New England Patriots Links 2/20/12 - NFL's Game of Tag Kicks Off Combine Week
by Marima on Feb 20, 2012 8:09 AM EST
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Ian Rapoport wonders if the Patriots will use the franchise tag on Wes Welker or let him test the open market.
"According to the collective bargaining agreement, today is the first day teams can designate their franchise player. The Patriots could attempt to lock up Welker with a one-year contract worth an estimated $9.6 million. The window closes March 5 at 4 p.m. ...
The talks do not appear to have gone smoothly. Discussions between his representatives and the Patriots have not yet included a breakthrough, a source said. ...
It doesn’t seem likely Welker will join the ranks of Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald (eight years/$120 million) or Texans receiver Andre Johnson (seven years/$73.5 million). A slot receiver who has taken plenty of hits — and will be 31 by next season — will command less.
His value isn’t obvious, and there is a line of thinking that the Patriots may allow him to test the market to find that out himself. That’s a risk, as another team could step in with a huge offer and swipe him.
Ian Rapoport notes free agent Dan Koppen is keeping his options open, but the 32-year old center believes he can thrive in 2012 and beyond.
"Hats off to those guys that have done it," Koppen said yesterday. "But I don’t really look at them and say, ‘If they can do it, I can do it.’ I just go by how I’m feeling right now. And I feel great. The leg’s better, the ankle’s better. I feel like I got a few more years left in this body, that’s for sure."
"It’s been a great nine years that I’ve had playing for the Patriots and playing in front of the New England fans," Koppen said. "I’ve accomplished a lot in those nine years and now it’s just a part of the career where things are not as concrete as they have been in years past. We’re open to whatever opportunities come our way."
"Do I want to stay here and play?" Koppen said. "Yeah, absolutely, I’d love to come back here and play. But I’m not shut off to the idea of going other places or seeing the opportunities that may present itself when the free agency period comes. It’s an uneasy time, but it’s an exciting time."
"It’s just one of those periods where we haven’t done this," Koppen said. "We’re just taking it as it comes and just waiting. Leaving our options open and excited for the next chapter."
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss breaks down how the Patriots have used the franchise tag in the past, in light of the fact that Wes Welker is still without a deal.
- Christopher Price hears from an opposing scout with an offseason to-do list for the Patriots. First up? "Find a vertical presence for the offense that opponents have to respect."
- Mike Reiss offers some quick-hit weekend thoughts from the Patriots and around the NFL.
- Ian Rapoport reports TE coach Brian Ferentz is joining Iowa, his alma mater, as an O-line coach.
- Mike Reiss charts the final snap counts for offensive skill-position players for the 2011 Patriots and notes Rob Gronkowski played the most at 94.6%.
- Mike Reiss tells us the final snap counts for defensive players in the 2011 Patriots season, while analyzing what it means.
- Christopher Price profiles free agents who might be a fit for the Patriots: CB Brent Grimes (Falcons) and CB Cortland Finnegan (Tennessee).
- Nicholas O'Malley profiles draft prospect S Mark Barron (Alabama) as a potential fit for the Patriots.
- Jeff Howe answers his Patriots mailbag: LaRon Landry may be answer to the Pats problems on defense.
- Karen Guregian addresses Randy Moss' surprise announcement that he was coming out of retirement, and whether he would be a good fit for NE.
- ESPNBoston reports Adam Schefter thinks Wes Welker will be tagged.
- Tom E. Curran listens to Warren Sapp's unfiltered slaps at a variety of targets, including Gronk's post-loss dancing. Get over it man.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Dan Pompei (Nat'l Football Post) Sunday Blitz: The coaching shuffle; a Combine primer, Peyton Manning talk and all the latest from the NFL grapevine.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB: A few things you may not know about the top two QBs in the draft.
- Ian Rapoport (Sporting News) New England Patriots offseason game plan: Top priorities are retaining Welker, adding impact wideouts.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Koppen eyeballs free agency.
- James Walker (ESPN) Top 40 players in the AFC East: Nos. 5-8 and Nos. 1-4.
- Pat Kirwan (CBS Sports) Creative team with WR needs could pry Wallace away from Steelers.
- Adam Schefter (ESPN) Mike Wallace to the Patriots? (1.30 min. video)
- Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Free-agent scouting report: Patriots WR Wes Welker.
- Report (Athens Daily Review) Back to the nest: Patriot Malcolm Williams returns to TVCC for talk with players.
- James Walker (ESPN) Walker's weekend AFC East mailbag.
- Brett Logiurato (NY Times) Trinity Squash and Paul Assaiante seek 14th straight title. Bill Belichick sends coach Assaiante a message.
- Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) Winners and losers: Beauty runs stat deep.
- Mike Garafolo (Newark Star-Ledger) No performance-based pay for NFL players this year.
- Jason La Canfora (NFL.com) Plenty of players preparing for franchise tag.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) The future of the franchise tag could be bleak, for players.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Franchise tenders shrink under new CBA.
- Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) NFL's game of tag: Look for a record number of franchise designations.
- Staff Report (Sporting News) 2012 NFL Scouting Combine pro day workout schedule.
- Clark Judge (CBS Sports) No time to rest: Combine signals nonstop offseason is under way.
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) NFL Combine sleepers.
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) NFL Combine: All eyes on WR Juston Blackmon.
- Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Questions surround defensive linemen entering Combine.
- Peter Fiutak (Fox Sports) 2012 NFL Combine QB rankings.
- Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Top five RBs entering NFL Scouting Combine.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Olympic medalist helps football players prepare for Scouting Combine.
- Greg Gabriel (Nat'l Football Post) Is the NFL Combine about more than just the workouts?
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) Defensive prospects in need of a strong Combine.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Talks on HGH testing will continue at Scouting Combine.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) 250 fans will attend Scouting Combine.
- Josh Looney (KCChiefs.com) 30 FAs in 30 days: BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
- Andrew Brandt (SI) Top free-agent wide receivers with uncertain fates in NFL offseason.
- Chris Burke (SI) Contract killers: Which pending free agents hurt their cause in 2011?
- Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) Talent misevaluation: Why do players slip through the cracks?
- Jason Garrison (SBNation) From Mario Williams to Wes Welker, the AFC's top free agents.
- Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) Winners and losers: Beauty runs stat deep.
- Doug Farrar (Yahoo! Sports) From Cam to RGIII, and the weird psychology of draft analysis.
- Report (NFL.com) Goodell says NFL committed to keeping teams where they are.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) 18-game season remains a real possibility.
- Albert Breer (NFL.com) Titans officials say Moss didn't hurt team in 2010 stint.
- Kevin Ewoldt (Hogs Haven) Tebowing, Bradying, and Planking are huge phenomenons, the only problem is, Haynesworth is doing it during the play of games.
- Bob Raissman (NY Daily News) ESPN clears room on 'Monday Night Football' in case Peyton Manning calls an audible.
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Marima is stellar as always.
Lakers and Patriots forever.
As dumb as the whole Bradying, Tebowing, and Planking things are...
I still found it kinda funny looking at that link showing pics of Haynesworth “doing” them.
Planking
that was funny. Tebowing, a little funny, but getting old. Bradying, a very, very slight sliver of funny, but the next thing that comes along is going to be old as heck the moment its invented and not funny at all.
Think we’ll miss the TE coach?
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
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by New Century Silver on Feb 20, 2012 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe we can bring Alge Crumpler back to fill the position!
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 20, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
As much as I hope Welker gets signed again, my head tells me it might not happen.
Hope my head is wrong.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 20, 2012 1:08 PM EST reply actions
if welker is looking for high receiver money
then i don’t think it will happen. i truly hope he realizes the special place he has in this offense, and if he wants to win, he’ll accept less. he is an important cog in this offense, no doubt, but he is 31 and post ACL surgery. i hope he realizes how much catching passes from brady makes him the player that he is.
if he’s looking for 9-12 mill a year, i think it’s time to say goodbye. we are old at the receiver position and need to start over. as much as i love welker, i don’t think putting that much money into him is in the best interests of the team when you could put that money into the defense. we already control the middle of the field (herndo/gronk). we need outside receivers who can beat 1on1 coverage.
by jamiesinnott on Feb 20, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions
I understand that.
Still Welker was behind Branch and Ochocinco in pay this year and had more production than both of them combined.
He is definitely due a pay raise and it’s in his best interest to not approach the table too quickly.
Here’s a brief look at our wide receivers:
Branch: 51 catches for 702 yards, 37 1stD, 5 TD
Ochocinco: 15 catches for 276 yards, 13 1stD, 1 TD
Edelman: 4 catches for 34 yards, 0 1stD, 0 TD
Slater: 1 catch for 46 yards, 1 1stD, 0 TD
Underwood: 3 catches for 30 yards, 2 1stD, 0 TD
Total: 74 catches for 1088 yards, 53 1stD, 6 TD by receivers not named Welker
Welker: 122 catches (65% more) for 1569 yards (44% more), 77 1stD (45% more), 9 TD (50% more)
So in conclusion, Welker is around 50% better than all of our other wide receivers combined. If Herndo and Gronk were replacing Welker’s share of the snaps, his performance should decline (that might also explain last year). Instead, Welker is moving to other areas of the field and is as productive as ever.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 20, 2012 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
he has already earned it from us true,
however its a business and u pay for future performance, i think lloyd can replace him and add some vertical threat to his position as well, meaning he needs to be reasonable. no way i can fathom 9-12 mil a year when thats what the johnsons and vjax will be making next year. gimme vjax n lloyd over lloyd and wes any day if money is equal.
