Decker, McDaniels & Patriots interest

[Froob]

We said the same about Mike Wallace...how did that turn out

Everyone knew he was getting 10+.

 

[PatsChamp88]

We said the same about Mike Wallace...how did that turn out

I don't doubt Decker could make more money but I don't see him following the money like Wallace and let alone someone offering a contract like Ireland but never say never.

Wallace and Ireland were a match made in heaven.

 

[patsderoer]

I don't expect Wilfork to be the player he was for the rest of his career, but 3/4 of that is still better than 90% of the DT's in this league.

I guess you missed the article, its not 3/4, more like 50% at best. And that is not even taking into account the age, he will be 33, and his massive weight which will put a lot of stress on that Achilles. 50% of a 33 year old Wilfork, I'm not so sure he is still better than 90% of the DTs.

And repeatedly pointing to the only bad game he has played just makes you look like an a-hole, there is no player on the patriots who has been more consistent from game to game over the past decade than Wilfork.

Lets be real here, Brady has carried the team the last decade. With Brady the offense was consistently very good, with Wilfork the D kept getting worse and worse. Not his fault, but lets be real, the Pats offense carried the team the last decade. Wilfork is a legend, but what he did is in the past. Next season he will be 33, coming off a bad bad injury which severily impacts how a player performs after coming back.

If I'm a a-hole for not giving in into sentimentalism cr@p, so be it. NFL is a business, and Wilfork will not be playing forever. Sooner or later, they will get rid of him.

I'm more concerned about Brady than Wilfork. His window is getting smaller and smaller. Brady carries this team, not Wilfork. Put an average QB on the Pats, and they dont make the playoffs. Put rookies instead of Wilfork, the Pats still win 12 games and get to the AFCCG.

Decker is a great weapon to add, he has size, he gets open. Over the last 3 seasons, he is 3rd in TDs, behind Dez Bryant and Megatron. Bryant has 34, Megatron 33, Decker 32. Any time a contender can add a weapon like that, and at the same time weaken the biggest threat, they should surely try to do it.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I guess you missed the article, its not 3/4, more like 50% at best. And that is not even taking into account the age, he will be 33, and his massive weight which will put a lot of stress on that Achilles. 50% of a 33 year old Wilfork, I'm not so sure he is still better than 90% of the DTs.



Lets be real here, Brady has carried the team the last decade. With Brady the offense was consistently very good, with Wilfork the D kept getting worse and worse. Not his fault, but lets be real, the Pats offense carried the team the last decade. Wilfork is a legend, but what he did is in the past. Next season he will be 33, coming off a bad bad injury which severily impacts how a player performs after coming back.

If I'm a a-hole for not giving in into sentimentalism cr@p, so be it. NFL is a business, and Wilfork will not be playing forever. Sooner or later, they will get rid of him.

I'm more concerned about Brady than Wilfork. His window is getting smaller and smaller. Brady carries this team, not Wilfork. Put an average QB on the Pats, and they dont make the playoffs. Put rookies instead of Wilfork, the Pats still win 12 games and get to the AFCCG.

Decker is a great weapon to add, he has size, he gets open. Over the last 3 seasons, he is 3rd in TDs, behind Dez Bryant and Megatron. Bryant has 34, Megatron 33, Decker 32. Any time a contender can add a weapon like that, and at the same time weaken the biggest threat, they should surely try to do it.

I am not suggesting that Brady hasn't been their best player at all, what i am saying is that game to game no player has been more consistent, and repeatedly saying "Vlad Ducasse owned him" over and over is taking one game and trying to pretend it is a real reflection of Wilfork, when nothing could be further from the truth. I honestly cannot remember 3 bad games in Wilfork's career, he is one of if not the most consistent player's to ever play for the patriots.

Decker is a #2 who is going to get #1 money, and he won't be worth it, i would much rather see them pay Edelman and draft another receiver in the first or second round and then use their free agency cash on defense.

