Will Patriots make a run at Demaryius Thomas?

[RayClay]

More, more, more wide receivers!!!

 

[RayClay]

Thomas is a free agent after this season, and unless the Broncos franchise him, it doesn't look like they are going to reach a contract extension. It is possible, but usually those things happen sooner in the season/preseason.

Although it is often repeated that the Patriots rarely go after big name WRs, they have gone after some fairly big name guys who, while not in their primes, were still considered to be impact players. These include Reggie Wayne, Anquan Boldin, Donte Stallworth (we forget that at the time they signed him, he was the #1 FA WR), and Steve Smith.

I think that Thomas is a unique case for several reasons:

1. He isn't a one trick pony, ala Mike Wallace or Vincent Jackson with speed only. Thomas has shown in Denver that he can run every route well; he also likely has the intelligence to play in this offense, since he has done so well with Manning.

2. Josh McDaniels drafted Thomas, and we've seen the lengths the Patriots go to in order to get Josh's guys, (Amendola, Salas) or are not a good fit (Lloyd.) I'm guessing the Patriots would view this as a lower risk factor, given McDaniels connection.

3. You know that, although Belichick is as cold and rational as they come, there's nothing more that he likes than serving revenge on a cold platter. Something tells me he would love to pry away Thomas, a true game changer, from Denver after the moves they pulled with Welker and Talib.

All that said, I'm guessing Thomas ends up back in Denver because Manning always gets what he wants and despite having the greatest player in any sport in the history of western civilization, Mannuing's teams still find the need to surround Manning with more talent than any other quarterback who has ever lived. If he gets through Denver somehow, the market will obviously be very high- I could see Thomas getting somewhere north of $14M per year. Do you think the Patriots would consider him at that price?

Manning needs to keep wide receivers at any cost. He (and the team built around him) is a one trick pony.

I could see Thomas getting somewhere north of $14M per year. Do you think the Patriots would consider him at that price?

For a receiver we don't really need? Who knows, BB's getting old and could show signs of dementia by then.

 

[RayClay]

Just like he wouldnt pony up for Revis? There is no blueprint for what BB will and won't do. Hed pony up for a wide out in the right situation like he did with Moss. Cant see D.Thomas coming here with the cash we have left vs Denver. hopefully they lose one of the thomas'

Revis isn't a wide receiver.

 

[RayClay]

This article
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...d-broncos-mortgage-future-with-spending-spree provides some insight into how the Broncos structure their contracts.

Quite interesting, not that i can follow it all. Pretty much the way we operate, as in Tommy Kelly, who had the chance to make 2.5 million, or easily between a million or 2 if he just showed up, but left for the vet minimum. 33 years old coming off a knee injury, we were injury protected (like Broncs with Talib) but gave an opportunity for good money.

 

[KA-]

I can't see D Thomas being here, but I could potentially see Pat's grabbing Torrey Smith next season. I think he would fit as a nice deep threat, and he probably wouldn't cost that much.

Crabtree will also be available, but he has a long history of injuries.

I can't say for sure if both will be back with their current teams, especially with how they are playing this season (This helps with $$). But I do think it would potentially be a nice fit on the outside with either one of them as long as the price isn't high.

It also depends on what BB decides to do with Dobson/Tyms.

It's way too early to tell right now.

Just my opinions

 

[PATS16N0]

I think a more realistic question would be:
"Do we want Welker back?"

That thread is definitely going to make an appearance this off season, and I say "nope."

 

[supafly]

I think a more realistic question would be:
"Do we want Welker back?"

That thread is definitely going to make an appearance this off season, and I say "nope."

There's no way in hell that Wes Welker is coming back here, under any circumstances. We have Edelman and Amendola (who may very well stay on a pay cut), and the blood is obviously too bad at this point.

Welker just spouted off again on Sunday morning about what Belichick says to the players about DEN, and how he instills a "no respect for other teams/players" mantra throughout the locker room (obviously false). I'd like to know just how Welker knows what Belichick told the players after the January loss in the first place, considering that he wasn't even here?

