***The Official New England Patriots Thread***

[Tyler2106]

Pats should try and get Brissett back from the Colts.

The more I think about it and while it does make sense, I don't think they will. I'm not sure Brissett is that much of an upgrade to Stidham, who I've been hearing they really like. I think if they bring in a QB it'll be a veteran who has had success in the NFL.

Patriots trade Duron Harmon to the Lions for a late round pick. Frees up roughly $5.5m in cap space. Lions also signed Danny Shelton. KVN, Collins, Harmon and Shelton are big pieces. I think we'll be able to bring in others to fill those spots and I think the rest of the defense is under contract and good to go.

[camaleom]

who I've been hearing they really like

I don't buy that... think about it - what the pats suppose to say? we got rid of Brady and the kid behind is not good... Pats are driving that narrative about Stid.

[128]

Hopkins could’ve been had for a 2nd but we got Sanu...

I can see why Brady wanted out, it’s time to rebuild

[Tyler2106]

I don't buy that... think about it - what the pats suppose to say? we got rid of Brady and the kid behind is not good... Pats are driving that narrative about Stid.

I mean, you don't draft a player you don't like / see potential in. No one expects him to be as good as Tom Brady, but if he can manage the game and not turn the ball over, that's a good start for his career.

[camaleom]

touché

[GarthVader]

Hopkins could’ve been had for a 2nd but we got Sanu...

I can see why Brady wanted out, it’s time to rebuild

Yeah, but he's Aaron Hernandez tho

[Tyler2106]

Lost Nate Ebner to the Jets. He's been a key ST player. Tough to keep losing key players.

Also, signed DT Beau Allen to replace Danny Shelton. I don't know Allen, but Shelton played great for us, so hopefully Allen can fill that void.

[camaleom]

every current and past player have said that playing for BB/New England is a grind... now that there is so much uncertainty with the team I think players are like "fuk it" I have my rings and I can make the same money somewhere else without so much stress.

[Tyler2106]

Signed Safety and 2018 All-Pro ST Adrian Phillips. "From a statistical standpoint, he leads the NFL in special teams’ tackles (17). He’s also tied for second on the team in passes broken up (10), third in defensive tackles (77) and is allowing a miniscule 36.6% completion percentage (15/44) and a 44.8 quarterback rating on passes thrown into his coverage area. He covers running backs, tight ends and wide receivers one-on-one and always seems to be at the bottom of the pile in run support. He is literally everywhere and does everything for this defense."

This looks like a great pick up for us and a great replacement for Ebner leaving. They're saying he's a replacement for Duron, but this seems more like a Chung type player. Either way, this is a positive addition to the defense.

[camaleom]

it's official - Tom is a buc... :'( #feelsbadman

[GarthVader]

I'm still in the denial stage.

[Tyler2106]

Agreed, it's really weird without Brady on the roster. He was the face of this team, he was the leader, players came to New England to play on the same team as him. Everyone looked up to him, he was a big part of the community and now that he's gone it feels like this season is all for nothing. I wonder what other players are thinking. The players who came to New England to win a championship have to be wanting out. I can't imagine thinking Jules wants to stay.

At the end of the day, it's a business and the players will play hard to earn money elsewhere when that time comes.

I saw on Twitter Dion Sanders made a comment on Jules account saying something like I wonder if Jules will go to TB as well and Jules liked it. So, everyone is speculating that he wants to go with Brady. If he did go to TB that would be a killer line up for Brady. I don't know how you'd stop that offense. Brady would have 3 1,000 receivers on his team plus a super talented TE that hasn't been utilized correctly in the NFL yet.

As for the Patriots, it'll be interesting to see who they try and bring in with the money they're freeing up. Talks are maybe Brandin Cooks. I think Thuney could be a huge trading piece if they wanted. He accounts for $13m this season which would definitely be enough to get a top player.

[brighamw]

I see Brady still taking team friendly contracts, good guy Brady...


Here's looking at you Bill

[Tyler2106]

I see Brady still taking team friendly contracts, good guy Brady...


