Free Agents you would like to see sign with Green Bay in 2019?

[RRyder]

I didn't accuse them of cheating, I just said that New England are the masters of finding loopholes in order to go around things. They are very crafty, and there is nothing wrong with that. (Hell the owner's last name is Kraft. XD) Their history indicates that. I'm not mad, props to them. In the NFL you have to do things in order to edge out your opponents. Don't mix me into the group of people that call New England the "Cheatriots." I respect them as a team and as an organization.

Actually their history indicates that they havent been very good at finding loopholes. Every time they've been caught the hammer has come down ******* them. Cant think of a single time they got off on a technicality

Not even sure why anyone would think they're good at finding loopholes.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

We can agree to disagree, but in my opinion there was a little method to the madness. And clearly, there was still a strong market for him.

The only method to the madness was an agent who was able to make something out of a bad situation that his client created. Did AB and his agent at some point decide "ok, time to just force the Raiders to cut you"? Probably, but that was all most likely done after they found out the Raiders weren't going to cave and continue to let AB do whatever he wanted and there would be consequences for his behavior.

AB and his agent found themselves behind the 8 ball when the Raiders pulled the guarantees due to his behaviors. I seriously doubt that was what either Rosenhaus or AB were counting on.

Of course there was still a market for one of the best WR's in the NFL, but I doubt it was a huge market and he definitely put himself in a situation of potentially losing a lot of money.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Are you still trying to put Revis and Gronk into the same category as AB?

Also you should probably stop trying to only naming the players that fit your narrative (even though 2 of the players you keep listing dont actually do even that. Also they all towed the company line and when they didnt cough cough Moss they were gone so saying he leaves good players alone is just dumb).

There's been some, we'll just say, pretty significant misses on players with character issues going to NE that you seem to be conveniently forgetting

That's not to say BB wont control the ship (if AB acts up he'll get cut or benched asap) but the narrative that BB has some magical touch for keeping problem players in line just isnt what the average fan would have you believe

Do you not recall Gronk going on WWE four months after back surgery in 2017? There were a LOT of questions about his commitment after that. And how am I only mentioning players that fit my narrative? I'm mentioning players that did things that most fans thought were selfish or not good for the team. Do you have any players I missed that would weaken my argument or are you just annoyed I brought up good examples?

And please, give me some examples of Belichick alienating great players. But you can't just say "Bill doesn't have a magical touch" without actually sitting your statement when there's plenty of evidence that he's actually pretty good at working with diva players.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

This is a ******** narrative.

Yes, if you're more talented you have a longer leash. That's true of every team. But that leash is held by BB. To describe his team as a player led outfit is about as ignorant of reality as it gets.

Uhm, how does that contradict anything I said? I never said players controlled the team. I said Belichick was more interested in working with great players than proving his authority. Exactly when did I say that Bill didn't have any power?!

 

[Mondio]

Uhm, how does that contradict anything I said? I never said players controlled the team. I said Belichick was more interested in working with great players than proving his authority. Exactly when did I say that Bill didn't have any power?!

A player going to have fun in the offseason may be something Bill let’s slide. Walking out in your team with the playoffs on the line? Get threatenend to get punched in the face? LOL

AB would get away with none of it and Bill would tolerate squat in that regard.

 

[PackAttack12]

The only method to the madness was an agent who was able to make something out of a bad situation that his client created. Did AB and his agent at some point decide "ok, time to just force the Raiders to cut you"? Probably, but that was all most likely done after they found out the Raiders weren't going to cave and continue to let AB do whatever he wanted and there would be consequences for his behavior.

AB and his agent found themselves behind the 8 ball when the Raiders pulled the guarantees due to his behaviors. I seriously doubt that was what either Rosenhaus or AB were counting on.

Of course there was still a market for one of the best WR's in the NFL, but I doubt it was a huge market and he definitely put himself in a situation of potentially losing a lot of money.

