2017 Free Agent signings - Fantasy take

[TREFF]

Burkhead to the Pats......kind of interesting, I guess.

Seems like another team where he gets buried on the depth chart though.
Unless they think he's better than White/Lewis at the old Danny Woodhead receiving RB role or better than Blount at smashing it between the tackles.

Another good depth add by the pats though, much like Woodhead, dude produces when he touches the ball.

After watching him at Nebraska for so long, and the stuff we've all got to see during preseason the past few seasons...I would say this:

He's better at everything James White can do, catching, after the catch, route running, especially running the ball on standard style running plays, blocking, breaking tackles, whatever.
He's does not have the quickness or elusive-ness of Dion Lewis, but I would say he's equal or very close to him in all other aspects of the passing game aspect.

He'll never be confused with Blount in the running game, but, he will find a way to get the yards. Very hard nosed, exceptional extra effort on every play. In draft terminology..a motor that won't quit. In his case, it's not just hyperbole. To use a baseball example..he's a Pete Rose type, maybe not physically gifted, but he'll by Gawd die trying.

Wouldn't be shocked to see them dump White, or even Lewis should they find the need to. But if i were them, I'd still resign Blount, or maybe get AP if he'll do it cheap enough

 

[leftypower]

NFL getting to be a lot like baseball. ..... you just never know where guys will be playing from one yr to the next. ... no doubt the NE RB's will produce - - but which one on what Sunday ? Lacy to SEA - no idea what's going on with that one - but could be similar to the Woodhead deal - lead guy(s) not able to play, screwed up, pissed someone off. ...

And we haven't even discussed much on the oline changes and defensive guys. ...

 

[TREFF]

NFL getting to be a lot like baseball. ..... you just never know where guys will be playing from one yr to the next. ... no doubt the NE RB's will produce - - but which one on what Sunday ? Lacy to SEA - no idea what's going on with that one - but could be similar to the Woodhead deal - lead guy(s) not able to play, screwed up, pissed someone off. ...

And we haven't even discussed much on the oline changes and defensive guys. ...

NFL getting to be a lot like baseball. ..... you just never know where guys will be playing from one yr to the next. ... no doubt the NE RB's will produce - - but which one on what Sunday ? Lacy to SEA - no idea what's going on with that one - but could be similar to the Woodhead deal - lead guy(s) not able to play, screwed up, pissed someone off. ...

And we haven't even discussed much on the oline changes and defensive guys. ...

There wasn't really a lot of game changer oline men available, and 2 of the few there were, went to Cleveland. Denver plugged one of their 4 glaring holes, Dallas actually was a big loser, Free to retirement, and Leary to Denver. Still looking like the best in the league, but now paper thin.

Jacksonville definitely made some good defensive signings.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

After watching him at Nebraska for so long, and the stuff we've all got to see during preseason the past few seasons...I would say this:

He's better at everything James White can do, catching, after the catch, route running, especially running the ball on standard style running plays, blocking, breaking tackles, whatever.
He's does not have the quickness or elusive-ness of Dion Lewis, but I would say he's equal or very close to him in all other aspects of the passing game aspect.

He'll never be confused with Blount in the running game, but, he will find a way to get the yards. Very hard nosed, exceptional extra effort on every play. In draft terminology..a motor that won't quit. In his case, it's not just hyperbole. To use a baseball example..he's a Pete Rose type, maybe not physically gifted, but he'll by Gawd die trying.

Wouldn't be shocked to see them dump White, or even Lewis should they find the need to. But if i were them, I'd still resign Blount, or maybe get AP if he'll do it cheap enough

Rex Burkhead's one-year, $3.15 million deal makes him the highest-paid Patriots running back since Fred Taylor in 2010.

The Patriots haven't paid a running back $2-plus million in over a half-decade. Some Patriots fans apparently assumed Burkhead would be a special teams-only replacement for Brandon Bolden. According to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, Burkhead is "viewed as a key cog, both offensively and on special teams" by the Patriots, while the Providence Journal's Mark Daniels believes Burkhead "is coming to the Patriots with a chance to be their starting running back."