There is no harm at all in redoing wilfork's deal with playing incentives, it is the smart move, but simply releasing him is idiotic.

 

[Nordberg]

Riley Cooper or Eric Decker, which is the best option for the pats?

Which ever one is better "value" of course

 

[patsderoer]

I am not suggesting that Brady hasn't been their best player at all, what i am saying is that game to game no player has been more consistent, and repeatedly saying "Vlad Ducasse owned him" over and over is taking one game and trying to pretend it is a real reflection of Wilfork, when nothing could be further from the truth. I honestly cannot remember 3 bad games in Wilfork's career, he is one of if not the most consistent player's to ever play for the patriots.

Because Ducasse sucks, he's not even a jag. Either way you look at that game, if doesnt look good going forward for Wilfork. He was injured? Than clearly father time has caught up with him. He was used a lot, it was inevitable that as he got older, his body would start to break down. And now he has suffered one of the worst injuries that he could have suffered.

Decker is a #2 who is going to get #1 money, and he won't be worth it, i would much rather see them pay Edelman and draft another receiver in the first or second round and then use their free agency cash on defense.

The numbers Decker put up are that of a #1. He is not an one-season wonder, last 3 years he put up almost same #TDs as Megatron. Bryant 34, Megatron 33, Decker 32. All other receivers behind this trio.

There is no harm at all in redoing wilfork's deal with playing incentives, it is the smart move, but simply releasing him is idiotic.

How is that not harm? Those 7.5 could be used to sign Decker. Maybe Denver will let him go, because they have to pay the Thomases, von Miller, and other defenders. Maybe Decker will take 8$ to still be with a contender, rather than go to a no-hope team like Oakland for 10$.

Decker would be a great weapon to add, and to weaken the Broncos.

 

[Huckleberry1]

How is that not harm? Those 7.5 could be used to sign Decker. Maybe Denver will let him go, because they have to pay the Thomases, von Miller, and other defenders. Maybe Decker will take 8$ to still be with a contender, rather than go to a no-hope team like Oakland for 10$.

Decker would be a great weapon to add, and to weaken the Broncos.

Signing Decker would mean Edelman walks because they aren't payng both of them, so by your logic they would get rid of Wilfork and Edelman, to pay big money to Decker, when they could simply sign Edelman and use a day 1 or 2 draft pick at a fraction of the cost. The savings would then go to defense.

 

[captain stone]

Compared to some of the other receivers that will be out there and how much he might command, I don't have much interest in Decker myself.

In which other WRs then would you have interest?

 

[supafly]

I am not sure if he is in the budget but I would certainly love to have Eric Decker on board.

Payback time. PayATon stole one of Brady's main weapons(Welker), now its time to return the favor. Cut Wilfork, sign Decker.

With Talib, Edelman, Blount, etc all being high priority signings, I would imagine that we'll need to make some seriously tough cuts (Wilfork is one example, although I doubt it will happen) just to have any flexibility whatsoever in order to try and make our usual lower/middle type of signings.

I couldn't possibly envision any scenario to where we'd even consider overpaying for Eric Decker also, but that's just my opinion.

As much as we all hate hearing it, I don't think they brake up Manning's offensive weapons too much out in Denver. Their approach may be to try and keep the offense intact, while re-drafting for defense. If you have Manning as your QB for another season or two, I can't see why you'd think otherwise to be honest. They may very well decide to go all in again in terms of Manning and his weapons, no matter whether they win or lose on Sunday. Why not take advantage of the window, which has proven to get them pretty far in the past 2 years?

 

[Tunescribe]

I don't think the Pats will pursue him because he is probably going to be overpaid, but I don't know if the Broncos will get him either. They have 16 free agents ...

Zowie. That team could look a LOT different next season, especially if Forehead calls it quits.

 

[Wilfork#75]

The truth is he was manhandled by a jag like Ducasse even before he suffered the season-ending injury. He has a lot of mileage on his body. His surgically repaired Achilles will have to support a mountain of a man.

