The Third Act.

Post by **Soapy** » 13 Jan 2022, 15:20

Jones signs with Texans over Patriots
Free agent cornerback Jonathan Jones has signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal to become a member of the Houston Texans.

Jones reportedly had a multi-year offer from New England to bring him back but opted to return closer to home as he's originally from the state of Georgia. New England's offer reportedly was in the range of Houston's offer with more years but a position switch was likely in store for Jones.

The Patriots are reportedly still in the market for a starter level defensive back.

Post by **Soapy** » 13 Jan 2022, 15:27

Williams stays in the AFC East, joins Patriots, Barmore on three-year deal
The New England Patriots have signed former first-round pick and New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to a three-year, $47 million deal.

Williams was teammates with current Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore at Alabama in 2018 when Barmore was redshirting as a freshman. Barmore would replace Williams in 2019 and 2020 for the Crimson Tide before being selected in the second round pick by New England.

Bill Belichick, still a defensive-focused coach at heart, now has two of the game's best young talent on the interior. Williams made the Pro Bowl in 2021 when he recorded fourteen sacks and had another strong season in 2022 with 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

Through the last three seasons, Barmore and Williams have combined for 42 sacks and 66 tackles for loss.

Post by **Soapy** » 13 Jan 2022, 15:57

While player changes, LB still a need for Patriots according to ESPN's McShay
In his latest NFL Mock Draft, ESPN Senior Draft Analyst Todd McShay is projecting Michigan State's Quavaris Crouch to be New England's selection with the 27th overall pick in the upcoming draft.

In his previous mock draft, McShay had New England selecting Georgia's Trez Marshall, another off ball linebacker. Couch is the 2nd ranked ILB on McShay's big board while Marshall is fourth behind Oregon's Justin Flowe, Crouch and N.C. State's Drake Thomas.

They are of similar builds, both around six-foot-one and 240 pounds although Crouch is a bit more of a thumper than Marshall whose better in coverage. New England already has quite a few thumpers between Dont'a Hightower and Ja'Whaun Bentley and could always bring back the likes of Shaq Quarterman via free agency or in the UDFA market. Linebackers with 4.45 speed are rare which is what Marshall ran in the combine before improving it to a 4.40 forty at his pro day.

Crouch isn't lead footed either, running the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds at the combine and improving to 4.49 seconds at his pro day.

Post by **Soapy** » 13 Jan 2022, 16:26

Gronk Back? Gronkowski to meet with Kraft, Belichick as he mulls retirement
Free agent tight end Rob Gronkowski is expected to meet with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach/de-facto general manager Bill Belichick 'in the coming days' according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Gronkowski, whose spent the past three seasons in Tampa with Tom Brady after retiring back in 2018, is considering his options following Brady's retirement and according to Schefter's report, returning to Tampa is not one of them.

The 34-year old future Hall of Famer met with the New York Jets last week and is still contemplating if he wants to play football this season. Gronkowski had expressed an interest in media following his football career and playing with the Jets in the country's largest media market could open opportunities for him which is why the landing spot is attractive to him.

New England already has two premier tight ends in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, although both have dealt with injury issues in their past. It's unclear if Gronkowski's meeting -- if the report is true -- will be about him returning to the Patriots but there is interest from both sides.

Post by **Soapy** » 13 Jan 2022, 16:40

New England brings back Harris and Godchaux on extensions
The New England Patriots have re-signed running back Damien Harris and interior defensive lineman Davon Godchaux.

Harris' deal is reported to be for four years and $20.2 million while Godchaux got a one-year deal for $4.55 million. It's a pay cut for Godchaux and a pay rise for Harris, who was one of the league's best running backs last season.

It wasn't a very robust market for Harris, primarily due to his position and New England was able to bring him back on a team friendly deal after deciding to practice patience and letting the free agency frenzy play out.

Harris is set to make $4.62 million in 2023 while the top three rushers from this past season are set to make $16.7 million (Ezekiel Elliott), $15.5 million (Derrick Henry) and $14.9 million (Nick Chubb).

Post by **Soapy** » 13 Jan 2022, 16:49

Gronk signs with Jets as Patriots land Buffalo's Poyer
Tampa Bay tight end Rob Gronkowski is heading to the New York Jets while Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer is also heading up north, signing with the New England Patriots.

Gronkowski, who met with the Patriots this week as well, is signing a two-year deal to most likely finish out his career as a New York Jet after spending the previous three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's a big addition for one of the surprises of last season as New York went from one of the league's worst teams to a playoff team.

One of the disappointments of last season was Buffalo whose climb not only got harder with the lost of Poyer but also improved their divisional foe. Poyer is 33 but still an impactful player whose coverage skills allows for New England to keep deploying safety/linebacker Adrian Phillips in the box as opposed to putting him back at safety with the loss of Devin McCourty.

Poyer had 71 tackles last season along with an interception although his numbers have been on a decline since 2020 where he recorded 157 tackles and 143 the year before.

Post by **Soapy** » 13 Jan 2022, 19:27

Patriots replace All-Pro punter Bailey, fill out roster with veterans like QB Ryan
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has had the ghosts of '28-3' following him around for seven seasons following the Falcons Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots in devastating fashion.

Ryan, like many others this weekend, is a New England Patriot now.

New England signed six players from Friday through Saturday, with veterans such as Ryan, defensive end Dean Lowry and former Patriot defensive end Malcolm Brown, young players such as linebacker Shaq Quarterman who they elevated from their practice squad late last season and wide receiver Paris Campbell along with All-Pro punter Jake Bailey's replacement in Blake Gillikin.

Gillikin's deal is for three years and worth up to $6.81 million. The Penn State graduated played for the Saints the past two seasons, averaging 46.4 and 47.5 net yards per punt in those two seasons. Bailey, who signed a three year, $9.61 million deal with Denver averaged 42.3 net yards per punt last season after putting up a career high 49.7 the year before.

Ryan, Brown and Lowry all signed one-year deals with both Lowry and Brown's deal being worth $1 million while Ryan is at $2.51 million. Quarterman signed a $2 million extension and Campbell is leaving Indy for $5.9 million.

Ryan instantly becomes the oldest player on New England's roster at 38, a roster that has gotten young pretty quickly over the years with the next oldest player being Dont'a Hightower at 33. Ryan will no doubt be a mentor to quarterback Mac Jones, a role Brian Hoyer had played the past two seasons before retiring.

Post by **Soapy** » 13 Jan 2022, 19:42

Jordan Love gets home warming present in Metkalf while Mayfield unsigned
For years, Green Bay couldn't attract top of the line free agents to come play with Aaron Rodgers. With Rodgers announcing his retirement, they signed one of the biggest ones in recent history after losing their top three players in Rodgers, Davante Adams to free agency last season and Jaire Alexander this season.

Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf signed a four year, $77.6 million deal to join Jordan Love in Green Bay although it remains to be seen if the Packers will potentially kick the Baker Mayfield tires after the top QB free agent went unsigned.

Top Free Agents
QB Baker Mayfield, 28 yo » 84 ovr » Unsigned
QB Jimmy Garoppolo, 31 yo » 72 ovr » Houston Texans
QB Matt Ryan, 38 yo » 68 ovr » New England Patriots

HB Kareem Hunt, 28 yo » 90 ovr » San Francisco 49ers
HB Tony Pollard, 26 yo » 85 ovr » San Francisco 49ers
HB Damien Harris, 26 yo » 82 ovr » New England Patriots
HB Kenyan Drake, 29 yo » 81 ovr » Houston Texans
HB Darrell Henderson Jr, 26 yo » 81 ovr » Unsigned
FB Andy Janovich, 30 yo » 79 ovr » New Orleans Saints

WR D.K. Metcalf, 25 yo » 94 ovr » Green Bay Packers
WR Darius Slayton, 26 yo » 81 ovr » Philadelphia Eagles
WR Van Jefferson, 27 yo » 78 ovr » Philadelphia Eagles
WR Cole Beasley, 34 yo » 78 ovr » Unsigned
WR T.Y. Hilton, 33 yo » 75 ovr » Unsigned
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WR Nkeal Harry, 25 yo » 74 ovr » Atlanta Falcons

TE Robert Gronkowski, 34 yo » 80 ovr » New York Jets
TE Maxx Williams, 29 yo » 76 ovr » Arizona Cardinals

C Rodney Hudson, 34 yo » 87 ovr » Philadelphia Eagles
G Rodger Saffold III, 35 yo » 79 ovr » Houston Texans
T Andre Dillard, 27 yo » 73 ovr » Pittsburgh Steelers
T Russell Okung, 27 yo » 73 ovr » Unsigned

DE J.J. Watt, 34 yo » 85 ovr » Houston Texans
DE Dee Ford, 32 yo » 77 ovr » Philadelphia Eagles
DE Clelin Ferrell, 26 yo » 76 ovr » Green Bay Packers

DT Quinnen Williams, 25 yo » 91 ovr » New England Patriots
DT Fletcher Cox, 32 yo » 86 ovr » New York Jets
DT Sebastian Joseph-Day, 28 yo » 85 ovr » Arizona Cardinals
DT Matthew Ioannidis, 29 yo » 80 ovr » Los Angeles Chargers

OLB Za'darius Smith, 30 yo » 87 ovr » Philadelphia Eagles
OLB Cole Holcomb, 27 yo » 80 ovr » Atlanta Falcons
OLB Chase Winovich, 27 yo » 77 ovr » Las Vegas Raiders

ILB Bobby Wagner, 33 yo » 85 ovr » Philadelphia Eagles
ILB Lavonte David, 33 yo » 82 ovr » Chicago Bears

CB Jaire Alexander, 26 yo » 99 ovr » New England Patriots
CB Darius Slay Jr, 32 yo » 85 ovr » Las Vegas Raiders
CB Casey Hayward Jr, 33 yo » 85 ovr » Minnesota Vikings
CB Trayvon Mullen Jr, 25 yo » 84 ovr » Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB Bryce Callahan, 31 yo » 83 ovr » Seattle Seahawks
CB Jonathan Jones, 29 yo » 82 ovr » Houston Texans
CB Greedy Williams, 25 yo » 80 ovr » Atlanta Falcons
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CB Joejuan Williams, 25 yo » 73 ovr » Atlanta Falcons

S Jordan Poyer, 32 yo » 83 ovr » New England Patriots
S Jimmie Ward, 32 yo » 81 ovr » Atlanta Falcons
S Amani Hooker, 25 yo » 79 ovr » Dallas Cowboys
S Eric Rowe, 30 yo » 78 ovr » Las Vegas Raiders
S Landon Collins, 29 yo » 77 ovr » Atlanta Falcons

K Tyler Bass, 26 yo » 80 ovr » Unsigned
K Graham Gano, 36 yo » 80 ovr » Unsigned
K Chris Boswell, 32 yo » 80 ovr » Unsigned
K Rodrigo Blankenship, 26 yo » 79 ovr » Unsigned

P A.J. Cole III, 27 yo » 83 ovr » New York Jets
P Jake Bailey, 26 yo » 82 ovr » Denver Broncos
P Mitch Wishnowsky, 31 yo » 80 ovr » Buffalo Bills

Post by **Captain Canada** » 13 Jan 2022, 19:49

Holy monaaaaay. Didn't know you had bread like that :obama:

That secondary is different

Post by **Soapy** » 13 Jan 2022, 20:08

Defense remains king in Foxborough as Pats select another SEC DB in first round
The New England Patriots have selected safety Malachi Moore out of the University of Alabama with the 27th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The pick comes at a surprise as many expected Moore to be drafted in the second or even possibly third round.

A lanky athlete at six-feet and 191 pounds, Moore was a three-year contributor at Alabama and established himself as one of the nation's best safeties as a junior, recording 83 tackles and four interceptions for the Crimson Tide.

Moore ran a 4.42 forty at the combine, the fastest time among safeties and impressed scouts even more at his pro day when he topped that with a time of 4.37 seconds. His 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle at the combine were also the fastest among safeties at the combine.

For the second straight season, New England selected a SEC defensive back in the first round after taking Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary with the 26th pick last year.

2023 NFL Draft Selections
1. DET ‣ QB Tyler Van Dyke, Miami
2. DET ‣ DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson
3. MIN ‣ QB Bryce Young, Alabama
4. PHI ‣ CB Elias Ricks, Alabama
5. HOU ‣ OLB Noah Sewell, Oregon
6. ATL ‣ LT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
7. BUF ‣ DE Myles Murphy, Clemson
8. LAC ‣ WR Julian Fleming, Ohio State
9. CIN ‣ OLB Will Anderson, Alabama
10. NYG ‣ DE Desmond Evans, North Carolina
11. TB ‣ DE Adisa Isaac, Penn State
12. CAR ‣ LB Justin Flowe, Oregon
13. ARI ‣ WR Frank Ladson Jr, Miami
14. DEN ‣ DE Zykevious Walker, Auburn
15. PIT ‣ LT Trey Wedig, Wisconsin
16. IND ‣ WR Jordan Addison, Pittsbugh
17. TEN ‣ T Turner Corcoran, Nebraska
18. HOU ‣ G Harry Miller, Ohio State
19. DAL ‣ QB Jeff Sims, Georgia Tech (wtf)
20. SEA ‣ LB Quavarius Crouch, Michigan State
21. BAL ‣ DE Jordan Burch, South Carolina
22. NYJ ‣ DT Mazi Smith, Michigan
23. NO ‣ DE Donell Harris Jr, Texas A&M
24. LV ‣ OLB Trenton Simpson, Clemson
25. JAX ‣ HB Bijan Robinson, Texas
26. CHI ‣ DE Trace Ford, Oklahoma State
27. NE ‣ S Malachi Moore, Alabama
28. GB ‣ DT Nathan Pickering, Mississippi State
29. HOU ‣ CB Tyreke Johnson, Ohio State
30. CLE ‣ QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
31. WAS ‣ TE Arik Gilbert, Georgia
32. KC ‣ LT Pierce Quick, Alabama

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