New England Patriots thread (MOD WARNING - #4503)

JaMarcus Hustle · 18-03-2012 1:28am

Happy as a pig in shít

TimThomas · 18-03-2012 1:37am

Gonzalez Lloyd and Amendola fooking niiiiiiiiiiice.

Now we can draft our real needs fix our Defense and bobs your uncle.

JaMarcus Hustle · 18-03-2012 1:50am

TimThomas wrote: »

Gonzalez Lloyd and Amendola fooking niiiiiiiiiiice.

Now we can draft our real needs fix our Defense and bobs your uncle.

JaMarcus Hustle · 18-03-2012 4:01am

3 year deal, $12 million.

That right there is the bargain of the offseason. When you look at the ridiculous contracts that Garcon, Meachem, Robinson etc. got, and factor in that we even got him cheaper than Eddie Royal. Just brilliant work, and from what I believe, Lloyd was a pleasure to deal with throughout the whole negotiations. What a deal, I'm stoked. So so so excited to see our offence next year, and I still have a feeling we'll take a WR in the draft mid-rounds to develop. A Juron Criner/Marvin Jones type prospect. But damn, Lloyd at that price is the steal of the year. What a highlight package.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VcqJJ4HcSQ

Paully D · 18-03-2012 4:14am

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!

Jesus Christ, how does he even move? :eek:

Syferus · 18-03-2012 5:36am

How's the Patriots cap space doing? Seems a bit of a luxury to take Amendola particularly. They must have alot of faith in Ridley and the rest of the back-up RBs or else they'd be spending that money finding a committee member there. And that's not even touching that defence. We'll see by draft day, I guess.

I heard an interview with Lloyd on Football Today a few days ago, he comes across as a very intelligent and mature guy. I guess he's really bought into McDaniels and the idea he can win a ring in New England. Certainly fantastic value.

Son Of A Vidic · 18-03-2012 6:40am

eagle eye wrote: »

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

Not a stand out player, but very solid and dependable and exactly what's needed. Anthony Gonzalez was a surprise, two injury blighted seasons but this guy was once a starter at the Colts with Reggie Wayne in 2009. Then the knee crap started. The talent is there but can he leave the injuries behind him?

Brandon Lloyd undoubtedly has the skill set that the Patriots have missed, but 6 teams in 10 years is worrying. The one really positive sign though, is he really wanted to come to the Patriots. He knows the Josh McDaniels offence and should fit it nicely. The deep threat is now pretty much sorted and this could be really big.

DBIreland · 18-03-2012 8:43pm

TimThomas wrote: »

Gonzalez Lloyd and Amendola fooking niiiiiiiiiiice.

Now we can draft our real needs fix our Defense and bobs your uncle.

Have the Patriots signed Amendola, I can't find any confirmation online.

Son Of A Vidic · 18-03-2012 10:28pm

DBIreland wrote: »

Have the Patriots signed Amendola, I can't find any confirmation online.

Likewise, I haven't seen anything to suggest he has been signed. I think this was a rumour originating from Twitter.

cassel16 · 18-03-2012 10:35pm

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Likewise, I haven't seen anything to suggest he has been signed. I think this was a rumour originating from Twitter.

No, but he was visiting them last week according to a few sources online.

TimThomas · 18-03-2012 11:09pm

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Likewise, I haven't seen anything to suggest he has been signed. I think this was a rumour originating from Twitter.

Seems like it was all bullsh1t surprised about this really because even the die hards in Schefter and others reported it during the week that it looked good. Meh anyways would have been nice to have him but Lloyd and Gonzalez mixed with the usual suspects is still a awesome offense in the making.

Son Of A Vidic · 19-03-2012 4:45am

cassel16 wrote: »

No, but he was visiting them last week according to a few sources online.

Radio host Scott Zolak of 98.5 The Sports Hub show, tweeted last Thursday morning that Amendola was spotted at a Boston bar called The Place. But Amendola has family in Boston and his father also lives in the Massachusetts area. His Aunt also died recently, but the rumour mill never reports stuff like that. The only interest the Patriots would have in him, is as a new slot receiver. He is 5 years younger than Welker but he's not in the same class imo.

JaMarcus Hustle · 19-03-2012 3:00pm

Daniel Fells has signed. Really like our offseason so far, have plugged a lot of gaps in the roster and setting ourselves up nicely for the draft.

Son Of A Vidic · 19-03-2012 3:09pm

The TE position just got stronger - Patriots have just signed Broncos starting TE Daniel Fells about an hour ago. He's a good all rounder at TE, who has a much stronger blocking game than Hernandez. Since Hernandez is an amazing catcher though, I wonder will they experiment by allowing him to concentrate on receiving duties only?

