Indefinite New England Patriots Thread (6 Viewers)

[Anarchy99]

.Knowles' Steelers

I never knew Beyoncé coached the Stellers.

 

[JIslander]

perfect - http://www.theonion.com/articles/new-england-fans-we-dont-deserve-this,37937/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=LinkPreview:1efault

 

[AngryPatriot]

Perfect for the haters and trolls....yes!......... uhh, wait, it's actually making fun of them, lol, duh.

 

[JIslander]

Perfect for the haters and trolls....yes!......... uhh, wait, it's actually making fun of them, lol, duh.

whatever makes you happy

 

[Anarchy99]

Looking ahead to roster moves, number crunching, and tough decisions . . .

Counting Revis in the "returning at his existing contract" category, the Pats are thought to be $4 million over the projected cap (already taking into account a league wide increase in the salary cap).

Options for Revis are: decline the option on his remaining contract and take a $5 million cap hit, keep him as signed and take a $25 million cap hit for this year, or work out a new deal. I have heard the most likely outcome would be he gets resigned to a fair market value, multi-year extension (but certainly not at a discount).

They have a bunch of pretty important free agents to deal with: McCourty, Vereen, Connolly, Gostkowski, and Ridley. Second tier guys include Ayers, Branch, and Castillas.

Candidates for restructuring would include . . .

Mayo (carries a $10.3 million cap charge)

Wilfork (would carry at least a $7 million cap charge but could be as high as $8.5 million, would only be a $430K cap hit to cut him)

Solder (carries a $7.4 million cap charge in last year of contract, could be cut with no cap hit)

Vollmer (carries a $7 million cap number this year)

Amendola (would have a $5.7 million cap number)

Arrington (carries a $4.6 million cap number for a back up / sub package CB)

Most everyone else either has a fairly new contract, costs only a couple million dollars or less, or really isn't a candidate to restructure (like Brady, Gronk, Browner, LaFell, Edelman).

In the every penny counts department, NE is on the hook for trading Kenbrell Thompkins and will have to take a $834 cap hit in 2015. Not $834,000. $834. LOL.

 

[Hu-Tang Clan]

In the every penny counts department, NE is on the hook for trading Kenbrell Thompkins and will have to take a $834 cap hit in 2015. Not $834,000. $834. LOL.

Well, there goes keeping Revis.

 

[Anarchy99]

Thompkins obviously won't make a dent in the cap. The $4 million in dead money from Mankins will. I have no idea what a "normal" amount of dead money is, but as of now it looks like the Pats have to eat a total of $4.6 million in dead cap space (which could rise depending upon what they do moving forward).

 

[12punch]

if you want to see what 'normal' dead money looks like you can just scroll back through miguel's cap pages year by year and check dead totals

 

[Run It Up]

Kraft says they plan to work an extension for Revis

"People understand that that's a placeholder and we'll get to work on trying to make [an extension] happen," Kraft said in the interview.

Kraft also praised Revis in the radio interview.

"He's been everything and more since he's been here," he said. "Patriots fans knew what he was like on the field, but didn't know what he was like off it. Having worn green all those years and the blind emotion we all have toward the Jets, you have one perception of the man. And the man is very different than that. He's a great guy and he works hard. There is no over-ego to him and he's a great teammate. He's been a real pleasure to have him as part of the organization."

Short article, but its good that they are seemingly getting the ball rolling sooner than later.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Let me rephrase ...if we could resign revis vereen and connolly AND fet an elite pass rusher would you be ok if mccourtey walked? Obviously id rather he stayed but our pass rush is fairly vanilla.

 

[Run It Up]

Let me rephrase ...if we could resign revis vereen and connolly AND fet an elite pass rusher would you be ok if mccourtey walked? Obviously id rather he stayed but our pass rush is fairly vanilla.

No. We did just fine with an unconventional defense this season.Honestly, they don't need a pass rusher, the current problem with their pass rush is their pass rushers are occupied playing complex positions because of injuries.

Ninkovich and Chandler are OLB/Edge Rushers but since we played pretty much all year with a 2 LBer set, Nink and Chandler pretty much just moved around or dropped back.

