NFL Free Agency 2022 edition

[venecol]

It could be limiting future spending. Right now most of our under performing contracts expire this year (jonnu the only exception i know of) so were in a really good situation future years cap wise with no risk on spending . Not sure itd be a good move to spend a bunch this year, or take a more moderate approach and have a big offseason next year when we are closer to where we need to be. Im not saying dont clear any space but you still have to be careful how much you want to kick down the road.

It's routinely done now by almost everyone, and it's proven to pay off with last 3 SB winners.

Also, you don't have to go all in but adding $10M to future 2023-2024 cap space is certainly doable w/ almost no downside (given increased future cap). It's ridiculous not to take advantage of the rules that allow you to put together a more talented team and have them signed for next 3 years.

 

[lancerman]

He won 11 games in 2008 with a QB who didn't start a single game in college, a 7th round pick.

He was undefeated with JimmyG starting.

They have a good young prospect now in Mac who is on a team friendly rookie contract for years.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

1. From 2001-2019 they missed the playoffs exactly twice. 2002 and 2008. 2008 however was coming off a 16-0 season and one of the best teams of all time and they went into that season as the clear favorite to win a SB and most analysts believe had they had their actual starting QB they would have won that year. 2008 is not a good example when they had one of their worst outcomes in 20 years despite the team being relatively loaded and the QB was the biggest difference. People can go off about winning 11 games but the fact is they played two divisions where the best team of the 8 was 9-7. The QB in 2008 severely handicapped the team.

2. Jimmy started 1 game and then played half of another game. Saying someone was undefeated with a guy for 1.5 games isn't impressive. Rex Ryan was undefeated with Geno Smith for 1 game.

3. Mac is promising, but he's not Brady and they need to give him support. He can't be expected to carry an offense that isn't sub optimal and we saw that last year where they absolutely needed to play with a lead early because they lacked fire power to come from behind or stay in a shootout. They basically needed to play as conservative as possible to win games and if they couldn't dictate pace and had to actually go tit for tat, it was a disaster. Brady towards the end couldn't make the offense work and he was known for elevating talent.

There's pragmatism and looking at trends over several years. The Patriots offense has not been NFL quality since 2019 and they paid for it regardless of defensive quality because in the modern league, you need to be able to win passing

 

[yukon cornelius]

Im curious. Why would it be better to wait until next year to add a talented player than to do it this year? What do you gain?

two more drafts and another year of experience for Mac along with a much higher cap

 

[gobesmug]

It could also be noted that Haley was 18-21 with that QB.

It could be. Point is, there is no need to inflate accomplishments.

Belicheck is cemented to every true football fan as either one of the GOATs or the GOAT period.

Being a GOAT doesn't make him above approach or mean he hasn't made mistakes.

It doesn't hurt Belicheck's ego or status to point out his flaws.

I would have chosen Brady over Bill to stay, but that doesn't mean I want Bill gone because he is still the best at his position

 

[Rob0729]

Looks like Watson is down to the Saints and Falcons.

With no hopes of getting Watson, the Panthers are probably more likely to trade Robby Anderson if Belichick really wants him.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

 

[PatsFan2]

How does having over 40% of the snaps played by new players, making the playoffs with a rookie QB, being 6th in scoring, 2nd in points allowed equal not exactly panning out?
Did you expect they were going straight to the SB?

Well it sure seems like our regressing in the last month of the season carried over in the playoffs and now in early FA... don't shoot the observer.

 

[mgteich]

It's routinely done now by almost everyone, and it's proven to pay off with last 3 SB winners.

Also, you don't have to go all in but adding $10M to future 2023-2024 cap space is certainly doable w/ almost no downside (given increased future cap). It's ridiculous not to take advantage of the rules that allow you to put together a more talented team and have them signed for next 3 years.

Please post again in August, noting how much cap money the patriots have freed up in the five months of free agency.

A team needs cap money on the day a deal is signed (actually when posted to the league. Any of the $20+M of restructures can be done within a couple of hours, without any input from the player(s).

