Official Free Agency 2018

[mgteich]

Sure, kick the tires.

However, I suspect that Kenner is no better than Bolden.

The reality is that our RB's now are Gillislie, White and Bolden. And yes, we want to have two upgrades, and one to Bolden to STO, as he has been for years.

One of our RB's is likely to be a draftee.

 

[Ivan]

Feels he's a downgrade to both Burkhead and Lewis.
His ceiling seems low I'd rather kick the tires on a back like Hill out of Cincy

Ugghhh! Jeremy Hill has been on the decline for several years, and he contributes nothing in the passing game. I’m not sure why their is such a fascination with ****ty RB’s on other teams. If they lose Lewis and Burkhead then draft one high and add a UDFA.

 

[maineman209]

Feels he's a downgrade to both Burkhead and Lewis.
His ceiling seems low I'd rather kick the tires on a back like Hill out of Cincy

LOL!

Here's the secret about the Pats' RBBC - everybody's ceiling is low. That, and having a bunch of excellent run-blockers, is how the Pats have managed to maintain a ground game in the top third of the league (or better) in yards and in the top-6 in rushing TDs for the past decade - while paying about the same for four decent RBs as they would have for one top RB.

Zenner is an accomplished special teamer who, when given his opportunities, has produced at a level that fits right in as a Pats RBBC member. And he's likely to be dirt cheap - again, fits right in. And pretty much anybody the Pats acquire to backfill the RBBC, if both Lewis and Burkhead leave, is going to "feel like a downgrade". Because the Pats simply can NOT afford a "name RB" with a proven track record. If they could, they'd just re-sign Lewis.

Anyway, lotsa luck getting anywhere near a cap-affordable chance to just "kick the tires" on the guy who was the Bengals' lead rusher for three straight seasons (until his mid-season ankle surgery in 2017), and whose average season's production has been the equivalent of Lewis' best season.

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

LOL!

Here's the secret about the Pats' RBBC - everybody's ceiling is low. That, and having a bunch of excellent run-blockers, is how the Pats have managed to maintain a ground game in the top third of the league (or better) in yards and in the top-6 in rushing TDs for the past decade - while paying about the same for four decent RBs as they would have for one top RB.

Zenner is an accomplished special teamer who, when given his opportunities, has produced at a level that fits right in as a Pats RBBC member. And he's likely to be dirt cheap - again, fits right in. And pretty much anybody the Pats acquire to backfill the RBBC, if both Lewis and Burkhead leave, is going to "feel like a downgrade". Because the Pats simply can NOT afford a "name RB" with a proven track record. If they could, they'd just re-sign Lewis.

Anyway, lotsa luck getting anywhere near a cap-affordable chance to just "kick the tires" on the guy who was the Bengals' lead rusher for three straight seasons (until his mid-season ankle surgery in 2017), and whose average season's production has been the equivalent of Lewis' best season.

I'd take a 2 year 8 million dollar contract

 

[mgteich]

The best cap "friendly" player available is Burkhead, who is coming off a year of injuries.
If he wishes, the team should sign another show-me contract exactly the same as last year's contract. He may not get better.

If he team wants a longer commitment, it would cost us in guaranteed money, and likely a bonus before Year 2 starts, or perhaps Year 3 starts.

2018 salary - $1M
bonus - $6M for a 3 year contract
cap - $3M plus any incentives that are added
2019 and 2020 salary - TBD

 

[maineman209]

I'd take a 2 year 8 million dollar contract

I would, too, especially considering that my 40 time is slower than that of any OL in the league and that I couldn't do the three cone in anything beyond a brisk walking pace.

I doubt that the Pats could get Hill for that.

Meanwhile, Zenner probably signs for Bolden-level money. Excellent risk-reward ratio for the 90-man roster along with a draftee, a couple UDFAs and maybe an elderly veteran.

Anyway, it's still kind of early to assume that the Pats will lose both Lewis and Burkhead. If the Pats retain even one of them, a draftee or Zenner fits the cap budget much better than Hill would.

 

[signbabybrady]

The best cap "friendly" player available is Burkhead, who is coming off a year of injuries.
If he wishes, the team should sign another show-me contract exactly the same as last year's contract. He may not get better.

If he team wants a longer commitment, it would cost us in guaranteed money, and likely a bonus before Year 2 starts, or perhaps Year 3 starts.

2018 salary - $1M
bonus - $6M for a 3 year contract
cap - $3M plus any incentives that are added
2019 and 2020 salary - TBD

There would seem to be little reason Rex deserves more money than he got last year. I thought he fit great here when healthy so at the right price I'd prefer him to anyone other than Dlew.

I do think a Patriot affect might happen and someone might just overpay because they know we see something in him.

 

[maineman209]

The best cap "friendly" player available is Burkhead, who is coming off a year of injuries.
If he wishes, the team should sign another show-me contract exactly the same as last year's contract. He may not get better.

If he team wants a longer commitment, it would cost us in guaranteed money, and likely a bonus before Year 2 starts, or perhaps Year 3 starts.

