What's Next, after signing Revis?

[DocHoliday]

-Sign Bronco's Chris Harris to an offer sheet. At worse, it'll force them to pay more to keep him. At best, we have the best CB corps in the league. If not, bring in Brandon Browner.

-Sign Woodyard as your other OLB. Kick Mayo and Hightower inside and have a top 2 LB core.

-Sign DT Kevin Williams. Man can still play at 33.

-Resign Austin Collie and let Edelman walk. Amendola and Collie will man the slot.

-Sign someone competent as DE.

-Sign Scott Chandler, Owen Daniels, or Brandon Pettigrew.

-Sign Hakeem Nicks or James Jones

 

[Xerostomia]

I know some others have mentioned his name, but maybe Belichick can sweat talk Tony Gonzales to come out of retirement for 1 year (or so). He was able to get Junior Seau that way. He does not even have to play him all the time, just part time, and then unleash him during the playoffs. If he and Gronk share time during the season, they should both be healthy for the playoffs. I think the Pats need TE's not WR's.

I think the offensive line needs some help. Vollmer I hope will be back to form, but who knows. I think the center needs some upgrading.

I know he did not leave on the best of terms, but maybe Richard Seymour has 1 more year in him. I think he would be good for depth on the DL. Heck maybe he can play fullback now and then like in the good old days. I think it would be a good story for both the Pats and him if he returned and retired as a Patriot.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

oh i missed that...last i heard he was open to a one year deal...

also saw that he had a wonderlic of 11...not sure how that goes around here as BB likes higher scores usually possibly as a qualifier to how the player will grasp the playbook

I thought he was, a Pats guy to but Carolina is cutting bait with their top 2 wr's... and Nicks is from Carolina. He has also changed his stance on a 1 year prove it deal which leads me to believe Carolina has a longer term in mind.

 

[ausbacker]

I know some others have mentioned his name, but maybe Belichick can sweat talk Tony Gonzales to come out of retirement for 1 year (or so). He was able to get Junior Seau that way. He does not even have to play him all the time, just part time, and then unleash him during the playoffs. If he and Gronk share time during the season, they should both be healthy for the playoffs. I think the Pats need TE's not WR's.

I think the offensive line needs some help. Vollmer I hope will be back to form, but who knows. I think the center needs some upgrading.

I know he did not leave on the best of terms, but maybe Richard Seymour has 1 more year in him. I think he would be good for depth on the DL. Heck maybe he can play fullback now and then like in the good old days. I think it would be a good story for both the Pats and him if he returned and retired as a Patriot.

I'm not sure Belichick sweating all over Gonzalez is the way to sign him on a one year all or nothing clause but hey, we all have our philosophies.

 

[PatriotSeven]

Ice up Son!!!!

Coming soon to #Patriots :rocker:

Would have never happened...



https://nqjzha.bay.livefilestore.co...NpCApd08uZTlGAz/welkervssmithcatch.gif?psid=1
Bad pass my ass!

 

[patfanken]

Love these kinds of threads.

If read Miguel correctly when the Pats finish with their own players contracts, they will still have between $5-8MM to spend on FA's That would include decisions on Connolly, AWilson, Wilfolk, etc. Here's how I would spend that money.

1. Get a 3-4 year deal in place with Revis so we can get some immediate cap relief and lower that number by about $4MM.

2. Sign Brandon Browner - While I have great confidence in Dennard, I think we need a CB who can cover the bigger WR's we often face. He can also play S and take out a big TE as well in certain coverages. Cost this season: $1MM

3. Sign Woodyard - We have 3 very good LB's now. We need to add a 4th to the rotation for depth and those times we want to be in a 3-4 Cost this season :$3MM

4. With Neal and Shaunnessy off the market, we need to add a vet DE to play with Jones, Ninko, and Buchannon. I'm looking for suggestions Cost this season: $2MM

5. Sign Will Svitek - We need a swing T so Cannon can play RG and move Connolly back to C or back up G Cost this year $1.5MM

6. Sign Dane Fletcher- Great special teamer and solid LB depth Cost this season $1MM

7. Sign Scott Chandler - We need a 2nd receiving TE more than we need a 5th WR. Owen Daniels is another option Cost this season $2.5MM

These deals are going to cost an estimated $11MM in cap space assuming we don't back load any. We might not have that now, but we may as the months go on.

In the draft:

1. DT
2 TE
3 OL
4 Speed LB
6/6/7 after that I don't care

That's my plan and I'm sticking to it. Happy Revis day to all

 

[Lavictoire]

I'm hoping Adrian Wilson is healthy this year and we get to use a guy we already have.

 

[mgteich]

FA CHOICES AND COSTS
Yes 2-9 add up to $11M for 8 players which is fine. I don't think that Browner will sign for $1M, but's that's nitpicking. Instead of Svitek, Belichick may sign an NFL guard to play OG. I think that Fletcher is gone, but I'm sure we'll add a special teamer. $11M is certainly doable.

