Notable Unrestricted Free Agents

[Westside]

I hear you Foobar, but NE made the logical decision. They went with the younger proven "White Player" with the more "upside" in Amandola. Additionally, with the lower cost. Its a no brainer. After all, the NFL, supposely is a business when not pushing the "genda with affelets." We know diffrent.

Regarding Welker, it is also a no brainer. "Cash is King" an additional 2 million dollars is a big deal with a smart, logical White man is investing it in the right way, with a family bearing down.

I believe this is a win, win sceniro. Wellker believed, he needed to paid now? I can not fault him nor NE. Simple.

 

[Westside]

Regarding Woodhead, if BB can not see his importance and role in the NE offense, then, all is almost all lost in the Atlantic seaboard regarding Whites in actively playing in the NFL. We shall see.?

 

[Kaptain]

I don't really see this as a win for us. The Broncos getting Welker means Stokely is done and it means less snaps for Decker. Amendola was going to get massive production no matter where he went - including resigning with the Rams. Julian Edelman will either have to leave and probably disappear from the NFL or once again wait in line behind a slot receiving machine. It's a good deal for both the Patriots and Broncos, but not necessarily for our guys as a whole.

 

[Gibbon]

Gotta like the Amendola signing though big time. He could put up astronomical numbers with the Patriots as he was looking unstoppable last season before getting hurt. Hopefully it's a win-win for both players (Amendola and Welker) and both teams.

I agree with Don. This may bring Amendola to Welker's level. And the path has already been blazed by the Patriots with Welker where he has been showcased. If there was ever a situation where he was to leave the Patriots and continue to get the same respect and approaching the same number of throws, it is this situation.

Meanwhile, the patriots rejuvenate their receiving corps by bringing in a younger man whom, it seems likely, they will also showcase and build up in the manner they established Welker. Amendola's numbers will go up with Brady behind the line and BB on the sideline. I am onboard with this move. If catches decline for Decker/Stokely it's only because they are going to Welker. Doesn't hurt us.

Edelman's situation hasn't changed. If he's going to make it in the league, the Patriots are as good a place as any for him to be right now. It's likely no team would start him at present, despite his obvious ability to start, and at least at NE he'll have a fair(er) chance to get on the field (as he did when Welker was around). Additionally Edelman staying in NE helps NE win. And when NE wins, that's the best showcase there is.

The wonderful thing about this trade is that BB is essentially saying: yeah, we'll trust that white kid, throw him the ball, maximize his potential, make him a legitimate star, just like we did with Welker, and just like you racist clowns refused to do. See you in the playoffs. Thanks! I swear, BB would kill it at an auction.

Here's hoping everyone stays healthy.

 

[Thrashen]

From what I can tell, New England was willing to allow their most valuable overall football player to sign elsewhere (with an AFC powerhouse, no less) for a differnce of $2 million in salary and an additional $2 million in “incentives†over the next two years. Also, given that their contract to Amendola was for 5 years, $31 million...how much were they really saving?

I never believed the media-contrived “rift†between Welker and Patriot management (starting in 2011 to present), but now I accept that it was legitimate. Brady and Welker seem like best friends (they even vacation together) and Brady has always supported him, which makes it all the more telling that Wes signed elsewhere.

I don't really see this as a win for us. The Broncos getting Welker means Stokely is done and it means less snaps for Decker. Amendola was going to get massive production no matter where he went - including resigning with the Rams. Julian Edelman will either have to leave and probably disappear from the NFL or once again wait in line behind a slot receiving machine. It's a good deal for both the Patriots and Broncos, but not necessarily for our guys as a whole.

Good points, especially concerning Stokley, who’ll likely retire now, despite having a least one productive year left. However, in looking at NFL free agent lists for available WR’s, Edelman seems like a “2[SUP]nd[/SUP] tier†talent after guys like Wallace, Bowe, Hartline, Jennings, and Amendola. He certainly won’t disappear from the league, and hopefully he’ll return to New England.

