NFL Free Agency 2022 edition

[PatsFan2]

They hate him down here in Philthy almost as much as we hate Harry.

Yep no thanks dude played in every game last year and put up those pathetic numbers.

 

[ralmat55]

When Gronk signed his contract in 2012, it was a historic contract making him the highest paid TE in league history at the time. They redid his deal for the 2017 season making him the highest paid TE in the league that year. Stop revising history. You cannot compare salaries from 2018 to 2021. It is a stupid argument. Salaries go up every year.

And for every Asante Samuel or Ted Johnson, there are Tedy Bruschis, Troy Browns, etc. who would run through a wall for Belichick.

I am not a Belichick first guy. I am and will always be a Patriots first guy. But you Brady first guys might want to look in the mirror before you cast stones at other people because your recollection of Patriots history is tarnished with bias against Belichick.

I’m not a Brady first guy. Hate how TB12 cut in front of small businesses for PPE loans during the height of Covid. Dislike his manipulations to try to get out of Tampa. I call em as I see them. At least, I try to anyway. I suspect I’ve been living and dying with the New England Patriots a hell of a lot longer than you.

Not comparing 2012 to 2022. I’m comparing 2019 to 2022. Gronkowski outplayed that contract. The Pats could have redone Gronkowski’s contract but in Bill’s bully way he only offered incentives. Then, he paid a stiff (literally) like Smith 1/3rd more than he ever paid a HOF TE who still is a better player than Smith can ever hope to be.

You guys might not like it. But, Bill is going to lose these discussions in the future. He needs to win and he needs to win big or his reputation is going to continue to diminish. I doubt he cares, but it seems to be of utmost importance to some of you who will slander, stalk, curse and insult anyone who is critical in any way of your boy.

 

[ralmat55]

Seems like it's time for you to move on, maybe become a Jets fan/supporter

It time for you to grow into your brain little man. I staked my flag on planet Patriot 50 years ago.

 

[ralmat55]

If there is very little in the way of elite, generational prospects at the top, why wouldn't the Lions trade down from the #2 pick, while still picking before the Panthers, and take any QB they want?

Why would anyone have any reason to trade up to the 2nd pick?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Why would anyone have any reason to trade up to the 2nd pick?

Agreed. Also hard for me to see, by the same logic, why anyone would want to trade up to the #21 pick (unless it is a trade from the 2nd round. See my previous post for explanation).

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

I agree. Oddly I believe someone might trade up from the top of the 2nd round, but not from the 1st round (#32 for example gives a 5th year to Detroit if their speculative QB pick hits). From the beginning of the 2nd round (plus another 2nd or 3rd in a trade) there might be a perceived talent difference if Jordan Davis or Williams fall to #21. Is the player at #28 that much different than #21? In this draft I am not sure (based on the jumbled predictions of the mock drafts). But there is some consistency of opinion who belongs in the top of the 2nd round versus at #21, so there is a perceived difference in the 2nd round selections which might motivate someone to trade up with 2 picks for #21. I think @captainstone first suggested this (trading directly into the 2nd round), and as it unfolds I think we either hold fast at #21, or drop into the 2nd round. I doubt there is anyone looking to move up 10 spots or less in the 1st round. The Pats might want to drop down a few slots, but I doubt there will be any good offers to do that.

i'm not so much on the trading down support..i get it and depending on how the boards fall it could be a nice opportunity to select 3 times in the top 64 (asuming there will be a trade up then). But I think we need talent and a number 1 starter in the first rd. on either CB/OL/DE or Nakobe Dean. I would like to see a guy who you can build a part of the team around like front 6, secondary or o-line.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

i'm not so much on the trading down support..i get it and depending on how the boards fall it could be a nice opportunity to select 3 times in the top 64 (asuming there will be a trade up then). But I think we need talent and a number 1 starter in the first rd. on either CB/OL/DE or Nakobe Dean. I would like to see a guy who you can build a part of the team around like front 6, secondary or o-line.

