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This is a lot to unravel. It is literally a matter of so much SO fast that it is probably going to take me a while to get it all down. This thread will be my therapeutic method to try and understand the strategy behind what was obviously a very thoughtful and designed plan to revamp a roster and make us INSTANTLY into a legitimate playoff contender. So here are some initial short takes.
a. Today's signings were PARTIALLY in response to a bad 5 year run of drafts. Get over it all you BB haters. this kind of drought happens to every program. It is the nature of the game. Everyone in the media is kissing Jason Licht's ass this off season, but if you look at his drafts over his first 5 seasons you'd have to wonder why he even HAD a job after those first 5 years. There is more than one way to build a football team these days, and Bill is showing us a different way. In season's when we have drafted well like in 2010-15 it wasn't necessary to make a statement like this. After the 16-20 classes, now we have. I wish it were different but it wasn't. Would'ves and Could'ves are wastes of time. What needs to be done to put a good product on the field THIS year is the task at hand. So if telling me we could have this guy or that guy is moot. If it makes you feel better to practice you Monday morning QB rant, tell it to a mirror. I'm not interested in yesterday, and neither is Bill.
b. Now I know what it's like to be a Jet fan all these years when everyone in the media has anointed your team the March superbowl.
c. I don't think we are done, but we won't be able to tell until @Miguel gives a run down of exactly how much is left of that 65MM, and things that can be done to add some more to our cap space. These will be more about the old FA strategy of picking off decent deals for decent player 'in positions of need. So lets talk about still needs to get done
1. Solidify the C position. - Obviously the first choice would be to resign David Andrews, but it is clear now that he wants to see what's out there and that can be a dangerous game. MIami is reported to be his biggest suitor and Andrews is familiar with some of their offensive staff and I think they are using similar semantics to communicate. BB has often allowed vets he respects to test FA and see what the market bears. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I'm hoping he's back.
However a very intriguing option just opened up as the Raiders have just released their starting C, Rodney Hudson a very athletic, 3 time all pro, who is just 31. Just saying. To me he'd be an interesting option to offer a 2 year deal to and draft the next Koppen this April. If this isn't a possibility there are 16 FA's that are 30 and under listed on one site I found, including old friend Ted Karras (not my first choice...or second....or third)
I'm hoping that the FA signings we did make plus the chance to work with a potentially outstanding OL will keep Andrews here for a few more years.
2. Add an interior DL penetrator. Nothing affects a passer more than penetration up the middle. We got more of that from Adam Butler last season than we ever had before. It wasn't consistent and we didn't want him out there when a run was probable, but as a situational guy, he wasn't bad if we can't get him back at the right price, then I want a equal or better player. Maybe they think or rather hope Byron Cowart might be that guy Maybe it's Anderson. I don't know, but I do know its a position of need
Prior to Monday, I would have thought that a MUST resigning was Lawrence Guy. IMHO, Guy might have been one of the more underrated DLmen in the league. Week after week the guy would very quietly make tackles in the run game, put pressure on the passer and come up big. He played over 500 defensive snaps every year he was here. I'd love him back....BUT based on the Anderson and Wise signings, I think that ship has sailed, especially when there is a possibility that top 3 interior DLman will be there at 15 (if we use the pick)
Kind of an intriguing guy is the 26 year old Solomon Thomas, and underperforming but athletically talented DT of the 49ers. Just a thought of a 2nd or 3rd wave guy.
3. Add another RB - One would think that with Sony and Harris back along with JJ as a change of pace, we'd be fairly set at the position, but this offense (as I'll go into later) is going to be run heavy, and if it is, you can never be held hostage to injuries. I think that you need 4 competent guys to insure you have 2 healthy RB's every game. It's an occupational hazard for all RB's so I'd like to see the Pats add another guy to the mix assuming Burkhead is gone. The guy that would ring MY bell is to go after RFA (low tender) RB Philip Lindsay of Denver. Injuries are an issue (as it seems with all RB's, but when healthy he'd be an upgrade over Burkhead. He catches the ball well, makes people miss and runs hard for his size. Leonard Fornett is a thought if he doesn't return to the Bucs. Bill has always like that big back to gets you those tough yards on 3rd and short and the GL. Antwan Smith and Blunt come to mind. Also old friend Dion Lewis is available as a possible White replacement.
Prior to the FA blitz, Bedard opined that going after RFA's from teams that are cap strapped was a good strategy when your team has a lot of space. He thought I was a good plan to to get YOUNG talent in the FA market. I agree. The Bronco's, very strangely, didn't tender Lindsey so there would be no draft pick lost if the Pats made a bid that Denver couldn't match because of their cap situation. Just a thought
4. Adding speed to the ILB position. This of course could be Micah Parsons, but in the event he's not a draft pick. I'd like to see the Pats add another ILB who has sideline to sideline speed and is not a liability in coverage.