Denver is quickly becoming my favorite team. Now they just need to go out and get Peyton Hillis back there. He would be a perfect fit in that system and they have to be one of the teams with the best chance to make the super bowl. If I'm Peyton, I'm on the phone to Denver which is where his whole career started out. Welker is going to be a perfect fit there.

If Denver has a “Caste Flaw,†it’s that both of their offensive tackles (Clady and Franklin) are extra-black sumos. Who could forget this handsome face?

CAPTION: Cross-Eyed Cretin, Orlando Franklin

Conversely, New England has an all-white starting five (pending Vollmer’s contract), with only a single non-white lineman on the roster in backup OT, Marcus Cannon (backup G, Donald Thomas, signed elsewhere). Another unfortunate matter in Denver is that DT Justin Bannan, DT Mitch Unrein, and S Jim Leonhard are all free agents and may not return in 2013. Thankfully, as Don mentioned, LB Stewart Bradley was signed.

Ideally, New England’s Welker-less offense will consist of an all-white OL, Danny Woodhead as a scat-back (pending his re-signing), Rob Gronkowski, Jake Ballard as an “H-Back,†Danny Amendola as an inside receiver, and Julian Edelman (pending his re-signing) as an outside receiver, or visa-versa. If this occurs, in my opinion, the Patriots should remain “1A†and Denver “1B†for our teams to support.

The NFL schedule-makers are certain to have a Pats-Broncos regular season game. If so, it would be pretty cool to see Welker burning New England's black cornerbacks.

 

[Gibbon]

I never believed the media-contrived “rift” between Welker and Patriot management (starting in 2011 to present), but now I accept that it was legitimate. Brady and Welker seem like best friends (they even vacation together) and Brady has always supported him, which makes it all the more telling that Wes signed elsewhere.

My guess is that Welker was adversely influenced by the "Star Culture" of the NFL. Certainly, we want our athletes proud but the truth is, and this is something we especially agree with here, he wasn't a freak or anomaly. There are other white boys, given the opportunity, that can play just as well as he. That cheeky Rex Ryan "foot" episode leading up to the Patriots shameful loss against the 2010 Jets was the beginning of the end for Welker. At the time, I thought BB was erring on the side of rigidness by not allowing Welker to start that first series but I've since revised. It was likely the tip of an unseen ice berg. And the fact that Wes and Brady were such buds only makes it that much worse.

Now I am not contending his attitude or ego was on the scale of a Randy Moss but...it's the millennials man. They can be talented but they're not irreplaceable.

 

[Gibbon]

From what I can tell, New England was willing to allow their most valuable overall football player to sign elsewhere (with an AFC powerhouse, no less) for a differnce of $2 million in salary and an additional $2 million in “incentives” over the next two years. Also, given that their contract to Amendola was for 5 years, $31 million...how much were they really saving?

They are getting a receiver that is 5 years younger. Durability is the real x factor. Welker, though he had that knee injury, was relatively indestructible. But there is also some luck involved here.

 

[Awake in America]

I don't really see this as a win for us. The Broncos getting Welker means Stokely is done and it means less snaps for Decker. Amendola was going to get massive production no matter where he went - including resigning with the Rams. Julian Edelman will either have to leave and probably disappear from the NFL or once again wait in line behind a slot receiving machine. It's a good deal for both the Patriots and Broncos, but not necessarily for our guys as a whole.

I agree with this to some extent. It's a great move for Amendola, it's a great move for Denver. It's not good for Welker, Decker, or Stokely. Their numbers will all go down. Also, New England will get slightly darker. McDaniels will take the opportunity to move the offense away from the slot, over to affletic outside receivers and running backs. The biggest positive out of it is that for yet another week, a big part of the NFL conversation will be about white receivers (following Swope's "surprising" 40 performance at the combine).

