Robert Kraft is the greatest owner in sports. Since he bought the Patriots 25 years ago they’ve had much more success than hardships. But the latest for Kraft hurts the image of himself, not so much the team. Spygate and Deflategate were football things that Kraft wasn’t at fault for. But this will hurt his image a great deal, especially learning he went to the spa on the day of the AFC Championship Game. Kraft allegedly went there on Saturday, January 19th and was pulled over for a traffic stop. He thinks nothing of it and goes back the next day.
The AFC Championship Game was probably one of the greatest postseason wins in Patriots history. Unfortunately, people will remember what happened hours before the game. It’s worse that Kraft went back there on the day of the AFC Championship game when the team was in Kansas City. He’s worth $6.5 billion, he could’ve thought it out more clearly. The best thing to do now is own up to it take what’s coming and move on. He won’t lose the team, but he will probably be looking at a suspension, similar to Jim Irsay of the Colts in the past.
After learning more about what happened Monday it’s hard for Kraft to still deny it. They have him on video and you can’t hide what’s on the video. The video changes everything, just like with other cases we’ve seen around the NFL. This is way different from other videos from NFL players abusing women, but it still hurts Kraft’s image.
Players will stick by Kraft during the case and beyond. They will ignore the noise that comes with it and not change their opinions they have on the owner. Kraft has built an empire in Foxborough, and it has come with negative things but the good outweighs the bad. If the Patriots had lost the AFC Championship game or the Super Bowl this could look worse. Kraft could miss the home opener, which will cause a debate as to whether or not they wait to unveil the Super Bowl Banner when he comes back from suspension.
Kyler, the Heisman-winning quarterback from Oklahoma, remains the biggest question of this year’s draft. His future landing spot remains completely unknown. And although Murray will certainly be picked in the first round, the question of when remains to be seen.
Untraditional Quarterback
Murray might be the hardest quarterback some scouts have ever been asked to evaluate.
His decision-making and judgement can be so blatantly wrong at times, yet he will still make a play or get a completion.
He is the farthest from traditional one could find, yet the most successful out of his class.
Kyler Murray holding the Heisman Trophy he won for his phenomenal performance this last season
The Positives of Kyler
The Oklahoma quarterback can only be described as a paradox.
Some parts of his game should make him the undisputed QB1 of the class, yet other parts defiantly scream risk. Murray’s strong suits are listed below:
Fantastic runner, potentially one of the faster QBs to ever enter the NFL
Incredible arm strength
Great touch and anticipation
Ability to extend the play with his feet, evades pass rushers with ease
Quick release
Tremendous poise
Elite physical skills
Has displayed pin-point accuracy on several occasions
Relatively good ball security
Relatively good pre-snap adjustments
The Negatives of Kyler
The issues in his game glaring, just like his strengths. His strengths and weaknesses pop right off the screen.
Kyler’s biggest struggles are listed below:
Untraditional, not sure what offense he could fit into
Sometimes looks confused or lost out on football field, seems unprepared for certain defense schemes at the college level
Only a one year starter
Sloppy mechanics
Overthrown footballs a problem at times
Sometimes relies too much on his legs and playmaking ability, struggles to understand his limits at times
Stares down receivers
Mechanics and attention to detail do not appear strong
Makes some completions that would not happen at a Pro level
High risk and big investment for a Pro team
Durability for a player of his size and potential work load might be a problem at Pro level
Most television personalities are saying that Kyler will be a top ten pick, however, I personally would not take that so seriously.
What makes him such a risk for a pro squad?
The biggest concern out of that whole list for NFL teams will be the “High risk and big investment for a Pro team” point, but not his size. The size argument on him being able to see over his line will be something that will be heard more but will not hold much of a solid argument.
One throw that Kyler consistently impressed on this year was a short shallow cross, which is a difficult throw for shorter quarterbacks.
Kyler’s height will not be the issue for pro teams, however the time, energy, and resources that a team would have to put into a boom or bust product like Kyler are incredible.
