2019 Patriots Offseason Thread

A couple things:

1) Gronk wasn’t his All-Pro self but teams still doubled him a lot which opened space for other guys. Also, he was a beast blocking and having a receiving threat who’s a great run blocker opens a lot in the run game. Point being it’s not as simple as replacing his catches; it’s the affect he had on other players producing thats the greatest loss.

2). While it’s possible Rudolph is cut, Kevin Stefanski, the Vikings offensive coordinator likes to use 2 tight-end sets and Smith and Rudolph are different players with differing skill sets that would compliment that system in theory.

Is it though? Like the Patriots have invested way more draft capital in D line recently than the secondary. With the likes of Jones, Easley, and Brown as first round picks. The recent CBs before this draft were late round picks, undrafted guys, or old Veterans, guys like Ryan, Butler, McCourty, Jackson, Jones and Crossen. Then two recent second round guys who have yet to play. They paid Gilmore because he was a good value. Bill jumped on it.

I don't know I kinda have a big issue with that whole article. It's all based off one signing and the fact Brady and the Patriots are awesome. Like other QBs just can't scheme away pass rush, can any other QB have a release time like that for a whole game?

Our two Superbowl wins had us getting great pressure, our one loss in the last three years we couldn't get any pressure. They go hand in hand. Nevermind the Patriots are sneaky, they save special plays for important parts of the game. So while there pass rush numbers might not stand out overall, they sure do in certain games and situations. Like the pass rush dominated the Superbowl. The minute the Chiefs had time, they killed us.

The Patriots strategy is like it's always been, find the best values. Don't pay Flowers, because you can get Bennett. Yet you pay Hightower and Van Noy because they can rush the passer and make plays while costing a fraction of what a DE costs. Given the new rules on instant replay on pass interference calls, pass rush will be more important than every.

The other thing that bugs me about that article and draft ranking is they don't bring bust rate into the equation. Defensive linemen are safer picks than cornerbacks. Like Farrell is one of the safest picks in the draft. It's why I loved him so much. Plus given the market and contracts that top DEs get, that 5th year option means more for DEs than CBs. Like PFF has some interesting data, yet basing prospects just off College production while useful isn't close to an end all either. It's like using Basketball draft rankings and WARP. WARP is useful, but your standard draft rankings are better. WARP can find you some underrated guys, but it also overrates a ton of guys based on production that won't translate. You need to use both when looking at players.

In regards to drafting yes the Pats have used higher picks on DTs and DEs as they are a better gamble in the draft but when was the last time they broke the bank and payed 1? Interesting correlation between drafting and paying. Did they give Vince the biggest deal? They also seem willing to let them go after the rookie deals are up while on the other hand they are willing to pay for the DBs and it isn't even all that close. 

Are we going full on 3-4? How else does he even start? As a part-time player it's not a bad move if he's changed and willing to buy in. He adds great depth, yet I don't see a roster lock, not on this roster. Not with his history. He's either a Chung, finally gets it, career 180 or he's Brandon Spikes.

With all the new rookies and the new veterans signing on, it's going to be a very interesting camp. Which of the new veterans actually make the team? Which of the rookies impress enough to stick? What about the guys who were rookies last year but went on the IR, so we never saw them? Then there is the loss of so many coaches. it's going to be crazy sorting out everyone. The preseason games could actually be interesting.

Agree with the last part but does the base defense even matter anymore? What are they in it 30% of the time? Collins could maybe work well in that playground standup defense they like to run.

Our sub package D for two years had mostly been two LBs and either a safety or starting late last year another CB. Given how they use Van Noy, Hightower, S, and CB isn't he just a match up guy and depth guy?

Sure he's great depth because he can rush the passer like Van Noy and Hightower in the stand up and delayed blitz packages they love. Yet while in certain cases I can easily see using all three, I don't think it will be even remotely close to our normal sub defense package. Like Collins should be elite in coverage but his free lancing killed us before. I guess it really depends who we get, the old Collins or a new Collins that maybe can finally unlock that full potential he never really did. One gives you awesome LB depth, best we've had in a long time, the other gives you maybe the best LB group in the NFL. We'll see, like we didn't have enough to watch during training camp.

It’s not, but the point was signing guys who might not fit your “base” isn’t what it used to be. Sub packages and versatility is the name of today’s game.

Injuries will help some of these problems, but this is not the year to be carrying 3 QBs.... In and ideal world Stidman beats out Hoyer and they have Ettling in the PS again with improved play. The chances of Ettling being claimed even with a good pre-season in limited snaps is very low. He’s not going to be good enough for a team to be confident in him as a back up on game day and his pedigree is too low.

I’ll get into it another day but putting injuries aside, there will be trades. Too many good players and not enough spots.

King getting a 2 year extension

DT depth is still rather weak and if your going to build this powerhouse roster I'd hope they add another body or two for depth. A guy like Allen Bailey would be huge.

I agree with most of this but baring some miracle, our TE depth is bad, its not even questionable. Rest of the roster looks great though and they can always trade for someone later.