most definitely, he's outplayed his contract
and he deserves some money. i just know the pats won’t pay him #1 receiver money because they aren’t about that. they only paid moss $9 mill per year after that 2007 season which the most dominant of all time. if welker wants that much, he may balk, but i hope not. i hope for 3-4 years with 6-7 mill per year is reasonable – maybe guaranteeing most as an incentive. i think he needs the pats as much as we need him. plus, he strikes me as someone who wants to win, which makes me hope he’d accept less to stay.
by jamiesinnott on Feb 20, 2012 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
He'd probably go for that 6-7 mil.
They’re probably pushing it low right now 4-5 mil – knowing they can tag him and basically control negotiations. He’s doing the right thing not caving yet. It’s a long dance, and they’re just in the first steps.
Really, I think a deal that had more up front money and less on the back end will be where they’ll end up.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 20, 2012 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
dunno if im alone,
but everyday i want fletcher cox more. i keep thinking of seymour, and thinking of love in the middle with cox n wilfork on outside, if we pass on him ill cry, hell i may cry if someone drafts him early too.
i hate the lloyd idea
i say go after mike wallace
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by BostonBeasts on Feb 20, 2012 3:33 PM EST via Android app reply actions
If he hits FA, I'd definitely want Wallace.
He has the skills to be a pure burner, but he wants to be an all around receiver. We could definitely use that.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 20, 2012 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
and we COULD HAVE DRAFTED HIM
sorry, I’ll never be over that.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/J53D
by New Century Silver on Feb 20, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
I can't get into that.
There are needs every year, and no sure things in the draft.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 20, 2012 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah
I mean, looking back now, of course there are some picks I’d rather have instead of others, but there’s still not a single person out there I’d rather have frustrating me with his constant moves up and down the board when all I want to know is which guy to youtube and get excited for than the Hoodie.
by indy pats fan on Feb 20, 2012 8:15 PM EST up reply actions
Yup! BB Picked Brandon tate before him..Smh
'You are banned from Gang Green Nation'
"You can browse the blog, but you can't participate."
"BANNED LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
by BostonBeasts on Feb 22, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
of mike wallace costs a first count me out.
I love the guy but he doesn’t match any wr that has had success with Brady before, that along with the fact he may not get the system makes it wayyyyy too big of a gamble for a first round pick and 30 million guaranteed. Much prefer vjax. N for a smaller contract and no draft pick also prefer Lloyd especially since we know he gets the offense. With that being said I would not mind losing wes for a first round pick. so long as there are still free agents out there to admirably fill the position. is there a way to put a first round tender on him without a franchise? Or is that only with rfa’s? Cuz i don’t wanna get stuck paying him the 9plus million of the tag when we have so many fa’s we can go after.
by AMORALES on Feb 20, 2012 5:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Looks like Stanford Routt is off the FA list.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 20, 2012 3:56 PM EST reply actions
Goodell is delusional -
or else he’s flat-out lying – about these nebulous ‘people’ he talks about and how they keep telling him they want ‘more football.’
Keep the faith!
What people actually say is they don't want to pay full price for pre-season "exhibition" games.
Normal people would translate that into lower prices for the “exhibition” games. You know, get to see the stars without breaking the bank to do it.
Goodell’s not normal. He’s a puppet of the owners. The owners WANT full price for EVERY game, so Goodell translates the people’s request into “MOAR REGULAR SEASON GAMES!” Basically a justification for full price for EVERY game.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 20, 2012 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
Well, every poll we did asking about it came back to stick with 16 games.
By a LONG margin. Every other poll I’ve seen says the same thing.
Obviously, the polls are wrong…. LOL
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 20, 2012 7:44 PM EST up reply actions
The mere suggestion of 18 games
Is NFL Hypocrisy at it’s best. How can they make such a big emphasis on player safety, and caring about players long term futures while at the same time trying to convince them to play 2 more games? It’s ridiculous and disgusting. It’s makes me think those allegations of the league repressing, concealing, and misinforming players about the long-term effects of concussions to get them to play longer has some serious truth to them. It really wouldn’t surprise me though if it all was 100% true. The NFL is a multi-billion dollar corporation and corporations that big usually put money over anything and everything else including human welfare
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
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