

IMO, McClellin is likely set to retire, but I hope he doesn't, because he and Flowers out there, with their speed, would be a big boost in 2018.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

McClellin?!! Seriously? Guy can’t stay healthy...pass. And Flowers? The same Flowers who was literally useless in the Super Bowl? Or maybe Roberts? Another useless LB?

Guys...reality check is that our LB core is AWFUL. Without substantial upgrades for at least 2 spots, we aren’t winning another SB soon. KVN is a decent LB but needs to be the worst starting LB on the Pats not the best.

 

[Steve102]

In order of need, IMO:

LB: Even with High's return, pretty thin. Address via draft and FA
CB: replace Butler. Probably sign some young CB in a non-sexy signing that turns out meh-ok.
DL: Gimme a wide body, a la Vince or Washington.
QB: What if the "next guy" isn't a guy they draft, but a guy they sign in 2020? The pressure to follow Brady is going to be huge, why not sign a vet FA who might be better suited to handle the pressure of following the GOAT better than some 23 year old kid out of college? There's some big/huge names out there in 2020. This might be worth it's own thread.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

McClellin?!! Seriously? Guy can’t stay healthy...pass. And Flowers? The same Flowers who was literally useless in the Super Bowl? Or maybe Roberts? Another useless LB?

Guys...reality check is that our LB core is AWFUL. Without substantial upgrades for at least 2 spots, we aren’t winning another SB soon. KVN is a decent LB but needs to be the worst starting LB on the Pats not the best.

I don't think concussions are tied to the phrase "can't stay healthy".

Yes, he came in last year and immediately the D took off right after BB dealt Collins.

Did you watch the 2016 season? The guy wa sall over the field and in the flat on RBs, very versatile, chess piece type and was by far our fastest and best coverage LBa, always around the ball and a great tackler.

They created a new rule for his mastery of timing to jump over the line for PATs/FGs, for crying out loud.

It's clear BB had something in mind when signing him, but no one can predict concussion issues.

If I am not mistaken, it was BB's first plunge into FA, and if you look at photos of him before 2016, it's pretty obvious BB had something specific in mind, because he dropped a ton of weight for that role.

But, I do expect him to retire because of the concussions. They couldn't have handled him any more carefully than they did.

Hightower/Van Noy are one of the better LB duos in the AFC, yet somehow it's "awful". lmao

 

[ivanvamp]

They had Marquise Flowers doing some weird things in the Super Bowl. He's just 25 and has excellent speed. Of course, that doesn't make him a good LB. I think he has the potential to improve, especially if they ask him to do the right things.

But he's basically a special teams guy forced into major playing time at LB.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

They had Marquise Flowers doing some weird things in the Super Bowl. He's just 25 and has excellent speed. Of course, that doesn't make him a good LB. I think he has the potential to improve, especially if they ask him to do the right things.

But he's basically a special teams guy forced into major playing time at LB.

Well, teams need a speed LB. Kam Chancellors don't grow on trees. It's just the way league his. His coverage on that fraud Clement TD was superb. The whole reason why Clement shifted how he wanted to catch it last second, was to protect the ball from Flowers.

That dude is super fast.

The problem was not getting Flowers into the game immediately. They also could have used him on Ertz at times, and then have McCourty watch the RBs in the box.
You'd have to ask BB/Patricia why these things didn't happen.