If we were to trade for Collins and sign Flowers this afternoon, then the necessary cap actions would be made. If we haven't made the acquisitions, it is NOT because we don't have the cap room.

 

[PatsFan2]

Looks like Watson is down to the Saints and Falcons.

With no hopes of getting Watson, the Panthers are probably more likely to trade Robby Anderson if Belichick really wants him.

And if getting Robby Anderson cost us more than a 6TH WE GOT HOSED.

 

[lancerman]

Looks like Watson is down to the Saints and Falcons.

With no hopes of getting Watson, the Panthers are probably more likely to trade Robby Anderson if Belichick really wants him.

Panthers were thirsting for him openly for awhile. The fact that they lost is a huge blow for them, especially if he is likely to be in the division. Hope he goes to the Falcons because they are a ****show right now. Saints have talent but that's about it.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

If he chooses Atlanta, it's because it's his home town. If he picks NO, it's because they are more talented. Carolina and Cleveland have less to offer.

 

[gobesmug]

I think it being COVID year and Henry missing OTAs had a spiral effect and tbh, they expected cam to be the starter and not Mac. Mac was hyper conservative which very badly impacted agholor. This year I am hopeful it will turn out better. If agholor sees a 10-20% uptick in receptions and Jonnu puts some more effort into learning playbook and playing like a 12 million dollar TE , we should see some nice improvements. Yes we have regressed tremendously in OL and DB. Linebackers last year was anyways crap , so we can either languish or take a step forward. The draft is crucial. I just hope we take contributors in first 4 rounds and not redshirt men.

Which netted the biggest impact players from last year, FA or the draft?

Matt Judon was a beast, but I would place getting Mac Jones and Christian Barmore as the biggest impact players

 

[jah]

If he chooses Atlanta, it's because it's his home town. If he picks NO, it's because they are more talented. Carolina and Cleveland have less to offer.

Cleveland has a much better roster than any of the other 3 by far, but it is, of course, Cleveland in both its geography and its ownership.

Truly no idea why anyone who cares about winning would choose the 2022 Falcons, or to a lesser extent the Panthers. Even the Saints roster isn't that impressive anymore.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

 

[Rob0729]

And if getting Robby Anderson cost us more than a 6TH WE GOT HOSED.

Robby Anderson is a good WR who has performed despite never even playing with an average QB. Look at the absolute crappy QBs he has had throwing to him and you might change your mind.

 

[venecol]

Please post again in August, noting how much cap money the patriots have freed up in the five months of free agency.

A team needs cap money on the day a deal is signed (actually when posted to the league. Any of the $20+M of restructures can be done within a couple of hours, without any input from the player(s).

If we were to trade for Collins and sign Flowers this afternoon, then the necessary cap actions would be made. If we haven't made the acquisitions, it is NOT because we don't have the cap room.

Why would I post in August when we already lost our starting CB#1, RG, LG, FB, and possibly RT? There's nobody left in FAcy that can replace CB#1. Sure, there's a few talented FAs left in the other positions, but the best are gone.

You don't need future cap manipulation for the draft so that doesn't count.

 

[Love The Drake]

Robby Anderson is a good WR who has performed despite never even playing with an average QB. Look at the absolute crappy QBs he has had throwing to him and you might change your mind.

I would be happy with him as a 2 or 3.
A 1 I’m more uncertain.

 

[PatsFan2]

Robby Anderson is a good WR who has performed despite never even playing with an average QB. Look at the absolute crappy QBs he has had throwing to him and you might change your mind.

Would you give up a 4th or 5th?? I am sure a 3rd is out of the question.

 

[Ring 6]

two more drafts and another year of experience for Mac along with a much higher cap

One more draft.
But how does it help to wait? The guy you sign now by pushing the same money into the future is here this year to grow with the team. How does waiting make him better for us next year?
The cap is irrelevant because we are talking about restructuring to move cap money forward.
Why wouldn’t you want Max getting that experience with the players who will be here next year instead of the ones who won’t?

 

[PatsFan2]

I would be happy with him as a 2 or 3.
A 1 I’m more uncertain.

Chris I'm "Certain" Anderson is not a #1.