Official Free Agency 2018

[Hammer of Thor]

ditto for me.. kind of funny

Reminds me of this....
garfield minus garfield

 

[Sciz]

For whatever reason the Solder thread is locked. I thought this was interesting, from his press conference:



I guess it depends on what "somewhat equal" means to him. But our local media guys had been under the impression that if the money was in the ballpark he'd stick around here. They were wrong. I'm also surprised that the Patriots went that high. Unless Solder is just being generous to the Patriots....

On the brighter side:

While we were all blown away by the $15.5 million per year number, the actual structure of the deal is fantastic for Solder too. He gets $22 million cash in year one and $35 million in the first two, all guaranteed except the workout bonuses. Even if the total money was the same (which I do still doubt), the cash in the first two years and/or guarantees could have been vastly different.

 

[maineman209]

Mike Davis, and Thomas Rawls are both pretty interesting options. As @maineman209 pointed out, they ran behind a horrendous oline. Rawls looked damn good his rookie year when he filled in for Lynch.

Worth noting that, in Rawls' rookie season of 2015, the Seahawks' run-blocking unit was ranked 4th-best in the league (FO) and then declined to its current crap-like state. And Rawls' productivity also declined.

Run-blocking matters.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

While we were all blown away by the $15.5 million per year number, the actual structure of the deal is fantastic for Solder too. He gets $22 million cash in year one and $35 million in the first two, all guaranteed except the workout bonuses. Even if the total money was the same (which I do still doubt), the cash in the first two years and/or guarantees could have been vastly different.

Agree. And while Miguel doesn't have any insight as to the Patriots offer, he goes down that path as well:

So with absolutely nothing to back me up, my guess is that Solder is saying that the total possible money that the Patriots offered was in the ballpark of the total money the Giants offered. But the reason he took the Giants offer, and the reason it's only "somewhat" equal is because a lot of the Patriots' money was incentive based while the Giants offered guarantees.

 

[luuked]

But the reason he took the Giants offer, and the reason it's only "somewhat" equal is because a lot of the Patriots' money was incentive based while the Giants offered guarantees.

Which makes absolute sense. I dont think there are any major contracts the Pats give out that dont have roster bonuses and other kinds of injury splits.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

I would like to see Waddle and/or Fleming locked up today. Not having any experience at LT is very troubling.

Hoping Joe Thomas tells the Browns he'd be willing to come back, but only if they trade him to the Pats. Wouldn't cost much compensation wise, and would be a nice place holder until they found a permanent replacement. Hey, a guy can dream

 

[mgteich]

If Hill's (or any RB) deal is more than a year, his 2018 cap won't be more than $2.5M.

I agree with @luuked

WRT to Jeremy Hill - I'd be surprised if they sign him if his 2018 cap hit will exceed $2.5M. Given his 2017 performance, he might agree to stay under that on a 2-3 year deal. Woodhead, if the Pats consider him still capable, certainly fits the versatility profile and seems likely to sign for the veteran minimum. There are likely to be other potential NFL-experienced candidates out there (e.g., Zach Zenner - whose cost would likely be close to late-round draftee level), and - with three capable RBs now under contract, the Pats can afford to take their time sifting through the candidates and making a decision at this point.

 

[mgteich]

It is NOT the patriot way to offer a player not named Brady $35M guaranteed over two years.

While we were all blown away by the $15.5 million per year number, the actual structure of the deal is fantastic for Solder too. He gets $22 million cash in year one and $35 million in the first two, all guaranteed except the workout bonuses. Even if the total money was the same (which I do still doubt), the cash in the first two years and/or guarantees could have been vastly different.

 

[mcmurtry86]

Can anyone post his rap sheet?

Corey Dillon was a problem child on the Bengals before he came to us and that one worked out pretty well.

Dillon was a really good, near elite player with the Bengals

Hill has been pretty bad.

Big difference. Taking chances on high end talent with character issues is different than JAG types

 

[Love The Drake]

 

[Love The Drake]

That doesn't just go away.
Low risk high reward Perfect Patriot signing I'm surprised he's visiting here first.
Thought some teams would be all over him.
You can do alot worse than Jeremy Hill

 

[maineman209]

You can do alot worse than Jeremy Hill

Depends on what they're looking for.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

Dillon was a really good, near elite player with the Bengals

Hill has been pretty bad.

Big difference. Taking chances on high end talent with character issues is different than JAG types

He did seem to have a pretty promising rookie season and, after fumbling away the Bengal's chance for their first playoff win since 1990, they're not interested in bringing him back. He's just 25 so he's entering his prime years and probably not too many potential suitors.

This has "diamond in the rough" written all over it.

 

[oceansizer]

 

[luuked]

M. Flowers will be the next one signing a big contract. Jesus our ST were stacked last year.

 

[luuked]

Preston Brown to the Bengals.

 

[Jimke]

When are the Patriots going to realize that they are missing a left offensive tackle?

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

When are the Patriots going to realize that they are missing a left offensive tackle?

When they draft another Left tackle

 

[Jimke]

When they draft another Left tackle

Who will sit on the bench for a year behind who?

 

[Love The Drake]

Preston Brown I want to see the money for the deal they have a very solid linebacker corps.
It's time to resign Flowers and draft 3 linebackers in this next draft.