Dion Lewis signed to two year, $2.6M (+ incentives) extension

[patsinthesnow]

@caplannfl: On Dion Lewis: Issues with maturity with Eagles--never an issue with talent level. And now proving to be more than change-of-pace RB.

People have to keep the above in mind. Lewis is BB's highest paid RB since Fred Taylor in 2009. He's let Woodhead, BJGE, Vereen, and Ridley go since then. And he decided to extend Lewis with just three games of Pats' film.

His role will be bigger than Faulk/Woodhead/Vereen's ever were.

 

[Zuma]

I wonder what Blount thinks of Lewis' contract.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Dude can break your ankles in a phone booth.

 

[supafly]

Nice, that's not bad at all. I'd like to see Brown back for sure, and wouldn't mind giving Gibson another one-year deal since I like him as a player and thought he looked good in the preseason. Wendell and Blount are solid players that I wouldn't mind having back, but it looks right now like losing either of them wouldn't be a huge loss or anything.

That's a great situation to be in with UFAs. Nobody critical, only one guy who I'd even view as a likely starter next year.

Best situation in years pertaining to our UFAs. It's got to be a priority to retain at least one of the Hightower, Collins, Chandler Jones trio within the next 6-8 months. Retaining 2/3 should be seen as a huge victory.

 

[supafly]

You can argue if he was actually worth the money but statistically he is on the same pace of production for the Giants this year that he was for the Pats last year.

Like I've said before, aside from Ayers, Vereen may have been the easiest to predict as far as free agents moving on to outside teams.

1) For as much talk as we heard about not being able to replace his tremendous 3rd down value, the 2014 splits show that he picked up a total of EIGHT first downs on third down attempts (18 targets throughout the season). Obviously, that's one every other game, so it isn't quite what some make it out to be.

2) In the months of December and January when the games mattered the most, Vereen averaged less than two catches per game (11 receptions in the last 6 games, going through the AFCCG). Obviously, the come from behind scheme in the SB helped to showcase his talent, and that likely landed him a big payday.

3) He had three catches or less in the majority of games played 10/19, so again--his production helped against certain teams and situations, but he was hardly the staple of our offense that some make him out to be.

He was great against those tough defensive fronts, having his biggest impact last year vs. DET and SEA, but that kind of production should be replaced every time, considering what the market value was set at. It seemed like a no-brainer that BB and JMcD would be able to spread those 3 catches per game average around in other areas, and he was practically non-existent in the running game.

We'll always be grateful for his awesome SB performance, but I think he was grossly overpaid. I also think that the market his picked back up rather dramatically for the position of RB, and that helped his cause as well.

 

[tombonneau]

Woodhead 2.0.

Faulk 4.0

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

LOVE this

 

[RobertWeathers]

Like I've said before, aside from Ayers, Vereen may have been the easiest to predict as far as free agents moving on to outside teams.

1) For as much talk as we heard about not being able to replace his tremendous 3rd down value, the 2014 splits show that he picked up a total of EIGHT first downs on third down attempts (18 targets throughout the season). Obviously, that's one every other game, so it isn't quite what some make it out to be.

2) In the months of December and January when the games mattered the most, Vereen averaged less than two catches per game (11 receptions in the last 6 games, going through the AFCCG). Obviously, the come from behind scheme in the SB helped to showcase his talent, and that likely landed him a big payday.

3) He had three catches or less in the majority of games played 10/19, so again--his production helped against certain teams and situations, but he was hardly the staple of our offense that some make him out to be.

He was great against those tough defensive fronts, having his biggest impact last year vs. DET and SEA, but that kind of production should be replaced every time, considering what the market value was set at. It seemed like a no-brainer that BB and JMcD would be able to spread those 3 catches per game average around in other areas, and he was practically non-existent in the running game.

We'll always be grateful for his awesome SB performance, but I think he was grossly overpaid. I also think that the market his picked back up rather dramatically for the position of RB, and that helped his cause as well.

I think you are pretty spot-on. However you are coming across as blaming Vereen for his production and not taking into account that the Pats are a game plan team. It's not like he sucked. He played in 77% of the passing plays and a little over 50% of the total snaps. That's part-time.

With that said, based on his contribution I also thought for what the Giants paid for him was way too much.

 

[Oswlek]

I think Hightower was great last year

He was, which is why I said it took three years, but 2.5 might be more accurate. He wasn't that good in his rookie year, certainly not someone who looked like an obvious first round talent.

 

[aluminum seats]

I think you are pretty spot-on. However you are coming across as blaming Vereen for his production and not taking into account that the Pats are a game plan team. It's not like he sucked. He played in 77% of the passing plays and a little over 50% of the total snaps. That's part-time.

