Well, it’s officially the worst time of the year for Patriots fans. Every March we get a mass exodus of average to above average players leaving for greener pastures. At this point of the dynasty the team, and us fans, are used to it by now and know that we must have blind faith in Belichick. So, what has happened and what may happen in the near future with the team?
Traded for Michael Bennett:
- Everyone agrees Bennett is a hell of a player and a guy Bill has gone out of his way to praise many times over. In Super Bowl 49 he was the guy they knew had to be shut down in order to win the game. He can play the edge and inside; moving from one to the other seamlessly. The issue with Bennett is his overall disposition and off the field issues. Everyone remembers the fight that went down at the end of the Super Bowl between him and Gronk, and he was caught in his own lie about police brutality, and supposedly knocked over a 62 year old in a wheelchair. How he fits into the locker room will be interesting, but with the amount of veteran leadership in Foxboro it (shouldn’t) be an issue.
What’s that mean for Trey Flowers?
- Some thought the trade for Bennett meant the end of the Flowers era. But it doesn’t. For starters Bennett is getting 7 million this year and can be cut at years end. If they want, the team can give Flowers a base salary this year that is will be much lower than his AAV for the duration of his contract to offset the 7 million you’re giving Bennett. However, someone will throw him ridiculous money. 17 million plus a year money. The Pats wont match that, as I assume the highest they’ll go is 14. Will Flowers take that much of a hometown discount? I doubt it. And that is why he will leave, not the signing of Bennett.
Amendola went to Detroit
- When news broke last month that Miami was cutting Amendola every assumed he would be back in New England. And while there was mutual interest according to Jeff Howe, the Lions gave him 4.5 million guaranteed- more than what the Patriots were willing to offer last year. The Lions aren’t paying for his production; he isn’t worth that much with his stats. They’re paying for his leadership. With Patricia orchestrating a culture change in Detroit, he needs to bring in guys that know what that culture is. Amendola was a Patriot for 5 years, contributed immensely to both Super Bowls, and knows how to be a leader. Detroit needs as many guys like that as they can get if they want to change their culture. Good for Danny for getting his money. Although, I don’t know if Olivia Culpo will be too thrilled about moving to Detroit.
Trent Brown got PAID
- This was the least surprising move (or non-move) of the Patriots offseason. Brown had a great year in a year where the FA market for tackles was thinner than thin. He was the only viable option on the open market and was going to get paid more than the Patriots were willing to offer. Oakland gave him the richest deal ever for a tackle, surpassing former Patriot Nate Solder as the highest paid lineman in NFL history with a 4 year, 66 million dollar deal with 27 guaranteed. Good for Brown, although I questions whether or not he will be as good in Oakland as he was here (read: he wont be). This all sets up for Isiah Wynn to take over at left tackle. He is a departure from the last 4 Pats LT’s with Bruce Armstrong, Matt Light, Nate Solder, and Brown all being monstrous men. Wynn is only 6’2, but possesses freakishly long arms and incredible strength. The non-tag of Brown leads you to believe the team thinks highly of Wynn and confident he can slide into that spot and has progressed well from his achilles injury.
There will be more moves in the near future that will answer more questions. We will learn about Trey Flowers by the end of the week I would guess. Brady will get an extension soon. And there could be a move at receiver, with Golden Tate a free agent and Odell supposedly still on the trade market. Like always, March is a tough time for Pats fans, but Bill always makes it work.
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