New England Patriots thread (MOD WARNING - #4503)

Amirani · 09-02-2012 4:05am

ReacherCreature wrote: »

Benched for Baltimore game as Belichick had no faith in him after a fumble - I have my reservations about that issue. Seemed to be the same way in Superbowl but Danny Woodhead and Green-Ellis were used more and effectively so.

He had a good season (bearing in mind he's a rookie) and I believe he'll get better.

With BJGE and Faulk gone, him and Vereen will both have big roles to play next year.

ReacherCreature · 09-02-2012 6:10pm

NiallSparky wrote: »

With BJGE and Faulk gone, him and Vereen will both have big roles to play next year.

I can't see Green-Ellis going anywhere. Surely there must be a contract in it for him?

Amirani · 11-02-2012 4:54am

ReacherCreature wrote: »

I can't see Green-Ellis going anywhere. Surely there must be a contract in it for him?

Pats aren't going to pay him a lot, I reckon he could get more elsewhere.

kryogen · 13-02-2012 12:27pm

I hope Lawfirm stays, for his name if nothing else!

Son Of A Vidic · 15-02-2012 10:24am

kryogen wrote: »

I hope Lawfirm stays, for his name if nothing else!

Love the name alright, but the fact that the guy has played 53 games with 510 rushing attempts and never fumbled the ball, now that really does it for me.

spiralism · 15-02-2012 4:16pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Just thinking there that Brandon Lloyd is a realistic free agent pickup and he worked with McDaniels at the Broncos so should really fit his offensive system. He might be the answer to our problems. He is only 31 so has a few years left in the tank.

As i said in one of the other threads, i'd expect that to happen too, he's all but said he wants to join mcdaniels at the pats

Son Of A Vidic · 18-02-2012 5:54pm

So Randy Moss claims his head is now right and he wants to play football again. Brady has stated that he would welcome Moss back to the Pats, after hearing he wants to play again. If it did happen, I can't see them ever replicating the 2007 season when they linked up for 23 TD's. The guy has also missed a whole season and is now 35, so what's left in the tank?. The deep option would be attractive though, but I think it's a hard one to call.

eagle eye · 18-02-2012 10:11pm

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

So Randy Moss claims his head is now right and he wants to play football again. Brady has stated that he would welcome Moss back to the Pats, after hearing he wants to play again. If it did happen, I can't see them ever replicating the 2007 season when they linked up for 23 TD's. The guy has also missed a whole season and is now 35, so what's left in the tank?. The deep option would be attractive though, but I think it's a hard one to call.

A season off could have done him the world of good. No bangs and bruises for a year would let him get to a higher level of fitness than he has probably had in a couple of years.

He will never have a season like that again but thats not why the Pats would want him. They need a legit deep threat to create room for Gronk, Hernandez and Welker. He won't be targeted anymore than a couple of times a game but it would keep keep the safeties deeper and people don't want to rush the QB either with Gronk and Welker only a dink pass away.

Of course thats all if he still has that speed. There are other options in free agency and quite possibly much better ones than a guy his age. I do think if he does still have it then he would be a great signing on the vet minimum or close to it for the Patriots.

The time away has given Brady the chance to get used to his other options. While he was there Brady didn't seem to want to target anybody else except him and Welker. Coming back now he could be the missing piece on a great passing offense.

kryogen · 19-02-2012 2:41am

Id have to be convinced first that he still has the pace to actually trouble the opponents defenses before I'd consider bringing him back, at his age it seems unlikely tbh.

If he would come back, a genuine weapon, then of course I'd have him with open arms.

The threat he would bring alone would make the offense fairly complete imo

The extra space afforded to Welker, Gronk etc, would make a very good offense up there with the best.

Serious amount of proof required though

Son Of A Vidic · 13-03-2012 9:55pm

Moss had a workout with the Saints last week and was looking great apparently. NFL Network were claiming that the third team interested in Moss was the Pats. But Moss signed a 1 year contract with the 49ers, after his work out with them on Monday. So that book is now closed.

Good to see they put the franchise tag on Wes Welker, it was obviously a no-brainer. Welker tweeted very positively after the announcement last week. Both sides should now have some breathing space to sort out a new contract.

Free agency starts today and Mario Williams(DE) is my priority man to go for in pass rushing. Belichick won't be interested though if a bidding war starts. Defence has to be the overall priority, with a quality WR thrown in to expand offensive options.