Return to football after Achilles tendon rupture | Lower Extremity Review Magazine
Although the incidence of Achilles rupture is low, 0.93% per NFL game, nearly 36% of affected players never return to playing at the NFL level.
Furthermore, in the reviewed 21 NFL skill players who returned to play, there were significant decreases in games played per season (11.67 games per year pre-injury versus 6.17 games per year postinjury) when averaged over the three seasons before the injury and the three seasons after the injury.3 There were also decreases averaging nearly 50% in power ratings of the returning players for the three seasons after the injury compared to the three seasons before the injury. These data indicate that even in players able to return to their former level of play, the quality of play may suffer permanently.

Wilfork is up there in age, and he is massive, that weight will put a lot of stress on the repaired Achilles. I dont believe that he will be much better than Kelly when he comes back.


Dobson and Decker on the outside, Amendola, Edelman and Gronk on the inside, Vereen, Ridley in the backfield. Try to stop that.

That study was completed between 1997-2002, don't you think the medical science has improved a bit over the last decade to improve the chances of recovery?

I don't think there is any way Wilfork comes back at that $11.6mil cap hit, but unless they know for sure he can't play I don't see them flat out releasing him either. I think they restructure his contract, turning $3.5-4mil of his salary into NLTBE incentives and everyone is happy. Pats save $3.5-4mil against the cap and if during camp they realise he can't play they release him and save the extra $4mil or so. If he comes back as a solid vet he is worth the cap hit and if he exceeds expectations and reaches the NLTBE incentives he will have earned those too.

On the Decker/Edelman scenario, I would take Edelman. Not only is he an elite punt returner, he has shown he has the single most important thing necessary to be a WR in New England, chemistry with Brady. As long as his demands are reasonable I would love to have him back. I would also love to have Decker but I don't see Denver letting him go and even if he reaches free agency he will be overpaid.

 

[Kontradiction]

In which other WRs then would you have interest?

Emmanuel Sanders, James Jones, Hakeem Nicks, and Golden Tate.

All, on the surface, should come cheaper than Decker. All of them are capable of threatening outside the numbers. I'd throw in Jacoby Jones as well because he satisfies as a kick returner and a wide receiver, but he's more of a one trick pony as a WR and the team doesn't seem to be putting as much emphasis on KR's. I would take Decker if the price is right, but he may command more than the team is willing to spend. On top of that, the Broncos may do everything possible in order to keep him.

 

[makoute]

Compared to some of the other receivers that will be out there and how much he might command, I don't have much interest in Decker myself.

He plays very soft too for his size.

 

[Kontradiction]

He plays very soft too for his size.

One of the reasons why I have no earthly idea why the Pats were playing so much off man in the championship game. Press those receivers and abuse them at the LOS. Especially Decker. Against more physical corners that play press and get in his face, he has a tendancy to turtle. I don't want him and don't think he'd be a viable WR1 (which is what he'll more than likely be looking to get paid as).

 

[Brady6]

With Talib, Edelman, Blount, etc all being high priority signings, I would imagine that we'll need to make some seriously tough cuts (Wilfork is one example, although I doubt it will happen) just to have any flexibility whatsoever in order to try and make our usual lower/middle type of signings.

I couldn't possibly envision any scenario to where we'd even consider overpaying for Eric Decker also, but that's just my opinion.

As much as we all hate hearing it, I don't think they brake up Manning's offensive weapons too much out in Denver. Their approach may be to try and keep the offense intact, while re-drafting for defense. If you have Manning as your QB for another season or two, I can't see why you'd think otherwise to be honest. They may very well decide to go all in again in terms of Manning and his weapons, no matter whether they win or lose on Sunday. Why not take advantage of the window, which has proven to get them pretty far in the past 2 years?

I tend to agree with your thought that they will not breakup the offense. I have to be honest though I don’t think Elway is doing a good job especially when it comes to long term thinking.

