New England Patriots Discussion

[AntoinCD]

Despite people saying about all the guys being tagged and/or signed, I actually love this free agency class for the Pats

Mario Williams tops the list obviously

If they want to get a guy in at OG in case Waters retires there are guys like Evan Mathis etc who will be cheaper since you have Grubbs/Nicks at the top of the OG class

At WR you have Vincent Jackson, Robert Meachem, Pierre Garcon and Brandon Lloyd who are all real good fits in NE. Not to mention Mike Wallace as an RFA

At CB I don't see them going after either Carr or Finnegan but someone like Tracy Porter could be a fit.

As I mentioned Red Bryant is a helluva fit at DE/DT

The only place that isn't good for the Pats is safety and if they really wanted they could go after Reggie Nelson who is an upgrade at FS over Ihedigbo

[FlyingElvis]

Safety has to be the top priority in the draft at this point. I know we'd all love pass rush help, be it DE or OLB (both please!) but there is no question we need at least one S in town and there's slim pickins in FA, as you metion.

On Mario . . . is there any source other than Peter King? Basically, everything I find leads back to him on MMQB, and that really doesn't necessarily bode well for there being any substance to it.

[Razor]

I think my priority FAs this year is:

1. Mario Williams
2. Mike Wallace
3. Terrell Thomas
4. John Carlson
5. Brandon Carr
6. Vincent Jackson
7. Carl Nicks

I think that's about it when it comes to *priority* FAs.

[Jvig43]

Schefter reported that Mario to NE as of right now seems unlikely, and envisions him else where. I really wouldnt get our hopes up for him. I think Wallace is actually more of an option personally just for how many reports have come out linking us to him. I personally would rather grab Mario than give up so much for Wallace when there are a ton of free agent wrs out there to be had. Moss apparently looked very good working out for the saints, and I have been on record here saying how much I would welcome his return. Colston is out there and doesnt seem to be drawing a ton of attention right now, so despite knee surgeries if we could get him for a relatively low price I would be happy. As for safety, Reiss wrote up Landry could be had for cheap but I don't envision it being ideal for us. All I know is this should and can be a very exciting off season for us, and if we make work with it like in 2007 we could come out a very very scary team.

[FlyingElvis]

Ok, that's kind of what I figured. Peter King is about as useful as John Clayton. They're basically the first place teams go when they want misinformation dessimintated.

[Matthew Jones]

Brandon Lloyd, Matt Roth, and Manny Lawson are three of my most-wanted players and none of the above would break the bank.

[cmarq83]

Originally Posted by Matthew Jones

Brandon Lloyd, Matt Roth, and Manny Lawson are three of my most-wanted players and none of the above would break the bank.

I like Lloyd, but frankly I think we should work something out to see if we can do better than Lawson or Roth neither guy really solves the issues we have at OLB. I'd rather us stick with the 4-3 and keep Carter and Anderson than take on those guys as my 3-4 OLB's.

[ryno626]

Originally Posted by FlyingElvis

Safety has to be the top priority in the draft at this point. I know we'd all love pass rush help, be it DE or OLB (both please!) but there is no question we need at least one S in town and there's slim pickins in FA, as you metion.

On Mario . . . is there any source other than Peter King? Basically, everything I find leads back to him on MMQB, and that really doesn't necessarily bode well for there being any substance to it.

With such slim pickings at safety in FA could we see DMC move to safety and try to snag a FA CB or draft one or two?

[FlyingElvis]

I hope not. Devin showed way too much potential at CB in year one to just outright give up after a down year. He didn't shine at S, either, so it's not a lock he'd succeed there by any means. I'd much rather see what he can do after a full offseason with a bur under his saddle after last year's awful showing.

[BradysKnee]

Here's hoping Miami don't sign Peyton.

[Jvig43]

Originally Posted by BradysKnee

Here's hoping Miami don't sign Peyton.

Manning wont come to a division where he has to play Brady twice a year. As others have said, the NFC west would be the easiest best place for him to go.

