2015 Offseason: Non-Revis Edition

[vadertime]

Scott O'Brien retires.  Was the special teams coach.
 
 

The New England Patriots have announced that special teams coach Scott O'Brien will retire as a coach after 24 seasons in the league.
O'Brien has spent the last six seasons with the Patriots and will remain with the organization in some capacity.
 

 
http://www.csnne.com/new-england-patriots/patriots-special-teams-coach-obrien-retires-coaching?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

 

[Shelterdog]

Fanspeak and Over The Cap made a cool offseason simulator. It's far from perfect but gives you a rough idea of what teams can and can't do. Here is my first attempt http://fanspeak.com/mtc/summary.php?id=ztfurp

 
 
It's awesome how you have everybody signing a below market deal with the Pats (well, except Malcolm Smith).  

 

[Tito's Pullover]

I can't figure out how they calculate the cap hits for players you just "signed".  I offered Justin Houston 5/$50 and something like 80% guaranteed... he took it and the cap hit was just $6 million.  That's a steal.  Revis signed for 4/$50, his cap hit is only $8.7 million, and I don't see his $5 million in dead money anywhere (that I had to pay to cut him).
 
I have less than $200k in remaining cap space -- surely the Patriots will keep more than that free.
 
http://fanspeak.com/mtc/summary.php?id=auiesk
 
It's a fun little exercise but not terribly realistic.

 

[Phragle]

It's awesome how you have everybody signing a below market deal with the Pats (well, except Malcolm Smith).

 
I don't think I do. As far as I can see it only shows first year cap hits. It's understandable if that's all you can see. I gave Boling 35 million over 5 years. I'd be surprised if he got that much in reality.
 

I can't figure out how they calculate the cap hits for players you just "signed".  I offered Justin Houston 5/$50 and something like 80% guaranteed... he took it and the cap hit was just $6 million.  That's a steal.  Revis signed for 4/$50, his cap hit is only $8.7 million, and I don't see his $5 million in dead money anywhere (that I had to pay to cut him).
 
I have less than $200k in remaining cap space -- surely the Patriots will keep more than that free.
 
http://fanspeak.com/mtc/summary.php?id=auiesk
 
It's a fun little exercise but not terribly realistic.

It's not going to be realistic if you guarantee 80% and leave 200k left over.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Where is SoxScout's annual roster assessment thread? Maybe he is still recovering from Sunday.

 

[Pxer]

I can't figure out how they calculate the cap hits for players you just "signed".  I offered Justin Houston 5/$50 and something like 80% guaranteed... he took it and the cap hit was just $6 million.  That's a steal.  Revis signed for 4/$50, his cap hit is only $8.7 million, and I don't see his $5 million in dead money anywhere (that I had to pay to cut him).
 
I have less than $200k in remaining cap space -- surely the Patriots will keep more than that free.
 
http://fanspeak.com/mtc/summary.php?id=auiesk
 
It's a fun little exercise but not terribly realistic.

If it's even remotely realistic, 8-1 odds on the Pats repeating is the easiest money you'll ever make.

 

[vadertime]

When is the deadline for Revis' option to be picked up or declined?

 

[singaporesoxfan]

Another offseason for that awful Vikings / Bengals / Eagles / Steelers / Cowboys family to look forward to.

 

[amarshal2]

The star of the new League Year, so March 10th. 

 
This link suggests his roster bonus isn't due until 4/1 so I think they have until 3/31
 
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/darrelle-revis/

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

This link suggests his roster bonus isn't due until 4/1 so I think they have until 3/31
 
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/darrelle-revis/

As I understand it, the bonus gets paid on 4/1 but the option itself has to be exercised during the 2014 league year, which ends 3/10.

 

[Don Buddin's GS]

This guy is a patriot and is there any doubt he deserves a shot to be a Patriot?
 
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-unlikely-story-of-a-long-snapping-green-beret-with-an-nfl-dream-022552855-ncaaf.html;_ylt=A0LEVr1WN9ZUQSgATIgnnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTEzM2pkdDNiBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1lIUzAwMl8x

 

[mascho]

This guy is a patriot and is there any doubt he deserves a shot to be a Patriot?
 
