The Third Act.

[Soapy]

If y'all just kicked extra points...

analytics.

[Soapy]

Patriots safety Devin McCourty does not rule out retirement following playoff loss to Chargers
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- — New England Patriots safety and team captain Devin McCourty was frank with the media on Saturday following the team's 20-18 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers when asked if he'll be back in 2022.

"I don't know," said the veteran defensive back, "It's a big decision to make so not going to make it right now, it's something I'm going to need to think about and decide with my family."

There were similar doubts at the end of last season if McCourty would return in 2021, rumors that McCourty and his agent quickly shot down. This hasn't been the case this season and with the offseason upon the Patriots, it's a decision that's likely to come soon.

McCourty was third on the team with 72 tackles along with two interceptions and part of a safeties group that was a key cog in the Patriots success on defense this season. The defense finished third in scoring and total defense and fourth against the run and in passing defense.

[djp73]

Alright. Offseason! Best time of a chise!
Are you anticipating any changes to the coaching staff?
What positions are a priority in free agency and the draft?

[Soapy]

NFL Divisional Round Results
LV 35 - BAL 14 | GB 30 - NO 15
LAC 20 - NE 18 | ARI 42 - DAL 24
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NFL Conference Championships Schedule
Las Vegas Raiders (12-7) at Los Angeles Chargers (12-7)
Arizona Cardinals (13-6) at Green Bay Packers (14-4)
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Players of the Week
HB Josh Jackson (LV): 14 carries, 135 yards, 2 touchdowns.
S Trevon Moehrig (LV): 8 tackles, interception.
QB Kyler Murray (ARI): 23 of 29, 280 yards, 2 touchdowns, 12 carries, 49 yards.
DE Kingsley Keke (GB): 3 tackles, 2 sacks.
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Notable Playoff Injuries
DE J.J. Watt (ARI): Season (shoulder)
T Bryan Bulaga (LAC): Season (shoulder)
LB Kenneth Murray (LAC): Season (leg)
HB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC): Season (ankle)
T David Bakhtiari (GB): Season (shoulder)
CB Jaire Alexander (GB): Season (leg)
OLB Za'Darius Smith (GB): Season (tricep)
TE Robert Tonyan (GB): Season (knee)
LG Richie Incognito (LV): Season (wrist)
CB Trayvon Mullen Jr. (LV): Season (ankle)
LB K.J. Wright (LV): Season (finger)
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Notable Transactions
Baltimore Ravens fire defensive coordinator Don Martingdale

[Soapy]

Alright. Offseason! Best time of a chise!
Are you anticipating any changes to the coaching staff?
What positions are a priority in free agency and the draft?

will type up an article at the end of the playoffs answering all of those

[Soapy]

NFL Conference Championship Results
LV 35 - LAC 23 | GB 38 - ARI 14
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Super Bowl LVI
Las Vegas Raiders (13-7) vs. Green Bay Packers (15-4)
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Players of the Week
QB Derek Carr (LV): 20 of 32, 238 yards, 3 touchdowns, 3 carries, 7 yards, touchdown.
LB K.J. Wright (LV): 6 tackles, sack, 2 interceptions.
QB Aaron Rodgers (GB): 15 of 23, 177 yards, 3 touchdowns.
CB Kevin King (GB): 5 tackles, interception.
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NFL Awards
Most Valuable Player: QB Tom Brady (TB): 5876 yards, 52 TD, 17 INT
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Tom Brady (TB): 5876 yards, 52 TD, 17 INT
Defensive Player of the Year: DL Aaron Donald (LAR): 73 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 15 sacks
Offensive Rookie of the Year: QB Mac Jones (NE): 4563 yards, 26 TD, 14 INT
Defensive Rookie of the Year: LB Micah Parsons (DAL): 84 tackles, 12 TFL, 8.5 sacks
Coach of the Year: HC Mike McCarthy (DAL): 12-5 record
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Notable Playoff Injuries
T David Bakhtiari (GB): Season (shoulder)
CB Jaire Alexander (GB): Season (leg)
OLB Za'Darius Smith (GB): Season (tricep)
TE Robert Tonyan (GB): Season (knee)
LG Richie Incognito (LV): Season (wrist)
CB Trayvon Mullen Jr. (LV): Season (ankle)
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Notable Transactions
Los Angeles Chargers fire defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill
New York Giants hire Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell

[Soapy]

