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Post by patriotsk1d on Mar 4, 2016 13:28:27 GMT -5
Martellus Bennett could be a name to watch for via trade, if he is willing to take some form of a reduced salary. Bennett is still one of the top TE's in the league and it shouldn't take more than a mid to late draft pick to get him. His cap hit is currently 6.3 million and I think it is possible the Bears will be forced to release him at some point. But if he is dealt New England could be an option and would be a good fit.
There are likely going to be some major changes to these scheme this year and my bet is that will include an upgrade at the number two TE.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Mar 4, 2016 16:55:27 GMT -5
Actually something I didn't think about earlier: If Miller's offer with Miami is only in the 5 million range, then the Pats should be in his market. They will pay 5-6 million per year for the right RB. Have paid Faulk and Dillon more than that in the past.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Mar 5, 2016 14:50:01 GMT -5
Something that I do expect to happen(that I had mentioned as a possibility a few weeks ago) is the return of Stevan Ridley. A lot of signs are pointing to it, and he shouldn't cost more than the minimum. No guarantee that even leads to him making the regular season roster, but I expect to add him as well as either resigning Blount, or signing another back in that category, and then making a move for either Forte, Miller, or Ivory.
My understanding of Dane Fletcher's situation is that his contract will toll, because he spent all of 2015 on PUP and then IR. So while he signed a one year deal last season, based on previous comparable situations his contract should toll and will essentially start over this year. We will know for sure on the 9th.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Mar 7, 2016 13:23:38 GMT -5
Pats agreed to a 1 year extension with FB James Develin. The running game really struggled in short yardage situations without him. Tried multiple players at FB and none of them worked very well. Your running game can only be so good without your top 2 RB's, FB, and no consistency at the oline.
Pats tendered T Cameron Fleming, WR Josh Boyce, ST Brandon King, and CB Justin Coleman.
Pats have accepted Gronk's option, which guarantees his salary until 2019.
Denver gave RB CJ Anderson a low level tender, which gives them no compensation if a team signs him, only the right to match. That should be another RB New England should be interested in.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Mar 7, 2016 16:01:22 GMT -5
With free agency officially set to begin in two days here are my free agent possibility for the Pats:
Matt Forte: Perfect scheme fit and should only cost between 3-5 million per year.
Anquan Boldin: Would be a great fit in our offense, offering a physical receiver and a good redzone threat. Should come pretty cheap after appearing to quit on SF last year.
Dwayne Allen: The price is the question with Allen, as the underutilized TE would be a perfect fit as the number two guy in these scheme. He can block and catch which is what we prefer from our top two TE's.
Mohamed Sanu: Sanu is a pretty good fit at 3-4 million per year.
Chris Ivory: Ivory is actually a better compliment to Lewis than Forte is, in the sense that Lewis offers virtually everything in the passing game and outside running game, while Ivory is more of an in between the tackle power runner. My concerns with him is that he has consistently phyiscally broke down near the end of the season.
CJ Anderson: Similar player to Ivory although a lot younger. The tricky part with Anderson is that he is a RFA and Denver can match any offer.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Mar 7, 2016 16:31:33 GMT -5
Terrance Knighton is another guy I think the Pats will have interest in. They have brought him in for workouts the last time he was a free agent and my understanding is the dollars were not in agreement. Could be a cheaper option this time around and offer depth if the team opts to decline Branch's option and/or not resign Hicks.
I have mentioned Mitchell Schwartz as an option a few times in the past and I still believe he could be a potential Patriot. Only way it happens is if New England opts to move on from either Vollmer or Cannon, which could still happen.
Rolondo McClain and other veteran LB's should be looked at again this offseason. Pats need quality depth, not starters. They are essentially looking for a number 3 LB, although that does not mean a starter like it would on most teams. Pats play a true 4-2-5 base defense and as a result the 3rd LB is as important as the 4th CB. Still it hurt last year when Collins and Hightower were both injured at times and there was no true quality depth.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Mar 7, 2016 23:01:54 GMT -5
Vikings will release Mike Wallace tomorrow. Pats have had interest each time he has been available, but the money has always been an issue. That shouldn't be a problem this time around and I doubt Wallace will get more than 3 million a year on the open market. He isn't the only receiver we need to add this offseason, but he would add a dimension to this offense that hasn't existed since 2010.
Realistically the best/realistic option the Pats have at TE if they want to add another guy is a deal for Bennett. His cap hit be 5.1 million if traded, will cost very little to get him, and will likely be significantly cheaper than the equivalent free agents. Not sure the Pats have this type of interest in the TE position, but adding Bennett/Wallace would still leave them with about 10-11 million left to spend. Could still add Forte, Sanu, and the needed LB depth, and it would transform our offense.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Mar 8, 2016 1:38:30 GMT -5
Dwayne Allen 4-year Career: 91 recs, 1045 yards, 13 TDs Deal: $7.5m APY
Rob Gronkowski 2015: 72 recs, 1176 yards, 11 TDs Deal: $9mm APY
lol.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Mar 8, 2016 15:27:34 GMT -5
Good example of how much of a bargain Edelman is:
Marcus Cannon 2016 salary: $4.75 million Julian Edelman 2016 salary: $4.42 million
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Post by patriotsk1d on Mar 15, 2016 20:32:19 GMT -5
I have the Pats going WR and RB in the second round, OT and DL in the 3rd round, and LB in the 4th round.
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