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Post by Don Caballero on Mar 15, 2014 23:26:04 GMT -5
Having watched in like 4 times last season, I can confidently state that he sucked in every single snap I saw. Disturbingly bad sign, but in the hood we trust I guess.
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Post by nhdave on Mar 16, 2014 17:32:27 GMT -5
If anything, this gives us some bodies at positions that we don't have to expend draft picks on,
starting to burn out on these draft misses on receivers and cornerbacks. BTW... writer from the
Denver Post was on the sportshub at noon, said the broncos were in on Lafell, think they might
have wanted him ahead of Sanders but couldn't agree on a price. .
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Post by rjp313jr on Mar 16, 2014 19:14:49 GMT -5
No opinion of LaFell will have to wait to see him play but the size in the red zone can be nice and was very much an area of concern last season.
I'm wondering if the Pats no something about the Hernadez money that we don't... Doubtful, but one can dream...
However lots of ways to still clear some room. Only chance a guy like Allen comes is if Vince is gone, though. Some moves I could see:
Wendell back fairly cheap and Connelly cut.
Wilson's (both or either) cut
Mankins extension (low chance)
McCourty extension (good chance)
Goskowski extension
Mayo extension/restructure
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Post by jmei on Mar 17, 2014 11:01:15 GMT -5
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Post by texs31 on Mar 17, 2014 13:34:08 GMT -5
While he may be listed as a CB (and may play opposite Revis in the base), I'd be very interested to see how they lineup in the sub-package. There is, of course, still time in the roster shaping portion of the offseason, I'd be hardpressed to come up with some names that NE could get for S that would be better on the field than 2 of Dennard/Ryan/Arrington.
They could utilize 4CB/1S in passing situations.
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Post by jmei on Mar 17, 2014 16:40:49 GMT -5
Matt Bowen is great at X&Os analysis, and he has a video here on how the Patriots can use Revis: bleacherreport.com/articles/1991485-how-the-new-england-patriots-can-maximize-darrelle-revis-elite-coverage-skillsThe combo coverages are particularly fascinating. The ability to play Cover 0 on Revis' side while simultaneously doubling the slot receiver and giving Browner safety help on the other side is going to be devastating, especially on third downs. It allays part of my fears with having Browner as the other outside corner-- he's great in a Cover 3 scheme where he can press at the line of scrimmage while releasing receivers on in-breaking routes, but I was worried he wouldn't be compatible with Revis in that Revis operates best in a straight man scheme. These combo man/zone schemes allow each player to play to their individual strengths. I'm curious how much straight Cover 3 the Patriots will play next year. It obviously suits Browner well, but it sacrifices one of Revis' greatest strengths: his ability to defend the entire route tree (including in-breaking routes) without safety/linebacker help. Revis did run it a fair amount even when he was with the Jets, though, and he can certain succeed in that scheme better than Browner would be able to succeed in a straight man scheme. ADD: here's another Bowen breakdown: bleacherreport.com/articles/1996031-patriots-secondary-additions-prove-bill-belichicks-ability-to-adapt#articles/1996031-patriots-secondary-additions-prove-bill-belichicks-ability-to-adapt |
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Post by xxdamgoodxx on Mar 17, 2014 18:43:46 GMT -5
DRC to Giants for 5/39(14), they also picked up Thurmond from Seattle. Good signings IMO.
As our offseason relates to the Broncos, I figured I'd do a quick breakdown of where each team improved and fell off on the field as I view it.
Pats DBs: Upgrade at #1 CB in consistency/health and talent, an upgrade at CB2, upgrade in depth and in slot. Drop-off in consistency at SS: I think Harmon will have his ups and downs like any 2nd year player and eventually be an upgrade over Gregory.
Broncos DBs: Slight upgrade over DRC in Talib, pretty much a side-step. (omitted: my oversight, rjp) Upgrade at SS.
Pats LBs: Drop-off in consistency with Collins vs. Spikes same deal as with Harmon: Collins will probably outshine what Spikes was in the end. Upgrade with Mayo coming back.
Broncos LBs:
Still no real MLB, Woodyard left, but that might not be too much of a loss.
Pats D-Line: Upgrade with Chandler Jones still developing. You really can't drop-off from Chris Jones and Vellano as your starting DTs, Upgrade with Kelly coming back.
Broncos D-Line: Upgrade with Ware at LDE (when Miller comes back). I'd say a drop-off with Miller recovering from the ACL.
Pats WRs: Upgrade with the development of Dobson, Tompkins, and Boyce. Upgraded depth with LaFell.
Broncos WRs: Major drop-off from Decker to Sanders. Sanders is not going to break 1000 yards even with Manning.
Pats RBs: With Blount probably coming back, a sidestep.
Broncos RBs: Moderate drop-off with Moreno's possible departure; Ball has typical, young-back blocking and fumbling issues
Pats O-Line: Upgrade at RT with Vollmer (hopefully) healthy, still a weakness.
Broncos O-Line: Huge upgrade with Clady coming back. Drop-off with Beatles leaving.
Both QB's: Aging, but still fantastic.
My personal analysis before the draft (for whatever that's worth). Think we're better or worse at this point? I vote better.
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Post by rjp313jr on Mar 17, 2014 19:56:03 GMT -5
Harris was already Denver's second corner and I'm not sure Talib is an upgrade over DRC. DRC rated higher then Talib and Talib has never played a consistent season or a full year. Decker also offered DRC 6/54 but he turned it down. If Talib could be counted on it's basically a wash though. The greater point surrounds Harris was already ahead of Bailey on the depth chart.
