This is the thing that puzzles me the most about this off-season. I would agree that there is “something” going on with B.B./TB12/Gronk and I suspect that it’s tied into Guerrero. Other than that, guys walking away happens every season, but the media is portraying it as something different when it’s not.
As far as the Guerrero stuff, I completely understand why players like Gronk, Brady, Edelman might want to work with him on a personal basis. His methods appear to have had some success within that group (although they apparently cannot prevent ACL injuries in WR’s). They should also understand from the team perspective that it is a difficult situation for B.B. and the Patriots. They employ a medical and training staff that are professional and credentialed.
As far as I know, Guerrero has no medical credentials other than a Master’s in Chinese Medicine from a defunct school. Let us also not forget that he has twice been punished by the FTC. First for promoting a product on infomercials that he said cured cancer in nearly 200 patients and calling himself a doctor (both of which were lies). Later for marketing a drink that supposedly sped up recovery from and helped prevent concussions.
I can’t imagine why the Patriots credentialed medical and training staff might have an issue with Guerrero questioning their recommendations and methods?
I'm sure this issue will get worked out (maybe by Kraft), but I don’t see how the free agency situation is any different from every other offseason in NE.
Why do we need him at all? Special teams get diminished every year with rule changes and I don't get paying a premium for players who can only play special teams when the skill set seems replaceable and when depth is at a premiumThe Slater thing makes sense to me honestly. Let him see if someone wants to pay way more than Pats offered. If not he comes back.
He'll be 33, and has missed 10 games the past two seasons to injury.
I'm interested to see how they plan to utilize him, especially if they choose to do so on offense.
Having watched Patterson for what seems like years, I always felt that coaches wasted him and his talent and underutilized him. I feel like Bill may have some ideas or plans.
...Or he is just going to return kicks lol
I know some fans may be mad at Amendola, Solder and Lewis taking more $$$$ from other teams. But looking at the cap Patriots probably couldn't afford all 3. Not only that but these guys(at least Amendola and Solder) have been playing for a discount for the Pats. All 3 of these guys have SB ring(s) so why not cash in while they can?
I don't think them leaving has anything to do with the Patriots environment and more with them wanting to cash in while they can. Amendola has had concussions, Lewis has had some leg injuries, Neither that old but that young. Cash in and get $$$$ while the window for it is still open.
Amendola took multiple pay cuts to remain here the guy absolutely has to jump at one last pay day at his age. Lewis seems to shred crappy teams but struggle against good ones. Both are injury prone. Pretty much a no brainer to walk away from both.
We'll miss Solder we have to hope that we get lucky and draft his long term replacement. I want Orlando Brown I don't care that he had a bad combine his dad was awesome. I want a WR with one of the first 3 picks there are some good ones out there.
I'm never mad at any athlete for signing for as much money as they want.
Same.
If I was a pro athlete, I don'care if it's the Pats, Bruins, etc. I'll play in the desert if it's an extra Million a year on my contract.
There's way too much uncertainty in a pro athletes career to take chances with money.
Knowing what I know at the ripe age of 28, if I was a college athlete not on the McDavid/Crosby/Brady etc level, I don't care what sport, I'd finish that 4 year degree. You'll always have that to fall back on.
I'd sign as soon as I could. Can always go back and finish my degree. Can't go back and be young and healthy again.
It's funny, I also don't fault any athlete who doesn't sign for the most money. But those guys sometimes get criticized for deflating the market for other players. Everyone should sign where they want for as much as they want for whatever reason they want.
OL and LB have to be the priorities, as well as an edge rusher.
No need to draft any WRs.
If we only have 1-3 years of Brady left, don't focus on value as much as normal, focus on putting the best team you can on the field for 2018 and 2019.
Do you think the signing of Clayborn, the healthy return of Derek Rivers and the continued maturation of Wise and Flowers pushes edge rusher to the back burner?
Maybe grab an LB that can provide some pressure from the outside while playing most downs at LB? Don’t know who is out there that fits that description.
If they had three equally rated players at those positions, I'd go LB first, OL second, edge rusher third.
Unless the OL was a left tackle, then I might grab him first.
I never trust they have enough rushers, cause they never seem to.
It's really risk reward.
What if you sign right away, get injured with a career ender early in your career? Do you have the money to go back to college? What kind of safety net is there for athletes who that happens to?
But at the same time, maybe you get a career altering injury in college and never get a chance to sign the pro contract. I remember reading something NCAA related that did in fact happen to someone. And they lost their scholarship not to long after the injury.
Guess there's no easy answer.