Patriots getting abused this off-season

[Chi-Town FinFan]

They are losing FAs left and right, as compared to last year when it seems they were signing everyone.... We're going to see how much of "genius" Belicheat next season

 

[alen1]

According to Boomer, they are in the lead for Atlanta Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall.

 

[209Mason]

Yeah... Last year it seems like they completely loaded up for one quick shot at the title... and thankfully, that didn't happen (yay Giants). Now we're seeing what happens when you bring in a lot of big name players for big money, short term contracts. They lost a couple big names already in Samuels and Stallworth. Makes me all the more happy to see how Miami is going about things.

 

[MelbournePhin]

if they re-sign moss, they are still going to be a 10+ win team that will challenge for the AFC

 

[aquaman54]

Simply........HEART WARMING!!!

 

[satz]

Moss just signed the local media is reporting.

stallworth the 4th receiver in the team is the biggest loss. I think the next year 2 free agents are the key. vince wilfork the NT and logan mankins the gaurd. light the LT contract is up too but i think they loss vince its game over for 3-4 .But then again BB won 3 SB 2 as a defensive coordinator and 1 as HC in a 4-3 so be might just run 4-3 again.


the only consolation is parcell last 3 yrs and gets bored with this and moves on,.like the cowboys 1 or 2 playoff appearence and then boom maimi is plundered for coaches and player by parcels next destination.

 

[late again]

Moss just signed the local media is reporting.

stallworth the 4th receiver in the team is the biggest loss. I think the next year 2 free agents are the key. vince wilfork the NT and logan mankins the gaurd. light the LT contract is up too but i think they loss vince its game over for 3-4 .But then again BB won 3 SB 2 as a defensive coordinator and 1 as HC in a 4-3 so be might just run 4-3 again.


the only consolation is parcell last 3 yrs and gets bored with this and moves on,.like the cowboys 1 or 2 playoff appearence and then boom maimi is plundered for coaches and player by parcels next destination.

It's about time! ....had ya nervous didn't they? He's the one guy they had
to bring back. Losing Stallworth really is significant, but I maintain all the losses to your D is moreso.
As for NEXT year, Wilfork will get a big payday. I would be shocked if he wasn't re-signed. Matt Light is another story. If he decides to test the waters - kiss him good bye. He's really not worth the huge payday that someone will give him. Agree or no?

 

[late again]

Moss just signed the local media is reporting.

stallworth the 4th receiver in the team is the biggest loss. I think the next year 2 free agents are the key. vince wilfork the NT and logan mankins the gaurd. light the LT contract is up too but i think they loss vince its game over for 3-4 .But then again BB won 3 SB 2 as a defensive coordinator and 1 as HC in a 4-3 so be might just run 4-3 again.


the only consolation is parcell last 3 yrs and gets bored with this and moves on,.like the cowboys 1 or 2 playoff appearence and then boom maimi is plundered for coaches and player by parcels next destination.

Ouch!!!! :sidelol:

 

[alen1]

POSTED 9:22 p.m. EST, March 2, 2008​

MOSS, PATS CLOSE, OR ARE THEY?​

There's a report tonight from Adam Schefter of NFL Network that the Patriots and receiver Randy Moss are close to a deal.​

Per Schefter, the Patriots have an offer on the table that would make Moss one of the highest-paid receivers in the league, and it's sounding more and more as if a deal will get done.​

But if that's the case, why hasn't Moss already signed the deal? Clearly, Moss is trying to get other teams interested. And, coincidentally, this new report could tend to scare them off.​

Indeed, a cynical person might conclude that the report was funneled to Schefter from the upper echelon of the Patriots organization with one objective in mind -- to short-circuit the market for Moss before it ever heats up.​

Fortunately, we don't know any cynical people.​

 

[TomBradyWoot]

It's about time! ....had ya nervous didn't they? He's the one guy they had
to bring back. Losing Stallworth really is significant, but I maintain all the losses to your D is moreso.
As for NEXT year, Wilfork will get a big payday. I would be shocked if he wasn't re-signed. Matt Light is another story. If he decides to test the waters - kiss him good bye. He's really not worth the huge payday that someone will give him. Agree or no?

Stallworth isn't that significant IMO, if they bring back Gaffney (who was playing more than him anyways) they'll be fine. Kelley Washington is a fine 4th/5th WR as is Chad Jackson. The WR depth is solid with Moss remaining in the fold. I was never a fan of Stallworth.

Wilfork will get resigned. For all the talk about the Pats being cheap, they pay the guys they think is worth it. Can anybody name the last big name Patriot who left and remained good? If Light hits the market, goodbye and more power to him. I like him but, he's not in the upper echelon of LTs. Taylor and Freeney constantly abused him.

