If not Revis, then who?

[dcmissle]

The hyperbole is a bit much around here tonight. let's take a deep breath. This team just won it all a month ago. The offense is still elite, Bill Belichick is still the coach, and there is a lot of moves to be made on defense before September 10th.

Yes. It's just that the path seem a lot more challenging now. And having neither a formidable pass rush nor a top secondary conjures bad memories.

But we were thrilled a year ago to have Revis on what we all knew was only a one year deal to win a SB. And we won it.

 

[RG33]

Who is this directed at? Me?
In BB I trust. Their long-term future is secure. So happy they won. This is the NFL. Still have TB12. Yadda yadda.
But if you don't think their Super Bowl chances for this upcoming year took a hit you're kidding yourself. That's a little sad.

Of course it did. . .. . . as of 8 hours into the free agency period. They did what they could to sign the guy, and he chose a different team for more money. Now, they have a bunch of cap space for free agents, a draft with 8 picks, and the potential to pick up some guys who get cut in training camp. It's the NFL. It's also the Patriots, and they have handled roster construction better than any team in NFL history so far.

 

[j44thor]

The hyperbole is a bit much around here tonight. let's take a deep breath. This team just won it all a month ago. The offense is still elite, Bill Belichick is still the coach, and there is a lot of moves to be made on defense before September 10th.

 
Seems rather unlikely that this team wins it all without Revis and Browner.  Is that not a fair statement?  If so then I don't see the problem with wondering how this team recovers from this loss given the current options in free agency.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

The hyperbole is a bit much around here tonight. let's take a deep breath. This team just won it all a month ago. The offense is still elite, Bill Belichick is still the coach, and there is a lot of moves to be made on defense before September 10th.

Not to mention that pretty much none of the big moves so far have come from the Patriots' top competition. And no, the division doesn't count until the day it actually is wide open. "Losing" day one of free agency to the league's also-rans isn't cause for concern.

I would have liked Helu at that price though.

 

[soxhop411]

 
Seems rather unlikely that this team wins it all without Revis and Browner.  Is that not a fair statement?  If so then I don't see the problem with wondering how this team recovers from this loss given the current options in free agency.

We got to a SB without them.

 

[dcmissle]

 
Seems rather unlikely that this team wins it all without Revis and Browner.  Is that not a fair statement?  If so then I don't see the problem with wondering how this team recovers from this loss given the current options in free agency.

For those curious, Vegas can provide preliminary answers: it's always open.

But fundamentally, they were not prepared to take an almost 39mm cap hit on a 30 yr old non QB who could go down at any time. And that's how they've kept the football balance sheet pristine for 15 years.

But yeah it sucks. They are down 2 comers, 1 elite, in a year when the draft is not deep at the position at the top end. And that was the dominant part of their 2014 defense.

 

[Toe Nash]

It's "rather unlikely" that any team wins it all given how close most playoff games are. But they'll be in the mix.
 
It's nice to lock up a great player in March, but that doesn't happen too often. Team-changing moves can happen very late with guy who weren't even on most people's radar in the beginning of the FA period, and BB has more than his share of them -- Talib being a good example.

 

[E5 Yaz]

But if you don't think their Super Bowl chances for this upcoming year took a hit you're kidding yourself.

 
Their Super Bowl chances took a hit the moment the clock ran out on Super Bowl 49. Back-to-back titles is asking a lot

 

[amarshal2]

Of course it did. . .. . . as of 8 hours into the free agency period. They did what they could to sign the guy, and he chose a different team for more money. Now, they have a bunch of cap space for free agents, a draft with 8 picks, and the potential to pick up some guys who get cut in training camp. It's the NFL. It's also the Patriots, and they have handled roster construction better than any team in NFL history so far.

Right, which is why I fully trust that in 2016 and/or 2017 and/or 2018 and beyond they will be a better team for it. They'll have an easier time locking up other core guys and they'll spread the money around and it will work out very well.

