Patriots & NFL Free Agency Updates 2015

[Donoghus]

Also, loos like we never had a chance with Revis anyhow:

“I felt like it was a no-brainer to just come home … be back home and make it a marriage,” Revis told reporters on the call.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2015/03/11/darrelle-revis-i-felt-like-it-was-a-no-brainer-to-just-come-home/

Given this, I wonder why they chose to let Browner go (and tender a contract offer later), given that his contract was possibly below market.

Maybe because Patriots figured that they had to change to a zone concept after they bowed out on Revis on Monday and Browner doesn't fit.

Think you hit the nail on the head.  Losing Revis made Browner expendable from a defensive scheme standpoint.   

[kozlodoev]

Also, loos like we never had a chance with Revis anyhow:

“I felt like it was a no-brainer to just come home … be back home and make it a marriage,” Revis told reporters on the call.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2015/03/11/darrelle-revis-i-felt-like-it-was-a-no-brainer-to-just-come-home/

Given this, I wonder why they chose to let Browner go (and tender a contract offer later), given that his contract was possibly below market.

Maybe because Patriots figured that they had to change to a zone concept after they bowed out on Revis on Monday and Browner doesn't fit.

But then why offer him a contract now? It just doesn't make much sense, especially given that there were some reports suggesting that the team knew they were out of the Revis bidding as early as Monday.

[Donoghus]

Also, loos like we never had a chance with Revis anyhow:

“I felt like it was a no-brainer to just come home … be back home and make it a marriage,” Revis told reporters on the call.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2015/03/11/darrelle-revis-i-felt-like-it-was-a-no-brainer-to-just-come-home/

Given this, I wonder why they chose to let Browner go (and tender a contract offer later), given that his contract was possibly below market.

Maybe because Patriots figured that they had to change to a zone concept after they bowed out on Revis on Monday and Browner doesn't fit.

But then why offer him a contract now? It just doesn't make much sense, especially given that there were some reports suggesting that the team knew they were out of the Revis bidding as early as Monday.

Because, like almost any player, they would still want him back BUT at their price.

Sounds like Browner to the Saints is a done deal, though.

[Smokeeye123]

If we don't trade for a Corner I'm going to rage so hard. Jason McCourtey? Alterraun Verner?  Please Bellicheck don't make your secondary like it was in 2010-2012 I cannot take it.

[kozlodoev]

Because, like almost any player, they would still want him back BUT at their price.

Sounds like Browner to the Saints is a done deal, though.

Browner was signed for  ~$5 million, and based on his pedigree and the corner market it was clear that this is a bargain price. Why cut him if you want to bring him back?

edit: By the way, he's a done deal to the Saints, 3 yrs and 18 million. Comes to show.

[Cman]

Also, loos like we never had a chance with Revis anyhow:

“I felt like it was a no-brainer to just come home … be back home and make it a marriage,” Revis told reporters on the call.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2015/03/11/darrelle-revis-i-felt-like-it-was-a-no-brainer-to-just-come-home/

Given this, I wonder why they chose to let Browner go (and tender a contract offer later), given that his contract was possibly below market.

Did the Pats really make an offer to Browner after cutting him? That doesn't make sense to me. I view it as... once they knew they weren't going to get Revis back, then they decided to move on from Browner.

[Donoghus]

Because, like almost any player, they would still want him back BUT at their price.

Sounds like Browner to the Saints is a done deal, though.

Browner was signed for  ~$5 million, and based on his pedigree and the corner market it was clear that this is a bargain price. Why cut him if you want to bring him back?

edit: By the way, he's a done deal to the Saints, 3 yrs and 18 million. Comes to show.

So teams get guys on their own terms.  More cap friendly deals.  This stuff happens a surprising amount in the NFL.   

[colincb]

Also, loos like we never had a chance with Revis anyhow:

“I felt like it was a no-brainer to just come home … be back home and make it a marriage,” Revis told reporters on the call.

http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2015/03/11/darrelle-revis-i-felt-like-it-was-a-no-brainer-to-just-come-home/

Given this, I wonder why they chose to let Browner go (and tender a contract offer later), given that his contract was possibly below market.

Maybe because Patriots figured that they had to change to a zone concept after they bowed out on Revis on Monday and Browner doesn't fit.

But then why offer him a contract now? It just doesn't make much sense, especially given that there were some reports suggesting that the team knew they were out of the Revis bidding as early as Monday.

Because, like almost any player, they would still want him back BUT at their price.

Sounds like Browner to the Saints is a done deal, though.

Not too sure what happened and neither is anyone else.  The reporting has been all over the place (and in fairness the free agent frenzy is faster and more furious than the NBA with a lot more moving parts to chase as a reporter). However, I don't think it happened that the Pats, who know the market better than most everyone else, gave him permission to look at the market thinking he'd come back and restructure at a lower price.

Caveat: I could be wrong and it wouldn't be the first time.

[heyvik]

What i really don't understand is how BB will employ a zone defense. BUT what keeps me up on Sunday nights is how we continue to trot these <5'10 (less than) CBs who are 180lbs against 6'2 210 WRs??? especially on jump balls.

BB doesn't understand the front 7 CAN'T stop jump balls!!

[D.o.s.]

Because, like almost any player, they would still want him back BUT at their price.

Sounds like Browner to the Saints is a done deal, though.

Browner was signed for  ~$5 million, and based on his pedigree and the corner market it was clear that this is a bargain price. Why cut him if you want to bring him back?

edit: By the way, he's a done deal to the Saints, 3 yrs and 18 million. Comes to show.

So teams get guys on their own terms.  More cap friendly deals.  This stuff happens a surprising amount in the NFL.   

It's the 'beauty' of non-guaranteed contracts.

[kozlodoev]

That's the point, he already WAS on a cap-friendly deal. Everyone and  their mother knew that if he's cut, he's not coming back.

[Donoghus]

That's the point, he already WAS on a cap-friendly deal.

Not to the Patriots, evidently.

[Cman]

That's the point, he already WAS on a cap-friendly deal. Everyone and  their mother knew that if he's cut, he's not coming back.

Right. I don't think they intended to bring him back, once they didn't pick up his option.

What i really don't understand is how BB will employ a zone defense. BUT what keeps me up on Sunday nights is how we continue to trot these <5'10 (less than) CBs who are 180lbs against 6'2 210 WRs??? especially on jump balls.

BB doesn't understand the front 7 CAN'T stop jump balls!!

I think BB probably understands that. I think he also understands that the offseason has only just begun.  Patience.

[Cman]

edit: By the way, he's a done deal to the Saints, 3 yrs and 18 million. Comes to show.

As a side note, the Saints have had to trade away their starting left guard and their star TE in order to make enough room under the cap to go after FA defense players (like Browner).

The larger point is that every team is making hard choices. NFL's hard cap makes it difficult to keep all the players together.

[the_Bird]

Going to a more zone-based scheme may work, IF they can get to the quarterback more consistently.  The new guy they signed from the Browns, hopefully a healthy season from Chandler Jones, some blitzing from Jamie Collies...  maybe Easley can take a step forward in his second season.  But they've got to get that figured out - the pass rush has been so inconsistent.

Maybe they figure it's more cost effective to build the defense that way, given the cost of acquiring elite cornerbacks.