I agree but it all depends on how the board falls. You think there is a big difference between Dean and Muma? One difference is Dean played behind the best DL in college football so he ran free a lot. J Johnson seems unique to me, Williams is unique but I do not think we need a WR, I am not impressed with Booth in press man coverage (too stiff) and Elam is very similar, and I am not sure there is a big gap between Jordan Davis and Travis Jones. So for me J Johnson at #21, but after that who else? Who at CB or OL is so different from someone in round 2? I know that Davis might be better than Jones, but Jones plus another pick is better than Davis, IMO, and so forth with almost everyone else (except J Johnson for me).

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

I agree but it all depends on how the board falls. You think there is a big difference between Dean and Muma? One difference is Dean played behind the best DL in college football so he ran free a lot.

Differences could be college competition, speed , football IQ/process skills. Dean i heard had a great IQ and reaction skills. Muma is good too yeah.

J Johnson seems unique to me, Williams is unique but I do not think we need a WR, I am not impressed with Booth in press man coverage (too stiff) and Elam is very similar, and I am not sure there is a big gap between Jordan Davis and Travis Jones.

i like booth and elam. Both have potential to be one of our longterm outside CB imo who we can use in press man
Both have NFL ready Size, speed. Bill can teach some stuff, Booth is still inexperienced, Elam a bit grabby but still did not give up many yards against SEC WR. I think both provide good value at 21.

So for me J Johnson at #21, but after that who else?

I believe he is long gone by 21.

Who at CB or OL is so different from someone in round 2?

I believe Gardner, Stingley, Elam, Booth, McDuffie are tier 1a while others like Pitre, McGreary, Gordon are bit lower for some reasons. It's some projection what these players may become at some point with coaching and experience.

Johnson offers already nfl ready athletic and power combination in pass and run. Other IOL like Parham or Smith need more work on either pass or run blocking. Like Smith is already a great run blocker with good size, but his pass pro needs some work according to scouts/draftniks.

I know that Davis might be better than Jones, but Jones plus another pick is better than Davis, IMO, and so forth with almost everyone else (except J Johnson for me).

I agree.

 

[Rob0729]

I’m not a Brady first guy. Hate how TB12 cut in front of small businesses for PPE loans during the height of Covid. Dislike his manipulations to try to get out of Tampa. I call em as I see them. At least, I try to anyway. I suspect I’ve been living and dying with the New England Patriots a hell of a lot longer than you.

Not comparing 2012 to 2022. I’m comparing 2019 to 2022. Gronkowski outplayed that contract. The Pats could have redone Gronkowski’s contract but in Bill’s bully way he only offered incentives. Then, he paid a stiff (literally) like Smith 1/3rd more than he ever paid a HOF TE who still is a better player than Smith can ever hope to be.

You guys might not like it. But, Bill is going to lose these discussions in the future. He needs to win and he needs to win big or his reputation is going to continue to diminish. I doubt he cares, but it seems to be of utmost importance to some of you who will slander, stalk, curse and insult anyone who is critical in any way of your boy.

Belichick will go down in history as the greatest coach of all time. Do you think anyone remembers anything that Asante Samuel or Ted Johnson ever said about Belichick outside of the the Patriots' fan base? You think anyone is going to remember a joke Gronk said on a late night talk show? Seriously, I can't remember specifics about what Samuel or Johnson have said about Belichick in the past. But I will say that Johnson has said recently that he and Belichick have made amends and even now sees where Johnson was doing wrong by the team when he felt Belichick was doing him wrong.

And you cannot kill Belichick for what Gronk's contract was in 2019 since he didn't play in 2019 and retired in March. You have no idea of whether he would have been given a pay bump. In 2018, he had a $8 million base salary and two million in roster and work out bonuses (would have been more if he played an entire 16 game season since he had a bonus for every game he was activated). That was $10 million in real money his last year in New England which was top of the market.

And Jonnu doesn't have the top of the market TE money. He has the sixth best TE contract in the league. Not the best like the Pats gave Gronk. Is Smith overpaid? Definitely based on his production. Did he get a Gronk level contract? Absolutely not! If the current market was the same in 2012, Gronk would have gotten a contract worth north of $15 million a year. Smith's contract is $12.5 million a year. The difference is that Gronk in 2019 (where he didn't play) was in the last year of his contract dating back to 2012 and Smith was in his first year of his contract last year. It isn't remotely apples to apples.

And whether you are pro-Brady or anti-Belichick, you are looking at this through biased glasses.

 

[DaBruinz]

Despite the best efforts of his apologists on this board, Bill is not going to look good in the rear view mirror. The media that Bill has so held in contempt will have their say, and the words of Gronkowski, Asante Samuels and Ted Johnson will carry far more weight than Bill’s loyal supporters. I suspect there will be more long knives to come in the future from former players once Bill retires or his reputation starts to decline. You’re going to see a lot of piling on.

You neglect Gronk’s elbow injury. You neglect to mention that after a great career here the most Gronk was paid was $4.5 million less than Jonnu Smith was paid, didn’t earn and never will last season and for 3 more.

The future is bleak for you Bill first, Patriots second fans. Maybe, a sub forum can be set up for you to commiserate.

Horses**t. Everyone knows that Gronk, Samuel and Johnson have grudges against BB for one thing or another. Most people don't listen to their *****ing. Not to mention that you can get Samuel riled up over the drops in the SB.

No one is neglecting Gronk's elbow injury. Comparing Gronk's contract that was signed 8 years prior to Smith's is asinine. As is your evaluation of Smith.

Maybe a straight jacket and no computer time can be set up for you so no one has to listen to this sort of garbage anymore. *SMH* .

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Differences could be college competition, speed , football IQ/process skills. Dean i heard had a great IQ and reaction skills. Muma is good too yeah.

i like booth and elam. Both have potential to be one of our longterm outside CB imo who we can use in press man
Both have NFL ready Size, speed. Bill can teach some stuff, Booth is still inexperienced, Elam a bit grabby but still did not give up many yards against SEC WR. I think both provide good value at 21.

I believe he is long gone by 21.

I believe Gardner, Stingley, Elam, Booth, McDuffie are tier 1a while others like Pitre, McGreary, Gordon are bit lower for some reasons. It's some projection what these players may become at some point with coaching and experience.

Johnson offers already nfl ready athletic and power combination in pass and run. Other IOL like Parham or Smith need more work on either pass or run blocking. Like Smith is already a great run blocker with good size, but his pass pro needs some work according to scouts/draftniks.

I agree.

Thanks. I think the Pats want Daxton Hill. Can play on the outside and then move to FS when DMac leaves. BB highly values FS. Hill's athleticism is top notch and we can draft him after a trade down. Hill and Jones plus two 3rd rounders seems like the best combination to me if J Johnson is long gone. Zion is intriguing and a safe pick so maybe the Pats go OL. Then they need another OL Tackle next year with Wynn leaving, so when do they move onto the defense? I am sure they have a plan, so it will be interesting to see it unfold.

 

[TheRainMaker]

From all accounts a stand up human being and great teammate.
I still think BB was angry Cooks put himself with a lack of awareness to try to make a play in the SB.
Him getting injured and leaving the game cost us the the win.
I think BB was so angry he traded Cooks for that main reason.
Not that he got hurt but the fact his lack of awareness caused him injuring himself on the biggest stage.
The moment that injury occurred I turned to my buddies and said BB is trading or releasing him.
We can argue Bill thought Tom’s deep ball lost something and that is where Brandin really shines.
I believe it was that play in the superbowl that sealed that fate.

He was traded because he wasn't worth big time money. He had a good year in NE, but if he's not wide open, he struggles with any type of contact going up for a catch. We also saw this in the Super Bowl the following year torching a NE DB, but Goff saw it late and Cook's couldn't catch the ball in the end zone which could've changed the game.