But just like I knew throughout the year that it was their best chance to win a super bowl since 2007 I know right now that when the dust settles on FA and the draft the 2015 Patriots are going to be worse than they would have been if Revis had left money on the table and come back.

I'm really not complaining. So happy last year worked out the way it did. But it sucks to know that he's not coming back and their SB chances are back to where they were pre-Revis. You'd think people around here would get that.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Who is this directed at? Me?
In BB I trust. Their long-term future is secure. So happy they won. This is the NFL. Still have TB12. Yadda yadda.
But if you don't think their Super Bowl chances for this upcoming year took a hit you're kidding yourself. That's a little sad.

Not directed at you per se. I know not having Revis is a blow to their SB chances. I've also seen worse secondaries win Super Bowls and its March fucking 10th.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

I think people do get that. But they also follow a team that has been to multiple consecutive AFCCG and only one was with Revis and Browner. They have watched their team have an excellent chance of winning other Super Bowls, losing either in the Super Bowl or on the way to it, largely because their alll-world tight end was out or hobbled. So I think you should probably cut them some slack when it comes to not freaking out too much.

Edit because of not proof-reading.

 

[RedOctober3829]

It's "rather unlikely" that any team wins it all given how close most playoff games are. But they'll be in the mix.
 
It's nice to lock up a great player in March, but that doesn't happen too often. Team-changing moves can happen very late with guy who weren't even on most people's radar in the beginning of the FA period, and BB has more than his share of them -- Talib being a good example.

Rodney Harrison and Rosey Colvin were signed in April.

 

[ragnarok725]

 
Seems rather unlikely that this team wins it all without Revis and Browner.  Is that not a fair statement?  If so then I don't see the problem with wondering how this team recovers from this loss given the current options in free agency.

 
As much as "it's rather unlikely that this teams wins it all even with Revis and Browner" is a fair statement. They've made it to the Super Bowl with weak secondaries before, and if Malcolm Butler doesn't make a miracle pick then we're talking about how this team - even with all they invested in the secondary - still couldn't make a stop at the end of a big game. The Revis-lead secondary choked several times.
 
They'll be worse without Revis and Browner, but that money can now be spent elsewhere, so we'll see how it offsets.
 
From the beginning, I actually felt like McCourty was a more important long-term sign than Revis. With him at the back-end, I think they'll wind up being an average secondary at worst, and could still make some moves and draft some kids to make it good if not great again. 

 

[soxhop411]

I think people do get that. But they also follow a team that has been to multiple consecutive AFCCG and only one was with Revis and Browner. They have watched their team have an excellent chance of winning other Super Bowls, losing either in the Super Bowl or on the way to it, largely because their alll-world tight end was out or hobbled. So I think you should probably cut them some slack when it comes to not freaking out too much.

Edit because of not proof-reading.

Yup

 

[Phragle]

Anyone heard anything about the contract Culliver is looking for? I like him a lot.

 

[Marciano490]

I'm fine with this. We won the SB a month ago. Odds were against us going back to back regardless. I don't love having so much money tied up in a 30 year old non-QB. Can anyone point to a team that has won with a defensive player making that much at that age?

Sure, we won't replace him in the secondary, but there's more than one way to skin a cat. Find a way to get pressure this year and we won't need an otherworldly secondary.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

After cutting Wilfork and Browner and retaining McCourty, the Patriots have $16.9 million in cap space.

To pay Revis what the Jets just paid him, they would have had to borrow $5 million from each of the 2018 and 2019 caps AND take an average hit of $12.75 million from the cap in each of the next three years. That leaves just a few million for next year, and puts over $10 million dead money onto the 2018 and 2019 caps (McCourty, Gronk, Revis.). This. Was. Not. An. Option. Maybe if Solder's and Amendola's agents play ball, they eek out a bit more next year at the expense of the next couple of years, which hopefully they get back if Mayo can be reasonable. But that's pretty much it. Yes, they are now a worse defense. Yes, it's a bummer, because when you have a lock down corner it sure makes it a fun game to watch. But they couldn't afford what another team could and there's simply nothing that can be done other than be bummed. The Jets' contract makes this one easy, because we never have to have an Ellsbury like conversation -- should they have ponied up? It wasn't a choice. Players like that have to play on teams that have cheap QBs.