Luckily for Murray, more pro teams are starting to adopt some college concepts in their offenses, but that may not be enough.
An offense would have to fully commit to Kyler, and have the resources to build around him. The first mistake for a pro team would be plugging him into an already established offense.
Just throwing Murray into a system of such nature would fail him from the start and basically cripple an extremely bright future.
Kyler + Patriots = Potential disaster
Patriots fans might want Kyler Murray, but he just simply would not work at this time.
Murray’s career being put on hold for Brady would be bad for both the Patriots and Kyler.
The Patriots would be benching one of the faster quarterbacks to ever enter the draft. That speed would only last at that level for so long.
The potential of Murray turning to baseball if put on hold would be very high, which the last thing the Patriots would need is a John Elway-like situation.
Kyler Murray was a first round draft pick for the Oakland Athletics
The Patriots also have too many pressing needs that taking a risk like Murray would be way to dangerous and could cost jobs.
Patriots would not be able to invest in Kyler becuase of Brady’s longevity and while McDaniels could potentially make Kyler work in New England, Brady gets in the way.
Kyler can work for other squads, but not the Patriots
Kyler might slide farther than the TV personalities think due to his high risk and the big investment required.
While Kyler might be a top ten talent, many pro scouts do not know that Kyler is a trendsetter or a game changer.
The boom or bust product out of Oklahoma seems to have a lot of promise, and could potentially get over some of his negatives with the right team and supporting cast. The right team could turn Kyler into a pro bowl caliber quarterback.
Unfortunately for hopeful Patriot fans, your team will likely not be one to swoop in and take on this extremely risky and expensive project.
A year ago this time Rob Gronkowski was contemplating retirement. The Patriots just lost the Super Bowl and Gronkowski was looking to move on from football. He did that weird motocross press conference in March and wasn’t talking about playing in 2018. After that press conference Belichick had a talk with him about coming back or he’s going to be traded. Then Gronkowski made a video after that meeting stating he would come back. After the Patriots lost to the Detroit Lions eariler in the season Gronkowski confirmed he was almost traded but said he’d only play again if Tom Brady was the quarterback.
Gronkowski is weighing his options
Throughout the 2018 season Gronkowski was battling back and other injuries. He really wasn’t himself all year and it was a wonder if he was hanging it up after this season. The Patriots got the number two seed and Gronkowski seemed good to go for the playoffs. He mostly blocked in the win against the Los Angeles Chargers. He made some big plays in the AFC Championship game in Kansas City. Finally during the Super Bowl he made a game changing catch to set up the game winning touchdown. When it came down to it Gronkowski was clutch as ever when it mattered the most.
The difference between last off season and this off season there’s no drama. What really helped was winning the Super Bowl when people counted them out. But Gronkowski is a key asset to that offense even though he gets hurt easily. His blocking skills can open holes for Sony Michel, and James White. He’s been at the Stadium seeing doctors since the Super Bowl weighing his options to see if it’s worth coming back for another season. Rumors are that he told teammates he wants a seventh ring.
In my opinion he’s probably going to comeback to get another ring. At this point he’s not going to get traded or ask for a trade he only wants to play for Brady. Also Brady will probably ask him to comeback for another season amd get treatment at TB12 to help with his back. At the end of the day Gronkowski knows his best chance at winning a Super Bowl is with the Patriots. He has plenty of time to make movies but only has a few years left with Brady as the quarterback.
The Patriots don’t need a top wide receiver to be succesful
The Patriots just won the Super Bowl with Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, and Cordarrelle Patterson. Julian Edelman was the only wide receiver that made a difference. It really came down to Brady, Edelman, and Gronkowski to win the Super Bowl on the offense. In Hogan’s three years in New England, he’s had 12 touchdowns. During the 2018 season he only had three touchdowns, but when Josh Gordon was on the team he didn’t get the ball much. Dorsett has been with the Patriots for two seasons and has three touchdowns. He’s gotten 484 yards in his two years, and really had a better year in 2018 than he did in 2017. As for Patterson, he scored three touchdowns in his first year with the Patriots and had 247 yards.
