The Swamp

The Burglar wrote:However, the idea of writing off Welker and immediately shouting "upgrade!" seems quite premature and Patriotic.

Nobody is saying that. Well maybe Rush is. So let's say a handful are, but the overwhelming majority of Patriot fans are not happy with what Belichick did.

Rams Fanny wrote:I never thought my Rams fandom would help bring knowledge to the Swamp...but here we are.

But I gotta say, you stepped up with the temporary handle and avatar. What little I have seen of Amendola, I really like the kid, but the injuries would worry me. Putting him in the Pat's offense with Brady, if he stays healthy, he is much better than Welker would have been going forward. But that is a huge if.

When a WR is coming off 240 catches over the last 2 seasons, and he's getting a 2 year deal, does it really matter if his best football is behind him?

Really like the Conor Barwin signing by the Eagles. Didn't get to see a lot of Texans games, but from what I've read he seems to be an upgrade on what we had (again, it wasn't much). Plus, the deal seems almost too good. Only $8 million guaranteed?

Things are shaping up to them having 6-7 new defensive starters.

I am not happy, but I am glad that with his replacement they are hopefully getting a young clone. Plus statistics are a good way to console oneself.

FredRomero wrote:

The Burglar wrote:However, the idea of writing off Welker and immediately shouting "upgrade!" seems quite premature and Patriotic.

Nobody is saying that. Well maybe Rush is. So let's say a handful are, but the overwhelming majority of Patriot fans are not happy with what Belichick did.

The same number that did when Welker was a member of the Dolphins, and he's been mentioned as a replacement for some time now. He's a clone. Basically the same stats in college (actually a bit better) and basically the same stats as Welker had before he had a place in the Pats offense.

If you went back 6 years and looked at fan and media comments about the acquisition of Welker many were wondering what the hell the Pats were doing, and who the hell Welker was as well.

bryan wrote:I'm just wondering how many Pats fans may have been casually watching a Rams game last year and saw Amendola doing his thing and thinking to themselves..."Damn, I wish that guy was a Patriot."

Three? Four?

He's due a bonus on Saturday, so we'll know Friday afternoon.

The Burglar wrote:I thought the Pats cut Brandon Lloyd

Boy local radio has been blowing up lately. Ravens fans are losing their shit over all the players leaving the team. For the record, I don't have an issue with any of the moves, except for Pollard. Apparently that move has more to do with his behavior off the field, in the locker room. The depth of safety talent in the draft must have given Ozzie and co. the confidence to let Ed Reed walk and to release Pollard.

I wouldn't worry either, Ozzie has more than proven that he knows exactly what he's doing. Gotta love sports radio.

My favorite caller is the one who blames the departures on Flacco's contract (his cap # is under 7 million for this season).

Vikings fans are freaking out and pissed off. I think Vikings are doing just fine, all things considered. Any unbiased (non-Viking fan) opinions out there? Cassell is a good backup, right? Harvin trade was a good one, right? Had to let Winfield go cause of age and money, right?

The Burglar wrote:And for the record, I have nothing against the Amendola signing and I think it could turn out to be a good value for the production. However, the idea of writing off Welker and immediately shouting "upgrade!" seems quite premature and Patriotic.

I'm hoping you used "patriotic" there as a portmanteau for Patriot Fan and Idiotic.

RushianRoulette wrote:The same number that did when Welker was a member of the Dolphins, and he's been mentioned as a replacement for some time now. He's a clone. Basically the same stats in college (actually a bit better) and basically the same stats as Welker had before he had a place in the Pats offense.

If you went back 6 years and looked at fan and media comments about the acquisition of Welker many were wondering what the hell the Pats were doing, and who the hell Welker was as well.

bryan wrote:I'm just wondering how many Pats fans may have been casually watching a Rams game last year and saw Amendola doing his thing and thinking to themselves..."Damn, I wish that guy was a Patriot."

Three? Four?

I remember the trade and I don't know about that. If they didn't know who he was, then they weren't paying much attention to their division rivals. I'm going to scour the Googles for a minute. Maybe you're right.

Welker dominated the Pats in a game during his contract year in Miami. A lot of people remember that im sure including the Pats coaches. Major reason they signed him probably.

Yeah, there was definitely a "that guy kills us" vibe but nobody really understood giving up a second-rounder for an apparent specialist.

