Free Agency Game Thread

Hoodie Sleeves

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The potential problem with this approach is that some players under-perform on front loaded contracts as there is much less of a financial incentive to work as hard as they might if they are working for their next payday.
For every guy that underperforms because of lack of pressure, there's probably a guy who performs better when he doesn't constantly have to worry.


Solder is about an average starting LT (which is valuable), but he'll be 30 before the season starts, plays a position that there are very few guys playing at 32+, and has a significant history of concussions. He's definitely going to leave a hole - but he's exactly the sort of guy that you don't fight over in the free market.
 

mikeford

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Hey so... maybe it's time to discuss how benching your best corner in the SB may have had lasting impact beyond just losing you 1 game.
 

jsinger121

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Rapaport says Solder is headed to the Giants. This is awful.

For the money he got it really isn't. I'm not paying that type of money to a LT who isn't even a top 5 guy let alone might not even be top 10. Zero All-Pro's or Pro Bowls.
 

RedOctober3829

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For the money he got it really isn't. I'm not paying that type of money to a LT who isn't even a top 5 guy let alone might not even be top 10. Zero All-Pro's or Pro Bowls.
He's had many more good years than bad. Just because he's not an All-Pro doesn't mean he's not a valuable player. Sure, the money is high but when you look at what else is out there I'd have tried to keep him a bit more. I'll wait and see what Bill does, but you can't say right now it's not a big loss.
 

jsinger121

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He's had many more good years than bad. Just because he's not an All-Pro doesn't mean he's not a valuable player. Sure, the money is high but when you look at what else is out there I'd have tried to keep him a bit more. I'll wait and see what Bill does, but you can't say right now it's not a big loss.
I wouldn't have. He's not a 15 million dollar tackle. I'll take the 3rd round comp pick and move on.
 

Bongorific

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Hey so... maybe it's time to discuss how benching your best corner in the SB may have had lasting impact beyond just losing you 1 game.
Solder left to sign as the highest paid tackle in the league because Malcolm Butler only got in for 1 play in the Super Bowl?
 

jsinger121

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Comp picks are practically worthless and won't be received until 2019. And has a comp pick ever panned out as more than a JAG?
You can trade comp picks now which makes them much more valuable.

Tom Brady. Pick 199 a compensatory pick
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Hey so... maybe it's time to discuss how benching your best corner in the SB may have had lasting impact beyond just losing you 1 game.
I know it only seems like Gilmore was invisible because opposing QBs don't target him if they can help it, but he definitely played.
 

dcmissle

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I don’t think he will end up costing more than 6 million a season. Watching GB games last season, he looked good when Rodgers was there and very average when Hundley (who is a horrible deep thrower) was at QB. Nelson isn’t what he was back in 2014, but he isn’t cooked either. What Bill would like is he is smart receiver as well and what doesn’t show up in the stat sheets in the holding and pass interference penalties he draws as well. With Brady, Nelson would be very solid again, but he isn’t a DA replacement as you mention, he plays outside.
Our colleague who watched him for fantasy reason, and an NFLN panel last night, said Nelson’s burst is gone and he has a lot of trouble gaining separation. Maybe irrelevant — now he’s being mentioned in connection with the Raiders.

On compensatory picks, if their strategy is to stockpile by letting guys go and not signing FAs who will cost you one, that’s fine. They can be as high as the third round, and the cupboard is getting more bare by the hour.

The immediate problem is next season. We have 6 picks, and Solder’s now gone. If the plan is Garcia, there had better be plans B, C and D — and I’m sure there is.

I want to hear no news on Gronk anytime soon, and it has bettter be good news about next year.
 

dcmissle

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They have Antonio Garcia who they felt good enough to draft in the 3rd round last year. He is 6'6", 300+, but has lost weight because of a non-football blood clot problem that caused him to be put on IR. He is apparently working back to game weight and he is said to be expected to make a full recovery. It obviously sounds risky when you combine that with his rookie status, but he was surely drafted as protection for Solder walking away or being injured himself. Its clearly not the same thing as Solder, but perhaps the Patriots coaching staff knows something that we don't about him and his ability and health projection for 2018.
He did not play one snap that counted and is recovering from a serious illness.
 

SMU_Sox

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He did not play one snap that counted and is recovering from a serious illness.
Absolutely unproven guy and one who missed a year. I get that. But he’s someone I hope will make an impact by 2019. Waddle or Fleming for a year or two makes sense. There are no consensus can’t miss tackles in this draft but there are lots of early day 2 guys, mid day 2 guys, late day 2 guys and some day 3 guys who they might want to look at with both G and T experience. 2018 could be a bit bumpy but I don’t think all is lost and they have the ability to shape up by 2019. You can give a bandaid LT or RT help as well.
 

Super Nomario

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Absolutely unproven guy and one who missed a year. I get that. But he’s someone I hope will make an impact by 2019. Waddle or Fleming for a year or two makes sense. There are no consensus can’t miss tackles in this draft but there are lots of early day 2 guys, mid day 2 guys, late day 2 guys and some day 3 guys who they might want to look at with both G and T experience. 2018 could be a bit bumpy but I don’t think all is lost and they have the ability to shape up by 2019. You can give a bandaid LT or RT help as well.
Brady helps his tackles so much with his quick decision-making and ability to step up in the pocket, too. As long as the LT doesn't get beaten inside, it's going to be tough for his man to get a sack. I'd feel a lot worse about losing Solder if they had someone else back there.
 

nolasoxfan

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Hey so... maybe it's time to discuss how benching your best corner in the SB may have had lasting impact beyond just losing you 1 game.
How is Solder signing the most lucrative LT contract in the league related to Malcolm Butler? Enquiring Minds Want to Know...
 

Tyrone Biggums

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Not worth the money. None of the guys that left are worth the money. However now it’s time to discuss it the Pats are still the best team in the East or not. I’m thinking if Buffalo gets a competent QB in there they’re probably right there with the Pats at this point. Solder is a massive loss. I don’t even know who they have on the roster besides Cannon that could handle those duties. Seems like Bill the GM is holding out for bargains after splurging last year.
 

moondog80

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I’m thinking if Buffalo gets a competent QB in there they’re probably right there with the Pats at this point.
This is only true if losing Nate Solder means the Pats have to play with just 4 offensive linemen.
 

Ralphwiggum

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Not worth the money. None of the guys that left are worth the money. However now it’s time to discuss it the Pats are still the best team in the East or not. I’m thinking if Buffalo gets a competent QB in there they’re probably right there with the Pats at this point. Solder is a massive loss. I don’t even know who they have on the roster besides Cannon that could handle those duties. Seems like Bill the GM is holding out for bargains after splurging last year.
The AFC East is wide open?
 

Tyrone Biggums

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This is only true if losing Nate Solder means the Pats have to play with just 4 offensive linemen.
There’s still value in having a really good left tackle. Not like Brady is a guy like Jimmy, Kaepernick, Lamar Jackson or even an Aaron Rodgers where they’re great athletic players who are mobile in and out of the pocket. Losing Solder hurts and hurts even more when you look at a QB who is the GOAT but is also over 40.
 

Eck'sSneakyCheese

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Brady helps his tackles so much with his quick decision-making and ability to step up in the pocket, too. As long as the LT doesn't get beaten inside, it's going to be tough for his man to get a sack. I'd feel a lot worse about losing Solder if they had someone else back there.
The bolded can't be emphasized enough. Solder was helped a ton by Tom having one of the quickest releases of all time. Give me someone half competent over there with Dante teaching him the ropes and they'll be fine. Next man up.
 

BigJimEd

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However now it’s time to discuss it the Pats are still the best team in the East or not.
Yes that is a very valuable discussion to have on the first day of free agency. Especially when you can have said discussion with someone who hadn't watched a down of football in over a year.


Solder will be missed. No sure thing Flemming or Waddle will be back either. They have some work to do but plenty of time to do it.
 

Tyrone Biggums

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The AFC East is wide open?
Well the Bills made the playoffs and are swapping Tyrod for one of the QBs in the first round. That’s an upgrade. Shelton is solid don’t get me wrong but now they have questions at LT CB LB DE and backup QB. WR I’m not too worried about but those are pretty important positions l
 

dcmissle

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Not worth the money. None of the guys that left are worth the money. However now it’s time to discuss it the Pats are still the best team in the East or not. I’m thinking if Buffalo gets a competent QB in there they’re probably right there with the Pats at this point. Solder is a massive loss. I don’t even know who they have on the roster besides Cannon that could handle those duties. Seems like Bill the GM is holding out for bargains after splurging last year.
We’re in the bottom of the 2nd inning on team construction. I agree that paying “good” players “great” money is a rocket sled to hell, even with a quickly expanding cap.

I am concerned about a mismatch between immediate needs and resources. My default on rookies, especially those after round 1 and those who play complicated positions, is to expect zero, at least until the latter part of the season.

I do wonder whether they are saving a lot of eggs for a Suh basket — and what happens if that doesn’t work out.
 

pappymojo

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Not worth the money. None of the guys that left are worth the money. However now it’s time to discuss it the Pats are still the best team in the East or not. I’m thinking if Buffalo gets a competent QB in there they’re probably right there with the Pats at this point. Solder is a massive loss. I don’t even know who they have on the roster besides Cannon that could handle those duties. Seems like Bill the GM is holding out for bargains after splurging last year.
Bills traded their QB and their left tackle but they are better than the Patriots?
 

pappymojo

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We’re in the bottom of the 2nd inning on team construction. I agree that paying “good” players “great” money is a rocket sled to hell, even with a quickly expanding cap.

I am concerned about a mismatch between immediate needs and resources. My default on rookies, especially those after round 1 and those who play complicated positions, is to expect zero, at least until the latter part of the season.

I do wonder whether they are saving a lot of eggs for a Suh basket — and what happens if that doesn’t work out.
The Patriots will do what they do every year - spend their limited salary resources on middle class free agents in effort to address as glaring holes as best as they can to put themselves in position to use their draft capital either on players that fall to them, or to trade around the board to strategically acquire players they like at positions of value while also accumulating additional picks if they can.

I think the Patriots fanbase is sort of on tilt based on the Super Bowl loss (and this is not directed at dcmissile or anyone in particular). I would like to point out a couple of things:

1) The Patriots still have the league MVP at QB.
2) The Patriots will hopefully be getting a lot of players back healthy next year with Hightower and Edelman at the top of the list, but many more players Wise, Rivers, Garcia, Langi who we don't know a lot about.
3) Yes, the defense didn't look great this year and in particular they looked awful in the Super Bowl, but the truth is that both defenses looked awful in the Super Bowl. To me, the fact that both defenses looked bad and that both offenses looked unstoppable, indicates that the officiating for that game was not normal. Not saying the Patriots would have or should have one. Just saying that the collective angina over the Super Bowl defense may be a bit overblown.
4) The Patriots currently have four draft picks in the top 100.

It's okay to remain optimistic.
 

kelpapa

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What was the player that the Pats lost that got them that pick? Would be an interesting look to see how it all happened.
It may have been Tupa.
In 1999, the Patriots lost linebacker Todd Collins, punter Tom Tupa, defensive tackle Mark Wheeler and offensive lineman Dave Wohlabaugh in free agency. As a result, they were awarded four compensatory picks: Nos. 127, 199, 201 and 239. Because it's a formula, you can't equate an exact one-for-one in terms of the specific lost free agent who netted the 199th pick. For example, you can't just say it was Tupa who yielded the 199th pick.
Read more at: https://nesn.com/2012/04/tom-brady-became-patriots-compensatory-pick-in-2000-due-to-the-loss-of-four-free-agents/
 
Apr 7, 2006
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Solder is a tremendous guy and a very solid LT that the Patriots will miss. But, Jesus, he's been pretty average or below for two years now. I understand the personal stuff with his son's health, not to mention his own health, affects the performance, but the bottom line is that he hasn't played very well for awhile, and he rarely played like an elite, first round LT.

Yes, it's tough to find top-notch talent along the line and, yes, continuity along the OL is hugely significant. But the panic in this thread and others, esp in light of the "been there, done that" of Patriots off seasons AND the fact that free agency/2018 roster construction is in its infancy, is truly RIDICULOUS. Take a breath, for god's sake.

Edit typos
 

bluefenderstrat

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Solder is a tremendous guy and a very solid LT that the Patriots will miss. But, Jesus, he's been pretty average or below for two years now. I understand the personal stuff with his son's health, not to mention is own, affects the performance, but the bottom line is that he hasn't played very well for awhile, and he rarely played like an elite, first round LT.

Yes, it's tough to find top notch talent along the line and, yes, continuity along the OL is hugely significant. But the panic in this thread and others, esp in light of the "been there, done that" of Patriots off seasons AND the fact that free agency/2018 roster construction is in its infancy, is truly RIDICULOUS. Take a breath, for god's sake.
You would think Patriots fans would be used to this after the last 19 years.
 

bluefenderstrat

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Just because I took last year off doesn’t mean someone who has watched football since Grogan was QB has an invalid opinion.
Your opinion is certainly as valuable as mine, just having a bit of fun. But my guess is the Patriots will be the best team in the AFC East and will make it at least as far as the AFC Championship game next season, barring a Gronk retirement & Brady injury.
 

Hoodie Sleeves

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Just because I took last year off doesn’t mean someone who has watched football since Grogan was QB has an invalid opinion.
It does when the entire premise of your argument relies on your evaluation of team and player performance over that year you didn't watch.
 

Captaincoop

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Not worth the money. None of the guys that left are worth the money. However now it’s time to discuss it the Pats are still the best team in the East or not. I’m thinking if Buffalo gets a competent QB in there they’re probably right there with the Pats at this point. Solder is a massive loss. I don’t even know who they have on the roster besides Cannon that could handle those duties. Seems like Bill the GM is holding out for bargains after splurging last year.
I find your lack of faith disturbing.
 

The Big Red Kahuna

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Just because I took last year off doesn’t mean someone who has watched football since Grogan was QB has an invalid opinion.
No idea why I'm feeding the troll (I still think it's someone like Nip fake account), but, yes, taking "a year off" to pout about CK does at the least diminish your opinion meaningfully on whether the Bills are currently better than the Patriots, and your evaluation of certain teams/players are .. how could you rationally make a determination? Your act is tired. And predictable.
 

Captaincoop

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Solder is a tremendous guy and a very solid LT that the Patriots will miss. But, Jesus, he's been pretty average or below for two years now. I understand the personal stuff with his son's health, not to mention his own health, affects the performance, but the bottom line is that he hasn't played very well for awhile, and he rarely played like an elite, first round LT.

Yes, it's tough to find top-notch talent along the line and, yes, continuity along the OL is hugely significant. But the panic in this thread and others, esp in light of the "been there, done that" of Patriots off seasons AND the fact that free agency/2018 roster construction is in its infancy, is truly RIDICULOUS. Take a breath, for god's sake.

Edit typos
Solder didn't look average to me last year. He was awesome down the stretch.

But still, I wouldn't pay him what they would have had to pay him to keep him around. They'll be fine with Cannon at LT if need be. Find more OL bodies in the draft and Scar can put the pieces together.

I'm still twice as concerned about the front seven on defense.
 

Helmet Head

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It does when the entire premise of your argument relies on your evaluation of team and player performance over that year you didn't watch.
Is Tyrone Biggums a parody account? Sometimes he posts read like one. Under his profile it says he utilized it as a parody account but promises to post more engaging thoughts. He also has a lot to say for someone that claims to not have watched any football this past year. That being said, he makes me laugh.
 

tims4wins

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They were FAs so cap space unchanged at about $21M, with potential to add another $10M with cuts to players like Allen, McClellin, and Gillislee.
Given that Gillislee is one of only two RBs on the roster I expect him to be on the team. I mean LGBT is a UFA but if they cut Gillislee and signed Blount to a small deal would that even result in savings?