An Independent Patriots Blog
Hard to say for sure because what he’s getting knocked for all happened behind the scenes. But if he’s a problem for team chemistry and getting on people’s nerves I can see why they don’t want to give him a $3 million bonus.
I wouldn’t be against bringing Welker and Edelman back, along with a mid-range vet WR or two, and then just go for it in the first round on someone like Justin Hunter.
Thoughts on Brady, Lloyd – Extra Points – Boston.com
Some more on Lloyd…
[I]t’s in the realm of possibility that he is back. There is still internal debate going on about whether or not he can be managed. And the biggest factor is the Patriots don’t have any receivers at this point in time. Do they cut Lloyd and roll the dice so they can find receivers other than Wes Welker (if he gets his new contract) that can function in this scheme? Or do they take a known commodity in Lloyd, figure out a way to manage him better, and try again? That remains to be seen. His production (74 catches for 911 yards) is nothing to sneeze at with the way the receiver position has gone for the Patriots. But the odds are that he isn’t back.
Yeah I definitely agree with this. Justin Hunter is one of the guys that has pinged my radar for sure, but after his combine performance he might not last until 59. Thinking more and more the Pats will trade out of 29 unless a player they love falls to them.
Interesting. I don’t remember that defense, but it certainly sounds a lot like what the Pats are doing now. Perhaps the most interesting thing in the comparison is that you can see where the Pats’ weakness is. Urlacher is a former safety who can cover a lot of ground in the middle of the field. Contrast him to Spikes who is a pure inside linebacker who can stop the run and you get a sense of why teams have had so much success targeting the flat in the last two seasons.
I don’t think the Pats are locked into this schematically, it’s just as much a function of their personnel with their lack of tackle depth behind Wilfork, and bevy of defensive end types.
I’m not saying Spikes needs to be replaced but I certainly think he needs to be pushed by someone in the mold of Urlacher who is better in space. Maybe Dane Fletcher is the answer, maybe not. I’m keeping an eye on those kind of players in free agency and the draft.
Two words are enough for Tom Brady.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/nflfanpass-two-words-are-enough-for-tom-brady/
Patriots offseason primer: After Ravens loss, expect a frenzy – Patriots – Boston.com
Great stuff throughout this one from Bedard, including:
Odds are against Brandon Lloyd’s $3 million option bonus being picked up. There is still a lot of internal debate about what to do considering the Patriots literally couldn’t line up tomorrow at receiver. Lloyd’s erratic behavior in the locker room and on the practice field proved tiresome, according to a league and team source. If they cut Lloyd, that would save the Patriots $4.9 million against the cap this season, though there will be $2 million in dead money that can be spread out over two years. The team was smart to build in protection with Lloyd.
The Patriots return home for a brief road hiatus, taking on the 6-4-1 Vikings and unfamiliar opponent with plenty of quality pieces to challenge the thus-far inconsistent Pats. This next three-game set will essentially determine the Patriots road in the playoffs. A win at home this weekend, followed by road wins in Miami and Pittsburgh […]