TimThomas · 13-03-2012 9:58pm

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Moss had a workout with the Saints last week and was looking great apparently. NFL Network were claiming that the third team interested in Moss was the Pats. But Moss signed a 1 year contract with the 49ers, after his work out with them on Monday. So that book is now closed.

Good to see they put the franchise tag on Wes Welker, it was obviously a no-brainer. Welker tweeted very positively after the announcement last week. Both sides should now have some breathing space to sort out a new contract.

Free agency starts today and Mario Williams(DE) is my priority man to go for in pass rushing. Belichick won't be interested though if a bidding war starts. Defence has to be the overall priority, with a quality WR thrown in to expand offensive options.

No way we take Williams. Our cap will take a huge hit on him. Not a chance Bill risks that kind of cap for 1 player.

ReacherCreature · 13-03-2012 10:00pm

Mark Anderson hits FA and possibly Lawfirm. Sad to see that.

Son Of A Vidic · 13-03-2012 10:36pm

TimThomas wrote: »

No way we take Williams. Our cap will take a huge hit on him. Not a chance Bill risks that kind of cap for 1 player.

Very unlikely I know, but he would be the fantasy signing.

JaMarcus Hustle · 13-03-2012 10:47pm

Unless someone overpays for either, they'll be back. I'd be surprised if at least one of them wasn't resigned.

We've apparently met with Casey Hayward today. An early round pick on a CB? Oh Bill, so predictable!

Son Of A Vidic · 14-03-2012 1:17am

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

We've apparently met with Casey Hayward today. An early round pick on a CB? Oh Bill, so predictable!

We do need to improve the Secondary though and he did put on an impressive show at the combine.

Son Of A Vidic · 14-03-2012 4:09pm

Since we never replaced Moss and haven't had a serious down field threat since 2010. Any ideas for a WR? I really like Mike Wallace, he's a restricted free agent and the Steelers haven't tagged him. He might cost a few pound and a 1st round draft pick but I think he's definitely worth it.

JaMarcus Hustle · 14-03-2012 4:26pm

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Since we never replaced Moss and haven't had a serious down field threat since 2010. Any ideas for a WR? I really like Mike Wallace, he's a restricted free agent and the Steelers haven't tagged him. He might cost a few pound and a 1st round draft pick but I think he's definitely worth it.

Brandon Lloyd has to be number 1 due to his familiarity with the system Josh McDaniels runs. It was looking good last night, both the Pats and being very quiet which led us to assume talks were ongoing, but word is now that Lloyd is visiting with the 49ers :mad:

He's the one free agent outside of our own (i.e. Anderson, Lawfirm) that I want us to get.

eagle eye · 14-03-2012 4:41pm

Problem now is these deals that the Redskins have given to average WRs and the Megatron deal just up the ante on what Lloyd can be expecting and Welker too.

What do you do now? Give up on making improvements to the D and sign offensive weapons or hold on to Welker which is going to cost more than was expected and then lower your ambitions regarding a deep threat. I dunno how this will go now as the cap is going to be a big factor if you sign both Welker and Lloyd.

Justin10 · 14-03-2012 5:13pm

Steve Gregory on his way to New England

TimThomas · 14-03-2012 5:24pm

Rochey18 wrote: »

Steve Gregory on his way to New England

Only in talks nothing concrete yet.

Justin10 · 14-03-2012 5:25pm

Sorry ye thats what I meant, on his way to New England for talks.

TimThomas · 14-03-2012 5:26pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Problem now is these deals that the Redskins have given to average WRs and the Megatron deal just up the ante on what Lloyd can be expecting and Welker too.

What do you do now? Give up on making improvements to the D and sign offensive weapons or hold on to Welker which is going to cost more than was expected and then lower your ambitions regarding a deep threat. I dunno how this will go now as the cap is going to be a big factor if you sign both Welker and Lloyd.

Lloyd is dead to us now. No way Bill is going to spend big money on him as Lloyd knows he will get it elsewhere. And as you said we still have to sort out Welker also.

TimThomas · 14-03-2012 6:02pm

Law Firm visiting Bengals.

Hazys · 14-03-2012 7:02pm

TimThomas wrote: »

Law Firm visiting Bengals.