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-unlikely-story-of-a-long-snapping-green-beret-with-an-nfl-dream-022552855-ncaaf.html;_ylt=A0LEVr1WN9ZUQSgATIgnnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTEzM2pkdDNiBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1lIUzAwMl8x

Normally I would agree with you. But Navy long snapper Joe Cardona got a combine invite. I'd bet my house Belichick drafts him.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Rick Stroud ‏@NFLSTROUD 45s45 seconds ago
The team is expected to announce the release of McCown shortly. He went 1-10 as a starter after signing a two-year, $10-million deal.
 

Tampa Bay releasing QB Josh McCown.

 

[MarcSullivaFan]

Tampa Bay releasing QB Josh McCown.

BUFFALO BILL!

 

[soxhop411]

“@BenVolin: #AZCardinals GM Steve Keim confirms that the team and Larry Fitzgerald signed a new 2-yr contract today. So, he’s not coming to New England”

 

[ivanvamp]

“@BenVolin: #AZCardinals GM Steve Keim confirms that the team and Larry Fitzgerald signed a new 2-yr contract today. So, he’s not coming to New England”

 
Sign and trade, baby!

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

I am so psyched for the Brady-Fitzgerald swan song season in 2017!!!!!

 

[Super Nomario]

Eagles released James Casey today. He had 34 catches for 330 yards as a FB / TE / H-Back hybrid in 2012 for Houston, but never really integrated into Philly's offense. Might be worth kicking the tires on.
 
EDIT: Oh, and a Rice guy, goes without saying.

 

[dcmissle]

I think odds are against AP going back to the Vikings. I think their expressed interest in having him back is less than unequivocal, and now there is this from his end,

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/adrian-peterson--still-uneasy--about-returning-to-minnesota-vikings-140618754.html

Not likely happenin' but could you imagine ...? He will be playing with a fury next season that will be something to behold.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Eagles released James Casey today. He had 34 catches for 330 yards as a FB / TE / H-Back hybrid in 2012 for Houston, but never really integrated into Philly's offense. Might be worth kicking the tires on.
 
EDIT: Oh, and a Rice guy, goes without saying.

 
I'm a fan & had posted that Patriots should sign Casey, before he got what I thought was an overpay from the Eagles ($14m+/3 years). 
 
I wouldn't even mind some overlap of skill sets between Funchess (TE/WR, 6'5"/230 lbs) through the draft and Casey (TE/FB, 6'3"/240 lbs) via free agency, if both were to come aboard. 
 
Edit: another option is Nick O'Leary from Florida State, who is a good blocker, can move, and can play bot TE and HB spots. Sure hands and may well be available when either the Talib's comp pick (late 3rd) or TB's Mankins pick (top of 4th). 

 

[Leather]

Poor Minnesota fans. They get KG back but now are primed to lose AP. The universe had to balance itself.

 
They're better off.   Having AP makes them an outside shot to get a wild card spot.  Not having him lets them rebuild.  The ownership would otherwise be content to have one big ticket player; now they will be forced to rebuild from the ground up.

 

[Tony C]

I dunno, they were very competitive last year without a running game. Bridgewater is really good, solid defense...things turn around quick in the NFL. With AP and a few more draft choices they could compete with Green Bay in their division.

 

[soxhop411]

Report: Patriots Expected To Show Interest In Percy Harvin If Cut By Jets

 

 
 
