New England Patriots thread (MOD WARNING - #4503)

dh1985

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Could you imagine Gronk and Graham on the same team.



* drools *

It has a certain ring to it. The double G's.

Neil3030

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adrian522

Unlucky last night lads, in fairness beaten by a better team but the fact that the Patriots had a great season even when decimated by injuries won't really help the sinking feeling that is a championship game loss.

Really is the worst game to lose. Roll on May and the draft.

Vanolder

The experience that a lot of rookies got this year will be invaluable going forward- and the adversity, team spirit and willingsness to win that the team has faced and exuded are again going to be invaluable... As said, another receiving target other than Gronk and this team will be a different animal. Amendola can go, as can Blount and Talib hopefully can be resigned.

Brady had a very mixed season and it's hard to call whether it is the tools he had to work with or if he is on the way out, amybe a bit of both...Still, give the man some receiving options like Manning had last night and it would have been a different result.

I refuse to focus on the negatives however- Given everything that has happen the team since last year and some of the performances and comebacks we witnessed- it was a very good season all in all- lets hope with a good off season Bill gets the personnel to make it a great season next year.

I'll be jumping on the Seahawks bandwagon from here on in

j8wk2feszrnpao

adrian522 wrote: »

Unlucky last night lads, in fairness beaten by a better team but the fact that the Patriots had a great season even when decimated by injuries won't really help the sinking feeling that is a championship game loss.

We were very much beaten by the better team, but it kinda went as I feared it might.

munstermagic11 wrote: »

Looking at this weekends game.
No Gronk, Hernandez, Dobson, Boyce, and Thompkins picked up an injury on just his third target in the game.
Denver have a decent secondary, and I'm not sure that we'll have the ability to go long when required without the deep threat players been available.
We could see the Pats go to the running game again, but the Broncos aren't weak there, so it's unlikely to be as beneficial.

Dobson did play, but was limited. Edelman had a good game, and some credit to Collie, but the big play-makers just weren't there.

I do have to give credit to the team. This was a hell of a year, and the guys never stopped or gave up. Hell, even pulled this game back to 10pts (and who knows what may have happened if we got the 2pts conversion).

But Denver were deserving winners, and I hope that Manning can get that ring, but as I've said in the Championship thread I think that Seattle will edge it.

Son Of A Vidic

Speaking off Talib, we better look for a discount if we resign him. He's guaranteed to miss 4-6 games a year and there's no way you can pay a guy like that top dollar. Going out in back to back AFC title games says it all. Considering his injury history, I hope he doesn't try and hold us to ransom.

henryhenry

Re Amendola comments above:

On his weekly WEEI interview this morning, Brady was asked about Amendola's contribution this year. There was a long pause before he started with the usual cliches. I get the feeling there might be a chemistry issue there or at least something deeper than Danny playing hurt.

I don't see Gregory or Blount returning and I'm utterly torn on Talib and not just because of the injuries. I honestly think he's a little inconsistent too.

My dream (and vaguely achievable) move is Larry Fitzgerald. Do it Bill!

Syferus

Was somewhat taken aback at how unguarded BB's comments were with regards the Welker-Talib tackle. For him to make that level of condemnation unprovoked and stir up a hornet's nest of attention is something quite rare. Seems genuinely annoyed by the play.

Say what you will about Welker, his motives or lack of motive, getting Talib out of the game made the Broncos' passage to the Super Bowl far easier.

AlwaysOutraged

henryhenry wrote: »

Re Amendola comments above:

On his weekly WEEI interview this morning, Brady was asked about Amendola's contribution this year. There was a long pause before he started with the usual cliches. I get the feeling there might be a chemistry issue there or at least something deeper than Danny playing hurt.

I don't see Gregory or Blount returning and I'm utterly torn on Talib and not just because of the injuries. I honestly think he's a little inconsistent too.

My dream (and vaguely achievable) move is Larry Fitzgerald. Do it Bill!

Top 25 FAs


1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints tight end
2. Greg Hardy, Carolina Panthers defensive end
3. Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins linebacker
4. Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills safety
5. T.J. Ward, Cleveland Browns safety
6. Alterraun Verner, Tennessee Titans cornerback
7. Branden Albert, Kansas City Chiefs left tackle
8. Michael Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end
9. Lamarr Houston, Oakland Raiders defensive end
10. Brent Grimes, Miami Dolphins cornerback
11. Eugene Monroe, Baltimore Ravens left tackle
12. Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts cornerback
13. Linval Joseph, New York Giants defensive tackle
14. Jason Hatcher, Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle
15. Jared Veldheer, Oakland Raiders left tackle
16. Aqib Talib, New England Patriots cornerback
17. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Denver Broncos cornerback
18. Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns center
19. Eric Decker, Denver Broncos wide receiver
20. Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks defensive end
21. B.J. Raji, Green Bay Packers defensive tackle
22. Sam Shields, Green Bay Packers cornerback
23. Walter Thurmond, Seattle Seahawks cornerback
24. Donald Butler, San Diego Chargers linebacker
25. Randy Starks, Miami Dolphins defensive tackle

