Patsfan25's Patriots Offseason

[patsfan25]

I thought I'd come up with my version of our coming offseason. We continue to need help in the defensive back end, and an ally along Wilfork to accommodate the pressure up the middle. The defense, while having been rebuilt over the latter years, is coming close to its climax. A few right veteran and leadership pieces will really close out the build of this defense.

Resigns:
Sebastian Vollmer: Franchised/Eventual contract TBD
Julian Edelman: 2 years
Donald Thomas: 2 years
Danny Woodhead: 2 years
Aqib Talib: 3 years
Tracy White: 1 year
Marquise Cole: 1 year
Michael Hoomfafiweruoeifsdfjslfstui: 2 years
Trevor Scott: 1 year

I think it's pretty obvious Vollmer gets the tag this offseason. There will be on and off feud about contract negotiations, with the Patriots signing him to a long term contract at the end of next season after another injury free, pro bowl like year for Vollmer. Edelman is not leaving. Donald Thomas, who struggled in last preseason, really stepped up in the regular and improved. I can see a scenario where he takes over Connolly at RG if he continues to get better. Believe it or not, Ridley has proven time and time again, he just isn't a good player in crunch time. I just can't stress how much he has let us down in the defining moments of a lot of games. Because of that, and Woodhead's knack for being the opposite, they bring Woody back for that crunch time role. I'm not a fan of Talib personality wise, but who cares. He isn't here to talk about life and give wisdom. Talib allows us to play a little more aggressive, period. Our blitz percentages went off the roof after Talib was inserted into the line up and it's essential we can actually sustain a piece in this secondary aside from McCourty.

Cuts/Releases:
Wes Welker
Kyle Arrington
Deion Branch (retirement)
Pat Chung
Myron Pryor
Niko Koutouvides
Steve Gregory
Daniel Fells
Jake Bequette
Brandon Bolden
Kyle Love
Will Allen

Welker is really 50/50. He proved to be butterfingers again this postseason, and drastically aged before our eyes. He holds little to no value elsewhere, and if he continues to want a lot of money, we won't hang out for him. If Welker considers a contract as sufficient as his play has been, I can see him coming back. Kyle Arrington may hang around, but I think he's cut in training camp with the additions provided in this mock. Chung, I just can't come to accept. I had so much high hopes in him becoming the next Rodney Harrison, but he looked new out there on the field this year. I think we try to bring him back, but some other team buys out on him, and he leaves. Steve Gregory. 'Nuff said. Bequette, who I really liked on the college tapes, struggled all through preseason, looks a little overweight, and just got buried and was even beaten by Francis eventually. With Francis, Nink, Jones, Cunningham, Scott and other additions all making the roster next season, he gets cut in camp.

Free Agency:
(RB) Lance Ball (cut)
(RB) Jackie Battle = 1 year
(WR) Austin Collie (cut)
(WR) Mohammed Massaquoi = 1 year
(TE) Ben Hartsock (cut)
(DE/DT) Israel Idonije = 3 years
(DT) Amobi Okoye (cut)
(DT) Aubrayo Franklin = 1 year
(CB) Derek Cox = 3 years
(CB) Travis Daniels = 1 year
(CB) Drayton Florence (cut)
(S) Mike Mitchell = 1 year
(S) Ronde Barber = 1 year

The Patriots continue to compile pallets of free agents to employ a fully competent camp. But like most, a lot of buzz signings will be cut by the end of TC, as most players come in to fight for the last man standing. It's going to be another year where the WR, DL and CB competitions are fierce. The two marquee signings IMO will be Derek Cox and Israel Idonije. Cox is coming off an injury riddled season, so his market won't be hot. The Jags, who are in a wipeout phase, may just not go after him after we offer him a sizable, though not over the top, offer. Cox has the tools and caliber to be an elite starting corner. He brings amazing size, athleticism and skills to the table. This fortifies a permanent move for McCourty to SS, and lets Dennard 'start' as the nickel corner where he is best suited. And then Talib on the other side will make this the scariest CB unit since Law and Smith/Samuel. Israel Idonije is my most favorite player in this free agency class, and I would be sore if we didn't end up with him. That's how much I want this guy, and think he fits our needs drastically. Ix2 can line up anywhere in the front four and WILL get to the QB. His pass rushing technique is mastery. While he doesn't possess elite quickness and agility, he has one of the best hands as a DL in the NFL right now. At 6'6 and 275, he has the bulk and strength of a DT. That allows him to line up as the LE on 3-downs, then move inside on passing situations. We were left to use Cunningham for any sort of interior pass rush, and Israel will be the perfect fit for that if we grab him. On top of that, his professionalism and personality leaves an engraving mark as a professional athlete. Just a solid Patriot all around. I'm not sold on Love and Deaderick. While they haven't fallen flat on their faces, they just aren't relevant to any level and have only managed to 'be there.' They will only be as good as where they were picked up in the NFL, and that's fringe roster players. The signing of Franklin and Barber voice the veteran leadership movement. Franklin has declined a bit over the years, and his market has lowered. He will line up alongside Wilfork in the twin towers we like to employ in running down and early situations where he can still provide and I believe will, for us. Ronde Barber will opt to return, but I think the youth movement of the Bucs leaves him out hanging. He will come in and have that final run with us like a lot of players have. Barber at 37, is still playing at a high level. Barber will be the starting FS.

