Player Signing Patriots sign S Marcus Epps

[Ross12]

 

[Steve102]

Another middle class, 2001-esque signing. Let's hope it works .

 

[FortressX]

So what's the deal here ?
Commanders sign a bunch of Patriots and the Patriots sign a bunch of Raiders ?

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Tore his ACL last September, so this will be hist first year back from injury. History says guys like that will take some time to ramp up. I'd expect him to be a lesser version of himself for most, if not all of next year.

Over the course of his career, he hasn't been a good coverage player. Gotta be honest, this one doesn't make much sense to me on top of keeping Hawkins. They continue to have no one capable of covering at FS.

 

[DaBruinz]

Tore his ACL last September, so this will be hist first year back from injury. History says guys like that will take some time to ramp up. I'd expect him to be a lesser version of himself for most, if not all of next year.

Over the course of his career, he hasn't been a good coverage player. Gotta be honest, this one doesn't make much sense to me on top of keeping Hawkins. They continue to have no one capable of covering at FS.

You wanted the Pats to spend money on mediocre players. You're getting your wish.

Epps is a headscratcher because the guy has had issues tackling and it's been getting worse each year over the last 3 years.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Here's a clip of him doing something they need a FS to do. This appears to be an outlier play for him though, reading up on him. He's not a coverage guy.

They have 6 NFL caliber safeties right now in Kyle Dugger, Jabril Peppers, Marcus Epps, Jaylin Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Marte Mapu (Mapu might be fringes of NFL caliber). Not a single one of them appears capable of playing FS in cover 1. They put together one of the best man coverage tandems in the game, but they don't really have the ability to capitalize on that right now because they aren't going to be able to consistently keep only 1 safety deep. They're going to need to play a lot of quarters and cover 2 which neuters what their biggest strength appears to be on defense.

No issue with any of these players individually and in the end they could still add a FS type or two through FA and/or the draft and leave these 6 guys to fight each other for roster spots with 1-2 of them getting cut/traded. But right now there's a gaping hole on their defense and it's one that kills off the one aspect of the defense I think they're really good at. So blah...

 

[imahobgoblin]

So what's the deal here ?
Commanders sign a bunch of Patriots and the Patriots sign a bunch of Raiders ?

We have to build a 90 man roster. It takes all kinds.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

If Mapu can’t convert to LB, he’s done IMO.

 

[Ross12]

Epps is depth to go alongside Hawkins. I don't expect either is really a starting FS. Might come later, or in draft.

 

[PatriotSpy]

Just give us the Super Bowl trophy RIGHT NOW!

 

[RobertWeathers]

If Mapu can’t convert to LB, he’s done IMO.

Here's a clip of him doing something they need a FS to do. This appears to be an outlier play for him though, reading up on him. He's not a coverage guy.

They have 6 NFL caliber safeties right now in Kyle Dugger, Jabril Peppers, Marcus Epps, Jaylin Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Marte Mapu (Mapu might be fringes of NFL caliber). Not a single one of them appears capable of playing FS in cover 1. They put together one of the best man coverage tandems in the game, but they don't really have the ability to capitalize on that right now because they aren't going to be able to consistently keep only 1 safety deep. They're going to need to play a lot of quarters and cover 2 which neuters what their biggest strength appears to be on defense.

No issue with any of these players individually and in the end they could still add a FS type or two through FA and/or the draft and leave these 6 guys to fight each other for roster spots with 1-2 of them getting cut/traded. But right now there's a gaping hole on their defense and it's one that kills off the one aspect of the defense I think they're really good at. So blah...

Mapu is a SS in the Chung mold. Hes been playing out of position at FS. Hopefully they move him where he belongs.

Hopefully they can find DMC 2.0

 

[imahobgoblin]

Tore his ACL last September, so this will be hist first year back from injury. History says guys like that will take some time to ramp up. I'd expect him to be a lesser version of himself for most, if not all of next year.

Over the course of his career, he hasn't been a good coverage player. Gotta be honest, this one doesn't make much sense to me on top of keeping Hawkins. They continue to have no one capable of covering at FS.

It is March 14 and the roster needs to be 90 men before it goes to 54.

 

[Mack Herron]

Vrabel knows about offense right?

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Epps is depth to go alongside Hawkins. I don't expect either is really a starting FS. Might come later, or in draft.

I don't think either of them even belong in "depth" roles at FS. They're SS's. Which is ok. But it just feels imbalanced to have 6 SSs on the roster right now and none that profile well at FS. I understand you bring 90 guys to camp, but this feels more like they plan to not have a FS again next year and play 2 SSs together.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

It is March 14 and the roster needs to be 90 men before it goes to 54.

True, but the last 2 years they've made the (questionable) decision schematically not to play with any actual FS's on the roster and instead just play guys better served as SS's in that spot. Now they've retained all 5 SS types from last year and added one more, still without any actual FS added. It's a concerning trend that, IMO, points to the possibility they might still do that again.

I don't have any issue with them brining in a bunch of JAGS like this to compete at safety as part of the 90 man camp roster. I'm just concerned of the lack of any coverage ability whatsoever from any of them because each of the last 2 years they ignored that and they still have a lot of the same personnel people.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

No idea about this guy. Looks like he started all games for philly in 2022 and every game for vegas till the injury

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Patriots sign safety who was captain in Vegas under Josh McDaniels

 

[imahobgoblin]

True, but the last 2 years they've made the (questionable) decision schematically not to play with any actual FS's on the roster and instead just play guys better served as SS's in that spot. Now they've retained all 5 SS types from last year and added one more, still without any actual FS added. It's a concerning trend that, IMO, points to the possibility they might still do that again.

I don't have any issue with them brining in a bunch of JAGS like this to compete at safety as part of the 90 man camp roster. I'm just concerned of the lack of any coverage ability whatsoever from any of them because each of the last 2 years they ignored that and they still have a lot of the same personnel people.

You know Vrabel's scheme? Really?

 

[varjao]

Is this the 2nd wave of signings? Average/mid level players looking for an opportunity to prove themselves?

Remember, the roster last season had more or less 10-20 NFL level players, so I expected this, a lot of signings of mid to back end of the roster, can't just sign starters. Vrabel is cooking a better roster overall. I just created a chant, let Vrabs cook.

 

[Steve102]

Is this the 2nd wave of signings? Average/mid level players looking for an opportunity to prove themselves?

Remember, the roster last season had more or less 10-20 NFL level players, so I expected this, a lot of signings of mid to back end of the roster, can't just sign starters. Vrabel is cooking a better roster overall. I just created a chant, let Vrabs cook.

LVC. Got it.