DRAFT
Your priorities are fine. I would add a late round (not top 3) quarterback.

THE ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM
I think that we should sign Blount and a WR.

Love these kinds of threads.

If read Miguel correctly when the Pats finish with their own players contracts, they will still have between $5-8MM to spend on FA's That would include decisions on Connolly, AWilson, Wilfolk, etc. Here's how I would spend that money.

1. Get a 3-4 year deal in place with Revis so we can get some immediate cap relief and lower that number by about $4MM.

2. Sign Brandon Browner - While I have great confidence in Dennard, I think we need a CB who can cover the bigger WR's we often face. He can also play S and take out a big TE as well in certain coverages. Cost this season: $1MM

3. Sign Woodyard - We have 3 very good LB's now. We need to add a 4th to the rotation for depth and those times we want to be in a 3-4 Cost this season :$3MM

4. With Neal and Shaunnessy off the market, we need to add a vet DE to play with Jones, Ninko, and Buchannon. I'm looking for suggestions Cost this season: $2MM

5. Sign Will Svitek - We need a swing T so Cannon can play RG and move Connolly back to C or back up G Cost this year $1.5MM

6. Sign Dane Fletcher- Great special teamer and solid LB depth Cost this season $1MM

7. Sign Scott Chandler - We need a 2nd receiving TE more than we need a 5th WR. Owen Daniels is another option Cost this season $2.5MM

These deals are going to cost an estimated $11MM in cap space assuming we don't back load any. We might not have that now, but we may as the months go on.

In the draft:

1. DT
2 TE
3 OL
4 Speed LB
6/6/7 after that I don't care

That's my plan and I'm sticking to it. Happy Revis day to all

 

[DocHoliday]

Here's my current pre-draft ideal roster:



Leaves roughly 2.5 in cap space. Assumes:

1.) VW pay cut to 6.5m/year
2.) Dan Connelly pay cut to 2m/y

I penciled in Browner for 1m/year due to unique circumstances (suspension). Remember he won't be paid for 8 games as well.

 

[Marqui]

Julius Peppers
Brandon Browner
Steve Smith

 

[BobDigital]

Open cap space - Cut Wilfork/A. Wilson
Extend/Restructure - McCourty/Gost/Connolly/Kelly/Solder

You should have about 18 M free. Set aside 7 for rookies & emergency fund.

You need to sign a SS, LB, DE, WR, OG before the draft IMO.

DE - ???? - 2M (If we go for Allen or Tuck that is of course okay too but changes everything).

SS - Browner - 1.5M (With Revis someone of "Gregory" ability would probably be fine and I would not invest large $ in this spot. If Browner can be had for this cheap pick him up or some vet who isn't a total liability will do).

LB - Woodyard - 2.5M (we need a solid backup in case. Woodyard is more than solid and we can find ways to use him).

WR - Jones/Smith - 6M (We need a Vet who will likely stay healthy... both are good fits.

OG - Shelly Smith - 1M (We don't need anyone great just a backup. Shelly sounds decent enough and we can look to upgrade in the draft)

So our roster would look like...

Offense - 23

QB - 2 - Brady Mallet
RB/FB -4 - Ridley Vereen Bolden Devilin
WR -6 -Smith Amendola Dobson Thompkins Boyce Harrison(maybe)
TE - 2 -Gronk Hooman
OL - 9 - Solder Mankins Connolly Cannon Solder Svitek Smith Kline Baker

Defense - 25

DE - 4 - Jones Nink ???? Bucannon
DT - 5 - Kelly Jones Siliga Vellano Armstead(maybe)
LB - 6 - Mayo Collins Hightower Woodyard Beau White
CB - 5 - Revis Dennard Ryan Arrington Green
DS - 5- McCourty Browner Harmon Ebner T. Wilson

We need to draft a DT, DE,OL all fairly high with later picks of WR, RB & SS.

 

[50-yard-line]

Watching:

Browner

Woodyard

Peppers

Smith/Edelman/Sanders

2 or 3 of those guys make this a much easier draft - maybe even a trade-up draft.

 

[mayoclinic]

My preference:

1. Some cuts, restructurings and possible extensions to free up cap space. Vince Wilfork's situation needs to be resolved.

2. Sign OL Shelly Smith. He would plug in as a starting RG. Move Dan Connolly to center, hopefully with a salary cut to free up a little cap space (or possibly a 1 year extension). Instant OL stability for low cost: Solder-Mankins-Connolly-Smith-Vollmer, with Cannon as depth at both tackle and guard.

3. Sign DB Brandon Browner. Plug him in as the starting SS opposite McCourty. Instant secondary stability for low cost: Revis-Dennard-Ryan/Arrington at CB with McCourty-Browner at safety, and Harmon for depth.

4. Sign LB Wesley Woodyard. Depth at LB, better coverage ability, and able to play a hybrid LB/S role. Mayo-Hightower-Collins + Woodyard would be a terrific LB nucleus.

