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Patriots 2006 Season Discussion

Discussion in 'Archive: Boston, MA' started by Wildstar02301, Jan 2, 2006.

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  1. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    Today's 4 PM ET deadline for teams to designate "franchise" and "transition" players came and went without the Patriots using either tag. There was wide speculation that kicker Adam Vinatieri would once again be "franchised", but the Patriots are apparently either close to working out a long-term deal with him or they are letting him test the free agency waters.
     
  2. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9263825

    NFLPA director Gene Upshaw said that he planned to leave Indianapolis this week without a new collective bargaining agreement in place and has instructed agents to negotiate contracts this season as though no labor deal is in place. The upshot of this development is that although the current CBA expires after the 2007 season, next season would be uncapped, meaning new deals could only be pro-rated over 4 years instead of 7, and salaries could only increase by 30% per season. Players would also face the loss of benefits.

    Upshaw said the problem is that the owners are not coming to a consensus about a new revenue sharing agreement, something he said must be in place before a new CBA could be signed. He also said he is prepared to decertify the players' union.
     
  3. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    The NFL owners voted to break off collective bargaining talks this morning, meaning there will be no new labor deal in place, and teams will operate this season under the current rules. Teams have until 10 PM ET tonight to get under the $94.5M salary cap, and Willie McGinest has been mentioned as a possible cap move for the Patriots. The Pats this week have already released cornerback Duane Starks, though that move came as a surprise to no one, and was a football move rather than a cap move. In a minor move today, the Patriots re-signed safety Hank Poteat to a one-year contract.

    Edit: The league has delayed the start of the free agency period by three days, and set the deadline for teams to comply with the cap to 6 PM Sunday. The two sides have also reportedly resumed talks.
     
  4. chewykingwookie

    chewykingwookie Jedi Padawan star 4

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    Jul 24, 2005
    I hope they get something worked out. A lot of good veteran talent will be lost on a lot of teams if something doesn't get resolved soon. I just hope Da Bears don't have to cut anyone for cap purposes. Actually take that back they can cut Rex Grossman and Thomas Jones for all I care. lol
     
  5. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    I went to bed last night thinking there was no labor deal and that free agency would start at midnight, but it turned out that the NFL and the Players' Association agreed to delay the free agency period by another three days, meaning it would now start at midnight Wednesday. Let's hope the two sides can get something worked out.
     
  6. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    NFL owners tonight approved, by a 30-2 vote, a proposal by the players' union for a six-year extension, effective this season, of the collective bargaining agreement. Buffalo and Cincinatti were the only teams opposing the deal. With the deal in place, free agency is now set to begin at midnight tomorrow night, with a salary cap that could be as high as $104.5M.
     
  7. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    The Patriots today released 12 year veteran linebacker Willie McGinest in a move motivated by cap considerations. McGinest was due a $3.5M roster bonus this month, making for a $7M cap number for 2006. The Patriots do hope to re-sign him for less money, so let's hope a situation similar to what we saw with Troy Brown takes place.
     
  8. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    A report in the Houston Chronicle yesterday said that WR David Givens cancelled a planned trip to Houston because a deal to re-sign with the Patriots had been worked out, but nothing was made official by the club.

    Secondly, the pool of teams looking for a kicker dwindled as former Green Bay Packer kicker Ryan Longwell signed a 5 year, $10M deal (with a $3M signing bonus) with the Minnesota Vikings. According to an article by John Tomase in the Herald today, the Longwell signing set the market for Adam Vinatieri, who is now looking at a deal somewhere between $2.5M and $3M per year. The only teams that could afford that price tag are Dallas, Green Bay, and New England, but the Packers sent a signal, by letting Longwell walk, that they are unwilling to break the bank for a kicker. Of the three teams in the running, Green Bay has the best cap situation, New England the best personal situation, and Dallas the best kicking conditions.

    Lastly, WEEI reported that free agent TE Christian Fauria has signed with the Washington Redskins.
     
  9. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    The Patriots released 2 players yesterday: LB Chad Brown and G Ryan Krug.

    According to an article in the Globe today, David Givens has received a 5 year, $24M offer from the Tennessee Titans. The Patriots are apparently waiting until all of the offers are in for Givens to make a counteroffer. Willie McGinest is also reportedly in talks with the Cleveland Browns.

    Update: Givens signed the Titans' offer, which includes an $8M signing bonus.
     
  10. chewykingwookie

    chewykingwookie Jedi Padawan star 4

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    Jul 24, 2005
    Looks like the Skins are cleaning house so far in the free agent market. This year should be very interesting with all the player movement and all. Culpepper going to Miami, Brees going to Orleans, etc. Seems like there will be a few teams that will remain intact for next year. One is Da Bears with 21 of 22 starters signed for this year and next, which makes me happy hopefully they can add another top notch receiver and some defensive backs.
     
  11. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    LB Willie McGinest will be reunited with his old defensive coordinator, Romeo Crennel, as he has signed a 3 year, $12M deal with the Cleveland Browns. I know it's still way too early to panic, but we now have lost our best possession receiver, a borderline HoF defensive end/outside linebacker, and possibly, soon, a sure HoF kicker. Someone please stop the bleeding! :_|

    Edit: A later WEEI report said that $6M of McGinest's deal is guaranteed.
     
  12. chewykingwookie

    chewykingwookie Jedi Padawan star 4

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    Jul 24, 2005
    I think that this might be a rebuilding year. Then again there could be some aces up their sleeves that Pats fans don't know about. Hopefully there will be some light shed soon or it could be a long wait until training camp.
     