Source: Providence Journal
Mar 15 - 11:43 AM


Thoughts?

 

[TREFF]

Rex Burkhead's one-year, $3.15 million deal makes him the highest-paid Patriots running back since Fred Taylor in 2010.

The Patriots haven't paid a running back $2-plus million in over a half-decade. Some Patriots fans apparently assumed Burkhead would be a special teams-only replacement for Brandon Bolden. According to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, Burkhead is "viewed as a key cog, both offensively and on special teams" by the Patriots, while the Providence Journal's Mark Daniels believes Burkhead "is coming to the Patriots with a chance to be their starting running back."


Source: Providence Journal
Mar 15 - 11:43 AM


Thoughts?

Well I'll preface my thoughts with the fact that I'm biased as hell when it comes to Rex. It'd be a full on women in prison wet dream for me to see him as the starting RB anywhere, let alone NE.

but, I don't feel he's an every down quality RB in the NFL. He's good enough to get the job done no doubts, but he's not built to be a 20 touch a game guy, especially if we're talking 10-15 of those touches being between the tackles. He spent more than a few games if his college career in the trainers room, the year Cincy lost Sanu and and Jones early on to injury, Rex was going to be the slot guy, and he got injured for the season right after the other two.
As much as I'd love to see it, and as great it would be while it would last..I don't think it's a great plan to depend on for the entire season.

 

[SteelersPride]

james white was always an after thought pre super bowl. also makes me think dion lewis is in the dog house or not back in form, rex is in for a big role imho - 15-29 touches in some form

 

[SteelersPride]

20'

 

[leftypower]

Rex Burkhead's one-year, $3.15 million deal makes him the highest-paid Patriots running back since Fred Taylor in 2010.

The Patriots haven't paid a running back $2-plus million in over a half-decade. Some Patriots fans apparently assumed Burkhead would be a special teams-only replacement for Brandon Bolden. According to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, Burkhead is "viewed as a key cog, both offensively and on special teams" by the Patriots, while the Providence Journal's Mark Daniels believes Burkhead "is coming to the Patriots with a chance to be their starting running back."

Source: Providence Journal
Mar 15 - 11:43 AM

Thoughts?

james white was always an after thought pre super bowl. also makes me think dion lewis is in the dog house or not back in form, rex is in for a big role imho - 15-29 touches in some form

Sorry guys, just don't see it. Remember this is Hoodie's team we're talking about. The only time a 'back' is a featured runner (Blount) is when they are up by 28pts. Don't think he possesses the same size/power to be that guy.

 

[averagejoe]

Sorry guys, just don't see it. Remember this is Hoodie's team we're talking about. The only time a 'back' is a featured runner (Blount) is when they are up by 28pts. Don't think he possesses the same size/power to be that guy.

Must admit that the Rex Burkhead signing did pique my interest.
But I agree with Lefty.

Did some number crunching. Under Belichick...

• the Pats on average have rushed on 44.9% of their plays which is probably higher than most people think. (Also means they pass 55.1% of the time.)
  • The 2016 league average is 42.2% rush attempts v pass.
• this averages out to 461.5 rush attempts per season.
• the leading rusher has averaged 872 rush yards; and has only surpassed 1K rush yards 5 times in 17 seasons.
• in these 17 seasons, 9 different RB have led the team in rushing. Only 2 RB led the team more than twice (Antowain Smith and Corey Dillon)

Hoodie is still the master of spreading the ball around.

 

[TKOSpikes]

No mention of Philly Brown to the Bills yet??? Blockbuster!



Oh well, I can't complain. The only signing I cared about is done.

I guess McDermott wanted some familiar blood?

 

[SteelersPride]

No mention of Philly Brown to the Bills yet??? Blockbuster!



Oh well, I can't complain. The only signing I cared about is done.