The Patriots don’t need selfish players
The Patriots have proven over the years they don’t need a big name receiver to win a Super Bowl. They had Randy Moss in 2007 and came up short with having an undefeated season. It also causes a distraction in the locker room to have a selfish guy in there. For example Odell Beckham Jr., Antonio Brown, those guys are all about themselves. While guys like Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola are team players. The Patriots tried to bring in Chad Ochocinco and he was a disaster. He couldn’t get the offense or even connect with Brady. If you can’t connect with Brady you won’t survive in New England.
I don’t see the Patriots bringing Patterson back. But if they bring back Amendola, Edelman, Hogan, and Dorsett they’ll be all set. As for Josh Gordon, he’ll probably find some other team to play for when he gets reinstated, after the Patriots gave him a shot and he’s getting a Super Bowl ring. They don’t need any outside distractions from players who are all about themselves or can’t stay on the field. Gronkowski isn’t going to retire as long as Brady is playing so he’ll be back for 2019. Brady and Belichick can take average talent and make them playmakers on the field.
Antonio Brown is all about himself. Requesting to be traded out of Pittsburgh putting down the team and players. That goes the same for Odell Beckham Jr. The Patriots don’t need those two selfish players on this team when Brady is trying to go for his seventh Super Bowl title.
In 2019 free agency, the wide receiver position is going to see a lot of turnover in New England. Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson, and technically Josh Gordon are all free agents. It is reasonable to think that the Patriots can bring back two of these players, including Josh Gordon.
However, New England will need to retool the receiver position with new faces regardless of who stays and goes. In years past, it hasn’t been as necessary to bring in dynamic weapons due to Tom Brady being Tom Brady. As TB12 nears age 42 though, the playmakers around him will need to be better than ever before.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing options at wide receiver for New England this offseason:
Adam Humphries, UFA
Perhaps one of the most sought after free agents this year, Adam Humphries is a perfect fit for New England. Setting aside the small, white slot receiver narrative, Humphries would slide right into Josh McDaniels’ offense. He’s mainly worked out of the slot during his time in Tampa Bay, racking up nearly 900 yards and five touchdowns this past season. Although, he’s able to work other receiver positions as well, similar to what Danny Amendola did for five years.
This style of receiver complements Julian Edelman extremely well, but Humphries won’t be an easy get. He has a multitude of suitors due to his playmaking and catching ability, and could be overpaid this offseason. The Browns and Colts are two teams that have been linked to him, and they have double the cap space New England does. Humphries is perhaps the best fit out of all the available receivers, but will have a hefty price tag.
Golden Tate, UFA
Patriots fans have been coveting someone like Golden Tate for years, and the opportunity has arrived to make it happen. Tate had a decent 2018 campaign, going for nearly 800 yards and four TD’s. Although his ability to be a “do-it-all” type receiver is much more attractive than stats.
Tate mainly plays out of the slot, but is quick enough that he can be a solid deep threat. Like Humphries, the former Lions standout complements Julian Edelman perfectly, and is a natural fit for what the Patriots do on offense.
It’s been reported that Tate would like to stay in Philadephia, but the Eagles aren’t expected to pursue him. When the 2019 season starts, Tate will be 31, but has shown that he still has some gas left in the tank. His market won’t be nearly as competitive as Humphries’ will, and the price tag will be significantly less.
Jermaine Kearse, UFA
A former Seahawk, Kearse has been one of the most underappreciated wideouts in football for years. His stats are always competitive, even when he was with the bumbling Jets, and he is a playmaking machine (see the 2014 Super Bowl). Unlike Humphries and Tate, Kearse plays on the outside a majority of the time, and would likely take over Chris Hogan’s position if he’s signed.