If Easley is okay, or we draft another DT/DE then they can actually utilize Chandler and Nink as pass rushers - with Mayo coming back that frees Collins up to run wild and leaves Hightower as a great anchor and if they keep Ayers the dude is a force in the pass rush.

 

[Bossman]

So what's expected of Super Bowl star Malcom Butler going forward?

Does he become a productive starter for years to come?

... or does he fade away after and become forgotten like a David Tyree?

 

[Run It Up]

So what's expected of Super Bowl star Malcom Butler going forward?

Does he become a productive starter for years to come?

... or does he fade away after and become forgotten like a David Tyree?

I see him as a rougher Logan Ryan. Can never have too much DB depth.

 

[Workhorse]

I think the Pats need to shore up the LG position. Michael Bennett pretty much destroyed the gap between Stork and Connelly much of the game. I'd let Connelly walk and pick up a stud interior lineman in the draft. Would like to see them draft AJ Cann.

 

[Old Smiley]

So what's expected of Super Bowl star Malcom Butler going forward?

Does he become a productive starter for years to come?

... or does he fade away after and become forgotten like a David Tyree?

I see him as a rougher Logan Ryan. Can never have too much DB depth.

He sure looked better to the ball than Ryan did. At least in that game. Team mates were saying he's been doing that all year. Just his size...

 

[Run It Up]

So what's expected of Super Bowl star Malcom Butler going forward?

Does he become a productive starter for years to come?

... or does he fade away after and become forgotten like a David Tyree?

I see him as a rougher Logan Ryan. Can never have too much DB depth.

He sure looked better to the ball than Ryan did. At least in that game. Team mates were saying he's been doing that all year. Just his size...

What I meant by the comparison is they aren't particular impressive in coverage but are great ball hawks.

 

[Old Smiley]

So what's expected of Super Bowl star Malcom Butler going forward?

Does he become a productive starter for years to come?

... or does he fade away after and become forgotten like a David Tyree?

I see him as a rougher Logan Ryan. Can never have too much DB depth.

He sure looked better to the ball than Ryan did. At least in that game. Team mates were saying he's been doing that all year. Just his size...

What I meant by the comparison is they aren't particular impressive in coverage but are great ball hawks.

We're getting out of my depth here, anyway.

 

[Old Smiley]

So what's expected of Super Bowl star Malcom Butler going forward?

Does he become a productive starter for years to come?

... or does he fade away after and become forgotten like a David Tyree?

I see him as a rougher Logan Ryan. Can never have too much DB depth.

He sure looked better to the ball than Ryan did. At least in that game. Team mates were saying he's been doing that all year. Just his size...

What I meant by the comparison is they aren't particular impressive in coverage but are great ball hawks.

We're getting out of my depth here, anyway.

Hmmm. Possible sig?

 

[Run It Up]

Full SoundFX of the Superbowl

 

[Boston]

So what's expected of Super Bowl star Malcom Butler going forward?

Does he become a productive starter for years to come?

... or does he fade away after and become forgotten like a David Tyree?

I think the upside is a more reliable Arrington...Arrington is an odd player...he can look really bad (like the Super Bowl) but he can also look real good like he did helping shut down TYH in the AFC Title game (he was excellent in that game)...I like Arrington and think he's a legit NFL CB but he's still a wildcard because when he looks bad he really looks awful...if Butler can play more like the "good" Arrington he can have a very productive career...

 

[Run It Up]

Rewatching the game and the various other media (SoundFX/Inside the NFL), Butler played a great game all around. The miracle catch Kearse made was just that, Butler played the ball amazingly, almost picked it - completely broke it up, Kearse just got a good bounce.

 

[Old Smiley]

Rewatching the game and the various other media (SoundFX/Inside the NFL), Butler played a great game all around. The miracle catch Kearse made was just that, Butler played the ball amazingly, almost picked it - completely broke it up, Kearse just got a good bounce.

At least three REALLY good plays on the ball. Including the Kearse -- what do you call that?

