Rebuilding this Offseason

[Sciz]

Not so sure about this.
The one thing no one talks about is how good Waddle and Fleming played during Cannon absence. I know they have Brady but Waddle had some pretty good pass rusher and made his litlle b...Pats had a chance to extend them before the offseason.
Why not extend Fleming or Waddle before and wait that they can get more?
Maybe they are counting on Garcia and the one player no one talks is Andrew Jelks.
Jelks is maybe some cheaper version of reserve tackle.

With so much tampering going on behind the scenes, Fleming and Waddle should have a pretty good idea of what they’re worth. They’re not going to agree to a deal with the Patriots if they believe better offers will be available.

 

[goheels22002]

I don't really agree with any of your ideas. Why would BB need spend for a backup QB in FA and waste the cap space. Just draft one, keep Hoyer on the cheap, and you're good. Kyle Lauletta in Rd 2 would be great.

Agree on Harrison. I don't see where else he wants to go, assuming he enjoyed his time in NE. He could be better next year, technically, with one full offseason under his belt.

Resign Marquis Flowers.

Also, I think the drafting of Garcia last year was meant to be the Solder replacement. That guy needed to gain weight but he lost a bunch instead due to an illness. Maybe he can ramp up?

Word is, Denver will be in on him as he may want to be closer to his parents and in-laws.

Try to keep Dion Lewis, if not, walk and go draft or see if Giovani Bernard (assuming he might get cut) wants to come in with White.

Resign Waddle and/or Fleming. People make fun of these guys, but both played well overall.

I think they need DL, CB, LB, QB as needs picks. Maybe Tackle, yes, if Garcia is not ready. T

The Left Tackle to protect the blind side to succeed Solder is not on this roster. At least I haven't seen it. Cannon couldn't do it in 2016. Garcia? I just don't have any feel for that. Brady at 41 needs an experienced guy over there. Solder should have another year left while a new guy develops.

I also should have put cut Hoyer in my first post. We saw enough of him with the Texans to know he is not a capable backup. Hoyer was a convenient part of the 49er trade. That was a big part of that deal. I bet that Shanahan agreed to let Hoyer go as a part of getting Jimmy G so the Pats could pick him up.

We basically agree on the draft picks.

I love Dion Lewis, but the Pats just don't pay what he's worth on the open market. Sadly, NFL running backs have a three- to four-year shelf life, especially smaller guys like Lewis. It would be great to see Tar Heel Bernard in a Pats uniform, but he's got a lot of wear and tear on his frame - this will be his 6th year in the NFL. I trust they'll find another back to go with White and Burkhead. Gillislee is a head scratcher to me. I liked the pickup when they got him. My guess is that he had couldn't return kicks and had no instincts for this read and react running/passing game. Guys like Kevin Faulk, White, Lewis, and Burkhead have it.

 

[Soliel]

I hope like hell they figure out some way to keep lewis

The guys a winner

 

[Chris Stevenson]

The Left Tackle to protect the blind side to succeed Solder is not on this roster. At least I haven't seen it. Cannon couldn't do it in 2016. Garcia? I just don't have any feel for that. Brady at 41 needs an experienced guy over there. Solder should have another year left while a new guy develops.

I also should have put cut Hoyer in my first post. We saw enough of him with the Texans to know he is not a capable backup. Hoyer was a convenient part of the 49er trade. That was a big part of that deal. I bet that Shanahan agreed to let Hoyer go as a part of getting Jimmy G so the Pats could pick him up.

We basically agree on the draft picks.

I love Dion Lewis, but the Pats just don't pay what he's worth on the open market. Sadly, NFL running backs have a three- to four-year shelf life, especially smaller guys like Lewis. It would be great to see Tar Heel Bernard in a Pats uniform, but he's got a lot of wear and tear on his frame - this will be his 6th year in the NFL. I trust they'll find another back to go with White and Burkhead. Gillislee is a head scratcher to me. I liked the pickup when they got him. My guess is that he had couldn't return kicks and had no instincts for this read and react running/passing game. Guys like Kevin Faulk, White, Lewis, and Burkhead have it.

