NE Attracting Top FAs (1 Viewer)

[Bad_Mo]

With this crazy run over the last decade plus, including 6 Super Bowl appearances, which top FAs now look at NE as a more viable option?

The team has basically made their impact without many big name stars.

Do you think guys like Suh, Houston, Hughes, Cobb, Thomas, etc. have more interest now or couldn't really care less as long as they get paid big $?

 

[msommer]

Follow the

 

[Anarchy99]

Doubtful NE will be able to afford any top tier FAs as they have a lot of guys to resign and very little cap room.

 

[12punch]

not trying to be a ####, but you're telling me after 13 years these guys just took notice because of this title?

new england has been ballin' since before all these fa were even in the league.

I think the guys in their prime will go for the $$, with the usual guys at the tail end of their careers maybe sniffing around for a ring.

I was really shocked at the revis signing, so you never know, but I certainly wouldn't expect to see a guy like suh signing ovah heah.

as yudkin mentioned, it's not like they're flush with cap space, and they have some in house dudes to re-up.

I'm always interested to see who the cap casualties are around the league because those are always possibilities.

 

[thriftyrocker]

Guys coming out of their rookie deal will want to get the money. The big name FAs like Houston or Suh will want to get all they can get. It's possible someone who might take a "prove it" 1yr deal like Crabtree would look to the Patriots as a great opportunity. If there were guys in their early 30s looking to get one last contract, they might take less to go to the Patriots, but there's not many of those this year - a couple tackles (Roos, Free), maybe a LB like David Harris.

 

[steveski]

I could see NE being a big attraction to guys like Larry Fitzgerald who are older and already have a boatload of money and want the shot of a championship before they retire. Younger guys in their prime want bigger and longer contracts and that is their #1 priority. Obviously all else being equal or even relatively equal, I think it's pretty clear whether a player would rather play for the Patriots or the Browns.

 

[12punch]

yeah, if you look at a situation like randy moss --- that guy chewed his own leg off to escape the raiders, so some guys want to win, but he was pretty comfortable financially, I think.

it can be a good spot to jump start a career, if there are some guys out there who have fallen on hard times.

 

[ChromeWeasel]

With this crazy run over the last decade plus, including 6 Super Bowl appearances, which top FAs now look at NE as a more viable option?

The team has basically made their impact without many big name stars.

Do you think guys like Suh, Houston, Hughes, Cobb, Thomas, etc. have more interest now or couldn't really care less as long as they get paid big $?

Junior Seau did so back in 2006. He just wanted to win a superbowl.

There's always someone who would rather win than get the big payday. At some point you're rich enough and you don't need another nice car. Rodney Harrison has talked about this in the past.

 

[Late225]

Top FA are generally going to be attracted to the teams that will pay them the most money. That's not New England. That's not how they win.

BTW, New England should be sending John Elway a thank you letter for taking Wes Welker and Aquib Talib and forcing the Patriots to upgrade to better players (Edelman, Revis)

Edelman wasn't an upgrade. He was on the team when Welker was there - mostly returning punts. If Amendola didn't flop, Edelman might not have stepped into his current role.

 

[Shutout]

Great topic.

Agree with others that the big names will chase the money and that leaves NE out for the most part. Plus I think they have the intention of re-signing a defensive guy or two already there.

Another thing this makes me think about is part of what is wrong with the NFL (in a model I otherwise think is about as good as it gets):

YOu get a guy like Suh who commands so much money and can be such an impact player either as a missing piece or a core building player. He goes to a bad team that can afford to pay the massive amount (say Cleveland). But now they can't afford to buy the other pieces that fulfill the ideal objective and so they are stuck in perpetual mediocrity.

It seems like a cycle that doesn't get overcome very often. The NFL APPEARS to change a lot but not really. Lots of teams will go in and out of the playoffs but Seattle is really the last team that rose out of the ashes. Everyone else just goes from being bad at 3-13 to average at 9-7. Then there are these 8-10 teams that stay up pretty much all the time because they CAN get great talent (although aging) at a good price and fill in that last piece.