With that said, based on his contribution I also thought for what the Giants paid for him was way too much.

Agreed--he's playing well for them, is a solid player and a good guy to have on your team, but his contract was a bit much. Amazing what a big Super Bowl performance can do for your bank account.

 

[zydecochris]

Faulk 4.0

I'm sure this is a compliment to Lewis, but different players in a different time.

Lewis might be even quicker and more elusive than Faulk.

Faulk demonstrated durability that Lewis hasn't, and he was absolutely fantastic at the blitz pickup, particularly for someone his size. On the other hand, the new Brady/McD offense has Brady getting rid of the ball so quick that perhaps that blocking function, so vital with Faulk, isn't so critical in this offense anymore (on a related note, that is doubtlessly a factor in the amazing performance of the IOL rookies, not to take anything away from them).

After letting Ridley and Vareen go, I had come around to thinking that BB was going to plug in any 'ol guy at running back, but obviously BB sees something in Lewis that he didn't see in Vareen (as Supra pointed out so convincingly). BB zigging when I'm zagging.

 

[deters]

I wonder what Blount thinks of Lewis' contract.

Blount has been a good team player since joining the Pats. I don't know if its higher respect towards staff, understands each game plan is different or if he's fine with fewer carries but more wins. Either way, I think he's just happy to be in a program that gives players respect and trusts them to handle business or be gone. Doubt he has an issue when the guy next to him is doing a great job and helping the team. If Blount has another good year, I can see him being resigned for decent money.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Holy crap. BB has a man crush on Lewis.

http://www.csnne.com/new-england-patriots/belichick-lewis-you-love-coach-guys

 

[supafly]

I think you are pretty spot-on. However you are coming across as blaming Vereen for his production and not taking into account that the Pats are a game plan team. It's not like he sucked. He played in 77% of the passing plays and a little over 50% of the total snaps. That's part-time.

With that said, based on his contribution I also thought for what the Giants paid for him was way too much.

I wasn't really meaning to blame him for anything as much as I was trying to show that he may have been a bit overrated. As you note, his presence alone on passing downs meant more opportunities for others, as the defense always needed to account for him.

77 percent of passing reps is impressive. Where did you find those numbers? Just curious, so that I may add the site to my bookmarks. I found the splits at pro football reference, which is a great source of stats.

 

[DarrylS]

Thought when he had an early bout of "fumbleitis" the end might be near Lewis, but when BB left him in after his faux pas thought something had to be up..

Shows the brilliance of Bill, knows when to hold players accountable and when to do it less so.. another "chip on the shoulder guy" picked out of the NFL discard pile, can never have enough of them..

 

[supafly]

Agreed--he's playing well for them, is a solid player and a good guy to have on your team, but his contract was a bit much.

Not meaning to nitpick, since we're basically in agreement that his pact was too pricey, but I'd hardly consider Shane Vereen "to be playing well" so far for the NYG.

He hasn't scored a single TD, either rushing or receiving, has a "high" of rush yardage in the early 20's, and hasn't even caught a single pass since week #2.

 

[DarrylS]

Not meaning to nitpick, since we're basically in agreement that his pact was too pricey, but I'd hardly consider Shane Vereen "to be playing well" so far for the NYG.

He hasn't scored a single TD, either rushing or receiving, has a "high" of rush yardage in the early 20's, and hasn't even caught a single pass since week #2.

Perhaps the making of another ex Pats player who excelled in this system, but might not do as well in other systems.. there are quite a few of them.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I wasn't really meaning to blame him for anything as much as I was trying to show that he may have been a bit overrated. As you note, his presence alone on passing downs meant more opportunities for others, as the defense always needed to account for him.

I see what you meant now.

77 percent of passing reps is impressive. Where did you find those numbers? Just curious, so that I may add the site to my bookmarks. I found the splits at pro football reference, which is a great source of stats.

I totally stumbled on the stat. I was looking for just snap count. I don't even play FF.

http://www.nfl.com/fantasyfootball/...nap-volume-equals-high-fantasy-output-for-rbs

 

[jah]

Best situation in years pertaining to our UFAs. It's got to be a priority to retain at least one of the Hightower, Collins, Chandler Jones trio within the next 6-8 months. Retaining 2/3 should be seen as a huge victory.

I haven't seen the numbers but a flip side could be less players leaving = less cap money freeing up for extensions and new players.

 

[SONS_OF_BELICHICK]

BB always has a budget range for each position. BB obviously saw something in Dion and s deal like this helps fill a key position and allows money to be redistributed in other positions. This is why rookies/low cost players are essential in retaining key players. With the cap going up roughly 10 million per year, I am hopeful we can sign many of our key players. BB always has a plan.

Where other coaches are playing checkers...BB is playing chess.....