NFL GAME DAY DISCUSSION Official 2023 Free Agency Thread

[Sicilian]

GB definitely has the leverage on paper but they're clearly done with AR and there's no going back. You can't have him around the team or more importantly Love when you're making this push.

It'll be an interesting year in the AFCE.

Feels like both sides really can't go back on this by now. So it's just a matter of who blinks first. Really depends on how badly the Packers want picks in THIS year's draft. If they do, the Jets have the leverage. If this moves past the draft, I think that leverage shifts back to GB.

 

[AQPE]

The Rodgers situation reminds me of the Gronk situation for the Pats. Rodgers obviously has more value than Gronk did at that point but in both cases the player and team were done with each other. In the end the Pats got “meh” in return but for a guy that wasn’t playing for them already and never would again by mutual decision. I think that’s what will happen with Rodgers going to the Green Beans, the Packers will take what they can get before letting it be a distraction. Frankly they’ll do well to get a 2nd for him.

 

[Rob0729]

Damn maybe it’s the Jets year

I tend to think if the Packers were not asking for a first round pick, this deal would be done. The Jets come out looking like heroes without giving up a first after QBs like Carson Wentz were traded for a first or more. And they have to get this deal done. So they would jump at a trade with a second round pick.

 

[Love The Drake]

I tend to think if the Packers were not asking for a first round pick, this deal would be done. The Jets come out looking like heroes without giving up a first after QBs like Carson Wentz were traded for a first or more. And they have to get this deal done. So they would jump at a trade with a second round pick.

Makes Sense

 

[Real fan 02]

GB definitely has the leverage on paper but they're clearly done with AR and there's no going back. You can't have him around the team or more importantly Love when you're making this push.

It'll be an interesting year in the AFCE.

It's going to be an interesting year in AFCE is absolutely correct. I don't think people understand enough that the jets are a threat to us..they are only team I've seen to make Allen look like a JAG, Diggs is MIA when they play jets. Defensively they have the formula to combat Allen..

Now adding a future hall of famer coming there with Wilson and lazard on the outside.. we are going to need to score this season and take pressure of the defense

 

[Ross12]

Looking at the roster, I am curious if perhaps they basically wanted to "run it back" on defense. I can see the thought process - the defense was very solid in 2022 and would've had even better stats if the offense could get out of its own way. Keeping the defense almost exactly the same from a personnel standpoint for a year allows them to expect similar performance and gives them flexibility to really target the offensive side of the roster heavily in the draft with their 11 picks. They can move around to draft whichever tackles, TEs and WRs they want.

Then they have a hopefully decent young core on offense under contract for several years and can pivot next year to seeing who on defense they really want to keep and fill any gaps with defensive picks that year. Plus, a bunch of cap space to sign a few impact free agents on either side to plug lingering holes.

You can kind of see the philosophy in action - the defense is basically all returning, but on offense there are multiple new faces replacing players they could have kept - Juju replacing Meyers, Gesiciki replacing Smith, Robinson replacing Harris, Reiff replacing Wynn.

 

[Real fan 02]

Looking at the roster, I am curious if perhaps they basically wanted to "run it back" on defense. I can see the thought process - the defense was very solid in 2022 and would've had even better stats if the offense could get out of its own way. Keeping the defense almost exactly the same from a personnel standpoint for a year allows them to expect similar performance and gives them flexibility to really target the offensive side of the roster heavily in the draft with their 11 picks. They can move around to draft whichever tackles, TEs and WRs they want.

Then they have a hopefully decent young core on offense under contract for several years and can pivot next year to seeing who on defense they really want to keep and fill any gaps with defensive picks that year. Plus, a bunch of cap space to sign a few impact free agents on either side to plug lingering holes.

You can kind of see the philosophy in action - the defense is basically all returning, but on offense there are multiple new faces replacing players they could have kept - Juju replacing Meyers, Gesiciki replacing Smith, Robinson replacing Harris, Reiff replacing Wynn.

Agreed, however they need to be a more balanced team this season.. definitely going to have to score and become a efficient red zone team. Yes I like the defense as well. I know there will be more pieces added at CB and to the front 7.. Lawrence guy is a huge loss on the D line if he retires.. so far I like the way the offense is shaping up

 

[Ross12]

Agreed, however they need to be a more balanced team this season.. definitely going to have to score and become a efficient red zone team. Yes I like the defense as well. I know there will be more pieces added at CB and to the front 7.. Lawrence guy is a huge loss on the D line if he retires.. so far I like the way the offense is shaping up

They can also take advantage of any players who get released after the draft which always happens, as teams draft their replacements. They still have a decent bit of cap. One more solid CB seems like a need to me.

