Player Signing Patriots Extend Godchaux

[One-If-By-Sea]

There are a lot of players returning from an abysmal team. I know many fans have trumpeted the D, mentioning the O was the true problem. Still, I’d have been open to tearing down and starting over.

I hope it works out.

From 2023 it looks like White, Gonzales, Sow, and Douglas are the real deal. I still am hopeful for J Andrews and Mapu, maybe Ryland. In 2024, Polk, Baker, and Wallace are showing signs of success. We have to assume Maye will succeed. With two very successful drafts I think we can rebuild on the fly.

 

[mgteich]

From 2023 it looks like White, Gonzales, Sow, and Douglas are the real deal. I still am hopeful for J Andrews and Mapu, maybe Ryland. In 2024, Polk, Baker, and Wallace shows sign of success. We have to assume Maye will succeed. With two very successful drafts I think we can rebuild on the fly.

I would add Barringer to the success of 2023.
I have as much hope for Robinson as for Jake, but I expect both to be here in 2025 and 2026.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I would add Barringer to the success of 2023.
I have as much hope for Robinson as for Jake, but I expect both to be here in 2025 and 2026.

I missed Baringer, thanks for helping.

BB started Jake at the end of last year. BB only does that if Jake earned it (remember when BB would not start Stidham?). That is why I am optimistic about Jake. Robinson might be an All Pro but I don't think we have any indication yet.

 

[VJCPatriot]

You gotta have your chonky boys in the middle. Build from the lines out, etc.

Godchaux feels pretty mid as a DL but I suppose the Patriots are paying to maintain continuity on that defensive front.

Judon situation is still a concern. But let's see how that develops.

 

[TomPatriot]

There are a lot of players returning from an abysmal team. I know many fans have trumpeted the D, mentioning the O was the true problem. Still, I’d have been open to tearing down and starting over.

I hope it works out.

They only brought back players who were productive.

 

[Sicilian]

There are a lot of players returning from an abysmal team. I know many fans have trumpeted the D, mentioning the O was the true problem. Still, I’d have been open to tearing down and starting over.

I hope it works out.

I think the tricky part of that strategy is you're not guaranteed to replace any of those players with someone just as good (nevermind better). You CAN improve on someone like Godchaux, but you already know what you have in him (and overall, it's good for his role). You CAN get a more well rounded edge defender than Jennings, but he's going to cost more and again there's no guarantee the next guy you bring in will even match him.

The more guys you replace, the more chaotic the rebuild becomes. So they brought back guys that played well and were bought in, to keep some stability on the side of the ball that actually did its job last year. In the meantime, of players who played at least 20% of the snaps on offense or defense last year, they've moved on from

Mac Jones
Ezekiel Elliot
Devante Parker
Trent Brown
Ty Montgomery
Connor McDermott
Mike Gesicki
Myles Bryant
Lawrence Guy
Jalen Mills
JC Jackson
Mack WIlson

And while they haven't yet, it would not surprise me if these four players aren't here after camp (or don't play 20% again this year):

JuJu
Antonio Mafi
Cole Strange
Shaun Wade

That's still a pretty large chunk of snaps that are being turned over, as well as the entire offensive coaching staff. And I would expect there will be more change in 2025. I'm not sure how much change people actually want in one single offseason before they feel like it's enough.

 

[farn]

I think the tricky part of that strategy is you're not guaranteed to replace any of those players with someone just as good (nevermind better). You CAN improve on someone like Godchaux, but you already know what you have in him (and overall, it's good for his role). You CAN get a more well rounded edge defender than Jennings, but he's going to cost more and again there's no guarantee the next guy you bring in will even match him.

The more guys you replace, the more chaotic the rebuild becomes. So they brought back guys that played well and were bought in, to keep some stability on the side of the ball that actually did its job last year. In the meantime, of players who played at least 20% of the snaps on offense or defense last year, they've moved on from

Mac Jones
Ezekiel Elliot
Devante Parker
Trent Brown
Ty Montgomery
Connor McDermott
Mike Gesicki
Myles Bryant
Lawrence Guy
Jalen Mills
JC Jackson
Mack WIlson

And while they haven't yet, it would not surprise me if these four players aren't here after camp (or don't play 20% again this year):

JuJu
Antonio Mafi
Cole Strange
Shaun Wade

That's still a pretty large chunk of snaps that are being turned over, as well as the entire offensive coaching staff. And I would expect there will be more change in 2025. I'm not sure how much change people actually want in one single offseason before they feel like it's enough.

I guess it’s the difference between losing and losing then ?

I agree that some of the resigns are players who can contribute and occasionally make plays. Is that the goal ? Is NE striving for 7-10 ? Or are they better off at 3-14 with the #1 or #2 pick overall in each round ?

I am at odds with some of the posters in regards to what players on the roster are impact players. Players that make the ‘gotta have it’ plays. In both of the last two seasons, even the players who would make plays - Dugger, Barmore, Judon - would rarely make that 3rd and 4 play that gets you the ball in the most crucial spots of the game.

I like the def on this team, overall, but it isn’t winning NE any games and that is the bottom line. People can blame the O, which is a legit gripe, but if you can’t win games, I prefer wholesale changes.

 

[farn]

They only brought back players who were productive.

I guess we differ on the definition of productive.

 

[Sicilian]

I guess it’s the difference between losing and losing then ?

I agree that some of the resigns are players who can contribute and occasionally make plays. Is that the goal ? Is NE striving for 7-10 ? Or are they better off at 3-14 with the #1 or #2 pick overall in each round ?

I am at odds with some of the posters in regards to what players on the roster are impact players. Players that make the ‘gotta have it’ plays. In both of the last two seasons, even the players who would make plays - Dugger, Barmore, Judon - would rarely make that 3rd and 4 play that gets you the ball in the most crucial spots of the game.

I like the def on this team, overall, but it isn’t winning NE any games and that is the bottom line. People can blame the O, which is a legit gripe, but if you can’t win games, I prefer wholesale changes.

The best teams in the league have 4, maybe 5 guys like you're describing. You still need the other 48 guys on the roster. Getting rid of all of them doesn't make it more likely you're going to find those top flight guys, and the reason they haven't signed any isn't because they don't have the resources due to signing the other guys. You're throwing the baby out with the bath water IMO.

 

[Wozzy]

I guess we differ on the definition of productive.

8th in tackles from the nose tackle position is productive. To put that in perspective Barmore was 7th.

The 2023 Patriots defense gave up the 4th fewest rushing yards, ranked #1 in rush yards per attempt despite opposing teams posting the 8th most rushing attempts in the NFL. That’s productive…

The Patriots were terrible last year because the offense was ranked 32nd in scoring and at or near dead last in every conceivable category.

They can improve mightily if the offense can even become middling and the D stays healthy. There was no need to tear down the entire team.

 

[javajunky]

There were some tremendous free-agent DLs this year. This should have been a turnover year.

 

[n1997y]

There were some tremendous free-agent DLs this year. This should have been a turnover year.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

DL did their jobs well last year. Wasting any time, energy, or attention on promoting DL turnover is effort not focused on improving what needs to improve.