2018 Free Agency -- Part 2

[Uptown]

 

[zipster9]

Strange...

Akeem Ayers & Jonathan Casillas are free agents, yet they are not brought in for a peek...

 

[maineman209]

Strange...

Akeem Ayers & Jonathan Casillas are free agents, yet they are not brought in for a peek...

Ayers' career seems to have wound down since he left the Pats after the 2015 season. He played one year of a two-year deal as an OLB in Indy's 3-4 defense in 2016, wasn't nearly as productive, and then was cut at the end of Camp in 2017. The Pats had him in for a tryout a few days after cutdowns and nothing happened. Ayers was out of work, then, until he hooked on with the Gints for their last six games of the season. Ayers was used on ST almost exclusively, and wasn't offered a new contract for 2018. Now 29, he hasn't even been making the rounds of tryouts this season, AFAIK.

Casillas (now 31) left the Pats after the 2014 season for a 3-year/$10M deal with the Gints as a special-teamer/reserve LB. He ended up starting for them at LB from about halfway through the 2015 season until he suffered a neck injury in mid-2017 that eventually put him on IR. The Pat had him in for a tryout this past April, but nothing happened. I thought they'd sign him as cheap veteran depth, but it's possible that he didn't pass the physical/medical.

 

[captain stone]

I'd still take him back, right now.

 

[Jimke]

The Patriots seem to be very salary cap conscious. They asked Denver to take on
part of Thomas's salary. They seem set against filling holes throughout the roster
with outside help.

 

[Deus Irae]

The Patriots seem to be very salary cap conscious. They asked Denver to take on
part of Thomas's salary. They seem set against filling holes throughout the roster
with outside help.

Gordon, Barner, and Simon don't count as outside help?

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Ayers' career seems to have wound down since he left the Pats after the 2015 season. He played one year of a two-year deal as an OLB in Indy's 3-4 defense in 2016, wasn't nearly as productive, and then was cut at the end of Camp in 2017. The Pats had him in for a tryout a few days after cutdowns and nothing happened. Ayers was out of work, then, until he hooked on with the Gints for their last six games of the season. Ayers was used on ST almost exclusively, and wasn't offered a new contract for 2018. Now 29, he hasn't even been making the rounds of tryouts this season, AFAIK.

Casillas (now 31) left the Pats after the 2014 season for a 3-year/$10M deal with the Gints as a special-teamer/reserve LB. He ended up starting for them at LB from about halfway through the 2015 season until he suffered a neck injury in mid-2017 that eventually put him on IR. The Pat had him in for a tryout this past April, but nothing happened. I thought they'd sign him as cheap veteran depth, but it's possible that he didn't pass the physical/medical.

That's a shame for Ayers. He was a solid piece of the puzzle. I wouldn't mind him back, but apparently he's struggling to play at the same level.

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

Some Ellington please.

 

[maineman209]

The Patriots seem to be very salary cap conscious. They asked Denver to take on
part of Thomas's salary. They seem set against filling holes throughout the roster
with outside help.

Last season, they made all their weekly roster bonus obligations and incentive obligations with just a couple million left over at the end. This season, they've been running on fumes - down under $2M by week-6, with 10 week's worth of roster and incentive bonus obligations yet to cover. Given the NFLPA minimum salary requirements, it's difficult to fill holes from outside (with quality players). Sure, they could make more cap space, but not a huge amount - at least not without taking on future obligations that might not be good for the team.

It's not that they're "set against" outside help, it's just that the opportunities to acquire quality outside help in a price range they can afford have been few to none. It's not as if they haven't attempted to work out deals.

 

[luuked]

The Patriots seem to be very salary cap conscious. They asked Denver to take on
part of Thomas's salary. They seem set against filling holes throughout the roster
with outside help.

For about 15+ years now. What is your point ?

 

[Mack Herron]

 

[Deus Irae]

No

 

[Mack Herron]

 

[captain stone]

Claim or Sign the Beast, Whichever is Applicable!

 

[TheRainMaker]

Claim or Sign the Beast, Whichever is Applicable!

I agree. The Pats need to find a way to improve the pass rush.

 

[mosi]

I agree. The Pats need to find a way to improve the pass rush.

I don't know if he has anything left.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I don't know if he has anything left.

Mayhard to judge based on the team he was with. A change of scenery like a winning team does a lot for a player. I’ll be interested to see how Amari Cooper does with his new team.

 

[maineman209]

The Cards end up with another 2019 Comp pick out of the deal. And Minny loses one.

 

[maineman209]

I don't know if he has anything left.

IDK. He was better the past two seasons with OAK (and Mack drawing all the attention at the other end of the line) than he was the two seasons prior to that in SEA. This season, with Mack gone and no one on the other end, he's still had 3 sacks, but almost no tackles.

I also have no idea how good or bad he is at setting the edge.

 

[Soliel]

The cardinals move is not making sense