Free Agents - Special Teams Who will be re-signed?

[mgteich]

There are several here. I expect Slater to be back, and maybe Folk.

Folk
Slater
Ebner
====
Also, King will be back; he is now on the IR.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Slater for sure. Maybe Folk go compete with Ghost and rookie K.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

If king comes back healthy, it is time for ebner to ride off into the sunset.

I would love for slater to return for 1 more year, maybe even as a player/assistant special teams coach. He was a beast in 2019. After next year, he should be ready to be our special teams coach full time.

 

[Triumph]

Slater is still playing a high level.

No to Folk. He cannot kick off

 

[BTTA]

Slater surprised me by having a great year - I read somewhere that's its possibly his best ever.

He's got to be considered in the GOAT conversation.

 

[Jimke]

How about Bethel?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

If king comes back healthy, it is time for ebner to ride off into the sunset.

I would love for slater to return for 1 more year, maybe even as a player/assistant special teams coach. He was a beast in 2019. After next year, he should be ready to be our special teams coach full time.

Why? On a per game basis he plays more ST snaps than anyone, and has for a few years now.

Oh, and if you have a player-coach, the coaching salary also counts against the cap. (Plus Slater's stated long-term plan is to join the ministry.)

 

[FortressX]

How about Bethel?

The Patriots have also made it a point to pounce when an already-excellent specialist becomes available. They signed Bethel to a two-year deal right after the Ravens cut him for roster space.

The Patriots value their special teams units, and the players appreciate it - The Boston Globe

 

[patriot1136]

So Bethel is a free agent too? Do we try to keep him and King? I love Slater, hope he's back

 

[ctpatsfan77]

So Bethel is a free agent too? Do we try to keep him and King? I love Slater, hope he's back

King, Bolden, and Bethel are all signed for next year. Slater and Ebner are free agents.

 

[DW Toys]

The Patriots value their special teams units, and the players appreciate it - The Boston Globe

OK CousinsI will throw a few into the mix here;
Kicking-Gostkowski at $3.5mm is too much. Folk showed me enough to bring him back to compete.

Coverage-It has been great. Bethel and Slater are elite. Reasonable deals in FA. Remember Bolden is signed and in the mix. He has value as both ST and some snaps. Ebner might be man out if one had to choose to free up the roster spot

Returns-Gunner might be back healthy but I am looking for more production. I would offer up a third for Any Isabella. The Cards never used him right. 13 targets and he caught 9. He's not a FA but he can certainly stretch the filed.
Talking FA here for ST, I am looking up Phoroh Cooper. He might be a poor man's Anquan Boldin.
"Cooper wasn't afforded much opportunity on offense behind starting inside receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk but still made his presence felt at times. In particular, Cooper fared well on special teams, churning out 22.4 yards on 25 kickoff returns and 7.6 yards on 17 punt returns. Both of those averages ranked in the top 12 for qualified returners, but it remains to be seen if the Cardinals will retain the unrestricted free agent in the offseason."
He can catch. His forte is short and intermediate routes. He solves the returner issue and in limited service still caught 25. Slot him in as your #4 WR,

Top 5 Pharoh Cooper Returns | Week 15

Top 5 Pharoh Cooper Returns | Week 15

Cousins...my "are you kidding me player" would be as example Kenny George. He played pro in Europe and had an injury-riddled college career but his shot-blocking ability was tremendous. At 7'7" if he blocked a field goal or two...the other Team must take his size into consideration. It doesn't have to be him but what a weapon to find a 7' something shot blocker.

DW Toys.

 

[mgteich]

OK CousinsI will throw a few into the mix here;

Kicking-Gostkowski at $3.5mm is too much. Folk showed me enough to bring him back to compete.

Coverage-It has been great. Bethel and Slater are elite. Reasonable deals in FA. Remember Bolden is signed and in the mix. He has value as both ST and some snaps. Ebner might be man out if one had to choose to free up the roster spot

Returns-Gunner might be back healthy but I am looking for more production. I would offer up a third for Any Isabella. The Cards never used him right. 13 targets and he caught 9. He's not a FA but he can certainly stretch the filed..
DW Toys.

I agree with all of this.

Isabella for a 3rd would be a steal. I'm all for it.

I suspect that a healthy Sanu (or his replacement) will be considered for the role of returner. Certainly, a couple of our receivers (in addition to Edelman) should be punt returners.

 

[Tottie]

I agree with reducing the kicker salary overall by either contract tweak or keeping Folk. We absolutely need a returner. As much as watching our guys just fair catch all year was fun, it would be nice to have someone back there.

I really hope Slater returns.

 

[farn]

Slater was great on the field, but I think his steady approach is very much appreciated in the locker room. Let’s keep him.

Both Bethel & Folk were excellent pickups. I hope they retain Bethel.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Slater is still playing a high level.

No to Folk. He cannot kick off

So what? Bailey can, and he’s going to be on the roster even if he wasn’t kicking off, so it’s not like you’re burning a roster spot by using him for kickoffs.

 

[Clonamery]

Slater was great on the field, but I think his steady approach is very much appreciated in the locker room. Let’s keep him.

Both Bethel & Folk were excellent pickups. I hope they retain Bethel.

It’s up to Slater whether he wants to play or not. BB is just along for the ride.

 

[Brick27]

We absolutely need a returner. As much as watching our guys just fair catch all year was fun, it would be nice to have someone back there.

I really hope Slater returns.

Yeah really could have used a returner like they had last year with Patterson to give the offense this year more favorable starting position. Every bit helps.

 

[Tottie]

Yeah really could have used a returner like they had last year with Patterson to give the offense this year more favorable starting position. Every bit helps.

I wonder if the bears would cut him when he comes in around 6mil per year. He was good but his hands were terrible while he was here. Still did enough good things to be WR5 here though.

 

[jah]

Folk was solid as far as mid/late season pickups go, but he's not a guy to plan around. I'm fine with him competing for a spot but I want to see a young kicker brought in.

 

[Triumph]

So what? Bailey can, and he’s going to be on the roster even if he wasn’t kicking off, so it’s not like you’re burning a roster spot by using him for kickoffs.

And if Bailey got dinged up then what?

NF cant KO because of leg strength thats not going to get better. No to Folk.