I don't think BB ever makes any personnel moves out of a raw emotion like anger. That's amateurish in any occupation.

Benching Welker for the first drive of the 2010 playoff game against the Jets was childish over a damn foot joke. I don't think it was the difference in the game though.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

Thanks. I think the Pats want Daxton Hill. Can play on the outside and then move to FS when DMac leaves. BB highly values FS. Hill's athleticism is top notch and we can draft him after a trade down. Hill and Jones plus two 3rd rounders seems like the best combination to me if J Johnson is long gone. Zion is intriguing and a safe pick so maybe the Pats go OL. Then they need another OL Tackle next year with Wynn leaving, so when do they move onto the defense? I am sure they have a plan, so it will be interesting to see it unfold.

i think this is a real possible scenario with Hill and Jones. It would be good, not spectacular but good value

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

i think this is a real possible scenario with Hill and Jones. It would be good, not spectacular but good value

Yes good value, but not top talent.

 

[DaBruinz]

Yes good value, but not top talent.

Hill and Jones will be 7+ year players barring injury, imho.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Hill and Jones will be 7+ year players barring injury, imho.

Agree. Great athletes and great players. My point, which you may have missed, is they are not likely to be elite.

 

[DaBruinz]

Agree. Great athletes and great players. My point, which you may have missed, is they are not likely to be elite.

No.. I didn't miss anything. I believe that, in being 7+ year players, that both will end up in the "ELITE" category.

In fact, barring injury, I would expect Hill to be as good as or better than DMac in the long run. And I would expect Jones to be significantly better than Malcolm Brown and ending up somewhere between Keith Traylor and Vince Wilfork. Now, that may not be "ELITE" in your books, but it is in mine.

 

[PatsFan2]

I’m not a Brady first guy. Hate how TB12 cut in front of small businesses for PPE loans during the height of Covid. Dislike his manipulations to try to get out of Tampa. I call em as I see them. At least, I try to anyway. I suspect I’ve been living and dying with the New England Patriots a hell of a lot longer than you.

Not comparing 2012 to 2022. I’m comparing 2019 to 2022. Gronkowski outplayed that contract. The Pats could have redone Gronkowski’s contract but in Bill’s bully way he only offered incentives. Then, he paid a stiff (literally) like Smith 1/3rd more than he ever paid a HOF TE who still is a better player than Smith can ever hope to be.

You guys might not like it. But, Bill is going to lose these discussions in the future. He needs to win and he needs to win big or his reputation is going to continue to diminish. I doubt he cares, but it seems to be of utmost importance to some of you who will slander, stalk, curse and insult anyone who is critical in any way of your boy.

Excellent post dude.

 

[Ross12]

I’m not a Brady first guy. Hate how TB12 cut in front of small businesses for PPE loans during the height of Covid. Dislike his manipulations to try to get out of Tampa. I call em as I see them. At least, I try to anyway. I suspect I’ve been living and dying with the New England Patriots a hell of a lot longer than you.

Not comparing 2012 to 2022. I’m comparing 2019 to 2022. Gronkowski outplayed that contract. The Pats could have redone Gronkowski’s contract but in Bill’s bully way he only offered incentives. Then, he paid a stiff (literally) like Smith 1/3rd more than he ever paid a HOF TE who still is a better player than Smith can ever hope to be.

You guys might not like it. But, Bill is going to lose these discussions in the future. He needs to win and he needs to win big or his reputation is going to continue to diminish. I doubt he cares, but it seems to be of utmost importance to some of you who will slander, stalk, curse and insult anyone who is critical in any way of your boy.

You gotta stop trying to start **** unprovoked. It’s a recurring thing with you. Stop trying to start fights. Enjoy your timeout from this thread.

 

[BTTA]

So if we look at this the receivers we missed on will all be the highest paid in their class.
Heck of a rookie class, we draft the guy who will be lucky to get over league minimum.
This was Belichick knowing he didn’t want to pay top money for a receiver.
Genius
Bill playing chess again.

Wouldn't that be true about every position?