Super Bowl Result
LV 31 - GB 27
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QB Derek Carr (LV): 20 of 37, 269 yards, 2 touchdowns, interception.
QB Aaron Rodgers (GB): 18 of 28, 223 yards, touchdown
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Super Bowl MVP
DE Yannick Ngakoue (LV): 6 tackles, 3 sacks
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Notable Retirements
QB Ben Roethlisberger
DE Ndamukong Suh
CB Richard Sherman
LT Andrew Whitworth
HB Adrian Peterson
WR Desean Jackson
G Richie Incognito
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
C Alex Mack
LT Trent Williams
S Jason McCourty
LT Jason Peters
DE Calais Campbell

[Soapy]

After spending spree in 2021, Patriots must be nimble and creative to take next steps
In the span of a few months, New England found two replacements for Rob Gronkowski, their next elite defensive player and most importantly, their quarterback. It only cost them the most amount of guaranteed money they've ever spent in franchise history.

The Patriots spent a lot past offseason, allowing their rebuild to skip a few steps and end up in the second round of the playoffs with a rookie quarterback that has gone toe to toe with some of the league's best and at times, came out the victor.

This won't be the case this spring as New England enters the offseason $5.82 million over the salary cap with several key players such as linebacker Dont'a Hightower, safety Adrian Phillips and receiver Jakobi Meyers needing to be resigned. There are also auxiliary pieces such as returner Gunner Olszewski, cornerback Myles Bryant and running back Brandon Bolden as well as veterans Jamie Collins Sr. and James White.

There are also areas of improvement on the team, most notably in the secondary which lacks a true number two corner now that Stephen Gilmore's departure has pushed J.C. Jackson into that CB1 role. Jalen Mills and Jonathan Jones can be productive but are better suited as third and fourth options with Mills versatility and Jones' speed.

New England also has decisions to make along its offensive line, particularly at left tackle with former first round pick Isaiah Wynn. Wynn has a $10.4 million cap hit in 2022, not becoming of a player of his stature which is slightly above average, at best when healthy which isn't often. They could also use some help at receiver, especially if they're unable to resign Jakobi Meyers.

This offseason won't look like last year's but it might be just as important. Can New England pull it off?

Draft Picks
Round 1, Pick 26 (Todd McShay Mock Draft Selection: WR David Bell, Purdue)
Round 2, Pick 58
Round 3, Pick 90
Round 4, Pick 122
Round 6, Pick 182 (LAR)
Round 6, Pick 186
Round 7, Pick 218
Round 7, Pick 219 (DAL)

Expiring Contracts
LB Dont'a Hightower | 82 ovr, 80 spd, 85 tkl, 76 bsh | Age 32
WR Jakobi Meyers | 81 ovr, 87 spd, 92 acc, 88 cth | Age 25
S Adrian Phillips | 78 ovr, 85 spd, 74 tkl, 78 zone coverage | Age 30
HB James White | 75 ovr, 88 spd, 91 acc, 77 btk | Age 30
LB Jamie Collins Sr. | 75 ovr, 83 spd, 79 tkl, 85 hit power | Age 32
C Ted Karras | 74 ovr, 86 str, 74 pbk, 76 pbk | Age 29
K Nick Folk | 69 ovr, 89 kpw, 79 kac | Age 37
LB Harvey Langi | 69 ovr, 83 spd, 80 tkl, 84 hit power | Age 29
HB Brandon Bolden | 66 ovr, 86 spd, 89 acc, 69 btk | Age 32
DT Carl Davis | 64 ovr, 87 str, 64 bsh, 70 pmv | Age 30
FB Jakob Johnson | 68 ovr, 83 lead block | Age 27
CB Myles Bryant | 68 ovr, 86 spd, 69 mcv, 69 zcv | Age 28
WR Gunner Olszewski | 67 ovr, 88 spd, 89 acc, 81 cth | Age 25
T Martinas Rankin | 63 ovr, 81 str, 73 rbk, 67 pbk | Age 27
QB Brian Hoyer | 57 ovr, 78 thp, 71 dac, 74 mac | Age 36

2021 New England Patriots Stats
Passing
QB Mac Jones: 409 of 625, 4563 yards, 26 TD, 14 INT, 91.5 passer rating, sacked 29 times.

Rushing
HB Damien Harris: 297 carries, 1329 yards, 14 touchdowns, 2 fumbles (Pro Bowl).
HB Rhamondre Stevenson: 96 carries, 421 yards, touchdown, fumble.
HB Brandon Bolden: 36 carries, 165 yards, fumble.
QB Mac Jones: 31 carries, 85 yards, touchdown, 2 fumbles.
HB James White: 10 carries, 38 yards, touchdown.

