Time for the Pats to go shopping?

[TheRainMaker]

With over $20M in cap space now, Pats could address the D line.

The overrated Clowney can go do his disappearing act elsewhere. He should moonlight as a magician. Snacks Harrison, Everson Griffen or Marcell Dareus are my choices.

However, this article brings up a good point that it's hard to sign anybody more than what Cam Newton signed for.

Perry: Clowney addition doesn't seem to fit, despite added cap space

 

[Hyped]

With over $20M in cap space now, Pats could address the D line.

The overrated Clowney can go do his disappearing act elsewhere. He should moonlight as a magician. Snacks Harrison, Everson Griffin or Marcell Dareus are my choices.

However, this article brings up a good point that it's hard to sign anybody more than what Cam Newton signed for.

Perry: Clowney addition doesn't seem to fit, despite added cap space

Give Cam a little bonus...and sign the other guys.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

With over $20M in cap space now, Pats could address the D line.

As a reminder, at the moment, most of that cap space has been borrowed from 2021.

 

[Joey007]

It’s too bad there’s little to no quality FA LB’s of Hightower’s type on the market.

Getting a guy like Clowney would be nice. But wouldn’t solve our problem that Hightower’s void leaves.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

"What does Clowney like to do? Clowney loves to run up the field," said Lombardi, whose son Mick was recently announced as the team's receivers coach.

"What does New England teach their defensive ends? To never run up the field".

"Unlike the Raiders, who have no idea how to stop Patrick Mahomes in terms of building their football team, Belichick knows the only way to get to Patrick Mahomes is through the middle".

I wish Mike would just admit he's being peddled info and stop embarrassing himself. Or at least go into more detail.

I definitely get the need for more beef and play up front. Just say that instead of the nonsense above.

1)Wise and Flowers were almost as stiff as you come. They're power rushers with very little bend. We've seen them get pushed upfield 10000 times in the past. It's obviously not a deal breaker and sometimes it's even ...
2)By design. Tall, Stiff power guys will purposely rush field to get their T out of position only to come back inside, cross face. Again that's by design. Pulling a strength out of a weakness if you will.

So I understand Mike's reasoning for the beef up the middle. The reasoning regarding JC is off imo.

Also he's one of the most versatile blitz options in the game. You can rush him from anywhere. Including the A/B gaps Bill loves to hit and manipulate.

Not really arguing for/against but the idea that he'd be a fish out of water here is crazy. One of the best run defenders in the game. Not just versatile but impactful from different spots. Price tag might be too high but he's a great player.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

"
Not really arguing for/against but the idea that he'd be a fish out of water here is crazy. One of the best run defenders in the game. Not just versatile but impactful from different spots. Price tag might be too high but he's a great player.

I don't think his skill level & skill fit is as much in question as would be his intelligence and buy-in to a new system, one with a high discipline, no-nonsense, team-first mindset. Is he a "me guy" or a "we guy". Is he coachable? I don't really know, but it is a perception, maybe just becuase he's a confident dude.

 

[Ross12]

What would Dareus cost? They could probably use a guy like him. Harrison too though he’s made comments about retirement, I don’t know if that’s still the case.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

I don't think his skill level & skill fit is as much in question as would be his intelligence and buy-in to a new system, one with a high discipline, no-nonsense, team-first mindset. Is he a "me guy" or a "we guy". Is he coachable? I don't really know, but it is a perception, maybe just becuase he's a confident dude.

Idk I can't think of anything bad concerning his smarts. Maybe I'm forgetting but nothing comes to mind.

I wouldn't break the bank esp long term but if the $ is right or close to it. With circumstances being as they are, I'd do it.

He's not a HT replacement but would definitely help in some of those areas.

Losing HT scares me. I'm not going to lie. He does so much that doesn't show up. His physicality & presence are infectious. One other thing I doubt you'll see mentioned anywhere is his coverage duties. He's always on help duty underneath. Fast & big enough to get across the field or up the seam. He's never off the field. You watch him on tape and it shows up.

 

[patman52]

I would love for them to sign Waddle again. And go for Bradham also

 

[Sully]

What about Clay Matthews? He was productive last year.

 

[captain stone]

I don't think his skill level & skill fit is as much in question as would be his intelligence and buy-in to a new system, one with a high discipline, no-nonsense, team-first mindset. Is he a "me guy" or a "we guy". Is he coachable? I don't really know, but it is a perception, maybe just becuase he's a confident dude.

