PATRIOTS NEWS Daquan Jones and Shaq Thompson visiting

[DaBruinz]

if you are looking at shaq thompson, why not bring in matt milano as well?

Because Milano is toast.

 

[Wozzy]

Muma is back today

Good news

 

[borisman]

I've been waiting since before TC started for the Pats to add a vet TE and LB.

On a side note: what happened with Bobby Okereke? I don't watch any NFL or any other sports related news shows so I'm in the dark with any news about still unsigned quality veterans. Are the Pats that enamored with Ellis and don't want him coming off the bench?

 

[Pape]

Because Milano is toast

both played in only 12 games last year... both made around 30 tackles... MM had a couple more sacks...

6 or 1/2 dozen it looks like ...

 

[JoeSixPat]

both interesting.
will be interesting to see what their $$$ might be
I saw Van Roten signed for much more than originally thought
just goes to show that injuries make teams more desperate.

Yeah that surprised me as well - I viewed him as above the veteran minimum but I think he's getting more than he did last year. No doubt waiting until the injury bug hits is advantageous to these guys. But $3-4 million for a player who started every game last year despite his age is worth it when there's a need for depth

 

[captain stone]

Yeah that surprised me as well - I viewed him as above the veteran minimum but I think he's getting more than he did last year. No doubt waiting until the injury bug hits is advantageous to these guys. But $3-4 million for a player who started every game last year despite his age is worth it when there's a need for depth

And when you have the cap space to make moves like these too. It makes No sense Not to do so in order to fill the holes behind the starters.

 

[DaBruinz]

And when you have the cap space to make moves like these too. It makes No sense Not to do so in order to fill the holes behind the starters.

Tell everyone you don't understand the cap without telling everyone you don't understand the cap.

The Patriots currently have 29M in cap space this year, but only 19M in cap space for 2027. That is WITHOUT the Gonzalez contract extension, which will increase his cap hit for this year and probably for next year as well.

The Patriots have several KEY UFA going into the 2027 season.
Boutte
Douglas
Hollins
Onwenu
Byard
Elliss
Durden
Baringer

I can acknowledge that the Pats can easily free up cap space by cutting guys like Landry (14.5M), Davis (16.5M), Moses (9M). But that is a LOT of experience to replace. And the Pats will already have some big holes to fill at ILB and Guard.

Of those, I only see Durden and Baringer as must re-signs. Neither will break the bank. Onwenu and Boutte would be nice to have. I don't want the Patriots to let Boutte walk. I think it would be a mistake to let a 25yr old WR with his talent to go elsewhere.

Basically, the Pats need to carry over as much Cap Space as possible to ensure they have money to sign the players they need to bring back and to fill the holes that will be created by those leaving.

 

[DaBruinz]

Yeah that surprised me as well - I viewed him as above the veteran minimum but I think he's getting more than he did last year. No doubt waiting until the injury bug hits is advantageous to these guys. But $3-4 million for a player who started every game last year despite his age is worth it when there's a need for depth

Van Roten signed a 1yr deal for $3M. He got a salary of $1.48M. He got a $500K signing bonus and $500K of the 1.48M is guaranteed. He can make an additional 1.02M in game bonuses and there is an additional 1.5M in incentives that are listed as LTBE, but no info yet on what those are.

 

[JoeSixPat]

And when you have the cap space to make moves like these too. It makes No sense Not to do so in order to fill the holes behind the starters.

I take your response to mean that the Pats DO have the cap space to make these moves now - not really factoring in extending Gonzales and Maye next season, but yes, I agree

Proper cap management is almost THE key to getting and retaining quality depth for these situations and I'd think that they were prepared for injuries to require late signings - and probably even more.

Oddly for this season an extension for Gonzo could actually wind up saving money this year if they wanted to approach it that way - though I do think Gonzo would like to have more in his pocket than the less than $3 mil cash he's effectively getting paid for this season. IMO they'd do well to front load on his contract to lessen the impact when Maye's extension hits.

Yes, he's got the guaranteed $18 million for next season but creates an interesting poker game

I could totally see where a player would have an incentive to feign a hammy issue and not risk a $140 million contract by playing for $3 mil in cash this year. Next year would be a different matter with $18 mil on the line and a tryout to get an even bigger contract.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Always wanted to see Shaq in a Pats uniform. Better late than never I guess? Shame when U Washington moved him from safety to lb. He could of been a great one imo. They basically took the number 2 safety in the country and converted him over.

 

[DC Patriots]

I could see either/both of these guys been an asset in a rotation/limited packages

 

[p8ryts]

I could see either/both of these guys been an asset in a rotation/limited packages

I don't remember which game it was last year, but I remember Shaq playing well.

 

[DC Patriots]

His having been drafted by the Sox adds a rule of cool quality to it as well.

(ok, flame away)

 

[rkarp1]

Muma is back today

Muma played well into the 2nd half against the Eagles, which has me thinking the staff is decidedly up in the air about him.
he suffered an ankle injury late in the game
he played poorly in both games
Jacobs also injured. I have not heard his status yet
OB also played poorly
the ILB spots have very poor depth options from what I can see.
Britt has made some noise, but more depth is needed

 

[captain stone]

Thompson's still available, in a way: He's on Barfalo's PS...

Bobby Okereke, another should've-been target, signed with the Panthers' 53-man roster on the 31st, after Cut-Down Day.

Both Jones bros, Daquan & NaQuan, are still available too.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Thompson's still available, in a way: He's on Barfalo's PS...

Bobby Okereke, another should've-been target, signed with the Panthers' 53-man roster on the 31st, after Cut-Down Day.

Both Jones bros, Daquan & NaQuan, are still available too.

Is there still the benefit of signing them after week 1 so their salaries aren’t guaranteed?

 

[Ross12]

Is there still the benefit of signing them after week 1 so their salaries aren’t guaranteed?

Yes

 

[mike_usagisan]

Yes

I wonder who we’ll see get added then?

 

[Patriot Missile]

His having been drafted by the Sox adds a rule of cool quality to it as well.

(ok, flame away)

Flame away he says 0-39 with 37 strikeouts is soooooo easy lol

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Is there still the benefit of signing them after week 1 so their salaries aren’t guaranteed?

I assume this is what they are doing with Daqua or Naquan (on Vikings PS) signing them after the 1st game (Tonga replacement).

I thought Thompson too but we signed so many LBs I am not sure now. If they were intent on Thompson,I doubt they would have signed 3 LBs.