2014 New England Patriots

[Thrashen]

Hopefully, this report from the Boston Globe conerning SS Steve Gregory and WR Julian Edelman isn’t true, as New England would shed at least two white starters in 2014…

Per a league source close to Volin, Gregory is worried that he will be released by the Patriots, as the team is looking to clear out as much cap space as possible in order to keep key players. The 31-year-old Syracuse product is set to make $3.683 million in the final year of his contract in 2014, and even that might be too rich for the Patriots, especially if they are high on Tavon Wilson and/or Duron Harmon.

Although the Patriots met with Talib’s agent at the Combine to start talking about a new deal, the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin reports that the Patriots still haven’t spoken with Edelman about a new contract. In fact, it doesn’t even seem like they’ve contacted anyone besides Talib about a new deal, so their slow approach is an interesting one.

Based upon the following positional situations, the Patriots either will progress, regress, or maintain their “whiteness” in 2014…

1) The return of starting RT, Sebastian Vollmer (replacing sumo Marcus Cannon), should return to offensive line to an all-white affair.

2) The return of all-world TE, Rob Gronkowski (replacing Hoomanawanui), from a torn ACL should add a white starter to the lineup.

3) WR Danny Amendola is under contract, but is rumored to be traded or released after a disappointing 2013 campaign. Julian Edelman’s future is up in the air due to the salary he should solicit as a free agent. Austin Collie is not under contract, but will likely be extended and compete for a spot in the off-season. TJ Moe, the talented 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] year man out of Missouri, will also be in the mix. Of these four white WR’s, hopefully at least two will be under contract come September.

4) Will FB, James Develin, remain on the roster?

5) LB Dane Fletcher is a free agent, but is likely to re-sign. Will he and Chris White languish behind Jerod Mayo, Donta Hightower, and Jamie Collins?

6) Will Steve Gregory be a cap casualty? If so, it would certainly cost New England a white starter on defense. If he is released, will Nate Ebner take his place?

That said, it seems like 10, 11, or 12 white starters is certainly possible:

QB – Brady
WR – Edelman
WR - Amendola
FB – Develin
TE – Gronkowski
LT – Solder
RG – Mankins
C – Wendell
RG – Connolly
RT- Vollmer
LDE – Ninkovich
SS - Gregory

Hopefully, the 2014 Patriots will be full of Caste-humiliating images such as these...

 

[dwid]

expect the slow gay linebacker to be picked up by NE, they handle the press well, and seem to like slow black linebackers that can't cover, have trouble shedding blockers and tend to pile up tackles 8 to 10 yards down the field on running plays and burnt in coverage if they are asked to cover.

 

[woody39]

Looks like Gregory will be cut according to Espn's new england blog. Bad news obviously, but wonder if pats will find a white player in the draft or free agency. Ty Zimmerman perhaps. Or anyone in free agency dunno if there are many of our guys available on march 11. Jim Leonard? Craig Steltz?

 

[Don Wassall]

Leonhard has said he's retiring after the 2014 season. There are usually White safeties available as free agents, but they are kept on the margins of rosters and as a result there is little interest in them as anything other than special teams demons.

 

[Thrashen]

This article, likely written by a DWF from UMass, features one of the most blatantly racist statements one could ever hope to read…

I would give Brady more years than Manning. Peyton has a lot of city miles on that body, not only is he older but he's had his neck fused. Brady's problem isn't that he's physically declining, it's that he's looking to hit 5'9, white slot receivers 50 yards up the field. There's only so far you can get get when your options are Austin Collie, a different Austin Collie named Julian Edelman, and a third Austin Collie named Danny Amendola. It's like a battleship trying to hit rowboats with .50 caliber rounds across the horizon. There's only so much he had left. There's clearly some talent there with the rookies. They have to stay healthy and take the next step. If you get a year two bounce out of those guys, Brady is going to look a hell of a lot better than he did this year.

Yeah, the Patriot receiving corps was so “whiteâ€￾ that the team effortlessly glided to the AFC title game, even without the likes of Gronkowski, Vollmer, Wilfork, Mayo, Kelly, etc.

Does this twit realize that Dobson, Boyce, and even Slater all played far more snaps at WR than Austin Collie in 2013?

