Source: Aqib Talib wants top-of-the-market deal

[Deus Irae]

It depends on what "top of the market" deal means, though. Is Talib looking to be paid as the top, or one of the top CB's in the NFL? If so, we may be looking at over $10M per with more guaranteed money than what Grimes got. If that's the case, the Pats can make other moves (such as Verner or Davis) while adding a top flight safety or DE like Ward or Johnson/Allen. I would take the latter over the former, if that were the case.

OK, Browner's suspension is going to be 4 games. So, if Talib prices himself out of the Patriots' range:

Shields
Browner
Ward

Draft Tuitt (DE) or Jones (LB), depending upon what is done for the DL during FA.

Re-sign Edelman, if the price is reasonable, or sign a Hawkins/Roberts level player

Draft TE and IOL in rounds 2+3


That smells like a return to the SB with a good chance to win, to me*.





*Assuming, of course, that Brady and Gronk are healthy, they don't completely screw the pooch at DT, and that at least one of the Dobson/Thompkins/Boyce trio shows a legit year 2 jump.

 

[50-yard-line]

OK, Browner's suspension is going to be 4 games. So, if Talib prices himself out of the Patriots' range:

Shields
Browner
Ward

Draft Tuitt (DE) or Jones (LB), depending upon what is done for the DL during FA.

Re-sign Edelman, if the price is reasonable, or sign a Hawkins/Roberts level player

Draft TE and IOL in rounds 2+3


That smells like a return to the SB with a good chance to win, to me*.





*Assuming, of course, that Brady and Gronk are healthy, they don't completely screw the pooch at DT, and that at least one of the Dobson/Thompkins/Boyce trio shows a legit year 2 jump.

On the 15th, i started a thread with this (partial) post:

"New FA acquisitions:

To replace Talib, they go and get Brandon Browner - hehe, well, if he can get over his suspension - on a 2-year "bargain" deal. (Seriously, I have no idea who they will get to replace Talib...they won't pay top-corner money, and after Kraft's comments, I don't expect Talib back unless he can't find a market. REALLY hope I'm wrong!)"

I think your plan is pretty on target, but we still have to address D-Line, and I think FA is the way to get there, not just the draft.

 

[Kontradiction]

OK, Browner's suspension is going to be 4 games. So, if Talib prices himself out of the Patriots' range:

Shields
Browner
Ward

Draft Tuitt (DE) or Jones (LB), depending upon what is done for the DL during FA.

Re-sign Edelman, if the price is reasonable, or sign a Hawkins/Roberts level player

Draft TE and IOL in rounds 2+3


That smells like a return to the SB with a good chance to win, to me*.





*Assuming, of course, that Brady and Gronk are healthy, they don't completely screw the pooch at DT, and that at least one of the Dobson/Thompkins/Boyce trio shows a legit year 2 jump.

Tuitt over Jones and I can dig that.

 

[Bhelmet]

Well it looks like the Dolphins did a masterful job of screwing the Pats by overpaying for a guy at Talib's position. I love the chess, but hate the potential outcome. I really hope we find a way to keep the guy on a deal that works for both. If not, I would love to Revis here, but he will take big bucks too. Having to choose between the two - I will take Talib. Revis has the history of quitting for $$$. It was FUN watching him hold the Jets hostage, but that garbage will NOT work here and I, for one, would lose my flipping mind. This off-season is giving me stress - DAMN I hope something works out.

 

[Joker]

look....most of you responding in this thread are veterans of the BB regime and THIS board. You should all know by now that NOT ONE of us has any real clue WTF they will/won't do.All we DO know is they have a plan. If this season plays out like the last 12 I guarantee we will not like a percentage of the decisions and the type of offense/defense these decisions imply.

I firmly believe if they do NOT make a meaningful blue chip decision at center, then our offense will remain vulnerable to other top teams inside rushers..in fact most inside D lineman in the league. The Pats were NOT offensively competitive against Denver in the playoffs. Mankins, Wendell, Connolly was a SIEVE. I want a stone wall inside. Do they? To me that is a huge unanswerable question right now that only free agency and the draft will answer.

The same is true of the D line, especially the D tackles. I am NOT buying "Vince can" and "Kelly can" until I SEE IT. What I saw last season was THEY COULDN'T. We have players that can threaten the pocket from the edge . We NEED at least one, preferably two inside D tackles that can PUSH forwards and move QB's around in , or flush out of the pocket.

The rest of the roster I can live with no matter how they go about it...but tough is tough and we are NOT tough inside on either line right now IMO.

 

[patsinthesnow]

OK, Browner's suspension is going to be 4 games. So, if Talib prices himself out of the Patriots' range:

Shields
Browner
Ward

Draft Tuitt (DE) or Jones (LB), depending upon what is done for the DL during FA.

Re-sign Edelman, if the price is reasonable, or sign a Hawkins/Roberts level player

Draft TE and IOL in rounds 2+3


That smells like a return to the SB with a good chance to win, to me*.