I would deal Gillislee for a late rd pick if at all possible, but doubtful he will command a pick. It just didn't work out. He got digned, Burkhead took over and I believe he needs to be signed up again, too. A good player, completely underutilized in the postseason by over-analytical McDaniels.

I still cannot get over Burkhead's lack of involvement by McDaniels in the SB. Just awful.

Most of that first half was completely wasted.

Agree on Garcia, but this will come down to Solder price and family considerations. Who knows, maybe it's a 1 year deal, he stays and Garcia gets tutored for 2019?

As for Hoyer, he's a fine system place holder until they can draft and develop another JimmyG type here in the next 2 drafts. You have to figure they'll move on that here in this draft.

Kyle Lauletta is my choice for QB. 2nd rd would make sense. Screams Pats material and his dad played at Navy. Makes way too much sense. Looks like Brees the way he plays.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

The first 3 selections should all be focused on the D unless someone falls dramatically.. I'm not convinced about Kyle Lauletta, his arm seems weak personally..

Heard that about Brady and JimmyG. Nothing personal, but "arm strength" hs become the most unimportant aspect of choosing a future QB, IMO.

The Jeff George/Al Davis beliefs sailed off a long time ago.

 

[Steve102]

Here's my Patriots needs and predictions:

QB: Belichick will draft a QB in the 2nd round and bring in a couple of veterans ( I like Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater who can be had for $6M for one season, or $10M for two seasons according reports.)

I joked to one of the guys at work that they had some middle school kid on the board for 2028, figuring he will do a post grad year after high school and then 4 for college.

My point is they likely have guys targeted much deeper than any of us realize. I theorize they know which free agents they plan on targeting in 2019 and 2020. I would expect it to be that way with the draft. They know of some cerebral QB playing 1-AA at East BumF University that no one will even think of drafting.

Of course, my theory get's blown to hell when they trade up and take Josh Allen in round one.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

I joked to one of the guys at work that they had some middle school kid on the board for 2028, figuring he will do a post grad year after high school and then 4 for college.

My point is they likely have guys targeted much deeper than any of us realize. I theorize they know which free agents they plan on targeting in 2019 and 2020. I would expect it to be that way with the draft. They know of some cerebral QB playing 1-AA at East BumF University that no one will even think of drafting.

Of course, my theory get's blown to hell when they trade up and take Josh Allen in round one.

haha

Allen has accuracy issues, so even though I agree and get your joke, that's not happening.

He'd be better in a Ravens type offense where there is a lot of jump balls and throwing the ball up for grabs all the time, downfield.

 

[Steve102]

haha

Allen has accuracy issues, so even though I agree and get your joke, that's not happening.

He'd be better in a Ravens type offense where there is a lot of jump balls and throwing the ball up for grabs all the time, downfield.

With what, 5 picks, I expect them to be trading down and compiling more picks, not up. Not with all the needs on D this team has. I would not be shocked if they dumped out of one of the 2's for a later 2 and a 4 and/or a 5. I don't have the math down of which slots equal which others later on, but I think they will end up with more than 5 picks.

I 'm not advocating Josh Allen by any stretch, just making a joke, which you got. I had to pick a name, and Josh Rosen seems like a top 5, and I have already gone on record how much I don't love Baker Mayfield. It was him or Sam Darnold.

Rambling explanation of a joke. Not good.

 

[supafly]

False. BB at least matched their offer. He called him last minute and matched what Chicago had.

This is like Matt Forte choosing the Jets over NE. BB was on the phone with his agent and the loser still chose to be a loser. No one can control people like this.

There's only one kind of player that makes that choice and there is nothing BB can do about it.

I liked Hicks a lot. I felt he was a pure 3-4 DE and a perfect fit her. Instead, he goes to Chicago, gets the ego stroke, the easy practices, lame atmosphere, crap GM, crap owner, crap QB situation, and an outright mess.

That's not a winner. Hicks didn't want to work and win.

Most of your criticism is not warranted and most of what you believe to be “facts” simply aren’t true, as some others have pointed out.

Hicks did what most free agents do. He went to the team making the best offer and who could guarantee him the most playing time.