5. I'd be looking to improve the depth at OL Assuming that Brown, Wynn, Owenu and Mason will surround some C in some configuration, I think we are OK at OT depth with Elumanour, Herron, and Cajuste BUT our current depth at C and OG IS a big need.
A. Assessing the signings to date - As I said this opus is being written as a therapeutic exercise to make some sense of the last day's signings and perhaps help the reader as well, so I'm going to just give MY feelings on each guy to that end.
a. Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith - A+
One would have been a coup, but BOTH will make the Pats offense SIGNIFICANTLY better regardless of who is the QB when all the dust settles. (I'll explain in more detail why later. and yes there will be a later. ) Henry is a true in line TE who is both a big target receiver, especially in the red zone, and a better than average blocker. Smith is the more athletic receiver who was also an accomplished blocker in the best running game in the league. You can't imagine the problems that having those 2 on the field at the same time creates for DC's It is why Bill never passed up a chance to draft a QB early during the first run, and why he gave BOTH Gronk and Hernandez (at the time) big contracts so early in their careers to lock them up. As the consument "defensive guy" Bill understands the problems and pressure having to good TE's on the field at the same time.
b. Agular and Bourne - B-
Not in love with Agular, though that 19ypc average is just what the Pats DIDN'T have last season when their top 2 receivers (Bird and Meyers) averaged just over 12ypc. I'm hoping that this ends up being a 1 year deal with a team option. I really wanted Samuels and I hope he doesn't get paid the same or less when he signs. But aside from the fact Agular got run out of Philly for "questionable hands and toughness", he does add speed and a legit deep threat. Could be a steal if he repeats his 2020 production, could be a bust. This is the most risky signing of the bunch (but then again he's a WR )
Bourne looks like a quality number 3 receiver who excels in the red zone and on 3rd down. My issue is that his skill set seems exactly the same as Jacobi Meyers. I'm hoping someone will explain the difference between them. I've read where Shanny really liked him. Bottom line the WR corp has been upgraded to at least mediocre, which is a big step over last season.
That room will likely be crowded, with Harry, Gunner, Lee and Byrd for starters. Perhaps the fact that he's fighting for his NFL life will spur Harry to become the Player we hoped he'd be when he was drafted.
c. Judon - He's the big defensive piece so far. I think he brings a degree of toughness and run support to the OLB/edge position that the Pats didn't have last season. It takes a bit of the pressure off Winovich to play that role, though he NEEDS to get better at run support. I don't think he going to be some double digit sacker, but he DOES upgrade that area for the Pats and his presence will open up opportunities for others. He's also a guy you play all over. B+
d. Mills - I did a bit of a double take when I heard about this. I didn't think that Bill would add to the secondary until after the draft, or when he made a final decision on Gilmore. However the more I learned the more I liked it. This kid could be the most versatile DB in the league, and Bill saw his effectiveness first hand in the superbowl where he had 9 combined tackles and 2 PDs. He had snaps at all 7 second level positions last season. Remember that Bill is a believer in the "positionless defense". and Mills' versatility not only adds depth, he adds that flexibility to do some strange things. I think it means that with Duggar, Phillips and Mills to go along with McCourty the Pats will have a strong and very flexible safety group. a subtle B
e Godcheax - A legit nose for the Pats and help to stem the leaks we had in the run game. His stats are unimpressive. He size at 311 or arm length (32) aren't all that impressive, yet the spin is that this kid is a legitimate run stopper. The Pats have seen him 6 times in person over the last 4 years so I'm trusting they understand his game better than I. So I guess he's an upgrade at a position of need, but I'll have to see it myself. C
f. Anderson - I'm guessing this guy is the sleeper pick on the defensive side of FA - 6'6, long armed and 300lbs he's the perfect size to play a 3-4 DE and has been effective setting the edge as a 4-3 DE. In 2018 he had some success as a pass rusher with 7 sacks and 18 QB hits, but in my mind right now he looks to be a 2 yr younger version of Lawrence Guy. Solid against the run, provide some push up the middle and get 50% of the defensive snaps. B-
g. Wise- At 6'5 and 275, Wise is kind of like Henry Anderson lite. The kid DOES have some rushing ability, especially when he stunts. And has had double digit QB hits in all 4 years including a high of 19. While he has problems holding up against the run, he has improved his consistency and as a situational player, I'm OK with the signing, but would have been happier if it had been Guy. C-
Overall I think we improved the defense;s depth and athleticism but not to the same extent as the offense's vast improvement.
