FA Pick 5

Who I want cap be damned?

CB- Talib
OC- Alex Mack
DE- Michael Johnson
WR- Hakeem Nicks
RB- Blount

Add a 1st round DT in the draft and double on TE's......

DL: Jones - Wilfork- 1st round DT - Michael Johnson
OL: Solder - Mankins- Mack- Cannon-Vollmer
WR: Nicks, Dobson(vertical) Amendola Boyce (work the middle)
TE: Gronk, Amaro, CJ

I'll just stop at this point before i get excited. Is that going to happen? Nope.

Likely: aka reality
CB- Talib
RB- Blount
WR- Emmanuel Sanders
TE: Scott

Keeping expectations low

P.S. Edelman is still gone even in this dream scenario. I hope some of you understand the chances of him coming back at least IMO are 0 to none unless the market doesn't want him.

Stop dreaming with FA's unless BB cuts more heads than King Joffrey from game of thrones.

Wilfork and Gregory are 2 cuts that already release some good cap.

I want a different game plan for the defense that doesn't use a tank like Wilfork and Gregory is a good backup at best, for that, use the depth you already have on Wilson and Ebner.

I think Dennard and Ryan can do a good job with the line giving pressure, on the other hand Talib can't do miracle with there's no pressure on the opposing QB, so I say give Talib's money to a stud DE. PASS RUSH, that's what I want.

Obviously keep giving proper attention to the secondary through draft.

Addressing the DL through FA we can draft a TE and OL in the first 3 rounds and maybe we can still pick a developmental WR or QB, using all the other picks adding depth to the defense.

If there's still money on the bank keep Edelman or bring Sanders. As of now I'm more inclined in the 2nd option.

50-yard-line said:

Not sure I'd love the idea of keeping Edelman and bringing in Cotchery...we'd have, essentially, 3 slot guys. And I don't think Pittsburgh is letting him go. All the buzz in the Pittsburgh media is that Sanders is going, but they're keeping Cotchery as the old hand to school Wheaton and the rookie(s) they intend to draft. Makes sense - he won't cost much.

I also expect T.J. Ward and Jarius Byrd to get the franchise tags.

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Edelman's not a slot receiver, He's a WR3 who can play both outside and in the slot, and the reason you mention the Steelers being rumored to keep Cotchery is the reason I would like to see the Patriots bring him in. He can handle the WR3/WR4 role and still be a teaching type of leader for any Patriots WR puppies that make the roster.

Re: FA Pick 5,

No to Emmanuel Sanders, Scott Chandler and Blount for anything much more than the minimum. If I'm paying a FA RB, I'd pay Ben Tate.


WR Julian Edelman or Golden Tate or Andre Roberts (Damien Williams for depth and competition).

CB Aquib Talib or Alterraun Verner or Sam Shields or Reggie Grimes.

DT Henry Melton or more likely to be affordable Earl Mitchell.

TE Dennis Pitta if he doesn't get franchised or Jermichael Finley if he gets cleared, doesn't look like GB will sign him. Neither likely, maybe Pettigrew or Gresham if he gets released.

C Fernando Velasco played well for Pittsburgh or Ted Larsen both for competition, not necessarily as starters.

Would be thrilled with any of Greg Hardy, Michael Johnson, Lamarr Houston, Michael Bennett, Jared Allen, Arthur Jones or Everson Griffen but don't see it happening. BB has talked up Will Smith before, maybe him.

1. Talib - need him back
2. Mack - would *love* to have a dominant interior OL presence
3. Tuck - very good pass rusher, should be cheaper than Johnson
4. Sidney Rice - big, fast, talented WR… a bit risky, but should be cheaper than Edelman even… I figure Rice and Dobson on the outside with Amendola in the slot is a nice WR setup
5. Allen - yes, that's two D-linemen. But Allen on one side, Jones on the other, plus Chris Jones and Tuck on the inside on passing downs? They could get a *LOT* of pressure on the QB. Big-time. It would change this defense entirely.

mgteich said:

It's not all that crazy to consider

Talib
Edelman
Blount
Michael Johnson
and Mack

I agree that the rest is tooth fairy stuff.

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Cousin. I agreed with you exactly. Tell me now there is not a tooth fairy.

Is is quicker to New York or by train?

DW Toys

Don_the_patfan said:

Who I want cap be damned?

CB- Talib
OC- Alex Mack
DE- Michael Johnson
WR- Hakeem Nicks
RB- Blount

Add a 1st round DT in the draft and double on TE's......

DL: Jones - Wilfork- 1st round DT - Michael Johnson
OL: Solder - Mankins- Mack- Cannon-Vollmer
WR: Nicks, Dobson(vertical) Amendola Boyce (work the middle)
TE: Gronk, Amaro, CJ

I'll just stop at this point before i get excited. Is that going to happen? Nope.

Likely: aka reality
CB- Talib
RB- Blount
WR- Emmanuel Sanders
TE: Scott CHANDLER

Keeping expectations low

P.S. Edelman is still gone even in this dream scenario. I hope some of you understand the chances of him coming back at least IMO are 0 to none unless the market doesn't want him.

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Fixed it.
DW Toys

In an ideal world where we don't have to overpay for any of them, I'd probably go with Mack, Greg Hardy, Talib, Linval Joseph, and Blount. Add a TE in the first 2 rounds and a guard relatively early, and that would allow the secondary to remain intact, the interior of the OL to dramatically improve, and the defensive line to get way, way better. I'd be pretty comfortable with a 2TE base offense that featured Dobson and Amendola as the top two WRs (with Boyce and Thompkins at 3/4), Gronk and Amaro/ASJ at TE, and Ridley/Blount/Vereen at RB.