It wouldn’t be an NFL offseason without a reported link between the New England Patriots and Percy Harvin. The New York Jets wide receiver is owed $10.5 million next season and is unlikely to be back unless he agrees to a restructured contract. The Jets can cut Harvin without penalty. The Seattle Seahawks traded Harvin to the Jets in October for a conditional draft pick, which will escalate to a fourth-rounder if he’s still on New York’s roster by March 19. If Harvin is cut prior to that date, then the Jets owe the Seahawks a sixth-round pick. The Seahawks didn’t contact the Patriots before trading Harvin to the Jets. The receiver said the Patriots attempted to trade for him during the 2013 offseason when the Minnesota Vikings dealt him to the Seahawks. If Harvin is let go, then the Patriots are among teams expected to show interest in the versatile receiver, according to ProFootball Talk and CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora. Harvin is a dangerous weapon, but he had a quiet 2014 season with just 51 receptions for 483 yards and a touchdown. He also added 33 rushing attempts for 202 yards and 32 kick returns for 778 yards. He played in just one game during the 2013 regular season, catching one pass for 17 yards with one kick return for 58 yards. New England could be the perfect place for the 26-year-old receiver to sign to a one-year prove it deal. The Patriots could be looking for a No. 3 receiver if Danny Amendola can’t agree to a restructured contract. Amendola is on the books for a $5.7 million cap hit next season. Harvin could fill a similar role to the one running back Shane Vereen held the past two seasons as a threat out of the backfield or split out at receiver. Vereen is a free agent this offseason and is expected to test the open market. Harvin has 332 career catches with 3,802 yards and 21 touchdowns in six NFL seasons. He has 140 rushing attempts for 885 yards and five scores on the ground. Harvin also could return kicks for the Patriots.

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2015/02/report-patriots-expected-to-show-interest-in-percy-harvin-if-cut-by-jets/

 

[RedOctober3829]

Jason Cole ‏@JasonPhilCole 1m1 minute ago
#Ravens terminate contract of WR Jacoby Jones
 

 

[RedOctober3829]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 10s11 seconds ago
The #Packers released LB AJ Hawk, their former first-round pick. It saves them $3.5M this year, which comes off their cap
 

 

[RedOctober3829]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 1m1 minute ago
Lions cut RB Reggie Bush, per source.
 

 

[E5 Yaz]

Reggie Bush, hmmm? 30 years old next week, ankle issues, but as a real good option out of the backfield who wouldn't be asked to be an every down back?
 
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12382765/detroit-lions-release-veteran-rb-reggie-bush

 

[dynomite]

I like Bush in a limited role, but I think some team will give him one more chance to get the majority of carries (MIN? ATL? NYJ?) and I also think he'll want more money than the Pats will want to give him.

Also, he won a SB with the '09 Saints, so he's not an obvious candidate to take a pay cut to chase a ring.

 

[E5 Yaz]

I like Bush in a limited role, but I think some team will give him one more chance to get the majority of carries (MIN? ATL? NYJ?) and I also think he'll want more money than the Pats will want to give him.

Also, he won a SB with the '09 Saints, so he's not an obvious candidate to take a pay cut to chase a ring.

 
Fair points all

 

[Phragle]

Rotoworld Football ‏@Rotoworld_FB 20m20 minutes ago
Report: Dolphins trying to trade Mike Wallace http://dlvr.it/8kvkTK
 
ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk 24m24 minutes ago
Report: Peyton Manning and Broncos working on restructuring his deal http://wp.me/p14QSB-9Iql

 

[SoxinSeattle]

As we all wait with concern over finding out if Revis and McCourty return is anyone else nervous about losing Kevin Faulk Shane Vereen? Am I being irrational? Is he easily replaceable? Is he really going to cost so much that the Pats look elsewhere as some pundits believe? I just think the Pats offense has to have that sure handed 3rd down back.

 

[E5 Yaz]

As we all wait with concern over finding out if Revis and McCourty return is anyone else nervous about losing Kevin Faulk Shane Vereen? Am I being irrational? Is he easily replaceable? Is he really going to cost so much that the Pats look elsewhere as some pundits believe? I just think the Pats offense has to have that sure handed 3rd down back.

 
I like Shane, think he had a great, if overrated, Super Bowl, and will sort of miss him. He was great in that game, but not phenomenal, not transcendent and not the potential MVP candidate some folks I've talked to, read on boards, seem to think. A bit overrated.  But...bigger off-season fish to fry.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

I heart you.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer  ·  3m 3 minutes ago

The Patriots seemed a strange inclusion among 10 teams short of the CBA's minimum spend, hitting just 82.7%. There's a good reason why ...
 

 

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer  ·  2m 2 minutes ago

... Tom Brady's deal was done on 2/25/13, days before the start of the 2013 league year. He got a $30M signing bonus. That's the missing $$.
 

 

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer  ·  2m 2 minutes ago

So that $30 million that Tom Brady got didn't count towards the Patriots' 2013-16 totals. That's why they're under the minimum spend.
 

 

[E5 Yaz]

#Deadlinegate

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

Reggie Bush, hmmm? 30 years old next week, ankle issues, but as a real good option out of the backfield who wouldn't be asked to be an every down back?
 
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12382765/detroit-lions-release-veteran-rb-reggie-bush

Didn't see this so posted in Vereen thread.
 
Re-sign Vereen, or sign Reggie Bush, what say the cognoscenti?
 
Vereen knows the system and is younger, but Bush was my all-time binkie so I'm more than a little biased. But on short (2 or 1 yr) deal at same $, I'd take Bush.
 
better runner between the tackles, but still good chance of pace between LGBT or Ridley or Gray.

 

[DJnVa]

As we all wait with concern over finding out if Revis and McCourty return is anyone else nervous about losing Kevin Faulk Shane Vereen? Am I being irrational? Is he easily replaceable? Is he really going to cost so much that the Pats look elsewhere as some pundits believe? I just think the Pats offense has to have that sure handed 3rd down back.

 
Dude--I mean, it's like 3 threads down: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/88109-shane-come-back-maybe-wait-how-much/

 

[dcmissle]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/27/ravens-drop-the-axe-on-chris-canty/

Chris Canty a Raven no mo.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Around The NFL ‏@AroundTheNFL 44s44 seconds ago
Cardinals announce release of Darnell Dockett. Had a great run with the #BirdGang
 

 

[Ed Hillel]

The number of quality pass rushers on the market right now is really insane, I don't remember anything quite like it. This will be a good year for Belichick to get that third guy to help out Nink/Jones, quite possibly on the cheap.

 

[RedOctober3829]

The number of quality pass rushers on the market right now is really insane, I don't remember anything quite like it. This will be a good year for Belichick to get that third guy to help out Nink/Jones, quite possibly on the cheap.

My dream is Bud Dupree slipping to 32.

 

[jsinger121]

My dream is Bud Dupree slipping to 32.

Same...though I wouldnt mind moving up a few spots to get him if it gets close.

 

[E5 Yaz]

My dream is Bud Dupree slipping to 32.

 
 

Same...though I wouldnt mind moving up a few spots to get him if it gets close.

 
Starting to see his name in the top half of the draft. Might be out of reach

 

[RedOctober3829]

 
 
 
Starting to see his name in the top half of the draft. Might be out of reach

Could be, but a couple of mock drafts have him fallen into the 20's.  

 

[Shelterdog]

Could be, but a couple of mock drafts have him fallen into the 20's.  

 
Were any of those published before the combine? Productive 270 pound players who run 4.5s don't last into the 20s.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 
Were any of those published before the combine? Productive 270 pound players who run 4.5s don't last into the 20s.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2015-mock-draft-1-0/

 

[RedOctober3829]

Tomorrow is the deadline to place the franchise tag on players.  I'd expect an announcement either today or tomorrow that Devin McCourty will be franchised.  Also, time is ticking on settling the Revis situation.  8 days to either get a long-term deal done, cut him, or pick up the option.

 

[DJnVa]

Some twitter chatter that the front runner for the opener is Philly at NE.

 

[ivanvamp]

Tomorrow is the deadline to place the franchise tag on players.  I'd expect an announcement either today or tomorrow that Devin McCourty will be franchised.  Also, time is ticking on settling the Revis situation.  8 days to either get a long-term deal done, cut him, or pick up the option.

 
As a fallback, could they pick up the option, but then renegotiate it in a few months?

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

A prediction: BB keeps Revis on a highest CB contact ever, but lets McCourty go, calculating that Harmon stepping in would be a worthy gamble.