373 replies to this topic

[dcmissle]

PFT.com has been featuring these regarding every team, an analysis of needs that FAs who might plug them. It's the Pats' turn.

With not even OTA's on the horizon, whack away --

1. Help the pass rush.

It won’t be easy to do via free agency, especially if we return to 2010 rules. Matt Roth, who last played in Cleveland, looks like the best fit at outside linebacker. Mathias Kiwanuka would be another interesting gamble. Travis LaBoy could be a cheap option.

With Jermaine Cunningham, Rob Ninkovich, and Tully Banta-Cain the best OLBs on the team, it wouldn’t shock us to see New England pick up a mid-level player at the position if the price is right. Expect some signing here, at least for depth.

2. Add to defensive line depth.

The team already signed Marcus Stroud, who may replace Gerard Warren in the aging one-year stop-gap role. New England isn’t as thin at DE as you think — Mike Wright, Ty Warren, Ron Brace, and Brandon Deaderick are a solid group — but Bill Belichick seemingly never has enough guys up front.

Cullen Jenkins would probably cost too much. Signing Pat Williams or Jamal Williams for a very limited run-stopping role as Vince Wilfork’s backup would fit what the Patriots do.



3. Decide if Deion Branch, Taylor Price, and Brandon Tate are enough.

New England can work the middle of the field with Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and two great young tight ends. But do they have enough team speed out wide? Branch couldn’t beat one-on-one coverage against the Jets, while Tate has been unreliable. Price barely played as a rookie.

Branch is set to make $2.2 million this year, but we’re not sure he’s even a lock to make the team. Considering the deep crop of free agent wideouts, we’d bet on the Patriots going for a reasonably big name at wideout before signing someone you’ve heard of on defense.

Steve Breaston, Santana Moss, and Mike Sims-Walker all sound like better options than signing Chad Ochocinco or bringing back Randy Moss. A stealth run at Santonio Holmes would piss off the Jets.

4. Patch things up with Logan Mankins.

Mankins is far less likely to hold out into the regular season this year with $10.1 million coming his way as the team’s franchise player. It wouldn’t surprise us at all if a long-term deal gets worked out.

5. Set a price for Matt Light and don’t go over it.

With Sebastian Vollmer in place and first round pick Nate Solder aboard, we suspect free agent Light will get more money to play elsewhere, ending a terrific run with the team.

[Corsi]

Who do they chase?
Baas seems a smart choice because he has that guard-center versatility. Meanwhile, I've been hearing the team remains enamored with one-time can't-miss prospect Robert Gallery, who is now 32 and has been plagued by injuries in Oakland.

http://www.csnne.com...474&feedID=3946

[RedOctober3829]

I'd love to get Santonio Holmes in the fold. Hate him or not, he makes big-time plays.

[Shelterdog]

I'd love to get Santonio Holmes in the fold. Hate him or not, he makes big-time plays.

But we don't even know if he'll be a free agent. There are just too many uncertainties about the cap and who is a free agent to have even that much of a speculative discussion at this point.

[pappymojo]

In Clayton's recent article, he talked about the possibility of returning to 2010 free agent rules, which included the final eight rule. Teams that finished in the top 8 spots (which would include the Patriots) would be severely limited in their ability to sign free agents.

[dcmissle]

Yes, he was disruptive at the end and, yes, his skills appear to have eroded, but I do miss him, and this was good work:

Titans (for now) receiver Randy Moss, who most recently was spotted buying video games in West Virginia, on Wednesday visited a facility for underage criminal offenders, the Industrial Home for Youth.

“The decisions you made to put yourself here were a mistake,” Moss told the male inmates, according to Ashley B. Craig of the Charleston Daily Mail. “It happens. I’ve been there.”

Moss also spoke with the female inmates at the facility.

“Everybody is entitled to a mistake or two or three,” Moss said. “I don’t want them to think my road was easy. I’ve had some bumps in the road.

“I’ve been there. I’ve been where they are. I’ve worn those orange jumpsuits.”

lmao at the bold.

[Shelterdog]

In Clayton's recent article, he talked about the possibility of returning to 2010 free agent rules, which included the final eight rule. Teams that finished in the top 8 spots (which would include the Patriots) would be severely limited in their ability to sign free agents.

First of all the 2010 rules aren't going to be in place-it really looks like the owners will be able to lock players out so there's going to be a settlement or new CBA before there's football.

Second the final eight rules aren't that restrictive for teams 5-8--the Pats can sign (1) one free agent who makes at least a set amount (about 5 million a year), (2) for every free agent who leaves one free agent who makes less, and (3) an unlimited number of free agents who make below a set amount, about 3 million, in their first year.