There is a definitely a need for someone like Kearse, who would most likely come on a relatively cheap deal. Chris Hogan was unable to get separation a lot of the time on the outside, and Kearse is very well known for his ability to get a step on cornerbacks. His history of dropped passes is a little concerning, but that’s why he would come on a team-friendly deal. It’s worth looking into, but there are certainly better options on the market.
Cole Beasley, UFA
Another receiver linked to the Patriots due to his race and position, Beasley made it very clear he wants out of Dallas. New England is going to sign or draft a slot receiver this offseason, it’s inevitable. There was a clear need for a Danny Amendola type player in 2018 to match up alongside Edelman, and Beasley fits the bill.
He has a very similar play style to Edelman, as he plays hard and racks up a ton of yards after the catch. Even with the dysfunction in Dallas, he garnered 672 yards and three touchdowns in 2018. Between Beasley, Humphries, and Tate, Beasley could be the best overall option. His price tag won’t be significantly high, he’s a tad younger than Tate, and of course is a bona fide fit. It is likely that this is who the Patriots will ultimately sign for the slot unless Tate comes cheaper.
Demaryius Thomas, UFA
Thomas had a rough 2018 season, posting his worst numbers since 2011, and tearing his Achilles late in the year. He won’t be ready to play until the end of summer and is the oldest receiver on this list at age 31. Even with all of this, New England should try to take a flier on Thomas.
It wouldn’t be anything more than a one or two year deal, but we all know the Patriots’ success with veteran wideouts. Bill Belichick has seen plenty of Thomas from his time with Denver, and knows how good of a receiver he is. Even if it is just for preseason depth, there is very little risk to bring Thomas in to see how much he can still contribute. It’s also worth noting that if Josh Gordon can’t get reinstated, the former Bronco would slide nicely into Gordon’s position.
Antonio Brown, Trade
This name is on this list simply because it has to be. Is there any chance the Steelers trade away their perennial All-Pro to the Pats? Of course not. Do the Patriots have the capital to make it happen though? Absolutely.
Brown comes with his own set of challenges, with his recent diva act being quite the cause for concern. However, there was another All-Pro receiver that had similar problems in 2006 and was traded away to the Pats for nothing in 2007. Ring any bells?
However, Oakland trading Randy Moss to New England wasn’t doing Oakland any harm. The two teams rarely play and the Raiders weren’t going anywhere in the playoffs. The Steelers on the other hand, see the Patriots once, sometimes twice a year. Which means if they did deal Brown to New England, they would most likely watch their former star dismantle Pittsburgh’s zone defense at least once every season.
There are very few scenarios in which Brown puts on a Patriot jersey. The 49ers are the most probable destination. Although, the asking price for Brown may be too high for some teams because of his recent quitting act. In this scenario, there is a chance the Patriots package a couple of higher draft picks to land the receiver.
Odell Beckham Jr., Trade
While at first this might seem like another Antonio Brown type pipe dream, it’s not as crazy as the previous trade scenario. Odell Beckham Jr. can be the most dynamic player in football when healthy. He can also be the league’s most dramatic prima donna when things don’t go his way.
Unlike Brown, Beckham is more affordable and a more likely trade target. The Giants wouldn’t necessarily mind trading with the Patriots, and they probably wouldn’t ask for the farm either. A high draft pick, second or third round, packaged with another young player could make the deal work.
The only question is would the Giants be willing to part ways with the wideout. It depends on which way New York is leaning in regards to their rebuild. They have a bright future with Saquon Barkley and the sixth draft pick in 2019, which will be used on a quarterback. The rest of the team though, is abysmal to say the least. The Giants won’t be competitive for a couple of years, and with OBJ’s injury history and hefty five year contract, the timing could be right.
Note: Pre-draft scouting reports on potential Patriots are on their way and will be posted regularly as the draft comes even closer.
A stockpile of picks, a bunch of needs, and a much needed injection of youth should make this draft interesting for all Patriots fans.