TimThomas · 19-03-2012 5:04pm

Now it looks certain Manning is going to Denver all the mad rumours are flying in about us trading for Tebow

JaMarcus Hustle · 19-03-2012 5:10pm

TimThomas wrote: »

Now it looks certain Manning is going to Denver all the mad rumours are flying in about us trading for Tebow

There's something absolutely hilarious about the fact that by the time this is all said and done, Peyton Manning won't even be the most talked about Broncos QB this offseason

Son Of A Vidic · 19-03-2012 6:49pm

TimThomas wrote: »

Now it looks certain Manning is going to Denver all the mad rumours are flying in about us trading for Tebow

Mad rumours alright, perhaps the Pats are going to teach him how to pass because it needs working on? But there would be no better mentor than Brady I suppose. But since it is the silly season, at the moment I'm more interested in seeing how Ryan Mallett progresses during preseason than the likes of Tebow.

TimThomas · 19-03-2012 7:59pm

Donte Stallworth is back

JaMarcus Hustle · 19-03-2012 8:10pm

Robert Gallery signs too.

eagle eye · 20-03-2012 12:50am

The offensive line looks pretty awesome now. In other news while FA has taken over the headlines the Patriots have also been very busy doing their draft work. Here is a list of all thats went on so far. Mulitple contacts in red. The one that stands out to me is Courtney Upshaw whose draft stock has been falling because of tendinitis in the knee but you still wouldn't expect him to be around when the Patriots make their first pick at 27 so its interesting that they've interviewed him and didn't bring him for a private workout(yet). Joe Adams WR is projected to be a late round pick in the draft, he won the SEC STs player of the year. I remember one sick punt return from him where he was tackled by half the other team but still managed to stay up and score. He played with Ryan Mallet so they would know what he is like in the locker room. He projects to be a slot receiver in the NFL and has burner speed even though he didn't run a great 40 in the Combine or at his pro day. He did have a great Senior Bowl. They've also had one of my binkies(Brandon Taylor) for a private workout.

I – Combine Interview
PW – Private Workout
PD – Pro Day Contact
OV – Official Visit
AS – All-Star Game Contact
Defensive Line
Michael Brockers, LSU (OV)
Anthony Jacobs, Minnesota (PD)
Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati (PW, PD)

Linebackers
Ryan Davis, Bethune Cookman (AS)
Darius Fleming, Notre Dame (I)
Melvin Ingram, South Carolina (I)
Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma (PD, OV)
Courtney Upshaw, Alabama (PD, AS, I)
Whitney Mercilus, Illinois (PD)

Defensive Backs
Ron Brooks, LSU (PW)
Omar Bolden, Arizona State (OV)
Brandon Taylor, LSU (PW)
Harrison Smith, Notre Dame (I)
Ryan Steed, Furman (AS)
Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt (AS)
Jeremy Jones, Wayne State (PW)

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati (PW, PD)

Tight Ends
Adrien Robinson, Cincinnati (PW, PD)
Emil Igwenagu, UMass (AS, PD)
Eric Lair, Minnesota (PD)

Wide Receivers
Joe Adams, Arkansas (AS, I, PD)
A.J. Jenkins, Illinois (AS, PD)

Offensive Line
Chris Anzevino, Kent State (PW)
Johnnie Troutman, Penn State (AS)

Pro-Days Attended:
Air Force
Alabama
Ball State
BSN Showcase (FCS, D2, D3, NAIA)
Cincinnati
Colorado
Georgia
Houston
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas State
Miami (OH)
Minnesota
Missouri
Northern Illinois
Oklahoma
Penn State
Rhode Island
Tulsa
UMass

Son Of A Vidic · 20-03-2012 11:52pm

TimThomas wrote: »

Donte Stallworth is back

The guy doesn't fumble and I'll be happy enough if he can repeat his 2007 season stats with the Patriots. Good to see another solid, deep threat weapon added.

JaMarcus Hustle · 21-03-2012 7:34pm

Bye Lawfirm

Hazys · 21-03-2012 7:46pm

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

Bye Lawfirm

?

I dont see any news about him signing anywhere

JaMarcus Hustle · 21-03-2012 7:48pm

Hazys wrote: »

?

I dont see any news about him signing anywhere

He's discussing a contract with the Bengals from what I've read (I actually thought it was official, my bad).

Hazys · 21-03-2012 7:59pm

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

He's discussing a contract with the Bengals from what I've read (I actually thought it was official, my bad).

Id be disappointed to see him go but there is enough options out there at the RB position. He must be considered the best RB in FA as he seems to be the only one who is visiting teams...worst comes to worst we could throw our hat in the ring for Michael Bush.

In other news, Mark Anderson signed with the Bills for $8m a year, noway he was going to get that from the Pats...thats 8x more than we paid him last year and 8x more than we paid for Trevor Scott this year.

SK1979 · 21-03-2012 11:08pm

Will Carter re-sign do you's think? Does that not leave the Pats very short of pass rushers? Is there any chance of them getting any decent ones through the draft?

Amirani · 22-03-2012 2:00am

SK1979 wrote: »

Will Carter re-sign do you's think? Does that not leave the Pats very short of pass rushers? Is there any chance of them getting any decent ones through the draft?

Bill's not normally a big fan of doing it that way. I'd say we'll primarily go after O-Line and Secondary prospects.

eagle eye · 22-03-2012 2:07am

SK1979 wrote: »

Will Carter re-sign do you's think? Does that not leave the Pats very short of pass rushers? Is there any chance of them getting any decent ones through the draft?

Well if you look back a few posts you will see the list of contacts made so far and its clear that Courtney Upshaw is on the radar. He would really fit the Patriots and Belichick who likes Tweeners who can play both DE and OLB.

eagle eye · 22-03-2012 11:19am

Wow our legendary QB helps us out again by restructuring his contract. They are really going for it this year I think. $7.2 million more in cap space thanks to no.12.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has restructured his contract.
Brady, who signed a four-year, $72 million extension in September 2010, was initially scheduled to make $5.75 million in base salary with a $6 million roster bonus and $250,000 workout bonus this season. Under the new agreement (first reported by Brian McIntyre of Mac’s Football Blog), Brady’s base salary was reduced to a fully guaranteed $950,000, with the remaining difference ($4.8 million) combined with the roster bonus and converted into a $10.8 million signing bonus that will be prorated over the three remaining years on Brady’s contract.
By restructuring Brady’s deal, the Patriots freed up $7.2 million in cap space.
This is not the first time Brady has restructured his deal. In the spring of 2007, he reworked his deal to allow for more cap flexibility when it came to adding wide receiver Randy Moss. On that occasion, Brady initially had a base salary of $6 million, but the quarterback and the Patriots did some shuffling, and redid the deal so Brady received a signing bonus of $5.28 million and had his base salary reduced to $720,000.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2012/03/21/patriots-quarterback-tom-brady-restructures-contract/

Hazys · 22-03-2012 2:15pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Wow our legendary QB helps us out again by restructuring his contract. They are really going for it this year I think. $7.2 million more in cap space thanks to no.12.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2012/03/21/patriots-quarterback-tom-brady-restructures-contract/

Great news, i'll doubt we'll spend it tho.

My Roster Breakdown:

QB
Sorted for Starters and backups...not much better in the NFL

RB
Some good young RBs but i still think we need to get a veteran presence maybe only on a 1 year prove it deal to bridge the gap for the younger RBs to develop...still a lot of good options available

WR
Sorted a big weakness from last season, a lot of good verteran players with good pedigree fighting for spots in TC

TE
2 of the best receiving TEs in the league and now BB has his blocker TE which we had 2 stolen off us after TC last year...its was badly needed, especially in the SuperBowl

OL
If Waters and Light dont retire, i think we have the strongest Oline depth in the league. It would be nice if Koppen came back on the cheap as i dont think we have a 2nd C at the moment.

DL
Proabably need to add another player or two, possible through the draft which has good depth at the DL position. Andre Carter it would be amazing if he came back and played close to last year's level.

LBs
Inside LBs sorted. Outside LB still need at least one player, possibly through the draft.

CBs
Good depth now, hopefully competition will push them to a higher level. Good to have signed some veteran leadership that was badly needed.

S
When's james ihedigbo going to resign, we need him...words i thought i'd never type in my lifetime! Need to add Ihedigbo, i dunno if we draft one tho.

K/P
Sorted

Overall I'm delighted with this offseason so far, some great value pickups in FA.

Son Of A Vidic · 22-03-2012 4:09pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Wow our legendary QB helps us out again by restructuring his contract. They are really going for it this year I think. $7.2 million more in cap space thanks to no.12.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2012/03/21/patriots-quarterback-tom-brady-restructures-contract/

He's a class act in so many ways, fair play to him.

ReacherCreature · 22-03-2012 4:21pm

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

Bye Lawfirm

I'm actually furious at this move. The first consistently good, productive and dangerous RB since Dillion and he's gone. I know the money was desired but I would have thrown it at him. Since that disaster Lawrence Maroney is gone and the backfield had some ups and downs we get rid of a consistently good player. Just wish we held on to him.

SK1979 wrote: »

Will Carter re-sign do you's think? Does that not leave the Pats very short of pass rushers? Is there any chance of them getting any decent ones through the draft?

Carter was playing very well but went on IR with a knee injury so there's fears of him being healthy for next season. Also, he's in his 30s so age could be an obstacle.

Anderson gone too. Big fan but the money he was demanding was crazy. He came out of the wilderness and put up 10 sacks. Who knows if he can reproduce but that Bills D-line will facilitate success as well as the contract size.

Fair play to Tom. That's quite a help.

Syferus · 22-03-2012 5:51pm

Ah c'mon. Green-Elis was dangerous? To who? Linebackers with broken legs? He was a very safe pair of hands but he was one of the most unspectacular RBs I've ever seen, he got stuffed in plenty of games and rarely if broke one off.

Mr. Guappa · 22-03-2012 6:25pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Wow our legendary QB helps us out again by restructuring his contract. They are really going for it this year I think. $7.2 million more in cap space thanks to no.12.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2012/03/21/patriots-quarterback-tom-brady-restructures-contract/

It's not like he has given up any money. He is just getting a huge chunk of it now and it will count against the cap over the next three years, instead of all of it counting against this years cap. Hardly makes him Mother Teresa.

eagle eye · 22-03-2012 6:34pm

Mr. Guappa wrote: »

It's not like he has given up any money. He is just getting a huge chunk of it now and it will count against the cap over the next three years, instead of all of it counting against this years cap. Hardly makes him Mother Teresa.

And who called him Mother Teresa or said he was giving up money. The wow factor is that we have another $7 million in cap space. He didn't have to restructure either but did it to help the team out. Its the second time he has done it too.

Son Of A Vidic · 22-03-2012 7:29pm

Brady will be pleased that Deion Branch has signed a 1 year deal. If another receiver is drafted, training camp should be fiercely competitive when it starts up.

ReacherCreature · 22-03-2012 9:02pm

Syferus wrote: »

Ah c'mon. Green-Elis was dangerous? To who? Linebackers with broken legs? He was a very safe pair of hands but he was one of the most unspectacular RBs I've ever seen, he got stuffed in plenty of games and rarely if broke one off.

Precisely - he was the safe pair of hands. Not looking for LT, Shaun Alexander or LeSean McCoy or any other "big" running back. He turned up and did his job. He's years better than what we've had in previous years. That said there's still plenty of runners there but Green-Ellis was the safe one, didn't fumble and actually ran with the ball. Unlike Maroney who I still have nightmares in which he tippy-toes behind the line.

JaMarcus Hustle · 22-03-2012 11:31pm

Another former McDaniels player joins. Spencer Larsen. He's really getting a big say in personnel moves.

eagle eye · 23-03-2012 12:12am

Ah man, the lawfirm on twitter and I'm getting sad now.

Pats Nation: First, I would like to thank Mr. Kraft and his family for giving me an opportunity to live my dream.

Many thanks to Coach Belichick and all the other coaches who help develop me in my career in New England

How many ways can I thank my dedicated fans for your heart felt love and support -THANK YOU.Its been a blessing to be a Patriot. #MHK player

Son Of A Vidic · 23-03-2012 2:17pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Ah man, the lawfirm on twitter and I'm getting sad now.

Robert kraft gave him a special mention yesterday....

Ben-jarvis, I really have a deep affection for him. He did a great for job us for 4 years. Especially this past year, when he was really supportive of me personally and we became good friends. I'm always going to have a special attachment to him.

Not irreplaceable, but his fumble free hands will be certainly be missed. He was never going to get the package he was looking for and probably deserved. The Patriots are all about value, they were right to look for less and he was right to look for more. Regardless of whether he is replaced or not, Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley need more game time to develop and gladly they will now get it.

Hazys · 23-03-2012 2:36pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Ah man, the lawfirm on twitter and I'm getting sad now.

As fan you'll miss him. We followed his entire career from Undrafted FA nobody to practise squad player to the occasional carry guy to 1,000 yard season guy and we didnt once see him fumble.

Great attitude guy and lived the Patriot way. You get the sense from following him on twitter he truely appreciated the opportunity he was given. I could never fault him for trying to make the most money he can in such a short career but i loved to have seen him spend his entire career as a Pat.