2018 salary - $1M
bonus - $6M for a 3 year contract
cap - $3M plus any incentives that are added
2019 and 2020 salary - TBD

The issue that kept Burkhead out for four games early in the 2017 season was an unlikely to recur rib injury. And, he bounced back from his week-15 knee injury by the AFCCG (and did very well in the SB in limited touches), so the knee doesn't seem like it was anything major.

His cumulative missed time will certainly provide the Pats with some negotiating leverage, but I'm not sure that it's necessarily a real concern for the future.

 

[mgteich]

I'm fine with signing 2-3 free agents like this at near minimum salaries and $100K each of bonus. The $100K of bonus is worth having the option later in camp.

IMHO, it is unlikely that any of these will be better than Gillislie, but that's OK. We need a lot of RB's for camp, including a draftee or two. If a couple work out, we can cut Gillislie later. Of course, it is possible that Belichick finds a replacement for Gillislie early with the same upside as Gillislie, and at about the same cost.

I would, too, especially considering that my 40 time is slower than that of any OL in the league and that I couldn't do the three cone in anything beyond a brisk walking pace.

I doubt that the Pats could get Hill for that.

Meanwhile, Zenner probably signs for Bolden-level money. Excellent risk-reward ratio for the 90-man roster along with a draftee, a couple UDFAs and maybe an elderly veteran.

Anyway, it's still kind of early to assume that the Pats will lose both Lewis and Burkhead. If the Pats retain even one of them, a draftee or Zenner fits the cap budget much better than Hill would.

 

[maineman209]

There would seem to be little reason Rex deserves more money than he got last year. I thought he got great here when healthy so at the right price I'd prefer him to anyone other than Dlew.

I do think a Patriot affect might happen and someone might just overpay because they know we see something in him.

I'd guess that the Pats may be able to retain him for just about the same contract they gave White - 3 years, $12M total, $4M guaranteed - 2018 cap hit of under $2.5M.

 

[Deus Irae]

You can take Chris Ivory off your wish lists:

It didn’t take running back Chris Ivory long to find a new job.

Ivory is signing with the Bills, according to multiple reports.

Bills sign Chris Ivory

The #Bills are signing RB Chris Ivory to a 2-year deal worth $5.5M base, source said. He gets $3.25M guaranteed in the first year and it can be worth $6M max.

 

[maineman209]

I'm fine with signing 2-3 free agents like this at near minimum salaries and $100K each of bonus. The $100K of bonus is worth having the option later in camp.

IMHO, it is unlikely that any of these will be better than Gillislie, but that's OK. We need a lot of RB's for camp, including a draftee or two. If a couple work out, we can cut Gillislie later. Of course, it is possible that Belichick finds a replacement for Gillislie early with the same upside as Gillislie.

I still doubt that the Pats cut Gillislee. I just don't think there's any significant reason to do so.

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

Jags won't tag Robinson.
It would be beautiful to pair him with Tom my guess he's going to the Bay with Grap but man I'd love to pair him with Tom.

 

[luuked]

With the lack of anyone talking about Aldon Smith I guess we finally found rock bottom in terms of how far some people are willing to bend issues just for talent.

About time we found the baseline for that.

 

[luuked]

Guess the Steelers could have saved some money if they just gave him the typical "fake" 4-5 year deal last year that is in reality only a two year contract.

 

[ashley]

No surprise here: Hope he can really contribute next year. If we resign Danny, our wr's will be really loaded and deep!!!!

Ian Rapoport‏Verified account @RapSheet 8m8 minutes ago
#Patriots WR Kenny Britt was informed that his option was picked up, source said. He’s back for 2018 and they’re looking for big things out of him.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

With the lack of anyone talking about Aldon Smith I guess we finally found rock bottom in terms of how far some people are willing to bend issues just for talent.

About time we found the baseline for that.

One of my all time highest grades ever for a draft prospect. I thought he would be a hall of famer. Unfortunately, he has some very real mental health issues. I hope for his sake, and his family's sake, that he's one day able to overcome them, but I just don't see how any team could ever give him the chance to play football again, even if he isn't banned for life after his latest infraction.

 

[captain stone]

Potential candidate for an RBBC spot on the Pats:

Zach Zenner (6'0"/220, age 26) is an RFA with the Lions who reportedly won't tender him.

He's been a fairly significant ST contributor the past two seasons. In 2016, when Ameer Abdullah was injured, Zenner filled in as the #2/#3 RB (along with Dwayne Washington) behind Theo Riddick. Zenner produced 530 yards from scrimmage and 4 TDs in 293 total snaps - 334 yds rushing (3.8 ypa) and 196 receiving (78% catch rate, 10.9 ypc).

Keep in mind that Detroit had the 2nd worst run-blocking unit in the NFL in 2016, and the worst in 2017 (the Pats had the best in 2017).

The 2018 low-round RFA tender is $1.9M, so it's likely that Zenner would be significantly cheaper than even that - possibly ST pay scale ($1M or less).

If Bill were at all interested in Zenner, he would not have re-signed Bolden so quickly.

 

[captain stone]

I still doubt that the Pats cut Gillislee. I just don't think there's any significant reason to do so.

You mean besides cap savings?

 

[mgteich]

You mean besides cap savings?

There is no cap savings unless you have a replacement signed at less money. Gillislie can be cut anytime Belichick finds a suitable upgrade.