Words on things I watched, read & heard

[BaconGrundleCandy]

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I think we should keep arguing if RB's are worth the $?

Paying market on RBs is always a bad value.

Though I think good pass catching/pass blocking running backs are worth ponying up that $4-5M if they’re still far away from 30. I think Bill has it right by using a mid-round pick on a guy like Faulk, Vereen, White every few years.

Michel is a WTF pick like I’ve never seen Bill make; even if he was as good as they thought, I don’t see how you draft him there.

 

[Tony2046]

Yes. It's not just those who very obviously need a new quarterback like the Pats but those who are clearly "quarterback-curious" like San Francisco, the Jets and Miami. Any team willing to trade out of the top six in the draft could get a fortune in return.

That's what worries me. Feels like it's going to be too expensive to move up for a QB this year. I think that it might make more sense to draft a premium skill position player at 15 that dropped due to the run on QBs.

Grab a Mariota type ($10 million range), maybe take a flyer on a late rounder and build up the rest of the team.

Anyway just thinking out loud.

 

[DaBruinz]

Probably means that they will both be designated as Post-June 1st cuts. Meaning they'll free up 4M in total.

Malik Jackson might be an interesting signing depending on how much he has left in the tank.

 

[DaBruinz]

That's what worries me. Feels like it's going to be too expensive to move up for a QB this year. I think that it might make more sense to draft a premium skill position player at 15 that dropped due to the run on QBs.

Grab a Mariota type ($10 million range), maybe take a flyer on a late rounder and build up the rest of the team.

Anyway just thinking out loud.

I want nothing to do with Mariota. He couldn't get it done with the same team that Tanehill took to the play-offs..

I honestly don't see the Pats drafting a QB unless the following happens:

Someone they have rated highly drops to 10 or later..
They look at Brady Davis as a 6th/7th rounder of HPFA. It's curious that NFLDraftScout has him as no one drafting him. He's only 6'2 4/8 and 205 lbs, but he played well at the Hula Bowl and seems to have the "IT" factor..

 

[Tony2046]

I want nothing to do with Mariota. He couldn't get it done with the same team that Tanehill took to the play-offs..

I honestly don't see the Pats drafting a QB unless the following happens:

Someone they have rated highly drops to 10 or later..
They look at Brady Davis as a 6th/7th rounder of HPFA. It's curious that NFLDraftScout has him as no one drafting him. He's only 6'2 4/8 and 205 lbs, but he played well at the Hula Bowl and seems to have the "IT" factor..

That's interesting. I'll check him out.

 

[DaBruinz]

That's interesting. I'll check him out.

He's mentioned in BCG's PTP thread.

DRAFT - BGC 2021 Pre-Draft/Patriot-Type Prospect(s) thread

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-the-biggest-draft-mistake-for-each-team-in-the-past-5-years

www.patsfans.com

 

[Mike the Brit]

That's what worries me. Feels like it's going to be too expensive to move up for a QB this year. I think that it might make more sense to draft a premium skill position player at 15 that dropped due to the run on QBs.

Grab a Mariota type ($10 million range), maybe take a flyer on a late rounder and build up the rest of the team.

Anyway just thinking out loud.

You'd have to have your Big Boy pants on to make a decision like that, but if it cost you three first-rounders and you got a Tom Brady you'd think you'd made out like a bandit.

What the Patriots ought to do if they asked my advice and what they will do are very different things anyway. But you could go one of six routes.

1. Go all in in the draft. That means paying a big, big price to move up. Personally, I love what I've seen of Trey Lance, but I think I'm not the only one. It wouldn't surprise me if he's gone by pick number 6.

2. Stand pat and take the best quarterback available (who looks like Mac Jones).

3. Trade for a current starter. That means, it seems, Watson, Garoppolo, possibly Ryan or (gulp!) Darnold. If Garoppolo is available at a not-too-exorbitant price, that would be my choice. His game against the Pats last season was flawless apart from one very bad pass.

4. Sign a free agent as a short-term solution. That means, I suppose, Fitzpatrick or Brissett.

5. Trade for a current backup. Mariota looks like the best option to me, although I have a soft spot for Rosen and Nate Sudfeld.

6. Cam Newton. Cam was quite dreadful last season. By the end, he simply could not throw even the simplest passes with timing and accuracy. What was going on? If there was something we don't know about, would you give him another shot?

Of course, you can combine some of those strategies. I would be very happy to see four or five quarterbacks on the roster in the summer.

It's going to be interesting ...

 

[Mike the Brit]

I want nothing to do with Mariota. He couldn't get it done with the same team that Tanehill took to the play-offs..

I honestly don't see the Pats drafting a QB unless the following happens:

Someone they have rated highly drops to 10 or later..
They look at Brady Davis as a 6th/7th rounder of HPFA. It's curious that NFLDraftScout has him as no one drafting him. He's only 6'2 4/8 and 205 lbs, but he played well at the Hula Bowl and seems to have the "IT" factor..

Your argument against Mariota is strong, but have you watched the game he played for the Raiders against the Chargers when Carr went down? He was really good, which makes me think he may have changed.

 

[DaBruinz]

Your argument against Mariota is strong, but have you watched the game he played for the Raiders against the Chargers when Carr went down? He was really good, which makes me think he may have changed

I didn't watch that particular game. My concern is that Mariota just isn't consistent. If you go back to 2019, he was all over the place. He had some spectacular games. He had some putrid games. And he had some in between. You're more likely to know what you're getting flipping a coin than what Mariota will do in a game.

Marcus Mariota 2019 Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Marcus Mariota 2019 game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[Uptown]

Probably means that they will both be designated as Post-June 1st cuts. Meaning they'll free up 4M in total.

Malik Jackson might be an interesting signing depending on how much he has left in the tank.

Agreed. Plus he already has a SB ring, which could work in our favor.

 

[PWRxWLF]

Good News. We need to keep our best interior pass rusher, they are harder to find than interior run stoppers. We can find interior run stoppers in the Draft more easy with mcneil Brown Shelvin etc than interior pass rusher.

I get what you’re saying, but it sure seems like they’ve had a hard time finding interior run stoppers lately.

 

[Tony2046]

I didn't watch that particular game. My concern is that Mariota just isn't consistent. If you go back to 2019, he was all over the place. He had some spectacular games. He had some putrid games. And he had some in between. You're more likely to know what you're getting flipping a coin than what Mariota will do in a game.

Marcus Mariota 2019 Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Marcus Mariota 2019 game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

I agree but I think the direction I would like to see that Patriots go is a patient one. Rebuild the rest of the team with the draft and cap space.

If the draft plays out the way some think, there will be, as you already know, a heavy push for QBs for many teams. Some teams need a QB now while others in the next couple of years but because next year's draft doesn't seem to have any blue chip QBs they'll try to get one this year.

If that's true I'd imagine a typical top 5 or 10 skill guy may fall to 15. Which would be getting much more value for that pick.

Another thought would be that the fifteenth pick might get more value trade-wise than in other drafts because of the QB run and BB could get a lower first and a second etc etc..

My hope is that he uses it for a NT or WR.

Mariota would be just taking a flyer on a QB that has shown upside flashes. But giving him a shot + your guy Brady Davis ( I like this idea btw) + Stidham + whomever is the way I'd like to see them go this year.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

I get what you’re saying, but it sure seems like they’ve had a hard time finding interior run stoppers lately.

Yeah I agree, I did think we would draft some DT last year. It seems we did not go for this position on an early round for quit some time now, added some FA who were injured and not exactly one of the most stout players upfront more rotational. I hope we adress this position via Butler Guy some draft run stop stud or another FA. We badly need a NT, idk if Allen will be healthy, don't want to see Cowart at the nose

Edit: just curious. What do you think of maybe Derek Wolfe as a run stopping 5 t. He shouldn't be too expensive right. And i would prefer to sign a NT cause they might be cheaper for good value than other position, and focus on other position via draft

 

[PWRxWLF]

Yeah I agree, I did think we would draft some DT last year. It seems we did not go for this position on an early round for quit some time now, added some FA who were injured and not exactly one of the most stout players upfront more rotational. I hope we adress this position via Butler Guy some draft run stop stud or another FA. We badly need a NT, idk if Allen will be healthy, don't want to see Cowart at the nose

Edit: just curious. What do you think of maybe Derek Wolfe as a run stopping 5 t. He shouldn't be too expensive right. And i would prefer to sign a NT cause they might be cheaper for good value than other position, and focus on other position via draft

In regards to Wolfe, not too sure honestly. He plays mostly on the edge I thought? I honestly don’t know anymore. He shouldn’t be expensive, and I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing him in as a rotational, leadership piece. If he was getting brought in to be a starter and taking a ton of snaps from a youngster, not sure I’d be excited about that. Not a bad, low cost option if you are unable to get someone else though. Nice call out.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

In regards to Wolfe, not too sure honestly. He plays mostly on the edge I thought? I honestly don’t know anymore. He shouldn’t be expensive, and I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing him in as a rotational, leadership piece. If he was getting brought in to be a starter and taking a ton of snaps from a youngster, not sure I’d be excited about that. Not a bad, low cost option if you are unable to get someone else though. Nice call out.

Yeah i only view him as an early down DE who helps our run defense which was not only a liability in the Interior but also we gave up the edge/DE a lot. We won't fix any issue via FA so getting some vet there would be nice i think. I hope then Wino and Uche see OLB snaps on passing downs but there early down value doesn't look that big

 

[PWRxWLF]

Yeah i only view him as an early down DE who helps our run defense which was not only a liability in the Interior but also we gave up the edge/DE a lot. We won't fix any issue via FA so getting some vet there would be nice i think. I hope then Wino and Uche see OLB snaps on passing downs but there early down value doesn't look that big

I agree. Slightly losing hope on Wino as a 3 down OLB/Edge defender. He plays so light for a man his size. Maybe Jennings makes some sort of leap this year? I’d really like to see Uche used like a chess piece. Would be nice if the game slows down for him.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

I agree. Slightly losing hope on Wino as a 3 down OLB/Edge defender.

Me too but i won't give up hope for him. I hope the rumors about his char things aren't valued that high from our stuff, I like Wino

He plays so light for a man his size. Maybe Jennings makes some sort of leap this year?

I always thought why we need to play Jennings at early down DE/OLB not ILB. He can set the edge if he doesn't overcommit but he is not athletic enough for ILB. I like him tough

I’d really like to see Uche used like a chess piece. Would be nice if the game slows down for him.

Yeah Uche's speed and value on third down can be insane. As a rusher or spy and drop in coverage his athletic is extremly rare. I hope he can see the field more often on early downs. I think behind a more stout D-Line he can be some Weak side LB cause he surely can tackle and space and has nice sideline to sideline speed against outside runs.

 

[PWRxWLF]

Me too but i won't give up hope for him. I hope the rumors about his char things aren't valued that high from our stuff, I like Wino

I always thought why we need to play Jennings at early down DE/OLB not ILB. He can set the edge if he doesn't overcommit but he is not athletic enough for ILB. I like him tough

Yeah Uche's speed and value on third down can be insane. As a rusher or spy and drop in coverage his athletic is extremly rare. I hope he can see the field more often on early downs. I think behind a more stout D-Line he can be some Weak side LB cause he surely can tackle and space and has nice sideline to sideline speed against outside runs.

I loooove Wino. I really want to see him succeed. He’s such a fiery character.
If they get some beef in front of him and Uche can shed/avoid cracks and getting mailed at the second level, he will be a big difference maker.
I know my boy Captain isn’t a fan of Kyle Sluggar, but I’m really excited to see his progress this offseason as well. It’s gonna be fun!

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

I loooove Wino. I really want to see him succeed. He’s such a fiery character.
If they get some beef in front of him and Uche can shed/avoid cracks and getting mailed at the second level, he will be a big difference maker.
I know my boy Captain isn’t a fan of Kyle Sluggar, but I’m really excited to see his progress this offseason as well. It’s gonna be fun!

Yeah i like Dugger. He is a good tackler and with his athletic he helps our run defense a lot. I like to use him as a blitzer more often. I would like to see some coverage improvement which did not concern me so far cause coming from D2 school is a huge difference