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Category Archives: NFL Free Agency
Pats' "final" roster has some surprises
The New England Patriots, along with every other NFL team, released enough players to get down to the 53-man roster requirement. As is usually the case, there were some surprise cuts and some surprise players who made the roster. One surprise cut/keeper was the cut of QB Matt Gutierrez in favor of QB Matt Cassel. Cassel really had a poor preseason, and while Gutierrez wasn’t much better, he did lead the team to the end zone. Cassel could only muster 2 field goals the entire preseason. The
Patriots need help on the Inside
When Adalius Thomas signed with the Patriots last year shortly after the Pro Bowl, it was hailed as one of the biggest signings in Patriot history.
To take a look back in early 2007, the Ravens play a 3-4 base defense, like the Patriots do. Everyone on the planet took notice of Belichick schmoozing with Thomas at the Pro Bowl (which Belichick had to participate in as AFC head coach because his team lost the AFC Championship Game), and sure enough, the subsequent rumors became reality when Thomas signed on with the Patriots on March 2.
Thomas played outside linebacker at
Baltimore, whereas the more urgent linebacker need for the Patriots was at inside backer. With Tedy Bruschi aging, Mike Vrabel better suited at outside backer, Junior Seau hurting but still wanting another shot at helping the Patriots in 2007, there had yet to be anyone out there to have†succeeded Ted Johnson. One had to hope beyond hope that Thomas was as versatile as Belichick said he would be. Would Thomas be able to fit into Belichick’s defensive scheme, even though Thomas achieved his success in
Baltimore as an outside backer?
Tom Brady a must for Patriots Super Bowl win
So far in 2008 , it has been interesting to view the free agency period as ‘back to the roots’ for the Patriots when compared to 2007.
There was too much hype on the Patriots in 2007 after obtaining Adalius Thomas, Kelley Washington, Donte’ Stallworth, Kyle Brady and picking up Randy Moss and Wes Welker with draft picks.
More then a few in the media did feel the Patriots had built one of the best teams on paper. The Patriots were predicted to go to the Super Bowl and a few in the blog’o'sphere even believed the Patriots could go undefeated.
I did not care as much about the number of victories, breaking individual, NFL or team records. Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts have proved more then once that breaking records do not win Championships. I want the Patriots to win the next Super Bowl Championship and the next one and the next one…
The Colts won in 2006 without having a record breaking season or career year for Manning, but they played as a team and won with solid defense in the playoffs. Even though Peyton did have his pout in the 2006 AFC Championship game, he proved to be a leader and brought his team back to win and after many futile attempts finally made it to his first Super Bowl.
In 2007, the other Manning – Eli – was able to take the pressure of off-field comments from former and current teammates and improved during the season. With the help of an aggressive and impressive Giants defensive attack, Eli was able to handle the pressure of the undefeated Patriots to lead the Giants as Super Bowl Champions. I am still certain that if the Giants had not backed off during the second half of the final game of the season, the Giants would have won that game too.
Now personally, I have seen enough Mannings winning Super Bowls for a lifetime, but now that both Peyton and Eli have each won their own, they could still win a few more…
So how about our Patriots? It has been since 2004 since our team has won a Super Bowl and although the Patriots have had their chances recently – it has been a big disappointment. Losing to the Colts after a huge lead in the 2006 Championship and then going 18 and doh! in the 2007 Super Bowl.
OK – that is the past and this is 2008
Posted in AFC East, Bill Belichick, Boston Sports, Cleveland Browns, Draft, Indianapolis Colts, MVN, New England, New England Patriots, New England Sports, New York Giants, NFL Free Agency, NFL News, Patriot Nation Blogs, Patriots Playoffs, Patriots Roster, Peyton Manning, Randy Moss, Robert Kraft, Special Teams, Super Bowl XLII, Super Bowl XXXIX
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Pats bring Kevin Jones in for a visit
A news tidbit seemed to escape most media outlets, that being the Patriots bringing in former Detroit running back Kevin Jones
Draft day is finally here – who will the Patriots pick?
So the 2008 NFL Draft is finally set to begin today and I am busy traveling again and will miss it!
If the Patriots stay with the number 7 pick, I truly believe they will take…. who ever it is they think has what Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Dean Pees and Dom Capers believe they need to fill a few gaps on defense.
As fans we all have our favorites on who the Pats should choose with the pick or who they should trade with to grab a better player.
We just need to remember no matter what the Patriots do with the 7th pick – keep it, trade up or trade down – the Patriots will bring in someone they believe will do well in the Patriots system.
