2015 Patriot signings

[SDGuy73]

Saw this on NFLN.

WR Brandon Gibson to one year deal.

 

[BigKen]

WR Tyms is re-signed

A day after not being tendered as an exclusive-rights free-agent contract, Brian Tyms is back with the New England Patriots.

The Patriots re-signed Tyms, according to the NFL’s transaction wire. Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

The 6-foot-3, 204-pound wide receiver caught five passes for 82 yards and a touchdowns last season with the Patriots.

Tyms was suspended for the first four games of the 2014 season then went on to play in 11 of the Patriots’ final 12 games. The deep-threat wideout caught two passes for 12 yards in 2013 with the Cleveland Browns.

 

[SDGuy73]

The New England Patriots will sign former Browns LB/DE Jabaal Sheard to a 2-year deal worth $11 million, including $5.5 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

According to ESPN's Field Yates, Sheard gets $4 million to sign, $1 million base salary and a $1 million in roster bonus this upcoming season. In 2016 he gets $4 million in base salary with $1 million in roster bonus.

Sheard, 25, spent his first two seasons with his hand down playing end in the 4-3. He moved to linebacker his second two seasons when Rob Chudzinski and Mike Pettine coached the team.

Sheard is a former second-round pick out of Pitt whose versatility helps him. He's strong enough to play end, and mobile enough to play linebacker -- and the numbers show he is underrated.

In four seasons he has 190 tackles, with 23 sacks and seven forced fumbles. He also broke up 12 passes and had 16 run stuffs, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Pro Football Focus rated him 16th among 3-4 outside linebackers.

 

[SDGuy73]

Wide receiver Kevin Dorsey, who entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft choice of theGreen Bay Packers and made his primary mark on special teams in limited action in Green Bay, has signed with the New England Patriots on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-1, 207-pound Dorsey has played in three career NFL games after missing his rookie season with a toe injury (he was placed on season-ending injured reserve) and then injuring his foot in 2014 after being promoted from the practice squad.

Dorsey was released by the Packers on Feb. 17. The Patriots had him in for a tryout on Feb. 24.

The deal for Dorsey is likely to be close to minimum levels as the Patriots have focused on lower-budget, depth-based signings with potential upside in recent days.

 

[SDGuy73]

The New England Patriots, who will reshuffle their defensive backfield after Darrelle Revisjoined the New York Jets, agreed to terms on a one-year contract with former Oakland Raiders cornerback Chimdi Chekwa on Wednesday.

ChekwaChekwa, a fourth-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 2011, wasn't tendered a contract by Oakland as a restricted free agent. Thus, he became an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday and the Patriots moved fast to sign him.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Chekwa has four career starts (32 games played overall) and has battled injuries, which might have contributed to the Raiders' decision to not even tender him an offer.

Chekwa ultimately might not even be part of the Patriots' defensive backfield in 2015, but the club seems to see some potential -- coupled with the obvious economic value -- to explore the possible fit. This likely traces back to their scouting of him coming out of Ohio State, as Chekwa ran well (4.40 time in the 40), showcased some versatility to play outside and in the slot, and was considered by scouts to be a hard worker who was coachable.

Maybe a change of scenery brings out the best in Chekwa, similar to what we saw with defensive end/outside linebacker Akeem Ayers after the Patriots acquired him in a midseason trade in 2014.

File this under the category of "don't expect much, but worth a look."

 

[CreepCreep2014]

The New England Patriots will sign former Browns LB/DE Jabaal Sheard to a 2-year deal worth $11 million, including $5.5 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

According to ESPN's Field Yates, Sheard gets $4 million to sign, $1 million base salary and a $1 million in roster bonus this upcoming season. In 2016 he gets $4 million in base salary with $1 million in roster bonus.

Sheard, 25, spent his first two seasons with his hand down playing end in the 4-3. He moved to linebacker his second two seasons when Rob Chudzinski and Mike Pettine coached the team.

Sheard is a former second-round pick out of Pitt whose versatility helps him. He's strong enough to play end, and mobile enough to play linebacker -- and the numbers show he is underrated.

In four seasons he has 190 tackles, with 23 sacks and seven forced fumbles. He also broke up 12 passes and had 16 run stuffs, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Pro Football Focus rated him 16th among 3-4 outside linebackers.

Much better numbers in years 1&2, a lot more sacks. BB will use him to his strength and get more out of him. I like the move. Added another pass rusher to Nink and Jones. Now we need to get some DT back in the house. Sign Farley to a 2yr deal and bring back Vince.

 

[BigKen]

Much better numbers in years 1&2, a lot more sacks. BB will use him to his strength and get more out of him. I like the move. Added another pass rusher to Nink and Jones. Now we need to get some DT back in the house. Sign Farley to a 2yr deal and bring back Vince.

He played in a 4-3 his first two years then Cleveland switched to a 3-4. He's got a mean streak when rushing the passer and has excellent speed as well as upper body strength. This is an excellent signing and will give both Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich a breather.