NFL Draft:
Trade 1.29 to Arizona for 2.7, 4.7 and 2014 2nd round pick.
2.7 = Barrett Jones (OL), Alabama
2.29 = Quinton Patton (WR), LA Tech
3.29 = Phillip Thomas (S), Fresno State
4.7 = Robert Alford (CB), S.E. Louisiana
4.29 = Trade to KC for 6.1 and 2014 4th round pick
6.1 = Josh Boyd (DT), Mississippi State
6.29 = Chad Bumphis (WR), Mississippi State
7.29 = Zeke Motta (S), Notre Dame

BB doesn't care about the general NFL draft board. He will draft according to his board and he continues to do that this year. Arizona wants to jump back into day 1 to take a QB and BB is willing. We add future picks for later on with this. The draft class is deep in WR and DB talent. With both being a need for us, we draft the successor to Wendell or Connolly in Jones. Jones will come in to start right away or replace whoever is to be relieved of their duty first on the interior line. Quinton Patton is a technical and very precise receiver who is very smart. He doesn't possess any elite traits, but has really good all around skills. His 20 catch bowl game solidified his place in the WR class. Phillip Thomas led the nation in INTs this season and has a knack to always be around the ball. His work ethic and film room prowess is unquestioned. He, along with Jones and Patton, are seniors. And they will the provide the leadership to go along with this draft class.

2013 New England Patriots(by order on depth chart):

QB: Tom Brady, Ryan Mallett
RB: Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, Danny Woodhead, Jackie Battle
3DRB: Danny Woodhead/Shane Vereen
FB/Lead: Michael Hofjreojfasoifjifjsftutifruti
WR1: Brandon Lloyd
WR2: Quinton Patton
WR3: Julian Edelman
WR4: Mohammed Massaquio
TE: Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez
LT: Nate Solder
LG: Logan Mankins
C: Ryan Wendell/Barrett Jones
RG: Dan Connolly/Barrett Jones
RT: Sebastian Vollmer
RE: Chandler Jones, Jermaine Cunningham
DT: Aubrayo Franklin/Israel Idonije/Armond Armstead
DT/NT: Vince Wilfork
LE: Israel Idonije/Rob Ninkovich
OLB: Donta' Hightower
MLB: Brandon Spikes
OLB: Jerod Mayo
Nickel CB: Alfonzo Dennard, Marquise Cole
CB1: Aqib Talib, Ras-I Dowling
CB2: Derek Cox, Robert Alford, Marquise Cole
FS: Ronde Barber/Phillip Thomas/Tavon Wilson
SS: Devin McCourty/Phillip Thomas/ Mike Mitchell

K: Stephen Gostkowski
P: Zolton Mesko

PR: Julian Edelman
KR: Jeff Demps/Shane Vereen
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[I_GET_SAX]

I find a lot of your FA and draft choices to be right on. Boyd in the 6th is legit. Patton in rd 2 is great as a senior bowl standout. Love the Barrett Jones flexibility. I would pencil him as a starter every week. Some where/ every where. Great job man and very in depth
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Justo on the Sig. Thanks bro

[PatriotBeast]

[trivium2009]

I see some flaws but outside of that I'm ok with. First off I think Welker is resigned and Vollmer is tagged then Traded. Welker in my opinion has more value to not only to the team but to Brady, and Vollmer could get us a nice pick considering teams would look at him as their LT. Plus I would rather invest money in a reliable and less injury prone player than one who has a chronic back problem and is one year away from 30. Now I understand that if we Franchise Vollmer that a lot of the free agents you have signed won't be happening, but I don't think that Isreal and Cox leave their teams Cox more so because of the Jags struggle to defend the pass. Jammer may be a good replacement for Cox and keeping Okoye could be the option for Isreal. Now on to the draft. I like the draft minus the first pick we have in the second round. With a pick being that high I think it would be a big reach for Patton at that point, because Patton may be had in the third round because as you stated his is not elite in any way. So in Pattons place I'd like to see Wheaton who is like Mike Wallace but can catch and run routes better. Outside of that I like the offseason. PS I think we could, for the right team get a second round pick for Vollmer.

[terbo559]

[Sciz]

Barber has said that he's not playing for any other team
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Shut up, NBT

[terbo559]

This is right on! This is something I can really see happening.
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[Riddler]

Great job!
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NFL Draft Nut

[patsfan25]

I haven't calculated it, but I'm fairly certain this would fit easily under the cap. Most of the signings at free agency are mediocre 3/mill a year veteran deals with Talib and Cox being the most expensive. Barber, I'm sure could be substituted with Charles Woodson, Nate Clements or Yeremiah Bell.
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[TomRalph]

Only thing I don't like is Bequette being cut. I don't think we'll give up on a 3rd round pick after his rookie year.

I think we give him at least this year to see what he can do with 2 off season and a regular season to get acclimated to the NFL and the Pats.

I'm glad to see some people on the keep Vollmer bandwagon though
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[24isthelaw]

[mcmurtry86]