[Old 2020 thread] NFL Free Agency/Trade Rumors:

[TomPatriot]

What you need to do first and foremost to get "weapons" is to Stop continually drafting players that feckin suck and to Start drafting those that don't...You therefore no longer need to create that $50M in cap space for them because half or more of those weapons would be on those nice cheap rookie contracts...

The Patriots, even without accounting for the perennially poor draft position in nearly every round of the last 20 years, have drafted reasonably well. They’re not perfect. Nearly every team whiffs on some draft picks every year. And that doesn’t count a pretty good record in getting some pretty decent UDFAs.

 

[captain stone]

Looking back, teams screwed up royally by not taking Deshaun Watson when they should have. I bet everyone looks back on Watson and thinks, I don't want to let a guy like him go by again. As long as you don't draft EJ Manuel.

Watson? How do you think those same teams feel about passing up Mahomes?

 

[Ross12]

Looks like Hoyer has already stated he's open to a return as a backup in NE. Unsure of the source for Jeff though (whether he spoke to Hoyer/agent directly or learned this from some other channel, etc).

Interesting second part of the tweet there. Sounds like they intended to bring Hoyer back but he got big money from Indy instead. So that explains keeping Kessler around all year - he was essentially a Hoyer replacement. Now they can add Hoyer again and (presumably?) dump Kessler.

 

[Love The Drake]

Looks like Hoyer has already stated he's open to a return as a backup in NE. Unsure of the source for Jeff though (whether he spoke to Hoyer/agent directly or learned this from some other channel, etc).

Interesting second part of the tweet there. Sounds like they intended to bring Hoyer back but he got big money from Indy instead. So that explains keeping Kessler around all year - he was essentially a Hoyer replacement. Now they can add Hoyer again and (presumably?) dump Kessler.

Interesting

 

[Love The Drake]

I wonder if our agreement with Wolfe is waiting for our extension with Thuney to free up cap?

 

[Ross12]

I wonder if our agreement with Wolfe is waiting for our extension with Thuney to free up cap?

They have to do something - Pats are only floating around $4.8m in cap space, still have to add their draft class, and I don't think that number even accounts for all of the known FA signings so far (even if they are likely small numbers). They'll need to free up several million dollars to sign anyone at this point. Hoyer should be fairly cheap but probably at least a couple million IMO. So I'd guess they need to create ~$10m at minimum to be able to sign Hoyer and Wolfe too (if that signing is really happening). Thuney extension makes sense but could also extend or release some other players. Not many though.

 

[Love The Drake]

They have to do something - Pats are only floating around $4.8m in cap space, still have to add their draft class, and I don't think that number even accounts for all of the known FA signings so far (even if they are likely small numbers). They'll need to free up several million dollars to sign anyone at this point. Hoyer should be fairly cheap but probably at least a couple million IMO. So I'd guess they need to create ~$10m at minimum to be able to sign Hoyer and Wolfe too (if that signing is really happening). Thuney extension makes sense but could also extend or release some other players. Not many though.

We also need a little something called linebackers.
I dont know that the plan exactly is.

 

[Jimke]

We also need a little something called linebackers.
I dont know that the plan exactly is.

Not to mention they need wide receivers and tight ends that can get open once in a while.
Minimum salary players are not the answer nor are draft picks that rarely play much the
first year. We haven't see any trades for players still on their rookie contract.

 

[mgteich]

We also need a little something called linebackers.
I dont know that the plan exactly is.

???

And neither does anyone else. So? You are unlikely to know BB's plans at several positions. Why would you?

Belichick is fully capable of acquiring someone we have never heard to be an upgrade to Bentley at ILB. I expect Belichick to bring in 2 LB's (free agent or trade) plus draft a couple) although a DT should be considered in this effort.

 

[DW Toys]

???

And neither does anyone else. So? You are unlikely to know BB's plans at several positions. Why would you?

Belichick is fully capable of acquiring someone we have never heard to be an upgrade to Bentley at ILB. I expect Belichick to bring in 2 LB's (free agent or trade) plus draft a couple) although a DT should be considered in this effort.

How bout a WR and TWO or THREE TEs?
DW Toys

 

[PatsFan2]

Not to mention they need wide receivers and tight ends that can get open once in a while.
Minimum salary players are not the answer nor are draft picks that rarely play much the
first year. We haven't see any trades for players still on their rookie contract.

Yeah we gonna stink on O this year based what we know and have so far.

 

[mgteich]

How bout a WR and TWO or THREE TEs?
DW Toys

So, you know TE's that also play LB? I was responding to a post about needing LB's

 

[Hammer of Thor]

I wonder if our agreement with Wolfe is waiting for our extension with Thuney to free up cap?

Do the Pats have an agreement with Wolfe? Maybe they were talking and couldn’t agree to a contract and both sides have moved on? It’s happened before.

