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

[AzorianPats]

Actually it is, Shields, Davis, and Verner are all significantly worse corners than Talib in straight up man-to-man coverage.

Many people place Verner the top corner in FA over Talib

 

[Kontradiction]

Because in all likelihood they won't replace Talib w anyone near his level or significantly upgrade another position.

The team doesn't need a true shut down corner if it goes out, replaces that guy with a solid and capable CB, upgrades SS, and adds pass rushing DE's to the rotation as well as a 3 tech DT, for example. Paying Talib a top of the market deal with a lot of guaranteed money isn't the only way to go. The team does have other directions they can go in if they don't come to terms with Talib. Whether or not they will do so is up for discussion.

 

[TomNGisele]

They won't replace Talib with two significant FA DBs... They won't. And he's saying even if they try, they won't because those guys are significantly worse than Talib.

 

[JackBauer]

They won't replace Talib with two significant FA DBs... They won't. And he's saying even if they try, they won't because those guys are significantly worse than Talib.

He's wrong, and you're just doing your best Miss Cleo impression.

 

[zimmy]

I think people are overrating Talib here. He was a shut down corner for all of 6 games. His first year he was okay and then he started last year on fire then got injured.

Are we just going to pay him $10m+ a year on the basis of 6 games? That doesn't even factor in his injury history.

His career in Tampa was up and down. He made plays but gave up some big ones too.

 

[TomNGisele]

He's wrong, and you're just doing your best Miss Cleo impression.

Ok do tell me when they went out and added significant pieces to the team to improve weak areas...?

I may be playing miss Cleo, but at least I have the past to improve my odds of being correct. You're banking on them going completely out of character.

I'm sure they'll draft 3 or 4 dudes from one school coached by a Belichick buddy and we'll all expect them to be key players on a SB contender.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

You guys have to realize talib was in a contract year, so his good performance through the first half and him taking himself out of the AFCCG reflects that.

 

[varjao]

If they move on from Talib and replace with another top CB it's like changing six for half dozen, with maybe the difference of having a more durable guy.

I don't know what BB will do but I endorse the idea of putting this money on the defensive line and take quarterbacks out of their comfort zones.

 

[Kontradiction]

They won't replace Talib with two significant FA DBs... They won't. And he's saying even if they try, they won't because those guys are significantly worse than Talib.

You know this how? Prior to 2007, the team hadn't had a history of adding on significant FA's and that changed. This is the first year in some time that the cap his increased as well. Further, depending on what happens with Wilfork, the team may see an additional $11M freed up on the cap. Not sure how, with all of this info being at your disposal, you can make such a claim with confidence.

 

[TomNGisele]

You guys have to realize talib was in a contract year, so his good performance through the first half and him taking himself out of the AFCCG reflects that.

Ok, so we need a player who can play at that level all the time. If it's not Talib it needs to be somebody close. We saw how HUGE of an impact he had.

Reggie White and Michael Strahan ain't walking through that door.

 

[Marqui]

Significantly? Are you sure about that?

Yes, none of them have the ability to shadow a #1 receiver all over the field and shut them down like Talib can. That's significant.

 

[Kontradiction]

Yes, none of them have the ability to shadow a #1 reviver all over the field and shut them down like Talib can. That's significant.

Verner does. Shields has the ability to match-up with speedsters (Talib's weakness) one on one and Davis was rated only slightly below Talib and Grimes going into the FA period. You may want to re-visit Verner. None of the three are "significantly worse" than Talib.

 

[JackBauer]

Ok do tell me when they went out and added significant pieces to the team to improve weak areas...?

I may be playing miss Cleo, but at least I have the past to improve my odds of being correct. You're banking on them going completely out of character.

I'm sure they'll draft 3 or 4 dudes from one school coached by a Belichick buddy and we'll all expect them to be key players on a SB contender.

The Patriots typically aren't huge spenders in FA because that's generally not how you build a sustainable contender. They've gone big in the past - Adalius would be one example. Or if you want to talk corners, they did shell out for Leigh Bodden. I think they definitely prefer to buy (or trade) low, for better or worse.

