2009 Patriots Off-Season Thread

[Mr Crunchy]

Cassel was a 7th round draft pick and we got a 2 back for him.

Vrabel was a free agent and we probably were cutting him anyway.

What people fail to grasp is you need to manage your money as much as you need player personal evaluation these days, I loved Mike Vrabel and I think that Cassel had a fine year in lieu of losing Tom Brady, lets see what he does in Kansas City..Anyone remember the Miami backup who replaced Marino in 93,Scott Pedersen?? He had a good year in 10 games, Detroit paid him 16m for 4 years and he proceeded to suck inspite of having some good wideouts.The system and Randy Moss and the white guy make qbs look good.

[TheKilo]

No' date=' I'm saying he acted prematurely in hindsight. From what I read it seems TB just missed out. And from what I can gather, there should have been no rush to trade Cassel, so by trading him this early he missed out on what appears to be a better offer.[/quote']

 

So you're saying he's a moron for trading Cassel too quickly?

 

I completely disagree with that.

[BSN07]

I'm not saying he's a moron at all. I just think he acted too quickly. I didn't see the rush to trade Cassel. Yes it probably needed to get done by the draft, but that's like 7 weeks away still. I just question his timing is all.

 

But hey he is a SB winning coach, and I'm a grateful fan, so when it's all said and done I'm fine with the move. You will never hear or see me call BB a moron. I love what he brings to the table. And wouldn't want anyone else at the helm.

[TheKilo]

TB and New England had discussions just last week about Cassel if I remember correctly.

 

The longer you hold on to the $14 million franchised player, the greater likelihood it becomes a poison on your salary cap.

 

Pats handled this just fine. Vrabel was going to be cut for cap space anyway. This deal amounts to Cassel for the 34th pick plus a buttload of cap space.

[mtbykr]

I never heard of TB and the Pats talking last week. The breakdown here was completely TB and Detroit's fault. The pats didn't have any takers yet for Cassel and needed to move him quickly to free up cap space to sign guys. They moved quickly because the free agents they wanted to sign might not be around long. It was after BB and KC had a deal in place that TB and Detroit came calling, and BB isn't going back on a deal....especially to his best friend. As a patriot fan this sucks knowing what could have been, but I lay this at the feet of TB and Detroit for not getting moving quicker.

[Mr Crunchy]

And Julius Peppers is waiting in the wings perhaps??

this would explain a lot of things

[BSN07]

Peppers is going to be too expensive IMO. He's going to command a huge contract.If for some reason they can get him at a reasonable price, sure I'm all for it. But I see that as unlikey. Besides the Pats need all the money they can to resign Wilfork. That should take a fair amount of the space they just cleared. And unless they move some other players(Seymour i suppose) I don't see them being able to give Wilfork and Peppers long term deals.

[riverside sluggers]

Peppers was franchised. So it will take a lot of money and multiple picks to get him to Foxboro. Pats are right now focusing on doing a long term deal for Vince Wilfork, who could get Jarred Allen money.

[mtbykr]

SI's Peter King:

 

Belichick knew he probably wasn't going to get a sweetheart deal. And last week, before the market opened, I'm told he never got offered a first-round pick by any team in trade. I'm also told he asked Pioli for the 34th pick in the draft -- nothing more -- and when Pioli told him he'd do it, they had a deal.

 

"Bill had to be nervous,'' said one club official briefed on the deal. "There was never any guarantee that any of those three-way trades was going to work, and they cropped up so late anyway. He could have been left with nothing if he lost the Chiefs.''

 

. . .I'm sure Belichick doesn't mind doing something good for Cassel (giving him his own promising team to pilot) and Pioli (giving him something better than Tyler Thigpen), but I believe if Denver offered Belichick its first-round pick last Thursday instead of, apparently, on Saturday, that Cassel would be a Bronco today and current Denver QB Jay Cutler a Buc or Lion.

[mtbykr]

Some insight into their cap number:

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/03/randy_moss_cont.html

 

 

 

In a move that highlights how the Patriots were extremely close to the salary cap at the start of free agency, and needed some more breathing room, the team executed a minor restructure of Randy Moss's contract.

 

Here are few more details on the restructure, which was reported by Peter King in his "Monday Morning Quarterback" column:

 

The Patriots took $1.5 million of what Moss was to earn in 2009 and guaranteed that figure by turning it into a bonus. That freed up about $750,000 on the 2009 salary cap, and will increase Moss's salary cap charge in 2010.

 

It's not a major move, but it reflects how the Patriots were handcuffed a bit salary-cap wise until the Matt Cassel/Mike Vrabel trade was consummated.

 

The contract tweak with Moss allowed the Patriots to remain active in the early parts of free agency with players like Fred Taylor and Chris Baker.