*Assuming, of course, that Brady and Gronk are healthy, they don't completely screw the pooch at DT, and that at least one of the Dobson/Thompkins/Boyce trio shows a legit year 2 jump.

Just not a fan of Shields as a #1 CB. Everything else is great though.

I imagine Shields will still cost 6-8 million a year, so signing him and Ward would be tough.

 

[nowayback]

If Talib had completed all playoff games, yes pay him. But he didn't > smaller offer and load with incentives. If he accepts great. or else adios. Pats already have Gronk who cant make it thru the playoffs.

Is he still remembering the 1st few games of last season?
I would rather fill other spots of need then "overpay" him. TE, LB, Safety. I don't see the Pats defense being Seattle 2.0 , so Brady will need some weapons who arent smurfs .

 

[stinebot]

I like Talib, and I'd like to have him around at a reasonable cost. I don't think that will happen. A year ago today I had doubts about bringing him back after his absence during the AFC Championship. Now, after this past year the Pats are 2 for 2 playing in AFC Championships, and 2 for 2 losing in AFC Championships after their #1 CB gets hurt and rides the bench for the majority of the game.

If I was in charge I'd go for Alterraun Verner from Tennessee. He's 25, played in every single game the Titans played the past four seasons, had pretty good numbers last season, and I think he will only get better.

 

[strngplyr]

I like Talib, and I'd like to have him around at a reasonable cost. I don't think that will happen. A year ago today I had doubts about bringing him back after his absence during the AFC Championship. Now, after this past year the Pats are 2 for 2 playing in AFC Championships, and 2 for 2 losing in AFC Championships after their #1 CB gets hurt and rides the bench for the majority of the game.

If I was in charge I'd go for Alterraun Verner from Tennessee. He's 25, played in every single game the Titans played the past four seasons, had pretty good numbers last season, and I think he will only get better.

For what it's worth, PFF* has had Verner ranked in the top 25 CB's the past 4 seasons and ranked somewhere in the top 5 last year.

* yeah, I know, PFF, hence the "for what it's worth", aka: not much.

 

[stinebot]

For what it's worth, PFF* has had Verner ranked in the top 25 CB's the past 4 seasons and ranked somewhere in the top 5 last year.

* yeah, I know, PFF, hence the "for what it's worth", aka: not much.

I'm not saying he'd be cheap. More like I'd feel better giving Verner the cash Talib thinks he's worth.

 

[supafly]

look....most of you responding in this thread are veterans of the BB regime and THIS board. You should all know by now that NOT ONE of us has any real clue WTF they will/won't do.All we DO know is they have a plan. If this season plays out like the last 12 I guarantee we will not like a percentage of the decisions and the type of offense/defense these decisions imply.

I firmly believe if they do NOT make a meaningful blue chip decision at center, then our offense will remain vulnerable to other top teams inside rushers..in fact most inside D lineman in the league. The Pats were NOT offensively competitive against Denver in the playoffs. Mankins, Wendell, Connolly was a SIEVE. I want a stone wall inside. Do they? To me that is a huge unanswerable question right now that only free agency and the draft will answer.

The same is true of the D line, especially the D tackles. I am NOT buying "Vince can" and "Kelly can" until I SEE IT. What I saw last season was THEY COULDN'T. We have players that can threaten the pocket from the edge . We NEED at least one, preferably two inside D tackles that can PUSH forwards and move QB's around in , or flush out of the pocket.

The rest of the roster I can live with no matter how they go about it...but tough is tough and we are NOT tough inside on either line right now IMO.

I agree with your thoughts on shoring up the trenches, Joker.

Would you be satisfied with either one of these 2 scenarios for the OL? :

1. Move Connelly to center, use Cannon at RG. That would make the new line Solder/Mankins/Connelly/Cannon/Vollmer

2. Draft a new interior lineman in the top 3 rounds

 

[NEPats1]

Which teams have the cap space to go after Talib? All I hear is teams are trying to restructure to get under the cap, so who might go after him?

 

[DaBruinz]

If Ryan or Dennard are the number 1 corners on this team I will not watch a single snap.

Good. Don't let the door hit you in the rear end because I can guarantee you that one or the other will be starting this year.

Logan Ryan hit the rookie wall during the play-offs, unfortunately. Dennard was playing hurt. The Pats need another CB who is their level but doesn't get injured. Talib doesn' fit that because he gets injured alot.

There are some CBs in the draft who would fit in nicely.

Furthermore, helping the pass rush by having Vince back to health and/or adding another DT along the lines of Houston or Bryant would do wonders to helping the pass defense.

 

[50-yard-line]

Which teams have the cap space to go after Talib? All I hear is teams are trying to restructure to get under the cap, so who might go after him?

Tennessee, Oakland, DENVER could easily jump in (Denver saves 10m on Champ Bailey), and they need corners.

