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Post by patriotsk1d on Jan 26, 2014 0:39:50 GMT -5
Since the 2013 season is over for us it is time for the offseason thread.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Jan 26, 2014 0:41:29 GMT -5
To start things off, Nick Caserio has been offered the GM position in Miami and he turned it down.
Doesnt surprise me one bit, Caserio will have plenty of chances to become a GM, maybe even in New England at some point. Depending on how long he and McDaniels stick around, I could see a scenario where they end up replacing Belichick. I think the two of them would be a very successful GM/HC combo.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Jan 26, 2014 1:02:07 GMT -5
Here are some key dates during the offseason.
Feb. 17: The window to designate a franchise tag player is open.
Feb. 19-25: The NFL combine will be held in Indianapolis.
March 8-11: NFL teams are allowed to contact player agents of pending unrestricted free agents and enter into contract negotiations. This "legal tampering" period was implemented last offseason. While no deals can be formally signed, they can be informally agreed to.
March 11: The 2014 NFL league year begins, as does free agency.
March 23-26: NFL owners meetings, to be held in Orlando, Fla.
April 7: For those teams that hired a new head coach this offseason, they are permitted to begin their offseason workout programs.
April 21: For those who teams that did not hire a new coach, they are permitted to begin their offseason workout programs.
May 2: The final day for restricted free agents to sign an offer sheet. Long snapper Danny Aiken is the lone Patriots' restricted free agent.
May 8-10: 2014 NFL draft. This marks a shift from previous years, as it is being held a few weeks later than its normal time.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Jan 28, 2014 17:09:33 GMT -5
ESPN claimed earlier today that the Patriots had interest in trading for Larry Fitzgerald last offseason. Doesnt exactly surprise me if its true. The thing that likely held it back was his massive contract. One name to watch for in trade negotiations this year is Andre Johnson. The Bill Obrien hire could change his mind, but it seemed pretty clear to me that he wanted out mid season. While I do not think there is any chance of a receiver being drafted in the top 5 rounds, I do see a veteran receiver being signed.
How much cap room we have to work with depends on a few things. First off there is a 7.5 million dollar cap hit from Aaron Hernandez's contract. It is very likely that we will not have to pay this bonus, thus clearing an additional 7.5 million in cap room.
I believe there is another 2.3 million dollar bonus that is owed to Johnathan Fanene. I do not believe we will have to pay this because he did not disclose his injury when he was signed 2 years ago. There is very little information about this, so this will be a wait and see situation.
I think Vince Wilfork and Logan Mankins are players who are very likely to restructure their contracts. Mankins cap hit is over 10 million and Wilfork is over 11 million. We would save 8 million in cap by just flat out cutting Wilfork, which could be a possibility if he does not restructure his contract. While I think Wilfork is more than worth his money, I do not think any guard in the history of the league is worth 10 million a year.
DT Isaac Sopoaga is almost guaranteed to be released. This was the plan when he was brought in at the trade deadline. There was never a chance he would be paid 3.5 million next season, and we will free up 2.5 million in cap room by releasing him.
So as of now it is very unclear what position we will be in come free agency. We could have close to 30 million in cap room, or around 5 million. Will be interesting to see how everything is handled over the next month of two.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Jan 29, 2014 16:19:58 GMT -5
Brendan Daly hired as the DL coach.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Jan 30, 2014 18:08:16 GMT -5
Probably the most impressive Patriots stat this season is Shane Vereen catching 47 passes and having 44 rushing attempts in just 7 games.
I am not sure how the offense will look on paper next season, but I do not think it is unrealistic for Vereen to catch over 100 passes next season.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Jan 30, 2014 18:11:34 GMT -5
While who was carrying the ball varied game to game, I would say that RB was by far our best position(other than QB), this season. The RB position will still be pretty much the same next year. Blount could leave, as I do not see him getting a generous contract here, but I dont see that happening anywhere else either.
I think the plan will be to get better on the interior oline, and continue to play balanced power football.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Jan 31, 2014 1:08:56 GMT -5
A couple of late night thoughts on free agents Aqib Talib and Julian Edelman:
While both players had great seasons(with Talib out playing every corner in the league until his hip injury, and still playing great football after his hip injury, and Edelman out playing every slot receiver in the league) I cant see either player drawing huge contracts, simply because of the way the market looks.
First off you have to figure out how many teams need a corner. It is fair to say that no teams have enough corners, and anyone with the cap space would love to get a shot at one of the top corners in the game. Then you have to figure out how many teams have a big enough need at corner and the cap space. From what I have heard, there wont be many teams in that situation. The Redskins come to mind as a team that could be interested in Talib's services. They are expected to have about 7 million in cap room this season, and were highly interested in Talib offseason, but they did not have cap space to get him. I still see Talib returning to New England, as Bill Belichick does not undervalue players of Talib's caliber, and I simply can not see a team paying him huge dollars considering his previous character concerns, and the lack of a market.
The market for a slot receiver was bad last year, and there were more teams in need. Wes Welker had offers from the Patriots, Titans, and Broncos last offseason. None of the offers he received were worth very much money, which surprise some people. I expect the market to be even lower this year, although I do expect a little more interest in a 27 year old receiver over a 32 year old receiver. Still I think Edelman signs for around Amendola money, maybe a little more or a little less. Some people have brought up Edelman to Houston as a possibility. I do not think this is likely for a couple of reasons. First off people are making the connection because Bill Obrien was his former OC. What they are failing to mention is that Edelman never got on the field while Obrien was here, yet McDaniels has always played him. It doesnt completely rule it out, but I think Houston will spend its money elsewhere this offseason. I see Edelman as a player who will return to the Pats, probably with a contract like Amendola's which is mostly incentive based.
Both of these players futures will have a lot too do with possible restructures from Wilfork and Mankins, and from the 7.5 million dollar bonus owed to Aaron Hernandez.
I expect the Hernandez money will be awarded to the Patriots, based on what the NFL's conduct policy says at least. I also see Wilfork as a guy who will almost deffently restructure, or take less on a deal that extends his contract and pushes back some of his current money. I see a simular thing happening with Mankins. I fully expect Issaac Sopoaga too be released, which will save up 2.5 million in cap room. Anyways numbers should be between 9 million and 30 million depending on how things work out.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Feb 1, 2014 0:28:35 GMT -5
Bills have hired Pepper Johnson as their dline coach.
Solid hire, one of the better defensive assistants in the league. Should have a shot at the DC position, assuming Schwartz gets another chance as a HC at some point. I believe the main reason Johnson chose to leave the Patriots was because he was kinda stuck at his position. He is well deserving of a DC job at some point.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Feb 1, 2014 0:31:55 GMT -5
S Adrian Wilson sounded unsure about his future when asked about it today. His cap hit will be 1.8 million this year, and 1.2 million can be freed up if he is released. Wilson did not look great in preseason, and it appeared to me that he has lost a step. He did have Achilles surgery, so their was a legitimate reason for him being placed on IR.
I do think if Wilson isnt brought back, a safety with simular skills will be brought in if possible. Gregory and Harmon are solid safety's, but I think their future is more of a rotational role instead of a starting role. A big physical safety playing aside Mccourty would really put this defense over the top.
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