Official Free Agency 2018

I think the first key to the off season is getting Solder re-signed. Because both Waddle and Fleming are also free agents. If they all walk, the Pats would be in serious trouble.

Outside of backing up the Brinks truck for Ziggy Ansah, I don't see enticing UFA. As for the ILB FAs they are all old and slow.

I will end this with post by saying that "he" is a UFA again....

Conor Barwin

The FA market looks overpriced and meh - maybe BB finds a potential gem or two at the lower levels. And please, no WRs (other than our own FA) - we've got JE, Britt, Dorsett, Hogan, Mitchell...and please sign DA. Other than that, camp fodder.

TE could get complicated. So could OT.

I'm interested in seeing if BB trades away draft picks for guy with 1 or 2 more years on a rookie deal, a la Cooks.

That's a big question: as the Pats set up for Brady's sunset, do they pull an Elway and go "all in," cap (in a couple of years) be damned, draft picks for proven vets, etc? Or does BB continue his slow and continual build, often with fewer blue chip players?

I loved Barwin in the 2009 draft, and was extremely pissed-off that Bill chose that soft-ass slob Ronnie Busto Brace instead of him.

Be that as it may, Barwin no longer wants to play 4-3 DE; he wants to remain a 3-4 OLB like he was in Houston during his first 4 years and in SD/LA last year.

captain stone said:

I loved Barwin in the 2009 draft, and was extremely pissed-off that Bill chose that soft-ass slob Ronnie Busto Brace instead of him.

Be that as it may, Barwin no longer wants to play 4-3 DE; he wants to remain a 3-4 OLB like he was in Houston during his first 4 years and in SD/LA last year.

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Someone was on the Draftboard that year pounding the table for him.
Was that you?

ChrisR2223 said:

Someone was on the Draftboard that year pounding the table for him.
Was that you?

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No, that was Box O'Rocks

ChrisR2223 said:

Serious question could we trade Jordan Richards to the lions?
If he's that smart maybe Matty P wants him to teach his defense

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He would be lucky to land on another roster after the Patriots hopefully cut him.

DaBruinz said:

Reading comprehension was always an issue with you.

My saying that KVN saw 100% of the snaps while HT was healthy is stating a fact. It's not saying that HT was playing less than KVN.

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Senility was always an issue with you. Again if you think HT was healthy just because he was on the field and KVN was playing more snaps than a healthy hightower means there is something you're missing.

BS. Saying that you like him as a fourth means you don't see him as any better than that.

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No it means I don't like him on the field with Hightower and I don't think we should stick him on the edge or in space in the playoffs against teams with players who will be absolute mismatches for him. I know its a tough to hold two thoughts at the same time but KVN can both be a good linebacker and not a perfect fit given what we have in Hightower. Hightower misses time though and thats why having a capable player like KVN is important.

You're the one making stupid BS claims. Not me. But that has always been your modus operandi.

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DB gonna DB

maineman209 said:

Given that the Pats typically have no more than three LBs on the field for most plays and often have just two (one of which has often been Chung playing an LB-ish role), relegating KVN to the "#4 LB spot" is effectively relegating him to the bench.


Then, the question about the LB "depth chart" becomes, "HT and who (and who)" playing ahead of KVN?

Keep in mind that KVN already has 1.5 years of experience in the Pats system and schemes, and that any new guys, whether draftees or NFL free agents, will be learning those from scratch.

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I've said that no player is going to waltz in and unseat everyone on day one (Mayo was pretty special and there was a lot of reps available to him in that respect. KVN will be playing considerable snaps again next year because he can play every single linebacker position and in the NFL guys go down.

Hopefully a healthy Rivers can take significant snaps in a LEO role on the edge but we've yet to see him play a meaningful snap. We've need to add a linebacker who is truly comfortable in coverage. They're rare but incredibly valuable on third down. Chung is a bit older so his big nickel role can also be reduced/transitioned with a fluid 230lb player.

That role is significant and like you said our and the nfl's reliance on "sub" packages sort of highlights every single defender on the field. KVN is an elite coverage linebacker or an elite blitzer or edge rusher. He's capable in all 3 roles but on 3rd down in the post season, "capable" can get isolated and exploited by better athletes. Hightower has his 3rd down niche cut out as an excellent blitzer, good off the edge and capable when dropping.

TriplecHamp said:

We'll need to add a linebacker who is truly comfortable in coverage.

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Agreed, although Belichick may prioritize an athletic safety who can play in some of the schemes that he’s been leaning towards, at times.

With more of a focus being placed on versatile offensive pieces who are speedier than ever, Belichick may try to counter with a younger, more athletic Chung.