The Pats way prior to last year was to not sign players to big deals, and really other than AD they didn't do that. Welker was via trade (and didn't receive big money), Moss was by trade (and took a paycut), and Stallworth didn't make big money either.

As for the defensive losses - obviously losing Asante hurts. I liked him, he was our best corner. I don't think he's worth $10Mil per year. Randall Gay was a decent nickle back, but I think Meriweather will be better at that role. They've got a replacement plan for the CB position I'm sure. And at LB the Colvin loss hurts to an extent but he's had a couple season ending injuries, and they prefer to keep Vrabel and Thomas on the outside. The key will be finding an ILB to replace him in the rotation, and I think Seau will come back for another year.

As much as some (most) of you will hate to admit this. They'll make it work, they always do.

 

[rainmaker1313]

I think the AFC East is starting to even out a little more this year :)

 

[satz]

I think the AFC East is starting to even out a little more this year :)

I would not count on this as lets see the draft is not done. the 83 team is not even anounced and how are projecting the 53 i have no idea on .Now you are even projecting one 53 vs another.


btw , the offer on moss table is 5 yr 52 million with 25 million gaureented.Moss is expected to sign.

 

[late again]

Stallworth isn't that significant IMO, if they bring back Gaffney (who was playing more than him anyways) they'll be fine. Kelley Washington is a fine 4th/5th WR as is Chad Jackson. The WR depth is solid with Moss remaining in the fold. I was never a fan of Stallworth.

Wilfork will get resigned. For all the talk about the Pats being cheap, they pay the guys they think is worth it. Can anybody name the last big name Patriot who left and remained good? If Light hits the market, goodbye and more power to him. I like him but, he's not in the upper echelon of LTs. Taylor and Freeney constantly abused him.

The Pats way prior to last year was to not sign players to big deals, and really other than AD they didn't do that. Welker was via trade (and didn't receive big money), Moss was by trade (and took a paycut), and Stallworth didn't make big money either.

As for the defensive losses - obviously losing Asante hurts. I liked him, he was our best corner. I don't think he's worth $10Mil per year. Randall Gay was a decent nickle back, but I think Meriweather will be better at that role. They've got a replacement plan for the CB position I'm sure. And at LB the Colvin loss hurts to an extent but he's had a couple season ending injuries, and they prefer to keep Vrabel and Thomas on the outside. The key will be finding an ILB to replace him in the rotation, and I think Seau will come back for another year.

As much as some (most) of you will hate to admit this. They'll make it work, they always do.

I don't know TBW...To me your mindset is pretty slanted. Which is understandable. Nonetheless...Is Stallworth really less significant than Gaffney? All I have to go on are measurables. According to the NFL site's stat logs Stallworth started more games, caught more passes, and gained more yards than Gaffney.
As for Merriweather v Gay, BB must have thought Gay was the better of the two since Gay was the nickel back and not Merriweather. Also he started Gay over Merriweather in the SB.
I would be really nervous about Seau if I were a Pats fan. He looks different than he used to. I can't help but wonder if he's been taking steroids or HGH. I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but he looks really ....odd, different...something. I don't know.
Anyway, as for bigger named players leaving and remaining "good"...How about Vinatieri? He's got one more ring than TB too. Dieon Branch and Ty Law both left and have performed about the same as they did while in NE.
As to my original point; I'm not trying to say that the Pats are going belly up. I would expect them to be competitive. But again, I'm also of the belief that the losses are significant enough that wins will be as hard for them as anybody. Nor do I think you can look at their schedule and say it's a cakewalk, anymore.
I'm sure that BB has a plan. I would think that the first rounder would be a CB, too. However this is when losing that other first rounder comes back to haunt. I'm sure BB was originally thinking "yeah we have alot of expiring contracts, but we also have 2 picks in the first round - no problem".
So..we'll see how it all shakes out.

 

[ILoveTomBrady]

Gaffney was playing more than stallworth at the end of the year. Of course, they might be able to bring him back either. Last year was simply an embarrassment of riches at WR and a step down isn't a big deal. Moss/Welker/Gaffney/Washington/Jackson is still a great group of wideouts. If they can't bring Gaffney back then I'd say their WR corp is noticeably weaker (but again, still really good with Moss/Welker).

Wilfork still has two years left on his contract (and assuming the rules don't change they'd presumably franchise him after that anyway). I expect to see him re-signed this offseason, following in the footsteps of Warren being re-signed last offseason with two years left on his deal. Even if he doesn't re-sign his leaving is a ways off.

I'm terrified of Merriweather getting playing time. He was only a rookie but I saw stone hands and missed tackles. Whatever, I give anyone a mulligan for their rookie year. I'd like to see him win his way into the rotation next year though.

On that note, I'm concerned about NE's secondary. I'm hoping the draft, lesser FA's, or trades take care of things. I don't bother worrying until August, but secondary was a problem last year and they lost two starters (including their only good player in the secondary). And Rodney will be even older next year.

The AFC East should be getting more difficult (i still don't see any good QBs on the division foes) but the out-of-division schedule will be much easier next year (don't forget that NE's schedule out-of-division last year was ridiculously difficult). They play both West divisions, which are pretty crappy (aside from SD, who finished first in an AFC division so NE was guaranteed to play them anyway). The biggest problem is that they have to fly West four times. That will suck.

I just don't see the huge drop-off. They still have both lines (and the prayer that Seymour could return to his old self someday). They still have an excellent WR core. They have the same solid RBs. They still have the best QB in the game. They have two glaring holes: ILB - (they're set outside with Thomas and Vrabel) and secondary (a really big hole right now, considering they're weak at all four spots and I'd like to see Hobbs as a nickel back rather than starting). They have a lot of time and a bunch of draft picks (not only do they have the 49ers #7 overall but they also have Oakland's 3rd) to fill them.

Oh well, rather than win 16 they win 12-14 and the division next year.

*edit* and yes, I'm checking out a Phins board because I can't stand NE boards right now. The bunch of spoiled brats still can't deal with the fact that NE didn't deserve the freaking championship.

 

[late again]

Gaffney was playing more than stallworth at the end of the year. Of course, they might be able to bring him back either. Last year was simply an embarrassment of riches at WR and a step down isn't a big deal. Moss/Welker/Gaffney/Washington/Jackson is still a great group of wideouts. If they can't bring Gaffney back then I'd say their WR corp is noticeably weaker (but again, still really good with Moss/Welker).

Wilfork still has two years left on his contract (and assuming the rules don't change they'd presumably franchise him after that anyway). I expect to see him re-signed this offseason, following in the footsteps of Warren being re-signed last offseason with two years left on his deal. Even if he doesn't re-sign his leaving is a ways off.

I'm terrified of Merriweather getting playing time. He was only a rookie but I saw stone hands and missed tackles. Whatever, I give anyone a mulligan for their rookie year. I'd like to see him win his way into the rotation next year though.

On that note, I'm concerned about NE's secondary. I'm hoping the draft, lesser FA's, or trades take care of things. I don't bother worrying until August, but secondary was a problem last year and they lost two starters (including their only good player in the secondary). And Rodney will be even older next year.

The AFC East should be getting more difficult (i still don't see any good QBs on the division foes) but the out-of-division schedule will be much easier next year (don't forget that NE's schedule out-of-division last year was ridiculously difficult). They play both West divisions, which are pretty crappy (aside from SD, who finished first in an AFC division so NE was guaranteed to play them anyway). The biggest problem is that they have to fly West four times. That will suck.

I just don't see the huge drop-off. They still have both lines (and the prayer that Seymour could return to his old self someday). They still have an excellent WR core. They have the same solid RBs. They still have the best QB in the game. They have two glaring holes: ILB - (they're set outside with Thomas and Vrabel) and secondary (a really big hole right now, considering they're weak at all four spots and I'd like to see Hobbs as a nickel back rather than starting). They have a lot of time and a bunch of draft picks (not only do they have the 49ers #7 overall but they also have Oakland's 3rd) to fill them.

Oh well, rather than win 16 they win 12-14 and the division next year.

*edit* and yes, I'm checking out a Phins board because I can't stand NE boards right now. The bunch of spoiled brats still can't deal with the fact that NE didn't deserve the freaking championship.

Yeah, even if you lose Gaffney, Brady will still have a couple of sure -handed WRs in Moss and Welker. Why aren't you concerned about the running game? For all the good players that BB has drafted over the years, Maroney seems to be one of the exceptions.
As for Wilfork; I would try to lock him up quick. I wouldn't even want to mess with the franchise thing since a lot of players seem to resent it. I always say that a dominant NT is as rare as a 7FTer who plays with his back to the basket, but can swing out a hit 18ft jumpers. RARE. If ya get one you keep him.
I also agree with you that the Fins, Bills and Jets are starting to close the gap, but all 3 have major question marks at QB. I know Bills fans might disagree, Edwards still has a lot to prove. Likewise with Clemons. Then of course there's us.....all I know is we'll be back!!
IMO the Pats may find someone challenging them for the division title this year.