PATRIOTS NEWS Official 2024 Free Agency Thread - Ongoing

[DaBruinz]

Yeah, but do we trust him to be better than Alex Austin or even Shaun Wade?

It will be great if that is the case, but I'm not holding out on any hope that he is.

Alex Austin played extremely well in limited snaps last year. It will be interesting to see if that was a fluke or if he's the real deal.

Maybe I'm wrong about Pellegrino and he's a really good CB coach. He's been in the position since 2019, so he's helped mold Jon Jones, Myles Bryant, and JC Jackson. One does have to wonder how much was him and how much was the player.

 

[Real fan 02]

Jonathan is starting to get up there in age and wear and tear so FS might not be a bad way for him to get a few more years out of his body but he's been underrated as a corner for us for years.

And Marcus had a couple of interceptions his rookie combined with his exciting special teams play and work at WR and I am still just very excited about his overall ball and I think he'll be a very good corner for us.

And Gonzo is what he is. We all saw it before he got hurt. Sometimes that sets guys back but I have every expectation that he will be a top ten corner in this league.

Peppers and Dugger can ball.

I like how Austin played in December and I wouldn't be against signing or drafting someone to round out the depth but everyone above is what this secondary will truly be made of.

You posted that with pin point accuracy! Mayo knows his defense better than anyone.. so ot makes sense why he's been patient, and recognizing that the D was withdrawal it's 2 best players. With judon and Jennings off the edge will create havoc for tackles, and I'm expecting this secondary to feast and be more aggressive under DC. Gonzo was the 3rd rated CB heading into week 4 last year. He just has effortless ability, he runs WRs routes for them.. he began to gain OCs respect early on. I have gonzo being a top 4 CB, he's that good. Oh absolutely peppers and Dugger are the enforcers in the secondary.. punishment to RBs that are lucky to get by Barmore or Bentley.. putting fear into TEs coming across the middle.

 

[Real fan 02]

I hadn't thought of Jonathan Jones moving to FS. Intriguing.

Made me think back to when Devin McCourty was moved from corner to safety, and certain fans/sports talk decided that decision was proof that he was a draft bust.

Yes, some posters made mention of it before as j. Jones has played safety before as he lines up all over the formation. His age and his injury history we likely could get another 3 years out of him at FS. Dmac actually got moved to FS due to his performance. After having an all pro rookie season. In my eyes i can see future ALL Pro Gonzo at LCB, Austin at RCB, Marcus in the slot, peppers, Dugger j. Jones at the safety spots as we usually play 3 safeties.

 

[Real fan 02]

Alex Austin played extremely well in limited snaps last year. It will be interesting to see if that was a fluke or if he's the real deal.

Maybe I'm wrong about Pellegrino and he's a really good CB coach. He's been in the position since 2019, so he's helped mold Jon Jones, Myles Bryant, and JC Jackson. One does have to wonder how much was him and how much was the player.

I believe we really have a great problem to have.. the team likely felt that the CBs we have that all played well last season with playing time was a better bet than trading for Sneed. Just my opinion.. everyone stepped thier games up.. Peppers was an all pro snub... Barmore played at an all pro level.. but yeah.. the secondary is deep with young guys that are hungry to make a name for themselves.

 

[captain stone]

You don't like our secondary? What was it ranked last year? And we get Gonzo and Marcus back.

Midget Jones is more Returner than DB as of now… and who’s our starting Outside CB opposite Gonzo? It’s not Jonathan Jones; he’s a Slot CB/ Free Safety… and both JC Jackoff & his brutha from anothah mutha Jackoff Jones are no longer in the building.

 

[captain stone]

Cap'n he has a point if you think about it.
Last season we lost gonzo.. Wade played well, Bryant got better, Alex Austin really came on and impressed by the end of the season.. with gonzo and j. Jones we have some excellent starting CBs.. Marcus in the mix as well..

Unproven Alex Austin?
Shaun Wade a Minute??
Myles of Space Bryant???

Keep trying…

 

[captain stone]

I hadn't thought of Jonathan Jones moving to FS. Intriguing.

Made me think back to when Devin McCourty was moved from corner to safety, and certain fans/sports talk decided that decision was proof that he was a draft bust.

Some of us have been suggesting that Jonathan be moved to FS since the beginning of TC last season.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Wasn’t Isaiha Bolden having a good camp before going to ir? May be a sleeper for the 2nd cb slot? Seems like he’s been forgotten by some.