 

[Love The Drake]

Do the Pats have an agreement with Wolfe? Maybe they were talking and couldn’t agree to a contract and both sides have moved on? It’s happened before.

Hope not we could really use him

 

[ralmat55]

overthecap.com shows the Patriots as being $786,000 under the cap with 63 players under contract including Byrd and Phillips. Allen or Vitale are not on the books yet, but Duron Harmon still is. I’m guessing his trade is not final awaiting a physical. When his trade is final, $4.5 million of additional space will be available, and the Pats will have the space to finalize the Allen and Vitale signings. Allen’s contract is $4 million a year, so it likely will take a big bite out the $5.3 million ($786k plus $4.5 million) available.

One thing I found of interest regarding the new signings is Devin McCourty’s new deal. It was announced as a 2 year deal, but it’s actually a 5 year deal with what appears to be 3 voidable years after 2021. By doing this, DMac’s 2020 cap number is only $5.4 million even though he’s being paid $14 million this year in bonuses and salary.

As of now, the Patriots are $100 million under the 2021 cap, and that doesn’t include what is to be a sizable increase in the cap over this year. They are $165 million under the 2022. Those numbers will shrink with further signings and the signing of their draft class, but there is a lot of room to absorb 2020 cap dollars pushed forward into future cap years. By doing only simple restructures adding 3 voidable years to the contacts of just Gilmore, Hightower and Cannon, the Patriots could create roughly $17 million of additional cap space in 2020.

 

[mgteich]

.
By doing only simple restructures adding 3 voidable years to the contacts of just Gilmore, Hightower and Cannon, the Patriots could create roughly $17 million of additional cap space in 2020.

Agreed. However, there is no reason for the 3 voidable years. The team is more likely to have actual extensions of these players. And yes, there could be voidable years if we need them. Add a Thuney 5 year deal and you'll be up to $25M.

 

[DaBruinz]

Remember we were all kinda miffed when he was lost to NYJ. Obviously the position is well-stocked now. Figured I'd note it.

I could see the Pats adding Roberts while shifting JMac to the position that Harmon played..

 

[DaBruinz]

As of now, the Patriots are $100 million under the 2021 cap, and that doesn’t include what is to be a sizable increase in the cap over this year. They are $165 million under the 2022. Those numbers will shrink with further signings and the signing of their draft class, but there is a lot of room to absorb 2020 cap dollars pushed forward into future cap years. By doing only simple restructures adding 3 voidable years to the contacts of just Gilmore, Hightower and Cannon, the Patriots could create roughly $17 million of additional cap space in 2020.

The 2021 and 2022 number are complete guesses on the part of OTC..

Furthermore, I made a thread already showing how the Pats could free up space without creating voidable years that just push cap hits out.

 

[DaBruinz]

What you need to do first and foremost to get "weapons" is to Stop continually drafting players that feckin suck and to Start drafting those that don't...You therefore no longer need to create that $50M in cap space for them because half or more of those weapons would be on those nice cheap rookie contracts...

They only "suck" because you don't fit your ridiculous crap. Last I looked, you have ZERO SB rings, have never been to the play-offs (other than buying your own ticket) and don't even work for an NFL team.

All you ever do is ***** and moan about how BB didn't take your binkie. 99.9% of your binkies have not done a damn thing in the league. You continually whiff on guys who you claim are GREAT and yet they don't ever get a ring. They don't make the play-offs.

Yet. You continually rant about how BB sucks at drafting despite your poor showings.

 

[DaBruinz]

Brady’s last extension was before the 2017 season. No additional years were added after the attempted trade other than the voided years added last training camp when he was given a raise and the team got much needed cap space. In 2018, Brady was given incentives which he did not earn.

The report in my last post originated in the SF Bay Area from Matt Miller of the Bleacher Report. This is not score settling as you contest. No one did anything wrong here. Belichick had every right to try and trade Brady and keep Jimmy G. Bob Kraft had the right to stop it, and Tom Brady has the right to be angered by it and use it as motivation to leave the Patriots when his contract expired.

The truth of this report has been obvious to anyone with half a brain since the fall of 2017. (Pats could not afford both Brady and Garoppolo; if Belichick wanted to keep Jimmy G, then it was Brady who had to go). It’s just that you and others just didn’t want to pull your head out of the sand to consider that there might actually be discord between the Patriots owner, head coach and QB. Well, there was discord, and this week it was no small factor in Brady leaving for Tampa.

Except that it's been proven that the report from Matt Miller was NOTHING but rumors and heresay. So how about you f'in drop it as the hot garbage it is and just accept what Lynch has said for the past 3 years. That he TRIED to trade for Brady and BB was the one who shot him down. Because that is 1000 times more likely than Lynch and others lying.