Best of luck Lawfirm, kill it out in Cincy!!

BizzyC · 23-03-2012 3:10pm

He was a very reliable player, but I dont think he'll be missed all that much.
He was a straightahead runner, with very little threat to breakoff or gain extra yards.

I think the running game will be fine with Ridley and Vereen splitting carries and woodhead filling the 3rd down/receiving back role that faulk used to frequent.

Son Of A Vidic · 26-03-2012 1:47am

Chad Ochocinco has taken a pay cut to remain with he Patriots, but whether he makes it past training camp is another matter.

JaMarcus Hustle · 26-03-2012 6:35pm

Fair play to him, hopefully with a proper preseason behind him he'll show some improvement. I do think there is room for him on our roster if we don't draft a WR, but that's a big if.

Mr. Guappa · 26-03-2012 9:19pm

FB Tony Fiammetta has joined the Patriots. He played well last season for the Cowboys and will be a nice pick-up if he stays healthy.

Son Of A Vidic · 26-03-2012 11:56pm

Mr. Guappa wrote: »

FB Tony Fiammetta has joined the Patriots. He played well last season for the Cowboys and will be a nice pick-up if he stays healthy.

He did a good job as lead blocker for Lawrence Vickers last season, but that 3 week disappearing episode did raise eyebrows. Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen do have college experience running behind Fullbacks, so Fiammetta could help them develop further. Depending on how camp works out of course.

Syferus · 27-03-2012 1:42am

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

He did a good job as lead blocker for Lawrence Vickers last season, but that 3 week disappearing episode did raise eyebrows. Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen do have college experience running behind Fullbacks, so Fiammetta could help them develop further. Depending on how camp works out of course.

Ah, what? Fiammetta wasn't on the Cowboys at the same time as Vickers, he was only signed by them two weeks ago. And obviouslu a FB wouldn't be blocking for another FB, you must mean DeMarco Murray?

Fiametta was injured for those few weeks last season too so I can't see how that raises any questions, if anything it highlighted how important and effective as a blocker he was, Murray looked very ordinary without him.

Can not understand why the Cowboys didn't wrap up a FB as good as Fiametta and him being only 25 just makes it worse, their running game was exponentially better with him.

BizzyC · 27-03-2012 5:06pm

Happy with that pickup, Pats have needed a proper fullback since Evans left.

I doubt that WR will be much of a priority in the draft.
With Welker, Lloyd, Gonzalez, Stallworth, Ocho & Edelman plus Gronk and Hernadez, receiving corps should be the last thing they prioritise.

Son Of A Vidic · 28-03-2012 12:46pm

Syferus wrote: »

Ah, what? Fiammetta wasn't on the Cowboys at the same time as Vickers, he was only signed by them two weeks ago. And obviouslu a FB wouldn't be blocking for another FB, you must mean DeMarco Murray?

Fiametta was injured for those few weeks last season too so I can't see how that raises any questions, if anything it highlighted how important and effective as a blocker he was, Murray looked very ordinary without him.

Can not understand why the Cowboys didn't wrap up a FB as good as Fiametta and him being only 25 just makes it worse, their running game was exponentially better with him.

Sorry, I blame my inebriated state during my last post for that mix up. Don't know where Vickers came from when he just signed for them 2 weeks ago.Yes I meant DeMarco Murray, he was averaging 6.7 yards a carry with Fiammetta as lead blocker. It suddenly dropped to 2.9 yards a carry when Fiamentta was out. Which says it all really.

The questions surrounding Fiametta's injury absence, was largely caused by the elusiveness coming from the Dallas camp a the time. They gave conflicting reports about it and initially didn't seem to know what was wrong with him.

I think it later came out that he had a inner infection, which could have caused transient vertigo and balance issues at the time. The symptoms can be easily mistaken for concussion or a head injury and I suspect this is what may have cause confusion in their camp. The main thing is the guy is now 100% and a really good acquisition imo.

Son Of A Vidic · 28-03-2012 12:51pm

BizzyC wrote: »

Happy with that pickup, Pats have needed a proper fullback since Evans left.

I doubt that WR will be much of a priority in the draft.
With Welker, Lloyd, Gonzalez, Stallworth, Ocho & Edelman plus Gronk and Hernadez, receiving corps should be the last thing they prioritise.

I would still like to see a talented WR picked up during the Draft. Most of the receivers on our roster, are tipping toward the wrong end of the scale age wise. So I think we need a young guy for future proofing.

New England Patriots thread (MOD WARNING - #4503)

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