A Larry Fitz might give a discount and go to the Steelers and help win but he's not going to Jacksonville for the same amount.

 

[parrot]

Top FA are generally going to be attracted to the teams that will pay them the most money. That's not New England. That's not how they win.

BTW, New England should be sending John Elway a thank you letter for taking Wes Welker and Aquib Talib and forcing the Patriots to upgrade to better players (Edelman, Revis)

Edelman wasn't an upgrade. He was on the team when Welker was there - mostly returning punts. If Amendola didn't flop, Edelman might not have stepped into his current role.

Edelman had 7 catches and 2 TDs the first game without Welker. Amendola had 10 catches in that game. I don't know that the Patriots saw Edelman as an "upgrade", but I think it was probably viewed as a lateral move at worst.

 

[Road Warriors]

Top FA are generally going to be attracted to the teams that will pay them the most money. That's not New England. That's not how they win.

BTW, New England should be sending John Elway a thank you letter for taking Wes Welker and Aquib Talib and forcing the Patriots to upgrade to better players (Edelman, Revis)

Edelman wasn't an upgrade. He was on the team when Welker was there - mostly returning punts. If Amendola didn't flop, Edelman might not have stepped into his current role.

Edelman had 7 catches and 2 TDs the first game without Welker. Amendola had 10 catches in that game. I don't know that the Patriots saw Edelman as an "upgrade", but I think it was probably viewed as a lateral move at worst.

A bit of revisionist history, IMO. IIRC, in Welker's final year with the Pats, they tried to phase him out in the early games. The offense looked pretty bad and he ended up back in the primary slot role. Edelman had shown flashes when replacing Welker for short periods, but I don't think anybody expected the performance improvement we've seen out of Edelman over the past two seasons. In fact, I'd point to the Amendola signing as proof that the Patriots staff didn't expect this level of contribution, or they wouldn't have spent the money.

I don't know that Edelman is better than Welker when Welker was at his best, but he is about as close a replacement to that skillset and production that you could ever want. Add in the physical and mental toughness, play anywhere mentality ( remember Julian Edelman, S circa 2011 ) and you end up with a helluva football player.

 

[parrot]

Top FA are generally going to be attracted to the teams that will pay them the most money. That's not New England. That's not how they win.

BTW, New England should be sending John Elway a thank you letter for taking Wes Welker and Aquib Talib and forcing the Patriots to upgrade to better players (Edelman, Revis)

Edelman wasn't an upgrade. He was on the team when Welker was there - mostly returning punts. If Amendola didn't flop, Edelman might not have stepped into his current role.

Edelman had 7 catches and 2 TDs the first game without Welker. Amendola had 10 catches in that game. I don't know that the Patriots saw Edelman as an "upgrade", but I think it was probably viewed as a lateral move at worst.

A bit of revisionist history, IMO. IIRC, in Welker's final year with the Pats, they tried to phase him out in the early games. The offense looked pretty bad and he ended up back in the primary slot role. Edelman had shown flashes when replacing Welker for short periods, but I don't think anybody expected the performance improvement we've seen out of Edelman over the past two seasons. In fact, I'd point to the Amendola signing as proof that the Patriots staff didn't expect this level of contribution, or they wouldn't have spent the money.

I don't know that Edelman is better than Welker when Welker was at his best, but he is about as close a replacement to that skillset and production that you could ever want. Add in the physical and mental toughness, play anywhere mentality ( remember Julian Edelman, S circa 2011 ) and you end up with a helluva football player.

I don't know how it's revisionist history to point out that Edelman was prominently involved from day 1, before any Amendola "flop". And as for the Amendola signing, the Patriots were pursuing Amendola while they were still trying to sign Welker. Don't forget they let Lloyd walk too, so it's not like they just needed one receiver.

 

[Road Warriors]

Top FA are generally going to be attracted to the teams that will pay them the most money. That's not New England. That's not how they win.