Patriots tried trading for him in March, Steelers wouldn’t bite. All I’m saying is that Belichick is a snake, wouldn’t put anything past him. He’s not exactly known for following all of the rules

 

[Sky King]

...there's plenty of evidence that he's actually pretty good at working with diva players.

And he also has a history of picking up players only to let them walk at the end of a season in return for a compensatory pick. Brown must be cognizant that he cannot recoup that $20 mil he frittered away unless he is a good citizen for at least the next six months as well as being his usual productive self.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Patriots tried trading for him in March, Steelers wouldn’t bite. All I’m saying is that Belichick is a snake, wouldn’t put anything past him. He’s not exactly known for following all of the rules

and I get that, but again, how is signing AB against the rules as some seem to want to imply?

To some of us it might fly in the face of good judgement, but we aren't BB, nor do any of us know how this will play out. But if you can't look at this for what it was, a football move made well within the rules by the Patriots and clearly them willing to take a decent financial risk to try and better their team, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[PackAttack12]

and I get that, but again, how is signing AB against the rules as some seem to want to imply?

It might be against many of our better judgement, but we aren't BB, nor do any of us know how this will play out. But if you can't look at this for what it was, a football move made well within the rules by the Patriots and clearly them willing to take a decent financial risk to try and better their team, nothing more, nothing less.

You have more confidence in the matter than I do. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Bill was somehow in contact with AB earlier in the week.

Check out Chris Mortensen’s tweet that AB sought out advice on how to “accelerate” his release from the Raiders.

I could be completely paranoid and way off base, but something seems fishy to me.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

And he also has a history of picking up players only to let them walk at the end of a season in return for a compensatory pick. Brown must be cognizant that he cannot recoup that $20 mil he frittered away unless he is a good citizen for at least the next six months as well as being his usual productive self.

Everything he has done over the last several years says to me that he really isn't cognizant of everything happening around him and as a result of his actions. I'm sure his agent keeps reminding him of this fact, but it seems like AB mainly listens to only his own voice in his head.

 

[XPack]

I'm with @PackAttack12 on this one. Won't rule out some behind scenes machinations from the Pats. Might be legal but still shenanigans right at the edge.

 

[RRyder]

Do you not recall Gronk going on WWE four months after back surgery in 2017? There were a LOT of questions about his commitment after that. And how am I only mentioning players that fit my narrative? I'm mentioning players that did things that most fans thought were selfish or not good for the team. Do you have any players I missed that would weaken my argument or are you just annoyed I brought up good examples?

And please, give me some examples of Belichick alienating great players. But you can't just say "Bill doesn't have a magical touch" without actually sitting your statement when there's plenty of evidence that he's actually pretty good at working with diva players.

Gronk is not a good example. Its amazing that you think a guy like Gronk who just liked to party is somehow comparable to AB. It's actually kinda funny you think it is.

Revis is a bad example also. He was in NE for ONE year and the knock on him was solely based on wanting money and being a hired gun. He was never a head case. The question regarding him was solely is it worth the price tag for a rental of a CB

Moss isnt even a good example of BB letting players do their own thing. On the contrary bringing him up actually works AGAINST you're argument. The fact that you think bringing Moss up is a point in your favor shows a complete lack of understanding of how that situation ended.

The fact you think these are good examples comparable to AB is laughable. The only "possibly" good one is Moss and BB cut him loose the moment he stopped towing the company line

Now as far as leaving off the problem children that didnt turn out. Are you kidding me?

Forgot about Haynesworth have we?

Very impressive "forgetting" about Hernandez..... Like that epic levels

While Gordon (a player who you somehow neglected to mention even though hes the most recent example of a roll of the dice) "might" still work out but it should be noted hes just getting back from yet ANOTHER suspension. (also his knock isnt that hes a nutjob. Its that he likes to smoke weed)

I'll leave off the likes of Chad Johnson and a few others as those are players that were on their last legs.