Receiving
WR Jakobi Meyers: 91 receptions, 1004 yards, 2 touchdowns.
TE Hunter Henry: 64 receptions, 813 yards, 8 touchdowns.
WR Kendrick Bourne: 58 receptions, 766 yards, 3 touchdowns.
HB Brandon Bolden: 43 receptions 328 yards, touchdown.
WR Nelson Agholor: 41 receptions, 646 yards, 5 touchdowns.
TE Jonnu Smith: 40 receptions, 388 yards, 3 touchdowns.
HB Rhamondre Stevenson: 29 receptions, 337 yards, touchdown.
HB Damien Harris: 19 receptions, 175 yards, 2 touchdowns.
HB James White: 12 receptions, 94 yards.
FB Jakob Johnson: 7 receptions, 48 yards, 2 touchdowns.
WR N'Keal Harry: 6 receptions, 83 yards.


Blocking
LT Isaiah Wynn: 71.5 PFF grade | 74.6 Playoff PFF grade
LG Michael Onwenu: 88.7 PFF grade | 82.5 Playoff PFF grade
C David Andrews: 72.2 PFF grade | 71.7 Playoff PFF grade (Pro Bowl)
RG Shaq Mason: 84.3 PFF grade | 65.1 Playoff PFF grade
RT Trent Brown: 78.8 PFF grade | 63.6 Playoff PFF grade

Defense
S Kyle Dugger: 93 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 6 pass breakups, FR | 69.6 Playoff PFF grade
S Adrian Phillips: 79 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, FF | 70.9 Playoff PFF grade
S Devin McCourty: 72 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 7 pass breakups | 68.4 Playoff PFF grade
CB JC Jackson: 71 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, 6 interceptions, 23 pass breakups, FR | 72.8 Playoff PFF grade (Pro Bowl)
LB Ja'Whaun Bentley: 70 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups, FF | 80.6 Playoff PFF grade
LB Dont'a Hightower: 63 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, pass breakup, FF | 75.2 Playoff PFF grade
EDGE Matthew Judon: 59 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 2 FF, 2 FR | 73.8 Playoff PFF grade (Pro Bowl)
LB Kyle Van Noy: 57 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 5 pass breakups, FR | 72.7 Playoff PFF grade
CB Jalen Mills: 56 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 9 pass breakups, 53.5 Playoff PFF grade
IDL Lawrence Guy: 46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 5 sacks | 71.91 Playoff PFF grade
LB Jamie Collins Sr: 45 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, sack, interception, pass breakup, FR
CB Myles Bryant: 38 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, 6 pass breakups, FR
IDL Deatrich Wise Jr: 34 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups | 68.7 Playoff PFF grade
IDL Christian Barmore: 33 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, FF, FR | 74.2 Playoff PFF grade
IDL Davon Godchaux: 31 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack | 71.9 Playoff PFF grade
CB Joejuan Williams: 28 tackles, tackle for loss, 9 pass breakups | 75.7 Playoff PFF grade
EDGE Josh Uche: 26 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, FF, FR | 74.9 Playoff PFF grade
CB Jonathan Jones: 20 tackles, interception, 2 pass breakups
CB Shaun Wade: 78.4 Playoff PFF grade

Special Teams
K Nick Folk: 38 of 41 FG, 36/39 XP, 52 FG Lng (Pro Bowl)
P Jake Bailey: 59 punts, 2802 yards, 42.7 Net Avg, 28 punts inside the 20 (Pro Bowl)
KR Gunner Olszewski: 31 kick returns, 631 yards, 16 punt returns, 102 yards.
ST Cody Davis: 21 tackles.
ST Matthew Slater: 7 tackles.
ST Justin Bethel: 7 tackles.

Team Stats
Total Offense: 6511 yards (6th)
Passing Offense: 4389 yards (12th)
Rushing Offense: 2122 yards (6th)
Scoring Offense: 27.8 PPG (6th)
Total Defense: 5532 yards (3rd)
Passing Defense: 3969 yards (4th)
Rushing Defense: 1563 yards (4th)
Scoring Defense: 19.7 PPG (3rd)

[Soapy]

Agholor, Patriots marriage short lived as Agholor among cap casualties
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- — The New England Patriots have released wide receiver Nelson Agholor, a move the team announced on Tuesday.