a. Today's signings were PARTIALLY in response to a bad 5 year run of drafts. Get over it all you BB haters. this kind of drought happens to every program. It is the nature of the game. Everyone in the media is kissing Jason Licht's ass this off season, but if you look at his drafts over his first 5 seasons you'd have to wonder why he even HAD a job after those first 5 years. There is more than one way to build a football team these days, and Bill is showing us a different way. In season's when we have drafted well like in 2010-15 it wasn't necessary to make a statement like this. After the 16-20 classes, now we have. I wish it were different but it wasn't. Would'ves and Could'ves are wastes of time. What needs to be done to put a good product on the field THIS year is the task at hand. So if telling me we could have this guy or that guy is moot. If it makes you feel better to practice you Monday morning QB rant, tell it to a mirror. I'm not interested in yesterday, and neither is Bill.
b. Now I know what it's like to be a Jet fan all these years when everyone in the media has anointed your team the March superbowl.
c. I don't think we are done, but we won't be able to tell until @Miguel gives a run down of exactly how much is left of that 65MM, and things that can be done to add some more to our cap space. These will be more about the old FA strategy of picking off decent deals for decent player 'in positions of need. So lets talk about still needs to get done
1. Solidify the C position. - Obviously the first choice would be to resign David Andrews, but it is clear now that he wants to see what's out there and that can be a dangerous game. MIami is reported to be his biggest suitor and Andrews is familiar with some of their offensive staff and I think they are using similar semantics to communicate. BB has often allowed vets he respects to test FA and see what the market bears. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I'm hoping he's back.
However a very intriguing option just opened up as the Raiders have just released their starting C, Rodney Hudson a very athletic, 3 time all pro, who is just 31. Just saying. To me he'd be an interesting option to offer a 2 year deal to and draft the next Koppen this April. If this isn't a possibility there are 16 FA's that are 30 and under listed on one site I found, including old friend Ted Karras (not my first choice...or second....or third)
I'm hoping that the FA signings we did make plus the chance to work with a potentially outstanding OL will keep Andrews here for a few more years.
2. Add an interior DL penetrator. Nothing affects a passer more than penetration up the middle. We got more of that from Adam Butler last season than we ever had before. It wasn't consistent and we didn't want him out there when a run was probable, but as a situational guy, he wasn't bad if we can't get him back at the right price, then I want a equal or better player. Maybe they think or rather hope Byron Cowart might be that guy Maybe it's Anderson. I don't know, but I do know its a position of need
Prior to Monday, I would have thought that a MUST resigning was Lawrence Guy. IMHO, Guy might have been one of the more underrated DLmen in the league. Week after week the guy would very quietly make tackles in the run game, put pressure on the passer and come up big. He played over 500 defensive snaps every year he was here. I'd love him back....BUT based on the Anderson and Wise signings, I think that ship has sailed, especially when there is a possibility that top 3 interior DLman will be there at 15 (if we use the pick)
Kind of an intriguing guy is the 26 year old Solomon Thomas, and underperforming but athletically talented DT of the 49ers. Just a thought of a 2nd or 3rd wave guy.
3. Add another RB - One would think that with Sony and Harris back along with JJ as a change of pace, we'd be fairly set at the position, but this offense (as I'll go into later) is going to be run heavy, and if it is, you can never be held hostage to injuries. I think that you need 4 competent guys to insure you have 2 healthy RB's every game. It's an occupational hazard for all RB's so I'd like to see the Pats add another guy to the mix assuming Burkhead is gone. The guy that would ring MY bell is to go after RFA (low tender) RB Philip Lindsay of Denver. Injuries are an issue (as it seems with all RB's, but when healthy he'd be an upgrade over Burkhead. He catches the ball well, makes people miss and runs hard for his size. Leonard Fornett is a thought if he doesn't return to the Bucs. Bill has always like that big back to gets you those tough yards on 3rd and short and the GL. Antwan Smith and Blunt come to mind. Also old friend Dion Lewis is available as a possible White replacement.
Prior to the FA blitz, Bedard opined that going after RFA's from teams that are cap strapped was a good strategy when your team has a lot of space. He thought I was a good plan to to get YOUNG talent in the FA market. I agree. The Bronco's, very strangely, didn't tender Lindsey so there would be no draft pick lost if the Pats made a bid that Denver couldn't match because of their cap situation. Just a thought
4. Adding speed to the ILB position. This of course could be Micah Parsons, but in the event he's not a draft pick. I'd like to see the Pats add another ILB who has sideline to sideline speed and is not a liability in coverage.
