Patriots news
- Thread starter LordSensei1958
- Start date
Good for him, for a big dummy he's pretty smart.
Antonio Brown right now
The New England Patriots and running back Rhamondre Stevenson have agreed to a four-year, $36 million extension that includes $17 million guaranteed, league sources said Thursday. The contract also includes $3 million per year in upside incentives based on reaching more than 1,400 scrimmage yards plus All-Pro and Pro Bowl appearances that could bring the deal up to $48 million, per a league source.
Last week, Stevenson told reporters at the Patriots’ minicamp he felt an extension was “pretty close.”
“Right now I’m just trying to get the deal done and get it locked in with the extension,” Stevenson said. “So we can see how that goes.”
View: https://x.com/jeffphowe/status/1803881724193182074
Stevenson had a breakout season in 2022 when he totaled 1,461 yards of offense despite opening the year as Damien Harris’ backup. He totaled 619 yards rushing in 2023 but that was on a Patriots offense that struggled much of the season.
“I think he’s one of the better backs in the league, no doubt about it,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said. “I think over the last few years, it’s been kind of tough on him, as far as getting started. So I’m excited to see what he does this season. And look, he’s earned everything that he gets.”
Stevenson becomes the latest Patriot to land an extension this offseason as the franchise inked new deals with Joshua Uche, Hunter Henry, Mike Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, Christian Barmore and Anfernee Jennings, a clear shift in thinking with a new front office that wants to reward successful players — many of them drafted by the team — with extensions.
Injuries last season limited Stevenson to just 12 games, but the Pats’ new brass — led by Mayo and Eliot Wolf — think he’s a perfect fit for this zone-rushing scheme that they’re implementing, in part because they think Stevenson is really good at making a cut, changing direction, then quickly getting up field. This contract is a show of faith that the new scheme will fit Stevenson well. — Chad Graff, Patriots staff writer
The second is that with $17 million guaranteed, the Pats could easily move on in two years if their Super Bowl window suddenly opens and they need the cap space elsewhere. But for now, with a rookie quarterback and few high-priced players, the Patriots had cap space to use and felt retaining Stevenson does more good for the culture and on-field product than bad for the risk of paying running backs. —
Last week, Stevenson told reporters at the Patriots’ minicamp he felt an extension was “pretty close.”
“Right now I’m just trying to get the deal done and get it locked in with the extension,” Stevenson said. “So we can see how that goes.”
View: https://x.com/jeffphowe/status/1803881724193182074
Stevenson had a breakout season in 2022 when he totaled 1,461 yards of offense despite opening the year as Damien Harris’ backup. He totaled 619 yards rushing in 2023 but that was on a Patriots offense that struggled much of the season.
“I think he’s one of the better backs in the league, no doubt about it,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said. “I think over the last few years, it’s been kind of tough on him, as far as getting started. So I’m excited to see what he does this season. And look, he’s earned everything that he gets.”
Stevenson becomes the latest Patriot to land an extension this offseason as the franchise inked new deals with Joshua Uche, Hunter Henry, Mike Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, Christian Barmore and Anfernee Jennings, a clear shift in thinking with a new front office that wants to reward successful players — many of them drafted by the team — with extensions.
Why so much faith in Stevenson?
After Alex Van Pelt was hired as Patriots offensive coordinator this offseason, Stevenson said he started pulling up highlights of Nick Chubb on YouTube, studying how the running back mastered Van Pelt’s scheme. Now, the Patriots think Stevenson is on deck for similar success.Injuries last season limited Stevenson to just 12 games, but the Pats’ new brass — led by Mayo and Eliot Wolf — think he’s a perfect fit for this zone-rushing scheme that they’re implementing, in part because they think Stevenson is really good at making a cut, changing direction, then quickly getting up field. This contract is a show of faith that the new scheme will fit Stevenson well. — Chad Graff, Patriots staff writer
Why pay a running back?
Amid a debate about the value of paying for veteran running backs, the Patriots thought this was the right move for a few reasons. The first is they know this isn’t a Super Bowl year for them. Instead, they feel they need to set the right culture as they begin this post-Bill Belichick rebuild. So they’re prioritizing re-signing their own players, hopeful that will show younger players that if they buy into the coaching and culture, they’ll also have a big payday coming.The second is that with $17 million guaranteed, the Pats could easily move on in two years if their Super Bowl window suddenly opens and they need the cap space elsewhere. But for now, with a rookie quarterback and few high-priced players, the Patriots had cap space to use and felt retaining Stevenson does more good for the culture and on-field product than bad for the risk of paying running backs. —
Congratulations to Rhamondre, but the Patriots' willingness to overpay him stands in stark, and disappointing, contrast to the team's unwillingness to extend for the WR1 it so desperately needed.
