None of the NFL deal are "real"I dont see them giving Bennett a "real" 3 year deal.
This is fun, but that team is almost too good. Cut down day won't be easy when you're at 50 players before the draft.This was fun. Still have about $20 million in salary to roll over some salary, rookies, and trades (or signing Bennett):
New England Patriots 2017 (CREATED: 02/07/2017 11:33 AM)
# PLAYER POS. AGE EXPIRES 2017 CAP FIGURE
1 Eric Berry FS 28 $12,000,000 (Free Agent)
2 Nate Solder LT 28 2018 $11,166,418
3 Dont'a Hightower ILB 26 $11,000,000 (Resigned)
4 Devin McCourty FS 29 2020 $10,935,000
5 Malcolm Butler CB 26 $9,000,000 (sacrifices some cash for a new deal)
6 Calais Campbell DE 30 $8,500,000 (Free Agent)
7 Tom Brady QB 39 2020 $8,000,000 (restructured/extended)
8 Terrelle Pryor WR 27 $7,500,000 (Free Agent)
9 Logan Ryan CB 25 $7,000,000 (Resigned)
10 Rob Gronkowski TE 27 2020 $6,750,000
11 Julian Edelman WR 30 2018 $5,750,000
12 Patrick Chung SS 29 2019 $5,400,000
13 Marcus Cannon LT 28 2022 $3,368,750
14 Shea McClellin ILB 27 2019 $3,195,833
15 Danny Amendola WR 31 2018 $3,000,000 (restructured)
16 Stephen Gostkowski K 33 2019 $3,000,000 (restructured)
17 Chris Hogan WR 28 2019 $2,968,750
18 Rob Ninkovich DE 33 2018 $2,250,000
19 Malcolm Brown DT 23 2020 $2,076,335
20 LeGarrette Blount RB 30 $2,000,000 (resigned)
21 Alan Branch DT 32 $2,000,000 (resigned)
22 Ryan Allen P 26 2019 $1,900,000
23 Matthew Slater WR 31 2018 $1,593,750
24 Jonathan Freeny ILB 27 2019 $1,570,833
25 Dion Lewis RB 26 2018 $1,487,500
26 Nate Ebner FS 27 2018 $1,200,000
27 LaAdrian Waddle RT 25 2018 $1,125,000
28 Kyle Van Noy OLB 25 2018 $1,115,741
29 Jordan Richards SS 24 2019 $1,012,240
30 Chris Long DE 31 $1,000,000 (resigned)
31 James Develin FB 28 $1,000,000 (resigned)
32 Cameron Fleming G 24 $1,000,000 (resigned)
33 Cyrus Jones CB 23 2020 $910,614
34 Eric Rowe CB 24 2019 $878,623
35 Bryan Stork C 26 2018 $809,250
36 James White RB 25 2018 $789,272
37 Jacoby Brissett QB 24 2020 $775,189
38 Joe Thuney T 24 2020 $768,357
39 Trey Flowers DE 23 2019 $754,733
40 Tre' Jackson G 24 2019 $745,935
41 Shaq Mason G 23 2019 $725,881
42 Vincent Valentine DT 22 2020 $716,355
43 Joe Cardona LS 24 2019 $685,000
44 Malcolm Mitchell WR 23 2020 $684,498
45 David Andrews C 24 2018 $620,000
46 Robert Housler TE 28 2018 $615,000
47 Elandon Roberts ILB 22 2020 $565,089
48 Ted Karras G 23 2020 $565,089
49 Jonathan Jones CB 23 2019 $540,000
50 D.J. Foster WR 23 2018 $540,000
Dead Cap
# PLAYER POS. AGE 2017 CAP
1 Geno Grissom DE 24 $290,976
2 Josh Kline G 27 $250,000
3 Jimmy Garoppolo QB 25 $213,436 (traded)
4 Keshawn Martin WR 26 $200,000
5 Clay Harbor TE 29 $200,000
6 Bryan Stork C 26 $119,250
7 Kamu Grugier-Hill OLB 22 $75,267
8 Devin Lucien WR 0 $64,059
9 A.J. Derby TE 25 $56,028
10 Darryl Roberts CB 26 $27,112
11 V'Angelo Bentley CB 0 $6,667
12 Crevon LeBlanc CB 22 $6,667
Imagine all the trading down BB can do without having to draft any players!None of the NFL deal are "real"
This is fun, but that team is almost too good. Cut down day won't be easy when you're at 50 players before the draft.
