It is a surprise we couldn't get him back at that money, but think I read someplace today (boston Globe or herald maybe) that it wasn't just the money, that he didn't want to come back, no reason given for that.
On the plus side, Riley Reiff signed, presumably to be a bridge tackle. His numbers last year weren't terrible, so we might get a good year out of him. Hard not to think that something big must be coming, don't see that there's any big contracts coming for any of our remaining free agents, and very much doubt Bill would waste the cap space.
I don't see us drafting a receiver with our 1st, we have an appalling record at identifying and developing receivers in house for as long as I can remember (malcolm mitchell and edelman are the exceptions rather than the rule). That could change, we used to be crap at drafting corners, but started to turn it around about the time of darius butler (I know he didn't too much for us, but he played in the league for a long time). Therefore, I'm guessing we're taking a run at a receiver via trade or free agency, scuttlebutt is we've talked to Denver about both Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, I'd prefer to take a shot at Hopkins but not sure that's possible given his past relationship with O'Brien.
I wouldn't mind us taking a crack at Darius Slay for a #1 CB, he's best at playing man coverage which Bill likes to play. I'm delighted Jones is back, but I think he's more of an excellent number 2 than a number 1. (Added side benefit is that Rodgers has struggled throwing against Slay in the past)
My guess is they might move up a little to get the third best OT, or alternatively trade for a receiver and take the next best OT with a view to developing behind/alongside Reiff who is regarded as a good technician.
Then again, this is Bill, so it might be none of the above.
Yeah I couldn't believe he signed anywhere for that money. He was rightly labelled the best wide receiver in free agency.
A franchise tagged wide receiver would be getting almost $20 million. I thought he'd be getting a minimum of $15 million per year.
I'm very disappointed we couldn't keep him in New England at that money.
Well I suppose Meyers has already thrown them a game winning touchdown
Jakobi ends up in Vegas with McDaniels. Not mad money by any means - $33M over 3 years, $21M of that guaranteed according to the early reporting. Diasppointing that we weren't able to keep him around if the price was that reasonable. We paid Agholor $22M over the last 2 years.
More cap space with the Jonnu trade. Delighted to see Jones back.
Jonnu Smith traded to the Falcons. Jonathan Jones extended for 2 years
I don't get what he was at. I wasn't even talking about a guy who's a potential great, just a potential backup who might work out and I was just rambling after talking about Bledsoe and then remembering him in college. I'm.notbsurevhell even be drafted.
I'd never post about someone I never seen play.
Step away from the keyboard for a while for christs sake.
This thread is even more curious than the cole strange pick last year right now.
(BTW I like the pick in hindsight but it was a little high considering we could have got him in the second).
I don't get what you guys are insinuating about EE but I don't see the point either. Who cares if he watched a game or not. I don't really follow college ball at all so any opinions I have on potential draft picks are usually based on a mix of rehashed Bengal opinions and clips on youtube. Does that make me any less of a football fan?
There's nothing obvious besides the fact that I mistook who they were playing. The fact that in that post I said I watch FCS points to it being likely I watched that game.
Cop on to yourself and get a life. You clearly have a very sad existence trying to accuse and insult others online hiding behind your phone/laptop.
Crikey this is some weird ****
It's something I've suspected about you for quite some time every draft season, and it's nice that you slipped enough this time for it to be obvious for all to see.
Well first of all I have every game that's on unless it's not televised. I have every game, every TV channel even every local channel in the US.
Secondly I said I watch FCS too so it must have been South Dakota State game I seen him in.
Your accusation or suggestion is ridiculous. I didn't even have his full name just his surname, not Benny or III. I never knew his father played in the NFL either. When you are watching a player and he's highlighted by the commentator you try and get his number and watch him more closely and I did. And the second time I seen him play I had forgotten about him until he did something and I heard his name.
I haven't really thought about him since but when I came on here and seen that McCourty retired I started rambling and talking about Bledsoe and I was remembering him in college and then I remembered Sapp last year.
