{"id":34380,"date":"2021-01-17T05:00:28","date_gmt":"2021-01-17T10:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=34380"},"modified":"2021-01-17T08:15:41","modified_gmt":"2021-01-17T13:15:41","slug":"new-england-patriots-news-01-17-afc-east-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2021\/01\/17\/new-england-patriots-news-01-17-afc-east-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots News 01-17, AFC East Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, here is your <\/span>Sunday Patriots news 01-17 and AFC East notes<\/b> this week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is definitely different watching the NFL playoffs without the Patriots being a part of it, but a change was inevitable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Have you checked out our team news feature for all 32 teams yet? It is a great resource to keep up with what is going on all across the NFL.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Quick Hitters For the Pats, and the NFL:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Julian Edelman: <\/b>After a cryptic tweet by the Patriots wide receiver this week, it definitely could give the impression that either he\u2019s retiring or leaving in 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Edelman wrote: \u201cBoston I love you. \u201cYou\u2019ve weighed on my and my family\u2019s mind for a long time! 🙌🙏🏻❤️ #gottabelieve #💍💍💍🐿\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Edelman appeared in six games but really wasn\u2019t close to being the same player after Week 2. He carries about a $6 million salary-cap hit in 2021, but the Patriots can save around $3.4 million with a $2.67 dead-cap hit if he\u2019s traded or released.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Andre Tippett: <\/b>Congratulations to the Patriots Hall of Fame linebacker who was just recently enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Tippett is now a triple-dipper, with his election in the NFL\u2019s, the Patriots\u2019 team, and now the college Hall of Fame. Well deserved\u00a0 Tip…<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Roethlisberger: <\/b>Speaking of cryptic messages, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, speaking of his long-time QB said, “I don’t have a clear assessment of the overall depth of the cap ramifications, but I think it’s reasonable to assume there’s a chance he’ll be back, certainly,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the Steelers in trouble with the salary cap (about $33 million over the cap) and Roethlisberger\u2019s salary is slotted to cost $41 million against the cap, something will have to be done. Especially with 26 free agents on the team. Tomlin got off to a hot start going 11-0 but dropped five of their last six games and went one-and-done for the fourth time in seven years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4th & 2 Podcast<\/b> – If you haven\u2019t checked out our <\/span>PatsFans.com podcast, <\/span><\/a>\u201cPatriots 4th & 2\u201d in a bit, please check it out. Russ, Derek, and I recorded a podcast last Saturday to look at what\u2019s next for the team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Russ Francis\/ Chuck Fairbanks:<\/b> The former Patriot tight end and head coach both should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame…this will be on our Sunday posts until it happens.<\/span><\/p>\n

Making Sense at WR During Free Agency:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Patriots need a makeover at several positions in 2021 and it begins with the quarterback. We took a look at that earlier this past week. Without addressing this first, it is going to be hard to convince free agent wide receivers\/tight ends to come to New England.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With an estimated ten draft picks (counting expected compensatory picks) and about $60 million in cap space, to begin with, the Patriots can be players in free agency this spring and fill many of the holes before the draft rolls around. We say to begin with because there are several other contracts with veterans who were either opt-outs or spent the season on IR, which can gain the team even more salary-cap space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we said on our recent 4th & 2 podcast, the feeling here is that free agency should be the primary place that the team will look to overhaul its very needy wide receiver position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Players signed for 2021: Julian Edelman, N\u2019Keal Harry, Marquise Lee, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski, Devin Smith, Kristian Wilkerson.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The WR roster as it currently stands could be overhauled entirely with perhaps Meyers and Olszewski (STs) remaining. While I don\u2019t see them cutting N\u2019Keal Harry this season, they may decide a change of scenery is best for both parties.\u00a0 And I wouldn\u2019t be shocked if they swing a trade for him. I really believe Edelman has played his last game in New England (see above), they may opt to keep Meyers for the slot and bring in a couple of free agents (needed) to revamp the passing game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rather than post a laundry list of every FA wide receiver out there, and the list is a long and impressive one…we\u2019ll list a couple we feel would best fit the Patriots system as well as their checkbook. Despite their flush checkbook, the Patriots haven\u2019t exactly been big spenders at the WR position. So the Allen Robinson, JuJu, et.al. pipe dreams may end up being exactly that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, in the next tier of free agents are two guys who would fit the team from both an offensive and cap deal point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sammy Watkins never realized the star potential that many envisioned for him early in his career. But as a complementary receiver, he\u2019s had a few very good years in Kansas City. At 28, he\u2019s still got several good years left and he should be able to be signed for about $9-10 million per year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Watkins isn\u2019t a bonafide #1 \u201cX\u201d Wide receiver, but he\u2019s a veteran who is used to working within a system where the ball gets spread around, which is what has made the Patriots offense go for so many years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Arguably the best fit could be the Panthers\u2019 Curtis Samuel, who at just 24 years old, is just hitting his peak and he caught 77 passes for 851 yards, along with 41 carries for 200 yards and five total touchdowns in 2020. He also can play special teams. Samuel could also perhaps be had for about $10 million a year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Samuel, Watkins, and Meyers would be a big step up from what they had in 2020. In the draft, a recent mock draft (Dane Brugler) had Alabama\u2019s Jaylen Waddle falling to New England at #15. Waddle was Alabama\u2019s go-to target before being hurt early this fall, and then it was DeVonta Smith\u2019s time to take off, winning the Heisman Trophy. But Waddle, came back…hobbling but game, to help his team win a national championship. That kind of team attitude first is a huge plus on Waddle\u2019s side.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These additions would change New England\u2019s weapons in the passing game from awful, to dangerous. There are some other intriguing names in the 2021 NFL Draft, and we\u2019ll get into those in the coming days.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NFL Schedule Divisional Playoffs, Who Are Your Winners:<\/b><\/h3>\n

