PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

BREAKING – Patriots trade OL Marcus Cannon to the Houston Texans

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Well, this isn’t a huge surprise, I thought that Cannon wouldn’t be on the roster by the time the regular season rolled around, and now, his time in New England is over as he is dealt to Houston.

This was always on the cards after the Trent Brown news came about last week, and the Patriots move quickly to find Cannon a new home and exchange picks in the process.

A good deal all around, Cannon gets a new start with a familiar face in Nick Caserio, and the Patriots upgrade their 4th, 5th, and 6th round choices in a pick swap for this year’s Draft.

On his way out, Cannon will be proud in knowing he helped the team secure three Super Bowl titles and got paid well in the process. A solid pro.

BREAKING- Patriots to re-sign ST Justin Bethel on 3-year $6M deal

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Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images

The news is rolling in today! Per Mike Reiss, the Patriots are bringing back special teams stand-out Justin Bethel on a new 3-year contract worth $6M.

Bethel was one who I wanted to keep in my previous article about who should stay with the team, whilst we await the news on Matthew Slater’s future, his counterpart of the impressive special teams unit from last year is secured for the next three seasons.

Who re-signs next?

BREAKING – Patriots to re-sign QB Cam Newton on 1-year $14M deal

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Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

First broke by Jim McBride, the Patriots are re-signing Cam Newton to a 1-year $14M contract.

Oh boy, on first thoughts, I’m not happy about this. I was more than satisfied heading into the Draft with just Stidham as the sole QB on the roster, but now, Cam is returning for a second season with the team.

Firstly, I question why the team has paid him more than his contract last year, I don’t feel he did anything to justify that, although $14M is still a low number for a starting QB. Secondly, I don’t think we’re any better off with Cam than any other veteran signing, but at least with a Mariota or a Fitzpatrick, it would have been different.

Now, first thoughts aside and thinking a little bit more about this, it still doesn’t rule out further trade/FA/Draft moves for another QB option, I think the sour taste some of us are experiencing is coming from the fact that we already know what we get with Cam, and it isn’t great.

It’s going to be an exciting next 7 days as free agency is about to drop, but man, I really don’t like this move. I really hope the team pushes big in FA interest next week, otherwise, we’re going to be in for another lackluster season.

Miguel at @PatsCap hasn’t had the chance to look at the breakdown of the contract yet either, so for all we know, it could be another incentive-laden deal.

Patriots trade with Raiders to bring back OL Trent Brown

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Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The first major move by the Patriots this off-season, and it’s a big one, Trent Brown is back!

First broke by RapSheet this morning, the team is bringing back the giant lineman to bolster their already strong offensive front. Brown, who stands at 6’8, 380lbs, returns to New England following his one-year stint with the team back in 2018 when he helped the Patriots win their sixth Super Bowl championship.

After the Super Bowl win, Brown left in free agency and was made the highest-paid offensive lineman by the Raiders. However, he was only able to get through half of his four-year $66M contract before the trade was agreed to this week.

[Read more…] about Patriots trade with Raiders to bring back OL Trent Brown

Diagnosis: Free Agency Fever

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With five guys on the defensive line hitting free agency, as well as let’s count, two quarterbacks, two running backs, two wide receivers, four pieces of offensive line a couple of linebackers, two cornerbacks, two safeties and a kicker (phew!) it’s no wonder we are starting to panic a little on how the Patriots are going to quell the bleeding this 2021 season. 

Sure it would seem that free agency is starting to heat up all over the NFL at the moment, with many teams struggling for cap space, there are some big cap casualties that are going to be hitting the market.

Of course not all gashes left in free agency need to be bandaged with a current NFL player, with just (at the time of writing this) 8 weeks from the draft, interest in the fresh young college talent is reaching fever pitch too.

Speculation is rife around the Patriots, and we all know a lot of that hinges on the fact that no one (well hopefully not NO ONE) knows who will be the starter at quarterback. If you go on simply signed at the moment the guy who throws the ball will either be Jarrett Stidham or Jake Dolegala……… and a lot of fans feel that’s a total flat line. Personally, my perspective is without giving him plenty of starting games, the true picture on Stid the Kid isn’t fully developed, but I know many disagree and that the very reasonable argument is if they thought he was good he would have played more…. that’s fair, still subject to argument that Cam Newton was an opportunity they just didn’t want to pass up. Ifs buts and candy and nuts I guess.

