DeAndre Hopkins released (And Ongoing Rumors)

[rochrist]

Too much focus on weapons, not enough focus on the delivery system.

What we know...
BB had zero faith in Mac launching Hail Mary's in multiple games. (BB opted for Pop Warner laterals)
BB is all in on providing Mac with jump ball/50-50 specialists (Harry/Parker)
Screen passes are being emphasized so far this off season.

Factor in all the OL castoffs Bill bought in free agency this offseason after their former teams decided "we need upgrades"

BB did not provide Harry for Mac. He provided him for Brady.

 

[Ross12]

IDK, I think you still have to gamble on Brown. When motivated, he is a a very good tackle that can play both sides of the line. The fact he is in a contract year, you gotta hope he is motivated enough. If he is looking to retire after the season, he could be just playing for a paycheck though.

I don't expect it to happen and I hope he looks good and plays well because he CAN be a good tackle, but if he doesn't look that impressive in camp and misses time (he was missing the first OTA that media could see this week), and the other tackles look about as good and the rookies seem solid then I wouldn't be at all shocked to see them elect to save a sizeable chunk of money.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I don't expect it to happen and I hope he looks good and plays well because he CAN be a good tackle, but if he doesn't look that impressive in camp and misses time (he was missing the first OTA that media could see this week), and the other tackles look about as good and the rookies seem solid then I wouldn't be at all shocked to see them elect to save a sizeable chunk of money.

I think you’re right, but I do wonder what the point of saving the money is. What would they spend it on? Unless they’re bringing Hopkins or someone else in this year, it might be worth spending the money to have good depth at T, especially after what we saw last year.

 

[Ross12]

I think you’re right, but I do wonder what the point of saving the money is. What would they spend it on? Unless they’re bringing Hopkins or someone else in this year, it might be worth spending the money to have good depth at T, especially after what we saw last year.

They could use it to re-sign someone. Dugger, Onwenu, Henry and others need deals. Not necessarily a big impact in 2023 but you'd be able to carry savings you picked up this year to go towards next year which would cover a new deal.

 

[mike_usagisan]

They could use it to re-sign someone. Dugger, Onwenu, Henry and others need deals. Not necessarily a big impact in 2023 but you'd be able to carry savings you picked up this year to go towards next year which would cover a new deal.

True, though I expect the Pats to maybe keep 1 of them. I just think Brown needs to be really bad not to hang around as insurance.

 

[Jim Beankie]

The supposed naturopath who doesn't even take supplements DHop says he doesn't know how the 0.1% ostarine (sarms performance enhancing drug) got into his body. At least Jules pretty much came clean. Can't deal with the Shaggy "It wasn't me" liars. That being said, if we cut DPark and get DHop, I'll be reluctantly on board.

 

[Zuma]

The supposed naturopath who doesn't even take supplements DHop says he doesn't know how the 0.1% ostarine (sarms performance enhancing drug) got into his body. At least Jules pretty much came clean. Can't deal with the Shaggy "It wasn't me" liars. That being said, if we cut DPark and get DHop, I'll be reluctantly on board.

Hopkins for Parker is the right move IMO. Jules definitely benefited from his adderall script…focus.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Biggest part of the sentence was PEDS.
I’ve seen the story too many times when we give significant coin to a WR over 30.

Off the top of my head.

Muhammad Sanu
Chad Johnson Ocho Cinco
Reggie Wayne
Charles Johnson
Torrance Small
Demaryious Thomas

I know I’m missing some but we know how the story will go.

All of those receivers were way over the Hill, Hopkins is 30, but he’s in no way at the point those WR’s were at.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Is there evidence that Hopkins hated O'Brien? I see it thrown around a lot but just wondering.

If I'm the Patriots I would go for him. You want to win in the AFC east and get your QB back on track? Best way to do it is a guy like Hopkins. We have the money.

The report from Deadspin was that O’Brien told Hopkins his “ Baby Mama’s were around too much,” and that it led to Hopkins demanding the trade. I think Michael Irvin was the first to report it.

 

[50-yard-line]

I think you are underestimating JuJu's ability of YAC in an O'Brien offense. Meyers' was clutch catching the ball when throwing to him, but if you hit him for 5-6 yards, that is all you are going to get. JuJu will take a five yard pass and make it 10-15 yards. I think as long as he can stay healthy, he is going to be a big improvement. Potentially a Welker/Edelman type of improvement. I know he isn't exactly like those guys, but he is similar in the ability to get YAC.

And I think Bourne will live up closer to our expectations of him from last year. He is another YAC guy and O'Brien loves to have plays designed to get YAC. And those short quick throws plays into Mac's strength of quick release and decision making. Basically they both excel at stuff Patricia removed from the offense last year.

And as pointed out, they cannot play Hopkins, Parker, Bourne, and JuJu on the same plays more than rare exceptions. And O'Brien loves the two TE set (and Mac said this week that that ain't changing this year). So with both TEs on the field a lot and at least one RB, you are mostly going to see two WRs on the field at the same time. Some three WR sets thrown in. You will rarely see four WR on the field at the same time. Almost never five.

And I think Thornton has the potential to be a WR #2. But who knows yet.

The Pats would save 6m+ on Parker, and 5.5m+ on Bourne.