I don't really know how good Sapp will be, no idea about his speed or vertical jump or anything but he's a football player in my opinion, a guy with a very high football iq. I like players like that. It's not like I said he'd be a starter just that I think he'd definitely be worth a spot on the bench as a special teamer and hopefully develop into a backup role at safety.
I never even thought of him until I was posting about Bledsoe and only for this ridiculous post of yours I'd probably forget all about him again.
He definitely wouldn't be a binkie because I only pick players that I believe will contend for a starting role. I'm not going to bother sharing my binkies this year though. I started a draft thread and nobody has posted in it so I've given up on it.
You mustn't have much to do when you went trawling through my posts to find I posted about watching San Diego state while Air Force were playing northern Iowa.
And I was talking about watching San Diego State which you now know is true but you want to believe that the rest of my post is untrue.
I'm surprised you knew what channel Air Force Vs Northern Iowa was on. How do you know that?
You may have to zoom in but below you'll see that I have Altitude Sports. It's not on right now though.
Interesting.
So the player you're talking about is Benny Sapp III. He plays for Northern Iowa, and his dad used to be in the NFL.
But you saw Benny Sapp III play because you watch San Diego State a lot, and they happened to be playing Northern Iowa. You specifically remember the commentators talking about him, and you noticed him flying around the field.
The problem is, San Diego State and Northern Iowa have never played each other. Not just last year, but ever.
Northern Iowa did play South Dakota State and Sacramento State last year, which maybe you're confusing for San Diego State.
But you specifically watch San Diego State, so you can't be just confusing them for another team, right?
I hope this isn't a case of you reading about a player someone else likes, looking at his team's schedule, and picking some games at random to pass off as games that you watched yourself - just so you can have a "binky" from the FCS, but it sure does seem that way.
And that's before I question how you watched Northern Iowa play Air Force in Week 1 considering that in the middle of the third quarter, you were posting on Boards about how you were currently watching San Diego State play Arizona into the second quarter. Unless you specifically had a stream for Altitude Sports - the only channel showing the Northern Iowa game on - in the background?
I watched one of their games a few years back and they had a running back called Donald Pumphrey and he was awesome he had over 200 yards so I tuned in the next week and he did it again. I watch him every week for the rest of the season and he broke 200 a couple of more times and was regularly over 150. I was sure he'd be a star in the NFL but it didn't work out.
I got to like the head coach, his name was Rocky. He became the second winningest head coach in their history.
Anyway they had a backup running back who had a couple of decent games including a 200 yard game when Pumphrey got injured early in one game. So Pumphrey went to the NFL and I came back to watch this backup take over the next season. His name was Rashaad Penny who I'm sure you know. So I kind of followed them a bit then and wanted them to win the Mountain West.
It's fun to watch some lesser conferences. I watch FCS football as well.
I've continued to watch San Diego state since. Rocky decided it was time for him to retire from head coaching a few years ago and left and they brought back Brady Hoake who left them previously to take over as head coach at Michigan.
I'm a fighting Irish fan but I like the Aztecs a lot too.
Why do you watch San Diego State so much?
Maybe, maybe not. I like Bledsoe, I think he'll get his chance now. We'll probably bring somebody in from.tje middle rounds of the draft.
I seen a guy playing twice last year for Northern Iowa who I never watch but I ended up watching them against Air Force early in the season and then against San Diego State who I watch a lot. Anyway they kept raving about the free safety and with good reason, he was everywhere the ball was thrown in both games. He didn't always make plays and some of the cornerbacks were pretty poor but he was always around the ball. I've no idea if he's ranked but he's a football player and in both games the commentators said he'll do well at the next level so they expect to see him in the NFL. His surname was Sapp I think. He's definitely not in the top 10 ranked safeties in the draft. I'd love if we picked him up, I just think he'll be at least a good bench option.
McCourty announces his retirement. Another need for the offseason.
Just looking at our needs for next season. Obviously left and right tackle have to be looked at. I think the interior of the line is decent enough.
After that cornerback is another area that needs some help. Free safety all depends on Devin McCourty's decision about retirement. I like Bledsoe but we need something else with potential. Wide receiver has to be looked at as well and even moreso if we can't resign Jakobi Meyers.