The most interesting aspect of this whole draft for the Patriots will be the direction they take. Do they aim more for day one contributors that can provide value at a second or third spot on a depth chart? Do they aim more for developmental pieces that may take longer to develop but better the team after the Brady era ends? This decision will greatly dictate how the Patriots draft and who they draft.
Obviously, the more valuable picks are the players that can provide some immediate value and can also continue to get better overtime. Let’s take a look at which positions the Patriots should find themselves emphasizing this year and how high up on the totem pole each one should be.
1. TIGHT END
Iowa’s TJ Hockenson is certainly on the draft board for the Patriots
Look for the Patriots to address tight end extremely early. TJ Hockenson should be their main priority going into the draft, as he can provide short-term and long-term benefits. Player comparisons for TJ span all the way from Dennis Pitta to a baby Gronk.
Adding Hockenson would provide immediate benefit to a team that loves their two tight end sets. He also has an extremely high ceiling that could answer the Patriots potential problems at tight end once Gronk retires.
Hockenson being available at #32 might be a stretch. Which if it so happens that his name gets called before the Patriots selection, plenty of options will still be available at tight end. This tight end loaded class features many potential options, however none as appealing or exciting as TJ.
Gronk will not play forever, therefore the time has come to find his eventual replacement.
2. FRONT SEVEN
Mississippi State’s Jeffery Simmons remains the wild card
Do not let the great play by this group in the playoffs overshadow the regular season and regular seasons prior. This front seven still needs a major revamp.
Linebacker happens to be less of a need than expected, due to the emergence of Van Noy and the glimpse everyone received of Ja’whaun Bentley. Yet, Hightower gets no younger and carries a tremendous cap hit next season. Adrian Clayborn did not live up to his unreasonable expectations and also costs a pretty penny next year. Flowers needs to be resigned to a ground-breaking deal. Shelton and Brown also appear set to at least hit the market, whether they return remains unknown.
Harsh reality here, the Patriots front seven has been inconsistent and has struggled in countless areas. Much turnover looks likely for the group and defensive coaches are leaving this team left and right.
The best strategy would be to draft quality front seven players that fit the ideology of the new incoming coaches. Therefore, the Patriots should bring some much needed youth to a core that needs a new direction.
Keep an eye on Jeffery Simmons, who has his red flags and also just tore his ACL but if he slides enough, the Patriots could potentially snag him on day two. Simmons being a top ten talent in most people’s minds, would certainly be worth the risk if available on day two.
3. OFFENSIVE TACKLE
With the right coaching for Northern Illinois’ Max Scharping, he can be a deadly force in the NFL
Expect the Patriots to at least think about grabbing another offensive tackle to eventually pair with Isaiah Wynn.
The future remains unclear on whether the Patriots will resign Trent Brown but regardless the Patriots will have to choose between either Brown and Wynn or Cannon and Wynn.
Brown will not be cheap to resign and the Patriots will have to take a look at Wynn’s recovery from the Achilles injury that sidelined him this season. Wynn should be ready to go for week one but might see some drawbacks in his game. If Wynn for some reason really does not appear like he should be starting week one, well then, a Greek tragedy arises. A travesty occurs. Shakespeare would call this play Isaiah of Foxboro (Timon of Athens reference).
If Wynn’s health does not seem up to par, that would mean the Patriots would likely have to sign Trent Brown to a huge contract and retain Marcus Cannon’s cap hit as well. Meaning the first round pick would be struggling, the Patriots would pay a king’s ransom, and they would also likely forfeit a potential third round comp pick that they would likely acquire if they let Trent Brown go.
Bottom line is that the Patriots will look at Wynn’s health and likely look to dump either Brown or Cannon. This would inevitably require them to find a tackle that could backup for the meantime and later step into a full role.
The guy to watch out for here is Max Scharping. His draft stock entirely depends on his combine and Pro day. He could end up falling anywhere between rounds one through four depending on his combine and Pro day. Assuming he falls a bit, he would be a perfect developmental player for New England. Max is someone who could end up starting for them for a long time under Scarnecchia’s influence and guidance.