[Read more…] about Diagnosis: Free Agency Fever

Recent cuts around the NFL that could find their way to Foxboro

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In recent days numerous NFL teams have begun to release players to begin saving against the tight Salary Cap this season ahead of the start of Free Agency. Some big names have crossed the transaction wire and with the Patriots holding a bounty of salary cap space this off season a few could find themselves on the Patriots roster next season. Let’s take a look at some potential fits.

Source: Sun-Sentinel.com

Kyle Van Noy – LB

The former Patriot was informed earlier this week that he would be released and there was immediate speculation about a potential return to Foxboro. While I think this is a likely scenario given our need at the position it must come at a reasonable price. The Patriots passed on paying him an inflated price tag once and I believe they would pass again if the price was not right. A veteran deal coming in at around $8 million per year would benefit both sides. A part of Van Noy’s game that developed late during his stint in Foxboro was his ability to play in coverage. This is an aspect that the Patriots defense desperately needs to improve upon. Keep an eye out for a potential reunion.

Golden Tate & Adam Humphries – WR

Both Wide Receivers were released by their respective teams this week in a Salary Cap savings campaign. However, both spit in the face of the Patriots during prior free agencies at a time when they would have had the opportunity to play with TB12 at QB. I do not envision the Patriots uncertainty at the Quarterback position helping their cause with these two and they are each that much older from when we initially tried to have them come aboard. I think that both of these Wide Outs are unlikely signings unless Edelman is unable to play this season and we push for Humphries to fill his role.

Nick Martin – C

An under the radar potential signing here. Nick Martin brings experience to the table and would be a solid replacement if the Patriots are unable to sign David Andrew. However, I believe that Andrews is extremely high up on their offseason priority list and expect him to be the Patriot’s starter at center next season. Martin was released by the Texans in an effort to rebuild the franchise, but he has plenty of game left.

Source: Jetswire.usatoday.com
[Read more…] about Recent cuts around the NFL that could find their way to Foxboro

What will the Patriots do at Pick #15?

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The Patriots have 3 options when it comes to draft day:

Option A – Move Up

The least likely scenario of the three. The only way I envision this happening is if they fall in love with one of the top QB prospects not named Trevor Lawrence and move up to get their guy. This would come in the form of Wilson, Fields, Lance, or Jones. None of these guys are a sure thing like TLaw and it would require giving up too much draft stock. For example, moving up to pick #9 would likely require a package of picks that includes our 2021 second rounder and a late round swap. All of this from the coach that values draft picks above all else seems like a stretch.

Option B – Stay put and pick at #15

An unlikely scenario, but one possibility of us staying at 15 is if Penn State Linebacker Micah Parsons falls into our lap. Just a few months back Parsons was a sure top 10 pick but with some rumors of off the field issues circulating this is something to watch for come draft day. A tackling machine that plays a similar game to that of Devin White from the Bucs. He would be a great successor to Hightower and a defensive building block for the future. Parsons is a playmaker that is all over the field and seems to shine in big moments. However, given the other laundry list of needs that this Patriots team has this position may be addressed in Free Agency.

It's Time To Leave Micah Parsons Alone | Onward State
Source: onwardstate.com



Option C – Trade Back

This is the most likely scenario in my view. Bill has a history of trading back, especially early in the draft, to gain more capital. I see a situation where we trade back into the 18 – 22 range as perhaps the Colts or Titans move up to grab a falling talent. In the event that we do trade back there are two targets that stick out.

Zaven Collins – LB – Tulsa

Player to be Aware of: Tulsa Linebacker Zaven Collins
Source: SI.com


The first thing that sticks out about Collins is his freakish athleticism. He was a human highlight reel at Tulsa while racking up defensive awards. A player that could line up at multiple spots on defense including on the edge and drop back into coverage against Tight Ends or Running Backs. His usage would be similar to that of former Patriot Jamie Collins.

Christian Barmore – DT – Alabama

Jaguars mock draft: Alabama DT Christian Barmore's fit – The Athletic
Source: theathletic.com

The Saban to Foxboro pipeline strikes again! Barmore is the best pressure creating DT in the entire draft. Standing at 6-5 311 pounds Barmore is a day one difference maker that should see a significant amount of snaps as I only expect the Patriots to resign one of either Adam Butler or Lawrence Guy. This is the more likely play given our need at the position and some reinforcements coming back in the form of Hightower at the Linebacker position.


Only 57 days until Draft Day.