 

[Boston]

Rewatching the game and the various other media (SoundFX/Inside the NFL), Butler played a great game all around. The miracle catch Kearse made was just that, Butler played the ball amazingly, almost picked it - completely broke it up, Kearse just got a good bounce.

Just watched the game over and you're dead on...he played like a veteran...Seattle tested him (as they should have) and he more than held his own...he really was involved in quite a few big plays and did very well for himself......

 

[Boston]

Watching Belichik's Football Life Special...Brady and BB talking about Ed Reed is fascinating...they could not think more highly of a player...BB calls him the best Free Safety ever...that's a pretty legit compliment...

BB yakking with Derek Mason is priceless...

 

[12punch]

So what's expected of Super Bowl star Malcom Butler going forward?

Does he become a productive starter for years to come?

... or does he fade away after and become forgotten like a David Tyree?

I think the upside is a more reliable Arrington...Arrington is an odd player...he can look really bad (like the Super Bowl) but he can also look real good like he did helping shut down TYH in the AFC Title game (he was excellent in that game)...I like Arrington and think he's a legit NFL CB but he's still a wildcard because when he looks bad he really looks awful...if Butler can play more like the "good" Arrington he can have a very productive career...

arrington's a slot receiver --- he'll never be good on the outside against bigger receivers

butler's a longer corner suited more for the outside, which is why they pulled arrington off that one dude and put butler on him

it's kind of funny that the guy that was torching us is the reason butler was in there which is why they lost

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

This draft is supposed to be loaded with quality OTs so they will likely play hard ball with Solder on a cap friendly extension or feel okay with just moving on from him. Honestly though, Signing Revis is so much more important than any other personnel decision. I love McCourty but finding a quality safety or successfully converting another unproductive CB to the position is infinitly easier than replacing Revis (which is impossible).

 

[Boston]

So what's expected of Super Bowl star Malcom Butler going forward?

Does he become a productive starter for years to come?

... or does he fade away after and become forgotten like a David Tyree?

I think the upside is a more reliable Arrington...Arrington is an odd player...he can look really bad (like the Super Bowl) but he can also look real good like he did helping shut down TYH in the AFC Title game (he was excellent in that game)...I like Arrington and think he's a legit NFL CB but he's still a wildcard because when he looks bad he really looks awful...if Butler can play more like the "good" Arrington he can have a very productive career...

arrington's a slot receiver --- he'll never be good on the outside against bigger receivers

butler's a longer corner suited more for the outside, which is why they pulled arrington off that one dude and put butler on him

it's kind of funny that the guy that was torching us is the reason butler was in there which is why they lost

I did not mean the type of player as much as I meant the level of player...even though they are the same size (Butler is 5'11" and 190 while Arrington is 5'10" 190) right now it does appear Butler maybe better on the outside while there is little doubt Arrington is better suited for the slot...

 

[Old Smiley]

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk 2h2 hours ago

Overlooked elsewhere, Malcolm Butler had supporters in New England http://wp.me/p14QSB-9HJo

 

[nightmare]

Boston Herald blurbs that McCourty may be tagged. I don't agree. I don't think McCourty is worth

$9 million-even for a one year rental. No way you start off negotiations high then work down.

 

[12punch]

Yeah, But They aren't Starting High

If They don't Tag he'll Hit The Market In A Couple Weeks

A Lot Of Tbe Time Tavging Is Just The First Step To Exte.sions

 

[msommer]

Yeah, But They aren't Starting High

If They don't Tag he'll Hit The Market In A Couple Weeks

A Lot Of Tbe Time Tavging Is Just The First Step To Exte.sions

What's with the capitalization of just about every word?

 

[12punch]

It Does That Now Since I Finally Caved And Updated My phone

 

[Old Smiley]

iphones: Is there anything they can't do?

 

[General Tso]

Kraft says they plan to work an extension for Revis

"People understand that that's a placeholder and we'll get to work on trying to make [an extension] happen," Kraft said in the interview.

Kraft also praised Revis in the radio interview.

