Patriots Player Departure Shaq Mason traded to the Bucs

[patsinthesnow]

Here’s a potential explanation. Not saying it’s true or I believe this is the right approach, but a thought.

They know the team wasn’t fully ready to compete in 2021 and did as well as they could. They think they’re still in the middle of a rebuild and expect 2022 to look like 2021. Rather than use the 2023 cap space now when it might only get them one more win, they could be targeting 2023 as the all-in date when their rebuild is complete, and will therefore go all out at that time. Similar to how the Pats won in 2001 but took a step back in 2002 as some of the older vets they signed for the prior year declined, before exploding thereafter with a couple of big drafts and bringing in Rodney, Washington and Colvin from the outside.

You may be onto something considering they may change the defensive scheme. After a decade of press man they may be returning to zone to combat speed on offenses. It's also harder to defend mobile QBs in man coverage as defenders' backs are often turned away from the QB.

This season could be about Mac's development & a philosophy change on D. Hopefully they add a quality RT & another WR to help his development.

 

[mgteich]

OUR 2022 GUARDS
Onwenu, Desjarlis, Hubright, Ferentz, Sherman

We used to have Karras and Mason

To state the very obvious, this is a major downgrade.
============================
OUR 2022 TACKLES
Wynn, Herron, Cajuste, Durant

To state the obvious, this is a major downgrade.
============
yes, the team will address the OL. Some think that out 2021 OL was one of the best; some thought that it was mediocre. Losing THREE starters will NOT improve things. At very least, the team need to spend resources for replacements.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

The NFL certainly has its mysteries when chumps like Sanu go for 2nd rounders and pro-bowl guards like Mason go for a 5th

This is a huge draft coming up for this team

 

[Steve102]

OUR 2022 GUARDS
Onwenu, Desjarlis, Hubright, Ferentz, Sherman

We used to have Karras and Mason

To state the very obvious, this is a major downgrade.
============================
OUR 2022 TACKLES
Wynn, Herron, Cajuste, Durant

To state the obvious, this is a major downgrade.
============
yes, the team will address the OL. Some think that out 2021 OL was one of the best; some thought that it was mediocre. Losing THREE starters will NOT improve things. At very least, the team need to spend resources for replacements.

What have you been saying? It's March.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

And? My point stands

The Bucs are not in "cap hell" and in year 3 of the Brady experience are still adding talent.

Meanwhile, we just gave up one of the best guards in the league for cap relief.

You can't ignore that they have a slew of big name free agents, most of which they won't be able to sign back

They're losing more talent this year than they're gaining. They lost a Right Guard, now they just traded for one, so that is a wash

 

[PatsFan2]

The NFL certainly has its mysteries when chumps like Sanu go for 2nd rounders and pro-bowl guards like Mason go for a 5th

This is a huge draft coming up for this team

Like last year which is a good start our First two picks have to be Starters from day one barring injuries.

 

[Sicilian]

The NFL certainly has its mysteries when chumps like Sanu go for 2nd rounders and pro-bowl guards like Mason go for a 5th

This is a huge draft coming up for this team

I think it might be supply and demand. At midseason, in the shape the Pats receivers were in in 2019, Sanu drew a 2nd because there were no options on the open market and the Falcons had the leverage. Right now, good though Mason is, there are a lot more avenues that teams can explore to find a guard, so if the price feels too high they're not going to force it. That and guard is generally valued by teams far less than WR, which is reflected in the salary structures for both positions. Not saying I agree with those valuations, but I think the league's record on it is pretty established.

 

[gobesmug]

The NFL certainly has its mysteries when chumps like Sanu go for 2nd rounders and pro-bowl guards like Mason go for a 5th

This is a huge draft coming up for this team

That's not a mystery. The pats were playing for a superbowl that year.

Bill went into that season with Josh Gordon, who had already developed chemistry with Brady, Edelman, Damarious Thomas, along with a 1st rd rookie.