BKWDR

AlwaysOutraged wrote: »

Top 25 FAs


1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints tight end
2. Greg Hardy, Carolina Panthers defensive end
3. Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins linebacker
4. Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills safety
5. T.J. Ward, Cleveland Browns safety
6. Alterraun Verner, Tennessee Titans cornerback
7. Branden Albert, Kansas City Chiefs left tackle
8. Michael Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end
9. Lamarr Houston, Oakland Raiders defensive end
10. Brent Grimes, Miami Dolphins cornerback
11. Eugene Monroe, Baltimore Ravens left tackle
12. Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts cornerback
13. Linval Joseph, New York Giants defensive tackle
14. Jason Hatcher, Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle
15. Jared Veldheer, Oakland Raiders left tackle
16. Aqib Talib, New England Patriots cornerback
17. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Denver Broncos cornerback
18. Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns center
19. Eric Decker, Denver Broncos wide receiver
20. Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks defensive end
21. B.J. Raji, Green Bay Packers defensive tackle
22. Sam Shields, Green Bay Packers cornerback
23. Walter Thurmond, Seattle Seahawks cornerback
24. Donald Butler, San Diego Chargers linebacker
25. Randy Starks, Miami Dolphins defensive tackle

I looked up PFF too...imagine bagging Graham... Saints surelybtie him down with a big deal...

TO.

Id say a lot of those guys will be re-signed by their respective teams. Can't see Graham not being a Saint by the start of next season.

henryhenry

@AlwaysOutraged

I should have said try to make a trade instead of "move". A lot of talent on that list though.

mikemac1

I don't have the 2014 figures but a quick check for the 2013 figures has the TE franchise tag at a shade over 6 million.

Outside of kicker & punter it's the lowest paid position. Safety is second lowest

So I'm sure teams who want to tag their TE can find a way to do it while they work on a deal

A problem may be if Jimmy Graham argues for the far higher wide receiver tag.
Terelle Suggs did this a few years ago arguing he was a defensive end when he got tagged as a linebacker.

They get out the tape and watch all snaps and work it out

Sorry, not realy Patriots related

Son Of A Vidic

mikemac1 wrote: »

I don't have the 2014 figures but a quick check for the 2013 figures has the TE franchise tag at a shade over 6 million.

Outside of kicker & punter it's the lowest paid position. Safety is second lowest

So I'm sure teams who want to tag their TE can find a way to do it while they work on a deal

A problem may be if Jimmy Graham argues for the far higher wide receiver tag.
Terelle Suggs did this a few years ago arguing he was a defensive end when he got tagged as a linebacker.

They get out the tape and watch all snaps and work it out

Sorry, not realy Patriots related

Nothing to be sorry about there mike, you make a good point. Graham is a WR in all but name and he will have a good case for the pay day. I overlooked that, so even in the remote chance of him being available, we won't be paying him a WR salary.

Son Of A Vidic

Was it just my imagination in thinking that Gregory and McCourty played poorly last night?

SK1979

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Was it just my imagination in thinking that Gregory and McCourty played poorly last night?

I'm no expert but I thought mccourty was poor enough. I seem to recall him missing a couple of tackles.

Do we miss a very hard hitter at safety? I don't think any of them really smash anyone do they?

Son Of A Vidic

henryhenry wrote: »

I don't see Gregory or Blount returning and I'm utterly torn on Talib and not just because of the injuries.

Gregory is more likely to go imo. Dire again last night and his salary against the cap next year is not good. Blount will stay if he's not greedy. Similarly, Talib will stay if he realises he isn't the healthiest of commodities and accepts a realistic contract.

But speaking of Blount, it was a disappointing night. I said it after the Bills and Colts game, that we needed to be see how good the run is against a good run defense. The Colts and Bills were 26th and 28th in the league, the Broncos were 8th and we got our answer last night. And I can't still figure it out why McDaniel's used a finesse RB like Vereen, to try and power through for the 2 point conversion. When the play was calling out for Blount.

Son Of A Vidic

SK1979 wrote: »

I'm no expert but I thought mccourty was poor enough. I seem to recall him missing a couple of tackles.

