Patriots set themselves up to go after big name free agents in 2016

[OhExaulted1]

Mayo and Amendola are something like 16 million against the cap next year...don't see that holding.

Agreed, but there still not going to be any more flush with cash than usual, although it's nice to be able to look at the dead hit for once and not shake my head.

 

[Fencer]

More like they've just set themselves up to extend guys, IMO.

Well, CB could be an exception.

But basically I agree, because it's a very young team. Ninkovich is the only player who's clearly expected to decline from here, although Vollmer has enough chronic injuries that it wouldn't surprise me if he turned out to be done younger than most OL of his ability are.

 

[Fencer]

I can't think of a single draft pick who performed at a very high level for the Patriots and didn't get a second deal here.

Depends on the level you're specifying. Asante and Branch are the first two I can think of who would seem to be counterexamples.

 

[mosi's man]

to remind, even if the Pats could swing a first rounder next year for Jimmy G, the Pats lose the better on any first rounders for next season. Makes no sense to trade him next year.

 

[JoeSixPat]

More like they've just set themselves up to extend guys, IMO.

I haven't looked it over player by player but I've already seen them do a lot of this in the current cap season, using the money that otherwise would have been locked up with Revis

So Belichick can be active in free agency as well as in extensions

 

[Joey007]

More like they've just set themselves up to extend guys, IMO.

Perhaps a bit of both?

 

[mgteich]

Perhaps a bit of both?

The reality is that Belichick rarely goes after top free agents, although sometimes he does make an exception (Revis, AD. Colvin).

Now, perhaps one COULD/SHOULD consider pickups like Sheard to be top free agents, but that is no usually what is meant by the term.

So, sure, we might go after a Sheard value player of one or two are available

The most interesting situations will be at LB (including Jones). Everyone is up for contract changes or extensions (Mayo, Collins, Hightower, Jones, Freeney, and Bostic. Without changes, ALL will be gone after the 2016 season or earlier (in the case of Mayo).

The key thing is that we are set for 2016, even with Mayo gone.

 

[Gronkowski123]

get a decent corner.
maybe add weddle..great veteran safety

 

[mgteich]

get a decent corner.
maybe add weddle..great veteran safety

I suppose we make comments like this every year without reference to our roster. The patriots do NOT need a safety. We are fine with McCourty, Harmon, Chung and Richards.

 

[mosi's man]

says the broken record, a high quality d-tackle to replace branch. I'd also be fine with locking up the young talent already on the roster.

 

[Brady6]

Not making big FA splashes is why BB still rules the roost in the coaching hierarchy. I remember the Adalius Thomas fiasco all too well.

Belichick not making a big free agent move is sort of a falsely, he will make a big move if it makes sense, he signed Revis last offseason, that is as big a name as there is in the NFL.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Belichick not making a big free agent move is sort of a falsely, he will make a big move if it makes sense, he signed Revis last offseason, that is as big a name as there is in the NFL.

....and he didn't overpay for Revis.

The last big ticket FA signed that he overpaid for was Adalius Thomas and he will never, ever do that again.

 

[Brady6]

....and he didn't overpay for Revis.

The last big ticket FA signed that he overpaid for was Adalius Thomas and he will never, ever do that again.

I think in the past 5 years Belichick has developed his scouting process to an unreal level where he knows exactly what he is getting in a free agent player. People point out the poor CB signings but after Revis there were not any others worth money this offseason so he signed some low cost, low risk, types that at least provided some camp competition.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think in the past 5 years Belichick has developed his scouting process to an unreal level where he knows exactly what he is getting in a free agent player. People point out the poor CB signings but after Revis there were not any others worth money this offseason so he signed some low cost, low risk, types that at least provided some camp competition.

Yep. When it comes to FA I have zero issue with BBs logic, approach and philosophy.

But man his batting average with CB2 has been rough.