Then when AB became available, he was a clear upgrade over DT who was cut in favor of keeping Gordon.

Unfortunately 3 things blew up in Bill's face. AB went AB after a week, Gordon went back to pot, and Harry was a bust.

It was mid-season with zero FA options. The Pats were desperate to get anything to give that team a championship run.

The only mistake was giving that 2nd for Sanu instead of giving that 2nd plus something else for Emmanuel Sanders.

But again, no mystery because all offseason and training camp options failed

 

[JayNM]

The NFL certainly has its mysteries when chumps like Sanu go for 2nd rounders and pro-bowl guards like Mason go for a 5th

This is a huge draft coming up for this team

The NFL or is it BB?

Serious question, when was the last time you said "this was a good trade" for the Pats?

I dont like to seem so negative but this Shaq trade got me agitated

 

[JayNM]

That's not a mystery. The pats were playing for a superbowl that year.

Bill went into that season with Josh Gordon, who had already developed chemistry with Brady, Edelman, Damarious Thomas, along with a 1st rd rookie.

Then when AB became available, he was a clear upgrade over DT who was cut in favor of keeping Gordon.

Unfortunately 3 things blew up in Bill's face. AB went AB after a week, Gordon went back to pot, and Harry was a bust.

It was mid-season with zero FA options. The Pats were desperate to get anything to give that team a championship run.

The only mistake was giving that 2nd for Sanu instead of giving that 2nd plus something else for Emmanuel Sanders.

But again, no mystery because all offseason and training camp options failed

i agree with everything, but let's not undervalue the egregiousness of this trade

I remember clearly that a lot of folks here were trying to defend this abhorrent thing with their last breaths, when it was an obvious desperation (and bad) move from the start

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

I'm really interested in the fact that so many DEs who were slated to go early are now dropping into the 2nd and 3rd rounds, and I'm talking about Enagbare, Cameron Thomas, Ebiketie, Drake Jackson, and several others.

Myjai Sanders had a slow time and dropped from a maybe 1st rounder into the 3rd or even 4th round, but he's big and I almost don't even care about his 40.

I seem to grade harder than most but I never expected any to go in RD1. Those are the guys I think about when I hear "it only takes one team" bc none are consensus 1st RD prospects imo. Again certainly not in my eyes. I think you'll see Thomas and Jackson go RD2. Ebitetie RD3. Sanders and Enagbare RD3 or 4. All it takes is one team though. I think Cam Thomas has the best chance going RD1.

 

[Wozzy]

You can't ignore that they have a slew of big name free agents, most of which they won't be able to sign back

They're losing more talent this year than they're gaining. They lost a Right Guard, now they just traded for one, so that is a wash

This ^

When it was pointed out Tampa was putting themselves in a cap hole by going all in to win with Tommy, Ali Marpet had given no sign of retirement. They just traded a pick to replace him and take on a similar salary for a comparable 29 year old guard. It's a wash.

As far as the Pats are concerned, Drew Desjarlais is 25 year’s old, he signed a 3 year $2,565,000 contract with only 65K guaranteed… chump change. If they believe they can slot him in immediately at guard and get similar production then they just saved an obscene amount of money over the next few years.

The low trade return is because Tampa is taking on that contract. It had been reported the Pats were shopping Mason for a week or more before it happened. The market determines worth, not good intentions. They sent him to the NFC and got roughly what everyone else was offering, no team would willingly and knowingly take less.

 

[Scotty]

This ^

When it was pointed out Tampa was putting themselves in a cap hole by going all in to win with Tommy, Ali Marpet had given no sign of retirement. They just traded a pick to replace him and take on a similar salary for a comparable 29 year old guard. It's a wash.

As far as the Pats are concerned, Drew Desjarlais is 25 year’s old, he signed a 3 year $2,565,000 contract with only 65K guaranteed… chump change. If they believe they can slot him in immediately at guard and get similar production then they just saved an obscene amount of money over the next few years.