Now this I can get on board with (assuming he isn’t resigned)...

“Beat writer Hays Carlyon doesn't expect the Jaguars to be able to re-sign impending free agent CB Aaron Colvin.”

“Outside CBs Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye get all the love in Jacksonville, but Colvin is one of the best slot corners in the game and is/was a big part of the Jaguars' defense. Per Pro Football Focus, Colvin didn't allow a single touchdown in his coverage, and his 0.76 yards per snap in coverage was third-best among all slot corners. Colvin, 26, is one of the top corners set to hit the market.”

Aaron Colvin - Jacksonville Jaguars - 2018 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

UptownPatsFan said:

Now this I can get on board with (assuming he isn’t resigned)...

“Beat writer Hays Carlyon doesn't expect the Jaguars to be able to re-sign impending free agent CB Aaron Colvin.”

“Outside CBs Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye get all the love in Jacksonville, but Colvin is one of the best slot corners in the game and is/was a big part of the Jaguars' defense. Per Pro Football Focus, Colvin didn't allow a single touchdown in his coverage, and his 0.76 yards per snap in coverage was third-best among all slot corners. Colvin, 26, is one of the top corners set to hit the market.”

Aaron Colvin - Jacksonville Jaguars - 2018 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

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For sure, although it sounds as if he’s in line to get a Logan Ryan type of pact, and I don’t think we’d pay 10+m dollars a year.

Reports are the Jets,Dolphins,Colts,Redskins,Cowboys have called the Steelers about Martavius Bryant.
They may actually get a third for him.

UptownPatsFan said:

Josh Gordon to Be Exclusive-Rights Free Agent After Questions About Status

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Gordon can’t catch a break

ChrisR2223 said:

Reports are the Jets,Dolphins,Colts,Redskins,Cowboys have called the Steelers about Martavius Bryant.
They may actually get a third for him.

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Are there actually reports or is it still just incarceratedbob and nobody else?

Sciz said:

Are there actually reports or is it still just incarceratedbob and nobody else?

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Report: Redskins, Dolphins, Jets and Colts have called Steelers regarding Martavis Bryant

TommyBrady12 said:

Gordon can’t catch a break

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It is really his own fault for not taking his drug issue seriously any sooner.

Perhaps, you will have the same attitude by Draft Day.

BTW, I guess you believe that the losses from last year's roster outright the gains.

IMHO, I don't believe that rookies will get a lot of playing time if we sign our own free agents, with the exception of the #1 (who we always hope has lot of reps) and a LB.

supafly said:

The main difference this year is that it’s the first time in awhile that I’m not talking about the lack of available roster spots and how rookies wouldn’t be getting much playing time. For the first time in years it feels like we need all of those picks.

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all i want is a full season from our expensive MLB.

After seeing mayo get IR'd repeatedly, and then watching hightower go down right after signing a fat contract.

I don't have the numbers but i'd wager that one spot on the defense has had more IR dollars then active dollars in the last 6 years or so.

chasa said:

all i want is a full season from our expensive MLB.

After seeing mayo get IR'd repeatedly, and then watching hightower go down right after signing a fat contract.

I don't have the numbers but i'd wager that one spot on the defense has had more IR dollars then active dollars in the last 6 years or so.

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Cousin, I agree. I think Hightower is a talented LB, but his talent and heart are negated by his ability to stay on the field.

The Defense needs to infuse more talent. We have not had a healthy Hightower most of last year and still won almost everything but unfortunately the last when we ran out of talent. Was he missed? Sure but he is not dependable. Perhaps Hightower gets us some capital to Draft or trade? Would Matt P reach out if he was available as the Lions need an LB and Hightower can help coach the new D on the field?

I think it is taboo here but McCourty is replaceable and Harmon can play his FS position. Laugh at this, but I think the much bigger Rowe can be moved to Safety.

Just for fun and to be a contrarian, McCourty and Hightower to the Lions for perhaps a first and third and the rights to Calvin Johnson who is Edelman and Amendola's age at 32.

I think you can get a very good healthy Zack Brown who was Pro Bwol the last two years and is fast and can cover. Now if Gronk retires, you opt for Eifert and sign Megatron for at perhaps at last two years to be your Red Zone threat.

Brady to Megatron? Like the Moss connection only with Edleman, Cooks and Amendola who do you let be one on one while double teaming Megatron?

CAP space for new talent via Draft or FA and fill a possible Gronk hole. The rest of the NFL would go berserk.........."thought we got rid of Gronk's productive presence and Red Zone threat?!". If Gronk comes back.....what fun with Megatron......Plus a retooled D Flores can mold

Now you bring in some added picks as well.
Thoughts? Threats?
DW Toys