 

[nighthob]

And the DL prospects this year are better than the CB ones. So I think this is a real possibility. I'm pretty high on Malcolm Brown and Jordan Phillips as DT prospects that could really help them with inside pressure. None of the CB particularly enthrall me, which means that NE will draft one that I've never heard of in the second round.

 

[RG33]

But just like I knew throughout the year that it was their best chance to win a super bowl since 2007 I know right now that when the dust settles on FA and the draft the 2015 Patriots are going to be worse than they would have been if Revis had left money on the table and come back.

Well, I'm not sure how you knew/know any of that definitively, but okay.

Clearly, they are a worse team today than yesterday, but we are 8 hours into free agency. Ryan, Harmon, Arrington, Butler, Dennard, McCourty, Chung is a pretty solid core of guys to have in the secondary. Yes, they need an "ace", and they may not get one this year, but they also were shit against the run this year and won a Superbowl. Everybody is having flashbacks to previous years' disastrous secondaries, and I get that, but they have some talent there now. Add some WR/TE/RB talent and the offense is elite; get Mayo/Collins/Hightower back and healthy and their LBs can play with anyone. Add to the DL, get some run-stoppers, draft wisely, and this team is winning 11-14 games, going to the AFC championship, and competing for a Superbowl. They've done it twice without an "ace" CB in the last 8 years and were two minutes from winning Superbowls. I don't see why 2015 would have the potential to be anything different.

 

[amarshal2]

After cutting Wilfork and Browner and retaining McCourty, the Patriots have $16.9 million in cap space.

To pay Revis what the Jets just paid him, they would have had to borrow $5 million from each of the 2018 and 2019 caps AND take an average hit of $12.75 million from the cap in each of the next three years. That leaves just a few million for next year, and puts over $10 million dead money onto the 2018 and 2019 caps (McCourty, Gronk, Revis.). This. Was. Not. An. Option. Maybe if Solder's and Amendola's agents play ball, they eek out a bit more next year at the expense of the next couple of years, which hopefully they get back if Mayo can be reasonable. But that's pretty much it. Yes, they are now a worse defense. Yes, it's a bummer, because when you have a lock down corner it sure makes it a fun game to watch. But they couldn't afford what another team could and there's simply nothing that can be done other than be bummed. The Jets' contract makes this one easy, because we never have to have an Ellsbury like conversation -- should they have ponied up? It wasn't a choice. Players like that have to play on teams that have cheap QBs.

I agree with every word of this post. It says what I'm trying to say.

 

[Shelterdog]

Who is this directed at? Me?

In BB I trust. Their long-term future is secure. So happy they won. This is the NFL. Still have TB12. Yadda yadda.

But if you don't think their Super Bowl chances for this upcoming year took a hit you're kidding yourself. That's a little sad.

. I'm not sure their chances did take a hit-you have to see what they di with the 21 million or whatever it is that they would have had to spend too retain them and you have to see how well their current backups step up.

 

[Bone Chips]

I'm fine with this. We won the SB a month ago. Odds were against us going back to back regardless. I don't love having so much money tied up in a 30 year old non-QB. Can anyone point to a team that has won with a defensive player making that much at that age?

Cowboys winning it in 1996 with Deion Sanders (29 years old at the time).

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

I believe there's more than one way to skin a cat.

I believe BB generally comes up with some path that leads to the AFCCG.

I would bet that he does again. I actually have no doubt that he will.

We can recover from the Revis exodus, won't be easy, but the Pats are still going to be very, very good.

BUT - can we please stop talking about all this "depth" we have at corner while ignoring that said depth is good ONLY in the context of having two really good starters at corner, which we currently don't have? We'll get it squared away, we'll make it work, blah blah blah, but the likes of Logan Ryan and Fonzi Dennard and (God bless him) Malcolm Butler and Arrington and whoever else is not something to be currently psyched with. I would love to be wrong, and there's tons of time left in the off-season, but the "we've developed this great depth!" is an embarrassingly ludicrous line of reasoning.

 

[Doctor G]

i would like to see Knighton brought in to add inside pressure to free up Cjones and Ninkovich. good rep in denver.

 

[DourDoerr]

A few guys mentioned Culliver, so I pulled this from the SF Chronicle:  "In his final seven starts, Culliver played at a Pro Bowl level. He had four interceptions while quarterbacks completed just 42 percent of passes thrown in his direction and had a 45.0 passer rating, according to Pro Football Focus.
Before his strong 2014 finish, Culliver’s stock had plummeted. Starting in January 2012, he made national headlines with homophobic comments, had a forgettable performance in a Super Bowl loss to Baltimore, tore his ACL and missed the 2013 season, was arrested for hit-and-run and possession of brass knuckles and endured a slow start in 2014."
 
Sounds like a screwball, but maybe he figured it out in the second half.  Has good size, speed - 6', 199, 4.4.  Writers covering Niners think he'll be a real loss as he played well but because of background, he won't get a big contract.  Haven't seen him play really, so I've no idea.  He's available though.

 

[ehaz]

Anyone heard anything about the contract Culliver is looking for? I like him a lot.

I know you're not gonna field a great team in the NFL if you always focus on character issues but, damn. We're talking about a serious gay basher, even by football standards, with significant legal troubles.

If anyone's curious about the exact level of douchebaggery:

No, we don't got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do.... Can't be with that sweet stuff. Nah…can't be…in the locker room man. Nah." He also opined that any gay players should wait 10 years after retiring before coming out"

 

[j44thor]

I'm fine with this. We won the SB a month ago. Odds were against us going back to back regardless. I don't love having so much money tied up in a 30 year old non-QB. Can anyone point to a team that has won with a defensive player making that much at that age?

Sure, we won't replace him in the secondary, but there's more than one way to skin a cat. Find a way to get pressure this year and we won't need an otherworldly secondary.

 
What???  The AFC is as wide open as it has ever been.  I understand that it was the right move not to match the offer to Revis but how were odds against NE going back to the SB if he was still on the team?  This is my biggest disappointment in the whole ordeal.  Who challenges NE in the AFC next year with Revis assuming relative health?  
 
Perhaps this was part of the thinking that went into the decision to let him walk.  You don't need to be an elite team to make the SB next season.  IND hasn't improved the DL, DEN is bringing in a new coaching staff/system and praying Manning can hold up for a full season and BAL is likely losing 1/2 their offense.  

 

[54thMA]

 
What???  The AFC is as wide open as it has ever been.  I understand that it was the right move not to match the offer to Revis but how were odds against NE going back to the SB if he was still on the team?  This is my biggest disappointment in the whole ordeal.  Who challenges NE in the AFC next year with Revis assuming relative health?  
 
Perhaps this was part of the thinking that went into the decision to let him walk.  You don't need to be an elite team to make the SB next season.  IND hasn't improved the DL, DEN is bringing in a new coaching staff/system and praying Manning can hold up for a full season and BAL is likely losing 1/2 their offense.  

 
This is where I am with this; if they could have found a way to keep Revis, I don't see anyone who poses a major threat to them in the AFC.  Baltimore took two hits yesterday, one on offense and one on defense, they are/were your biggest challenger IMO.
 
The Brady window is closing as we all know, back to back Super Bowl wins was not out of the possibility with Revis.
 
I'd love to know what happened in these negotiations, ie, what was the Patriots initial offer and their final offer.
 
If the reports are true that they were out Monday night, then why cut Browner, I don't get that at all.
 
Revis in a elite talent, a HOF talent, not sure where they go from here.
 
What a nutpunch.
 

 

[Stitch01]

I don't get what's controversial about that, Pats were not repeating far more often than they were repeating even if they kept Revis.

 

[dcmissle]

A few guys mentioned Culliver, so I pulled this from the SF Chronicle:  "In his final seven starts, Culliver played at a Pro Bowl level. He had four interceptions while quarterbacks completed just 42 percent of passes thrown in his direction and had a 45.0 passer rating, according to Pro Football Focus.
Before his strong 2014 finish, Cullivers stock had plummeted. Starting in January 2012, he made national headlines with homophobic comments, had a forgettable performance in a Super Bowl loss to Baltimore, tore his ACL and missed the 2013 season, was arrested for hit-and-run and possession of brass knuckles and endured a slow start in 2014."
 
Sounds like a screwball, but maybe he figured it out in the second half.  Has good size, speed - 6', 199, 4.4.  Writers covering Niners think he'll be a real loss as he played well but because of background, he won't get a big contract.  Haven't seen him play really, so I've no idea.  He's available though.

He is probably worth a look given the CB situation in the draft.

Culliver was mentioned along with Hardy and Harvin as possible plays with character issues. Somebody will sign Hardy, but I think he's probably out of the question for the Pats. He's likely to face a suspension and has an alleged history of serious physical violence off the football field and out of the football locker room (Harvin).

 

[bsj]

I know the answer is going to be A LOT....but how much would it take to pry Joe Haden away from the Browns? They have tons of holes to fill still. Would they even consider dealing him? His contract is big but not outrageous by the new Revis standards.....

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Why would the Browns trade Haden?

 

[bsj]

Why would the Browns trade Haden?

 
 
Maybe they don't want 11 million a year tied to one player? But like I said, in today's NFL economy that's probably not a bad value for a high end corner.  Nevermind. Talked myself out of it. 

 

[j44thor]

I know the answer is going to be A LOT....but how much would it take to pry Joe Haden away from the Browns? They have tons of holes to fill still. Would they even consider dealing him? His contract is big but not outrageous by the new Revis standards.....

 
Would much rather go after the other McCourty than Haden.  Better contract and would almost certainly require less.  

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

i would like to see Knighton brought in to add inside pressure to free up Cjones and Ninkovich. good rep in denver.

 
Knighton signed with Oakland.

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

 
Knighton signed with Oakland.

When? Last I saw he was visiting Washington.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

When? Last I saw he was visiting Washington.

 
Bah, my bad, he was visiting. Carry on.

 

[Toe Nash]

 
This is where I am with this; if they could have found a way to keep Revis, I don't see anyone who poses a major threat to them in the AFC.  Baltimore took two hits yesterday, one on offense and one on defense, they are/were your biggest challenger IMO.
 
The Brady window is closing as we all know, back to back Super Bowl wins was not out of the possibility with Revis.
 

They made the Super Bowl in 2011-12 with Arrington, McCourty, Chung, and James fucking Ihedigbo as their starting secondary. Antwan Molden was their 3rd CB. Yeah that offense was epic, but the team was a Welker catch, a perfect Manning pass or a Gronk hail mary away from winning it all.
 
Apart from having a good QB, there are lots of ways to build a winning team. BB has shown he can do it in a lot of ways. Back to back SB wins is still not out of the question, it will just need a different strategy based on their personnel strengths and weaknesses.

 

[ivanvamp]

They made the Super Bowl in 2011-12 with Arrington, McCourty, Chung, and James fucking Ihedigbo as their starting secondary. Antwan Molden was their 3rd CB. Yeah that offense was epic, but the team was a Welker catch, a perfect Manning pass or a Gronk hail mary away from winning it all.
 
Apart from having a good QB, there are lots of ways to build a winning team. BB has shown he can do it in a lot of ways. Back to back SB wins is still not out of the question, it will just need a different strategy based on their personnel strengths and weaknesses.

 
Not that this is how I expect it to go, but if the offense scored 35, 45, and 28 points in the three postseason games, the Pats would have two more SB championships, having won in SB 42 and 46.
 
EDIT:  Ironically, in a year when they finally get the great defense, it's the OFFENSE that comes through with its highest postseason per-game scoring mark ever (36.0 ppg).  Funny how that works.  

 

[Marciano490]

 
What???  The AFC is as wide open as it has ever been.  I understand that it was the right move not to match the offer to Revis but how were odds against NE going back to the SB if he was still on the team?  This is my biggest disappointment in the whole ordeal.  Who challenges NE in the AFC next year with Revis assuming relative health?  
 
Perhaps this was part of the thinking that went into the decision to let him walk.  You don't need to be an elite team to make the SB next season.  IND hasn't improved the DL, DEN is bringing in a new coaching staff/system and praying Manning can hold up for a full season and BAL is likely losing 1/2 their offense.  

 
Would they have been favored, yeah.  But favored to win the Super Bowl usually wins, what, 10-1 odds?  That's not probable.  It's pretty obvious by now how difficult it is to predict playoff teams in the offseason and how hard it is for even the best teams to run the gauntlet of the regular season plus playoffs.  It's even harder to do that two consecutive years.  Would they have a better chance with Revis, sure.  Could Revis get hurt in game 2 next year?  Yep.  Could the Pats make it to the Super Bowl again but this time not came up with the otherworldly play to win it all.  Also possible.  If any team should know about flukish SB losses, it's this one.
 
Edit - Also, regarding Culliver, the Pats amicus brief makes it very difficult to hire a known homophobe.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

 
Their Super Bowl chances took a hit the moment the clock ran out on Super Bowl 49. Back-to-back titles is asking a lot

Bingo.
 
I'd rather BB set the team up for many more SB appearances then sell out for the back-to-back. He knows what he's doing. It would have been absolutely idiotic to either pick up Revis option or sign him at that number.

 

[Super Nomario]

Edit - Also, regarding Culliver, the Pats amicus brief makes it very difficult to hire a known homophobe.

"Known homophobe" is a problem, but "once said a homophobic thing" isn't the same. Culliver's got some other off-the-field stuff, but he appears to have changed his tune on this issue: http://www.outsports.com/2014/3/7/5480630/gay-chris-culliver-michael-sam-teammate-san-francisco
 
 

They made the Super Bowl in 2011-12 with Arrington, McCourty, Chung, and James fucking Ihedigbo as their starting secondary. Antwan Molden was their 3rd CB. Yeah that offense was epic, but the team was a Welker catch, a perfect Manning pass or a Gronk hail mary away from winning it all..

I was thinking about that team the other day. The Pats started Arrington and McCourty outside in the base D, but in passing situations played Molden and Sterling Moore outside, with Arrington shifting to the slot, McCourty to safety, and Ihedigbo to the bench. It was like two totally different secondaries depending on the situation.

 

[Marciano490]

"Known homophobe" is a problem, but "once said a homophobic thing" isn't the same. Culliver's got some other off-the-field stuff, but he appears to have changed his tune on this issue: http://www.outsports.com/2014/3/7/5480630/gay-chris-culliver-michael-sam-teammate-san-francisco

 
Fair enough, and I'm all for redemption and changes of heart - especially at that age - but the optics are a little challenging given the timing of the brief submission and the potential signing.

 

[Ed Hillel]

How about Brian Tyms motherfuckaaaas!!

The Patriots re-signed WR Brian Tyms, according to the NFL transaction wire.

https://mobile.twitter.com/dougkyednesn/status/575672893037805570

 

[Toe Nash]

I was thinking about that team the other day. The Pats started Arrington and McCourty outside in the base D, but in passing situations played Molden and Sterling Moore outside, with Arrington shifting to the slot, McCourty to safety, and Ihedigbo to the bench. It was like two totally different secondaries depending on the situation.

Interesting. That year gives me hope because the secondary was really awful to start with but was worked up to being ok by the playoffs, perhaps because of the matchups.
 
I think that the team's willingness to modify their secondary based on matchups and even change things in-game gives me some hope going forward -- if you can't get a Revis, maybe you get 4-5 guys with different strengths and play them against different types of teams and receivers. And if everyone buys in, then no one is upset when your "#3" corner is covering TY Hilton, and then gets benched in the Super Bowl in favor of an undrafted free agent.