The Patriots just finished up winning their Sixth Super Bowl. After seeing Brady, Edleman, and Belichick embracing and talking about still being here, and the post-game comments from Robert and Jonathan Kraft that were giddy but edged, it all adds up to one thing: The Patriots have unfinished business. What else do they need to accomplish? They are being compared to the greatest dynasties in all sports. Brady arguments are starting with Jordan and Russell, not Montana and Starr.
This team once finished a season 18-1. That nasty taste in the back of all Patriots fans throats is still there. The Patriots have very few goals left to achieve. Let’s look at what might very well be in store for the 2019 off-season.
It Starts With Motivation
The Patriots 13-3 win was by the biggest margin in their Super Bowl history. But according to most outlets, this was a boring Super Bowl. No buzz. More an indictment on the Rams and Sean McVay than a Patriots win. Sure, there’s the occasional 2/3rds of the Ringer football staff, or Greg Bedard, who champion this team’s accomplishments. But this is a taste of what you get when you search ‘Patriots boring’ into google:
Don’t think for a minute Coach Belichick hasn’t noticed. We just saw what happens when Belichick regains control of the team and uses motivation to maximum effect.
Again, the Patriots just pulled into a tie with the Steelers for all time Super Bowl wins. Tom Brady stands alone as the player with the most Super Bowl rings. Coach Belichick can do things like this:
Bill Belichick has renamed and repainted his boat to VIII Rings eight days after Super Bowl 53.
Freddy Mitchell, a part time player, was used as motivation against the Eagles in Super Bowl 39. What do we think a national movement belittling this Super Bowl can do?
Salary Cap & Draft Capital
The NFL salary cap can be convoluted. But the bottom line is the Patriots currently have around $18 Million in cap space. Between potential retirements and restructurings that number could grow to around $50 Million or more. That’s enough cheddar to do some serious damage.
As far as draft picks, the Patriots have 5 in the first four rounds. When have they ever used all their draft picks? Now they have an extra upper round pick to parry with.
All this adds up to a lot of possibilities.
Potential Moves
What are the kind of players we could be talking about? Randy Moss was traded for a 4th round pick in 2007. Aqib Talib was traded for a 4th round pick in 2012. Brandin Cooks was traded for first and third round picks in 2017.
There is a certain Steeler wide out who has just requested a trade. Yes, Antonio Brown, probably the best wide receiver in the NFL, is not outwardly Patriot material. He put the post-game locker room on Facebook live. He doesn’t show up for work at times. Brown also just missed a court date, so is now a convicted reckless driver.
The Steelers will have to be desperate to trade Brown to the Patriots, but his radioactivity might make it possible. With him missing the final game of the season, and now a reckless driving conviction in Pennsylvania, the price could be coming down from 1st round pick territory. Brown is owed a lot of money, around $12 to $13 Million a year for the next three years. But his contract isn’t guaranteed. It’s easy to see a reworked one or two year deal, a la Darrelle Revis in 2014. It’s also easy to see a hardworking, nose to the grindstone Antonio Brown looking to rebuild his value.
Brown on his own wouldn’t be enough. Belichick is always ready to praise the opposition. He just saw the Rams defense do a great job against Brady and Co. Someone like linebacker Donte Fowler, Jr., who is a free agent, would look great next to Dont’a Hightower in the Patriots defense.
Re-signings to look for
A push for an undefeated season would include convincing Gronk to go for it one more year as well. Why go through the pain and hard work? The same reason Belichick and Brady are still doing it. To achieve the unattainable, the immortal.
And of course this would include bringing back Trey Flowers. As stated above, there is room on the Patriots cap, with some massaging, for a few big moves.
The Patriots have the motivation and ability to go all in for an undefeated season in 2019. Let’s put those ’72 Dolphins out to pasture, we want our own insufferable undefeated toasts every year.
