2019 Patriots Offseason Thread

You may be right but the NFL has changed a lot since that time. They may feel they can go with just Shelton as the true NT then re-scheme if necessary if he went down. Before base defense was like 60% if the snaps or more and now it’s more like 25%. You don’t need to construct a roster the same way as before when the percentages are flipped. I think there’s no doubt they’d prefer to carry a guy like Pennel but if he’s sucked I don’t think they are cutting a promising rookie like Cowart to do that. But we will see...

He was bad last year RJP. Glad they did him a solid though. He was great here for a lot of years. He had a boot back when he was young.

So I just learned that a guy doesn’t need to make the final 53 to be put on IR anymore. Is that new this year? Also, can you now have more than 2 guys on IR designated to return? If so, that could be big for the Patriots.

He was in the mix for MVP in the SB last year. He couldn’t go long, but he could pin you back. I’ m glad we had him for so many years.

Somebody will scoop him up.

The NFI list is the same as PUP as far as how it works so Cajuste could return but he can’t practice until he’s removed from the list.

One difference is that team can withhold base salary to a guy on NFI.

I'm with you RJP. I was hoping they'd be able to stash him for a while and then see if they need him and what he has left.

His employee (Miguel) says no and links to a doc. Havent read it yet but he seems certain.

So... at this point this is what I think I would do with the roster.


Offense (25):

QB (3)

Brady, Stidham, Hoyer


Running Backs (5):

White, Michel, Harris, Burkhead, Bolden


Out: Brossette



Fullback/Tight End (2)

Develin, LaCosse


Out (5): Anderson, Beck, Johnson, Izzo, Kendricks

Suspended so doesn’t count (1): Watson



Offensive line (8):

Wynn, Thuney, Andrews, Mason, Cannon, Froholdt, Karras, Skipper



NFI: Cajuste

Out (7): Croston, Lang, St Louis, Schwenke, Ference, Gauthier.



Wide Receivers (7):

Edelman, Harry, Meyers, Gordon, Dorsett, Thomas, Slater



Out (5): Harris, Berrios, Davis, Patterson, Olszewski


Defense (25):

D-Line (7):

Bennett, Winovich, Simon, Guy, Shelton, Butler, Cowart

IRDTR: Rivers

Traded: Wise

Out (5): Davis, Kamalu, Harris and, Thurman, Pennel, Parry



Linebacker (7):

Hightower, KVN, Collins, Bentley, Roberts, Calhoun, King


Out: Sam, Munson


Corner (6):

Gilmore, McCourty, Jones, Jackson,, Williams, Crosson


Out: Dawson, Webster

Pup/IR: Ross


Safety (5):

McCourty, Chung, Brooks, Ebner, Harmon


Out: Melifonwu, Howard, Gant,

Notes:

Specialists (3):

Gostkowski, Bailey, Cardona



Notes:


The writing is on the wall for Wise. Seems like a scheme change isn’t his friend and he hasn’t been effective - perhaps due to injury.


Duke Dawson is a tough cut as a 2nd round pick who never played a game last year due to injury but I can’t see cutting Crossen for him. Only reason would be because Dawson can play the slot but he’s sucked at it so can he really play the slot?


The guy I’d cut and hope he goes unclaimed is Hoyer in order to IR Rivers to return. I mean I’d cut Bolden but I’m guessing they won’t. Hoyer is worth the risk as I’d hope to cut him after week 4 when Watson returns anyways.


I’d go 1 TE for the first 4 weeks... seriously you don’t need more than 1, as you can put Izzo or someone else on the practice squad. If Lacosse isn’t ready then I’d probably roster Kendrick’s and then cut LaCosse.

If they feel they need another big body then replace Butler with Pennel on the DL. Butler reportedly has gained weight and been slower and is dealing with an injury. I’m not carrying him over Cowart or Calhoun. Way too much upside on those guys.


As has been discussed, I wish they would move on from one of Bolden, King or Ebner but I can’t predict that happening.

Yea, I have him in, thank you. I think it’s possible that they pick up a veteran if one they like is cut, but I also think they are ok with Skipper. That being said the next 2 weeks will be closely looked at. He will he moved back and forth between right and left tackle... in some ways a swing tackle is harder to play than one of the starters as you need to move back and forth. Doesn’t mean you are better just more skill sets are needed.

I think Thuney is plan C - back pocket in case of emergency. Right now our back up guards aren’t doing so well either so it’s not like they have some stud waiting to plug in there. Froholdt should keep getting better tho... hopefully

They aren’t truly a 3-4 in that Winovich probably isn’t playing in the base defense during the limited time they play it. Not everyone on the roster is strictly for the base defense - especially now a days.

The problem with Wise is he’s seemingly not an ideal fit for a 3-4 base or their sub packages so while you like the talent he may no longer fit...

Harris has been banged up but did return... Im curious if he’s an attempted IR stash...

Like if they are moving on from Wise they plan on running a true 3-4. In a 4-3 guys like Winovich can be DEs in sub packages, yet in a 3-4 he's a OLB in sub packages, he's an OLB in all packages of a 3-4. For the D line you sub out guys like Shelton for guys like Guy, Butler or Cowart in sub packages at DT. You then replace those guys with guys like Simon or Wise at DE or you don't and you adjust the LBers and DBs. Nevermind Winovich is a penetrating OLB, which isn't the role of a 3-4 DE. It's why Wise isn't a great fit, he's much more of a go after the passer type, not maintain your lanes and push the pocket.

I have zero issue trading Wise if we are moving to a 3-4, we just better get a good return. A guy like Marsh years back cost of two picks and he wasn't close to a good as Wise. So maybe a third or a 4th round pick better be coming our way or another player at a position of need. I do also wonder if he just needs more time to adjust. He certainly has the size to play 3-4 DE at minimum on passing downs. We could be in trouble if Bennett goes down if you move Wise as he clearly is the second best pass rusher on that DL list. DL and LB are going to be so interesting to see how they stack them.

I'm also rethinking Roberts as a lock. If there is going to be a huge impact on our old school 3-4 given the increase in passing it's going to be at ILB. Your not going to play two huge inside guys like Bentley and Roberts for most of the game. Your going to play Van Noy, Collins, another safety or CB a ton I'd assume. Add in Munson looks good and he should easily make the practice squad, heck maybe you bring back Roberts after IRing a guy or two. There's just like zero chance a team doesn't claim a guy like Rivers and if you're getting ride of Wise I want all the pass rushers we can get.