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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 14, 2024 10:57:18 GMT -5
I read that they still have 57 million in cap space left. 10 million of that goes to the draft picks. PatsCap has them at ~55M but that's not including the Jennings, Watts or Leverett deals. Probably brings them into the high 40s or low 50s, depending on the structures.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 13, 2024 16:50:34 GMT -5
Tennessee has the advantage over NE though. No tax.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 13, 2024 13:31:15 GMT -5
Mike Williams now a free agent.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 13, 2024 13:30:29 GMT -5
Not sure but, if so, that's why they'd want the tag (bc they wouldn't get the handshake).
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 13, 2024 8:43:26 GMT -5
Kyle Dugger isn't officially back yet, no? They have the transition tag on him so he technically has a contract iirc, he can just go look around and see if he can get more and then come back to us to see if we wanna match (again iirc lol) It basically seems like restricted free agency and the franchise tag had a baby I like to think of it as the McCourty "handshake" agreement but made official to protect the Patriots.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 13, 2024 5:46:23 GMT -5
Expanding on my prior post, here's where things seem to stand:
QB - Again, this will be a focus in the draft. Whether it be at the top with either Daniels or Maye (seems Maye continues to trend to us in predictions) or someone else (Penix, Nix, etc) later. RB - Still want a backup (and future replacement?) for Stevenson. Wouldn't surprise me to see both a veteran add (other than brining, Zeke back, I would think this would be someone on a very cuttable contract) and later round pick added. WR - Discussed previously and by others. Probably not Ridley. Not sure they'd be trading for a big time player. So probably some depth adds and, almost certainly, at least 1 high draft pick if not a later one as well. TE - I've read what most have said above. Hooper is more of a pass catcher. I know the draft class is down but saw some good athletic scores come out (my lazy take on that is that it's a very RAW class). So maybe a guy who is more of blocker with some receiver upside? And/or a blocker type in FA (again, on very cuttable contract). OT - More double dipping here? FA and Draft. Now that he's back, you can put Onwenu at RG or RT depending on what else you add (and how the fit together). But they can't do what they did last year and ignore this position in the draft. Even bringing in Smith wouldn't prevent me from adding a high pick. IOL - Would imagine David Andrews is still locked in at C and they drafted Jake Andrews to serve as understudy. Strange needs to put it together this year or he's gonna end up replaced (could Jake be next man up on this side of C?). Depending on what happens at tackle, you have Onwenu/Sow (both would be very good, or better, options) and Mafi (would need a big improvement) as candidates. Probably some competition to be added at some point this offseason.
IDL - The biggest thing I want here is a Barmore extension. Otherwise, you do need to replace Guy and that is ideally with a vet. ED - I'm repeating myself (and others) but I'm stunned that Uche is back (and for that number). REALLY want Jennings back (and with Uche, Jennings and White, you probably don't NEED to invest in the draft unless the BPA in the mid rounds happens to be an ED). - EDIT - YASSSSSSS LB - Good shape here. CB - As UMASS has been saying leading up to and including the offseason, I also wouldn't be surprised here. Gonzo (Boundary) and Jonathan Jones (Boundary or Slot) are set but we're currently counting on a lot of inexperience in the other spots. Based on the number of "top FAs" available (and the reported desire to add an impact defender) this could be the position where that happens. Was really hoping Gilmore and Mayo had played together (potentially increasing that possibility) but they missed each other. S - Dugger (back unless the unexpected happens) and Peppers are set. Matu probably continues to see time there. Not sure if Bledsoe finally gets a shot. Probably need to add something here. How significant though??? Probably not.
ST - While I don't think they'll give up on Ryland, there seems to be 0 chance they wouldn't bring SOMEONE in to compete (heck, they'd probably do that at punter despite Baringer's stronger first season).
Mostly retention and depth so far. Still time to add impact. But after Mayo took back his "money to burn" comments and with Wolf saying it was mostly "draft and develop", I'll be interesting to see what they add leading up to the draft.
EDIT2 - added IOL.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 12, 2024 15:29:03 GMT -5
Parker signed with Philly for over 4M. The max credit, per Miguel, is 3.6M. That would suggest NE will be getting the full credit next year.
However, as is correctly pointed out in the replies, it could be the agent is making it look like the numbers are bigger than they really are.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 12, 2024 15:20:59 GMT -5
I'm struggling to envision a move (and amount) that would would have shocked me more. Love it!
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 12, 2024 10:23:38 GMT -5
What I like so far: They've focused on retaining the guys they want to remain in the building, showing the team at large that their own people are valued and not relegated to the back burner. They've read the market pretty well with regards to contract values. The safety market is messy right now, so the Dugger tag looks good. Onwenu was a very reasonable deal for both sides. Good depth on the fringes. I love the Gibson deal. Having had to endure multiple Commanders games these last few years, he's the one dude I always liked watching. I'm very interested in the Takitaki deal, and Brissett coming home is many years too late - I was always higher on him as Brady's backup than I was Jimmy G., and there's zero reason they should've kept Hoyer in the building if Jacoby was available. For Day 2: I expect something to happen on the WR front. I feel like if Wolf perceives Ridley getting to pricey, he might pull the trigger on a trade. Especially if the rumblings about the Oregon pro day delegation are true and that Nix is heavily in consideration. I also think there's a name defender out there who they're heavily courting. I wonder if it's Patrick Queen. Based on what i'm reading, it might be that Ridley doesn't believe he's getting pricey enough. The talk is that Jax still wants to bring him back and NE is in. Also talk of a "dark horse team", which is sometimes agent talk for "we need to get these 2 to up their offers". Not always but . . .