5. Sign a WR or TE for reasonable cost.

6. Look for a rotational DE at reasonable cost. Might have to wait until post June 1 cuts. Jared Allen will cost too much, and I'm not sure Julius Peppers would be worth the cost, but those are still options.

7. Trade up for Aaron Donald in the draft. Trade 29+62 if necessary. Donald disrupting with Revis on the back end and guys like Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins would be unbelievable. Disruption = production, and Donald is the most disruptive defensive player in the draft (including Clowney).

 

[Luxusdk]

wondering if Michaeal Oher is a better fit at guard and that could be a option

 

[mayoclinic]

wondering if Michaeal Oher is a better fit at guard and that could be a option

Maybe, but I'm not sure we could afford him, and his mental lapses would scare me a bit.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Watching:

Browner

Woodyard

Peppers

Smith/Edelman/Sanders

2 or 3 of those guys make this a much easier draft - maybe even a trade-up draft.

I see the DE as the priority right now as they are in tighter shape against the cap until they free more cash up and they can address the other needs later than they can the pass rusher. Peppers is the most likely option imo and would be perfect as a rotational end for them. If they can get Woodyard and eiter Sander as well then it will be a great start to their offseason.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

Jacoby Ford is kind of an intriguing option.
He's small, but he is a burner. Should be cheap, and has special teams value as well.

 

[juny]

Seems like the greatest need on this team repeats every year

1) pass rusher (even revis can't cover someone forever)
2) deep threat wr (gotta open up space underneath for gronk and slot wr)

 

[mgteich]

And why should Connolly take a pay cut to be our starting center? An extension seems more likely if Connolly moves to center.

My preference:

1. Some cuts, restructurings and possible extensions to free up cap space. Vince Wilfork's situation needs to be resolved.

2. Sign OL Shelly Smith. He would plug in as a starting RG. Move Dan Connolly to center, hopefully with a salary cut to free up a little cap space (or possibly a 1 year extension). Instant OL stability for low cost: Solder-Mankins-Connolly-Smith-Vollmer, with Cannon as depth at both tackle and guard.

3. Sign DB Brandon Browner. Plug him in as the starting SS opposite McCourty. Instant secondary stability for low cost: Revis-Dennard-Ryan/Arrington at CB with McCourty-Browner at safety, and Harmon for depth.

4. Sign LB Wesley Woodyard. Depth at LB, better coverage ability, and able to play a hybrid LB/S role. Mayo-Hightower-Collins + Woodyard would be a terrific LB nucleus.

5. Sign a WR or TE for reasonable cost.

6. Look for a rotational DE at reasonable cost. Might have to wait until post June 1 cuts. Jared Allen will cost too much, and I'm not sure Julius Peppers would be worth the cost, but those are still options.

7. Trade up for Aaron Donald in the draft. Trade 29+62 if necessary. Donald disrupting with Revis on the back end and guys like Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins would be unbelievable. Disruption = production, and Donald is the most disruptive defensive player in the draft (including Clowney).

 

[mayoclinic]

My preference:

1. Some cuts, restructurings and possible extensions to free up cap space. Vince Wilfork's situation needs to be resolved.

2. Sign OL Shelly Smith. He would plug in as a starting RG. Move Dan Connolly to center, hopefully with a salary cut to free up a little cap space (or possibly a 1 year extension). Instant OL stability for low cost: Solder-Mankins-Connolly-Smith-Vollmer, with Cannon as depth at both tackle and guard.

3. Sign DB Brandon Browner. Plug him in as the starting SS opposite McCourty. Instant secondary stability for low cost: Revis-Dennard-Ryan/Arrington at CB with McCourty-Browner at safety, and Harmon for depth.

4. Sign LB Wesley Woodyard. Depth at LB, better coverage ability, and able to play a hybrid LB/S role. Mayo-Hightower-Collins + Woodyard would be a terrific LB nucleus.

5. Sign a WR or TE for reasonable cost.

6. Look for a rotational DE at reasonable cost. Might have to wait until post June 1 cuts. Jared Allen will cost too much, and I'm not sure Julius Peppers would be worth the cost, but those are still options.

7. Trade up for Aaron Donald in the draft. Trade 29+62 if necessary. Donald disrupting with Revis on the back end and guys like Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins would be unbelievable. Disruption = production, and Donald is the most disruptive defensive player in the draft (including Clowney).

With Darrelle Revis' contract counting only $7M towards the 2014 cap and Vince Wilfork asking to be released, the Pats should have about $18M in cap space. That doesn't include any space from cutting Adrian Wilson ($1.1M), Dan Connolly ($2.5M) or from extensions.

With that cap space, the Pats could probably do all of the above, plus go after Alex Mack from Cleveland. They might also be able to squeeze in a FA DT like Henry Melton or Jason Hatcher, or go after someone like Jared Allen.

Too bad the Wilfork situation wasn't resolved by Tuesday. They could have gone after Lamarr Houston or Linval Joseph.