He played on about 25% of the snaps here and played in 85% of the snaps in Chicago—who was offering more money. Belichick tried to lowball him for a hometown discount and lost. Here is a link to the article proving it:

Akiem Hicks leaves Pats for Bears

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

With what, 5 picks, I expect them to be trading down and compiling more picks, not up. Not with all the needs on D this team has. I would not be shocked if they dumped out of one of the 2's for a later 2 and a 4 and/or a 5. I don't have the math down of which slots equal which others later on, but I think they will end up with more than 5 picks.

I 'm not advocating Josh Allen by any stretch, just making a joke, which you got. I had to pick a name, and Josh Rosen seems like a top 5, and I have already gone on record how much I don't love Baker Mayfield. It was him or Sam Darnold.

Rambling explanation of a joke. Not good.

You and I are on the same page regarding trading down for more picks. I’m fully expecting not to make a selection day 1 as teams trade back into the first round to grab a guy they figure doesn’t make it to their 2nd rounder. Getting a 2 and a 4 in return

 

[Soliel]

The one guy suddenly developed accuracy issues when the browns were looking. I would too.

 

[ATippett56]

Here's my Patriots needs and predictions:

Patriots only have 5 picks in 2018 Draft: Round 1 - OT, Round 2 from SF- QB, Round 2 - LB, Round 3 - DE, Round 4 - None, Round 5 - None, Round 6 - CB, Round 7- None

OL: Belichick will draft the best tackle on the board with the 1st round pick and send him to Scar School to be Solder's replacement in 2019, and I think we'll see a versatile veteran brought in at good money to provide depth

DE: Belichick will re-sign Harrison to a modest, incentive laden contract and bring in other UFAs and undrafted rookies

LB: Belichick will re-sign Roberts, draft a good LB in the 2nd round, and bring in several veterans for a look

QB: Belichick will draft a QB in the 2nd round and bring in a couple of veterans ( I like Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater who can be had for $6M for one season, or $10M for two seasons according reports.)

CB: Belichick has some good corners coming off of IR, especially Jonathan Joseph, but I expect one draft pick and a couple of UFAs in camp for a crowded competition.

Good corners coming off IR? Jonathan Jones is better known for special teams than defense. What the hell has Cyrus Jones done in the NFL to warrant any accolades whatsoever?

2018 NFL Draft
New England Patriots
31st overall - CB
43rd overall - TE
63rd overall - QB (not my choice but the New England Patriots coaching staff)
95th overall - DE or DT or LB
136th overall (compensatory) - CB

Projecting The 2018 Compensatory Picks | Over the Cap

 

[Chris Stevenson]

Most of your criticism is not warranted and most of what you believe to be “facts” simply aren’t true, as some others have pointed out.

Hicks did what most free agents do. He went to the team making the best offer and who could guarantee him the most playing time.

He played on about 25% of the snaps here and played in 85% of the snaps in Chicago—who was offering more money. Belichick tried to lowball him for a hometown discount and lost. Here is a link to the article proving it:

Akiem Hicks leaves Pats for Bears

he traded for the guy - fact

he called to try to sway him to stay - fact

hicks was known to have motivational
issues in no’s hence why he was dealt to ne - fact

 

[mgteich]

Rowe is our starting outside corner (along with Gilmore). Hopefully, we sign someone better so that he can be the backup outside corner.

I would like us to have a good nickel back. I suspect that Jones is somewhat of a tweener between playing inside and outside.

IMHO, there needs to be less big nickel and more regular, old-fashsioned nickel. But we need the corner to fill the role, and ideally a backup.

For me the ideal is 9 defensive backs who can play defensive back, 5 corners and 4 safeties. Obviously, one of the corners and one of the safeties needs to a primary player on ST's.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (11)
outside corner (3) - Gilmore, Rowe plus one more
nickel (2) - 1 plus a backup (since this is our base defense)
free safety (2) - McCourty plus a backup
strong safety (2) - Chung plus a backup
special teams specialists (2)

Rowe isn’t as great as some here make him out to be, but he’s not nearly as bad as his SB showing.

