I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major...

[TruthSeeker]

Despite freeing up some cap space with the Cassel/Vrabel trade, it desn't look like the Pats will sign anyone major (Miguel's thread about escalated contracts really shed some light, thank Miguel !). Looks like they are trying to sign their own FA's first, and then some JAGs for camp fodder. Looks like we may have to look to the draft to fill our holes (though Belichick doesn't seem to draft for need, he seems to draft guys that fit his system).

 

[Mogamedogz]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

I sure hope you are wrong.

We REALLY need an above average pass rusher. If we dont sign someone who can really get after the QB, I think we are pretty much screwed in '09. Especially if we enter camp with Hobbs as our CB1 again. He gets burnt more than firewood in December. Dude is a nickle at best (with an average pass rush).


We really cant afford to piss away yet another season of Brady/Moss as neither is getting any younger.

 

[matt1073]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

Will we ever have good corners

 

[eom]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

yeah, but what 'major' pass rushers are there to sign that would fit in well?

the popular name is peppers, but you'd have to admit his play is inconsistent, and he probably wants a ton of dough.
and isn't he a 4-3 end --- do we even know he'd transition well to 3-4 olb?

I'd expect them to look to the draft on this, although I don't have any kind of fa list in front of me.
I suppose there's always a trade possibility, but you usually don't see a ton of that.

 

[patsfanofNC12]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

Will we ever have good corners

Will we ever see brand new episodes of Seinfeld made?

 

[patsinthesnow]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

BB is cheap with corners and its costing him. What has been the cause of two of the most sad moments in our teams history?

2006 AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
1.Defense running out of gas
2. Receivers were pathetic
3. Noone could cover Dallas Clark for their life.

With the super offense and Mayo #2 and #3 are patched.

Now for (gulp) Superbowl 42
1. Defense chokes in 4th quarter again.
2. Offensive Line
3. Offensive Coaching

The defense actually played amazing the first half. It died in the fourth quarter which points to the age of the defense. (Rodney and Vrabel are two causes)

So, my point is, sign leigh bodden and if not, just get ALOT YOUNGER!

 

[jmt57]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

Given a need to keep an emergency fund to replace players that go on IR, I don't see any major signings - in spite of the money freed up with the Cassel trade. I'm guessing a few jags, but all this talk about guys like Taylor or Peppers is delusional in my opinion.

 

[Cramden]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

Maybe Bodden and Jason Taylor if he takes less than he can probably get elsewhere. Other than that I agree.

 

[mac]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

Despite freeing up some cap space with the Cassel/Vrabel trade, it desn't look like the Pats will sign anyone major (Miguel's thread about escalated contracts really shed some light, thank Miguel !). Looks like they are trying to sign their own FA's first, and then some JAGs for camp fodder. Looks like we may have to look to the draft to fill our holes (though Belichick doesn't seem to draft for need, he seems to draft guys that fit his system).

These JAGs and "camp fodder" are usually playing safety and corner for the Pats by the end of the year.

 

[strongside]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

I have to agree. I look at whats out there and there is not much that I would consider a "major" move. Taylor maybe, but thats more of a big name. I like guys like Eric Barton or Jermaine Phillips but major move? No. And we have Jags like Bodden, Chris Carr here every day.

It is getting frustrating waiting for the "other shoe to drop." I really have no idea what this roster will look like come camp.

 

[upstater1]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

We still have the Cassel money. Remember, he counted for $14 million against our cap, and now he's off of it. It's not like we're up against the cap.

 

[eom]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

We still have the Cassel money. Remember, he counted for $14 million against our cap, and now he's off of it. It's not like we're up against the cap.

yeah, but wouldn't some of that be reserved for rookie and in season signings?
and what about contract extensions ---- do you think they'll pursue those considering the cba situation?

I could see how they'd have room for maybe one 'major' guy, but I'd say the shorts might be getting a little tight.

like I mentioned in another thread, if they were that concerned about the space I don't think we would have seen the taylor signing.

 

[jmt57]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

$12.8 under doesn't leave enough under the cap at this point in time to spend a lot on just one player, especially when there are multiple positions that the team could be well served with an upgrade.