"He's been everything and more since he's been here," he said. "Patriots fans knew what he was like on the field, but didn't know what he was like off it. Having worn green all those years and the blind emotion we all have toward the Jets, you have one perception of the man. And the man is very different than that. He's a great guy and he works hard. There is no over-ego to him and he's a great teammate. He's been a real pleasure to have him as part of the organization."

Short article, but its good that they are seemingly getting the ball rolling sooner than later.

They have to move on him by March 4th right? God I hope he comes back. What a difference maker. He was the missing piece of the puzzle these last 5 years.

 

[12punch]

Mccourty Is Well Worth Keeping, And Not Easy To REplace

The Only Problem With Leaving A Guy On The Tag Is it's A Cap eater

 

[Old Smiley]

Kraft says they plan to work an extension for Revis

"People understand that that's a placeholder and we'll get to work on trying to make [an extension] happen," Kraft said in the interview.

Kraft also praised Revis in the radio interview.

"He's been everything and more since he's been here," he said. "Patriots fans knew what he was like on the field, but didn't know what he was like off it. Having worn green all those years and the blind emotion we all have toward the Jets, you have one perception of the man. And the man is very different than that. He's a great guy and he works hard. There is no over-ego to him and he's a great teammate. He's been a real pleasure to have him as part of the organization."

Short article, but its good that they are seemingly getting the ball rolling sooner than later.

They have to move on him by March 4th right? God I hope he comes back. What a difference maker. He was the missing piece of the puzzle these last 5 years.

"Rich Man's Talib" apt on many levels.

 

[General Tso]

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk 2h2 hours ago

Overlooked elsewhere, Malcolm Butler had supporters in New England http://wp.me/p14QSB-9HJo

Brilliant signing by the pats. I watched the Superbowl again for the 4th time yesterday, and Butler wasn't just great on that game ending pick - he made several huge plays in the 2nd half.

 

[Old Smiley]

Super at highpointing the ball.

edit: He made a GREAT play on whatever you call that thing Kearse pulled out of his ###.

 

[Run It Up]

So I'm representing the Pats in the community mock. I decided pretty quickly with the depth of DL/OL in this draft and the number of picks the Pats have in the middle I was gonna go skill position in the first round.

At the 1.27 now and my short board is looking like this:

Spoiler

1a. DGB
1b. Jaelen Strong
3a. Maxx Williams

3b. Devin Funchess

5. Sammie Coates (don't think hes a good fit)

Opinions?

 

[ROCKET]

Count me in as one who would gladly pay Mc Courty the 9 mil for one season to keep him if we had to. I'd rather replace some O-lineman thru the draft as opposed to a stud free safety. I cringe with the thought of having Chung starting next year or trying to replace DMC with a rookie. Revis and Mc Courty are must signs IMO.

 

[Mingooch]

I know picking by positions is not how the pats do it, but I would lean towards a DT in the 1st, OG in 2nd, and depending on value a WR and RB in the 3rd and 4th, possibly double dipping on RB in the 4th if he value is there and if we keep Vareen and/or Ridley.

 

[Run It Up]

I know picking by positions is not how the pats do it, but I would lean towards a DT in the 1st, OG in 2nd, and depending on value a WR and RB in the 3rd and 4th, possibly double dipping on RB in the 4th if he value is there and if we keep Vareen and/or Ridley

There will be a lot of good DL/OL available after the first round, the skill position players will have dried up by then, imo.

 

[bostonfred]

I'd be happy with nothing but linemen. If it's a deep draft, go fishing for pro bowlers. Especially if they can get some edge rush and another big body to rotate with wilfork.

 

[Run It Up]

I'd be happy with nothing but linemen. If it's a deep draft, go fishing for pro bowlers. Especially if they can get some edge rush and another big body to rotate with wilfork.

Normally I'd agree, but there are some first rate skill players that simply won't be available at the 64, the Pats have five picks between the end of the 2nd and the end of the 4th. Its a pretty huge drop off from the 32 to the 64, have a legit shot at some decent weapons.