Do we miss a very hard hitter at safety? I don't think any of them really smash anyone do they?

They're lightweights in the middle alright. Adrian Wilson was signed to address that issue but even before he got injured, he was woefully slow in pass coverage to the point of being a liability. Come to think of it, he was a perfect fit back there.

j8wk2feszrnpao

I thought that both McCourthy and Gregory were having good seasons, then both picked up injuries, and neither have come back the same player. Then again, that may have coincided with Talib picking up his injury as well.

TO.

For me Arrington, Gregory and Talib need to go at this point. Other than them I think our defense is in a good place when Wilfork and Mayo come back. Plenty of good Corners and Safeties on FA and in the draft.

Son Of A Vidic

munstermagic11 wrote: »

I thought that both McCourthy and Gregory were having good seasons, then both picked up injuries, and neither have come back the same player. Then again, that may have coincided with Talib picking up his injury as well.

They were and my criticism is directed really at last nights game. They were caught to many times standing off plays and as result were slow getting to the breakdown. And as you said, how much of that was a result of Talib going out? But isn't it scary to think that our secondary depends so much on one man, he goes down and the rest fall apart.It's a problem we need to plan for next season.

me89

TO. wrote: »

For me Arrington, Gregory and Talib need to go at this point. Other than them I think our defense is in a good place when Wilfork and Mayo come back. Plenty of good Corners and Safeties on FA and in the draft.

I'd like Talib to stay but only at the right price, for the last 3 year's I've been waiting and hoping for Arrington to be cut but Bill seems to like him for some reason so he'll be back.

Gregory doesn't offer much for the money he's on so he can go.

Son Of A Vidic

TO. wrote: »

For me Arrington

Christ how did I overlook him, I think we were all shocked when he got the contract last year. As a CB he is a disaster and this disastrous play has now spread to his slot role. But no doubt we'll keep him because look how it took us to get rid of Chung.:(

poldebruin

I know it's a bit late - just in work tonight. Congratulations on an extremely good season and just coming up short. I was worried all week that the Patriots would turn us over in Denver the way the Colts game had gone, but I suppose the lack of weapons eventually caught up with the Pats. Masterful job this season, and gave us some great finishes (wins and losses) over the course of the year. See you all in playoffs again next year.

j8wk2feszrnpao

Well done on the deserved win poldebruin.
Hope ye go all the way now, but I suspect that Seattle defence may prove to be the difference.
Still, in with a shot is better than not

im supprised there are a few people saying to let blount go hes not adrian Peterson but hes a good back who can probably be got for pennys.

j8wk2feszrnpao

Noel Jolly Fountain wrote: »

im supprised there are a few people saying to let blount go hes not adrian Peterson but hes a good back who can probably be got for pennys.

The issue is that he may want his payday, otherwise he's a good option.
As has been stated, he torn apart poor run defences, but we didn't see that production all season long.

frostie500

munstermagic11 wrote: »

The issue is that he may want his payday, otherwise he's a good option.
As has been stated, he torn apart poor run defences, but we didn't see that production all season long.

even if he wanted his payday the payday for an RB is quite small anyway at the minute. Unless youre an AP the cost of a RB that can do a lot isnt too high. If you've got a back like Blount that can do a bit of everything then he's worth keeping. It's only if the back is a liability catching out of the backfield that you find the big paydays dont work out. I'd keep him if I was the Pats for one simple reason-he's a good fit for the offence and they know what they get with him. The offence needs work with WR aid needed and another TE to team with Gronk so solidifying the running back position could be useful

BizzyC

Personally I'd like to see us keep Talib, grab Decker in FA and maybe some better OL/DL depth.

Draft should be used to build better depth at Corner, Safety, Linebacker & TE.

I reckon Blount will be gone, he showed enough towards the end of the season to get a better payday elsewhere. Ridley/Vereeen/Boulden is good enough to work with if the OL & Receiver gets some work.

Defensive front is looking great if they can stay healthy...Wilfork, Kelly, Jones, Ninkovich, Mayo, Hightower and Collins...

Son Of A Vidic

poldebruin wrote: »

I know it's a bit late - just in work tonight. Congratulations on an extremely good season and just coming up short. I was worried all week that the Patriots would turn us over in Denver the way the Colts game had gone, but I suppose the lack of weapons eventually caught up with the Pats. Masterful job this season, and gave us some great finishes (wins and losses) over the course of the year. See you all in playoffs again next year.

The kind of post that reminds me, that thankfully the majority of rival team fans in this forum are a pretty sound and decent bunch. I've wished your Broncos luck in your team thread and I'll do it again here. Now go win it for the AFC.