The low trade return is because Tampa is taking on that contract. It had been reported the Pats were shopping Mason for a week or more before it happened. The market determines worth, not good intentions. They sent him to the NFC and got roughly what everyone else was offering, no team would willingly and knowingly take less.

I really do hope that Desjarlais proves to be a great addition

 

[Guts]

The NFL certainly has its mysteries when chumps like Sanu go for 2nd rounders and pro-bowl guards like Mason go for a 5th

This is a huge draft coming up for this team

Sanu was promising. He was the only bright spot when we got routed vs the Ravens, but then he hurt his ankle and just wasn't the same

 

[Wozzy]

I really do hope that Desjarlais proves to be a great addition

He should be a plug and play player. I'm not concerned about OG, even though I loved Mason as a player. This Desjarlais kid was an All Star in Canada, he helped lead his team to a championship. He put up great measurables at the Canadian version of the combine years back, about the only area he could improve was to get stronger which two years later I suspect he has. He was the #1 Canadian free agent on the market and the Pats swept him up quickly so I suspect they'd been watching him all along.

Plug him in, then get another value vet free agent or draft another interior swing G/C and the line won't skip a beat. Now offensive tackle is a larger question mark with no Trent Brown on one side and the injury risk and final year of his contract Wynn on the other side. If there's a stud OT staring at them in the first round, they should grab him, if he is mobile and athletic enough he could give them snaps at OG now if necessary.

 

[jimnance]

No worries Jim, I'm no expert but I just think Trent Brown was great when he played (only 1 sack allowed) and Owenu is a stud. I still don't understand the trade, but I had issues with Mason, not necessarily in the run game but thought he struggled some in the passing game and protecting Mac.

Brown was actually pretty good - when he actually played. But mason also allowed only one sack but played many more snaps than brown, which makes shaq's one sack more impressive. Thats even allowing for the fact that brown would face a higher pct of passrushers than mason due to rt vs rg. Brown is a better pass blocker but not a lot better. But mason is a far better runblocker one of the best in the league. Theyre both very good. If BB resigns brown i hope he can be a more reliable player but i have my doubts. But yeah when he plays hes good- sometimes great. The only good thing i see from losing mason is onwenu becomes a starter and hes a beast. Losing Karras hurts as well. Continuity is the most important thing for an ol. The best ols are the ones that have played together the longest- not necessarily the ones with the most individual talent- since they need to function as one unit more than any other position group. Keeping brown would help.

 

[JayNM]

Sanu was promising. He was the only bright spot when we got routed vs the Ravens, but then he hurt his ankle and just wasn't the same

Come on man... Not to derail this thread, but I cannot believe there are still defender

Enough is enough... Sanu had one decent year where he had 800+ yards... If Agholor is a bust, what is Sanu? Never had over 70 receptions in any year either. Second round pick for him is atrocious, made no sense.

Even right before his "injury", his stats are bad. Guy was on pace for 600 yards in atlanta for the whole year.. and after is even worse, much worse

That was one of the worst trades in BBs history, and Ill take the argument of being a desperation move, cause it kinda was, but stop trying to excuse it as anything other than bad

 

[venecol]

No worries Jim, I'm no expert but I just think Trent Brown was great when he played (only 1 sack allowed) and Owenu is a stud. I still don't understand the trade, but I had issues with Mason, not necessarily in the run game but thought he struggled some in the passing game and protecting Mac.

Mason only allowed 1 sack and played double Brown's snaps.

 

[ashley]

Mason only allowed 1 sack and played double Brown's snaps.

I know, but he gave up a lot of pressures...I remember watching games and seeing him get beat more than once and saying he's going to get Mac killed....in the gdt, Mason also took a lot of abuse at times.....I think if you look at Andrews as well, I am pretty sure that he didn't let up a lot of sacks but we all know that against dominant dt, he can get bullied and manhandled.

 

[reflexblue]

I really do hope that Desjarlais proves to be a great addition

Didn't he Suck last season, or is it another slug i'm thinkig of.