Official Free Agency 2018

[oceansizer]

What about Kenny Vaccaro? Not a superstar status as a SS but quiet decent tackler and complement in the middle of the field. He was great at Texas A&M , less productive in Saints.However still young,experienced and I assume available in friendly price.

 

[HawaiianPatsfan]

What about Kenny Vaccaro? Not a superstar status as a SS but quiet decent tackler and complement in the middle of the field. He was great at Texas A&M , less productive in Saints.However still young,experienced and I assume available in friendly price.

I used to be fascinated with Vacarro, because of his versatility. Especially with his coverage in the slot at Texas (not A&M). However, as a pro, over the last two seasons, he's been burned more in the slot then charcoal. He for some reason, seems to be a hotter name then Eric reid, who is now my favorite FA.

 

[oceansizer]

I used to be fascinated with Vacarro, because of his versatility. Especially with his coverage in the slot at Texas (not A&M). However, as a pro, over the last two seasons, he's been burned more in the slot then charcoal. He for some reason, seems to be a hotter name then Eric reid, who is now my favorite FA.

Correct - Texas,my mistake.

 

[maineman209]

As per Adam Schefter, NE has agreed to terms with old friends CB Deltha O’Neal & WR JJ Stokes. Both deals are incumbent in replacing key ex-NE players
CB Malcolm Butler & WR Danny-Don’t-Drop.

19-0

OTOH ...
Casillas is 30, turns 31 in June.
Signed with the Giants as a Pats UFA in 2015 for a $2.67M APY.
Started 31 games at ILB/OLB for the Giants over three his seasons since leaving the Pats (full time starter from second half of 2015 through 2017).
Posted 206 tackles, 13 PD, a pick, 3.5 sacks in 31 games. Also played ST.
Missed half of 2017 with a neck stinger that he played through for 3 games before landing on IR.

If he's healthy, he's likely to be available on a veteran minimum deal (~$1M). Adds an experienced insurance body to the 90-man roster at LB for cheap. Seems like the kind of thing the Pats might do.

 

[HawaiianPatsfan]

OTOH ...
Casillas is 30, turns 31 in June.
Signed with the Giants as a Pats UFA in 2015 for a $2.67M APY.
Started 31 games at ILB/OLB for the Giants over three his seasons since leaving the Pats (full time starter from second half of 2015 through 2017).
Posted 206 tackles, 13 PD, a pick, 3.5 sacks in 31 games. Also played ST.
Missed half of 2017 with a neck stinger that he played through for 3 games before landing on IR.

If he's healthy, he's likely to be available on a veteran minimum deal (~$1M). Adds an experienced insurance body to the 90-man roster at LB for cheap. Seems like the kind of thing the Pats might do.

Personally, I feel that is just a postion that should be filled with youth through the draft. Lots of similar quality players in this draft. It could be considered a strength in this draft class.

 

[maineman209]

A DT FA that I think would be a steal its former Viking Tom Johnson. Above average pass rusher who graded out fairly well last season.

He's 33, but he might be able to be acquired for a decent price.

As long as we're on to "elderly" DL who might sign for the veteran minimum (~$1M), there's also DE William Hayes (UFA, 'Fins):

Turns 33 in May, 6'2"/260. Top five in run-stop percentage, top 20 in pressure percentage through last season.

Another cheap potential insurance policy type for the 90-man off-season roster.

 

[maineman209]

Personally, I feel that is just a postion that should be filled with youth through the draft. Lots of similar quality players in this draft. It could be considered a strength in this draft class.

A major part of the problem with the LB corps in 2017 was that the guys who ended up playing had very little NFL defensive experience. No rookie can help with that. HT and (apparently) McClellin are returning, but both of them also have significant injury histories.

Also, the Pats are still at the 90-man off-season stage in the roster-building process, and acquiring cheap veteran "insurance policies" is part of that process - because, even the most "talented" rookie may not contribute immediately during his first season and, as we saw in 2017, may not be available at all.

Currently, given the state of the LB corps, I don't think it would be wise for the Pats to put all their eggs in the "youth" basket.

 

[Uptown]

OTOH ...
Casillas is 30, turns 31 in June.
Signed with the Giants as a Pats UFA in 2015 for a $2.67M APY.
Started 31 games at ILB/OLB for the Giants over three his seasons since leaving the Pats (full time starter from second half of 2015 through 2017).
Posted 206 tackles, 13 PD, a pick, 3.5 sacks in 31 games. Also played ST.
Missed half of 2017 with a neck stinger that he played through for 3 games before landing on IR.

If he's healthy, he's likely to be available on a veteran minimum deal (~$1M). Adds an experienced insurance body to the 90-man roster at LB for cheap. Seems like the kind of thing the Pats might do.

Yeah, I always liked Casillas. Versatile, has some speed, plays with energy, cheap & a core ST player.

Though I do wonder about the recovery of his lingering neck injury.

 

[maineman209]

Something like 3 years 18-28million, with 10-12 Guaranteed.

Even the low end of that range would likely consume over half of the Pats current usable cap space. However, out of all of the "star player" signings that posters have been clamoring for, Reid would be the most likely to get my vote, as a good value for the cap hit.

 

[HawaiianPatsfan]

Even the low end of that range would likely consume over half of the Pats current usable cap space. However, out of all of the "star player" signings that posters have been clamoring for, Reid would be the most likely to get my vote, as a good value for the cap hit.

I was thinking that we'd structure the contract to have a minimal hit the first year, and back loaded in the later years, where we have more salary freed up. Something like 5-6 million. I don't know, im not trying to get to crazy playing armchair GM. I was just doing some research. Theres reports saying he might not get signed at all (im not on that train). maybe it could be closer to 5 million a season. I think he can offer 70-80% of what the honey Badger could, but cost almost 1/2 to 1/3 of the price, and doesn't come with nearly as much injury concern.

 

[PWRxWLF]

As long as we're on to "elderly" DL who might sign for the veteran minimum (~$1M), there's also DE William Hayes (UFA, 'Fins):

Turns 33 in May, 6'2"/260. Top five in run-stop percentage, top 20 in pressure percentage through last season.

Another cheap potential insurance policy type for the 90-man off-season roster.

Didn’t he re-sign on a one yr deal with Miami or was that a different Hayes?

 

[Uptown]

 

[Uptown]

 

[Uptown]

 

[maineman209]

Didn’t he re-sign on a one yr deal with Miami or was that a different Hayes?

Yup. Apparently he did re-up with the 'Fins for one year - last night after I went to bed (the bastid!)

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

This is the time the Patriots should be active.

 

[maust]

Truer words were never spoken. Look no further than the 2012-16 Saints. Or the current plight of Denver & Seattle

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

I just tweeted to Tyrann Mathieu...

 

[long distance]

expected. played well in NYG. could mean M.Flowers outpriced himself..

 

[KDPPatsfan85]