Maybe it was somewhere in the free agency thread, but I remember reading links to a couple of analytics-based studies showing Clowney to be under-rated vs the run, while at the same time over-rated vs the pass...Once he understands his limitations as well as the rest of the league does, then his demands should readjust accordingly...

At this stage of his career, he is a solid but injury-prone DE best-suited in a 4-3 base with the ability to move inside during long-yardage situations...What he isn't any longer - if he ever was - is a "sack artist" or a "pass-rush specialist."

I'd love to have him here opposite Wino, but not at his current asking price...

 

[ralmat55]

I’ll pass on everything out on the market unless the player was willing to play for the minimum like Newton. It’s better to see what the kids can do this season, and maximize your cap space for 2021 when a better quality of players are going to find themselves on the market because of the decrease in next year’s cap.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I’ll pass on everything out on the market unless the player was willing to play for the minimum like Newton. It’s better to see what the kids can do this season, and maximize your cap space for 2021 when a better quality of players are going to find themselves on the market because of the decrease in next year’s cap.

With 2020 being such an unknown I agree with this approach. Unless we can find some good value I would roll that cap space over to next offseason when we could take advantage of the cap going down. Next year there is likely to be a lot of players cut for cap space and good value contracts, the more cap space to take advantage of that the better.

 

[Pape]

wonder if chris long has kept in shape... see if he'd like to return... much greater opportunity for playing time in 2020 than there was in 2016

 

[Pape]

Give Cam a little bonus...

i dont think they could do that, even if they wanted to.

 

[TheRainMaker]

What about Clay Matthews? He was productive last year.

He and Winovich on the field together would look awesome with their beautiful long hair flowing in the wind. Lol.

Maybe it was somewhere in the free agency thread, but I remember reading links to a couple of analytics-based studies showing Clowney to be under-rated vs the run, while at the same time over-rated vs the pass...Once he understands his limitations as well as the rest of the league does, then his demands should readjust accordingly...

He's pretty good against the run.

At this stage of his career, he is a solid but injury-prone DE best-suited in a 4-3 base with the ability to move inside during long-yardage situations...What he isn't any longer - if he ever was - is a "sack artist" or a "pass-rush specialist."

He was more of a "name" when it came to the pass. He should've been racking up sacks in Houston with Watt and Mercilus commanding attention. Only had one dominating game with SEA against SF than did his usual disappearing act.

I'd love to have him here opposite Wino, but not at his current asking price...

Like Trey Flowers, I'd take him in the $10-$13M range but that's not going to happen.

 

[TheRainMaker]

"What does New England teach their defensive ends? To never run up the field".

I wish Mike would just admit he's being peddled info and stop embarrassing himself. Or at least go into more detail.

I think Mike missed 2011 where both Andre Carter and Mark Anderson were playing downhill the entire season. Those were amazing pickups.

Losing HT scares me.

I love HT, but this will force Uche and Jennings on the field. Ditto with Dugger. I'll be really bummed if Gilly decides to bail as we need some veterans to stay.

 

[Chevrolet]

I’ll pass on everything out on the market unless the player was willing to play for the minimum like Newton. It’s better to see what the kids can do this season, and maximize your cap space for 2021 when a better quality of players are going to find themselves on the market because of the decrease in next year’s cap.

This is a smart approach. Patience will pay off in the end. Pats are not competing for Super Bowl this year. The high priced "name players" are still out there for a reason. If money is to be spent, it should be spent on undervalued bargains for short contracts at low $.


I could see:

Tony Jefferson (SS) to replace Chung
or Tavon Wilson
Darron Lee or Mark Baron
Ereck Flowers or Adrienne Waddle
Tim Jernigan or Corey Liuget

 

[TheRainMaker]

Give Cam a little bonus...and sign the other guys.

His contract is criminal.

 

[TheRainMaker]

This is a smart approach. Patience will pay off in the end. Pats are not competing for Super Bowl this year. The high priced "name players" are still out there for a reason. If money is to be spent, it should be spent on undervalued bargains for short contracts at low $.


I could see:

Tony Jefferson (SS) to replace Chung
or Tavon Wilson
Darron Lee or Mark Baron
Ereck Flowers or Adrienne Waddle
Tim Jernigan or Corey Liuget

Everson Griffen still available is bizarre. He'd be great in SEA but I hope the Pats get him. It screams a Andre Carter/Mark Anderson type signing.