How are you feeling about the games this week? We have a post on our PatsFans Forum where our readers can predict the slate of games for that week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last Week: \u00a0 \u00a0 3-3<\/b><\/p>\n

Season Total: 169-86-1<\/b><\/p>\n

Last Season:\u00a0 162-93-1<\/b><\/p>\n

Divisional Weekend:<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday-<\/b><\/p>\n

Green Bay over LA Rams – Rams defense could flip the script here<\/span>
\n<\/span>Baltimore over Buffalo – Running game powers Ravens<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday –<\/b><\/p>\n

Kansas City over Cleveland <\/span>
\n<\/span>Tampa Bay over New Orleans – Third time\u2019s a charm for TB, if their defense steps up<\/span><\/p>\n

Eastbound and Down AFC East Notes:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Bills\u2019 Daboll Expected to Become Chargers Head Coach:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>Buffalo Bills<\/span> may be looking for a new offensive coordinator in 2021 as Brian Daboll has emerged as the favorite to land the Los Angeles Chargers job as the team\u2019s next head coach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Daboll is one of nine candidates to interview for the job and is a very good offensive coach, having worked extremely well with Josh Allen as he\u2019s made tremendous strides in his pro game in his third season. He will be expected to do big things with rookie QB Justin Herbert if he is indeed chosen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Daboll has also served under two of the games great coaches, having worked with Bill Belichick and the Patriots as well as being the offensive coordinator with Nick Saban at Alabama. But he can\u2019t be hired until the Bills season is over, so if Buffalo defeats Baltimore, that will slow up the hiring process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mock Draft Trade Has Dolphins Land Watson From Houston :<\/b><\/h3>\n

One way or the other, this should get Miami Dolphins fans excited. In a mock draft conducted by CBS\u2019 Chris Trapasso, he used a tweet he saw from ESPN\u2019s Chris Mortensen where he said that Deshaun Watson listed Miami as one of the places, he would waive his no-trade clause to, and put together a proposed blockbuster trade in his mock draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In it, Miami would trade Tua Tavigoaloa, the #3 overall pick, the #18 overall pick and a 2nd rounder in 2022 to the Texans for Watson and a 2022 fourth-round draft pick.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, despite landing Tua, the Texans would use their 3rd overall pick to land Zach Wilson the QB from BYU.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jets Hire Saleh as Their Next Head Coach:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The New York Jets hired former San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh, agreeing to a five-year contract. The Jets are hoping that the hiring of the highly regarded as Saleh will change the culture and attitude that is sorely lacking from the Jets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gang Green has had a losing campaign for the fifth straight year and missed the playoffs for 10 straight seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOffense, defense, special teams, it doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Saleh said when asked about his philosophy. \u201cIt\u2019s the mindset of the person in charge that creates an atmosphere in which players compete and players fight for one another, and players have a genuine love for one another.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Saleh gave credit to Pete Carroll, who gave him his start in the NFL as a great influence on him as a coach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest influence I took from coach Carroll is from a philosophy standpoint,\u201d Saleh said. \u201cUnderstanding who you are as a person. Understanding what\u2019s important to you as a person. And, how to apply it to the message that you\u2019re trying to deliver. Understanding that everybody has a style and that every style is the right style provided you apply it in the right way. So, just from a philosophy standpoint, speaking to people, handling people is where I have my greatest growth from coach Carroll.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It appears from early indications that the Jets will not be drafting a QB with the 2nd overall pick. And that much-maligned QB Sam Darnold will remain as the starter as multiple New York reporters have said that the Jets hierarchy remains committed to Darnold, something that Saleh would have had to buy in with, but one that he\u2019ll have a say in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

_______________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c”Recently I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered by out of respect for what the honor represents and admiration for prior recipients. Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

“Above all, I am an American citizen with great reverence for our nation’s values, freedom and democracy. I know I also represent my famil,y and the New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a> team. One of the most rewarding things in my professional career took place in 2020 when, through the great leadership within our team, conversations about social justice, equality and human rights moved to the forefront and became actions.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

“Continuing those efforts while remaining true to the people, team and country I love outweigh the benefits of any individual award.”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Bill Belichick\u2019s comments about turning down the Presidential Medal of Freedom award from outgoing President Trump. Much of the Boston sports media horde lambasted Belichick when he was announced by the White House as being a recipient of the award.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

_______________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how was your week?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to our<\/span><\/i> Patriots 4th and 2<\/span><\/i><\/a> podcasts on Stitcher as Russ Goldman, Derek Havens, and myself from<\/span><\/i> PatsFans.com<\/span><\/i><\/a> discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Despite their flush checkbook, the Patriots haven\u2019t exactly been big spenders at the WR position. 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