 

[Sicilian]

Ok do tell me when they went out and added significant pieces to the team to improve weak areas...?

I may be playing miss Cleo, but at least I have the past to improve my odds of being correct. You're banking on them going completely out of character.

I'm sure they'll draft 3 or 4 dudes from one school coached by a Belichick buddy and we'll all expect them to be key players on a SB contender.

I think a better question would be who's the last team to go ham on free agency and win the super bowl. You could say Seattle did it last year, but it helps that they have a franchise QB, a DPOY candidate at CB, and two pro bowl caliber safeties all making rookie money. Makes it a little easier to load up.

Besides them, who? And don't mention teams that just GOT to the super bowl, because that's not enough for most on this board. You have to win it or you're a failure. So tell me the last team that has been super aggressive in free agency and won the super bowl.

This is not to say that being aggressive is bad or trying to add significant pieces is bad. But to say that without that there's no way the team makes it to or wins the super bowl is being disingenuous to recent history.

 

[TomNGisele]

And when had NE gone out and signed the #1 ranked CB or player for that matter in free agency?!

 

[TomNGisele]

I think a better question would be who's the last team to go ham on free agency and win the super bowl. You could say Seattle did it last year, but it helps that they have a franchise QB, a DPOY candidate at CB, and two pro bowl caliber safeties all making rookie money. Makes it a little easier to load up.



Besides them, who? And don't mention teams that just GOT to the super bowl, because that's not enough for most on this board. You have to win it or you're a failure. So tell me the last team that has been super aggressive in free agency and won the super bowl.



This is not to say that being aggressive is bad or trying to add significant pieces is bad. But to say that without that there's no way the team makes it to or wins the super bowl is being disingenuous to recent history.

I'm not asking them to go Ham. I'm asking them to make sure they keep their top flight Corner or at least add replace him with one and add maybe 1 or two good players, not elite guys.

Personally I'm fine w the front 7 assuming Wilfork restructures if they sure up the secondary.

I'm not concerned about going SOUTH than going ham in free agency

 

[BradyFTW!]

Would rather give that money to Michael Johnson.

Why? He's recovering from a season-ending injury and has had one standout season in five years in the league. I'd like to have him too, but not for the kind of money that Talib's looking for.

Re: Talib overall, this is a tough one. He has the talent of a top-tier CB, but it's impossible to have any faith in his ability to stay healthy. Two years in a row, we've lost playoff games largely because he couldn't stay on the field. That's something that you work around when he's making the money he was making, but can you really build sustained success by paying elite money to a guy who probably can't give you more than ten 100% games per year? I think I'd have to say no, even knowing how rare and valuable his skills are.

Recurring hip problems aren't freak things. They're chronic and they only get worse with age.

I'd prefer that they give moderately less money to one of the corners on the market who's ranked slightly below Talib but actually has a shot at playing a full, reasonably healthy season (wouldn't mind seeing Davis or Shields here), then get aggressive about upgrading the defensive line in the draft.

 

[JackBauer]

And when had NE gone out and signed the #1 ranked CB or player for that matter in free agency?!

This is called moving the goalposts.

 

[Marqui]

Verner does. Shields has the ability to match-up with speedsters (Talib's weakness) one on one and Davis was rated only slightly below Talib and Grimes going into the FA period. You may want to re-visit Verner. None of the three are "significantly worse" than Talib.

Verner's can't match up well with big/tall receivers. Shield's weakness is big athletic receivers which is a way worse weakness to have. And how about we use our own eyes and make our own evaluations rather than relying on "ratings". Davis IMO is a big step down talent-wise from Talib in M2M. All three are noticeable step downs.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Ok, so we need a player who can play at that level all the time. If it's not Talib it needs to be somebody close. We saw how HUGE of an impact he had.

Reggie White and Michael Strahan ain't walking through that door.

Hope they can swing a deal for revis.