Although there are a few team needs like cornerback, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, blocking tight end, there is still a corp group of top players at nearly every position for the Patriots.
Taking a defensive back or linebacker with the 7th pick may be a reach in this years draft with so many talented players in the later rounds. However, since there is such a long gap between number 7 and number 62 late in the second round most of the prospects will be gone before the pats have had any chance at all of selecting them.
I
Posted in AFC East, Bill Belichick, Boston Sports, Brandon Meriweather, Draft, Mock Draft, MVN, New England Patriots, New England Sports, NFL Free Agency, NFL Mock Draft, NFL Network, NFL News, Patriot Nation Blogs, Patriots Draft, Patriots Mock Draft, Patriots NFL Draft Party, Patriots Roster, Predictions, Robert Kraft, Special Teams
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Patriots draft order and compensation picks
It is official the Patriots and Patriot Nation now know where they stand for the 2008 NFL Draft board as the 2007 compensation picks have been distributed. The Patriots did not receive any compensatory picks in this year’s draft.
Another interesting point to note, is the low number of picks the Patriots have this year. Generally the Patriots have a large number of picks from trading around the boards the previous year.
In 2007, the Patriots had 12 picks and traded a second and seventh round pick for Wes Welker and a fourth round pick for Randy Moss.
Of the remaining 9 seelctions from 2007 only two players are still with the team – defensive backs Brandon Meriweather (first round) and Mike Richardson (sixth round)
Round One
7th pick (7th overall) New England from San Francisco
Wes Welker likes ice cream and other Patriots updates
There were a few stories this week about the Patriots and their players.
The most noteworthy has been the news on Ben Watson’s ankle surgery and that he may miss training camp.
Watson originally injured his ankle while playing versus Dallas on October 14th. Watson missed the next two games and returned only to re-injure the ankle versus the Steelers. The Patriots have not commented on the injury, but as Watson and David Thomas have been often injured over the last two years, the Patriots may look to Stephen Spach to play a bigger role in 2008. Maybe the Patriots pick up Christian Fauria.
The Patriots need a blocking tight end like Kyle Brady (started off great in 2007, but was also slowed by injury and couldn’t do much in the playoffs) or former Patriot Daniel Graham. The Patriots usually pick a tight end in the draft, so we will have to see on this one.
Patriots signings
The Patriots re-signed linebacker Pierre Woods and offensive tackle Wesley Britt, two exclusive rights free agent. These signings were expected and retains young talent. Woods has yet to solidify his role at linebacker, but does contribute on special teams. Britt has been competing each year for a starting role and he has filled in for Nick Kaczur and Matt Light.
Seymour happy to be back
For the first time in two years Richard Seymour is able to start the offseason conditioning program with out any injuries. After two knee surgeries and shoulder injury Seymour is happy to be healthy.
Many fans have been critical of Seymour the last few years as his play has dropped off dramatically since he held out for a better contract and received the big ‘pay day’. 2008 will be another year of high expectations as Seymour’s time with the team may soon be finished if he continues to perform poorly and still have a hefty contract.
Seymour and and Ty Warren are both under larger contracts and most fans believe Vince Wilfork is the player to take care of for the next big pay day. Wilfork’s contract will be expiring at the end of the season.
Buy the numbers
Mike Reiss has reported the new numbers for recently signed players.
WR Sam Aiken — 88
CB Fernando Bryant — 25
OL Jimmy Martin — 60
CB Lewis Sanders — 29
LB T.J. Slaughter — 51
CB Jason Webster — 21
S Tank Williams — 26
Other News
Dallas announced they are not interested in running back McFadden and therefore it looks like there would be no chance for a trade of picks between the Pats and Dallas if McFadden were to fall to No.7.
There is also speculation that Tampa Bay QB Chris Simms may soon no longer be with the team. Simms has not shown up for their offseason conditioning program and there have been rumors the Bucs are looking to trade him. Would the Patriots be interested? Belichick knows Phil Simms from their time in New York, but Chris has not been playing like his dad. When Chris did play, he also did not have much help around him.
IN BILL WE TRUST!
Free Agency not urgent for Patriots
With free agency seemingly dead in the water, there are still a few NFL teams looking to fill needs, but will they wait for the draft or take a veteran they know will add value?
It is interesting to see how 2008 has been similar for the Patriots to free agency periods before 2007. There was too much hype on the Patriots in 2007 and now media pundits feel the Patriots have had a terrible offseason due to losing Asante Samuel, Randall Gay and Eugene Wilson from their secondary and cutting Rosevelt Colvin.