Link:
http://www.umassmedia.com/sports/re...cle_b63baf98-8e89-11e3-9a42-001a4bcf6878.html

 

[dwid]

This article, likely written by a DWF from UMass, features one of the most blatantly racist statements one could ever hope to read…



Yeah, the Patriot receiving corps was so “white” that the team effortlessly glided to the AFC title game, even without the likes of Gronkowski, Vollmer, Wilfork, Mayo, Kelly, etc.

Does this twit realize that Dobson, Boyce, and even Slater all played far more snaps at WR than Austin Collie in 2013?

Link:
http://www.umassmedia.com/sports/re...cle_b63baf98-8e89-11e3-9a42-001a4bcf6878.html

ridiculous, Edelman and Amendola are both 5'11 and Collie is the tallest at 6'1, so calling out Collie makes no sense. Edelman is more than a 1 year wonder, he played a year a nickelback and excelled. Most people don't even remember it, because nobody threw it his way, because he had his zone or man locked down.

Boyce is 5'11 as well as Slater, Thompkins is 6'1 (70 targets for this season) and Dobson is 6'3.

 

[Thrashen]

Mike Reiss is the NFL’s fairest and race-neutral “beat writer” in America. Let’s hope he isn’t correct about the chances for the squad to re-sign Steve Gregory to a cheaper deal. From his newest Q&A column…

Q. Mike, can you please explain to me why obtaining a smash-mouth strong safety isn't being talked about more? The Patriots just cut Steve Gregory. Are they planning on re-signing him? -- Danny Boy (Burlington, Mass.)


A. Danny, this is an area that former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison has been talking about since the Super Bowl, so I wouldn't say it's being overlooked. In today's game, there really aren't too many free safety/strong safety distinctions. Both safeties need to do a little bit of both, because if you're solely a box safety, offenses can often manipulate things to find that weakness and exploit it in the passing game. The Seahawks, with Kam Chancellor, are the exception more than the rule. On Steve Gregory, if he's back, it would only be a result of no market developing for him and the Patriots possibly experiencing an injury or unexpected turn of events.

As for Danny Amendola, Boston.com’s sports section brought up a good point about the prospect of cutting him…

It actually would cost the Patriots more cap money to outright cut Amendola instead of keeping him ($4.8 million compared with $4.6 million). If they designate him as a June 1 cut, Amendola would count only $1.2 million in 2014 and $3.6 million in 2015.

Hopefully Amendola and Gregory, both starters, remain on the roster, and the Pats add some white defensive talent via the draft.

I don't have high hopes for the draft, as in the entire Belichick era, the Pats have only drafted 9 white defensive players (Jake Bequette, Nate Ebner, Bo Ruud, Justin Rogers, Ryan Claridge, Dan Klecko, Casey Tisdale, David Nugent, and Jeff Marriott), all of whom were lower round selections and none of whom were given half a chance to develop in any defensive capacity other than special teams.

 

[Don Wassall]

The Patriots cut T. J. Moe and Sam McGuffie today. They appear to have no interest in Austin Collie and may even cut Danny Amendola, while Julian Edelman may sign elsewhere. Is the league's least Caste team reversing course?

 

[celticdb15]

The Patriots cut T. J. Moe and Sam McGuffie today. They appear to have no interest in Austin Collie and may even cut Danny Amendola, while Julian Edelman may sign elsewhere. Is the league's least Caste team reversing course?

Disgusting. Im thinking the Pats reign of dominance over this past decade is coming to an end. As someone else mentioned earlier caste whore Michael Lombardi is doing his best to diversify the team aka darken it up.

 

[white is right]

The Patriots cut T. J. Moe and Sam McGuffie today. They appear to have no interest in Austin Collie and may even cut Danny Amendola, while Julian Edelman may sign elsewhere. Is the league's least Caste team reversing course?

Why was McGuffie cut? It's not like the team for 2014 has taken any form as free agents, UDFA and draftee's haven't been signed.

 

[Thrashen]

As always, the Patriots’ off-season has been filled with idiotic free agent signings, screwing their most talented white players who wish to be properly compensated, and other buffoonish transactions…

1) Cutting qaulity safety, Steve Gregory.

2) Overpaying for Darelle Revis.

3) Signing drug-cheat Brandon Browner, who is still suspended until Week 5.