The New England Patriots have a busy and challenging offseason ahead of them, with 22 free agents set to hit the market. Key defensive players and 80% of the receiving corps make up a majority of that number. However, unlike in years past, running back is not a need. Sony Michel, James White, and Rex Burkhead are all under contract for 2019.
However, there was another running back that was signed in 2018 and had some high expectations. Jeremy Hill was signed from the Bengals after several up and down years, but the talent was there. Cincinnati is not the easiest place to play, and a change of scenery seemed to be what Hill needed. He turned in a decent preseason, rushing for over 100 yards and a touchdown. His power running style similarly resembled former Patriot LeGarrette Blount, which was something the backfield was missing.
Unfortunately, in Week 1 Hill suffered a torn ACL as he was blocking downfield, ending his season. In the small sample size we were given, it seemed as though Hill found his stride again. He had good speed and hit the open gaps with force. He also was a threat as a pass catcher out of the backfield, something Sony Michel struggled with this season.
Hill was signed in New England to a one year “prove it” deal worth $1.5 million dollars. That contract is expired now and he looks to be on the back end of his rehab. So, with an already crowded backfield and not a whole lot of cap space, should the Patriots sign Hill to another one year deal?
The Pros
At first glance, it may seem ludicrous to consider signing another running back to the roster. For one, the Patriots are projected to only have around $55 million dollars in cap space once they make the necessary cuts (Dwayne Allen, etc.). Although, that number will be largely taken up by hopefully Trey Flowers and another splash signing at either wide receiver or defensive line.
However, his deal in theory would be very similar to the one he signed in 2018, for $1.5 million. This contract would of course be mainly non-guaranteed and not create too much dead money. It is a low risk signing for New England and is beneficial to both sides.
In regards to the already crowded backfield, carrying 4 running backs is not unfamiliar in Foxboro. Just two years ago in 2016 the Patriots took 4 backs to the Super Bowl. Of course, one of these was Brandon Bolden who was mainly a special teamer. But lets not forget Rex Burkhead was a key member on punt returns. Remember that play in Pittsburgh?
Its not as crazy a concept as it may look on paper. Sony Michel would remain the first down back, as many in New England are predicting big things for Number 26. James White would be the primary third down back, catching passes out of the backfield. Rex Burkhead would be a mixture between the two, filling in wherever he was needed most. Hill would slide in as the short yardage/goal-line back, where power running is the most beneficial. Third and less than 2 to go was by far New England’s worst conversion rate this season. A power runner like Hill could help out tremendously with getting the necessary one or two yards in those situations.
The Cons
The negative to resigning Hill is simply that he would be potentially taking up a valuable roster spot. New England would essentially be carrying 5 running backs (James Develin included) and there are thinner spots on the team that need extra depth.
Speaking of James Develin, many fans this year were calling for more of the big fullback on the aforementioned short third downs. The Fullback Dive play was something that worked almost every time it was called. Develin is more than capable of getting the necessary yardage and wouldn’t be taking up an extra roster spot.
There is also the money to consider, as Hill may not cost that much but it would still be cash that could be spent elsewhere.
There is a case to be made for Jeremy Hill resigning in New England. He brings a new style of running to the backfield that complements the other styles well. If returns to his 2014 form, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards, the Patriots would possess a formidable backfield.
However, he would take up a roster spot while not getting too many touches. This also means he could be taking away from some of Michel’s rushes, and Michel is the better running back right now. However, I believe Hill, if healthy, can be a valuable piece to the Patriots offense. If he’s willing to come back on a similar deal to the one he signed a year ago, I think its worth it.
Not to mention he loves it in Boston and adores the Foxboro Faithful.
What I really want to do in this article is to take a look at Julian Edelman’s Hall of Fame (HOF) chances. But in order to do so, it’s important to start at the beginning. As many know, Edelman actually started out as a Quarterback. To start his college career, he attended the College of San Mateo, where he threw for 14 touchdowns and rushed for 17 more, a school record. The next step in his journey was Kent State.
