We gotta pay Tonga

[mike_usagisan]

It really is amazing how they hit on pretty much all of their free agents and a big chunk of their draft picks.

 

[Real fan 02]

Can’t let him leave that is all.

Have a feeling someone will make him a Milton Williams size offer.

We will. Vrabel knows fully how valuable he is the guy plays on both LOS.. beast in the interior and beast in the backfield.

 

[Real fan 02]

can he play FB?

Farmers a beast too now...

 

[Real fan 02]

I think they did. With Tonga.

If Larsen comes of IR this season like to see him instead of Westover..

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

He’s been great, but he will command nowhere near a Milton sized deal. 5-6 a year on a 2-3 year deal would get it done I would think.

 

[Ring 6]

Can’t let him leave that is all.

Have a feeling someone will make him a Milton Williams size offer.

Come on

 

[Ring 6]

If Larsen comes of IR this season like to see him instead of Westover..

I don’t think he can

 

[TheRainMaker]

I also want all those who said Tonga was a worthless signing to man up and admit they were wrong.
There were plenty on this site who said he was a 3rd string type of guy, and won't play much.
We're quickly looking like the old Pats who made mid type of players look like stars. I hope we don't lose Tonga.
Although - Farmer is also a backup DT who has looked pretty good in moments. Not that he's as large as Tonga.

I'll admit it. I didn't care for the signing. Who else will step up?

 

[Ring 6]

I'll admit it. I didn't care for the signing. Who else will step up?

I love every signing of huge run stuffing DTs.

 

[TheButlerDidIt]

Love what he did on that final Henderson take-it-to-the-house run. Tonga literally took out 3 defenders.
Really like his style of play.

That said, I wouldn't pay a soon-to-be-30 DT with his track record much more than $5M-$6M a year for a couple year.

 

[TommyD4207]

I'll admit it. I didn't care for the signing. Who else will step up?

I loved it. He filled the Samoan quota. The fact he can actually play is a bonus.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I loved it. He filled the Samoan quota. The fact he can actually play is a bonus.

His emergence has been a pleasant surprise.

 

[patfanken]

That 2024 draft will live as the ultimate oxymoron. On one hand the fact that it landed just ONE player who has a regular role. (and one player who has been a healthy scratch all season. And 6 players who are no longer with the team, just one year later. That's a BAD draft. On the other hand, that was also the draft that brought us a TRUE franchise QB, who has developed FAR faster than anyone could have hope. And once a team has THAT commodity, it is SOOOOOOO much easier to build a championship roster around him.

We didn't know how fast it would go for Maye. He was still just a good prospect coming into the season that we HOPED would progress into what he has become in a few years. But when you get hit by that lightening, you can truly have one-year turnarounds like we are seeing here.

So, was the 2024 draft one of the worst drafts of the decade, or one of the BEST, because it was in that draft, we found the answer to the toughest question of the championship test.

 

[Patsfan1645]

That 2024 draft will live as the ultimate oxymoron. On one hand the fact that it landed just ONE player who has a regular role. (and one player who has been a healthy scratch all season. And 6 players who are no longer with the team, just one year later. That's a BAD draft. On the other hand, that was also the draft that brought us a TRUE franchise QB, who has developed FAR faster than anyone could have hope. And once a team has THAT commodity, it is SOOOOOOO much easier to build a championship roster around him.

We didn't know how fast it would go for Maye. He was still just a good prospect coming into the season that we HOPED would progress into what he has become in a few years. But when you get hit by that lightening, you can truly have one-year turnarounds like we are seeing here.

So, was the 2024 draft one of the worst drafts of the decade, or one of the BEST, because it was in that draft, we found the answer to the toughest question of the championship test.

You commented in the Hollins thread that you think he needs a haircut, but you seem ok with this????

 

[javajunky]

Tonga certainly has exceeded expectations.
I think he has been used perfectly, managed snap counts, stays fresh.
I am obviously in the minority, but don't love him playing offense. if Westover is not cutting it, replace him.
I think Tonga likes and the staff likes him, but perhaps what might hurt Tonga is how well Durden and Farmer have been playing, and that B-More and Williams have been paid

3 years-$18m might do it for him? Guarantee $12m
I would do that

The Pats only have five unrestricted free agents this year. The resigning priority is Chaisson, Hawkins, Tonga, Hooper, and Lowe (Ha Ha). I think your 3-year, $18 m hit the possible max on the nose if he finishes the year strong.

 

[Huckleberry1]

That 2024 draft will live as the ultimate oxymoron. On one hand the fact that it landed just ONE player who has a regular role. (and one player who has been a healthy scratch all season. And 6 players who are no longer with the team, just one year later. That's a BAD draft. On the other hand, that was also the draft that brought us a TRUE franchise QB, who has developed FAR faster than anyone could have hope. And once a team has THAT commodity, it is SOOOOOOO much easier to build a championship roster around him.

We didn't know how fast it would go for Maye. He was still just a good prospect coming into the season that we HOPED would progress into what he has become in a few years. But when you get hit by that lightening, you can truly have one-year turnarounds like we are seeing here.

So, was the 2024 draft one of the worst drafts of the decade, or one of the BEST, because it was in that draft, we found the answer to the toughest question of the championship test.

Overall it was a terrible draft, but it did get them the most important player in the franchise. Wolf gets the blame for the bad, and credit for the good, that's how it works for the person with the final say. And while Wolf still technically has final say I give the credit for the 25' Draft to Vrabel, because he provided the outline for what they were looking for, and I believe every pick was made with Vrabel's consent. The irony that will make may heads here explode is that Wolf is going to get the NFL Executive of the Year award, but my guess is that he will defer credit to Vrabel and Co.

 

[Huckleberry1]

It really is amazing how they hit on pretty much all of their free agents and a big chunk of their draft picks.

Best offseason I have ever seen.

 

[reflexblue]

Best offseason I have ever seen.

Looking at how far this team has come in a year i think your right between coaching and player acquisition. I'm counting Vrable as one of the off season acquisitions

 

[Huckleberry1]

Looking at how far this team has come in a year i think your right between coaching and player acquisition

Yep, they nailed everything. I love this team, they are a pleasure to support.

 

[Schmo]

I wouldn't call his skill set "limited." He gets in the QB's face when he has one-on-ones, plus the FB role.

I was gonna say that he should make way more than $5-6 million per, thinking back to when Godchaux got his $10 million per from BB (I know he was overpaid).... but the Saints restructured to $4 million this year and $5.5 next. Tonga is worth more than that at a similar age.

I say a 2 year around $12-14 million.