[Mr Crunchy]

some insite to julius peppers

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1155616&srvc=sports&position=0

 

although John Tomasse is the centerfold for blew boy magazine

[Mr Crunchy]

Also the pats arent ever a player in the drafts 1st 5 selections and rarely get into the top 10.

they understand the devastating effects of drafting a s*** bag in the top 5 and getting whaled with that cap # for eternity while waiting for the guy to either bust or shine.

you dont have those issues with the 23rd pick.

[mtbykr]

Tomasse's an idiot. The pats would love to have Peppers, but he's going to be too expensive to get and keep. They would have to give up 2 1st rounders to sign him out from under the Carolina franchise tag OR whatever it would cost to trade for him if and when he signs the franchise tender. In addition unless he's willing to take a discount, the pats won't pay him what other teams would.

 

The pats will focus on extensions with Wilfork and Seymore and shoring up their secondary.....then probably pick up another LB in the draft

[mtbykr]

Posted this in the NFL thread:

 

 

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/03/02/peppers-will-be-harder-to-trade-than-cassel/

 

 

 

 

 

Now that QB Matt Cassel has been dealt to the Kansas City Chiefs, trade speculation has shifted to another franchised player, Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers.

 

Yet the two situations are as different as the two players.

 

Peppers has a franchise tender and cannot be traded until he signs it, which means any trade discussions must go through his agent, Carl Carey. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Carolina is prohibited from discussing a deal for Peppers with another team. If the Panthers did, it immediately would bring an NFL Players Association grievance.

 

Cassel had a signed contract and was trade-able, just like any other player with his contract. Once he signed the franchise tender, he forfeited his rights to broker a deal. It’s why the Patriots were able to trade Cassel to the Chiefs on Saturday morning without the blessing of the quarterback and his representative.

 

These are minor points but points of clarity. New England was able to trade Cassel. Carolina cannot trade Peppers — not until he has signed his franchise tender, which he has not.

 

And it’s hard to envision finding a team that would satisfy Peppers’ wishes and the Panthers’ asking price.

[Mr Crunchy]

according to the tomasso story he had 4 teams he was interested in.

2 were in the nfc south and then there was dallas and tomasso alluded to boston being the 4th.

the panthers are unlikely to give up a player inside their division

dallas has no 1st round pix

and if boston/fox is on this kids radar then wow, we can get a deal done, we have with other superstars who have taken a bit less to play here for a winning team that does things right.

what outside linebacker wouldnt want to be with seymour wilfork and the other stud in the front 3?

Now you got Mayo on the inside and Peppers on the outside and Sanders and the Miami kid playing safety...You dont need cornerbacks if the quarterback is on his ass

ask the giants who beat the pats using that formula

[Dojji]

I'd rather keep the picks.

[CrespoBlows]

This is like adding Jared Allen to your defense. Huge upgrade.

 

I'd make the trade.

[mtbykr]

I think BB would give up the necessary picks for Peppers as long as Carolina wasn't crazy in their asking price. The real question is what could we get him for money wise, because I still believe he will be too expensive in his demands.

[riverside sluggers]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2009/03/03/versatile_hochstein_back_for_another_year/

 

Pats bring back Russ Hochstein. Also Heath Evans is going to visit the New Orleans Saints camp

[mtbykr]

Michael Holley on D&H today said that he heard a rumor that the Pats and Browns were going hard after Ray Lewis. Holley has been a decent source in the past with some good contacts down in Foxboro so we'll see what happens.

[riverside sluggers]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/03/joey_galloway_v.html

 

Joey Galloway visited with the Pats yesterday

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/03/qb_patrick_rams.html

 

Patrick Ramsey was also there yesterday

[BSN07]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3954441

 

 

Anyone think the Pats will be interested?

[BSN07]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/03/joey_galloway_v.html

 

Joey Galloway visited with the Pats yesterday

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/03/qb_patrick_rams.html

 

Patrick Ramsey was also there yesterday

 

JG would be a nice short term replacement for Gaffney.

 

 

Ramsey would be a solid pick up for the Pats. I was in DC when he first broke into the league. The kid has talent, but like a lot of young QB's was rushed into action and he got absolutely beaten to death. It was so pathetic to watch the kid took so many hits that first season.

[mtbykr]

Pats sign a DB with Springs:

 

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/03/05/patriots-reach-agreement-with-free-agent-springs/

 

 

 

Continuing to use the salary-cap space freed up by the Matt Cassel trade, the Patriots reached an agreement with former Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs on Thursday.

 

Within the past week, Springs visited Philadelphia, where the Eagles wanted to use him at safety, and New England, where the Patriots would like to use him as a veteran cornerback. Ultimately, Springs opted for the Patriots, and he is expected to sign later today.

[mtbykr]

Pats make a trade for Gaffney's replacement:

 

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/03/05/eagles-trade-wr-lewis-to-patriots/

 

 

Philadelphia traded wide receiver Greg Lewis to New England. Terms still to come.

