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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.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
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
I'd take a 2 year 8 million dollar contractLOL!
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
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.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 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
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.
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.
It didn’t take running back Chris Ivory long to find a new job.
Ivory is signing with the Bills, according to multiple reports.
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.
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.
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.
If Bill were at all interested in Zenner, he would not have re-signed Bolden so quickly.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).
You mean besides cap savings?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?