 

[Real fan 02]

Unproven Alex Austin?
Shaun Wade a Minute??
Myles of Space Bryant???

Keep trying…

U stole my thunder Cap'n LOL..

I'll admit i was critical of all those guys you mentioned.. but.. they all improved last season, and showed that they can play at a high level. Austin in my opinion has the most talent and potential of them all. Keep an eye on him. I'm not saying they are all pros at the least. But our CB depth guys compared to the league average is pretty dam good..

 

[Real fan 02]

Which "Jones" are you referring to? Marcus or Jonathan? Why should Wise have been replaced? Do you know what defensive base Mayo is running? Because I haven't seen him mention it at all. Neither has Covington to my knowledge.

Are they running a 2-2-3-5? Are they running a 4-3 Under? Are they running a 3-4? Are they running a 4-2 Nickle where the 4 are all 300+?

The Pats had one of their Captains retire. Your saying that they should have also considered replacing 4 others??

The Pats have added 9 free agents from other teams. Are you really complaining that they only signed 2 players from other teams to deals longer than 1 year?

Are you upset that they gave long term deals to Henry, Bourne, Jennings, and Onwenu? Are you upset that they are trying to get Judon, Dugger, and Barmore under new contracts?

Do you understand that they are still in play for Higgins and will need money to pay him as well?

Do you understand that the Pats will need about 15M to sign their draft picks and probably 6-10M for #52/#53 and the 16 player Practice Squad?

A couple of front loaded signings and the $49M they have in cap space is GONE. Keep in mind that Onwenu's cap hit is just shy of 11M. Keep in mind that a long term deal for Dugger is likely only going to free up 2-3M from where he's at now, IF it frees up any at all

Also, the only players whom the Pats have signed who will be older than 30 when their contracts are up are Henry and Bourne. Though Bourne can be cut after 2024 easily enough.

I think that says a LOT about the Front Office's thought process. They've taken a similar approach to what BB did when he first got her. Cut what they could, add what they can. Keep their priority players and build around the 2 drafts of youngsters.

They brought in 12 guys last year. Speed is gone because he was the odd man out due to injuries elsewhere. Not because he stunk. He played well. Bolden was on IR all last year but should be healthy. Hopefully they got him a new mouth guard and helmet.

Between Gonzalez, White, Sow, Douglas and Baringer, that's a good start. Jake Andrews started coming on last year and showed that he might be in play for the LG position if Strange is out for any length of time. Sow and Mafi could be in play for that position as well depending on what happens at RG and RT. Mapu, Ryland, and Boutte had up and down years. It remains to be seen if they bounce back.

By my count, the Pats have 9 picks this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see them pick that many or more depending on what happens on draft day. People forget that BB had 20 picks between his first 2 drafts. I think only 16 made the team out of camp.

The team isn't in nearly as bad a shape as when BB took over in 2000.

Spot on! Great post. It all makes sense why cap space is reserved.. there is something brewing.. and I believe it's a trade for Higgins or Jefferson..

I can almost bet that we will have a premium WR here by or before the draft by way of trade.. just imagine Higgins here .. everyone one else on offense assumes thier roles as 2s, 3s & 4s..

It gives the other guys favorable match ups on 3rd and 4th DBs.. I really love the addition of Gibson..

 

[signbabybrady]

Spot on! Great post. It all makes sense why cap space is reserved.. there is something brewing.. and I believe it's a trade for Higgins or Jefferson..

I can almost bet that we will have a premium WR here by or before the draft by way of trade.. just imagine Higgins here .. everyone one else on offense assumes thier roles as 2s, 3s & 4s..

It gives the other guys favorable match ups on 3rd and 4th DBs.. I really love the addition of Gibson..

I hope so. If we manage to add one of them before the draft then we can take QB at 3 and find some way to draft an LT. Getting all 3 in the same draft seems far fetched not to mention getting all 3 correct. Definitely makes sense to fill one via a trade for a proven commodity.

 

[Tunescribe]

So far the Jete have absolutely trounced the Patriots with free agent signings. Looks like they've overhauled their OL, also added to their DL and WR corps, snagged a veteran CB and also a veteran backup QB. Pretty ominous.

Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, John Simpson, Mike Williams, Tyrod Taylor, Javon Kinlaw, Leki Fotu and Isaiah Oliver

 

[50-yard-line]

Spot on! Great post. It all makes sense why cap space is reserved.. there is something brewing.. and I believe it's a trade for Higgins or Jefferson..

I can almost bet that we will have a premium WR here by or before the draft by way of trade.. just imagine Higgins here .. everyone one else on offense assumes thier roles as 2s, 3s & 4s..

It gives the other guys favorable match ups on 3rd and 4th DBs.. I really love the addition of Gibson..

Don't sleep on Marco Wilson or Hawkins. Both of those guys had GREAT years, then for some reason, fell off the face of the earth. Wilson was a good starter and Hawkins was considered a best kept secret in Atlanta. Don't know what happened to drop them down, but the talent is, or at least WAS, there.

 

[Real fan 02]

I hope so. If we manage to add one of them before the draft then we can take QB at 3 and find some way to draft an LT. Getting all 3 in the same draft seems far fetched not to mention getting all 3 correct. Definitely makes sense to fill one via a trade for a proven commodity.

I believe it's safe to say LT will be attained in the draft as well. At this point he has to work out.. Trent Brown the saga with him was just an embarrassment last few seasons. LT, QB, and #1 WR seems like via trade and draft is how we are getting those pieces. I'll also say this.. if the pick isn't ready yet. I'd have no problem letting JB play this up season.

 

[Real fan 02]

Don't sleep on Marco Wilson or Hawkins. Both of those guys had GREAT years, then for some reason, fell off the face of the earth. Wilson was a good starter and Hawkins was considered a best kept secret in Atlanta. Don't know what happened to drop them down, but the talent is, or at least WAS, there.

Interesting.. I'm sure those guys have talent for sure. I've heard of Hawkins before. If these guys and carve out roles for themselves they excellent. I've Said personally we have a great secondary, guys that are hungry and want to make a name for themselves in the league.

 

[signbabybrady]

I believe it's safe to say LT will be attained in the draft as well. At this point he has to work out.. Trent Brown the saga with him was just an embarrassment last few seasons. LT, QB, and #1 WR seems like via trade and draft is how we are getting those pieces. I'll also say this.. if the pick isn't ready yet. I'd have no problem letting JB play this up season.

I think JB is just good enough that if he has to play so be it but if we draft one at 3 and he isn't the best QB in camp that will be a little concerning obviously he deserves time to develop still but JB shouldn't be too much of a hurdle to get over.

 

[TommyD4207]

A couple of front loaded signings and the $49M they have in cap space is GONE.

I'm with your post almost in its entirety, except for this.

1) No.
2) 'Front-loaded' signings aren't a thing.
3) They have an additional 100m in cap space freeing up next year - plus the cap will go up.

This isn't a 'keep the powder dry' situation. This is 'burn some cash' time, and they're simply not doing it.

 

[Patriot Missile]

So far the Jete have absolutely trounced the Patriots with free agent signings. Looks like they've overhauled their OL, also added to their DL and WR corps, snagged a veteran CB and also a veteran backup QB. Pretty ominous.

Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, John Simpson, Mike Williams, Tyrod Taylor, Javon Kinlaw, Leki Fotu and Isaiah Oliver

Other than Smith, are the signings really that daunting though? Kinlaw and Oliver are 49er castoffs. Full constructive knee surgery for Kinlaw and he’s only played in 41 games in 4 years. He could be a great addition or another ir casualty. We’ll see? I’ll take Osborne over Williams every day.

We’ll see what happens after June 1st cuts. Pats will be in the drivers seat at that point.

 

[venecol]

U stole my thunder Cap'n LOL..

I'll admit i was critical of all those guys you mentioned.. but.. they all improved last season, and showed that they can play at a high level. Austin in my opinion has the most talent and potential of them all. Keep an eye on him. I'm not saying they are all pros at the least. But our CB depth guys compared to the league average is pretty dam good..

Bryant is an UFA.

 

[venecol]

So far the Jete have absolutely trounced the Patriots with free agent signings. Looks like they've overhauled their OL, also added to their DL and WR corps, snagged a veteran CB and also a veteran backup QB. Pretty ominous.

Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, John Simpson, Mike Williams, Tyrod Taylor, Javon Kinlaw, Leki Fotu and Isaiah Oliver

According to you the Jete won the offseason. AGAIN. Lol