The New England Patriots are coming off of one of their worst seasons in team history, finishing with a 4-13 record, the second-worst of any team in 2023.
While they've made a number of changes this offseason, there's no guarantee the Patriots have a better record in 2024, especially considering they play arguably the toughest schedule in the NFL.
In fact, some people, like WEEI's Andy Hart, believe that New England could have a historically bad season.
"I do actually think that zero wins is in play," Hart said on an episode of "Gresh and Fauria" earlier this week. "I do actually think this is going to be a real struggle of a season for Jerod Mayo, for the talent because that's where you start. Forget all of the other stuff. Just start with what you think of the talent."
The worst Patriots team in their 64-year history was the 1-15 team in 1990 that got head coach Rod Rust fired after that lone season.
Only two NFL teams (the 2008 Detroit Lions and 2017 Cleveland Browns) have finished a season without a win. However, those were both in 16-game seasons. No team has accomplished that feat since the league added the 17th game.
New England would have to be significantly worse than they were last year not to win a single game, and that just doesn't seem like it will be the case. If it does happen, they have even more problems than everyone is aware of at this moment.
While they've made a number of changes this offseason, there's no guarantee the Patriots have a better record in 2024, especially considering they play arguably the toughest schedule in the NFL.
In fact, some people, like WEEI's Andy Hart, believe that New England could have a historically bad season.
"I do actually think that zero wins is in play," Hart said on an episode of "Gresh and Fauria" earlier this week. "I do actually think this is going to be a real struggle of a season for Jerod Mayo, for the talent because that's where you start. Forget all of the other stuff. Just start with what you think of the talent."
The worst Patriots team in their 64-year history was the 1-15 team in 1990 that got head coach Rod Rust fired after that lone season.
Only two NFL teams (the 2008 Detroit Lions and 2017 Cleveland Browns) have finished a season without a win. However, those were both in 16-game seasons. No team has accomplished that feat since the league added the 17th game.
New England would have to be significantly worse than they were last year not to win a single game, and that just doesn't seem like it will be the case. If it does happen, they have even more problems than everyone is aware of at this moment.
Lord Chevy
I'm home
I think this is a bit "Boston Media".
QB should be better, the backfield is good if not great, the receivers - a bunch of 3's - have some guys that at least can get open. So, a very conservative "hit the open guy" approach is likely. Fine.
With Gonzo back at CB1 the secondary improves. DL/LB is solid - but will have to play exceptional football. 0-fewr is not in the cards. I say 6+ wins, and Maye learns a lot and (barring injury) gets his chance to lead the team very late this year or next.
The schedule is tougher, and the only currently healthy WR on the team who has demonstrated the ability to get open on his own is also the WR most likely to be injured multiple times, and miss multiple games, next season. So, as of right now, "hit the open guy" is every bit the prayer that it was last season (give or take your individual opinion of Osborn). It's tough to lose every game, and I don't expect this team to be quite that much of a stumbling disaster, but this team has question after question after question, at all four levels, be it players, coaching, management or ownership.
And, just a note.... The Jets will probably not be giving out free wins to the Patriots this year.
Lord Chevy
I'm home
True. It could crush them, force them to come together, or both. Another season where we can't schedule our Bye-Week activities in October.
2024 NFL receiving corps rankings: Bears and Texans crack the top 5
We rank all 32 NFL receiving corps ahead of the 2024 season, beginning with the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins.
www.pff.com
2024 NFL receiving corps rankings: Bears and Texans crack the top 5
We rank all 32 NFL receiving corps ahead of the 2024 season, beginning with the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins.
www.pff.com
32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Patriots fielded the 28th-ranked receiving corps by PFF grade last year. Their highest-graded pass-catcher was departed tight end Pharaoh Brown.The team's second- and third-highest-graded receivers in 2023 were Demario Douglas and Hunter Henry. Rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker should get a good amount of looks early on. At running back, New England brought in Antonio Gibson, who is a good pass-catcher.
Ultimately, this is a low-ceiling group for 2024. But the long-term outlook is decent.
2024 NFL receiving corps rankings: Bears and Texans crack the top 5
We rank all 32 NFL receiving corps ahead of the 2024 season, beginning with the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins.
32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Patriots fielded the 28th-ranked receiving corps by PFF grade last year. Their highest-graded pass-catcher was departed tight end Pharaoh Brown.
The team's second- and third-highest-graded receivers in 2023 were Demario Douglas and Hunter Henry. Rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker should get a good amount of looks early on. At running back, New England brought in Antonio Gibson, who is a good pass-catcher.
Ultimately, this is a low-ceiling group for 2024. But the long-term outlook is decent.
#32 in the 32 team league? It's a good thing they didn't include colleges...