I wouldnt be too worried about Law Firm. The Bengals have had about 3 ro 4 RBs in for a looksee already.

I'm glad that Pats are being very quiet in the FA madness, especially since Eddie Royal is getting $6m a year. I cant fanthom what Llyod would want now? The 31yr old will be expecting at least $8m a year......not worth it!

eagle eye · 14-03-2012 7:11pm

Jonathon Fanene is apparently on the Patriots radar at the moment.

Hazys · 14-03-2012 7:24pm

For Pats fans who may be freaking out at the moment...consider this, 24 of 32 teams have not signed a FA that was not on their team previously.

Also the majority of the 8 teams that have signed FAs have not been contenders for years.

TimThomas · 14-03-2012 7:58pm

Jonathon Fanene signs a 3 year deal apparently good signing.

Hazys · 14-03-2012 8:34pm

TimThomas wrote: »

Jonathon Fanene signs a 3 year deal apparently good signing.

6.5 sacks last season, 6 in 2009 as a backup (2010 injured).

Very versitile player, can play inside and outside on the DL, good against the run, better against the pass...good signing (as long as they didnt over pay)

Hazys · 15-03-2012 4:14pm

Danny Amendola visting the Pats...this is confusing.

Are they planning to sign him and trade Welker? I dont see how we could fit 2 slot receivers into our offense especially since we have two excellent receivers at TE. But that doesnt even make sense as we'd have to give up a 2nd to get him and i'd say we'd struggle to get a 1st for Welker.

I presume this is just leverage they are using in Welker's contract negotiations.

eagle eye · 15-03-2012 6:40pm

Amendola can play in any of the WR positions, could be a replacement for Branch too. I don't think its got anything to do with Welker.

TimThomas · 15-03-2012 6:45pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Amendola can play in any of the WR positions, could be a replacement for Branch too. I don't think its got anything to do with Welker.

So can Welker but they are both best suited out of slot thats where the Rams played him as did Texas Tech. He is 5'11 Amendola and playing out wide is just the same as playing Welker out wide.

eagle eye · 15-03-2012 6:54pm

TimThomas wrote: »

So can Welker but they are both best suited out of slot thats where the Rams played him as did Texas Tech. He is 5'11 Amendola and playing out wide is just the same as playing Welker out wide.

Deion Branch is only 5'9" too and it didn't affect him playing flanker or split end.

JaMarcus Hustle · 15-03-2012 7:01pm

Would love Amendola tbh. Cracking little player, although we'd still need someone to stretch the field.

Also, having seen the ridiculous contracts given to receivers without an ounce of his talent, Welker is gonna wanna get paid big time. His price went up the last few days.

TimThomas · 15-03-2012 7:17pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Deion Branch is only 5'9" too and it didn't affect him playing flanker or split end.

No it didn't but im not talking about Branch. Branch in his day was a baller cracking hands and a solid leap and long reach even for his size. Never the fastest guy out there but his route running and hands made up for it. Branch today is shades of the guy he used to be and without the height and lack of speed the modern game doesnt suit him.

Amendola on the other hand granted is fast as fook but he is hardly the answer of spreading out the field for us. Branch was brought in when Bill wanted someone Brady could trust when we struggled to find a guy to throw to. Whatever about opening up the flats and the middle of the field with guys like Welker and Amendola they dont solve the deep routes. And if we pull the trigger on Amendola and dont get ourselves a deep guy we will have 2 TE and 2 WR all doing the same thing thing opening up short routes and across the middle.

Now granted put in a deep threat and it could all work but the market for WR is getting zapped with nonsense contracts and I dont see us pulling the trigger on someone who will open up the field long for us.

Could you imagine a team with Welker and Amendola drawing your coverage shallow and Gronk bursting the seam in the middle of the field with an Outside guy being honoured for once. the mismatches would be crazy. But it hinges on that outside guy.

eagle eye · 15-03-2012 7:22pm

TimThomas wrote: »

No it didn't but im not talking about Branch. Branch in his day was a baller cracking hands and a solid leap and long reach even for his size. Never the fastest guy out there but his route running and hands made up for it. Branch today is shades of the guy he used to be and without the height and lack of speed the modern game doesnt suit him.