At worst, he’s a serviceable CB4 or something. Hard to imagine Rowe not being around, even if it’s only as a depth option. I think he’s a lot closer to being our CB2-3 than he is to being cut. Obviously, Belichick felt comfortable enough to make him the CB2 in this past SB, and he played a prominent role in the one before.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

With what, 5 picks, I expect them to be trading down and compiling more picks, not up. Not with all the needs on D this team has. I would not be shocked if they dumped out of one of the 2's for a later 2 and a 4 and/or a 5. I don't have the math down of which slots equal which others later on, but I think they will end up with more than 5 picks.

I 'm not advocating Josh Allen by any stretch, just making a joke, which you got. I had to pick a name, and Josh Rosen seems like a top 5, and I have already gone on record how much I don't love Baker Mayfield. It was him or Sam Darnold.

Rambling explanation of a joke. Not good.

yes, deeper draft than the norm, as far as i can tell, so trade back, yes. still think the qb prospect pick needs to come earlier rather than later

 

[mgteich]

I agree with Belichick that it it is unreasonable to slot positions with draft positions, even on Draft Day. Even when there are critical needs (in our eyes) going into the draft, that does not translate in our first picks. Sometimes it is the first pick. Sometimes it is a 2nd or 2 picks.

My strong hope is that we will sign a corner to at least compete for a starting role. Also, we need to sign an OT otherwise, we will likely be trading up for one).

Good corners coming off IR? Jonathan Jones is better known for special teams than defense. What the hell has Cyrus Jones done in the NFL to warrant any accolades whatsoever?

2018 NFL Draft
New England Patriots
31st overall - CB
43rd overall - TE
63rd overall - QB (not my choice but the New England Patriots coaching staff)
95th overall - DE or DT or LB
136th overall (compensatory) - CB

Projecting The 2018 Compensatory Picks | Over the Cap

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Good corners coming off IR? Jonathan Jones is better known for special teams than defense. What the hell has Cyrus Jones done in the NFL to warrant any accolades whatsoever?

2018 NFL Draft
New England Patriots
31st overall - CB
43rd overall - TE
63rd overall - QB (not my choice but the New England Patriots coaching staff)
95th overall - DE or DT or LB
136th overall (compensatory) - CB

Projecting The 2018 Compensatory Picks | Over the Cap

Similar to what I was thinking, corner back heavy draft so they can get a good one, definitely a QB. You guessing on the compensatory picks? Only 1?

 

[ATippett56]

Similar to what I was thinking, corner back heavy draft so they can get a good one, definitely a QB. You guessing on the compensatory picks? Only 1?

If you read the article, there is some confusion about the New England Patriots claiming Martellus Bennett off waivers from the Green Bay Packers and the potential loss of a fifth round compensatory draft selection.

Projecting The 2018 Compensatory Picks | Over the Cap

Patriots claim Martellus Bennett off waiver wire

 

[ATippett56]

I agree with Belichick that it it is unreasonable to slot positions with draft positions, even on Draft Day. Even when there are critical needs (in our eyes) going into the draft, that does not translate in our first picks. Sometimes it is the first pick. Sometimes it is a 2nd or 2 picks.

My strong hope is that we will sign a corner to at least compete for a starting role. Also, we need to sign an OT otherwise, we will likely be trading up for one).

We can agree to disagree about the cornerback situation.

Cornerback Contracts and Salaries | Over The Cap

 

[supafly]

it was out there..bb called hicks and was offering the same money or more but hicks wanted to be lazy and a loser.

It was reported BB matched and/or sweetened the deal to outbid Chicago.

Answer? Ego, control, not willing to work.

False. BB at least matched their offer. He called him last minute and matched what Chicago had.

he traded for the guy - fact

he called to try to sway him to stay - fact

hicks was known to have motivational
issues in no’s hence why he was dealt to ne - fact

Now, you’re just moving the goalposts. In the above statements you claimed multiple times that Belichick offered him the same money as Chicago did, which was not true at all. That’s why I provided the link to the article that disputes that notion.

Hicks did what 99% of all free agents do. He went to the team offering the most money and playing time. Not sure why that makes him lazy, egotistical, etc? He played only about 25% of the snaps here and worked hard enough to play in 85% of the snaps for Chicago, just last season.