Miguel's UNOFFICIAL 2009 Patriots Salary Cap Information Page

 

[Jimke]

Despite freeing up some cap space with the Cassel/Vrabel trade, it desn't look like the Pats will sign anyone major (Miguel's thread about escalated contracts really shed some light, thank Miguel !). Looks like they are trying to sign their own FA's first, and then some JAGs for camp fodder. Looks like we may have to look to the draft to fill our holes (though Belichick doesn't seem to draft for need, he seems to draft guys that fit his system).

Your observation is correct. Fred Taylor and Chris Baker were the

Pat's major acquisitions from other NFL teams. The Pats also

haven't been very agressive in re-signing their own guys.

Most of them have been permitted to find out what they are

worth on the open market.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

$12.8 under doesn't leave enough under the cap at this point in time to spend a lot on just one player, especially when there are multiple positions that the team could be well served with an upgrade.

Miguel's UNOFFICIAL 2009 Patriots Salary Cap Information Page

Agreed, also keep in mind Wilfork and Mankins are due for major payraises next year. A big multi-year signing would put us right up against the cap and make it very hard to keep both next offseason. As of right now I think we're in fine shape to sign our draftees this year and next year to resign all the essentials including the ones requiring a raise, though that might not include Hobbs.

 

[Fencer]

The Pats are looking for good players who are bargains. A bargain can be a guy worth $10 million and playing for $8 million, or it can be a guy worth $2.5 million and playing for $2 million.

The best ways to get bargains are:

1. Find guys who just are more valuable in NE than elsewhere.
2. Sign guys who just want to play for the NE organization.
3. Draft well.
4. Do well with UDFAs and other cheap developmental FAs.

These overlap with each other, of course. And 3 and 4 are kind of substitutes for each other, or on a continuum.

 

[upstater1]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

$12.8 under doesn't leave enough under the cap at this point in time to spend a lot on just one player, especially when there are multiple positions that the team could be well served with an upgrade.

Miguel's UNOFFICIAL 2009 Patriots Salary Cap Information Page

I really don't see it this way. We could use a guy like Jason Taylor, but everywhere else, we can replenish through the draft.

Don't get me wrong, I think WR should be one immediately, but there's no one I like in free agency. I would keep the powder dry just in case someone like Deion Branch gets cut. But, the way I see it, we have $3 million for our signees in the draft, which still leaves us almost $10 million for signings.

 

[mgteich]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

We don't have $10M. $7M is closer to the mark.
The good news is that 4-year veteran jags only cost about $100K more than the player that they replace in the top 51.

We also need another $3M for the following:
Player 52 and Player 53 (only 51 count now)
the Practice Squad
replacements for players on IR at the start of the year
an in-season injury reserve to sign replacements during the season

I really don't see it this way. We could use a guy like Jason Taylor, but everywhere else, we can replenish through the draft.

Don't get me wrong, I think WR should be one immediately, but there's no one I like in free agency. I would keep the powder dry just in case someone like Deion Branch gets cut. But, the way I see it, we have $3 million for our signees in the draft, which still leaves us almost $10 million for signings.

 

[WhiZa]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

We don't have $10M. $7M is closer to the mark.
The good news is that 4-year veteran jags only cost about $100K more than the player that they replace in the top 51.

We also need another $3M for the following:
Player 52 and Player 53 (only 51 count now)
the Practice Squad
replacements for players on IR at the start of the year
an in-season injury reserve to sign replacements during the season

If 7 mil is closer to the mark, we'll need about 5 mil for the draft/UDFA, and the rest for what you described. I agree we wont be signing anyone of note unless more cuts occur, but the way the Pats have been signing player the past few years it cost more to cut them then it is to keep them.

 

[mgteich]

Re: I don't think the Pats will sign anyone major.....

We have about $7M for free agency.

Total cap money available $12.8M
need for rookies ($2.8M)
-------
sub total $10.0M
needed for other items listed ($3.0M)
--------
Total available for free agency $7.0M

If 7 mil is closer to the mark, we'll need about 5 mil for the draft/UDFA, and the rest for what you described. I agree we wont be signing anyone of note unless more cuts occur, but the way the Pats have been signing player the past few years it cost more to cut them then it is to keep them.