I agree. I actually think Berry, Campbell, and Pryor are BB kind of guys. Obviously thats completely wishful thinking, but...The cap space combined with the Collins trade (which locked in a comp pick even if they sign more comp players than they lose) makes me think they are more likely than usual to be involved in the pricier-tier of free agent spending, Im just not sure which specific player they are likely to target.
Don't forget about the Brady restructure (i bet they get him down to 7 or 8 million, saving 4-5 million).For the record: Miguel has the Pats currently just over $61 million in cap space. That number should go up to just over $67 million after they cut Amendola.
I definitely think Campbell will be a target especially with the age of the DE's coupled with the fact Arizona will be using their tag on Chandler Jones.I agree. I actually think Berry, Campbell, and Pryor are BB kind of guys. Obviously thats completely wishful thinking, but...
I gotta say, if they opt to walk into next season with $30-40 million in cap space, I'm going to be a little pissed. They have a chance to turn a very good defense into an elite one, and they can do it without blowing up the future or losing their depth. You don't get many opportunities like that, especially when you're already the best team in the league. I'm praying that BB was playing the long game with the contracts he's dolled out, and now he's going to cash in.
There was quite a bit of "sure wish they had kept Chandler Jones" after the Collins trade. Instead they pay neither, are compensated for both, win the Super Bowl anyway, and are now set up in a golden position to come back with a team that's potentially even better on paper next year. And people wonder why the Patriots keep winning.I agree. I actually think Berry, Campbell, and Pryor are BB kind of guys. Obviously thats completely wishful thinking, but...
I gotta say, if they opt to walk into next season with $30-40 million in cap space, I'm going to be a little pissed. They have a chance to turn a very good defense into an elite one, and they can do it without blowing up the future or losing their depth. You don't get many opportunities like that, especially when you're already the best team in the league. I'm praying that BB was playing the long game with the contracts he's dolled out, and now he's going to cash in.
Yeah, I mean if they'll come for next to nothing, sure. But I'd like to retain some key guys and land a blue chipper or two. Campbell would be awesome.I kind of hope not with Ware and Peppers. Those guys are 34 and 37, respectively, and Ware missed a bunch of games this year.
I feel like the Patriots went down that road with Shaun Ellis (plus Torry Holt and Chad Ochocinco).
I agree. I actually think Berry, Campbell, and Pryor are BB kind of guys. Obviously thats completely wishful thinking, but...
And you could get Floyd for a lot cheaper who is a better WR anyways.Pryor is getting tagged in Cleveland. And you just called him a "BB kind of guy". He is pretty much the opposite of a Belichick type of player.
He got beat out by Matt McGloin in Oakland due to mental preparation issues / ability to grasp the scheme. He wouldn't fit well.
This. He's also very flexible. He can play across the formation and has the utility knife value that BB values.Pats had Pryor in for tryout in 2015 and nearly signed him, so while I acknowledge the questions about preparation you raise it does seem like there's reason to think Belichick is interested, at least.
The article you're responding to mentioned Julius, so I'm not arguing. Just pointing out that most people talking about Peppers in this thread are talking about Jabrill Peppers out of Michigan, so we should try to keep that distinction straight.I kind of hope not with Ware and Peppers. Those guys are 34 and 37, respectively, and Ware missed a bunch of games this year.
It worked with Bryan Cox and Roman Phifer. I think they were both 33 when they signed.I kind of hope not with Ware and Peppers. Those guys are 34 and 37, respectively, and Ware missed a bunch of games this year.
I feel like the Patriots went down that road with Shaun Ellis (plus Torry Holt and Chad Ochocinco).
Sure, but big difference between signing him last year when he was a bargain and this year when he'll cost market price. I'm sure the Patriots would love to have Pryor, but I can't see them paying what it will take.In regards to Pryor, Lombardi was on Simmons' podcast at one point this year saying "We (Pats FO) dropped the ball on that one. We shouldn't have let him leave without a contract". Or something very similar, so I'd bet that's one BB would like to do over.