 

[Real fan 02]

They can also take advantage of any players who get released after the draft which always happens, as teams draft their replacements. They still have a decent bit of cap. One more solid CB seems like a need to me.

That's true, we definitely know this roster is far from a finished product.. we need some depth definitely in the secondary and the Defensive front as well.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Feels like both sides really can't go back on this by now. So it's just a matter of who blinks first. Really depends on how badly the Packers want picks in THIS year's draft. If they do, the Jets have the leverage. If this moves past the draft, I think that leverage shifts back to GB.

I'm sure they can negotiate this years or next years draft. Supposedly GB wants 13?

I think GB has leverage on paper but the most pressure by far. NYJ fans aren't jumping ship at this point. That organization is the equivalent to a cancer patient and jete keep drinking the chemotherapy. GB can't have AR doing the moonwalk on shrooms in the locker room after a L though. They don't want him on the roster after the switch to Love so they're really in a bad spot.

It's going to be an interesting year in AFCE is absolutely correct. I don't think people understand enough that the jets are a threat to us..they are only team I've seen to make Allen look like a JAG, Diggs is MIA when they play jets. Defensively they have the formula to combat Allen..

Now adding a future hall of famer coming there with Wilson and lazard on the outside.. we are going to need to score this season and take pressure of the defense

A few of those jete wins have been making our record respectable. I mean they were a QB away from being a top 8-10 team last year. ?I

Defense is very hard to predict in today's league. It doesn't translate year to year. So we'll see what happens but they had some guys on the come up and obviously have a nice group of targets.

 

[Real fan 02]

I'm sure they can negotiate this years or next years draft. Supposedly GB wants 13?

I think GB has leverage on paper but the most pressure by far. NYJ fans aren't jumping ship at this point. That organization is the equivalent to a cancer patient and jete keep drinking the chemotherapy. GB can't have AR doing the moonwalk on shrooms in the locker room after a L though. They don't want him on the roster after the switch to Love so they're really in a bad spot.

A few of those jete wins have been making our record respectable. I mean they were a QB away from being a top 8-10 team last year. ?I

Defense is very hard to predict in today's league. It doesn't translate year to year. So we'll see what happens but they had some guys on the come up and obviously have a nice group of targets.

Yes, and we needed a Marcus Jones run back to win at home, we played a hard fought ugly one at metlife last season..

Defense to me is a mentality, are you going to allow the offense to do what they want or are you going to force your will.. I've seen enough of the jets Defense that they are force to be wreckoned with and they have to be respected.. Sauce alone allows them to play so aggressive up front.. as for us I'm sure BOB will have packages and formations to deal with them.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Yes, and we needed a Marcus Jones run back to win at home, we played a hard fought ugly one at metlife last season..

Marcus Jones was like our most important defender and offensive player for almost a month. He's been money so far.

Defense to me is a mentality, are you going to allow the offense to do what they want or are you going to force your will.. I've seen enough of the jets Defense that they are force to be wreckoned with and they have to be respected.. Sauce alone allows them to play so aggressive up front.. as for us I'm sure BOB will have packages and formations to deal with them.

Williams was a mini force last year at times. Looked liked he put it together or was on his way. They definitely got some pieces and look like the top defense in the afce.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Yes, and we needed a Marcus Jones run back to win at home, we played a hard fought ugly one at metlife last season..

Defense to me is a mentality, are you going to allow the offense to do what they want or are you going to force your will.. I've seen enough of the jets Defense that they are force to be wreckoned with and they have to be respected.. Sauce alone allows them to play so aggressive up front.. as for us I'm sure BOB will have packages and formations to deal with them.

OT, for a second I thought your avatar was one of those things with hanging metal balls where you hit one, it hits the others, and the outside ball swings upwards. Oh it's just our Lombardis.

They're definitely getting better. Then again, could they get worse?

 

[Patsgofor4]

Patriots sign wide receiver Nelson Agholor to two-year, $26 million contract

Agholor will help improve one of the worst wide receiver groups in football last year.

www.patspulpit.com

Patriots Sign TE Jonnu Smith

Patriots: First-round whiff on N’Keal Harry was reportedly Bill Belichick’s fault

The New England Patriots' first-round whiff on wide receiver N'Keal Harry back in 2019 was reportedly Bill Belichick's fault.

musketfire.com

Patriots Sign QB Cam Newton

Patriots finally give official titles for Judge, Patricia (and it's not coordinator)

The Patriots will once again go without an offensive or defensive coordinator.

www.masslive.com

Totally, because no other teams make draft and free agency mistakes. Never, ever. Some here are so laser-focused on hating Bill that they seem to have no clue what goes on elsewhere. You and your Fellowship of the Miserable brothers should be very careful what you wish for. You may think that you have reached the zenith of your whiney *****iness but I assure you that you haven’t. You have never seem true NFL incompetence close up.

 

[Thunderhead]

Totally, because no other teams make draft and free agency mistakes. Never, ever. Some here are so laser-focused on hating Bill that they seem to have no clue what goes on elsewhere. You and your Fellowship of the Miserable brothers should be very careful what you wish for. You may think that you have reached the zenith of your whiney *****iness but I assure you that you haven’t. You have never seem true NFL incompetence close up.

Relax buddy. So many assumptions and conclusions drawn from a post with zero text. "Bill is playing chess while the rest of the league plays checkers" trope is nothing but homer nonsense at this point. That was the sole point of my previous post.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

@captain stone



I've also made mention had Cyrus Jones, Dawson and or Williams had panned out or even became rotational guys we would be much deeper at CB.

Cyrus Jones? Really? I don’t see a scenario where he would still be here at almost 30. Even if the three panned out, they likely would not be providing depth for the 2023 Patriots. Bill, more often than not, lets cb’s go after their rookie contract. If they are good, the often would get too much on the open market- if they are not good, they are replaced.

 

[Patsgofor4]

2023 Seahawks Free Agents: Seahawks rescind RFA tender of Ryan Neal per report

It’s one way to free up cap space, but likely won’t be popular with fans

www.fieldgulls.com

Ryan Neal only Seahawks player on PFF's All-Pro team for 2022

The Seattle Seahawks have enjoyed several pleasant surprises during the 2022 season, from fielding the best rookie class in a decade to Geno Smith's sudden ascension to top-10 quarterback territory. One of the late entries is the surprisingly-strong performance of

seahawkswire.usatoday.com

“Neal was one of 2022’s breakout defensive backs, finishing the season with an 86.5 overall PFF grade — more than 25 grading points higher than his previous career high. He totaled six pass breakups and 25 defensive stops, earning 79.5-plus grades in both run defense and coverage.

Neal shined most of all in coverage, where he proved tenacious. He only allowed a 50% completion rate and a 63.9 passer rating. Neal was also a willing tackler and only missed six all season (8.3%).”



Impressive size/speed combo.

 

[RobertWeathers]

We'd probably win the Super Bowl in 2019 if we had those guys on offense.

I doubt it.

 

[Patsgofor4]

Neal is an interesting guy. He is considered a SS but has 4.45 speed at 6’2” 200 lbs and was excellent in coverage last year. I went to r/Seahawks and the vast majority of their fans are unhappy that the team rescinded his restricted free agency tender. Many considered him to be one of their best, most consistent defenders last year.

While safety in general is obviously not high on their priority and Neal’s skill set may be to redundant, they still do not have anyone on the roster who has proven that he can do a consistently good job against move TEs. Signing a versatile guy like Neal would also allow them to keep Mills at CB, if need be.

Another thought….I love Dugger but I wonder whether the Pats would consider trading him if they can get good draft pick return this year from a safety needy team, if they think (or know) that his asking price next offseason is going to exceed what they are willing to give him. Neal could fill his void to some degree (not the punishing hitter that Dugger is but better in coverage). Peppers and Phillips would still provide physicality at safety.

I want to keep Dugger because his rare physicality is sorely needed but I’m desperate for something/anything to fill my Pats void other than what is being discussed in the awful current thread options….until April 27th arrives.

 

[State]

Lawrence guy is a huge loss on the D line if he retires

This. He played a whole lot better last season than I was prepared to give him credit for. Older guy, though.

Two questions. How much money has he made? And what’s the condition of his body? His retirement if it should happen would be a big blow to the DL.