We can look at other positions like defensive end, tight end and linebacker but they are where we have to gamble to improve because I think high draft picks and decent money in FA have to be spent on the positions mentioned above.
Lets look at FA. Orlando Brown is the star of FA and I'm not sure if the Chiefs can afford to tag him with the money they are already paying Mahomes, Jones, Clark and Thuney which totals somewhere around $130 million. I'd spend the money on him but I can't see Bill doing it if he is available. Kaleb McGarry and George Fant are interesting options for right tackle.
Jemal Dean is a Patriots type corner in my opinion, he attacks the ball and he has deflected a lot of ball when I've seen him play. He'll cost money but we've done it before on corners so it's a possibility I think. The Bucs can't afford to keep him so he'll definitely be moving.
At wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is the big one and Meyers isn't far behind given his productivity and age. I'd love if we got a way to keep Jakobi, I think if we fix the tackle spots he could be gold if he's not considered that already. Hopkins will cost money and I think he'll want a three year minimum contract because its likely his last one, he'll be 31 entering the season.
At FS Jessie Bates is the top guy but I'm happy to use a mid round draft pick on somebody and give Bledsoe his chance. I can't see Bill spending big money on this position. We could bring in a cheaper option in FA to act as cover for Bledsoe.
The draft has some good prospects.
I think it's highly unlikely that Peter Skoronski out of Northwestern falls to us at 14. I remember telling a friend to watch out for him in the game played in Ireland last year. He came back to me saying how awesome he was.
Next up in my opinion is Paris Johnson who is so good he made life easy for CJ Stroud last season. I don't think theres much if anything between Skoronski and Johnson. I'd be very happy to take him with our first pick.
The other position that could be addressed in the first round is wide receiver. I think Smith-Njigba out of Ohio State will be the first one off the board and if so then Quentin Johnson from TCU is likely going to be available at 14. I really rate Johnson, he's big, fast and very smart. He's a great route runner and looks at his QB for signals if theres an issue. It's possible he'll be the first one off the board but here's hoping he is still there if we can't get a tackle in that spot.
Now I'm hoping we get Paris Johnson in the first and then his teammate Dawand Jones in the second. Some people are ranking Jones as a third rounder but I don't think he'll make it pass the second. He looked brilliant as well and if we got those two I think we'd be in a very good situation as regards our offensive line with Trent Jones as backup if we keep him. Our situation with Trent Jones is that it'll cost us just over $4 million to cut him but we'll save $8 million. He's going to earn over $12 million this year which sickens me. There are a couple of free agent tackles out there who you'd get for less than $8 million who'd be excellent backups and capable of starting at right tackle if one of your draft picks wasn't up to it.
I'm gonna start a draft thread and I'll put up my binkies for later rounds in that.
Klemm in as Oline coach.
Not sure how good he actually is as a coach, but I'm glad to see some dedicated coaches being brought in for our areas of need rather than moving around existing coaches to work in areas they aren't familiar with.
The last time BoB was OC we scored 30 points or more in 12 of the 16 regular season games.
In the draft that year we got Nate Solder, Vereen, Ridley and Marcus Cannon. I don't know if BoB had much input into those picks but I hope he did.
We brought in Ochocinco and that didn't work out well.
The one thing I remember is Vollmer improving massively. We had Scar then too so I'm not putting that down to O'Brien.
At least he's an offensive mind and not defense. Appointment well in time for the next season. I dont really follow college football so I cant speak much for his recent body of work but as an OC rather than HC in the NFL that would appear to maximise his strengths.
First year in a while as an NE (and recently also TB12) fan that I'm not really bothered to stay up to watch the superbowl. I'll watch the replay next day.
Hopefully next year we can improve and be back in with a shout. To be as close to the playoffs as we were this year with such a garbage offense is an achievement and hopefully with a better offense next year we'll do better. I'd say a few pieces in offense especially in the passing game could elevate us to the next level. Don't think Jones is a generational QB - but we don't need him to be. Just enough to manage the game, dominate the run game and not throw silly picks. Tom never played hero ball in NE really either. It doesnt work. My favorite QB of all time, Brett Favre, was a heroball player and he only got one ring. He should have had more (even in the NFC title game as a viking when he threw the pick).. but the best way to success is a game manager not waiting for the next Mahomes, Brady etc.