[dynomite]

To me, the Patriots have 3 issues left this offseason:

1. Pass rusher
2. Wide receiver
3. Re-sign Mankins


As for pass rusher, the Kiwanuka possibility makes me giddy: the prototypical elephant, a latter-day (though more injury prone) McGinest, someone who would immediately transform our pass rush, seamlessly fitting into the 3-4. I'm not nearly as excited about Matt Roth -- he'd probably be an upgrade (not saying much) but not of the sort that would have the kind of impact Kiwanuka would.

As for wide reciever,

I'd love to get Santonio Holmes in the fold. Hate him or not, he makes big-time plays.

One way or another, I think we need a reliable big-bodied receiver who can beat one-on-ones (especially on 3rd and long). Maybe that person is already in the fold and is named Price or Tate. If not, I'd be happy with almost any of the options mentioned: Holmes, Breaston, Sims-Walker, Ochocinco, etc.

As for Mankins, there's simply no replacement for him. He seems to love playing for the Pats, we had a deal in place last season, and I'm hoping a deal can be worked out again.

Get these three pieces in place, and I'm feeling great about 2011.

[dcdrew10]

Depending on how the collective bargaining agreement shakes out, if Sidney Rice becomes an unrestricted free agent the Pats should look into him. The downside to Rice is his hip injury and he has indicated that he will go to the highest bidder. Still he's 6'4, good hands, will fight for the ball, good at the jump ball, and while not Michael Timpson fast he can get deep.

Edited by dcdrew10, 19 May 2011 - 05:13 PM.

[SoxScout]

Another programming note: Patriots' rookies Ryan Mallett, Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley will all be on today between 12:45-1:15

Online player link: http://espn.go.com/e...sign=ESPNBOSTON

[Lose Remerswaal]

Tom Brady is staying in shape

[Morassofnegativity]

I would make that same face is that's what was waiting for me at the bottom. Yippeeeeee!

[H78]

Sorry, but this is just too perfect.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis quarterback: "The thing I always felt about Dick was he was all in."

http://sportsillustr...l#ixzz1NI1V9HZG

[dcmissle]

Tea leaf reading on PFT.com. Florio is absolutely right about BB choosing his words like a diplomat. This is not by accident --

Time and money heals all contract-related wounds.

And as time wears on with All Pro guard Logan Mankins still in the Patriots organization, the more likely it appears he could stay with the team a long time.

Mankins sounded more open to staying with the team recently. And Patriots coach Bill Belichick was on NFL Network Sunday night singing Mankins’ praises as the No. 39 player in the league.

“There are tough players and then there are the super tough guys. I’d say Mankins would go into that [second] category. Both physically and mentally, he’s as tough as they come,” Belichick said via ESPNBoston.com.

As we noted earlier Monday, everything Belichick does through the press is well thought out. Belichick could have presented other Patriots on the list, but he wound up with Mankins.

“You could honestly pick out any one of 30 plays of him in any game and find him really dominating guys,” Belichick said.

Belichick knows Mankins’ value. That’s why the team is willing to pay him more than $10 million this season, and why we suspect a long-term deal will happen eventually despite all the drama that has happened between the two sides.

[Boston Brawler]

Gronk is having a decent offseason.

http://www.beantownb...(Boston Sports)

[JerBear]

Donte' wants back in?

http://twitter.com/#!/DonteStallworth/status/80641308951183360

[snowmanny]

Now it's the Patriots fans who are long suffering. I just wanted to give a shout out to those of you on this board who are hanging in there during this dark time; have faith, better days are ahead.

[dcmissle]

Now it's the Patriots fans who are long suffering. I just wanted to give a shout out to those of you on this board who are hanging in there during this dark time; have faith, better days are ahead.

lmao ... awesome ... thank you

[Old Fart Tree]

I just want to see them win once before I die.

[Lose Remerswaal]

Kim Kardashian taking Brett Lockett to court

Brett Lockett came to the presses after Kim Kardashian got engaged to Kris Humphries to tell them he had previously has a physical relationship with her. Well, it later came out that he never even talked to her in person, just over text.

[jsinger121]

RapSheet

BREAKING(ISH): #Patriots LB Brandon Spikes is no longer represented by agent Terry Watson. He joins the @RosenhausSports team.

[Corsi]

Breaking: Sources: #Patriots inform DB Tony Carter they will be releasing him. #NFL

http://twitter.com/#!/JosinaAnderson/status/95852787413434368

[SoxScout]

Stevan Ridley is ready to go: http://www.facebook....v=1874588826418

[Gdiguy]

ESPN says Mankins will sign & report on time:

http://espn.go.com/b...ranchise-tender