That's a perfectly capable offense, and a defensive line featuring Hardy, Joseph, and Jones would be both young and extremely talented.

DT-Arthur Jones

S-Donte Whitner

WR-Emmanuel Sanders

DL-Micheal Bennett

CB-Aquib Talib



This is based on the assumption that Wilfork won't be back which would mean significant changes for their defense and much more cap space. I wouldn't consider this realistic but this thread seems more about wish list anyways. That said i left Mack off because even if this is a wish list they wouldn't be able to do everything they want. I took Sanders over Edelman because I actually think Belichick is more willing to pay him than he is Edelman.



A defensive line with C.Jones, Ninkovich, Bennett and A. Jones would be versatile and nasty, and even without Talib adding Whitner to their defensive backfield would make them really good overall. I could live with a secondary of Dennard/Whitner/McCourty/Ryan.

Draft Ebron or Amaro in the first round and add a CB and Center on day 2.

Ivan said:

DT-Arthur Jones

S-Donte Whitner

WR-Emmanuel Sanders

DL-Micheal Bennett

CB-Aquib Talib



This is based on the assumption that Wilfork won't be back which would mean significant changes for their defense and much more cap space. I wouldn't consider this realistic but this thread seems more about wish list anyways. That said i left Mack off because even if this is a wish list they wouldn't be able to do everything they want. I took Sanders over Edelman because I actually think Belichick is more willing to pay him than he is Edelman.



A defensive line with C.Jones, Ninkovich, Bennett and A. Jones would be versatile and nasty, and even without Talib adding Whitner to their defensive backfield would make them really good overall. I could live with a secondary of Dennard/Whitner/McCourty/Ryan.

Draft Ebron or Amaro in the first round and add a CB and Center on day 2.

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I like your thinking here. I'd still want Kelly and Siliga in that mix (and I think I'd still rather get Lamar Houston on a 3-year deal over Bennett).

50-yard-line said:

I like your thinking here. I'd still want Kelly and Siliga in that mix (and I think I'd still rather get Lamar Houston on a 3-year deal over Bennett).

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I agree on Siliga and Kelly and would keep Chris Jones as well. I doubt Bennett leaves Seattle but he's at the top of my list for free agents. I need to look at Houston closer because i really haven't paid that much attention to him.


Jesus I hate the idea of Wilfork being done, one of my favorite player's of all time.

Realistic:

1. Talib
2. Edelman
3. Blount
4. Art Jones
5. Donald Butler/ Everson Griffon whichever comes cheaper

Focus on TE, DT, OC/OG, and athletic LB in draft

1. Aqib Talib- Can't replace his ability or knowledge of system in FA/draft.

2. Andrew Quarless- "Joker" TE who can line up in-line and split out. Under the radar 'young-veteran' player with good athleticism and experience in a diverse offensive system.

3. Alex Mack- Would be worth the paycheck. The best center in the NFL imo.

4. Julian Edelman- Can't de-value his knowledge of the system, comfortability with Brady, special teams production, and his ability to play the Y and Z spots.

5. Veteran situational pass rusher that can give us a legitimate rush 20-30 snaps a game (Everson Griffen, Justin Tuck, Will Smith, Jared Allen, Julius Peppers).

If we choose to let Edelman walk I'd like to bring in one Hakeem Nicks, Miles Austin, Jeremy Maclin, Jacoby Jones, or James Jones.

Jercules said:

I want a repeat of the 2007 off season, when it was finally acknowledged it was worth our while to get Tom somebody to throw to.

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So basically you're looking for the Pats to trade a 4th round pick to take a chance on a veteran WR with character issues who hasn't really produced with his last team, plus use a 2nd rounder for a RFA that no one's really heard of but has had some good games against the Patriots - both of whom were pretty cheap.

It's funny how looking back people think Belichick went "shopping" and spent gobs of money on Moss and Welker - but he of course did not.

Seems to me that what most fans fail to grasp about free agency is that, almost by definition, difficult choices need to be made.

You can't simply go out and buy all the top tier players. You make judgement calls - such as investing more for a pass rush knowing that the pressure up front might make an average CB more than adequate.

They also forget that Free Agency is not expected to address all of a team's need. The draft forms another component and trades are always possible etc.

Free agency itself is t is actually more about depth than eye catching names - but it's that depth that has often made the difference.

So whatever happens in Free Agency - people will be expressing disappointment - especially fans who don't fully understand the game.

50-yard-line said:

I also expect T.J. Ward and Jarius Byrd to get the franchise tags.

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I'm not as sure that I expect Byrd to get the franchise tag 2 years in a row myself.

1. Talib
2. Blount
3. Hoomanawanui
4. Fletcher
5. Svitek

Cuts that should have happened a week ago:

Isaac Sopoaga
Adrian Wilson

New England Patriots - 2014 Team Roster - Rotoworld.com Fantasy Sports

supafly said:

I'm not as sure that I expect Byrd to get the franchise tag 2 years in a row myself.

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No way Byrd gets the franchise tag again this season, that would p[ay him top 5 overall in the NFL. The Patriots won't be signing him but he is hitting the market imo.

Ivan said:

No way Byrd gets the franchise tag again this season, that would p[ay him top 5 overall in the NFL. The Patriots won't be signing him but he is hitting the market imo.

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Yeah, I can't envision a scenario where Buffalo would be okay with paying him 13-14m in guaranteed cap hits over just 2 years. If they are going to try and keep him, they'll want to try and agree on a longer term deal.