Pats Tag Gostkowski

[BigKen]

The New England Patriots used their 2015 franchise tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Pats would lock down the kicker for the $4.126 million tag, per a source informed of the situation. ESPN first reported the news.


The news is big in how it affects the future of safety Devin McCourty, who many pegged as possibly getting tagged to ensure that the pivotal defensive piece would remain in New England.

With the tag used on Gostkowski, the Patriots will have eight days to get a long-term deal with McCourty before he hits the open market on March 10. With a dearth of safeties in the draft and hitting free agency, McCourty could be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. It would be a big blow to the Pats defense if McCourty defects.

Tagging a kicker is nothing new for New England. They previously tagged Adam Vinatieri twice during his Patriots career before the franchise turned the gig over to Gostkowski.

New England can now work on a long-term deal with one of the NFL's best kickers until the July 15 deadline.

 

[cdumler7]

Wow this is somewhat surprising. The FA market for Safety is about as bare as can be. So not like you can find a decent replacement for him if he does hit the FA market. They are right he would be one of the most sought after players on the market if that happens. Heck I would hope the Broncos would go after him. Throw in while Gostkowski is good we are in a time where the kicker position is honestly flooded with talented kickers.

 

[TxHeat]

I'm hoping this means they made some progress on a contract with McCourty and think it will get done.

 

[BigKen]

My guess is that Belichick may already have an agreement with McCourty on a basic contract and won't announce anything until the Revis contract is settled.

McCourty may be more important than Revis. Malcolm Butler played extremely well in the playoffs before he intercepted "the pass". He was excellent in man to man coverage especially against the guys who can get downfield. Maybe BB is thinking of letting Revis walk, saving $20M and signing Butler to an extension.

 

[PatsFan2003]

My guess is that Belichick may already have an agreement with McCourty on a basic contract and won't announce anything until the Revis contract is settled.

McCourty may be more important than Revis. Malcolm Butler played extremely well in the playoffs before he intercepted "the pass". He was excellent in man to man coverage especially against the guys who can get downfield. Maybe BB is thinking of letting Revis walk, saving $20M and signing Butler to an extension.

I hope so because even though Gostkowski is very good he's still easier to replace.

 

[TxHeat]

I hope so because even though Gostkowski is very good he's still easier to replace.

not necessarily. Gillette is not an easy place to kick. And you gotta admit they've had a very good run with Vinatieri and Gostkowski.

 

[cdumler7]

I'm hoping this means they made some progress on a contract with McCourty and think it will get done.

This makes a lot of sense. I just can't see the Patriots letting McCourty walk. Too good of a talent to lose. Kind of like in Seattle in everybody wants to talk about Sherman but what lets guys like Sherman and Revis do what they do is the fact that they have such good safety play to help them out in McCourty and Thomas.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

My guess is that Belichick may already have an agreement with McCourty on a basic contract and won't announce anything until the Revis contract is settled.

McCourty may be more important than Revis. Malcolm Butler played extremely well in the playoffs before he intercepted "the pass". He was excellent in man to man coverage especially against the guys who can get downfield. Maybe BB is thinking of letting Revis walk, saving $20M and signing Butler to an extension.

Or trading him.
1st Rounder? 1st and 2nd?

 

[redseat]

My guess is that Belichick may already have an agreement with McCourty on a basic contract and won't announce anything until the Revis contract is settled.

McCourty may be more important than Revis. Malcolm Butler played extremely well in the playoffs before he intercepted "the pass". He was excellent in man to man coverage especially against the guys who can get downfield. Maybe BB is thinking of letting Revis walk, saving $20M and signing Butler to an extension.

However, I really think the addition OF Revis made these guys better. It took a heck of a lot of pressure off of their shoulders and put it squarley on Revis.

 

[cdumler7]

Or trading him.
1st Rounder? 1st and 2nd?

Not sure with Revis' contract that any team would be willing to give up a 1st round pick. There would have to be some agreement of a new contract in place as no team is going to pay him $20 million for the next year then not have the promise that he will be there the next year and have given up a 1st round pick.

 

[NEhomer]

I put Ghost right behind Revis.

Sure, there are kickers who kick well but how many kick well every single year? Who can you sign now that you know will be clutch on every kick in the 2015 season? That's a shorter list.

 

[GNG]

I hope so because even though Gostkowski is very good he's still easier to replace.

I'm surprised they put the franchise tag on a kicker.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I'm surprised they put the franchise tag on a kicker.

Third time Bill has done this.

 

[redseat]

Third time Bill has done this.

Vinateri, Gost and who else?

 

[{+}Mother-Marge{+}]

I hope so because even though Gostkowski is very good he's still easier to replace.

....I beg to differ,also,........I recall there were a few teams out there last season that couldn't find a decent kicker to kick a g-dam fg,......even veteran kicker jay feeley sat out most of last year waiting for the phone to ring.,......pats did the right thing.

 

[{+}Mother-Marge{+}]

Vinateri, Gost and who else?

Vinateri twice.....?

 

[redseat]

Vinateri twice.....?

They did?

 

[{+}Mother-Marge{+}]

The New England Patriots used their 2015 franchise tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Pats would lock down the kicker for the $4.126 million tag, per a source informed of the situation. ESPN first reported the news.


The news is big in how it affects the future of safety Devin McCourty, who many pegged as possibly getting tagged to ensure that the pivotal defensive piece would remain in New England.

With the tag used on Gostkowski, the Patriots will have eight days to get a long-term deal with McCourty before he hits the open market on March 10. With a dearth of safeties in the draft and hitting free agency, McCourty could be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. It would be a big blow to the Pats defense if McCourty defects.

Tagging a kicker is nothing new for New England. They previously tagged Adam Vinatieri twice during his Patriots career before the franchise turned the gig over to Gostkowski.

New England can now work on a long-term deal with one of the NFL's best kickers until the July 15 deadline.

.....BK typed it here about vinateri,....I recall they did it twice to him before he left for Indy in 2006.......not sure if he was franchised two years in a row....?

 

[{+}Mother-Marge{+}]

They did?

.....two years in a row......?

 

[redseat]

well I have egg on my face, didn't see BigKens post on that