 

[supafly]

I can't see D Thomas being here, but I could potentially see Pat's grabbing Torrey Smith next season. I think he would fit as a nice deep threat, and he probably wouldn't cost that much.

Crabtree will also be available, but he has a long history of injuries.

I can't say for sure if both will be back with their current teams, especially with how they are playing this season (This helps with $$). But I do think it would potentially be a nice fit on the outside with either one of them as long as the price isn't high.

It also depends on what BB decides to do with Dobson/Tyms.

It's way too early to tell right now.

Just my opinions

Not meaning to joke, but I'm wondering what happens when Fitzgerald is expected to hit the market again due to his enormous cap hit?

I know that we've gone over it plenty of times before, but these opportunities don't present themselves every single year as many here tend to suggest. Next year may be a realistic opportunity, and he wouldn't cost nearly as much as D.Thomas.

I do think that we explore some other options in the 7-10m dollar price range during the offseason, one way or another.

 

[PATS16N0]

There's no way in hell that Wes Welker is coming back here, under any circumstances. We have Edelman and Amendola (who may very well stay on a pay cut), and the blood is obviously too bad at this point.

Welker just spouted off again on Sunday morning about what Belichick says to the players about DEN, and how he instills a "no respect for other teams/players" mantra throughout the locker room (obviously false). I'd like to know just how Welker knows what Belichick told the players after the January loss in the first place, considering that he wasn't even here?

I actually think Welker was telling the truth in that regard. I don't think it's too far off the mark at any rate.
I don't think it's anything for anyone here to be ashamed of, either.

Screw the rest of the league and all their front running pretender teams.

And yes, I agree, Welker is never, ever coming back here, but you know that thread is coming.

 

[chasa]

I actually think Welker was telling the truth in that regard. I don't think it's too far off the mark at any rate.
I don't think it's anything for anyone here to be ashamed of, either.

If BB doesnt have respect for the opposing players why did he go out of his way to find and give Talib a huge hug after the game?

 

[PATS16N0]

If BB doesnt have respect for the opposing players why did he go out of his way to find and give Talib a huge hug after the game?

I'm not saying he hates everyone.

 

[Fencer]

I don't think BB will pay that much to add to a receiving corps that already has Gronkowski, Edelman and Lefell

 

[Patriot Missile]

I'd rather see them spend on defensive talent.

Greg Hardy at DE would be an unpopular pick by some, but may come at a somewhat discounted price due to his issues. He would be a piece of the puzzle that would make this defense over the top dominant. Imagine Hardy on one side and Jones on the other with Nikovich as depth. That would be the best trio in all of football.

I also like Dan Williams from Arizona,Stephen Paea San Diego, Ahtyba Ruben Cleveland and Terrence Knighton from Denver at DT.

I just think DE DT and LB are the positions on this team that could either use an upgrade or just need more quality depth.

Honestly at the rate this offense is going it's going to be number 1 in no time. If it isn't already? Why add to it? It is perfectly dynamic the way it is and Edelman and Lafell are still only going to get better. Gronk is the best offensive player in the NFL so anything else is just overkill at this point.

If they want to add offense they could probably spend on a guard like Iuapati from the 49ers who are about to start having serious salary cap issues pretty soon. Again though, do they really need to?

 

[PATS16N0]

More, more, more wide receivers!!!

Seriously. Some people need to realize that you can only score one time per possession

 

[New England Pride]

They should be able to keep both. The Broncos have over 10m in cap space
https://nflpa.com/public-salary-cap-report
that they should be able to roll over into 2015.

http://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space#y2015 shows the Broncos under the 2015 projected cap of $140 million by $32 million. The more the cap goes up in 2015, the easier it becomes for all 32 teams to retain their players.

Von Miller does not become an UFA until 2016. The Broncos could extend him next year thereby lowering his 2015 cap number from 9M.

