Patriots Free Agency Thread

[Smokeeye123]

I'd hate to lose Butler and Garapolo, but if Pats get #11 for MB and #12 and #33 for JG, it will be a boatload of fun watching BB making deals for more picks.

We would immediately trade those two picks for 17 6th round picks.

[tarheelsxxiii]

I'd hate to lose Butler and Garapolo, but if Pats get #11 for MB and #12 and #33 for JG, it will be a boatload of fun watching BB making deals for more picks.

We would immediately trade those two picks for 17 6th round picks.

This is a well-established fact. 

[Cman]

I'd hate to lose Butler and Garapolo, but if Pats get #11 for MB and #12 and #33 for JG, it will be a boatload of fun watching BB making deals for more picks.

The Pats WILL NOT get the #11 pick for MB. It will be the #32 pick, and maybe a late round pick.

But, I could see the #12 and #33 for JG.

[Cman]

Bill is back at it again.  Never ceases to amaze. 

http://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1254919-patriots-sign-former-bengals-running-back-rex-burkhead

Burkhead entered free agency after four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals as a highly underutilized - and thus, underrated - offensive weapon.

His ability both as a runner and as a receiver, either out of the backfield or split out wide, makes him everything the Patriots are looking for in potential playmakers at the position. He's also a well-established contributor on special teams.

Burkhead tallied 344 rushing yards, 145 receiving yards, and two touchdowns across 16 games in 2016.

A 5'10" white dude, former 6th round pick (Brady: 6th; Edelman: 7th), that is "versatilie," "underrated," and has been "underutilized."  Look forward to seeing this guy in the Pro Bowl in 2 years by way of Bill's genius.

The key here is "special teams."
He will probably be Brandon Bolden's replacement.

[Neurotic Guy]

I'd hate to lose Butler and Garapolo, but if Pats get #11 for MB and #12 and #33 for JG, it will be a boatload of fun watching BB making deals for more picks.

The Pats WILL NOT get the #11 pick for MB. It will be the #32 pick, and maybe a late round pick.

But, I could see the #12 and #33 for JG.

So you are assuming MB will be a trade rather than a signing.  I guess that makes sense, but do you consider #32 and a 4th/5th rounder fair value for MB?  I'd rather have two top tier corners.  Why won't Bill pay him?

[Donoghus]

I'd hate to lose Butler and Garapolo, but if Pats get #11 for MB and #12 and #33 for JG, it will be a boatload of fun watching BB making deals for more picks.

The Pats WILL NOT get the #11 pick for MB. It will be the #32 pick, and maybe a late round pick.

But, I could see the #12 and #33 for JG.

So you are assuming MB will be a trade rather than a signing.  I guess that makes sense, but do you consider #32 and a 4th/5th rounder fair value for MB?  I'd rather have two top tier corners.  Why won't Bill pay him?

Because they don't have to yet.  It's restricted free agency and, from most accounts, Butler has already turned down offers made by the Pats.     Since he's turned down offers, he's now playing by the rules of the collective bargaining agreement.  He's not an unrestricted free agent.  He's not there yet.   

[mef730]

I'd hate to lose Butler and Garapolo, but if Pats get #11 for MB and #12 and #33 for JG, it will be a boatload of fun watching BB making deals for more picks.

The Pats WILL NOT get the #11 pick for MB. It will be the #32 pick, and maybe a late round pick.

But, I could see the #12 and #33 for JG.

So you are assuming MB will be a trade rather than a signing.  I guess that makes sense, but do you consider #32 and a 4th/5th rounder fair value for MB?  I'd rather have two top tier corners.  Why won't Bill pay him?

I don't see why Bill would accept #32 and a 4/5. If NO signs him in free agency, BB gets #11.

Mike

[mef730]

Bill is back at it again.  Never ceases to amaze. 

http://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1254919-patriots-sign-former-bengals-running-back-rex-burkhead

Burkhead entered free agency after four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals as a highly underutilized - and thus, underrated - offensive weapon.

His ability both as a runner and as a receiver, either out of the backfield or split out wide, makes him everything the Patriots are looking for in potential playmakers at the position. He's also a well-established contributor on special teams.

Burkhead tallied 344 rushing yards, 145 receiving yards, and two touchdowns across 16 games in 2016.

A 5'10" white dude, former 6th round pick (Brady: 6th; Edelman: 7th), that is "versatilie," "underrated," and has been "underutilized."  Look forward to seeing this guy in the Pro Bowl in 2 years by way of Bill's genius.

Funny thing is, that's the type of signing that Ainge would make, also. Underutilized, undersized, versatile.

Of course, if DA did it, we'd rake him over the coals.

Mike

[Ilikesports17]

Bill is back at it again.  Never ceases to amaze. 

http://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1254919-patriots-sign-former-bengals-running-back-rex-burkhead

Burkhead entered free agency after four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals as a highly underutilized - and thus, underrated - offensive weapon.

His ability both as a runner and as a receiver, either out of the backfield or split out wide, makes him everything the Patriots are looking for in potential playmakers at the position. He's also a well-established contributor on special teams.