I'm a lot more optimistic for the next season than I was this time last year. We need to get back to the NE of old, where the system was so good that even Matt Cassel went 10-6 as a starter.
I'm with you, great to have BOB back. Things should improve a lot in offense next season. Nice and early hire too, gives him time to plan and be all set long before voluntary and OTA's.
I'm quite happy to have BoB back.
All things considered, he's always been a good coach - he did well with us in the past, has worked with Mac before and had a solid record in Texas. He's just a god-awful GM and needs to be kept away from all personnel decisions.
I actually think he'll do a better job with Mac than McDaniels, as he's more likely to play to Macs strengths than Josh did.
Aside from getting a real OC in, I think the next highest priority by far is OL coach - we can add a player or two via draft and FA, but the guys we already have need to play a lot better than they did this year.
Well Josh isn't getting fired and tbh I think he'll do well there.
We gotta move on and just get somebody good in. I really hope we take a tackle with our first pick, there's a few really good looking prospects in this draft.
I doubt Paris Johnson from Ohio State will fall to us but I'd move up to get him. He allowed no sacks on Stroud.
Skoronski from Northwestern is another massive talent.
The Georgia guy whose name escapes me is another really good looking prospect.
If we got one of the top two I think we'd be all set.
Yeah I mean we need an OC . We've had a DC playing OC this year and it didnt work. I wouldnt mind Bill O'Brien, can't be any worse.
My preference of course would be if McDaniels gets fired from LV that we bring him back!
I'm very surprised to see the media reporting that we are searching for an offensive co-ordinator. These things are usually kept in-house.
I'd fancy it'll be Bill O'Brien if he wants the job. His contract is up with Alabama so he can go wherever he wants. I doubt he's being considered for an NFL head coaching gig but could get a college head coaching gig. I think it's four of the last six Alabama OC's who have got head coaching gigs in the immediate aftermath of their time in Tuscaloosa. Dabol went straight to Buffalo and Nussmeier took the same job in Michigan.
I see a long term deal is been worked out with Jerod Mayo and interviews for OC beginning next week.
That no call on the holding above is crazy. I mean, holding happens on every play but that is pretty blatant.
I always think a proven NFL talent is a better option than any draft pick. Plenty of supposed "Sure thing" "Nfl Ready" etc prospects taken in the top 5 were busts too. However I'm not all in on mac jones, he doesnt have the temperment to be an NE leader. He doesnt have the consistency either. He can fit a spiral into a small window one play and completely miss a wide open read the next and throw a bad INT the next. You never know what he's going to do. If he had Brett Favre's talent I'd take the TDs with the INTs but Jones is no Favre. We don't need a generational QB, we need a good game manager. Our D is awesome, our running game can be great, I'd actually prefer some OL improvement, an actual OC to be hired and call better plays, and play Zappe, to drafting a potential generational QB without fixing any of the above.
It's going to take a lot to get that pick. It'll be one of the most expensive picks ever.
I have a friend whose a Texans fan, they have their pick and the Browns pick this year. I was telling him you should trade the no.1 away, they no longer have it, to a bad team looking to grab a QB for their first round this year and next. Then trade away their pick this year for a second this year and their first next year and have three first rounders next year. If they were lucky one of those picks could be the first one but they'd be in a very strong position to move up and get Williams.
So a couple of weeks ago my friend calls me to tell me he was listening to Sean Payton saying exactly what I was saying.
Now it's become clear that Payton wants to coach again. I wonder what's the odds he goes to the Texans?
On Williams, my comparison is Mahomes. He's going to challenge him for the best in the NFL. Caleb Williams is the most certain QB to make it in the NFL at a high level since Andrew Luck.
This year he threw for 4537 yards in 14 games with 42 touchdowns, that equates to 5500 yards and 51 TDs over 17 games. On top of that he rushed for 380 yards and 10 TDs.
Imagine having 6000 yards and being involved as a passer and rusher for 63 TDs in one season?
