I.M. Fletcher
2nd Team Getting Their First Start
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2012
- Messages
- 1,726
- Reaction score
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Well, I couldnt help myself. Here is my first try at 2016.
For awhile I had no interest in this offseason with the robbery of our top pick, but as I have taken a step back, this summer could be one of the most interesting offseasons in quite some time. Not just because of the players available, but with a few moves, the amount of money the Pats could have at their disposal. Some of these ideas will be dismissed as pie in the sky, and possibly they are, but at least by the numbers, they do fit.
So, all comments are welcome, and disagreeing is always welcome. Differing opinions is why we do these useless things to begin with.
cut:
Mayo
Amendola
Cannon
Chandler
I can see Mayo and Amendola as possible restructures once again given BBs affinity for both, but taking pay cuts in successive seasons may be a lot to ask of both. They are both guys you want on your team, I just dont know if its justifiable with the other dollars that are going to be spent this offseason. Cannon and Chandler are much easier players to let go, as replacements will be found in the draft.
players re-signed:
Hicks: 3yr 10million. I have been incredibly impressed so far with the physical skills and ferocity that he plays with. Its almost scary to think that we got him for what was likely a 7th round comp pick. I love that he bridges the gap between our interior line players, sharing the size of Branch, the attacking of Easley and the balance of Brown. The one guy I hope we dont let get away.
Keyshawn Martin:
2yr 2mill: A good depth signing that we know can play on sunday and we know that Brady trusts. A very cheap insurance policy that is worth offering to make sure he is there for camp battles.
Tarell Brown:
1yr 1.5mil: Had a great camp and start to camp. Someone who is quickly forgotten, but is a pro that showed he can play in this defense, and probably wont cost much to bring back, at least for camp competition.
Nate Ebner:
3yr 3mil: Has been player more and more on defense, but he is our leader on special teams. Slater is a ST savant, but Ebner is now the leader in special team snaps, and by a good margin. To illustrate how much he has played this year, hes been on the field more often than Mayo, who has started some games over the last month.
James Develin:
1yr 700k: A guy who played a large amount of snaps at a position we havent had in a number of years, so you know the coaching staff and obviously Brady value what he brings. The question will be health and how he handles returning from a (somtimes) debilitating injury for such a physical position.
ERFA qualified:
Coleman
King
Iosefa
Fleming
R. Johnson
extensions:
Sheard 4yr 26million
With one year down, he has proven himself to be everything we had hoped he would be. He has shown the ability to hold up in the run. This gives him more long term security, and lowers his current deal by almost 2 million.
Hightower 5yr 50million
Sounds like a lot of money, because it is. He is of course, worth every penny. If there is one player who showed themselves to have no comparable on the roster, hightowers loss has been felt the most. He directs the traffic, but having the smarts to know when to pressure, shutting down all running game, and having lost some weight to let him hold up in coverage, he really is the complete linebacker. His deal may end up being less than this, but the market rate for top level ILBs is here, especially coming up on a 7mill+ option year. This contract will lower his current cap number down almost 2 mill.
Collins: 5yr 42million
He is the probowler of the two ILBs, but he also has less leverage with the smaller rookie deal. They really are thunder and lightning, and they work so much better together. I can go on all day about Collins, but I think its safe to say that his best football is still ahead. His cap hit will increase by 3mil this season.
Butler/Ryan
Butler is going to be really interesting this summer. He could just play out all his option years on his contract (3) but I cant imagine he would be thrilled with that given his ranking among the best in the league. I wonder if they may offer him a Gronk type contract, that is really two deals in one. Maybe 7yr 49 total deal, with an option after the first 3 seasons that kicks in the serious money seasons? Something to watch, with a player who has vaulted himself in to the conversation of the very best in the league.
Ryan may be seen as an easier signing that could put pressure on Butler to take an earlier deal, but that is just guess work. I wonder if Ryan may be a guy they try and lock up before his market explodes next summer. 4yr 20mill or so seems like an interesting option if they view him part of the long term plans.
trades:
Chandler Jones
chicago
2106 2nd
2017 1st
This is a trade somewhat modeled after the Jared Allen trade several years ago between KC and Minny. Both players are considered top level players at their position, still entering their primes that gives one team a defensive anchor. Many will question the trading of the best edge player since Willie, but if we were to move on, I see it for a package similar to this. I would argue he is going to become a very very deservedly rich man, but I have my doubts that he will get all those dollars from the Pats with so much skill up for new deals. Players for picks trades are usually rare, especially for such a player, but did my best to avoid homeristic valuation.
Brandon Lafell
4th
Atl
4th
This is just a move up trade, with a player who could be cut otherwise. I think he carries some value on his current deal, but I was looking to upgrade. Is a great fit on Atlanta as a potential 3rd option opposite of Jones and as a Roddy White replacement.