Here's looking at you Bill

Yeah, that was surprising...kinda.

2 years, $50m fully guaranteed with $4.5m in incentives each season. Can't be traded or tagged. 12th highest paid QB in the league.

That contract makes it seem pretty clear it wasn't about the money.

[brighamw]

Yeah, that was surprising...kinda.

2 years, $50m fully guaranteed with $4.5m in incentives each season. Can't be traded or tagged. 12th highest paid QB in the league.

That contract makes it seem pretty clear it wasn't about the money.

I think Tom held out hope for staying in NE to the very end, when you start seeing top level WR's being traded for draft picks, 2 of your own top defensive guys allowed to walk, etc

I think he threw up his hands, went to Kraft's house and said, "I'm out!"

[camaleom]

that is a STEAL of a deal for TB... now NE can't say it was about money.

look at Kirk Ryan deal and rework deals... man we are going to miss him - no other top qb is going to give NE deals like that.

[GarthVader]

Agreed, it's really weird without Brady on the roster. He was the face of this team, he was the leader, players came to New England to play on the same team as him. Everyone looked up to him, he was a big part of the community and now that he's gone it feels like this season is all for nothing. I wonder what other players are thinking. The players who came to New England to win a championship have to be wanting out. I can't imagine thinking Jules wants to stay.

At the end of the day, it's a business and the players will play hard to earn money elsewhere when that time comes.

I saw on Twitter Dion Sanders made a comment on Jules account saying something like I wonder if Jules will go to TB as well and Jules liked it. So, everyone is speculating that he wants to go with Brady. If he did go to TB that would be a killer line up for Brady. I don't know how you'd stop that offense. Brady would have 3 1,000 receivers on his team plus a super talented TE that hasn't been utilized correctly in the NFL yet.

As for the Patriots, it'll be interesting to see who they try and bring in with the money they're freeing up. Talks are maybe Brandin Cooks. I think Thuney could be a huge trading piece if they wanted. He accounts for $13m this season which would definitely be enough to get a top player.

At this stage, I couldn't really care less which new WRs we sign. It's not exciting anymore. We have no idea how Stidham is going to pan out.

[Tyler2106]

At this stage, I couldn't really care less which new WRs we sign. It's not exciting anymore. We have no idea how Stidham is going to pan out.

Lol a bandwagon fan I see. I started a TB team thread that you can join if the excitement is gone with the Patriots.

This is what happens with every team. There is turnover at every position and there are stretches of time that your team doesn't do well. If Stidham isn't another Tom Brady we will be mediocre for a bit.

We still have a number of good pieces on the team, for now, that we should be competitive.

[drbaig]

It's been a hard few days. Hasn't it lads.

Goat is gone. Losing defensive pieces to DET and MIA.

Should be an interesting season. Lets see what the two Goats can do without each other.

It's a damn shame unicorn of a twenty year dynasty had to end this way.

[camaleom]

It's a damn shame unicorn of a twenty year dynasty had to end this way.

this is my problem with the whole Brady situation... if we said we are rebuilding we are letting Brady go then I would be ok with it but this feel like a half bake situation for the pats - they want to be "competitive" with a half azz team.

[GarthVader]

Lol a bandwagon fan I see. I started a TB team thread that you can join if the excitement is gone with the Patriots.

This is what happens with every team. There is turnover at every position and there are stretches of time that your team doesn't do well. If Stidham isn't another Tom Brady we will be mediocre for a bit.

We still have a number of good pieces on the team, for now, that we should be competitive.

says the Pats fan from Nebraska. Kid, I've been with the Pats since the Steve Grogan years. I grew up IN Foxboro. The Pats are in my blood. I went to school with NE players kids.

All I'm saying is that for the first time in a long time the future is uncertain. It's hard to get excited when the key cog is not there any more. I will adjust again.

[AMeyer9]

Lol a bandwagon fan I see. I started a TB team thread that you can join if the excitement is gone with the Patriots.