Edelman Playing Quarterback at Kent State
Starting each of his three years, Edelman threw for a total of 30 touchdowns, but 31 interceptions. Despite his poor passing performance, his running stood out. He rushed for a total of 22 touchdowns at Kent State, 13 of which came in his final season. When it came to the NFL Draft, Edelman was drafted 232nd by the New England Patriots.
Patriots WR Julian Edelman, in midst of a career year, has been dubbed "Minitron" by Tom Brady (per @tomecurran, http://t.co/jU7nsprMZu).
As we all know, Edelman turned into a Wide Receiver/Punt Returner once he was drafted. While he made a name for himself returning punts and kicks for big gains here and there, Edelman wasn’t really a known receiver for his first four seasons. He put together a total of 714 yards and 4 touchdowns in his first four seasons. Then Wes Welker left, and everything changed. In Edelman’s fifth season, he put together a phenomenal 1056 yards and 6 touchdowns, totaling more than his previous four years combined. That postseason, Edelman put up an 84 yard game and an 89 yard game.
It was this season that Edelman earned a new nickname from Tom Brady: Minitron.
Canton, Ohio
It would take far too long to dissect every one of Edelman’s seasons in detail – he’s been that great and important. But when you look at what he’s done, especially in the postseason, you can’t help but be in awe. Sure, he’s had the GOAT passing to him for basically his entire career, but that doesn’t take away from what he’s done. Edelman ranks 2nd in both postseason receptions and yards only behind the great Jerry Rice. He also is known to be one of the most clutch receivers, if not players, in the history of the sport, and he has a Super Bowl MVP on top of it all! So is it far-fetched and crazy to say he should be in Canton, Ohio? My answer to that question, is no.
Pro Football Hall of Fame – Canton, Ohio
I strongly believe that when Edelman’s career is over, he should become a Hall of Famer eventually. The postseason stats are there. The rings are there. The Super Bowl MVP is there. And most importantly, the trajectory is there. The way Edelman is used and his work ethic have me believing that he can play two more years at this same level. With Brady all but confirming that he’ll play until he’s 45 years old, I see no reason why Edelman can’t strengthen his career enough to one day land in Canton.
Danny Amendola could be on the move again. The Dolphins could be moving on from the wide receiver who is owed $6 million next season. Amendola didn’t have a great season with the Dolphins, only having 59 receptions for 575 yards. His last season with the Patriots he had 61 receptions for 659 yards. With the Patriots coming off another Super Bowl title they might consider bringing him back. He was a massive playmaker in the playoffs for the Patriots. Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, and Cordarrelle Patterson are free agents ,which means there could be room to sign Amendola.
Amendola’s best shot at winning is with the Patriots
Amendola knows the Patriots offense and has good chemistry with Brady and Edelman. If they added Amendola and brought back Hogan and Dorsett they’ll have a pretty good wide receiver core. If Edelman is covered well during games you could expect Amendola to step up and make the big play. It would be a lot better than they had this year when they won the Super Bowl. They wouldn’t need to bring back Josh Gordon regardless if he gets reinstated. They can replace him with Danny Amendola.
Amendola left New England because of money issues. Amendola told Mike Reiss that Belichick is known for not paying his players and wanted to do what was best for him. ” I understand Bill [Belichick] runs a tight ship, and he hasn’t been known to pay his players, really. I understood that I gave money back to him so I could play for him and play for my teammates and fulfill my side of the contract, and at the end of the day, I had faith that he was going to give me an opportunity to stay.” Amendola said to Reiss last year. He won’t, however, have a good season with a bad quarterback who can’t give him the ball.
Brady is the only quarterback that can do that consistently. Also, give him the best opportunity to score too. It’s also his best shot at winning another championship and adding a ring to his collection. His stats went down from New England to Miami. they can go up again if he comes back.
