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Post by jmei on Mar 15, 2016 17:27:58 GMT -5
The big question is: would you rather have Jon Cooper for a year, some cap space, and a 2015 2nd rounder or Chandler Jones for a year and a 2016 3rd rounder from compensation? You can't assume 100% certainty of the 3rd round compensation pick-- it could get cancelled out by a Patriots free agent signing, Jones might not get a big enough deal in free agency, he could be re-signed, etc. It would also be a 2018 pick rather than a 2016 pick (and the 2nd rounder is 2016, not 2015). There's also the potential comp pick that comes attached to Cooper (though that one is less certain to occur and is likely to be a lower round). |
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Post by texs31 on Mar 15, 2016 20:34:00 GMT -5
Pats get Chris Long on a 1 yr deal per Trey Wingo
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Post by jmei on Mar 16, 2016 7:16:40 GMT -5
Here's a nice scouting report on Long, complete with gifs: sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2016/03/10/bob-sturm-free-agency-checking-see-chris-long-still-possessesHe was never the most explosive or athletic pass rusher, and that's certainly even more true at this stage of his career. But he'll win with leverage (long arms) and technique, and he looks like a useful rotation player. Not a pure pass rusher, though, and his skill set has a fair bit of overlap with Sheard and Ninkovich. That's not necessarily a bad thing-- rotations are good, even in early-down situations-- but he's not a Mark Anderson-type. |
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Post by voiceofreason on Mar 16, 2016 7:48:36 GMT -5
Hopefully Cooper stays healthy and becomes the guy worthy of a #7 overall pick. Which is an extremely high pick for a guard.
In regards to Long, I'm really not sure he has much left in the tank and could get cut.
The real story here could be that the play of Jabaal Sheard is what made Jones expendable. That and the use of fake marijuana leading up to the playoffs, dummy.
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Post by texs31 on Mar 16, 2016 7:59:09 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry too much about Cooper. He's a throw-in and, as many have said, anything you get from him is gravy. The real return is the 2nd rounder.
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Post by voiceofreason on Mar 16, 2016 8:44:07 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry too much about Cooper. He's a throw-in and, as many have said, anything you get from him is gravy. The real return is the 2nd rounder. Respectfully, I totally disagree!! A seventh overall guard pick is a rarity, there is talent there and hopefully it is realized. Not exactly a throw-in when you consider that Jones could have fetched far more than the 60th pick. Then again what do I know, only time will tell. |
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Post by texs31 on Mar 16, 2016 9:34:34 GMT -5
But he's a 7th overall that has had 3 years to establish himself as a legitimate starter. He's been de-railed by injuries after a reasonably good start in pre-season his rookie year. Multiple times, he's been beaten out by guys with less talent (Ted Larsen, actually).
Someone on talk radio (I know, I know) pointed out that the list of guys who have followed his career trajectory and ended up having a successful career is PROBABLY pretty short.
I'm not saying he WON'T turn it around, I'm just suggesting that if you're hanging the success of this trade on him, there's a pretty reasonable chance you're going to be disappointed.
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Post by rangoon82 on Mar 16, 2016 19:40:07 GMT -5
Pats nab TE Martellus Bennet in a trade. Give their 4th get back a 6th.
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Post by texs31 on Mar 17, 2016 7:20:20 GMT -5
And sign LB Shea McLellin to a 3-yr deal
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Post by voiceofreason on Mar 17, 2016 7:42:30 GMT -5
But he's a 7th overall that has had 3 years to establish himself as a legitimate starter. He's been de-railed by injuries after a reasonably good start in pre-season his rookie year. Multiple times, he's been beaten out by guys with less talent (Ted Larsen, actually). Someone on talk radio (I know, I know) pointed out that the list of guys who have followed his career trajectory and ended up having a successful career is PROBABLY pretty short. I'm not saying he WON'T turn it around, I'm just suggesting that if you're hanging the success of this trade on him, there's a pretty reasonable chance you're going to be disappointed. All true, I'm just the optimistic type when it comes to my sports teams. From what I have read he has been a bit soft since the leg injury. Maybe Scarr and the Patriot way will be what he needs. Love the rest of these moves. A very good second TE will be exactly what Tom needs. Thought they had it with Chandler but he was a disappointment. |
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Post by texs31 on Mar 17, 2016 8:31:24 GMT -5
I'm hoping for the best as well.
I've also heard (though it was talk radio so I'm not putting TOO much stock in it) that Cooper needs to be handled with kid gloves. That is NOT the Scar way.
Maybe full health will return him to what he could've been. I also still have high hopes for Mason and Jackson. Depth ain't a bad thing for sure.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 17, 2016 13:22:33 GMT -5
Preliminary reaction: real nice haul for a player who was likely to leave next offseason anyways and who I always thought was a little overrated. I agree with this except with Jones being overrated. In fact, I think he's still a little underrated. He's a great player who will be missed, but this is truly a great haul all things considered. First I think its a decent haul but that's it's. A late second round pick isn't a ton for a DE that puts up the sack numbers Jones does. I love the Cooper throw in, but that's about all it was at this point, he has very little value. I would have called an early second round pick an nice haul and a early second and a 4/5th round pick a great hall.
