Zolak & Bertrand: Phil Perry grades the Patriots offseason moves (so far)
Phil Perry grades the Patriots offseason moves (so far) after the first week of NFL free agency:
‘They haven’t done enough to make the team much better’
Perry: So the choice is between C or D. And I went C because I like the fact that they brought guys back. You had to bring Mike Onwenu back. You had to bring Hunter Henry back. You know, I like those signings, those ones in particular. But they haven’t done enough to make the team much better, which I think Patriots fans should be a little bit concerned about it.
Beetle: Well, I would say this is a rolling grading system is what it is, right? There’s still time for trades to happen. Sure, there is time to have to crush it at the draft, although I don’t know how much you can really move the grade with a good draft because you just don’t know when you draft players if they will be good or not. You just don’t know.
Beetle: So how do they get a grade better than a C? How do they? And by the way, I would not even give them the C.
Zolak: What do they make a home run trade, that’ll up it to a C+.
Beetle: If they make a big trade. Sure. For a cornerstone type of player.
Perry: So here’s my question. Do you blame them for not doing more? Yeah. Or do we look at this and say, oh God, it’s worse than we thought. Nobody wants to be here because the portion of the calendar that we’ve just gone through is where the best players get to choose, where they spend the next portion of their career. People aren’t choosing to be here.
LISTEN: Phil Perry grades the Patriots offseason (so far)
Greg Bedard: 3 up and 3 down from the Patriots offseason (so far)
3 Up
Re-Signing Hunter Henry
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) runs a route during the second half at against the Philadelphia Eagles Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: He was the one guy that I really did want to live without. I could have dealt with them losing Onwenu and Kyle Dugger and things like that, but not Hunter Henry. They needed a starting caliber tight end and you just can’t find those. You can’t draft those and just put them in. So, Hunter Henry gives them a really good option there.
Cutting DeVante Parker
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 17: DeVante Parker #1 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Cutting DeVante Parker. Just a complete disaster of a term here. I can’t believe Bill actually extended him. I’m hopeful that JuJu Smith-Schuster is next and they just air out that room and just start all over.
Re-Signing Michael Onwenu
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 03: Mike Onwenu #71 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Michael Onwenu, just because he gives you a rock solid, really good Pro Bowl, All-Pro level offensive lineman at one spot going forward. David Andrews is getting up there in years, I still think he’s a really good player and will give you good play, certainly this season. I thought he was great last season. My stats that I keep were almost the same, but Onwenu gives you a rock for the future.
3 Down
Josh Uche only getting 1 year & $3 million
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 20: Josh Uche #55 of the New England Patriots celebrates during the first quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: So my least favorite thing was Josh Uche having to play this season for $3 million. Now it’s good for the Patriots, and apparently he agreed with it, but I’m sorry Josh Uche should be getting a lot more money. He’s a good player. He’s a really good pass rusher. Those guys used to have value in this league I don’t understand it.
Mac Jones getting dealt to be a backup
Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) calls a play at the line against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter during an International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: So Mac Jones to Jacksonville. I just don’t like him having to go to Jacksonville in that situation. I thought he he could compete someplace, be it Minnesota, or Denver, or what have you. I just don’t like that deal for him.
Not signing Gardner Minshew
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 12: Bryce Baringer #17 of the New England Patriots embraces Gardner Minshew #10 of the Indianapolis Colts after the Indianapolis Colts’ 10-6 victory over the New England Patriots during the NFL match between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots at Deutsche Bank Park on November 12, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Not signing Gardner Minshew. I thought he’s a little bit of an upgrade over Jacoby Brissett. I thought it was worth the risk and the extra money. So I was disappointed in that.