The "BB is great at these reclamation projects" is a narrative that's lived for years based almost solely on Moss and Corey Dillon. (one who got cut for stepping out of line and one who was a "problem" simply because he wanted out of Cincinnati that was an even bigger dumpster fire then they are now after spending years there)

BB takes alot of swings at the plate with these types of players. His big strength with these types of guys is he cuts bait EXTREMELY quickly when they dont follow his lead. Not that he let's them do their own thing

 

[RRyder]

A player going to have fun in the offseason may be something Bill let’s slide. Walking out in your team with the playoffs on the line? Get threatenend to get punched in the face? LOL

AB would get away with none of it and Bill would tolerate squat in that regard.

Dont even have to go that far. Let AB Facebook Live another post game speech from the locker room and just set the over under before BB cuts him

 

[OldSchool101]

I don’t want to sign anyone who suffers from
“ Martellus” syndrome and I’d be careful to praise that move.
NE is like a team that personnel wise, is up 34-0 at the half. They have such a high caliber reputation for successful personnel choices, even if AB doesn’t work out? their reputation still isn’t tarnished (they find themselves 34-10 in the 4th qtr) If he does well? They can beat their chests and say they did its all themselves.

That’s all fine by me tho, because it’s my opinion that my GBP will soon have a good enough team to challenge anyone in this league, with or without the AB’s of the world.
I’d rather press on and just focus on winning a couple games early with a humble attitude. Let’s be the team which by “staying under the radar” quietly gets out there and is able to focus on winning as unified group rather than a bunch of independent superstars. I’ll take the attitude of Adrian Amos over the talent of AB right now. I’m far more excited about us building from the ground up than having to bring in a pre-fabricated solution.

 

[sschind]

this whole situation reeks of collusion...it took exactly 4 hours for NE to sign him...to me, AB should be investigated by the NFL and suspended until dirty pool is ruled out. This has all the makings of another example of what everyone has been saying about cheating and the New England Patriots. Goodell needs to pull his head out of his ars and suspend AB.

I'm sure a lot of people feel this way but I wonder how many people would think this if it were any other team. Its the Patriots for Pete's sake, of course there had to be something illegal.

Dude it's New England. They are the masters at doing stuff like this. You know they'll try find any loopholes in order to get away with stuff. More power to them, but as Lambeaulambo mentioned, the timing can't be pure coincidental.

No not really, they are playing by the rules, they just do their research. That just shows how well prepared they are. Any other team can do the same, but it just so happens that New England are the only ones that manages to.

And again perhaps there wasn't any loopholes, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did especially considering how soon they picked up AB. That doesn't seem like a coincidence.

Earlier in the week someone said he doubted AB would play a down for the Raiders. Maybe he was thinking the Raiders would suspend him or maybe he was thinking they would cut him but the point is there was at least 1 person out there who saw this coming. I'd be willing to bet BB is smarter than most reporters so I am sure it didn't come as a surprise to him. My guess is he was figuring this was a possibility and had done most of his due diligence before AB was even cut.

It may not have been a coincidence but that doesn't mean they did anything wrong. I'm sure BB new AB had been cut within minutes of it happening. How long does it take to pick up a phone and call an agent and say we would love to have your guy and this is what we will give him. He probably had all the details already figured out. Heck, AB may have even told his agent "If they cut me I want to go to New England. get it done." 4 hours is way more than enough time to get things done if both sides want the same thing.



As far as this being a ploy to get out of playing for the Raiders, I just don't know. If he hadn't been a whack job with the Steelers I'd be more inclined to say yes but the history is there. HRE makes the point about the extension and its true. If AB never wanted to play for the Raiders he would not have signed the deal. That doesn't mean he never wanted to play for them. he could have been fine with it at first but just changed his mind somewhere along the way. I do think that as things got closer to the end he orchestrated a lot of it but as far as the helmet stuff and the feet stuff I think that was AB just being AB. He wasn't using that to set the table for what eventually happened.

 

[Half Empty]

Isn't quite a bit of their D improvement a result of a pre-fab solution?