 

 

WEEI is saying a conditional pick is what the pats gave up

[mtbykr]

More info on Lewis:

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/03/report_patriots_2.html

 

The Patriots have acquired receiver Greg Lewis from the Philadelphia Eagles for an undisclosed draft pick, the Boston Globe has confirmed.

 

The draft pick is expected to be a fifth-rounder, although that has not been confirmed by either team.

 

Lewis, 29, has spent the first six years of his career with the Eagles. He has three years remaining on his current contract, which the Patriots would inherit in a trade (barring a restructure/renegotiation). He is scheduled to earn $650,000 in 2009, $670,000 in 2010 and $725,000 in 2011.

 

The speedy Lewis (6-0, 180) totaled 19 receptions for 247 yards last season, with one touchdown.

 

First-year Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht spent five years with the Eagles, so it's possible that this reported move could have come with his strong recommendation. The Patriots lost No. 3 receiver Jabar Gaffney to the Broncos, and Lewis figures to vie for that role.

 

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/03/greg_lewis_trad.html

 

 

The Patriots have officially announced the acquisition of receiver Greg Lewis from the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

The team announced that it has sent an undisclosed 2009 draft choice to Philadelphia. In return, the Patriots announced that they have acquired Lewis and an undisclosed 2010 draft pick from the Eagles.

 

A league source said today that the 2009 draft choice that the Patriots traded is a fifth-rounder, although that has not been confirmed by either team.

 

The Eagles' official website notes that Lewis had two of his best games against the Patriots. The Eagles' official website also offers analysis on what the deal means for Philadelphia

 

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/03/greg_lewis_anal.html

 

 

Part of what made Gaffney valuable to the Patriots was his versatility. He knew all four receiver spots, and could be counted on to consistenly be in the right spot. Bill Belichick once described him as a tactician as a route-runner. Because the Patriots are a base three-receiver offense, the No. 3 receiver is a starter in many ways, and Gaffney's playing time (66 percent) last season reflected that.

 

It will be interesting to see if Lewis can add that same type of versatility. One area where he figures to contribute more than Gaffney is special teams. Lewis also is faster than Gaffney, so in theory, the idea would be that his speed could open opportunities for Randy Moss on the opposite side of the field, and for Wes Welker underneath.

 

Will that come to fruition? It will be one of the storylines to watch in training camp and preseason.

 

One part of this deal that was surely enticing to the Patriots is the economic aspect of it. Lewis is signed for the next three seasons at reasonable prices -- $650,000 (2009), $670,000 (2010) and $725,000 (2011) -- and the Patriots inherit that contract.

[mtbykr]

Pats resign Hansen:

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/03/patriots_sign_c.html

 

 

The Patriots announced that they have re-signed punter Chris Hanson today.

 

Hanson joins Tom Malone on the roster at punter. He finished last season strong, delivering one of his finest performances in the wind-blown finale at Buffalo.

 

The Patriots also formally announced the signings of linebacker Eric Alexander (1-year deal) and safety James Sanders (3-year deal), and that they waived outside linebacker Darrell Robertson.

[mtbykr]

Heath Evans signs with the saints. I wish he was coming back, I think he will be missed greatly in the running game. The pats wanted him back, but the saints were willing to pay more apparently.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/03/the_heath_evans.html

 

 

What do the Patriots lose with Heath Evans agreeing to terms with the Saints?

 

A little bit of everything, really.

 

Evans (6-0, 250) is a solid teammate, an effective lead blocker, occassional ball-carrier, effective pass-catcher, and special teams presence.

 

Call him a back-of-all-trades.

 

The Patriots presumably wanted Evans to return, but were likely only willing to extend themselves to a certain point. The Saints stretched them to an area they must have not wanted to go.

 

Evans never missed a game in his three-plus year stint in New England, and played in 19 percent of the offensive snaps in 2008. His time here will probably be best remembered by what he accomplished in 2005 -- when he was signed mid-season as an unrestricted free agent and filled in as an emergency running back when the Patriots were banged up at the position. Playing against his former team (Dolphins), Evans rushed for 84 yards on 17 carries that day, while adding three receptions for 18 yards.

 

The Patriots have Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis at running back. Because the Patriots are more of a one-back running team, they don't utilize a lead-blocking fullback regularly, although Evans offered them the flexibility to morph into a two-back attack (e.g. win over the Broncos Oct. 20).

 

The team kept five backs coming out of training camp last year. The question will be if the Patriots feel they need a lead-blocking presence like Evans in 2009 -- perhaps Green-Ellis could expand his duties -- or if they go away from that type of role.

[riverside sluggers]

I like the additions of Lewis and Springs. Lewis could be a sleeper add like Welker was

[TheKilo]

RE: The Lewis trade

 

Philadelphia traded him and gave up a pick to do so. Philadelphia.