Official Free Agency 2018

[DaBruinz]

This takes the Pats down to about $10.6M in cap space, roughly $2.2M of which is usable.

It's all usable. People seem to forget that not everyone in the top 51 will make the roster.

 

[Froob]

This takes the Pats down to about $10.6M in cap space, roughly $2.2M of which is usable.

Why is only $2.2M useable?

 

[DaBruinz]

The Patriots have had a mediocre free agency so far. Fortunately, their losses
are mitigated by the return of players from the injured list. These players include:
Cannon, Garcia, Jelks, Edelman, Mitchell, Ebner, C. Jones, J. Jones, Hightower,
Langi, Davis, Rivers, and Valentine. Many of these players will make the 53man roster. After two years, maybe we'll catch a glimpse of Jelks this year.

Last year was Jelks first year on the team..

 

[maineman209]

Everything is usable. Please don't worry. All credit and respect to Miguel, but they have advanced cap in Foxboro (knowing future moves..)

Not personally worried at all, really. Just emphasizing the point to our viewing audience that there are expenses to budget for beyond signing big name (expensive) free agents like Mathieu, Curry, Suh, etc.

While the Pats certainly can create more cap space to account for those other budget items (and it certainly seems that they'll need to), there is a practical limit to how much more space can be created. And most of the moves to create more space from here have either more potential downside than folks understand, or may be fairly controversial.

OTOH, if it turns out that Suh can be an elite LT and is willing to play the position, all bets are off.

 

[Jimke]

We are loaded with so many Question marks especially on the OL Side Garcia and Jelks are flat out ??'s at one of the most important positions on Offense...the QB's blindside.

I am mystified that the Patriots have done so little to address the offensive tackle
situation. One missed block and the whole season is lost. The only top notch tackle
in this year's free agency was Solder. The Patriots not only lost him; they also may
lose backups Fleming and Waddle in the next couple of days. Other than Tobin,
I haven't read about any other OL visits.

 

[maineman209]

Why is only $2.2M useable?

Just reminding folks of future expenses that need to be budgeted for ... ~$2.5M for this rookie class, plus probably ~$6.0M set aside for the regular season to cover emergency acquisitions, practice squad, NLTBE incentives that are earned, etc.

The Pats can create more cap space for 2018, of course, but their remaining moves to do so all have more downside (not to mention controversy) than what's been done so far.

Anyway, if they don't make more cap-saving moves, $2.2M is roughly their current practical spending limit.

 

[maineman209]

I am mystified that the Patriots have done so little to address the offensive tackle
situation. One missed block and the whole season is lost. The only top notch tackle
in this year's free agency was Solder. The Patriots not only lost him; they also may
lose backups Fleming and Waddle in the next couple of days. Other than Tobin,
I haven't read about any other OL visits.

... "have done so little" that has been reported, you mean?

 

[Jimke]

Just reminding folks of future expenses that need to be budgeted for ... ~$2.5M for this rookie class, plus probably ~$6.0M set aside for the regular season to cover emergency acquisitions, practice squad, NLTBE incentives that are earned, etc.

The Pats can create more cap space for 2018, of course, but their remaining moves to do so all have more downside (not to mention controversy) than what's been done so far.

Anyway, if they don't make more cap-saving moves, $2.2M is roughly their current practical spending limit.

They better make some moves fast or lose both Waddle and Fleming. Can you think of any
"unreported moves" they could make to pick up an adequate left tackle for $2.2 M ?

 

[maineman209]

 

[maineman209]

Meanwhile ... remember this guy?

 

[maineman209]

They better make some moves fast or lose both Waddle and Fleming.

My point is, just because we haven't heard anything doesn't mean that the Pats have been sitting around with their thumbs up their butts.

 

[long distance]

ditto - 4y/29M (14.5M gtd) to 1y/5M .
from a rich, secure receiver to a prove it bastard in a day
but if Luck will have him . might be a blessing in (a very good) disguise

 

[Kontradiction]

I think that's a mistake, honestly.. That means that Lee is the only WR back that Bortles has any relationship with out of their top 3..

Not correct. Bortles had Cole and Westbrook last year.

 

[fightingirish595]

I am mystified that the Patriots have done so little to address the offensive tackle
situation. One missed block and the whole season is lost. The only top notch tackle
in this year's free agency was Solder. The Patriots not only lost him; they also may
lose backups Fleming and Waddle in the next couple of days. Other than Tobin,
I haven't read about any other OL visits.

Draft

 

[maust]

ditto - 4y/29M (14.5M gtd) to 1y/5M .
from a rich, secure receiver to a prove it bastard in a day
but if Luck will have him . might be a blessing in (a very good) disguise

That was one expensive case of Crabtreeitis

 

[long distance]

Glad Jelks is entering the conversation. They didn't keep him for nothing on the team all year (although he did offer discount). One of the more talented+versatile OL (incl LT) Pats have at the moment - if he can stay healthy and come back to his strengths add a few lbs..

Here an article on him when they brought him to practice from NFI list in November:
Patriots Mystery Man Andrew Jelks Has A Ways To Go After First NFL Practices
___

Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site - Vanderbilt University

 

[Nunchucks]

I am mystified that the Patriots have done so little to address the offensive tackle
situation. One missed block and the whole season is lost. The only top notch tackle
in this year's free agency was Solder. The Patriots not only lost him; they also may
lose backups Fleming and Waddle in the next couple of days. Other than Tobin,
I haven't read about any other OL visits.

That is because there really isn't much out there. This will be addressed in the draft or they think they have the answer on the roster. We will see.

 

[Jimke]

Draft

This may be the only viable short and long term solution. Don't wait until the third
round. If necessary, trade up in the first round.

 

[Nunchucks]

Athletic LB who can cover RBs/TEs!

 

[fightingirish595]

Athletic LB who can cover RBs/TEs!

a 3rd down guy or a 3 down guy