  13. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    The Patriots today released cornerback Tyrone Poole, who was a contributor to the 2003 championship team, but only played in 6 games for the Pats in the last 2 seasons.
     
  14. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    Finally, a signing! [face_laugh]

    The Patriots today signed unrestricted free agent WR Reche Caldwell to an undisclosed contract. Caldwell established career highs last season (his fourth with his original team, the Chargers) with 28 receptions for 352 yards.
     
  15. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced his retirement today, effective in July, after 16 years on the job. It is certain that his legacy will be full free agency and the salary cap, both of which were established under his watch. We wish Mr. Tagliabue well in whatever his future holds.
     
  16. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    A report by the Globe's Nick Cafardo today indicates that free agent kicker Adam Vinatieri has chosen Gary Uberstine to be his new agent, pending clearance of paperwork by the NFLPA. Uberstine also represents Willie McGinest, who recently signed with the Cleveland Browns, and Troy Brown, who is reportedly being courted by the New York Jets.

    Edit: WEEI's Michael Holley has reported that Vinatieri has signed with the Indianapolis Colts. :_|

    Edit: WEEI also reports tonight that return specialist Tim Dwight has signed a 4 year deal with the New York Jets.
     
  17. DarthWormie

    DarthWormie Jedi Padawan star 4

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    Jul 22, 2004
    :eek: I can't believe they let Adam walk. I really can't. Excuses for the other guys (McGinnest, Givens, Chatham, Dwight) are all explainable, but Adam? Clutchest kicker in the NFL right now? I'm dying to see the final figures of his deal to see what the Pats are 'saving' by letting him walk.

    This could be the (non)deal that plants the seeds of doubt about Belichick and Pioli in Patriots Nation.

    What will the fans be saying come December and January if the Pats are on their way to a 9 win season and whatever schlepp of a kicker they brought in has missed 1 or 2 kicks that would have won a game?

    Jim should be showing up to kick us while were down in about 3...2...1... ;)
     
  18. chewykingwookie

    chewykingwookie Jedi Padawan star 4

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    Jul 24, 2005
    I am really starting to wonder what the higher ups for the Pats are doing. They have only done one signing and there have been several that have left. This makes lil to no sense to me except for the fact that they want to rebuild and see what happens. Which doesn't make sense since they were just in the playoffs. Right now it looks like they will have to draft 3/4 of a team right and I doubt that will happen.
     
  19. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    Listening to WEEI's "Planet Mikey" last night, I guess the Pats did have issues w/ Adam about kickoffs and his back problem that he had toward the tail end of last season, so I think they'll be going younger in the kicking department. If they do go younger, one name I've heard mentioned is Virginia's Connor Hughes, who was last year's pre-season All-American. Hughes has the leg (going into last season, he had 4 of the 11 50+ yd. FGs in school history), and Belichick would be fairly familiar w/ Hughes through his head coach, Belichick's old friend Al Groh.
     
  20. chewykingwookie

    chewykingwookie Jedi Padawan star 4

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    Jul 24, 2005
    When I saw this on the news this morning I was a lil surprised, but I think the Pats are doing a house cleaning and are possibly in a rebuild year. I am on the verge of saying retool year, but too many people have left some of them are key big time players so I am a not sure what to think. I am just happy Da Bears signed a veteran QB that can actually still play worth a darn. The signing of Griese is a good thing for me since he was one of my favorites at Michigan when he was there.
     
  21. -Raldayen-

    -Raldayen- Jedi Youngling star 1

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    Sep 27, 2003
    Well from what I've been hearing the Pats will be going from clutch to choke. Seems they are looking at Vanderjerk. Man I can't wait to see some 6 and 10 seasons. Go 49ers. :D
     
  22. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    The Patriots today announced the re-signing of veteran cornerback Chad Scott to an undisclosed contract. Scott was expected to be the replacement for Ty Law, but only played in 3 games last season before being placed on injured reserve, so let's hope he stays healthy this season.

    The Globe's Mike Reiss, in his blog today, said that OT Tom Ashworth has reached a deal in principle with the Seattle Seahawks, but that the Patriots were close to re-signing WR Troy Brown and G Stephen Neal. The re-signing of Brown is also being reported by WEEI's Michael Holley, who broke the Adam Vinatieri story earlier in the week.
     
  23. DarthWormie

    DarthWormie Jedi Padawan star 4

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    Jul 22, 2004
    According to this morning's Boston Globe, the Pats have finalized deals to keep both Troy Brown and Stephen Neal in town. Now all we need is a place kicker, and a starting Line backer, and a Starting O-Lineman, and another starting receiver (or two), and a . . .
     
  24. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    The Patriots re-signed fullback Heath Evans today to an undisclosed contract. Evans had 51 rushes for 192 yards in 6 games (1 start) last season.
     
  25. Wildstar02301

    Wildstar02301 Jedi Grand Master star 4

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    Aug 7, 2003
    Today's goings on with the Patriots and the NFL:


    • Restricted free agent safety Guss Scott was re-signed to an undisclosed contract.

    • The Patriots' pre-season schedule was announced. They will open up in Atlanta on Aug. 11 in a game that will be televised on CBS, then host the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 19 in a game that will be televised on the NFL Network. The Patriots will host the Washington Redskins in Week 3 and travel to the Meadowlands for a game against the New York Giants to close the pre-season, but the dates, times, and broadcasters of those two games will be announced at a future time.

    • Owners approved 15 rule changes recommended by the Competition Committee, which include a crackdown on celebrations, allowing video review of down-by-contact plays, toughening enforcement on pass rushers who hit quarterbacks below the knee, and a tougher definition of "horsecollar" tackles that includes grabbing the back of a player's jersey.


     
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