1/2
For awhile I had no interest in this offseason with the robbery of our top pick, but as I have taken a step back, this summer could be one of the most interesting offseasons in quite some time. Not just because of the players available, but with a few moves, the amount of money the Pats could have at their disposal. Some of these ideas will be dismissed as pie in the sky, and possibly they are, but at least by the numbers, they do fit.
So, all comments are welcome, and disagreeing is always welcome. Differing opinions is why we do these useless things to begin with.
cut:
Mayo
Amendola
Cannon
Chandler
I can see Mayo and Amendola as possible restructures once again given BBs affinity for both, but taking pay cuts in successive seasons may be a lot to ask of both. They are both guys you want on your team, I just dont know if its justifiable with the other dollars that are going to be spent this offseason. Cannon and Chandler are much easier players to let go, as replacements will be found in the draft.
players re-signed:
Hicks: 3yr 10million. I have been incredibly impressed so far with the physical skills and ferocity that he plays with. Its almost scary to think that we got him for what was likely a 7th round comp pick. I love that he bridges the gap between our interior line players, sharing the size of Branch, the attacking of Easley and the balance of Brown. The one guy I hope we dont let get away.
Keyshawn Martin:
2yr 2mill: A good depth signing that we know can play on sunday and we know that Brady trusts. A very cheap insurance policy that is worth offering to make sure he is there for camp battles.
Tarell Brown:
1yr 1.5mil: Had a great camp and start to camp. Someone who is quickly forgotten, but is a pro that showed he can play in this defense, and probably wont cost much to bring back, at least for camp competition.
Nate Ebner:
3yr 3mil: Has been player more and more on defense, but he is our leader on special teams. Slater is a ST savant, but Ebner is now the leader in special team snaps, and by a good margin. To illustrate how much he has played this year, hes been on the field more often than Mayo, who has started some games over the last month.
James Develin:
1yr 700k: A guy who played a large amount of snaps at a position we havent had in a number of years, so you know the coaching staff and obviously Brady value what he brings. The question will be health and how he handles returning from a (somtimes) debilitating injury for such a physical position.
ERFA qualified:
Coleman
King
Iosefa
Fleming
R. Johnson
extensions:
Sheard 4yr 26million
With one year down, he has proven himself to be everything we had hoped he would be. He has shown the ability to hold up in the run. This gives him more long term security, and lowers his current deal by almost 2 million.
Hightower 5yr 50million
Sounds like a lot of money, because it is. He is of course, worth every penny. If there is one player who showed themselves to have no comparable on the roster, hightowers loss has been felt the most. He directs the traffic, but having the smarts to know when to pressure, shutting down all running game, and having lost some weight to let him hold up in coverage, he really is the complete linebacker. His deal may end up being less than this, but the market rate for top level ILBs is here, especially coming up on a 7mill+ option year. This contract will lower his current cap number down almost 2 mill.
Collins: 5yr 42million
He is the probowler of the two ILBs, but he also has less leverage with the smaller rookie deal. They really are thunder and lightning, and they work so much better together. I can go on all day about Collins, but I think its safe to say that his best football is still ahead. His cap hit will increase by 3mil this season.
Butler/Ryan
Butler is going to be really interesting this summer. He could just play out all his option years on his contract (3) but I cant imagine he would be thrilled with that given his ranking among the best in the league. I wonder if they may offer him a Gronk type contract, that is really two deals in one. Maybe 7yr 49 total deal, with an option after the first 3 seasons that kicks in the serious money seasons? Something to watch, with a player who has vaulted himself in to the conversation of the very best in the league.
Ryan may be seen as an easier signing that could put pressure on Butler to take an earlier deal, but that is just guess work. I wonder if Ryan may be a guy they try and lock up before his market explodes next summer. 4yr 20mill or so seems like an interesting option if they view him part of the long term plans.
trades:
Chandler Jones
chicago
2106 2nd
2017 1st
This is a trade somewhat modeled after the Jared Allen trade several years ago between KC and Minny. Both players are considered top level players at their position, still entering their primes that gives one team a defensive anchor. Many will question the trading of the best edge player since Willie, but if we were to move on, I see it for a package similar to this. I would argue he is going to become a very very deservedly rich man, but I have my doubts that he will get all those dollars from the Pats with so much skill up for new deals. Players for picks trades are usually rare, especially for such a player, but did my best to avoid homeristic valuation.
Brandon Lafell
4th
Atl
4th
This is just a move up trade, with a player who could be cut otherwise. I think he carries some value on his current deal, but I was looking to upgrade. Is a great fit on Atlanta as a potential 3rd option opposite of Jones and as a Roddy White replacement.
1/2