 

[Rock Strongo]

sheard is going to be very good here. schefter said after the FA period is over, this will be a top 5 FA singing.

 

[SDGuy73]

New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola restructured his contract with the team, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

This was anticipated as a possibility, with Amendola scheduled to earn $4 million in 2015 and count $5.7 million against the salary cap. As the team's No. 3 receiver in 2014, Amendola played 41.6 percent of the offensive snaps (he came on strong in the playoffs) and the sense was that management might not deem his contract numbers in line with his role in 2015.

The restructure essentially confirms that, as Amendola's new pact covers three years and is worth $12.75 million, according to Schefter. If Amendola hits all escalators/incentives, the contract could have a maximum value of $15 million.

The specifics of his cap hits won't be finalized until the structure of the contract can be analyzed, but the '15 hit is expected to be significantly lower than the $5.7 million he was scheduled to count under his prior deal.

 

[Southieinnc]

New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola restructured his contract with the team, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

This was anticipated as a possibility, with Amendola scheduled to earn $4 million in 2015 and count $5.7 million against the salary cap. As the team's No. 3 receiver in 2014, Amendola played 41.6 percent of the offensive snaps (he came on strong in the playoffs) and the sense was that management might not deem his contract numbers in line with his role in 2015.

The restructure essentially confirms that, as Amendola's new pact covers three years and is worth $12.75 million, according to Schefter. If Amendola hits all escalators/incentives, the contract could have a maximum value of $15 million.

The specifics of his cap hits won't be finalized until the structure of the contract can be analyzed, but the '15 hit is expected to be significantly lower than the $5.7 million he was scheduled to count under his prior deal.

I'm going to suspect it is backloaded. I have no idea how much guaranteed. He had an existing contract to negotiate with.....

 

[SDGuy73]

With an eye toward adding depth at linebacker and special teams, the New England Patriots signed former Miami Dolphins linebacker Jonathan Freeny on Thursday. Freeny was a restricted free agent, but Miami didn't tender him an offer, thus making him an unrestricted free agent.

The 6-foot-2, 254-pound Freeny played at Rutgers, a school Bill Belichick has great respect for, as evidenced by the four Scarlet Knights alumni on the New England roster (defensive backs Devin McCourty, Logan Ryan and Duron Harmon and tight end Tim Wright).

Freeny entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Miami in 2011. He has played in 42 career games (zero starts).

This marks the second day in a row the Patriots have signed a restricted free agent who was not tendered an offer by his prior team, as on Wednesday they brought aboard former Raiders cornerback Chimdi Chekwa.

 

[Dude]

You gotta love how the Pats make sound decisions, always putting the team concept "do your job" thing first. Another mysterious, kick-butt season looming on the horizon ...

 

[CreepCreep2014]

With an eye toward adding depth at linebacker and special teams, the New England Patriots signed former Miami Dolphins linebacker Jonathan Freeny on Thursday. Freeny was a restricted free agent, but Miami didn't tender him an offer, thus making him an unrestricted free agent.

The 6-foot-2, 254-pound Freeny played at Rutgers, a school Bill Belichick has great respect for, as evidenced by the four Scarlet Knights alumni on the New England roster (defensive backs Devin McCourty, Logan Ryan and Duron Harmon and tight end Tim Wright).

Freeny entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Miami in 2011. He has played in 42 career games (zero starts).

This marks the second day in a row the Patriots have signed a restricted free agent who was not tendered an offer by his prior team, as on Wednesday they brought aboard former Raiders cornerback Chimdi Chekwa.

Casillas replacement if he makes the team. I think he is back up in case Morris does not pan out or an injury during camp. BB never changes. Gets ST and a few WR in the start, sprinkle in a nice, under used, high potential FA....nowwwww we wait....

 

[SDGuy73]

Former Buffalo Bills TE Scott Chandler is staying in the AFC East, reaching an agreement with New England Patriots, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.


The Bills released Chandler, clearing $2.25 million in cap room.

Chandler, 29, played in 65 career games for the Bills and ranks third among tight ends in franchise history with 182 catches and 17 touchdowns.

Playing in 16 games last season, Chandler finished fourth on the Bills with 47 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns. He posted career highs with 53 catches for 655 yards in 2013.

Last season, the Bills used Chandler -- who is 6-foot-7 and 260 pounds -- in passing situations. He was replaced by Lee Smith when the Bills were more likely to run the ball. Smith signed a three-year, $9 million deal with the Raiders this offseason.

 

[SDGuy73]

Veteran DT Alan Branch is back with the #Patriots, according to his agent, Blake Baratz.

 

[PatsFan2003]

5-9 Robert McClain? He's a midget!

Robert McClain tweets of deal with New England Patriots - ESPN Boston

 

[redseat]

It is a little odd how so many players are "visiting" New England and not signing.

However, so far BB and Kraft seem to be doing a decent job. Now just need a CB