Thanks Miguel. I figured they'd be able to keep both. Darn it!

 

[rochrist]

There's no way in hell that Wes Welker is coming back here, under any circumstances. We have Edelman and Amendola (who may very well stay on a pay cut), and the blood is obviously too bad at this point.

Welker just spouted off again on Sunday morning about what Belichick says to the players about DEN, and how he instills a "no respect for other teams/players" mantra throughout the locker room (obviously false). I'd like to know just how Welker knows what Belichick told the players after the January loss in the first place, considering that he wasn't even here?

Welker will be out of football in all likelihood. If he has any brain left.

 

[supafly]

I actually think Welker was telling the truth in that regard. I don't think it's too far off the mark at any rate.
I don't think it's anything for anyone here to be ashamed of, either.

Screw the rest of the league and all their front running pretender teams.

And yes, I agree, Welker is never, ever coming back here, but you know that thread is coming.

My main problem with what Welker said was.....the fact that he made it all up and paraphrased. He stated what Belichick "probably" said after the January AFCCG loss (all due to injuries, etc), but the problem is that Welker really has no idea since he was playing for the opposition.

Either way, it attempted to paint BB and the team in a negative light. It certainly wasn't meant to be positive, that's for damn sure. Personally, I think some of what he said was ********.

 

[supafly]

If BB doesnt have respect for the opposing players why did he go out of his way to find and give Talib a huge hug after the game?

I'm not saying he hates everyone.

I would have to imagine that Belichick shows plenty of respect to players from the opposing team, just to keep our players sharp and well-prepared.

Talking a bunch of smack about the opposition doesn't do anything to prepare for the game, unless it's some random comments to point out obvious flaws as a motivational tactic; and if that's the case, you'd have to question the practice of all 32 head coaches.

While Welker's comments may have seemed "matter of fact" to him, it was a ***** move in my opinion, and completely uncalled for. I was a big Welker supporter, but the writing is on the wall in my mind that he's a ****y punk without a lot of respect.

 

[PATS16N0]

My main problem with what Welker said was.....the fact that he made it all up and paraphrased. He stated what Belichick "probably" said after the January AFCCG loss (all due to injuries, etc), but the problem is that Welker really has no idea since he was playing for the opposition.

Either way, it attempted to paint BB and the team in a negative light. It certainly wasn't meant to be positive, that's for damn sure. Personally, I think some of what he said was ********.

At least Welker realizes that they only beat a badly injured team, which sent a bunch of frauds to the Superbowl.

I honestly don't mind this stuff. I agree with Welker's assertion and I wear it with pride.
I just find it really entertaining that Welker repeated it. Since, as you said, it didn't actually come from anywhere but his own experience in fortress-Patriots, itt means, in the back of his mind, he knows the only reason they did beat us was because of injuries, and that the Broncos are pretenders.

He just wanted to fire up his fellow pretenders to prove it wrong.

 

[PATS16N0]

I would have to imagine that Belichick shows plenty of respect to players from the opposing team, just to keep our players sharp and well-prepared.

Talking a bunch of smack about the opposition doesn't do anything to prepare for the game, unless it's some random comments to point out obvious flaws as a motivational tactic; and if that's the case, you'd have to question the practice of all 32 head coaches.

While Welker's comments may have seemed "matter of fact" to him, it was a ***** move in my opinion, and completely uncalled for. I was a big Welker supporter, but the writing is on the wall in my mind that he's a ****y punk without a lot of respect.

I don't think we're imagining the same thing here. I don't think Belichick is going around telling players that "so and so" is overrated, or that "such and such" sucks. I can very easily imagine Belichick saying, very sarcastically, something along the lines of, "The experts, in case you were wondering, have all agreed that the Broncos are the greatest team in the history of the league, and you don't stand a chance."

We've seen him say that stuff before `behind closed doors.` I can just imagine his disdain for certain things is even more clear when there's no cameras present.

I really don't think Welker was that far off.