If they sign Hopkins, I'd guess that once they get rolling through camp, barring injuries, might want to remove one of those guys, hopefully in a trade. Juju's going to get a lot of work, Gisecki's going to be on the field a lot, and they're not going to give up on Thornton after one season.

Or they could keep five - DHop/Parker/Bourne/Thornton/Rookie, but with Gisecki (who'll be in the slot a lot) four seems more likely. They only kept 2 TEs on the roster last year, but if htey're really featuring a 2-TE set, they'll probably need 3 this year.

 

[Sicilian]

The Pats would save 6m+ on Parker, and 5.5m+ on Bourne.

If they sign Hopkins, I'd guess that once they get rolling through camp, barring injuries, might want to remove one of those guys, hopefully in a trade. Juju's going to get a lot of work, Gisecki's going to be on the field a lot, and they're not going to give up on Thornton after one season.

Or they could keep five - DHop/Parker/Bourne/Thornton/Rookie, but with Gisecki (who'll be in the slot a lot) four seems more likely. They only kept 2 TEs on the roster last year, but if htey're really featuring a 2-TE set, they'll probably need 3 this year.

You forgot JuJu in your "keep five" scenario, which I think just further illustrates your point. Unless there are injuries, or Thornton and the two 6th rounders are SO bad in camp that they give up them immediately, there just isn't room for everyone on the roster PLUS Hopkins. If he comes here, Parker or Bourne are going to get cut or traded before week 1.

 

[50-yard-line]

You forgot JuJu in your "keep five" scenario, which I think just further illustrates your point. Unless there are injuries, or Thornton and the two 6th rounders are SO bad in camp that they give up them immediately, there just isn't room for everyone on the roster PLUS Hopkins. If he comes here, Parker or Bourne are going to get cut or traded before week 1.

Oops, yeah, i thought it looked thin...posting in a hurry...have to perform a marriage ceremony this weekend.

So, yeah, they're very unlikely to keep six:
DHop
Juju
Parker
Bourne
Thornton
Douglas and Boutte and Cunningham all to the PS, which, if they show anything, will likely get them poached. Maybe Cunningham gets on the 53 as QB3...

I don't think they're getting DHop, but if they do and any of the rookies shows to be a keeper (especially with Boutte's ceiling), I expect either Parker or Bourne to be moved. Their contracts are friendly to any trade partner, and cuttable with minimal cost.

 

[p8ryts]

Oops, yeah, i thought it looked thin...posting in a hurry...have to perform a marriage ceremony this weekend.

So, yeah, they're very unlikely to keep six:
DHop
Juju
Parker
Bourne
Thornton
Douglas and Boutte and Cunningham all to the PS, which, if they show anything, will likely get them poached. Maybe Cunningham gets on the 53 as QB3...

I don't think they're getting DHop, but if they do and any of the rookies shows to be a keeper (especially with Boutte's ceiling), I expect either Parker or Bourne to be moved. Their contracts are friendly to any trade partner, and cuttable with minimal cost.

I agree with your last paragraph

 

[captain stone]

The supposed naturopath who doesn't even take supplements DHop says he doesn't know how the 0.1% ostarine (sarms performance enhancing drug) got into his body. At least Jules pretty much came clean. Can't deal with the Shaggy "It wasn't me" liars. That being said, if we cut DPark and get DHop, I'll be reluctantly on board.

Hopkins for Parker is the right move IMO. Jules definitely benefited from his adderall script…focus.

And in Edelman's case, as well as in those of Rodney Harrison & Rob Ninkovich, they were coming off major injuries the previous year... In the case of Hopkins, as well as fellow Cheater Eukelele, it was simply Straight Cheating, homie.

 

[TommyD4207]

Oops, yeah, i thought it looked thin...posting in a hurry...have to perform a marriage ceremony this weekend.

So, yeah, they're very unlikely to keep six:
DHop
Juju
Parker
Bourne
Thornton
Douglas and Boutte and Cunningham all to the PS, which, if they show anything, will likely get them poached. Maybe Cunningham gets on the 53 as QB3...

I don't think they're getting DHop, but if they do and any of the rookies shows to be a keeper (especially with Boutte's ceiling), I expect either Parker or Bourne to be moved. Their contracts are friendly to any trade partner, and cuttable with minimal cost.

If Hopkins is in, you can be sure Parker or Bourne are out.

 

[Huckleberry1]

If Hopkins is in, you can be sure Parker or Bourne are out.

Parker is the big possession receiver, so it would more likely be him,

 

[Pape]

Haven't read the whole thread...

Hop is a long term vet... probably tired of camp and practice at this point... Does anyone else think Hopkins might not want to sign with anyone until camp is substantially over? Any scuttlebutt in the twitterverse to that effect?

 

[TommyD4207]

Parker is the big possession receiver, so it would more likely be him,

He's also only 6 months younger than Hopkins. And you got him for pennies, so getting rid of him for pennies is perfectly acceptable.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Let’s see if Buffalo makes a run at Hopkins now that they’ve reached an extension with Ed Oliver and freed up some cap space.

 

[Family]

So what does it take to sign Hopkins?

Does 2/28 do it because cutting Parker means 2/22 and that's doable.

It shouldn't even make a difference at making a run at one of the young players next year, since the first year cap is pushed.