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 12, 2024 6:35:55 GMT -5
I like what they've done Day 1 but their primary needs have yet to be met (obviously plenty of time to do it).
Long-Term Solution at QB - One way or another, they'll take their crack in the draft.
Present/Future LT - As mentioned above there are some FAs left here. Think Smith is ring-chasing at this stage so we're likely down to the "next tier" (Jonah Williams, Becton). Still think a LT candidate is drafted in the 1st 3 rounds.
Top Target at WR - Ridley seems to be the FA everyone is talking about. MHJ is the part of the debate at #3. Feels like they should take advantage of the draft class regardless. There is also Higgins and Aiyuk atop the trade market.
Difference maker on D - This is what we've been hearing leading up to Free Agency. That they were hoping to add a big piece here. The biggest name FA would be Danielle Hunter (and we need an ED anyway). Otherwise, their still seems to be depth at the top of the CB Free Agency market (Fuller, Gilmore, Nelson, Moore II). Sounds like they were potentially in on Sneed.
Good start. Still LOTS to do (and the resources to do it).
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 20:33:43 GMT -5
Reagor back.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 16:42:09 GMT -5
Mack Wilson to Arizona.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 16:33:07 GMT -5
Epenesa back to Buffalo. Za'Darius Smith back to CLE.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 16:09:40 GMT -5
Per PatsCap, cutting him (Parker) now means no dead money next year. It also means a better chance he can sign when there is more to go around, which could lead to a credit on the cap next year (max of 3.2M).
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 15:31:44 GMT -5
I really hope nobody plans on connecting the dots between TT finally looking like a football player and ANY offseason decision New England plans on making. Just saw the post and was shocked at how big he looks now.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 15:27:32 GMT -5
Who pumped all the air into Tyquan Thornton???
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 15:26:23 GMT -5
Obviously we want next year to be a lot better than the past years. But their decision at #3 needs to impact the next 5-10. A free agent signing, outside of "maybe" Baker, has a much more limited window on it.
It would be such a mistake to say "Well we need a QB for next year and the guy we get at #3 is better than any free agent/trade options so . . . QB it is". Even if there is a guy worthy in that range.
As a matter of fact, there is an argument that for next year, there are a multiple QB options in the market that will give you a better chance in the short term. But it's not just about that.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 14:49:27 GMT -5
Patriots releasing Parker.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 14:00:18 GMT -5
If there decision making at the #3 pick has anything to do with what was available on the FA market, I'm going to be incredibly disappointed.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 13:46:23 GMT -5
Antonio Gibson to the Pats.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 12:32:33 GMT -5
Yes, UMASS. I meant Pharaoh.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 11:19:49 GMT -5
Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but a couple of "roster building" trends have either been reported on or speculated (and I'm guessing many will like it): 1. I think it was a MassLive article but it was from direct comments from Wolf. Their grading system for drafted players will be changing. Where BB liked to grade based on how a player fit into their system (leading to a smaller board that often was very misaligned with the "public boards"), the Patriots will now use more of a value-based system. My non-expert translation is that they want to draft the better players and figure out fit later (probably a lazy translation). 2. After Board's release, Taylor Kyles (and I've seen this elsewhere) is wondering if the new regime will spend as much (and dedicate roster spots) on pure ST players.
If these ae true, it's probably music to many of our ears.It is not music to my ears. All teams have ST-specific players besides the punter, kicker, long-snapper. Some keep a returner too, which the Patriots have not since Gunnar (who, presumably, they hoped to develop as a DB). Some teams keep two kickers, one for kickoffs & one for FGs & extra points (the Colts did this for multiple years with Adam V). Slater & Schooler were ST only, and Board ended up being ST only, although in previous stops he had a LB role too. Maybe he would've chipped in here too, if needed. Former rotational safety Adrian Phillips ended up mostly ST but I believe that was due to his poor safety play in limited snaps than any grand design. Having three (mostly) ST players is not roster mismanagement. And a question I've asked before and not received an answer to: If not these three, what starters do you want running full speed down the field into collisions several times per game? I'm old enough to remember when Gronk got hurt on the extra point team & the same radio fools now calling for the elimination of ST players were then adamant that Gronk should not be taking those snaps. Again: if not him, who? There's only so many players allowed on a gameday roster. I have no problem with 3. There are those who would argue they were closer to 5 in many years. Others would just say they were positional players who were very bad at their (non-special teams) positions.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 11:17:58 GMT -5
Dion Dawkins looks to be a free agent now (per himself).
EDIT - I guess he has weird ways of entertaining himself. He just signed an extension.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 9:26:44 GMT -5
Not sure what the trade compensation difference would be but it seems like Aiyuk would be the better acquisition between the 2.
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texs31
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Post by texs31 on Mar 11, 2024 9:14:03 GMT -5
Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but a couple of "roster building" trends have either been reported on or speculated (and I'm guessing many will like it):
1. I think it was a MassLive article but it was from direct comments from Wolf. Their grading system for drafted players will be changing. Where BB liked to grade based on how a player fit into their system (leading to a smaller board that often was very misaligned with the "public boards"), the Patriots will now use more of a value-based system. My non-expert translation is that they want to draft the better players and figure out fit later (probably a lazy translation).
2. After Board's release, Taylor Kyles (and I've seen this elsewhere) is wondering if the new regime will spend as much (and dedicate roster spots) on pure ST players.
If these ae true, it's probably music to many of our ears.
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