Amendola on the other hand granted is fast as fook but he is hardly the answer of spreading out the field for us. Branch was brought in when Bill wanted someone Brady could trust when we struggled to find a guy to throw to. Whatever about opening up the flats and the middle of the field with guys like Welker and Amendola they dont solve the deep routes. And if we pull the trigger on Amendola and dont get ourselves a deep guy we will have 2 TE and 2 WR all doing the same thing thing opening up short routes and across the middle.

Now granted put in a deep threat and it could all work but the market for WR is getting zapped with nonsense contracts and I dont see us pulling the trigger on someone who will open up the field long for us.

Could you imagine a team with Welker and Amendola drawing your coverage shallow and Gronk bursting the seam in the middle of the field with an Outside guy being honoured for once. the mismatches would be crazy. But it hinges on that outside guy.

I totally agree we need a deep threat. All I'm saying is that I think Amendola is being looked at as a replacement for Branch. Theres no way imo that its got anything to do with Welker.

eagle eye · 15-03-2012 11:31pm

Steven Gregory the latest signing. Didn't stand out to me when he was a Charger but hopefully he works out great for us.

Justin10 · 16-03-2012 12:05am

He dosnt stand out but he is solid enough player.

eagle eye · 16-03-2012 12:15am

Great news now, Dan Connolly has signed up for a new contract. I don't know the details but I'm delighted with this. He did very well at center last season and its great to have him back.

TimThomas · 17-03-2012 2:56pm

Lloyd close to signing with Pats.

JaMarcus Hustle · 17-03-2012 3:24pm

TimThomas wrote: »

Lloyd close to signing with Pats.

Laron Landry is visiting this weekend too and the same article says we're confident of landing him aswell. Would be a nice addition, a bit injury prone but hopefully he can put it behind him. Looks like he's spent a lot of time in the weights room this offseason!

Stev_o · 17-03-2012 3:31pm

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

Laron Landry is visiting this weekend too and the same article says we're confident of landing him aswell. Would be a nice addition, a bit injury prone but hopefully he can put it behind him. Looks like he's spent a lot of time in the weights room this offseason!

What a disaster of an athlete. Why in gods name you'd want your biceps to be that large playing in such a vital position such as safety is beyond me.

TimThomas · 17-03-2012 3:40pm

Stev_o wrote: »

What a disaster of an athlete. Why in gods name you'd want your biceps to be that large playing in such a vital position such as safety is beyond me.

He is a strong safety. If he was a free safety I could see your point as you would want him being more of a ball hawk but strong safeties need to be a mix of both strong and agile.

TimThomas · 17-03-2012 6:29pm

ProFootballTalk ‏ @ProFootballTalk Patriots want Brandon Lloyd to lower his asking price

The fact Lloyd is struggling to find someone to pay him and he has already said he would join us you think he would just sign work his ass off and put himself in a position to actually demand more later on.

TimThomas · 17-03-2012 8:05pm

Seems Condon and the Pats are hitting logger heads again. Wonder if the Pats are trying to make Condon quit again

Lloyd contract struggle dusts off Condon vs. Pats feud

TimThomas · 17-03-2012 10:41pm

Id say Lloyd is a no go now:

New England Patriots announced the signing of unrestricted free agent wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez today.

TimThomas · 17-03-2012 11:43pm

Adam Schefter ‏ @AdamSchefter Patriots reached a one-year agreement with former Raiders pass rusher Trevor Scott.

Interesting

eagle eye · 18-03-2012 1:05am

TimThomas wrote: »

He is a strong safety. If he was a free safety I could see your point as you would want him being more of a ball hawk but strong safeties need to be a mix of both strong and agile.

Still wouldn't want them that big, hell I don't think you'd want a linebacker that big.

eagle eye · 18-03-2012 1:07am

TimThomas wrote: »

Id say Lloyd is a no go now:

Gonzalez has never been a stretch the field type I don't think. To me anyways Gonzalez seems like a low risk, high reward type of signing and I'd imagine on the vet minimum. TC fodder is how I'd look at that signing.

DBIreland · 18-03-2012 1:24am

Patriots sign Lloyd according to Adam Schefter...

DBIreland · 18-03-2012 1:26am

Patriots sign Lloyd according to Adam Schefter on Twitter...
https://twitter.com/#!/AdamSchefter/status/181173336699711488

New England Patriots thread (MOD WARNING - #4503)

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