BTW, New England should be sending John Elway a thank you letter for taking Wes Welker and Aquib Talib and forcing the Patriots to upgrade to better players (Edelman, Revis)

Edelman wasn't an upgrade. He was on the team when Welker was there - mostly returning punts. If Amendola didn't flop, Edelman might not have stepped into his current role.

Edelman had 7 catches and 2 TDs the first game without Welker. Amendola had 10 catches in that game. I don't know that the Patriots saw Edelman as an "upgrade", but I think it was probably viewed as a lateral move at worst.

A bit of revisionist history, IMO. IIRC, in Welker's final year with the Pats, they tried to phase him out in the early games. The offense looked pretty bad and he ended up back in the primary slot role. Edelman had shown flashes when replacing Welker for short periods, but I don't think anybody expected the performance improvement we've seen out of Edelman over the past two seasons. In fact, I'd point to the Amendola signing as proof that the Patriots staff didn't expect this level of contribution, or they wouldn't have spent the money.

I don't know that Edelman is better than Welker when Welker was at his best, but he is about as close a replacement to that skillset and production that you could ever want. Add in the physical and mental toughness, play anywhere mentality ( remember Julian Edelman, S circa 2011 ) and you end up with a helluva football player.

I don't know how it's revisionist history to point out that Edelman was prominently involved from day 1, before any Amendola "flop". And as for the Amendola signing, the Patriots were pursuing Amendola while they were still trying to sign Welker. Don't forget they let Lloyd walk too, so it's not like they just needed one receiver.

Sorry, quoted you but was talking about the "upgrade" quote earlier in the sequence.

 

[lod01]

Follow the

or follow the $ Until nearing the end of career, then try for the ring.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

I know they won't go get him for a lot of reasons, but Lynch would be a really, really interesting fit for this team. Bruising RB like that could add a couple of years to Brady's career.

 

[Hu-Tang Clan]

I know they won't go get him for a lot of reasons, but Lynch would be a really, really interesting fit for this team. Bruising RB like that could add a couple of years to Brady's career.

And he doesn't say anything to the media so he's a perfect fit. "Hey Marshawn, just say we're on to _______ and you're fine. That's what we all do anyway."

 

[Anarchy99]

As I posted in the regular Pats team thread, NE is currently projected to be $4 million over the cap heading into next season (already taking into account an increase from $133 million to $146 million in the salary cap). However, that includes a $25 million cap hit for Revis at his current contract. That does not include anything for their main free agents (McCourty, Vereen, Ridley, Connolly, Gostkowski).

Bottom line, unless there are guys that simply want to play for the veteran minimum salary and play for substantially below market value, I don't see NE making much of a splash in the free agent market. They are going to have to get creative to keep who they have (or potentially cutting some higher priced players).

 

[bmsarvis]

Id love to see adp or dt sign with new england...

 

[Spike]

I know they won't go get him for a lot of reasons, but Lynch would be a really, really interesting fit for this team. Bruising RB like that could add a couple of years to Brady's career.

I don't know if Lynch's way of doing things would fly with Belichick; and I get the feeling that once Lynch doesn't feel comfortable, his performance would suffer for it.

 

[Bossman]

I would think that the aging vet might try to ride the tails of NE to get a ring ...or "another" ring.

A guy like Peyton Manning would fit in that catagory. With all of his side work, he doesn't need the NFL money.

... and he'd make a fine back-up QB to Brady.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

In terms of FF LaFell is an example if the kind of signing that NE can make that maybe people don't appreciate straight off. I don't know if it's the big names you should be watching out for.

 

[bostonfred]

I would think that the aging vet might try to ride the tails of NE to get a ring ...or "another" ring.

A guy like Peyton Manning would fit in that catagory. With all of his side work, he doesn't need the NFL money.

... and he'd make a fine back-up QB to Brady.

its funny to joke about but it's not even a good fit. the whole point of spending big bucks on a veteran backup qb would be if Brady were going to miss a playoff game.

 

[Road Warriors]

I would think that the aging vet might try to ride the tails of NE to get a ring ...or "another" ring.