4) Singing former Panther WR, Brandon LaFell, who doesn’t seem to remotely fit their philosophy. Hopefully this ends similarly to Donald Jones and Mike Jenkins, their big free agent WR signings from last off-season.

5) Allowing Dane Fletcher to sign with Tampa Bay.

6) Showing no interest in re-signing quality OL like Svitek and Wendell.

7) Re-signing Hoomanawanui instead of Mulligan.

8) Torturing team MVP, Julian Edelman, for a contract that he earned 10 times over.

9) The team is currently “working out” all-star criminal and arch malcontent, WR, Kenny Britt.

LaFell’s deal was 3 years, $11 million. Amendola’s deal was 5 years, $28.5 million. Edelman had better be making more money than both.

With Caste Prostitute, Michael Lombardi, in the fold, look for yet another extra-dark draft class filled with their usual plethora of defensive busts.

 

[dwid]

As always, the Patriots’ off-season has been filled with idiotic free agent signings, screwing their most talented white players who wish to be properly compensated, and other buffoonish transactions…

1) Cutting qaulity safety, Steve Gregory.

2) Overpaying for Darelle Revis.

3) Signing drug-cheat Brandon Browner, who is still suspended until Week 5.

4) Singing former Panther WR, Brandon LaFell, who doesn’t seem to remotely fit their philosophy. Hopefully this ends similarly to Donald Jones and Mike Jenkins, their big free agent WR signings from last off-season.

5) Allowing Dane Fletcher to sign with Tampa Bay.

6) Showing no interest in re-signing quality OL like Svitek and Wendell.

7) Re-signing Hoomanawanui instead of Mulligan.

8) Torturing team MVP, Julian Edelman, for a contract that he earned 10 times over.

9) The team is currently “working out” all-star criminal and arch malcontent, WR, Kenny Britt.

LaFell’s deal was 3 years, $11 million. Amendola’s deal was 5 years, $28.5 million. Edelman had better be making more money than both.

With Caste Prostitute, Michael Lombardi, in the fold, look for yet another extra-dark draft class filled with their usual plethora of defensive busts.

check out the thing with Brandown Browner and his measurables, there are literally tons of White guys who have similar or better measurables that would be lucky to get a shot at safety 6034 (somehow rounds up to a 6'4) 221 pounds 4.63, 36 1/2 vertical, 1003 broad jump, 4.24 shuttle, 7.20 3 cone drill.

Brandon Hardin, 6'3 (exactly) 217 pounds, 4.43 40 yard dash, 35 1/2 inch vertical, 1004 broad jump, 4.17 shuttle, 6.88 3 cone drill

Richard Sherman height 6025 (r0unds up to 6'3) 195 pounds. 4.54 40 (which he lowered to 4.53 at his pro day), 11 inch broad, 37 inch vertical, 4.29 shuttle, 6.72 3 cone drill.

Hardin with the best 10 yard split at 1.52, Sherman with 1.56. Browner 1.67. I imagine that if Hardin were lighter like Sherman then his times in the shuttle would have been better than Sherman (still not much of a difference) and probably closer to the same vertical and broad

as you can see Hardin has the best shuttle and 40, his 3 cone isn't far off from Sherman and blows Browner out of the water

We've had other big safties with similar measurables, and tons of guys that are 5'10 to 6 foot that fit the mold of someone like Joe Haden, except they are bulkier playing safety. All just get ignored playing at the lower levels. Edelman is actually an example, he played fbs ball but a low division, jack of all trades kind of guy coming out as a running qb, played nickel and dime corner (which was listed as safety) and filled in greatly.

Now imagine if they had just kept that process of getting versatile athletes. They would be much better. McGuffie is an example, I am sure he is a phone call away but shouldn't have been cut. Amazing measurables, could be a 3rd down back (showed promise as a rb as an undersized true freshman) seemed to have the problem Reggie Bush had his first 5 years in the pros when put at rb for Rice, always looking to hit the homerun, still had 1200 yards from scrimmage, then transitioned to wide receiver, making some pretty nice acrobatic ctaches. I think he could easily play corner of safety if needed too, like Edelman.

now the media is whining about the Panthers getting rid of guys like LaFell, before it was "Cam didn't have anyone to throw to", now he is a star, which is it?

I think the only positive is that they kept Edelman and will probably keep Amendola, because they will take a big cap hit if they dont, but I could be wrong about that.

