NFL Free Agency - 2014

Pats sign Revis.

Absolutely crucial after they lost Talib to the Broncos. I am extremely pleased with this move. I was really concerned Belichick was going to sit on his hands and do nothing, but this is exactly what they needed to do. They actually came out ahead by signing the only corner available on the market better than Talib.

Bill doesn't miss a chance to get one over on the Jets.  Strategically it was a smart move, a 1 year deal for one of the top CB's in the league is a no-brainer.  If you like how he plays, you sign him longer otherwise you let him walk.  I'm sure it made it even sweeter signing Revis  after all the articles about a possible return to the Jets.

I'm not sure I like the Jets signing Decker, I don't think he's a #1 WR, and not even sure how great a #2 he will be if Manning isn't his QB.  Jet's need a Megatron, AJ Green, D. Thomas type receiver imo but I guess he's better than anyone we have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamo

How's it going, @JetFan1983 ?

From an email I just got, sent out to me and a few other of my Jets fan friends. It sums up how I feel:

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtogolf

I'm not sure I like the Jets signing Decker, I don't think he's a #1 WR, and not even sure how great a #2 he will be if Manning isn't his QB.  Jet's need a Megatron, AJ Green, D. Thomas type receiver imo but I guess he's better than anyone we have.

Yea my fingers are tightly crossed that he's not just the product of Peyton's system. That said, the Jets actually got a good deal with only 15 mil guaranteed. Here's a good write up on the Decker signing IMO:

I'd conservatively project Decker for like 60-850-7 in that offense. Bad for fantasy... very useful to the Jets.

Source: Rotoworld

Browns making some good moves. Danby and Whitner are great additions. Was hoping we could work something out with Revis...Whitner, Haden, and Revis would give the Browns the best DB combo in the league.

Looks like we might pick up Edelman too which would be a huge improvement in the slot. Rumors of Ben Tate are swirling also, but I'm not sure that one will come to fruition.

The Revis deal is brilliant for both sides. The contract has no stipulation of a franchise tag so they could franchise him and he'd get a bump up to somewhere just over $14mil in 2015. So basically they could own his rights for 2 years. If he plays at an elite level which I have no doubts that he will now that hes 2 years out of a knee injury then you have the ability to negotiate on an extension. The Cap is expanding ever year and with big contracts of Wilfork (should get renegotiated), Mankins and Hernandez' dead money they'll be in a position of strength to pay Revis in the a year or 2 if they want too.

Revis will love playing for Belichick, he'll love winning, plus he'll love coming up against the likes of Geno Smith, Ryan Tannehill and E.J Manuel twice a year as well.

The Pats actually have more cap flexibility than orginally thought even now with the Revis deal. We should be able to get a veteran reciever and a few cheaper guys on the OL and DL.

That's pretty much what we had with TJ Ward anyway, except Whitner is a much better tackler. And TJ didn't wanna be here anyway...

If he's able to do that with Smith or Sanchez as the QB I'd be happy.  We had high expectations for Holmes and he was a bust so hopefully Decker won't be.

:-D I actually liked the Decker signing. That's a lot of money, but it'll be worth it if he's good and there's not a ton guaranteed if they need to cut him. But I'm higher on Geno Smith than most non-Jets fans, so who knows. Patriots still have some holes that they'll need to address. With Spikes gone and Wilfork aging they could use a run-stopper, and with their center Wendell likely gone they'll probably need to draft a new one. With Dante Scarnecchia retired I'm not as confident that their O-line will be fine. I hope they let Blount walk, or at least I hope they don't give him much. He was fun, but they've got plenty of depth there with Ridley, Vereen, and Bolden. I've heard they were in the running for Dennis Pitta, which I hope is true. Going back to the two pass-catching tight ends would take some pressure off the receivers, which would be needed if Edelman signs elsewhere.

Scarnecchia retiring is bigger than any other personnel the Pats have lost or will lose this offseason.

The LB core is strong still though. Spikes was never an every down linebacker. He was a 1st and 2nd down backer who couldn't cover a damn thing. Great against the run no doubt but not a guy you want on the field in passing situations. The great patriot linebackers of the past were multi purpose guys. Bruschi, McGinest and Vrabel were all guys who could cover as well as step up in the box and stop the run. I think we have those guys on the roster right now. I'm not saying we have a Bruschi or Willie McGinest but have 3 down linebackers that will be more valuable than what Spikes was. Mayo when healthy is a top 10 linebacker in the game, Hightower came a long way in the 2nd half of last year and then Jamie Collins who was arguably the best linebacker on the team down the stretch last year. Depth is a concern but thats something you address later in FA or with the draft.

RB's are a dime a dozen in the NFL. Whether Blount is back or not i'm not the least bit concerned about that position. I'd love to see them get another guy on the O-line, another veteran situational pass rusher and a veteran receiver. I doubt they'll touch a Jared Allen or Julius Peppers just cause the money they want makes no sense for the Pats situation. Steve Smith is an interesting scenario, I think he'd be a great fit at the right price. WR's are having a rough time right now getting money where they thought they would because the draft this year is about as good as its ever been at that position.

The Patriots biggest offseason friend now other than Revis will be getting healthy. A healthy Gronk, Mayo, Wilfork, Kelly, and Vollmer alone make a huge difference. Plus everyone forgets the Pats are the 2nd youngest team in the league. Hopefully we see some nice jumps from some of the younger guys like Logan Ryan, Harmon, Cannon, Collins and Dobson. Who knows but were in a great position now.

#Patriots Pro Bowl DT Vince Wilfork has asked that the team release him after 10 seasons in New England, according to sources.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2014

Saw this and I'm pretty disappointed as well. Big Vince was the anchor in the middle of that defense for years. I guess he wasn't happy that the Pats approached him about restructuring his deal.

Ugh, the Jets are supposedly nearing a deal with Brandon Pettigrew. This better be a cheap, no risk deal... not a fan of his game.

The Saints signing Byrd give  them a couple of pretty good safeties.  He and Kenny Vaccaro have to be one of the better safety tandems in the league.  Wish someone would take Jimmy Graham from them...He did great against poor teams but really was a non-factor against  quality teams with good secondary play.

I'm pretty happy with the Browns. This is a huge, major change and overhaul in terms of what we did this year compared to past practice in FA. Landing Ben Tate is nice as hell since we know we have a stable back, though injury prone, who is tough as hell and can produce. That also allows us to think WR/QB/OL and grab a RB later.

Dude, I thought you died. lol