Fun post - but I bet Blount can be had for about half of that and Hightower may settle for $10m.This was fun. Still have about $20 million in salary to roll over some salary, rookies, and trades (or signing Bennett):
New England Patriots 2017 (CREATED: 02/07/2017 11:33 AM)
# PLAYER POS. AGE EXPIRES 2017 CAP FIGURE
1 Eric Berry FS 28 $12,000,000 (Free Agent)
2 Nate Solder LT 28 2018 $11,166,418
3 Dont'a Hightower ILB 26 $11,000,000 (Resigned)
4 Devin McCourty FS 29 2020 $10,935,000
5 Malcolm Butler CB 26 $9,000,000 (sacrifices some cash for a new deal)
6 Calais Campbell DE 30 $8,500,000 (Free Agent)
7 Tom Brady QB 39 2020 $8,000,000 (restructured/extended)
8 Terrelle Pryor WR 27 $7,500,000 (Free Agent)
9 Logan Ryan CB 25 $7,000,000 (Resigned)
10 Rob Gronkowski TE 27 2020 $6,750,000
11 Julian Edelman WR 30 2018 $5,750,000
12 Patrick Chung SS 29 2019 $5,400,000
13 Marcus Cannon LT 28 2022 $3,368,750
14 Shea McClellin ILB 27 2019 $3,195,833
15 Danny Amendola WR 31 2018 $3,000,000 (restructured)
16 Stephen Gostkowski K 33 2019 $3,000,000 (restructured)
17 Chris Hogan WR 28 2019 $2,968,750
18 Rob Ninkovich DE 33 2018 $2,250,000
19 Malcolm Brown DT 23 2020 $2,076,335
20 LeGarrette Blount RB 30 $2,000,000 (resigned)
21 Alan Branch DT 32 $2,000,000 (resigned)
22 Ryan Allen P 26 2019 $1,900,000
23 Matthew Slater WR 31 2018 $1,593,750
24 Jonathan Freeny ILB 27 2019 $1,570,833
25 Dion Lewis RB 26 2018 $1,487,500
26 Nate Ebner FS 27 2018 $1,200,000
27 LaAdrian Waddle RT 25 2018 $1,125,000
28 Kyle Van Noy OLB 25 2018 $1,115,741
29 Jordan Richards SS 24 2019 $1,012,240
30 Chris Long DE 31 $1,000,000 (resigned)
31 James Develin FB 28 $1,000,000 (resigned)
32 Cameron Fleming G 24 $1,000,000 (resigned)
33 Cyrus Jones CB 23 2020 $910,614
34 Eric Rowe CB 24 2019 $878,623
35 Bryan Stork C 26 2018 $809,250
36 James White RB 25 2018 $789,272
37 Jacoby Brissett QB 24 2020 $775,189
38 Joe Thuney T 24 2020 $768,357
39 Trey Flowers DE 23 2019 $754,733
40 Tre' Jackson G 24 2019 $745,935
41 Shaq Mason G 23 2019 $725,881
42 Vincent Valentine DT 22 2020 $716,355
43 Joe Cardona LS 24 2019 $685,000
44 Malcolm Mitchell WR 23 2020 $684,498
45 David Andrews C 24 2018 $620,000
46 Robert Housler TE 28 2018 $615,000
47 Elandon Roberts ILB 22 2020 $565,089
48 Ted Karras G 23 2020 $565,089
49 Jonathan Jones CB 23 2019 $540,000
50 D.J. Foster WR 23 2018 $540,000
Dead Cap
# PLAYER POS. AGE 2017 CAP
1 Geno Grissom DE 24 $290,976
2 Josh Kline G 27 $250,000
3 Jimmy Garoppolo QB 25 $213,436 (traded)
4 Keshawn Martin WR 26 $200,000
5 Clay Harbor TE 29 $200,000
6 Bryan Stork C 26 $119,250
7 Kamu Grugier-Hill OLB 22 $75,267
8 Devin Lucien WR 0 $64,059
9 A.J. Derby TE 25 $56,028
10 Darryl Roberts CB 26 $27,112
11 V'Angelo Bentley CB 0 $6,667
12 Crevon LeBlanc CB 22 $6,667
The Pats play enough 3 safety looks that they could absolutely keep Chung if they brought in someone like Berry. It's just getting the right fit. You want someone who can play a good single-high safety, which allows someone like Chung to matchup against a pass catching TE or RB. If you get two Chung-types, you start exposing yourself to the deep ball.One more thing - if you have two elite FS, do you really keep Chung?
If another team decides that he can be a pretty good starting FS in the league, I think it will be hard for us to match their offer. The basic reality is that he'll be worth more to another team that will see him as an every down starting FS.Duron Harmon is a guy I'd want the Patriots to lock up, even if they extend beyond their normal comfort zone for him. He plays a key role within the defense, and he plays it very well. Similar to McCourty, it doesn't always show up on the stat sheet, but he plays the deep zones really well. He's a very good tackler and durable to boot. With the Jordan Richards pick looking like a bust, they have no replacement on hand. They'd either have to use a premium pick on a free safety (and prior premium round picks on Richard and Tavon Wilson didn't work out), sign a different free agent, or move to a different defensive alignment. I'd rather just keep Harmon and sacrifice elsewhere. He's a key piece in their ability to limit big plays.