 

[DaBruinz]

Ohhh it's that kind of forum, lol. That's too bad, I see this place gets a ton of traffic but apparently if you disagree with anybody or question the organization you're labeled a troll and a fan of another team. Screw you D bag.

I'm a diehard Pats fan born and raised. I can't stand to watch them with a crappy defense AGAIN. I can't watch Brady struggle throwing to mediocre/rookie receivers AGAIN.

Sorry, it frustrates me to picture a Patriot secondary that consists of McCourty, Ryan, Harmon, and Dennard. That's not good enough. It's not close to good enough. I'm far less concerned with the front 7. Mayo, Hightower, Collins, Jones, and Nink is a great start that doesn't need a bunch of tweaking.

So, because you don't understand how the defense works or how the offense works, you whine if you don't get your way. Got it.

I have news for you, The Pats will have 2- 2nd year receivers, a 5th year TE, and a 6th year WR at the very minimum. They could have a 3rd - 2nd year WR and a 4th year WR to boot.

You not being concerned about the Front 7, but failing to mention the needs on the D-line shows how you don't understand the defense. An improvement in the pass rush (IE, Wilfork tying up 2 guys) Tommy Kelly (or another DT) there, opens things up for Ninkovich and Chandler Jones to get Pressure. Or if the Pats have the ILB pass rush.

I doubt that the Pats bring in someone to replace Harmon. Why? Because they don't want to impede his development. That being said, they may. It's one of the questions.

A backfield of Dennard, McCourty, Harmon, and Ryan would not be bad. Especially if all are healthy and we get a good pass rush. The bigger question is do Ryan and Harmon make the jumps that we expect/need. I think both can. But only time will tell.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I know everyone is worried about the secondary, but if Belichick can achieve what I think he wants - a defense that can put pressure on the passer consistently - then we have less to worry about

I think a quality mid level salaried secondary can get the job done well if it's getting the help of pressure up front

Now admittedly that's a big "if" but also just remember that free agency is just one of four places where Belichick typically improves his team...

That, plus the draft, plus trades, plus cuts from other teams in camp

There's still a LONG way to go and Belichick will not be finished rebuilding this team in free agency by a long shot

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

We will know in the next few days if talib will be back...not enough movement before FA hits he is a goner

 

[TomNGisele]

So, because you don't understand how the defense works or how the offense works, you whine if you don't get your way. Got it.



I have news for you, The Pats will have 2- 2nd year receivers, a 5th year TE, and a 6th year WR at the very minimum. They could have a 3rd - 2nd year WR and a 4th year WR to boot.



You not being concerned about the Front 7, but failing to mention the needs on the D-line shows how you don't understand the defense. An improvement in the pass rush (IE, Wilfork tying up 2 guys) Tommy Kelly (or another DT) there, opens things up for Ninkovich and Chandler Jones to get Pressure. Or if the Pats have the ILB pass rush.



I doubt that the Pats bring in someone to replace Harmon. Why? Because they don't want to impede his development. That being said, they may. It's one of the questions.



A backfield of Dennard, McCourty, Harmon, and Ryan would not be bad. Especially if all are healthy and we get a good pass rush. The bigger question is do Ryan and Harmon make the jumps that we expect/need. I think both can. But only time will tell.

You're wrong on life.

You're failing at life.

You saw the defense with Talib and without Talib.

Now hop off my lap little buddy. I don't swing that way.

 

[supafly]

Which teams have the cap space to go after Talib? All I hear is teams are trying to restructure to get under the cap, so who might go after him?

There are about 25% of the NFL teams (about 8 or so) who have at least 35 million dollars or more in cap room at the present moment, with some of those teams having as much as 50+ million dollars to spend. You can actually throw darts at a board and the team you'd hit could be in play for Talib's services. I'd say there are easily 12-15 teams out there who'd be potentially interested in upgrading their CB play, possibly more.

Just to put it into perspective, as of a few days ago there were only 2 teams who were over the cap, DAL and PIT. Both of those teams cleared up enough space to be under the cap, so as of right now there are 32/32 teams who are in compliance with the 2014 cap.

I don't know where you're hearing about all of these teams needing to restructure to get under? Maybe you're hearing about teams restructuring to simply free up more money, since the legal tampering period starts Saturday afternoon in less than 72 hrs.

 

[supafly]

A backfield of Dennard, McCourty, Harmon, and Ryan would not be bad. Especially if all are healthy and we get a good pass rush. The bigger question is do Ryan and Harmon make the jumps that we expect/need. I think both can. But only time will tell.

I agree with your thoughts, DaBruinz; especially if you'd add one more CB in there from the draft/free agency.

We could also add another safety as well (and should with Gregory gone and A.Wilson as another possible cut), as you mention. Adding a top tier S from the draft/FA will also help.

We all want Talib to stay for reasonable money, but life will go on if he doesn't choose to do so. Upgrading the pass rush/front 7 along with adding another player to the secondary could go a long way towards helping to offset the loss should he decide to leave.