I guess McDermott wanted some familiar blood?

actually really like andre holmes

 

[TREFF]

actually really like andre holmes

Me too...never really been given a full shot at a full time role. Could be decent opposite Watkins, assuming they don't draft a WR early

 

[Stomp]

 

[leftypower]

Murray to MIN sure muddies the water there and in OAK. .... guess Raiders are going after a rook, while Vikings show they don't have faith in McKinnon. ....Also, Dunbar to LAR dampers Gurley on 3rd downs. ....

 

[SmokingMonkey]

Murray to MIN sure muddies the water there and in OAK. .... guess Raiders are going after a rook, while Vikings show they don't have faith in McKinnon. ....Also, Dunbar to LAR dampers Gurley on 3rd downs. ....

Gurley already was 2nd fiddle on passing down to Cunningham, at least for most of last season.
Rams are really trying hard to put a winner around him before running him into the ground a la SJax.
They probably won't get it right, and Gurley will either sign for a bunch of money or get paid less to go to a winner when his contract is up.

 

[averagejoe]

I don't feel that Gurley's lack of production was all his fault.
The Rams were like dead last in just about every statistical offensive category.

In fact, I read somewhere (shameless plug) that if the Rams' offense gained 45 more yards EACH game and scored 2 more points EACH game, they'd still finish in LAST place in those offensive categories. That's just down right bad by a significant gap.

Was also researching offensive lines. If you add up all 32 NFL teams that allowed NEGATIVE rushing yards, QB sacks and QB hits, then divided those totals by how many offensive plays were called, the Rams rank 31 out of 32. (Only Cleveland allowed more with greater frequency.)

 

[HaroldSeattle]

I don't feel that Gurley's lack of production was all his fault.
The Rams were like dead last in just about every statistical offensive category.

In fact, I read somewhere (shameless plug) that if the Rams' offense gained 45 more yards EACH game and scored 2 more points EACH game, they'd still finish in LAST place in those offensive categories. That's just down right bad by a significant gap.

Was also researching offensive lines. If you add up all 32 NFL teams that allowed NEGATIVE rushing yards, QB sacks and QB hits, then divided those totals by how many offensive plays were called, the Rams rank 31 out of 32. (Only Cleveland allowed more with greater frequency.)

Agree that it wasn't all his fault, but the question is....are the other factors that lead to his poor season going to be fix this year, or next year, or way later?

 

[averagejoe]

Agree that it wasn't all his fault, but the question is....are the other factors that lead to his poor season going to be fix this year, or next year, or way later?

Realistically, I think the Rams need to muddle through this season, which might be painful.

However teams have been known to turn around line issues/techniques quickly.
Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but a new coaching staff is a good start.
But LaFleur is an OC with zero NFL experience.
And I personally question whether McVay's offense is truly his, or a product of his former HC Gruden (whom he won't be under now).

Lots of "ifs" that need to be answered.

Id' take a flyer on Gurley but I'm not touching him early. No way.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Realistically, I think the Rams need to muddle through this season, which might be painful.

However teams have been known to turn around line issues/techniques quickly.
Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but a new coaching staff is a good start.
But LaFleur is an OC with zero NFL experience.
And I personally question whether McVay's offense is truly his, or a product of his former HC Gruden (whom he won't be under now).

Lots of "ifs" that need to be answered.

Id' take a flyer on Gurley but I'm not touching him early. No way.

I won't touch him early either, but someone will.

 

[TREFF]

Lat. Murray to the Vikes


I'm not sure what to think if this one really. Oakland may have had a very good oline..rephrase that, a very good pass blocking oline, but run boxing not so much..but Murray couldn't really do a whole lot and was very TD dependant. Minny doesn't have a great oline, either way, and McKinnon and Asiata's stats show it. So, what exactly is Murray gonna do there? I can't imagine much changes for him, McKinnon is going to steal just as many carries from him as Washington and Richard did, so I can't imagine his usage goes up much, if at all. As far as runners go, McKinnon and Murray are fairly similar. Both are physical specimens, neither have our it all together and became an exceptional NFL player. Don't get me wrong, all things being equal, I'll take Murray over McKinnon every day, but he's a minimal upgrade at best over McKinnon. Murray maintains his RB2 status, but his upside is even more limited than last year.