 

[Super Nomario]

Interesting. That year gives me hope because the secondary was really awful to start with but was worked up to being ok by the playoffs, perhaps because of the matchups.
 
I think that the team's willingness to modify their secondary based on matchups and even change things in-game gives me some hope going forward -- if you can't get a Revis, maybe you get 4-5 guys with different strengths and play them against different types of teams and receivers. And if everyone buys in, then no one is upset when your "#3" corner is covering TY Hilton, and then gets benched in the Super Bowl in favor of an undrafted free agent.

That's where losing Browner hurts, I think. I get it from a $$ standpoint, but now the Pats really don't have guys with different strengths for different matchups. They have a bunch of short / shortish quick guys who can do a good job against the Doug Baldwins of the world, but who's going to cover Brandon Marshall?
 
CB is a position that doesn't seem to have a huge learning curve for the Pats. McCourty started on day one, as did Dowling before injuries cut his rookie season short. Hobbs, Dennard, and Randall Gay worked their way into starting roles, and Samuel, Butler, and Ryan played significant roles as rookies. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Pats take a CB at #32 and plug him in as one of the starters. That's obviously still a pretty big downgrade from Revis, and they'll likely need to strengthen the D elsewhere to compensate.

 

[Phragle]

A few guys mentioned Culliver, so I pulled this from the SF Chronicle:  "In his final seven starts, Culliver played at a Pro Bowl level. He had four interceptions while quarterbacks completed just 42 percent of passes thrown in his direction and had a 45.0 passer rating, according to Pro Football Focus.
Before his strong 2014 finish, Culliver’s stock had plummeted. Starting in January 2012, he made national headlines with homophobic comments, had a forgettable performance in a Super Bowl loss to Baltimore, tore his ACL and missed the 2013 season, was arrested for hit-and-run and possession of brass knuckles and endured a slow start in 2014."
 
Sounds like a screwball, but maybe he figured it out in the second half.  Has good size, speed - 6', 199, 4.4.  Writers covering Niners think he'll be a real loss as he played well but because of background, he won't get a big contract.  Haven't seen him play really, so I've no idea.  He's available though.

 
He is a screwball, but he can play. He's not too dissimilar to Talib in many ways. I'd take a 26 YO Talib in a second.
 

I know you're not gonna field a great team in the NFL if you always focus on character issues but, damn. We're talking about a serious gay basher, even by football standards, with significant legal troubles.

If anyone's curious about the exact level of douchebaggery:

No, we don't got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do.... Can't be with that sweet stuff. Nah…can't be…in the locker room man. Nah." He also opined that any gay players should wait 10 years after retiring before coming out"

 
I don't think his opinion on gays is much different than a lot of players in the NFL. I think around 40% feel the same way.

 

[TheoShmeo]

Shouldn't they also focus on some of the guys on this list (or other free agents)?  I note that Browner is included on the list and that seems unlikely.
 
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4779049/six-free-agent-cb-options-for-patriots

 

[Harry Hooper]

That's where losing Browner hurts, I think. I get it from a $$ standpoint, but now the Pats really don't have guys with different strengths for different matchups. They have a bunch of short / shortish quick guys who can do a good job against the Doug Baldwins of the world, but who's going to cover Brandon Marshall?
 
 

 
 
Beat me to it. I think the "big" cover corner is a more important void on the current roster.  Hope to see progress made there and also need to ratchet up the pass rush capability of the team.

 

[j44thor]

Shouldn't they also focus on some of the guys on this list (or other free agents)?  I note that Browner is included on the list and that seems unlikely.
 
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4779049/six-free-agent-cb-options-for-patriots

 
Tramon Williams is mildly interesting on a 1-2yr deal but at 32 I wouldn't go past 2 and would hesitate to go past 1.
Honestly given the state of the AFC it might be best to play out this year with Ryan/Butler/Dennard and see if one or more can become at least a #2.  There aren't likely going to be any very good FA CB's next year either so you might as well develop what you have or pull off a big trade.