Id like to add some context to counter-balance the insanity of media takes out there “evaluating“ “uncharacteristically“ “aggressive“ start of FA.
(futile, i know
)
take 1 - “Patriots will be uncharacteristically aggressive“
First of all that's tautological. Lets skip the hyperbolic use of “uncharacteristic“ & “aggressive“ ftm and use more measured unusually active.
Of course they would be unusually active - its most cap space they had in ages & the most depleted roster as well (which of corse in itself is correlated) - so there was hardly an option to be anything but unusually active bc they were in unusual situation.
BB is on a “spending spree“ etc. falls in the same hyperbolic tautology category that flooded media and big parts of fan boards.
What is he supposed to do with over 60M cap (+ by far highest effective cap space in 2022 and beyond)?
As Miguel has to repeat and prove over and over - Patriots spend most of their cap space every year no matter how big it is. This year was one of the few times the carryover was bigger - for some obvious reasons within context of the season - and maybe as a tool to make use of projected lower market.
The bunch of silly (selling) takes like “this is bc of Brady SB“, he wants to “prove something“ etc are not even worth the discussion. BB wants to find a way to win every game every year and explore all options and put all the work and all the resources to give him best possible chance.
And what were they supposed to do with 60M cap? Wait a few days and sign 30 players on bargain deals like Guy?
EVERYONE who has 60M+ cap space (esp. w Salary Cap at 180M) will be very active in FA one way or another.
The last time Patriots had bigger chunk of cap space was in
2017. They signed Gilmore at the start of FA for 5y/65M/31gtd - top 5 contract in all of 2017 FA (under 167M Salary Cap). They traded for D.Allen, Ealy and Cooks sending away significant draft capital and using significant cap as well. They later added top LB contract of that FA (Hightower), Branch in the ballpark of Godchaux (higher relative to salary Cap), Harmon, Guy etc. Was that less “aggressive“? Was that more “characteristic“?
@ “aggressive“
Just because they made so many deals in the 1st day it doesn't mean they were “aggressive“.
Everyone knows talks/deals are in the making well before legal tampering opens. So the fact that the deals are announced in a bunch means only so much. If anything doing the majority of first wave FA work quickly is BBs modus operandi. The difference is the deals come a day or two later since without a lot of cap you have to wait that the market is set at the top and then falls down to the range you are targeting with your limited resources. BBs experience, no nonsense approach and great respect + track record he has with agents allows him to work quickly when possible (no fierce competition). Multiple experienced managers are on record saying BB is the easiest/quickest to make business with.
The reality is they signed
only 2 big contracts so far - Smith and Judon.
Smith was projected lower by most (incl. Miguel) but came exactly like PFF projected. Smith was obviously NE #1 FA target, there was reportedly fierce competition and unlike last yr with Humphries they were determined to pull it through. It is close to the top of TE market similar to Gilmore in 2017. Gilmore was not considered among top CBs at that point either (& Buye actually got higher apy contract
)
Judon's signing is actually far below edge market -
4y/56M/32g is also well below projected contract (and base will be even lower).
Just a reminder:
Trey Flowers signed for
5y/90M/56g. While Flowers was great player for Patriots, Judon was my top Patriot Type edge in this FA. He can actually play on the line, plays stronger as his size would suggest, defends the edge and run very well and will be an upgrade as pass rusher, blitzer, lateral speed & coverage. This is as perfect fit & as versatile as it gets for Pats edge. If he stays healthy and performs as he projects - this deal could be the steal of this FA.
The rest of the signings are typical BB signings of middle class players at their respective positions - and well within “characteristic“.
The real numbers are still not out but judging by the ones that are this will be the case.
f.e.
Bourne's contract leaked by agent was announced as
3y/22M & the reality (base) is
3y/15M/5g = 3.1M cap # (2021) = 2.3M cap hit (TOP 51 rule).
Similarly w
Wise - reported 4y/30/10g =
4y/22M/10g = 3.3 cap # = 2.5M cap hit
So lets take it with a grain of salt - BB is doing business as usual - while he can be more competitive with the amount of cap space he has.
He was “aggressive“ in one case so far (Smith). They were reportedly pushing for Samuel as well but likely exit the bidding war and signed Agholor.
-.-