 

[Thrashen]

It was nice to see the Pats re-sign free agent center, Ryan Wendell, as they could have easily let him walk, moved sumo Marcus Cannon to RG, and moved Dan Connolly to center. With the return of RT Sebastian Vollmer from injury and the re-signing of Wendell, the Patriot OL should be 5/5 white once more in 2014. From ESPN…

The New England Patriots have re-signed center Ryan Wendell to a two-year contract, according to NFLPA records. The deal carries a maximum value of $8.15 million, the records indicate. Wendell has been a two-year starter for the team at center, rising through the ranks after beginning his career as an undrafted free agent and once being a member of the team's practice squad.

 

[Thrashen]

Notre Dame TE Troy Niklas is being widely projected as New England’s second round pick in the upcoming draft. He’d be a great blocker to go along with Gronkowski's dominating receiving skills. From what I’ve seen of Niklas, he’ s and a decent receiver in his own right, too...

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com writes that Notre Dame TE Troy Niklas could be a second round draft option for the Patriots next month.

"At 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, he is a pure tight end when compared to others at the position who might be viewed more as bigger receivers," notes Reiss. "He has good size, strength and upside to develop into a solid combination tight end as he's only played the position for two years."

Naturally, New England won’t select him, as doing so would instantly bolster one of their weakest positions. Their drafts were already coal-black (littered with defensive busts from the SEC and Rutgers), can you imagine who they’ll select with Bonafide Caste Prostitute, Michael Lombari, in the fold?

 

[Freethinker]

A common misconception that you'll always see in these mock drafts is the Patriots picking many White guys. Maybe at one time that was sort of true but not anymore. There is a much higher chance that the Pats go 100% coal than they pick 50% snow. There should be Vegas odds on this....

 

[PamelaOC]

It's refreshing to hear a white player described as having upside.

 

[Extra Point]

It's refreshing to hear a white player described as having upside.

It sure is.

Black players are far more often said to have upside than white players, as if white players can't get better.

 

[icsept]

Patriots sign LB Josh Hull.

 

[Thrashen]

Patriots sign LB Josh Hull.

Linebacker Josh Hull was released by the Redskins earlier this month, but it looks like he’s landed a new job.

Adam Caplan [Eldery, Casteon Jew] of ESPN reports that the Patriots have signed Hull to a one-year deal.

No financial terms were disclosed, but it is unlikely that Hull got more than the minimum salary for a player with four years in the league. Hull had 14 tackles in 11 games for the Redskins last year in a special teams role. The 2010 seventh-round pick also played 28 games for the Rams before they cut him at the end of the summer.

His work in St. Louis was mostly on special teams as well, so you’d expect that New England will be asking him to compete for a role on those units in 2014.

I remember Josh Hull from his days at Penn State, where he played a fearless brand of linebacker and consistently outperformed 49ers star, Navarro Bowman. Hull will likely fill the role previously held by Dane Fletcher, who signed with Tampa Bay this off-season.

With Rob Ninkovich, Jake Bequette, Chris White, Joe Vellano, Nate Ebner, and Josh Hull, New England could easily keep 6 whites on their defensive roster in 2014. Bequette is always a risk to be cut, as he’s woefully underperformed and has rarely dressed for games in his 2 seasons with the Pats. Hopefully this will be his breakout year. It would also be nice to see Steve Gregory brought back (there have been rumors of such) once all of their “real†safeties are injured.

Naturally, I won’t be “expecting†the NFL’s most white-friendly squad to actually draft any white defensive players. They’ve already passed on a myriad of white stars and quality starters…Sean Lee, Brooks Reed, Harrison Smith, Barrett Ruud, Matt Roth, Paul Posluszny, James Laurinaitis, Connor Barwin, Eric Weddle, Pat Angerer, Derek Wolfe, Brian Robison, Chris Posinski, Dan Connor, Chris Conte, Tom Zbikowski, Craig Steltz, Kroy Biermann, Margus Hunt, etc.

