We're Waiting For The Big News - On OFFENSE

[Hyped]

My guesses:

- After Solder tests the market..the Pats step up to the plate and re-sign him or 13.5M+ annually on average...short deal again I think.

- Following that we likely will keep one of Waddle/Fleming...more likely the latter as we value him more than other teams will.

- We will get clarity with Gronk before 3/14, IMO. If Gronk retires, I think we pick up Bennett, let Allen go, and maybe jump into the bidding for Graham/Eifert with the $$ freed up by Gronk's retirement.

- As for Dola....I think Dola feels out the league and only leaves if he gets a massive offer of 6M+ annually.... either way...Dola is in line for a raise after taking a hair cut the last 2-3 seasons.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[luuked]

Feels like we had at least 3-4 iterations of this thread already.

If Bennett is not released hold your pants tight for a Gronk move incoming.

 

[Uptown]

Haven't heard much bulkhead talk since I was in the Navy

I think we'll keep Solder. Not enough dough for Fleming and Waddle if we do that. Gronk will play IMO. I'd draft his successor though. Gesicki or Goedardt at 43. Let Allen and Bennett walk.
It sounds like Lewis is gone for more $$$. Heck, we could let Burkhead walk and cut Gillislee. Wouldn't be crazy if we brought Blount back again and pick a rb in 3rd or 4th.

Leave Da Burkmeister out of this...first & last warning...

 

[Uptown]

 

[HailHydra]

Bennett's been answered

 

[maineman209]

Huge News .....!

Bernard Reedy has been waived by the Patriots!!!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

My guesses:

- After Solder tests the market..the Pats step up to the plate and re-sign him or 13.5M+ annually on average...short deal again I think.

- Following that we likely will keep one of Waddle/Fleming...more likely the latter as we value him more than other teams will.

- We will get clarity with Gronk before 3/14, IMO. If Gronk retires, I think we pick up Bennett, let Allen go, and maybe jump into the bidding for Graham/Eifert with the $$ freed up by Gronk's retirement.

- As for Dola....I think Dola feels out the league and only leaves if he gets a massive offer of 6M+ annually.... either way...Dola is in line for a raise after taking a hair cut the last 2-3 seasons.

Just my 2 cents...

13.5 annually? That would make him the highest paid left tackle. I don't think he should be paid that type of money even though he did play well down the stretch.

 

[supafly]

Huge News .....!

Bernard Reedy has been waived by the Patriots!!

Damn it, there goes yet another 250 bucks on a jersey. Right down the crapper.

 

[maineman209]

13.5 annually? That would make him the highest paid left tackle. I don't think he should be paid that type of money even though he did play well down the stretch.

That's $13.5M average annual value (AAV).

An actual $13.5M cap hit would make him the 7th highest paid LT in 2018. However, if it's a 3-year deal at $13.5M AAV, the salary component would likely to be backloaded to make his cap hit even lower in 2018, but higher in 2020.

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

So no Bennett more than likely Lewis I'm going on a limb and saying you have to keep Solder if the contract is reeasonable.

 

[mgteich]

So no Bennett more than likely Lewis I'm going on a limb and saying you have to keep Solder if the contract is reeasonable.

We have to keep Solder, even if contract is unreasonable (according to posters here).

 

[JarOfMayo51]

I think he'll be a Patriot and I think the amount will be somewhat surprisingly high..

the LT market will inflate like other positions, and top 10 LTs dont hit free agency all that often... I would actually use the franchise tag before I would let him leave via FA, get 1 more year out of him while you solve the LT situation

If Solder is playing for anyone but the Pats next year, they better have a plan to address that immediate need.. now is not the time in Brady's career to go taking gambles on LTs or experimenting at the position. You need a ROCK on that left side while Brady finishes out the twilight of his career

There is no excuse for them not having a legitimate LT out on the field in 2018 barring an unforeseen injury. Absolutely no excuse.

 

[supafly]

I think he'll be a Patriot and I think the amount will be somewhat surprisingly high..

the LT market will inflate like other positions, and top 10 LTs dont hit free agency all that often... I would actually use the franchise tag before I would let him leave via FA, get 1 more year out of him while you solve the LT situation

If Solder is playing for anyone but the Pats next year, they better have a plan to address that immediate need.. now is not the time in Brady's career to go taking gambles on LTs or experimenting at the position. You need a ROCK on that left side while Brady finishes out the twilight of his career

There is no excuse for them not having a legitimate LT out on the field in 2018 barring an unforeseen injury. Absolutely no excuse.

I hope you’re right and that he stays. Unfortunately, they were not able to place the franchise tag on him due to previous arrangements in his contract.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

I hope you’re right and that he stays. Unfortunately, they were not able to place the franchise tag on him due to previous arrangements in his contract.

smart agent

 

[supafly]

We have to keep Solder, even if contract is unreasonable (according to posters here).

Especially with the possibility that #87 does not return. You’d be losing two of your top blockers up front. They need to find a way to keep Solder around.

 

[dafoe2016]

I thought all season long that it was just a given that Solder was gone at the end of the year. Never even occurred to me that they would try to keep him. And I wasn't even anticipating the market that seems to have sprung up for him. Am I alone on that?

 

[supafly]

I thought all season long that it was just a given that Solder was gone at the end of the year. Never even occurred to me that they would try to keep him. And I wasn't even anticipating the market that seems to have sprung up for him. Am I alone on that?

I definitely think you’re in the minority with that one, unless of course, you expected Solder to retire, which some people did.

I can’t remember if it was Curran or Reiss, but one of them reported that Solder was open to returning on another smaller (1-2 yr) deal, and that news came back in November, IIRC.

He’s one of the top tackles available, and last time he got around 10m a year. I think we’re looking at 12m a year or so. Just a guess.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Bennett is a beast love the way he plays.
I bet they keep him.

oh well

 

[luuked]

13.5 annually? That would make him the highest paid left tackle. I don't think he should be paid that type of money even though he did play well down the stretch.

This is not how it works. His salary has nothing to do with being the best tackle or not, but with how limited the options for other teams are and how much the salary cap has risen since the last top contract for a LT was signed. Solder is the marquee OT hitting the market in a year where FA is void of alternatives and the draft doesnt have any good answers either. He will get paid.

 

[luuked]

I thought all season long that it was just a given that Solder was gone at the end of the year. Never even occurred to me that they would try to keep him. And I wasn't even anticipating the market that seems to have sprung up for him. Am I alone on that?

Yes. Seems like you are not following much of the roster building parts of the team because all of is happening now was obvious to everyone who does and had been reported well ahead of time.