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Post by rjp313jr on Mar 17, 2014 19:56:58 GMT -5
Pats biggest OLine downgrade is Dante retiring. Big loss.
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Post by xxdamgoodxx on Mar 17, 2014 20:29:49 GMT -5
Talib is a better tackler, but tackling isn't deathly important when you can cover like they do.
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Post by texs31 on Mar 26, 2014 8:29:33 GMT -5
Jared Allen to Bears. ESPN suggests Anthony Spencer a fit for Pats. Also DeCoud as a possible fit. (Note: these are not rumors just fits as proposed by Field Yates)
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Post by rjp313jr on Mar 26, 2014 12:02:33 GMT -5
I'd like spencer on a 1 year low money deal assuming Medicals look decent. Micro fracture on the knee could really make him a cut candidate though so he basically has to have no cap hit to be worth the gamble.
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Post by jimed14 on Mar 27, 2014 16:40:34 GMT -5
I'm not a huge Patriots fan, because I left New England during the Grogan years, but my girlfriend from Maine is so I've gotten back into them somewhat.
This is great news:
Adam Schefter ?@adamschefter 9m
Patriots and DT Vince Wilfork restructured his contract. It's a new 3-year, $22.5M deal, per source. Wilfork stays a Patriot.
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Post by ibsmith85 on Mar 27, 2014 17:06:38 GMT -5
Great news. As long as the guaranteed money is low. But love seeing Big Vince staying home.
ADD: looks like a 1 year deal @ $8m ($3m guaranteed) with two option years.
Per Schefter on ESPN app (I'd link it but I'm on my phone)
Good deal, I'm glad cooler heads seem to have prevailed. It was enough to ask for his release, I assume he was a bit upset.
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Post by rangoon82 on Mar 28, 2014 11:03:12 GMT -5
With big Vince back the defense is looking solid on paper right now. Now to to add some depth at a few spots through the draft and lower level free agents.
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Post by texs31 on Mar 28, 2014 14:17:37 GMT -5
Field Yates tweeted that NE has re-signed Ryan Wendell to a 2-year deal worth a max of 6.8M. I wonder if that means Connolly is gone. Move Cannon to RG with Kline and Barker as depth. Draft a C/G type in the 3-5 rounds.
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Post by rangoon82 on Mar 28, 2014 14:38:12 GMT -5
Blount to the Stillers.
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Post by pedroelgrande on Mar 28, 2014 14:48:16 GMT -5
Draft a RB? I like Tre Mason.
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Post by jmei on Mar 28, 2014 14:48:16 GMT -5
Field Yates tweeted that NE has re-signed Ryan Wendell to a 2-year deal worth a max of 6.8M. I wonder if that means Connolly is gone. Move Cannon to RG with Kline and Barker as depth. Draft a C/G type in the 3-5 rounds. The Patriots don't like going into the draft and having to draft a starter at a particular position. Re-signing Wendell gives them the ability to go with the same line they had last year but still gives them the flexibility to draft an interior offensively lineman if the right one is available at the right pick. They now have the freedom to cut Connolly, but I think it's more likely that he stays (perhaps with an extension or a pay cut, if they're really desperate for cap space) and they grab a developmental guy in one of the later rounds. ADD: based on Wendell's salary structure and depending on when the 2014 roster bonus is due, it's even possible (though unlikely) that he gets cut before the start of the season. If the roster bonus is due in August or September, the Patriots would only have $425K of dead money on this year's cap if they cut Wendell after June 1st. |
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Post by hockeypuck2008 on Mar 28, 2014 14:50:24 GMT -5
I know I will get flamed for this but give me Desean Jackson.
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Post by texs31 on Mar 28, 2014 15:33:14 GMT -5
True JMei. It would also give them the flexibility to keep Cannon as first OL off the pine should any of the starters go down with injury. You'd have to spend some of your savings to replace Svitek otherwise.
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Post by texs31 on Mar 28, 2014 15:34:49 GMT -5
Not going to flame you but, given the report of concerns over gang-connections, I'm guessing that NE will be shy about that type of move.
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Post by rjp313jr on Mar 28, 2014 16:14:15 GMT -5
They could have moved Connelly to center and had Cannon play RG without having to draft a starter. I think OLine is incredibly important and Wendell is a great run blocking center but a terrible pass protection center. Brady struggles with a pass rush up the middle, I hope come next playoffs we have a better center than 2013 Ryan Wendell. Perhaps, that will be Ryan Wendell.
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Post by benogliviesbrother on Mar 28, 2014 16:19:32 GMT -5
Nothing shy about BB. Now RK, on the other hand ...
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Post by jmei on Mar 28, 2014 17:42:21 GMT -5
They could have moved Connelly to center and had Cannon play RG without having to draft a starter. I think OLine is incredibly important and Wendell is a great run blocking center but a terrible pass protection center. Brady struggles with a pass rush up the middle, I hope come next playoffs we have a better center than 2013 Ryan Wendell. Perhaps, that will be Ryan Wendell. True, but that approach would have still effectively required that the team take an interior offensive lineman relatively early in the draft, as the depth chart behind the starters would have been perilously thin and the free agent market would be pretty barren as well. At the very least, re-signing Wendell lets the Patriots create a true training camp competition between Connolly, Wendell, Cannon, the developmental guys (Kline, Barker), and any potential draft picks for the two open spots on the offensive line. It gives them the benefit of knowing that even if none of the new guys (and I include the developmental guys in this category) look like potential starters, they can still go back to the decent-but-not-great configuration that they've used the last two years. |
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