Do I honestly have to point out how ironic this is?

[Tyler2106]

says the Pats fan from Nebraska. Kid, I've been with the Pats since the Steve Grogan years. I grew up IN Foxboro. The Pats are in my blood. I went to school with NE players kids.

All I'm saying is that for the first time in a long time the future is uncertain. It's hard to get excited when the key cog is not there any more. I will adjust again.

Been a Patriots fan my entire life. Should I have chosen a team to root for in Nebraska? Oh wait, there isn't a team.

I'm not the one who was crying how the excitement is gone now that Brady is gone. I've continued to post in here and will continue to root for the Patriots. I am maybe a little more excited about the future now that we are starting "fresh" and moving past Brady. Relying on a 43 year old QB to be the future of our franchise just doesn't make sense. I'm hoping Stidham, or whoever we bring in, can carry the team to more successful seasons.

[HoganIsGOAT]

Been a Patriots fan my entire life. Should I have chosen a team to root for in Nebraska? Oh wait, there isn't a team.

I'm not the one who was crying how the excitement is gone now that Brady is gone. I've continued to post in here and will continue to root for the Patriots. I am maybe a little more excited about the future now that we are starting "fresh" and moving past Brady. Relying on a 43 year old QB to be the future of our franchise just doesn't make sense. I'm hoping Stidham, or whoever we bring in, can carry the team to more successful seasons.

I’m genuinely curious when you became a Patriots fan, and why - especially considering how far away you live from the area.

We have no reason to be excited in the short term right now. Long term, TBD.

If we move forward with Stidham and the team we have, 2020 is going to be a real reality check for Patriots fans.

[Tyler2106]

I’m genuinely curious when you became a Patriots fan, and why - especially considering how far away you live from the area.

We have no reason to be excited in the short term right now. Long term, TBD.

If we move forward with Stidham and the team we have, 2020 is going to be a real reality checks for Patriots fans.

I live in Nebraska, is the only team I can root for Kansas City?

If I started rooting for KC now, because according to your logic, they're close to me, would I be a bandwagon fan because they just won the Super Bowl and have one of the brightest futures of any NFL team right now?

[HoganIsGOAT]

I live in Nebraska, is the only team I can root for Kansas City?

If I started rooting for KC now, because according to your logic, they're close to me, would I be a bandwagon fan because they just won the Super Bowl and have one of the brightest futures of any NFL team right now?

Holy defensive, Batman lol. I didn’t accuse you of being a bandwagon fan nor said you had to be a fan of Kansas City.

Since you’re not comfortable answering my questions I suppose it’ll remain a mystery. Haha

[Tyler2106]

Holy defensive, Batman lol. I didn’t accuse you of being a bandwagon fan nor said you had to be a fan of Kansas City.

Since you’re not comfortable answering my questions I suppose it’ll remain a mystery. Haha

I'm not being defensive. You should be able to see why asking me why I'm a Patriots fan, when I was being accused of being a bandwagon fan, could be construed as you also accusing me of being a bandwagon fan.

People can choose whatever team they want to like based on players, the organization, location etc. This whole bandwagon talk is taking away from the point of this thread.

Let's keep it about the Patriots.

[128]

At this point I'm just hoping we can stand in the way of Jets/Bills/Dolphins being relevant

[camaleom]

Hoyer is back - some good news for sure.

Good leadership and somebody that knows the system and can help the rookie!

[Tyler2106]

Hoyer is back - some good news for sure.

Good leadership and somebody that knows the system and can help the rookie!

Yes, I love bringing him back. He's exactly the kind of selfless veteran QB we need to help Stidham. I'd even go out on a limb and say Hoyer might be able to fight for the starting job if Stidham isn't as far progressed as they're saying. Hoyer can be the game manager we need to stay competitive IMO.

We also made a nice signing with LB Brandon Copeland. We've been interested in him before and finally brought him in to fill one of the voids left at the LB spot. I think we have done a nice job, on paper, with our defensive signings to fill voids. Just need to make some good offensive signings now.