All I can find is this recap from an ESPN article about the trade:

Welker, 25, is a terrific, if unheralded playmaker who has earned a spot on the ESPN.com "all unsung" team each of the past two seasons. Used principally as a return specialist in his first two seasons in the league, Welker emerged as a viable receiving threat in 2006, with 67 catches for 687 yards and a touchdown.

I don't think everybody thought that he sucked when they traded for him. Fans loved him in Miami.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2788847

roomtemperaturemayo wrote:Welker dominated the Pats in a game during his contract year in Miami. A lot of people remember that im sure including the Pats coaches. Major reason they signed him probably.

Must have been during baseball season.

Weathertest wrote:Vikings fans are freaking out and pissed off. I think Vikings are doing just fine, all things considered. Any unbiased (non-Viking fan) opinions out there? Cassell is a good backup, right? Harvin trade was a good one, right? Had to let Winfield go cause of age and money, right?

• I can't imagine losing Winfield is going to crush any of their hopes for next season. He's a cover two corner - he was good and all, but he's pushing 50 and can't be all that hard to effectively replace.

• I'm surprised at the return for a dickhead like Harvin from a team without much leverage in keeping him. It's a really good return on the trade. However...

• There is zero offense not named "Adrian Peterson" in Minnesota right now. Harvin was amazing with the ball in his hands, you can't deny that.

• Cassel should probably start because Ponder is garbage.

More from Greg Bedard on Amendola not being Welker's replacement and changing the offense.
He's saying Hernandez is Welker's replacement and Amendola will be an upgraded Z receiver. On the other hand, they are both white.

I mean, I guess we'll see and that NE offense can make players look better than we all thought they were, but if the argument is that Amendola is going to be effective from the outside and bring over his 6 yards a catch average and start making people miss...I just think this guy is reaching.

Jets sign Mike Goodson. That'll fix their offense.

Half the people in here probably have no idea who Keenan Lewis is, but man...that one bothers me more than Harrison.

I bet it's more like 95%

Ryan the Temp wrote:I bet it's more like 95%

he thought he was on Yinzernation.com

Temporary J-Lo wrote:Half the people in here probably have no idea who Keenan Lewis is, but man...that one bothers me more than Harrison.

The fat black guy from SNL. Did he leave to MadTV?

For all of the talk of "Tomlin's only winning with Cowher's players!", they are in a tough spot now in part because they had to pay all of Cowher's players.

SlimChristian wrote:My favorite caller is the one who blames the departures on Flacco's contract (his cap # is under 7 million for this season).

That's been a not uncommon rallying cry on the Twitters and whatnot and just shows that your average fan (the royal you -- fans everywhere) are stupid as shit. I'm not a fan of Flacco's contract, but yeah, it's team-friendly cap-wise for at least the first two to three years.

SlimChristian wrote:My favorite caller is the one who blames the departures on Flacco's contract (his cap # is under 7 million for this season).

I'd have to imagine his impending cap hits would affect long term contracts given out this season.

This isn't huge, but wouldn't be a good thing for you Steeler fans.

‏@AdamSchefter
Steelers RFA WR Emmanuel Sanders visiting Patriots today. Pats could sign him to offer sheet that cap-strapped Steelers struggle to match.

Please take him.

Hopefully those 2 years in prison kept Plax's legs younger.

Or acquire Santonio Holmes in a trade and give him back for Sanders straight up.

I guarantee that if the Pats offer him anything, the Steelers will take the draft pick over matching it.

Kevin Kolb released. Get ready Jets or Bills fans!

KOLB V SANCHEZ

Can't wait!

I'm taking the unders on Jets games.

They might actually end up with more pick sixes than actual forward pass touchdowns in 2013.

The Lions just pushed this year's Suh cap hit into next year. Those old top-5 draft picks just kill teams on the cap.

timgod99X wrote:This isn't huge, but wouldn't be a good thing for you Steeler fans.

‏@AdamSchefter
Steelers RFA WR Emmanuel Sanders visiting Patriots today. Pats could sign him to offer sheet that cap-strapped Steelers struggle to match.

He would be a great complement to noted ironman Danny Amendola.

Grasspenis wrote:

On second thought, maybe the Jets would be a better fit.