On a related note, if Denver actually does pick up Hillis, I will begin to suspect that Elway is member of this website. :icon_wink:

 

[icsept]

Wes Welker is Hall of Fame elite. Amendola is talented, and a potentially productive NFL receiver. IMO there is no comparison between these players, except for measurables, which Amendola has a little more top end speed. Competitiveness, toughness, leadership, production, durability, guts...I'd take Welker all day.

 

[Gibbon]

Wes Welker is Hall of Fame elite. Amendola is talented, and a potentially productive NFL receiver. IMO there is no comparison between these players, except for measurables, which Amendola has a little more top end speed. Competitiveness, toughness, leadership, production, durability, guts...I'd take Welker all day.

It's early. He's coming to NE. If he remains healthy (luck is a factor here even for Welker), we'll see what kind of player he becomes. NE is the best environment for an athlete like Amendola to thrive. That's obvious.

 

[Gibbon]

It's not good for Welker, Decker, or Stokely. Their numbers will all go down.

I am not sure that we should be complaining about a team becoming stacked with white talent. What is a bigger "myth buster" than seeing a largely white offense demolish black defenses? Individual numbers might decline (though someone has to be the stud receiver on that team) but seeing a bunch of white guys beating a bunch of blacks is about the best propaganda you could hope for. Consolidation ala the Timberwolves in Basketball is better for our proposes than dispersion.

And having a bunch of white receivers eliminates the problem of having someone "dog it" because they aren't getting the passes, which is obviously disruptive to the productivity of the whole team. They especially "dog it", as did Moss, when a white guy is getting all the passes. Less alienation, more teamwork, more over all productivity, ideally translating into more individual productivity.

 

[Gibbon]

McDaniels will take the opportunity to move the offense away from the slot, over to affletic outside receivers and running backs.

Apparently Amendola's relationship with McDaniels was key to this trade so we'll see. Not everyone (McDaniels) can be an "early adopter" like BB. But it doesn't mean that they don't eventually pull their head out of their *ss with good influences.

 

[Gibbon]

Wes Welker is Hall of Fame elite. Amendola is talented, and a potentially productive NFL receiver. IMO there is no comparison between these players, except for measurables, which Amendola has a little more top end speed. Competitiveness, toughness, leadership, production, durability, guts...I'd take Welker all day.

Wes Welker was an obscure player before NE as the best receiver on a very shabby Dolphin's team. Amendola is coming from a similar place.

 

[icsept]

With Welker gone, I expect the Patriots now make signing Woodhead a priority. Woodhead's ability to pick up first downs will be critical without Welker. Although he's under-utilized in New England, I'd like to see him re-sign because I doubt there are any teams who would allow him to be a feature back.

 

[Don Wassall]

I can see Peyton Manning breaking the single season record for yards and TDs this season. Maybe Denver will use their tight ends to block more to protect Peyton and help the running game now that they have Wes. They could use a RB with good receiving skills. My main worry is the sumos at tackle, and they just signed Vasquez at guard, don't know if he'll be starting or not yet.

The 2004 Colts, the year Manning set the record for TD passes later broken by Tom Brady, featured three thousand yard receivers -- Stokley, Harrison and Wayne, and all three had plenty of TD receptions. No reason Welker, Decker and Thomas can't do the same.

 

[Don Wassall]

Steven Jackson signed with Atlanta, which at least makes it a little more likely that the Packers will sign Peyton Hillis. I can't see them signing him to be their main guy, but he could thrive in that offense even if he starts off as a backup. None of their current runners are very good and the free agent market is now thin, but they could draft a back.

Haven't read anything yet of a team being interested in Austin Collie, which is ridiculous but hardly unexpected.