 

[Thrashen]

Unlike last off-season with his never-ending back/forearm recovery, Rob Gronkowski seems to be recuperating rather well from his knee injuries…

Howe’s report states that at the Play 60 event, Gronk “didn’t show any noticeable concern with the unprotected right knee while playing catch.†This is a positive sign, but shouldn’t be taken with too much weight as the activity level was extremely light--he was playing catch with kids. At the event, Patriots’ defensive back Devin McCourty had some encouraging words regarding his teammate's comeback:

I can’t wait to see him back out there. He’s a guy that just keeps defeating the odds. I know he’ll be out here stronger than ever and be ready to go.

Gronkowski suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his right knee in December and he has no intention of expediting his return to the field. He has dealt with several major injuries since 2012 including a broken forearm and back issues both of which required surgery.

Although he may be ready to take part in New England’s training camp come July, it is difficult to predict in what capacity he will engage and there remains no solid timetable for his return. Gronk has only played in 18 games over the past two seasons.

Gronkowski is the most dominant offensive weapon the NFL when operating at full strength, so let’s hope he can help take pressure off of Edelman and Amendola in 2014. With Matthew Mulligan signing with Chicago this off-season, Gronkowski is the only white TE left on the Patriot roster (DJ Williams and Hoomanawanui are the others)...

CAPTION: Gronk Runs Around with Kids at "Play 60" Event

 

[Upside]

2014 Position Battles/Outlook

The Patriots will once again be my favorite team this year, despite making a handful of baffeling moves this offseason: cutting Gregory, not resigning Fletcher, Collie, etc. There shouldn't be too many battles taking place, as far as I can see, as all 11 starters on offense are set, including FB James Develin.

The Defensive line appears to be set. Hopefully Jake Bequette can get into the defensive end rotation. Outside linebacker could be an issue with Collins and Hightower slated to be the starters. Collins had one good game last season, and was immediately proclaimed a top 10 LB by the media; and I still chuckle everytime I see Donte Hightower drop into coverage. The Pats would be wise to bring in some free agents to compete.

The safety position appears to be a joke waiting to happen, with the overrated Devin McCourty and the laughably bad Patrick Chung slated to start. They'll probably survive with McCourty, but surely the Pats will bring in a veteran to compete with Chung.

 

[Extra Point]

The safety position appears to be a joke waiting to happen, with the overrated Devin McCourty and the laughably bad Patrick Chung slated to start. They'll probably survive with McCourty, but surely the Pats will bring in a veteran to compete with Chung.

I believe Reed Doughty is still available as a free agent.

Doughty is a pretty good safety.

 

[woody39]

Patriots sign Hartstock and Maneri both tight ends formerly at panthers and bears respectively. They cut two black un drafted tight ends to make room for them. Some good news for us and the patriots. Could we see pats break the majority white roster sometime soon!

 

[Thrashen]

It seems like Amendola and Edelman are both having a nice training camps, and have been dominating against Eagles' black DB's during joint practices…

FOXBORO, Mass. — If Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola can stay healthy in 2014, the two shifty New England Patriots wide receivers will present a unique challenge for opposing defenses.

Edelman and Amendola showed their agility and quickness Tuesday against the Philadelphia Eagles in joint team practices at Gillette Stadium. Both players won all four of their challenges in 1-on-1 drills against the Eagles, with Edelman beating cornerbacks Bradley Fletcher and Brandon Boykin, and Amendola beating safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Nate Allen.

Most teams only have one defensive back who can match up with quicker slot receivers. Covering the middle of the field will be difficult for opposing teams that have to face Amendola and Edelman.

Link: http://nesn.com/2014/08/patriots-tr...julian-edelman-danny-amendola-tear-up-eagles/

CAPTION: Amendola Burns Eagles Repeatedly

Both players, Edelman in particular, have great deep-threat ability, but are rarely utilized in this capcacity. The “best case scenario” for the 2014 Patriots would be to have three white pass-catchers (Gronk, Edelman, Amendola) eclipse 1,000 yards...

 

[celticdb15]

It seems like Amendola and Edelman are both having a nice training camps, and have been dominating against Eagles' black DB's during joint practices…



Link: http://nesn.com/2014/08/patriots-tr...julian-edelman-danny-amendola-tear-up-eagles/

CAPTION: Amendola Burns Eagles Repeatedly

Both players, Edelman in particular, have great deep-threat ability, but are rarely utilized in this capcacity. The “best case scenarioâ€￾ for the 2014 Patriots would be to have three white pass-catchers (Gronk, Edelman, Amendola) eclipse 1,000 yards...

Good news!