1st Round (32nd Overall)

2nd Round (64th Overall)

3rd Round (96th Overall)

3rd Round (Compensatory, Projected)

4th Round (Via TB – Logan Mankins)

4th Round (Assigned)

6th Round (Via TB – Jonathan Casillas)

7th Round (Via TEN – Akeem Ayers)

7th Round (Via HOU – Ryan Mallett)

 

[bostonfred]

If they never draft another wide receiver in the Tom Brady era, that would be fine by me. They suck at it. Tight ends is decently stocked, toO.

Running back is cheap and plentiful in free agency. Blount and Bolden are a good enough start that I'm not even worried about keeping vereen and certainly not ridley. a dominant back would be fun, but not really necessary.

if we're talking about defense, what need is bigger than d line? I wouldn't sneeze at a quality safety, but unless there's an impact playmaker, it's not a huge need. a run stopping linebacker would be nice, but they've got mayo coming back.

What do you think the big skill position needs are?

 

[Run It Up]

If they never draft another wide receiver in the Tom Brady era, that would be fine by me. They suck at it. Tight ends is decently stocked, toO.

Running back is cheap and plentiful in free agency. Blount and Bolden are a good enough start that I'm not even worried about keeping vereen and certainly not ridley. a dominant back would be fun, but not really necessary.

if we're talking about defense, what need is bigger than d line? I wouldn't sneeze at a quality safety, but unless there's an impact playmaker, it's not a huge need. a run stopping linebacker would be nice, but they've got mayo coming back.

What do you think the big skill position needs are?

WR, alternatively TE. Really depends on how they plan to proceed next season offensively, I think it makes sense for them to get bigger, play heavier sets and try to balance out the offense - whether that means drafting another TE or a big WR doesn't really matter to me.

I admit, OL and DL are their biggest needs, but WR is firmly their at #3 imo and the difference between 1st and 3rd round talent is huge at WR and not so much at OL/DL.

I think getting a potential franchise WR through the draft is worth something.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

I don't understand any fan wanting them to waste yet another high pick on a WR

 

[Run It Up]

I don't understand any fan wanting them to waste yet another high pick on a WR

In the BB/Brady era they haven't spent a single first on a WR, they took a handful of WRs in the second 4 or 5, Branch being the only of consequence - Dobson being the most recent and biggest bust imo.

Last five first round picks, Devin Mccourty, Nate Solder, Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower and Dominique Easley.

Lafell is a patchwork solution to their poor receiving corp, Edelman has been a boss but hes only one little man (pretty worried about him following Welker's footsteps.)

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

I don't understand any fan wanting them to

waste yet another high pick on a WR

In the BB/Brady era they haven't spent a single first on a WR, they took a handful of WRs in the second 4 or 5, Branch being the only of

consequence - Dobson being the most recent

and biggest bust imo.

Last five first round picks, Devin Mccourty, Nate

Solder, Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower and

Dominique Easley.

Lafell is a patchwork solution to their poor

receiving corp, Edelman has been a boss but

hes only one little man (pretty worried about him following Welker's footsteps.)

Name me the last SB champ to have a franchise WR that was drafted in the first round. Heck, name me the last SB champ that had a "franchise" WR on their roster.

 

[Run It Up]

I don't understand any fan wanting them to

waste yet another high pick on a WR

Inthe BB/Brady era they haven't spent a single first on a WR, they took a handful of WRs in the second 4 or 5, Branch being the only of

consequence - Dobson being the most recent

and biggest bust imo.

Last five first round picks, Devin Mccourty, Nate

Solder, Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower and

Dominique Easley.

Lafell is a patchwork solution to their poor

receiving corp, Edelman has been a boss but

hes only one little man (pretty worried about him following Welker's footsteps.)

Name me the last SB champ to have a franchise WR that was drafted in the first round. Heck, name me the last SB champ that had a "franchise" WR on their roster.

I get the point you made, I'm also familiar with the Patriots lack of history of drafting successful WRs. But if one of those guys I mentioned slips to the Pats and they don't trade out of it or take them - I'm gonna be more disappointed than usual with the NE draft.

I don't see them getting out of this draft without taking at least one WR, and holy #### if they take another 4th round+ special teamer and try to make him fit in the offense I'm gonna go on a bender.