[BradysKnee]

Originally Posted by Jvig43

Manning wont come to a division where he has to play Brady twice a year. As others have said, the NFC west would be the easiest best place for him to go.

Yeah I think so too. Arizona/KC/SF/Seattle are my picks.

[FlyingElvis]

I think Arizona and Seattle are the two most likely for Manning.


I'm really starting to feel like we'll make a big push for Vincent Jackson. It just has BB written all over it, with the huge games he's had against us the last two times we've faced SD.

Jackson vs. NE
2011 - 10/172/2
2010 - none (holdout)
2009 - none (no NE vs. SD matchup)
2008 - 5/134/1
2007 - 4/53/0 and 6/93/0 (playoffs)
2006 - 2/43/0
2005 - none (rookie)

He has improved against us in each successive matchup, and lit us up big time in the last two. No franchise tag, either. He'll be pricey but shouldn't be crazy expensive, and we've got room under the cap.

[ryno626]

Isn't he one bad decision away from being suspended for an entire year?

[Razor]

Originally Posted by ryno626

Isn't he one bad decision away from being suspended for an entire year?

I think so. I also think that he's too old for BB to shell out the kind of money that Jackson is going to seek. I would be very surprised if Jackson were to come here and play.

[FlyingElvis]

Originally Posted by ryno626

Isn't he one bad decision away from being suspended for an entire year?

Two years without issue now, so I doubt that's a big factor anymore. It is probably something that would impact the contract, be it $$$ or clauses for behavior, suspension time, etc.

[Thunder&Lightning]

It was bad enough facing Manning once a year on the colts... If he goes to the Phins and we get him a guaranteed 2 times a year... ugh

[AntoinCD]

Originally Posted by Thunder&Lightning

It was bad enough facing Manning once a year on the colts... If he goes to the Phins and we get him a guaranteed 2 times a year... ugh

We don't even know if Manning can still play anymore. Anyway, I'll take the Pats offense over the Phins, even if Wayne comes with Manning. And it's not like their defense is amazing either. I don't buy the Phins as automatic Superbowl contenders with Manning. Better? Yes but not amazing. I'd be a lot more worried if he went to the Jets

[Thunder&Lightning]

Originally Posted by AntoinCD

We don't even know if Manning can still play anymore. Anyway, I'll take the Pats offense over the Phins, even if Wayne comes with Manning. And it's not like their defense is amazing either. I don't buy the Phins as automatic Superbowl contenders with Manning. Better? Yes but not amazing. I'd be a lot more worried if he went to the Jets

Jets are Dolphins, my point was I dont want him the division.. Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning...

[BradysKnee]

Originally Posted by Thunder&Lightning

Jets are Dolphins, my point was I dont want him the division.. Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning...

Yeah exactly. Much rather see him on some NFC team.

[Matthew Jones]

The Raiders are expected to release LB Kam Wimbley:

http://rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3685/kamerion-wimbley

The source names the Chargers as the favorites, but I'd love this guy. NFL.com lists him as 6'4", 255, and he's only missed one career game as a linebacker in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses. He averages just over seven sacks per season. Please sign him, Bill.

[Don Vito]

I saw that. Adding Wimbley to go along with Carter and Anderson would not be bad at all. Throw in a few rookies and who knows. Wimbley has been stuck on **** teams his whole career, maybe playing for a team who can contend would benefit him.

[Razor]

Meh... I wouldn't like it if we gave him a big contract. Sign him to a cheap deal and I'll be OK with it.

[Don Vito]

It would be nothing to write home about, but we are not signing Mario Williams so Wimbley isn't a bad option. We need to add a pass rusher in some capacity and Wimbley makes sense when you look at what else is out there between FA's and the draft.

[Razor]

Sure he makes sense. I'd just rather pay Mario Williams and fix the problem once and for all. Getting Wimbley would just once again push the problem further into the future. I we can get him on the cheap then great. Otherwise no thanks.