Gronk Effect on 2019

[billdog3484]

Obviously, this is not good.

For starters, we lose an all time great player. he wasnt the same player and wouldnt have been the same in 2019, but he still had a major effect on how defenses played us. Plus, all season, when we needed a big play, it seemed Gronk was always there making the play.

Secondly, the timing is awful.
In Free Agency, all the top players are gone. If we would have known 2-3 weeks ago he was retiring, maybe we would have offered Humphries and cook more money out of the gate. Having those two guys would have at least provided some talent to replace Gronk

So, we have two avenues to obtain talent.
We all know the difficulties we have had drafting Wide Receivers over the years. theres no need to go thru all the wasted draft picks we have had dating back twenty years. Even those players who have adapted well and been good players, none ever made much of an impact as a rookie. Even Gronk struggled.

So that means, the best way to fill the talent gap in terms of players who will be catching passes, is via Trade. Which means we have to give up valuable draft capital. Not ideal. Is there even anyone out there to trade for?

Who on earth is going to catch passes for us in 2019? This has the feel of 2006 to me. The defense better be amazing or we will have a long season.

Its not that I am blindsided by the gronk retirement, but i think the timing of it is awful and puts the patriots in a really tough situation as they prepare for 2019.

 

[203Pat]

A. Draft
B. Trade
C. Both

 

[Ring 6]

We won the SB 7 weeks ago and the first “it’s going to be a long season” post arrives.

 

[signbabybrady]

Kontra thinks the season is over.

 

[billdog3484]

We won the SB 7 weeks ago and the first “it’s going to be a long season” post arrives.

youre right, the timing of the retirement was ideal. how dare i mention this.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

I have to think that Belichick had an idea that Gronk wouldn't be returning. I mean he DID try to swing him to the Lions last season.

The shift to a run heavy offense is sort of a "read between the lines" thing for me. Aging QB, oft injured tightend, aging slightly injury prone primary receiver. The pats know blanace is key in protecting their assets.

I fear more for the hole left in his contributions in the run game. We don't run the ball that well 2nd half of the season if gronk doesn't play the way he did. A man possesed. On top of that we lost Allen who was also really good blocker.

We aren't going to make up for this loss in one player...or during one phase of the offseason. Its going to take contributions from a few different players and position groups. It may even take a few drafts/offseasons to find our "guy" at the position.

 

[oldrover]

These are the times I love to watch BB in action. Everybody predicting what he's going to do... and he mystifies them all...

https://imgflip.com/gif-maker

 

[Steve102]

*checks calendar* Nope, still no football on the schedule for 6 months. Carry on.

 

[PatsWSB47]

Gronks impact with the Pats in 2019 if he stayed would be anybody's guess. I love the guy and no one's ever been better but he probably wasn't going to be the same guy.

 

[mgteich]

I disagree.

There will still be efforts in free agency at both WR and TE. The next effort is with regard to trade. Then, the draft.

A. Free agency
B. Trades
C. The draft
D. Further free agency and trade efforts

A. Draft
B. Trade
C. Both

 

[BobDigital]

The Pats have 2 options, but they can't do nothing.

A) Gordon comes back for the 2nd half run and the playoff. If they have Gordon then their #1 option is good enough. They would still need more talent though. Gordon, Edelman, ????, White Dorsett would be enough to win. They need a threat between Edelman and White to have enough on offense in this scenario IMO. They could potentially still sign it (maybe), trade for it or draft it. I hate to leave the fate of the season up to Gordon though.

B) Make a trade for a top target. This is probably the best option if they can pull it off but how many guys are really on the market and what is the price? Green for instance makes a lot of sense but what if he won't come off his 15M cap number and the Bengals won't help with it? who else besides him is possible realistically?

To me those are the only 2 options. They can't solve this by the draft alone. I don't believe there is a player or players they can draft who'll have enough instant impact to help this offense enough even if they hit on them and i don't think they can solve it in free agency either as there really isn't potential for that #1 option.

The only silver lining is the rest of the NFL seems down and I don't see there being that dominant team this year. Honestly at this point you could argue the Browns are the favorite to win it all. That's how wide open the NFL looks at this point to me.

 

[Froob]

Least we're past the "shouldn't have traded Jimmy" takes, right?

 

[WinstonSmith]

The Pats in the final days of March have few holes on defense and will focus most of their energies on building their offense. To find their necessary offensive pieces they have: 12 picks, almost 18 million in cap, have the ability to free up additional cap space, the draft, phase 2 of free agency, cut downs, potential trades, and Gordon potentially coming back.

Sure the Pat's could F this up, but my money is on Bill doing enough to field another 11-5 or better team.

 

[PatsFan2]

A. Draft
B. Trade
C. Both

A: Draft.

B. Draft.

C: Draft Double dip.

They are going to have to hope to catch lightening in a bottle twice at TE and WR in the Draft.

 

[203Pat]

I disagree.

There will still be efforts in free agency at both WR and TE. The next effort is with regard to trade. Then, the draft.

A. Free agency
B. Trades
C. The draft
D. Further free agency and trade efforts

Unless you’re talking about post draft cuts, the free agent market has dried up.

 

[203Pat]

A: Draft.

B. Draft.

C: Draft Double dip.

They are going to have to hope to catch lightening in a bottle twice at TE and WR in the Draft.

Bill has been good drafting TE’s (murder sprees aside) but receiver is what worries me.

 

[mgteich]

most? perhaps.

The immediate crises are at receiver (WR and TE). This could be met with 2 signings and a draftee.

However, I expect us to also sign acquire 1-2 DL's for the rotation. Otherwise Wise is a starter at DE, and Kamalu is in the rotation at DT. These are the replacements to Clayborn and Shelton, both of which had considerable defensive reps in 2018. I hope to see this before the draft. If not, top draft resources will need to be used. Also, we should be considering drafting players for the future at S, CB (to replace Jones in 2020) and LB.

The Pats in the final days of March have few holes on defense and will focus most of their energies on building their offense.

 

[mgteich]

Unless you’re talking about post draft cuts, the free agent market has dried up.

Any reasonable look at the history of patriot acquisition would fine lots of free agent signings after the first two weeks of free agency.

 

[Brandon_Cox]

It's unlikely but the scuttlebutt down here in Atlanta says Julio might be in play

 

[203Pat]

Any reasonable look at the history of patriot acquisition would fine lots of free agent signings after the first two weeks of free agency.

Yea to fill in random holes with serviable players. Not replace the production in the run and pass game that Gronk gave us. Unless they plan on “moneyballing” 3 or so guys into Gronk’s role to try and match last years production there is no one available that even comes close even to 2018 Gronk. That aside from the fact that he was who the opposing defensive coordinator gameplanned for and the one who opened things up for Edelman and White underneath. Gronk can’t be replaced by some week 3 free agent.