Don't get me wrong this is what I wanted to see happen, wanted no part of Jones on a massive deal. I do think Jones is overrated and would rather pay Sheard then Jones and it's not even close for me. Jones disappears far to much for my liking. For a team that compete for title, Jones seems to disappear late in season and in playoffs.
How is he underrated? Most sport sites think this is a slam dunk trade for the Cards as they added an elite pass rusher. Not sure how he can be underrated when he's being called an elite pass rusher. I just think a guy like Oliver is a better player, less sacks but a lot more QB hits.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 17, 2016 13:27:19 GMT -5
Pats nab TE Martellus Bennet in a trade. Give their 4th get back a 6th. Just a flat out great trade. Was wondering when the Pats were going to add a game changing weapon. If you can't get a big WR to play outside, getting a big TE that catches and runs like Bennett is just huge. I hate to see us trade our 4th round pick with no 5th rounder but this was a no brainer. Brady needed weapons and you got him the best one you could. Bennett could have a bigger impact then any WR signed this year. |
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 17, 2016 13:30:05 GMT -5
And sign LB Shea McLellin to a 3-yr deal I love it when Bill brings in players like this. Young with upside that came from a bad team, 3 coaches in 4 years. Not saying he's the next Vrabel, but I think he's going to be better then people think. |
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 17, 2016 13:33:13 GMT -5
I'm hoping for the best as well. I've also heard (though it was talk radio so I'm not putting TOO much stock in it) that Cooper needs to be handled with kid gloves. That is NOT the Scar way. Maybe full health will return him to what he could've been. I also still have high hopes for Mason and Jackson. Depth ain't a bad thing for sure. It's a lottery ticket. The Pats and almost everyone loved him coming out of college. Injuries stunted his growth. I really see this going two ways, either he's a big hit and earns a spot in our guard rotation or he's cut and doesn't even make the team. |
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 22, 2016 23:10:35 GMT -5
And sign LB Shea McLellin to a 3-yr deal I love it when Bill brings in players like this. Young with upside that came from a bad team, 3 coaches in 4 years. Not saying he's the next Vrabel, but I think he's going to be better then people think. A little surprised by contract as he got 3 years 9 million, with 3.5 million guaranteed with 2.5 million signing bonus. Was thinking more like 3 years 4.5 to 6 million with 1 million guaranteed. |
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Post by texs31 on Mar 23, 2016 9:38:27 GMT -5
As some have written, I think it's an indication that he'll NOT just be a sub LB. Could also be a Core-4 Special Teamer and also get some pass-rushing opportunities (reducing one of the others inside??).
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Post by mgoetze on Mar 24, 2016 20:31:05 GMT -5
Touchbacks now at the 25. I really hope the Patriots will try out the high kickoff to the 1 yard line, it's a strategy I was already thinking might be successful with touchbacks at the 20.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Mar 25, 2016 0:24:53 GMT -5
I don't understand the rule changes last two years. First you kick off closer so more touchbacks and less runbacks to reduce injuries. Now you move touchbacks out to 25 which might mean teams kick inside 5 to try and hold them inside 25 yard line, thus increasing runbacks.
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Post by chavopepe2 on Mar 25, 2016 8:42:38 GMT -5
I don't understand the rule changes last two years. First you kick off closer so more touchbacks and less runbacks to reduce injuries. Now you move touchbacks out to 25 which might mean teams kick inside 5 to try and hold them inside 25 yard line, thus increasing runbacks. It's possible, but I think it's more likely that the returner won't come out of the end zone as often and there will be few returns. I do see what you're saying though, but I think teams are generally risk averse when kicking off and will continue to kick the ball into and out of the end zone. |
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Post by texs31 on Apr 13, 2016 14:55:01 GMT -5
Curran reporting that NE is releasing Easley. Can't stay healthy but still VERY surprised at this point of the offseason.
EDIT: Reports are it's a 3+ Million cap hit to release him. Something's HAS to be up, right?
Not sure if it's related but did we ever hear more about the NE player who police were trying to find after Tray Walker death?
EDIT2: Conflicting reports on Cap Hit (or my misinterpretation). Now reading it's 900K EXTRA (compared to his original hit, which may have been what was throwing me. Where's Miguel when I need him?)
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Post by rangoon82 on Apr 13, 2016 15:57:33 GMT -5
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 13, 2016 16:01:00 GMT -5
Has to be more to this story. You don't just release him when he has shown flashes of being a real good player when it cost you more money on cap. If it saved them money maybe, but not when it cost them money.
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Post by jmei on Apr 13, 2016 16:18:09 GMT -5
I suspect some combination of off-the-field issues, makeup (Belichick has no patience for guys who don't live and breathe football) and injury concerns. Not a huge loss in my mind.
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Post by jimed14 on Apr 13, 2016 18:56:10 GMT -5
If it costs just a little extra money to release him because of the cap hit, the roster spot is more valuable.
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