The 29-year old receiver signed a two-year, $26 million deal with New England last offseason before catching 41 passes for 646 yards and five touchdowns as one of Mac Jones' top targets.

Agholor's release clears $17 million of cap space for New England, giving them $10.6 million of cap space to be able to sign free agents and re-sign their own. Agholor was signed in the same offseason as Kendrick Bourne who has two years left on his deal but with none of it guaranteed. Releasing Bourne would clear up $7 million of cap space and there is also the option of keeping Bourne, a fan favorite, and re-working his deal. Such is likely the case for Kyle Van Noy who is set to make $7.45 million in 2022.

It remains to be seen if Agholor is the last of these cap casualties as the team also got some relief in the way of special teamer Matthew Slater announcing his retirement. Veteran safety Devin McCourty has not and will carry a $12.7 million cap hit into 2022 as one of their highest paid players.

[Soapy]

Could New England be going big fish hunting once more?
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- — The New England Patriots are rumored to be in the process of potentially restructuring deals for both left tackle Isiah Wynn and linebacker Kyle Van Noy, a move that could free up some additional cap space.

If New England does pull it off, what are they freeing cap space up for? The jewel of the class is wide receiver Davante Adams whose exodus from Green Bay despite them making the Super Bowl surprised many, especially with Aaron Rodgers appearing to stay put.

New England could get involved in the Adams sweepstakes if they can make the money work, which would require removing Wynn and Van Noy's hefty cap hits this season. The kind of contract Adams, 29, is slated to receiver isn't a very Belichickian move but neither was last off-season. The Patriots spent a ton of money throughout the roster to fill a ton of holes and with the now provided luxury of a fully patched ship, could New England go all in on what they've often considered to be an over valued position?

There's also Jakobi Meyers, whose been linked to half a dozen team since his free agency, Kansas City the chief amongst them. Another option would be former Miami Dolphins Will Fuller V receiver and Juju-Smith Schuster. Fuller would fill the gap that Agholor left as a deep threat although Agholor and Mac Jones failed to establish a true deep connection.

Top Free Agents
QB Jameis Winston, Age 28 | 78 ovr

HB Melvin Gordon, Age 29 | 83 ovr
HB Raheem Mostert, Age 30 | 82 ovr
HB Marlon Mack, Age 26 | 81 ovr
HB Chase Edmonds, Age 26 | 81 ovr
HB Ronald Jones II, Age 25 | 79 ovr

WR Davante Adams, Age 29 | 99 ovr
WR Chris Godwin, Age 26 | 90 ovr
WR Juju Smith-Schuster, Age 25 | 83 ovr
WR Antonio Brown, Age 34 | 83 ovr
WR Michael Gallup, Age 26 | 82 ovr

TE Robert Gronkowski, Age 33 | 84 ovr
TE Robert Tonyan, Age 28 | 80 ovr
TE Eric Ebron, Age 29 | 79 ovr

T Terron Armstead, Age 31 | 93 ovr
T Tyrell Crosby, Age 26 | 75 ovr
T Russell Okung, Age 33 | 74 ovr

G Richie Incognito, Age 39 | 83 ovr
G David DeCastro, Age 32 | 78 ovr
G Austin Corbett, Age 26 | 78 ovr
G Connor Williams, Age 25 | 75 ovr

C Ben Jones, Age 33 | 77 ovr

DE Randy Gregory, Age 29 | 80 ovr
DE Jerry Hughes, Age 34 | 78 ovr
DE Derek Barnett, Age 26 | 77 ovr

DT Sebastian Joseph-Day, Age 27 | 84 ovr
DT Linval Joseph, Age 33 | 77 ovr
DT Jarran Reed, Age 28 | 76 ovr

LB Von Miller, Age 33 | 90 ovr
LB Dont'a Hightower, Age 32 | 84 ovr
LB De'Vondre Campbell, Age 29 | 82 ovr
LB Keanu Neal, Age 27 | 78 ovr
LB Reuben Foster, Age 28 | 77 ovr

CB Bryce Callahan, Age 30 | 85 ovr
CB Jason Verrett, Age 31 | 83 ovr
CB Carlton Davis, Age 25 | 83 ovr
CB Chris Harris Jr, Age 33 | 81 ovr
CB A.J. Bouye, Age 31 | 81 ovr

S Kareem Jackson, Age 34 | 81 ovr
S Jaquiski Tartt, Age 30 | 80 ovr
S Ronnie Harrison Jr., Age 25 | 79 ovr
S Adrian Phillips, Age 30 | 79 ovr