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

[farn]

Brady covered up for a lot of BBs drafting woes. Brady’s gone now...

BB, in his preparation, made up for a lot as well. When CBs went down to injury, he won a SB w Troy Brown in the backfield. When the goal line stand was a pass, the UDFA made a pick on a play they practiced. BB took an intentional safety in Denver. He also made sure there was depth at most positions, just in case.

Yes, Brady was HUGE. BB is often discounted. That guy has “made up for a lot of shortcomings” as well. That includes running & defense in the 2018 season.

 

[luuked]

Yes, Brady was HUGE. BB is often discounted. That guy has “made up for a lot of shortcomings” as well. That includes running & defense in the 2018 season.

Looking at the Brady era we had the least average points scored against on our defense. But for whatever reason those things get downplayed or straight ignored.


The impact of coaching to me is best exemplified by two scenes from different SBs. The Butler play which was identified and practiced as evidenced by DYJ1. Similarly related to that play is even having installed a goalline defense with that many corners which ultimately was only needed for one single play in the entire season. The biggest play.

And, of course, the winning TD drive against the Rams. Where it took McDaniels figuring out a personnel package just in time to move the ball in a game where our offense looked dead in the water.

Yes, in both cases you still needed the players to execute but this doesn't change the fact that without the coaches putting them into a position to win they wouldn't be able to do just that. As often it is the marriage of both -- coaching and execution -- that produces excellence.

 

[Ross12]

Sure, but that isn’t going to free up any cap space, and that’s the focus at the moment. I do agree with you that Jackson should be a player who’s kept for the future, though.

Yeah, that's the thing. JC has been great and will probably only get better. Deserves to be kept. But, they don't really have the money to do it (at least right now).

At the same time... The following positions have zero players signed next year:
- FB (pending the Vitale details)
- C
- PK

... and the following positions only have 1 player signed next year (ignoring P and LS):
- QB
- TE
- DT
- DE
- LB

So - while it may seem prudent to make a deal for Jackson that pushes his money into future years - they're gonna need that cash for these other positions too. Hate to say it, but maybe he's a trade candidate.

 

[skinnydog]

BB, in his preparation, made up for a lot as well. When CBs went down to injury, he won a SB w Troy Brown in the backfield. When the goal line stand was a pass, the UDFA made a pick on a play they practiced. BB took an intentional safety in Denver. He also made sure there was depth at most positions, just in case.

Yes, Brady was HUGE. BB is often discounted. That guy has “made up for a lot of shortcomings” as well. That includes running & defense in the 2018 season.

I clicked agree to this, but I also read it, in part, as acknowledging that BB the coach made up for a lot of BB the GMs mistakes.

 

[ralmat55]

Uh, no. This is not a charity. If they try to trade for anyone on this roster then squeeze them out for as much as possible or simply ignore them. They have zero leverage because the Pats don't need to move anyone.

Agreed. Without a quality TE on the roster, Jules will be the new QB’s best friend. The Pats should definitely keep him unless TB or someone else offers equal value for him.

 

[captain stone]

One of the TEs whom I had hoped could be signed here on the cheap as a #3/short-yardage specialist, Nick Vannett, has signed a 2-year contract with the Donkeys...terms undisclosed, but I bet it wasn't for very much...Another #3, Nick O'Leary, has also been signed (also probably on the cheap), this time by the Faiders, who all of a sudden have a fairly decent TE room: O'Leary, last year's rookie Foster Moreau, and comeback surprise Darren Waller...

 

[Jimke]

One of the TEs whom I had hoped could be signed here on the cheap as a #3/short-yardage specialist, Nick Vannett, has signed a 2-year contract with the Donkeys...terms undisclosed, but I bet it wasn't for very much...Another #3, Nick O'Leary, has also been signed (also probably on the cheap), this time by the Faiders, who all of a sudden have a fairly decent TE room: O'Leary, last year's rookie Foster Moreau, and comeback surprise Darren Waller...

The Patriots are looking for minimum salary free agents who will be pieces of crap.
No wonder Brady left for greener pastures. I'm afraid they will pass again on drafting
a tight end since the overall class is weak. Look for them to draft a cornerback early on.

 

[Jimke]

The Patriots are looking for minimum salary free agents who will be pieces of crap.
No wonder Brady left for greener pastures. I'm afraid they will pass again on drafting
a tight end since the overall class is weak. Look for them to draft a cornerback early on.

 

[holyredeemer]

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.

Bring Hoyer back, keep Kessler and draft a low risk/high ceiling guy at QB. Load up with as many WR’s & TE’s as you can, then let ‘em all slug it out this offseason. Depending on how things go, if you’re comfortable, go into the season with 2 active QB’s and 1 on the PS as a developmental/scout team guy.

 

[DW Toys]

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

I stand corrected.
DW Toys

 

[captain stone]

The Patriots are looking for minimum salary free agents who will be pieces of crap.
No wonder Brady left for greener pastures. I'm afraid they will pass again on drafting a tight end since the overall class is weak. Look for them to draft a cornerback early on.

I don't feel that the overall class of TEs is that weak...then again, I felt the same way about the TEs last year and Billy foolishly didn't take any of them...

 

[Ross12]

Bring Hoyer back, keep Kessler and draft a low risk/high ceiling guy at QB. Load up with as many WR’s & TE’s as you can, then let ‘em all slug it out this offseason. Depending on how things go, if you’re comfortable, go into the season with 2 active QB’s and 1 on the PS as a developmental/scout team guy.

Both Hoyer and Stidham have been the "only other QB" on the roster before so not unbelievable to think they'd only keep 2 on the roster, but I would also not really be that surprised (and I expect) to see them also have a 3rd QB on the roster in that scenario.

 

[TBR]

BB, in his preparation, made up for a lot as well. When CBs went down to injury, he won a SB w Troy Brown in the backfield. When the goal line stand was a pass, the UDFA made a pick on a play they practiced. BB took an intentional safety in Denver. He also made sure there was depth at most positions, just in case.

Yes, Brady was HUGE. BB is often discounted. That guy has “made up for a lot of shortcomings” as well. That includes running & defense in the 2018 season.

Bit of a stretch to fully credit these to Belichick. Sure he made the decision(s) to sign x player or play them, but that's any coach's job. It's really up to the player, who must perform and prove his coach right.

 

[NG Pats Fan]

A well below NFL starting QB, Still no TE, A first round bust at RB, and Mohammad Sanu as your second WR? Deep Trouble

 

[sportnik]

From ESPN/Wickersham
How Brady became a Buc, and all the signs we missed along the way

"The franchise has always been ruthless in its internal evaluation of players. Its scouting reports would shock fans if they could see them, even when it came to Brady -- especially when it came to Brady"

Those scouting reports could be more hazardous to the health of half of the posters on this board than the Coronavirus.

 

[farn]

Bit of a stretch to fully credit these to Belichick. Sure he made the decision(s) to sign x player or play them, but that's any coach's job. It's really up to the player, who must perform and prove his coach right.

Might also be a stretch for some to suggest players only came to NE for Brady, that Brady single handedly won most games / most SBs.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

A well below NFL starting QB, Still no TE, A first round bust at RB, and Mohammad Sanu as your second WR? Deep Trouble

-Qb, Can’t make that determination yet based on a quarter of regular season football.

-TE, draft hasn’t happened

-Wr, see above

-Rb, expect Harris to see more time next year.

 

[Uptown]

 

[Love The Drake]

Can we please find a tight end.

 

[Ross12]

I actually do like the Copeland signing. He's not gonna blow anyone away but he can be a third LB behind Hightower and Bentley. Good move.