how do you manage the 2017 roster

[long distance]

in the calm between FA rush and the draft - with looking forward to another fun ride in 2016
how the team can be managed to continue success and fun in 2017 and beyond
knowing that at least 26 players hit free agency next year (and many key players)

here is the currant list to help us get going
2017 NFL Free Agents Tracker

The key 4 are Hightower, Collins, Sheard, Butler
and the question is can we keep 2, 3 or all 4
and can we at all keep collins with probably biggest money coming his way

And what about the new projects that might become key starters
like Bennett, Knighton, Cooper, Long? and chris jones coming back ...

Personally I would love to see Develin, Ninkovich and of course Slater back
(Vollmer, Branch, Bolden for the right price)

Then theres Ryan, Danny's high hit ... a lot of work!

I guess it might come down to “one of the two“
Hightower/Collins
Ninkovich/Long
Branch/Knighton
etc
like Bennett is an option only in case something happens to Gronk?


EDIT: plus Gronk & Jules would have to get paid what they deserve sooner than later ...

 

[willard]

I would cut Danny Amendola so that we could increase by 1 the number we can keep. I really like Danny as a player and think we are a better team with him on it, but think we have the personal to replace him and we need to keep our young defensive core.

 

[BobDigital]

Goes without really say the time to start solving 2017 is 2016.

Also i believe you pay to keep high quality starters then worry about what is behind them. Your front office and drafting departments job it to find you cheap and good depth so you can afford to pay your top guys.

 

[DarrylS]

Goes without really say the time to start solving 2017 is 2016.

Also i believe you pay to keep high quality starters then worry about what is behind them. Your front office and drafting departments job it to find you cheap and good depth so you can afford to pay your top guys.

The 2016 roster and all of the decisions so far have kept this in mind...

 

[Jimke]

The Patriots have to cover themselves by extending two of the following this year: Collins, Hightower,
and Shead. They can franchise one player next year and can give Butler a first round tender.

 

[Joey007]

The Patriots have to cover themselves by extending two of the following this year: Collins, Hightower,
and Shead. They can franchise one player next year and can give Butler a first round tender.

Is Butler only going to be a RFA?

 

[BobDigital]

Is Butler only going to be a RFA?

Would Butler be safe with a first rounder tender though is the real question.

 

[Joey007]

Would Butler be safe with a first rounder tender though is the real question.

We'd at least get an offer to match, though.

And if we were to lose him, we'd at least get a first for him in said scenario.

 

[willard]

I don't follow the league too closely, but I don't recall a player with a first round tender being signed away from a club.

 

[IllegalContact]

I have delegate roster management to Bill Belichik

 

[PP2]

How do I solve the 2017 roster?

Simple: wait until next year.

 

[Fencer]

We could always cut (or let walk) about 1000 pounds of DT ...

 

[n1997y]

Would Butler be safe with a first rounder tender though is the real question.

No, he would not. Not if he plays as well this season as he did last year. Especially not if he continues to improve.

 

[n1997y]

How do I solve the 2017 roster?

Simple: wait until next year.

Solve 2016 roster this year, 2017 next year.

Burn that bridge when we get to it, not before. No telling who gets hurt this year, who doesn't play up to expectations.

Think back to a time when the team looked to have the best all-time tight end duo locked up with early extensions. How well did that work out? No need to rush things.

 

[long distance]

i thought waiting till next year is not for the winners

also thought somebody would be interested to share some ideas

nevermind

 

[n1997y]

We'd at least get an offer to match, though.

And if we were to lose him, we'd at least get a first for him in said scenario.

Because we've done so well drafting CBs.

 

[n1997y]

i thought waiting till next year is not for the winners

also thought somebody would be interested to share some ideas

nevermind

Good topic for discussion. But we're excited about this year not next. In June we might be starved for any good football discussion but now we're still seeing the 2016 roster being built.

 

[long distance]

thanks
i can wait
in june though there's the other football to discuss ...

 

[mgteich]

The Patriots have to cover themselves by extending two of the following this year: Collins, Hightower,
and Shead. They can franchise one player next year and can give Butler a first round tender.

There's also Ninkovich, Ryan, Long, Knighton, Cooper, Vollmer, Harmon and Bennett.

 

[borg]

Gronk & Jules would have to get paid what they deserve sooner than later ...

Deserve???
Is that how you want the Patriots to operate?
Personally, I like the formula that retains as many quality football players as possible creating deeper teams capable of navigating the injury front late in seasons when teams that have ALL their money invested in a couple marquis names fizzle.
As far as Gronk goes….as great as he is, the guy has a target imprinted on his knees and it would be pound foolish to up his $$$ knowing tape holds this guy together. Maybe guarantee more of his salary a year in advance…but NE holds the cards….and has the QB that makes him the GRONK.
And Edelman….just promise him a seat next to Brady on team flights and he'll be good to go. Where else is the guy going to find Dunkin Donuts on every block?