Burkhead tallied 344 rushing yards, 145 receiving yards, and two touchdowns across 16 games in 2016.

A 5'10" white dude, former 6th round pick (Brady: 6th; Edelman: 7th), that is "versatilie," "underrated," and has been "underutilized."  Look forward to seeing this guy in the Pro Bowl in 2 years by way of Bill's genius.

Funny thing is, that's the type of signing that Ainge would make, also. Underutilized, undersized, versatile.

Of course, if DA did it, we'd rake him over the coals.

Mike

When Ainge wins 5 rings I'm sure he'll get more benefit of the doubt.

[mef730]

Bill is back at it again.  Never ceases to amaze. 

http://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1254919-patriots-sign-former-bengals-running-back-rex-burkhead

Burkhead entered free agency after four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals as a highly underutilized - and thus, underrated - offensive weapon.

His ability both as a runner and as a receiver, either out of the backfield or split out wide, makes him everything the Patriots are looking for in potential playmakers at the position. He's also a well-established contributor on special teams.

Burkhead tallied 344 rushing yards, 145 receiving yards, and two touchdowns across 16 games in 2016.

A 5'10" white dude, former 6th round pick (Brady: 6th; Edelman: 7th), that is "versatilie," "underrated," and has been "underutilized."  Look forward to seeing this guy in the Pro Bowl in 2 years by way of Bill's genius.

Funny thing is, that's the type of signing that Ainge would make, also. Underutilized, undersized, versatile.

Of course, if DA did it, we'd rake him over the coals.

Mike

When Ainge wins 5 rings I'm sure he'll get more benefit of the doubt.

[dang] straight. Just struck me as funny.

Mike

[Cman]

I'd hate to lose Butler and Garapolo, but if Pats get #11 for MB and #12 and #33 for JG, it will be a boatload of fun watching BB making deals for more picks.

The Pats WILL NOT get the #11 pick for MB. It will be the #32 pick, and maybe a late round pick.

But, I could see the #12 and #33 for JG.

So you are assuming MB will be a trade rather than a signing.  I guess that makes sense, but do you consider #32 and a 4th/5th rounder fair value for MB?  I'd rather have two top tier corners.  Why won't Bill pay him?

I don't see why Bill would accept #32 and a 4/5. If NO signs him in free agency, BB gets #11.

Mike

Because otherwise MB won't sign. He'll be disgruntled, or hold out, or who knows what. The point is, there are three parties that can potentially gain: MB, Pats, Saints. Would the Pats like more? Yes. Would the Pats like to keep MB? I think yes, but probably depends on price. Would the Pats like compensation in some form if they are going to lose a star player? Yes.

[Phantom255x]

How much better is Gilmore than Butler?

Don't get me wrong but it seemed Gronk and our WRs torched Gilmore more often than not.

Yet Gilmore gets 5/65M. Butler isn't worth 10+M/Year at the least??

This is ridiculous. Just pay HT and Butler, Pats...

Can't believe it's even a possibility we lose both before next season. Unlikely but still possible.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Bill is back at it again.  Never ceases to amaze. 

http://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1254919-patriots-sign-former-bengals-running-back-rex-burkhead

Burkhead entered free agency after four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals as a highly underutilized - and thus, underrated - offensive weapon.

His ability both as a runner and as a receiver, either out of the backfield or split out wide, makes him everything the Patriots are looking for in potential playmakers at the position. He's also a well-established contributor on special teams.

Burkhead tallied 344 rushing yards, 145 receiving yards, and two touchdowns across 16 games in 2016.

A 5'10" white dude, former 6th round pick (Brady: 6th; Edelman: 7th), that is "versatilie," "underrated," and has been "underutilized."  Look forward to seeing this guy in the Pro Bowl in 2 years by way of Bill's genius.

Funny thing is, that's the type of signing that Ainge would make, also. Underutilized, undersized, versatile.

Of course, if DA did it, we'd rake him over the coals.

Mike

When Ainge wins 5 rings I'm sure he'll get more benefit of the doubt.

Point taken.  Bill's track record with these moves just never ceases to amaze me.

[Cman]

How much better is Gilmore than Butler?

Don't get me wrong but it seemed Gronk and our WRs torched Gilmore more often than not.

Yet Gilmore gets 5/65M. Butler isn't worth 10+M/Year at the least??

This is ridiculous. Just pay HT and Butler, Pats...

Can't believe it's even a possibility we lose both before next season. Unlikely but still possible.

I totally agree with you, especially given how much $$$ the Pats have available, and given that there is about 2 more years of Brady left (my guess). I'd go all in, if I was Pats/BB.

Instead, I think it is very likely that the Pats lose MB, and about 50-50 that the Pats lose Hightower.

[A Future of Stevens]

We are expected to resign Hightower. WOO WOOOOOOOO

http://nesn.com/2017/03/nfl-rumors-donta-hightower-expected-to-re-sign-with-patriots-make-decision-wednesday/