 

[OldSchool101]

Isn't quite a bit of their D improvement a result of a pre-fab solution?

No. While GB has brought in FA signings (like all teams do), not all FA are alike.

Our individual quality materials we’ve brought in during the offseason have never been advertised as a “stand-alone” structure (AB).
They have been well-thought out, handpicked to fit into the original foundation building around our teams cornerstone(#12) and the corresponding Defensive pieces that were currently in place.

Don’t get me wrong. AB was brought in as a very talented athlete, but that talent is overshadowed by his “me-first” attitude. He’s not looking to integrate, he’s looking to separate himself. If that was not the case, NE would’ve given him a multi-year deal in a heartbeat.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

After watching much of the game tonight, the Patriots don't even need Brown.

If I were BB, I would just take one for the rest of the NFL and make him the $9M water boy.

 

[OldSchool101]

After watching much of the game tonight, the Patriots don't even need Brown.

If I were BB, I would just take one for the rest of the NFL and make him the $9M water boy.

I’d take away his guaranteed! Just to mess with him!

 

[Half Empty]

Fun thought, but how are you going to do that if he doesn't screw up?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Fun thought, but how are you going to do that if he doesn't screw up?

Just hand him the "team issued helmet".

Sounds like his deal includes a second year option for $20M. Obviously, there is a lot of time between now and when that would kick in.

BB and Kraft are no idiots when it comes to football decisions. They definitely approached this knowing they needed to put out a large enough carrot, which playing for the Patriots is a part of that, for AB to want to play for the Patriots. They also see a full upside of a great WR, if he does fall in line and just plays football, he could be a steal of a deal. However, through all of that rainbow and unicorns, they know there is the potential for the AB demons to appear and I am quite sure BB won't let his finger stray too far away from the "abort mission button".

If he makes it through one season and the Patriots let him walk in Free Agency, depending on how that 2nd year option was written up, the Patriots will have just bought themselves a nice comp. pick.

Personally, I think Kraft was better off with $100 hand jobs, but that last one might of ended up costing him just as much as AB will.

 

[Mondio]

Tom Brady looked better slinging passes last night than I've seen him in the past 3 seasons. We'll see what he looks like in November, but man, week 1 he looked better than I thought I could. Every time you think there may be a decline he seems to come back stronger.

When they first signed AB I figured the only way Tom was going to get him the ball would be short underneath stuff, a place someone will take his head off just because, and the league would take their revenge.

After last night, AB could have 200 yards a game with him tossing the ball like that. assuming of course that AB isn't completely bat **** crazy and only detracts from a very good Patriots team.

 

[PackAttack12]

Tom Brady looked better slinging passes last night than I've seen him in the past 3 seasons. We'll see what he looks like in November, but man, week 1 he looked better than I thought I could. Every time you think there may be a decline he seems to come back stronger.

When they first signed AB I figured the only way Tom was going to get him the ball would be short underneath stuff, a place someone will take his head off just because, and the league would take their revenge.

After last night, AB could have 200 yards a game with him tossing the ball like that. assuming of course that AB isn't completely bat **** crazy and only detracts from a very good Patriots team.

Teams need to start getting him off his spots with creative blitz packages. When he had to move around, even side stepping one way or the other, there were some wayward throws. All things being equal and him being able to stand in the pocket and step into throws, he's going to be Tom Brady.

However I still think that Brady isn't going to hold up for 16 games against blitz' the way he used to feast on defenses in the past. Time will tell.

 

[Half Empty]

Just hand him the "team issued helmet".

Sounds like his deal includes a second year option for $20M. Obviously, there is a lot of time between now and when that would kick in.

If this is just for humor, fine. Otherwise, I don't see how they can take away 'guarantees'.

 

[Mondio]

some guarantees are predicated on games played, stats, etc. I have no idea what is in his contract, but sometimes it will say you need to be on the active roster by this date for a "guarantee" to kick in. No idea how this would pertain to AB specifically.