Yeah, I guess my question was more about whether Berry can convert to SS and matchup with tight ends? I haven't watched much of his play over the last few years and know more about him based on his reputation than what my eyes have been able to tell me.The Pats play enough 3 safety looks that they could absolutely keep Chung if they brought in someone like Berry. It's just getting the right fit. You want someone who can play a good single-high safety, which allows someone like Chung to matchup against a pass catching TE or RB. If you get two Chung-types, you start exposing yourself to the deep ball.
I was wondering about Nink too. Especially if they are able to add a couple edge guys in draft or FA. He is still good for a couple of really heads up high effort type plays a year (e.g. the fumble recovery in the AFCCG) but does not seem able to compete on a consistent basis physically at this point.One more question...
Are we sure Nink is back? He's going to be 33 and looked pretty slow throughout the year, though I know he was battling leg injuries (including blood clots, which, as someone that has survived a PE myself, is terrifying to think about playing football with).
He'd only save ~$1.4 against the cap, but does Belchick have the "Bruschi talk" with him this offseason?
The edge will definitely be a priority in the draft/FA period. I think Nink sticks around throughout the offseason and stands a good chance of eventually making the team in a backup/elder statesman type role, since the benefit to cutting him is fairly minimal. But I think they'll bring in a lot of competition - at least one high-or-middle round draft pick on an edge player and probably 1-2 veteran FAs - and that there is a reasonable chance he gets cuts in August.I was wondering about Nink too. Especially if they are able to add a couple edge guys in draft or FA. He is still good for a couple of really heads up high effort type plays a year (e.g. the fumble recovery in the AFCCG) but does not seem able to compete on a consistent basis physically at this point.
Calais Campbell is a player right up BB's alley. 31 the perfect age to come here to chase the ring that he won't win in Arizona and he is still very productive. He should be a target of this team.I think the time is right to move on from Nink. He looked painfully slow out there this year. Edge pressure is what turned the game around for us. I'd like to see Long back on a short deal but want another blue chipper on the line. I think Calais Campbell would make a great Patriot given how versatile he is. Turns 31 this year so may be a little too old to interest BB.
Its Hightower and basically three JAG's.I dont know if Id call the LB crew without Hightower competitive.
Yeah. Hightower made the big defensive play and Roberts damn near killed us (but did great to correct his mistake). I think Hightower is an absolute must priority this offseason with Butler.Its Hightower and basically three JAG's.
Yeah fair enough. But counter point is he only played half the snaps in the AFCCG. And he is somewhat of an injury prone player. Love him and hope he is back but my point was mainly that they can field a team at LB. They don't have any edge players on the roster right now aside from Nink, who is super close to washed up.I dont know if Id call the LB crew without Hightower competitive.
Chung to me is a lot like Blount (although Chung is a better player than Blount)- he's a useful piece with us, and he's been a shitshow elsewhere. I think he plays the rest of his (meaningful) career here on relatively short money.I don't think Chung is expendable, not that I expect them to cut him for almost 0 cap benefit. He reasonably fills the LB/SS hybrid role that is becoming pretty en vogue around the league (Deion Jones, Deone Bucannon) and has consistently been one of the teams better tacklers for 3 years now.
Not to get all Jeterian about it, but Campbell came across as very impressive in the Amazon Hard Knocks-ripoff series about the Arizona Cardinals. Leaderly, respected by both older and younger teammates, go-to guy for the coaching staff...Calais Campbell is a player right up BB's alley. 31 the perfect age to come here to chase the ring that he won't win in Arizona and he is still very productive. He should be a target of this team.
Mike Reiss ESPN Staff WriterI am not particularly optimistic that Hightower will be back. For me, if he is, it will be a pleasant surprise. But I could see the Pats not wanting to shell out top top dollar for a guy with his injury history.
He also didn't attend the paradeMike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer
LB Dont'a Hightower touched on becoming a free agent and if he would be back with Patriots in 2017. "That's up in the air right now," he said on ESPN's NFL Insiders show. "I'm going along with the ride and enjoying this victory. ... I'm sure in a couple weeks all that free agency stuff will pick up. I'll handle that whenever that comes."
He's also not going to the White House, although he says he didn't go the last time either. Went when Alabama won; now says "been there, done that"He also didn't attend the parade