 

[FootballDad]

I found a thoroughly enjoyable article detailing the six WORST free-agent overexpeditures thus far. No surprise that the beneficiaries of this salary largesse are all black:

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/3/14/4097314/2013-nfl-free-agent-grades-mike-wallace-overpaid

1. Mike Wallace, 2. Dannell Ellerbe, 3. Jermon Bushrod, 4. Erik Walden, 5. Shonn Greene, 6. Jared Cook.

 

[Westside]

Besides the eternal caste cloud over Collie, most teams view him as damaged goods. How many concussions has he had? 2 or 3. Frankly, If it was me who sustained that many certifible concussions a new occupation is the order of the day, mas pronto. I would not want to be another Wayne Cerrebet(sp?) forgetting how to get home and the condition worsens year by year.

 

[Truthteller]

Good points, especially concerning Stokley, who’ll likely retire now, despite having a least one productive year left.

Good points, all around, Thrashen. My first thought when Welker went to Denver, however, is how this might really do damage to Austin Collie's career.

I think everyone knows his best hope of playing at a high level again could be with Peyton Manning. Even Austin admits this in a recent SI.com article*. He could still sign with the Broncos as a reserve type on a one year deal, but the Welker deal had to be crushing for him.


Collie determined not to let concussion stigma cloud his NFL future

* http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130306/austin-collie/?xid=si_nfl

 

[Quiet Speed]

Wow, after reading some posts on a couple of Green Bay forums, I’m surprised at the amount of disapproval with the idea of a Hillis signing. Ninety-five percent are not on the Hillis train. I shouldn’t be surprised, superficial fans are prominent everywhere.

 

[Awake in America]

I am not sure that we should be complaining about a team becoming stacked with white talent. What is a bigger "myth buster" than seeing a largely white offense demolish black defenses? Individual numbers might decline (though someone has to be the stud receiver on that team) but seeing a bunch of white guys beating a bunch of blacks is about the best propaganda you could hope for. Consolidation ala the Timberwolves in Basketball is better for our proposes than dispersion.

And having a bunch of white receivers eliminates the problem of having someone "dog it" because they aren't getting the passes, which is obviously disruptive to the productivity of the whole team. They especially "dog it", as did Moss, when a white guy is getting all the passes. Less alienation, more teamwork, more over all productivity, ideally translating into more individual productivity.

It's sort of a double-edged sword: Denver and New England were both already pretty well loaded with white players on offense, and Amendola will get a chance to really shine. I hold out some hope that Woodhead's role could expand in Welker's absence. Stokely is the odd man out, but the guy is near the end of his career, if not there. The one Bronco board I visited showed a lot of support for keeping Stokely as a 4th or 5th receiver. We might see the Broncos with 8 white players on offense a good bit (assuming they hang on to Hester). Sometimes, New England will have 9, with 10 possible. :faint2:

 

[Don Wassall]

The Eagles have signed both James Casey and Connor Barwin away from the Texans. hwell:

 

[Leonardfan]

How in the hell did Shonn Greene get another contract at all?

 

[DixieDestroyer]

I am not sure that we should be complaining about a team becoming stacked with white talent. What is a bigger "myth buster" than seeing a largely white offense demolish black defenses? Individual numbers might decline (though someone has to be the stud receiver on that team) but seeing a bunch of white guys beating a bunch of blacks is about the best propaganda you could hope for. Consolidation ala the Timberwolves in Basketball is better for our proposes than dispersion.

And having a bunch of white receivers eliminates the problem of having someone "dog it" because they aren't getting the passes, which is obviously disruptive to the productivity of the whole team. They especially "dog it", as did Moss, when a white guy is getting all the passes. Less alienation, more teamwork, more over all productivity, ideally translating into more individual productivity.

Good points. IF the Broncos' OL & RBs can do their jobs, Denver should lead the league in passing. It'd be awesome seeing Manning and these 3 tear thru all the affletic defenses like a hot knife thru butter!

 

[Westside]

How in the hell did Shonn Greene get another contract at all?

He exudes affeletism. No real ability or production, just the "look" it carries the day for most affelets in the NFL. :frusty: