SSS - Small sample size. Pure eye test from a TV watcher:
Revisiting my original post.
Bourne was a steal at $5/per.
Yup, staying with this. An absolute steal at 5per.
Henry and Smith will only get better. Glad they're here - Henry looks like the more complete player, but Smith might well prove to be the most explosive YAC guy on the team.
Henry's numbers are pretty much as advertised - he's playing the same as he did in SD (more TDs), and I'm okay with that in a new offense, on a team with 24 new players, with a rookie QB and an OL that hasn't quite stabilized yet.
Smith has been disappointing, indeed. Haven't given up on him, though, as he's shown flashes and battled injuries.
A post earlier said that BB got ahead of the market, and I agree with that. TE is a tough gig and an important piece that teams are leaning on more and more, and looking around the league now, I think it's safe to say that by the time we're into year 3 of these deals, neither of these two will be paid anywhere near top 5 TE money. Still glad they're here, just want to see Smith kick it up about 5 notches.
Agholor is being paid what he's worth. He's not being paid like a top WR, and he's not. Might have been too much $$$ for what the Pats want him to do, this far at least - hopefully we'll see some 40-50 yarders as the team settles in. Still, very glad he's here.
He's not being used as a #1 (not paid as 1, either) but the philosophy here doesn't call for a #1, pretty clearly. The true #1's are getting 17+/year and are demanding the ball often (when healthy - and their teams are crippled when they're not).
The Pat are obviously looking to spread it around - three WRs, two TEs, and an RB are going to get 4-8 targets/game. So none are typically going to stand out compared to the go-to guys on other teams.
Even Harry is going to get his plays in this offense (heads explode!). He had 15 snaps the other night and was targeted twice. On the first, drew a PI for a first down in the first TD drive. The second was a 10-yard reception for a first down in the second TD drive.
That's the way they're going to play it, and they've got a QB who can handle that very well. They're going to look for the mismatches and demand that no defense can take X player away.
Standing by this 100%. Agholor is being paid like a #2, which is what he is.
Agholor has 22 for 335 and 2tds. 11million/year/2years
Look at the other guys that came out:
Davis has 24 for 349 and 4tds. 12.5million/year/3years
Curtis Samuel is hurt and doing nothing - 2 for 19. 11.5million/year/3years
Golladay has 19 for 310 and 0tds. 18million/year/4years
Agholor stays on the field and does what he's asked to do. His attitude has been great, from all I've heard. No complaints, doing his job. No regrets from me on this signing.
Andrews is looking really rough so far. Not sure what's going on there, but he really needs to be better. he's not making a lot of money, and I have full faith in the guy helping Mac and that line getting where they need to be.
Had faith in the guy (maybe it was the baby) - great value!
On Defense: PFF be damned, Judon was the key here, and he's a steal at 14/per.
Said it before they signed him, never looked back - best signing of the off-season. Becoming a leader on that team, for 2 million less than the Lions paid Flowers years ago..
Godchaux is looking better the last couple of games, but still looks iffy for that contract. Wise, too, surprised me with that contract. BB wants these guys to be leaders on that D. Hope it's happening behind the scenes.
Guy was a steal coming back.
Staying with this, too. The run D has tightened as the guys have sorted it out more completely, and Godchaux has been great in short yardage. Overpaid trio? No bank-breakers there, and despite the terrible start, the Pats are now 14th in run defense, and getting better all the time.
Jalen Mills is looking worth every penny they paid him.
Staying with this. He wasn't expensive and he's doing everything asked of him, even though he's been playing out of position with Jones gone. I still think he's going to replace Devin Mac, maybe next year. Great value for the Pats. As advertised with versatility.
Tough break for Anderson, but these things happen (which is reflective of the way BB spends money).
...still like the guy and hope he can play again in the NFl.
Van Noy is making solid money for veteran contributions. Glad to have him at that price.
Not so sure on this right now. I have a hard time evaluating Van Noy. Sometimes a world-beater, sometimes a head-scratcher. Still, he's not breaking any banks, provides a veteran, knowledgeable presence...
Right now, and I hate to say it, the worst contract on the team is Hightower. He really hasn't looked good - but the guy had a year off and isn't a kid. Watch him take over that D in the second half when he gets his legs under him (much like Gronk did in Tampa last year).
HT is starting to play like HT again, and it shows.
This should be a 2-2 team, could be a 3-1 team, but they're a 1-3 team and you are what your record says you are. We'll learn a lot about the characters of the guys they brought in over the next few weeks. No letdown in Houston, I hope.
Yes, I remain a homer. I'm very optimistic for the future. If this team clicks, they have 5 weapons on the field every play.
Biggest mistake this year looks like trading Michel. Stevenson and Taylor have to step up.
Above 500, playing very well...I'm not surprised. I still think a playoff spot is a long-shot. They've got a tough stretch coming up.
Bolden has made me wrong on the last line. I thought that he was underused years ago, but never believed that he could become as big a part of the offense as he has, particularly in his 30's. As in, he's the biggest pleasant surprise this year.
