re: Butler visiting Thurs; Hou wants Butler for a 2nd; Rap Yaps

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I assume Butler is the reason we haven't signed any free agents since the first day of free agency. Making sure we have plenty of money to make him an offer that he likes.

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We have plenty to offer him and others.

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but I'm pretty sure he's got NE connections and he floated a 2 and a 3 for Butler.

that's too much.

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Way too much

Proof the Patriots jedi-mind tricked the Saints in the Cooks trade.

I still think we trade them their third round pick back and possibly a 4th next year. It just makes to much sense, as it seems we were doing them a solid doing the 3rd for 4th swap.

Would hate giving up a 2nd and a 3rd for him.

yeah I'd trade that 3rd and something next year or the 3rd and like a 6th this year for sure.

we need that 2nd this year.

if we do make this trade for reasonable compensation and keep 3 picks in the top 40-something picks I'm gonna be thrilled with this offseason.

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If we outright sign him and they don't match, we have to give up #11

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What's the rule on this?

If we sign him to an offer, is it definitely our highest first round pick that would go to NE? It couldn't be that the #32 pick goes back?

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I wouldn't say all. Despite the cap space, it seems like they aren't interested in signing him to a deal that he deems fair, especially after signing Gilmore. With teams thinking they won't re-sign him, he won't play on his tender, and him costing a pick + $11-$13 mil/year, the Pats lose some leverage.

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Have to keep asking why the Pats would pay so much for Gilmore rather than paying Butler. They obviously do not feel he is worth it, having him in their locker room for years now.

I'd be against signing him for 11. That would be stupid. We need a pass rusher badly. I'd rather take a chance elsewhere.

per rotoworld...

The news comes straight from Sean Payton. Butler was originally reported to be involved in trade talks which sent Brandin Cooks to New England, but he is not technically under contract because he has yet to sign his first-round tender. That tender gives the Patriots the ability to match any offer sheet and guarantees them a first-round pick if they decline. Interestingly, New England sent New Orleans a first-round pick as part of the Cooks deal. The Boston Herald reports Bulter "wants to make it work in New England," but the big-money signing of Stephon Gilmore all but ensures Butler's days with the Patriots are numbered.


I'd be surprised if we don't land him. The fact that we can offer him a nice contract should be very appealing to him. If we can trade for him, sign him to a contract, & keep our 2 1st's & our 2nd rounder...this offeason will have pretty much gone as good as we could have hoped for.