5. I'd be looking to improve the depth at OL Assuming that Brown, Wynn, Owenu and Mason will surround some C in some configuration, I think we are OK at OT depth with Elumanour, Herron, and Cajuste BUT our current depth at C and OG IS a big need.
A. Assessing the signings to date - As I said this opus is being written as a therapeutic exercise to make some sense of the last day's signings and perhaps help the reader as well, so I'm going to just give MY feelings on each guy to that end.
a. Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith - A+
One would have been a coup, but BOTH will make the Pats offense SIGNIFICANTLY better regardless of who is the QB when all the dust settles. (I'll explain in more detail why later. and yes there will be a later. ) Henry is a true in line TE who is both a big target receiver, especially in the red zone, and a better than average blocker. Smith is the more athletic receiver who was also an accomplished blocker in the best running game in the league. You can't imagine the problems that having those 2 on the field at the same time creates for DC's It is why Bill never passed up a chance to draft a QB early during the first run, and why he gave BOTH Gronk and Hernandez (at the time) big contracts so early in their careers to lock them up. As the consument "defensive guy" Bill understands the problems and pressure having to good TE's on the field at the same time.
b. Agular and Bourne - B-
Not in love with Agular, though that 19ypc average is just what the Pats DIDN'T have last season when their top 2 receivers (Bird and Meyers) averaged just over 12ypc. I'm hoping that this ends up being a 1 year deal with a team option. I really wanted Samuels and I hope he doesn't get paid the same or less when he signs. But aside from the fact Agular got run out of Philly for "questionable hands and toughness", he does add speed and a legit deep threat. Could be a steal if he repeats his 2020 production, could be a bust. This is the most risky signing of the bunch (but then again he's a WR )
Bourne looks like a quality number 3 receiver who excels in the red zone and on 3rd down. My issue is that his skill set seems exactly the same as Jacobi Meyers. I'm hoping someone will explain the difference between them. I've read where Shanny really liked him. Bottom line the WR corp has been upgraded to at least mediocre, which is a big step over last season.
That room will likely be crowded, with Harry, Gunner, Lee and Byrd for starters. Perhaps the fact that he's fighting for his NFL life will spur Harry to become the Player we hoped he'd be when he was drafted.
c. Judon - He's the big defensive piece so far. I think he brings a degree of toughness and run support to the OLB/edge position that the Pats didn't have last season. It takes a bit of the pressure off Winovich to play that role, though he NEEDS to get better at run support. I don't think he going to be some double digit sacker, but he DOES upgrade that area for the Pats and his presence will open up opportunities for others. He's also a guy you play all over. B+
d. Mills - I did a bit of a double take when I heard about this. I didn't think that Bill would add to the secondary until after the draft, or when he made a final decision on Gilmore. However the more I learned the more I liked it. This kid could be the most versatile DB in the league, and Bill saw his effectiveness first hand in the superbowl where he had 9 combined tackles and 2 PDs. He had snaps at all 7 second level positions last season. Remember that Bill is a believer in the "positionless defense". and Mills' versatility not only adds depth, he adds that flexibility to do some strange things. I think it means that with Duggar, Phillips and Mills to go along with McCourty the Pats will have a strong and very flexible safety group. a subtle B
e Godcheax - A legit nose for the Pats and help to stem the leaks we had in the run game. His stats are unimpressive. He size at 311 or arm length (32) aren't all that impressive, yet the spin is that this kid is a legitimate run stopper. The Pats have seen him 6 times in person over the last 4 years so I'm trusting they understand his game better than I. So I guess he's an upgrade at a position of need, but I'll have to see it myself. C
f. Anderson - I'm guessing this guy is the sleeper pick on the defensive side of FA - 6'6, long armed and 300lbs he's the perfect size to play a 3-4 DE and has been effective setting the edge as a 4-3 DE. In 2018 he had some success as a pass rusher with 7 sacks and 18 QB hits, but in my mind right now he looks to be a 2 yr younger version of Lawrence Guy. Solid against the run, provide some push up the middle and get 50% of the defensive snaps. B-
g. Wise- At 6'5 and 275, Wise is kind of like Henry Anderson lite. The kid DOES have some rushing ability, especially when he stunts. And has had double digit QB hits in all 4 years including a high of 19. While he has problems holding up against the run, he has improved his consistency and as a situational player, I'm OK with the signing, but would have been happier if it had been Guy. C-
Overall I think we improved the defense;s depth and athleticism but not to the same extent as the offense's vast improvement.
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