A guy like Peyton Manning would fit in that catagory. With all of his side work, he doesn't need the NFL money.

... and he'd make a fine back-up QB to Brady.

its funny to joke about but it's not even a good fit. the whole point of spending big bucks on a veteran backup qb would be if Brady were going to miss a playoff game.

And I don't know if PM can run the complex NE system. He has only run one offense his entire career. I can't imagine what he'd do with a shifting gameplan week to week or even half to half.

 

[DropKick]

I would think that the aging vet might try to ride the tails of NE to get a ring ...or "another" ring.

A guy like Peyton Manning would fit in that catagory. With all of his side work, he doesn't need the NFL money.

... and he'd make a fine back-up QB to Brady and they'd only have to pay him {dramatic pause} one million dollars!

Fixed... Sorry but with that avatar..

 

[PatsWillWin]

Top FA are generally going to be attracted to the teams that will pay them the most money. That's not New England. That's not how they win.

BTW, New England should be sending John Elway a thank you letter for taking Wes Welker and Aquib Talib and forcing the Patriots to upgrade to better players (Edelman, Revis)

Edelman wasn't an upgrade. He was on the team when Welker was there - mostly returning punts. If Amendola didn't flop, Edelman might not have stepped into his current role.

Edelman had 7 catches and 2 TDs the first game without Welker. Amendola had 10 catches in that game. I don't know that the Patriots saw Edelman as an "upgrade", but I think it was probably viewed as a lateral move at worst.

A bit of revisionist history, IMO. IIRC, in Welker's final year with the Pats, they tried to phase him out in the early games. The offense looked pretty bad and he ended up back in the primary slot role. Edelman had shown flashes when replacing Welker for short periods, but I don't think anybody expected the performance improvement we've seen out of Edelman over the past two seasons. In fact, I'd point to the Amendola signing as proof that the Patriots staff didn't expect this level of contribution, or they wouldn't have spent the money.

I don't know that Edelman is better than Welker when Welker was at his best, but he is about as close a replacement to that skillset and production that you could ever want. Add in the physical and mental toughness, play anywhere mentality ( remember Julian Edelman, S circa 2011 ) and you end up with a helluva football player.

Yeah I remember the ####storm when the Patriots were putting Edelman in over Welker. People thought Belichick was just being a d-bag. He may have been, but I'm sure to some extent, those reps helped.

But yeah, Amendola was tapped as the new Welker. Just turned out that the new Welker was already on the team. If Edelman doesn't hurt his foot a couple years ago before hitting FA, he could've been a Texan this year.

 

[DropKick]

Id love to see adp or dt sign with new england...

Not gonna happen.

Like the Packers, I think NE has a price tag (per position) in mind and don't see them making that type of big name splash...

Someone mentioned a relatively off the radar guy like Lafell and I think that is more likely.

Historically, they've added discount guys like Galloway, Holt and Chad Johnson... Even Moss was a discount. Guys who might fit that mold now? Maybe MIke Wallace or even Nicks? That would be par for the course, for the Dolphins, if Wallace found a resurgence in NE.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Historically, they've added discount guys like Galloway, Holt and Chad Johnson... Even Moss was a discount. Guys who might fit that mold now? Maybe MIke Wallace or even Nicks? That would be par for the course, for the Dolphins, if Wallace found a resurgence in NE.

Yeah the "big names" that come to NE are ones that have generally had a down season (or two) previously. Some of them might give up some money to come to NE, but I don't see a top free agent giving up peak earning potential to do so.

But for that reason, I actually think ADP fits the bill, though I don't see that happening.

 

[womb]

I think there would be more agreement in the thread if we changed it to:

"Would a SB contender attract Top FAs who have had signed a long-term contract before?"

Such would be Knighton, Revis, McCourty, Iupati, Franklin, Flowers, etc.

 

[Bad_Mo]

Just seems like...every other year, NE is in the big dance. Unless guys think this crazy run if over...why wouldn't you want to be part of it if you had a choice? Pretty good hit rate since 2001.