Denver Broncos 2014 Salary Cap
• Offensive Spend: $71,450,031 (23 players)
• Defensive Spend: $42,538,900 (21 players)
• Specials Spend: $7,633,834 (3 players)

Denver Broncos 2015 Salary Cap
• Offensive Spend: $54,305,191 (13 players)
• Defensive Spend: $9,586,433 (9 players)
• Specials Spend: $7,812,500 (3 players)

Then consider that the following players will all be eligible for UFA in the next 2 years:

2013
• Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
• Knowshon Moreno
• Robert Ayers
• Wesley Woodyard
• Mike Adams
• Stewart Bradley
• Quentin Jammer
• Zane Beadles
• Shaun Phillips
• Paris Lenon
• Dan Koppen
• Andre Caldwell
• Winston Justice
• Michael Huff
• Eric Decker
• Steve Vallos

2014
• Champ Bailey
• Wes Welker
• Von Miller
• Joel Dreessen
• Demaryius Thomas
• Jacob Tamme
• Kevin Vickerson
• Terrance Knighton
• Rahim Moore
• Orlando Franklin
• Nate Irving
• Quinton Carter
• Sione Fua
• Virgil Green
• Julius Thomas

 

[patfanken]

I tend to agree with your thought that they will not breakup the offense. I have to be honest though I don’t think Elway is doing a good job especially when it comes to long term thinking.

Denver Broncos 2014 Salary Cap
• Offensive Spend: $71,450,031 (23 players)
• Defensive Spend: $42,538,900 (21 players)
• Specials Spend: $7,633,834 (3 players)

If these numbers are correct, the Broncos have committed 121.5MM for 47 players in 2014. That's about $5MM under the projected cap. Not much room, especially when you have to add 6 more players.

Just as its very unlikely that Vince plays in 2014 under his current contract, I can't see Denver allowing Welker to play under his current contract. As we all should know by now, Denver has a short period of time when they can release Welker without any cap issues. IIRC Wes' money become guaranteed, if he's on the roster 3/1.

My guess is that Wes will have to take a cut if he wants to stay with the Broncos along with several others Most likely they'll want to get him to the $3-4MM area, and will sweeten it with a fake 3rd year that will sound nice to the media, but won't mean a thing in real dollars. If he's smart, he'd pack it in after this season and rake in the promotional money, especially if the Bronco's win on Sunday (god forbid)

 

[Patsrock]

If the Pats signed Decker, the McDaniels has too much power threads would fill the 1st page on the forum.

Then if he only get 54 catches 680 yards and 1 TD. There will be a 1000 posts on having to cut him.

 

[PatriotReign]

The only difference between Brandon Lloyd and Eric Decker is that Decker won't flop to the ground after making a reception. They are however both soft receivers that I want no part of. Give me Anquan Boldin, Andre Johnson, or Larry Fitzgerald. Jordan Matthews also wouldn't be a bad option in the draft.

 

[Brady6]

If these numbers are correct, the Broncos have committed 121.5MM for 47 players in 2014. That's about $5MM under the projected cap. Not much room, especially when you have to add 6 more players.



Just as its very unlikely that Vince plays in 2014 under his current contract, I can't see Denver allowing Welker to play under his current contract. As we all should know by now, Denver has a short period of time when they can release Welker without any cap issues. IIRC Wes' money become guaranteed, if he's on the roster 3/1.



My guess is that Wes will have to take a cut if he wants to stay with the Broncos along with several others Most likely they'll want to get him to the $3-4MM area, and will sweeten it with a fake 3rd year that will sound nice to the media, but won't mean a thing in real dollars. If he's smart, he'd pack it in after this season and rake in the promotional money, especially if the Bronco's win on Sunday (god forbid)

Welker saves them $6 mil and Champ Bailey saves them $10 mil. I don't see how they retain Decker, DRC Moreno, D. Thomas, J. Thomas, and Miller unless Manning retires after the 2014 season.

 

[Deus Irae]

I just don't seeing BB paying out the amount of WR money that it would take to bring in Decker, and I don't see Decker as a WR1, either.