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The State of the Patriots: Free Agency Splash
Chris RadezMar 3, 2008
Now four days into free agency, things are starting to take shape around the NFL. Top players on the market are making their ways to their new homes, and negotiations are in full swing for anyone who hasn't landed somewhere yet.
The Patriots are playing a large part again this season, but it's a little different than it was in 2007. Last year, they made a splash by signing many top-level players. This year, it looks as though they're doing the opposite. Some key guys have already made their exit from Foxboro. Here's a recap of what's happened so far:
Asante Samuel - Many have regarded Samuel as the biggest name to hit the market this season. As a Patriots fan, I know this to be somewhat silly, as Samuel is not the shutdown corner that he has been credited for being in the last couple of years. He is mostly a product of circumstance. Almost half of the 10 interceptions he collected in 2006 were deflected passes that fell into his hands. It's pretty easy to look like a good CB when the front seven are getting pressure on the quarterback almost every down.
Samuel has signed a six-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. For the Patriots, this simply means that Ellis Hobbs will have to get healthy and be prepared to take on a more prominent role. What makes Samuel's departure impactful on the Patriots plans in the offseason, is the departure of the next guy I'll discuss.
Randall Gay - You might be saying to yourself, "Randall Who?" ... but I'm telling you that this guy will make some noise with his new team, the New Orleans Saints. He is fast, and he knows how to get in position to break up the long pass. The only reason he is lesser known than Samuel, is because he has been hindered by injuries during his tenure in New England. I'd be willing to bet that the front office wasn't expecting to see him go that quickly once he hit the market.
This gives the Patriots reason to draft a CB high. They might even have to trade their first-round pick in this year's draft for something lower in the first round, so that they're not wasting such high value in a draft that isn't exactly filled with good defensive backs. I'm guessing they'll trade down and look to get a low first and possibly another third- or fourth-round pick in return.
Donte Stallworth - Here's a guy that was a part of the tornado of pickups last year for the Patriots. One unimpressive year with New England, and now he's off to Cleveland to play for the Browns. He might have had more of an impact in the Pats' offense had they not also acquired the services of Randy Moss and Wes Welker. He's entering a somewhat similar situation in Cleveland, where the Browns already have a proven No. 1 guy in Braylon Edwards. This does not hurt the Patriots too much, unless Moss leaves, which I'll get to in a moment.
Eugene Wilson - Wilson was the starting free safety on two of the Patriots' Super Bowl teams. He wasn't remarkable, but he got the job done. He then had some injury problems and lost his starting job to James Sanders in the meantime.
Wilson visited with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last night and is set to meet with the Steelers today, the Jets tomorrow and may visit Tennessee before the week is done.
Kyle Brady - Brady was another acquisition in last year's free-agent whirlwind. While he hasn't landed with a new team yet, he has been released by the Patriots, and it is likely that he will miss training camp with whichever team decides to pick him up due to a shoulder injury.
Tedy Bruschi - Bruschi has been resigned to a two-year deal in New England. I'm expecting Bruschi to be more of a locker-room presence than anything else, though. The Pats' defensive coaches have to be well aware that it's time to get some younger guys in there for experience. Bruschi will play a big part in their development.
Randy Moss - In my opinion, Moss and the Patriots have known for quite a while that he would not return for a second season. The Patriots will not pay anyone what Moss is worth. They know it, and he knows it. There will be no hard feelings there, I mean, after all, how can there be? Moss' career was revived in New England, and he helped the Patriots complete what was almost an undefeated season.
But this is a business, and Moss is about to land a contract that will make him one of the richest men in the NFL. The only question is... who has the cap space? So far, there are rumors of Dallas and Green Bay showing interest, and Moss has expressed an interest in reuniting with Daunte Culpepper, who is also a free agent.
No matter how the cards fall in the coming weeks in New England, it will be interesting to see how they handle the turnover.
The Patriots are playing a large part again this season, but it's a little different than it was in 2007. Last year, they made a splash by signing many top-level players. This year, it looks as though they're doing the opposite. Some key guys have already made their exit from Foxboro. Here's a recap of what's happened so far:
Asante Samuel - Many have regarded Samuel as the biggest name to hit the market this season. As a Patriots fan, I know this to be somewhat silly, as Samuel is not the shutdown corner that he has been credited for being in the last couple of years. He is mostly a product of circumstance. Almost half of the 10 interceptions he collected in 2006 were deflected passes that fell into his hands. It's pretty easy to look like a good CB when the front seven are getting pressure on the quarterback almost every down.
Samuel has signed a six-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. For the Patriots, this simply means that Ellis Hobbs will have to get healthy and be prepared to take on a more prominent role. What makes Samuel's departure impactful on the Patriots plans in the offseason, is the departure of the next guy I'll discuss.
Randall Gay - You might be saying to yourself, "Randall Who?" ... but I'm telling you that this guy will make some noise with his new team, the New Orleans Saints. He is fast, and he knows how to get in position to break up the long pass. The only reason he is lesser known than Samuel, is because he has been hindered by injuries during his tenure in New England. I'd be willing to bet that the front office wasn't expecting to see him go that quickly once he hit the market.
This gives the Patriots reason to draft a CB high. They might even have to trade their first-round pick in this year's draft for something lower in the first round, so that they're not wasting such high value in a draft that isn't exactly filled with good defensive backs. I'm guessing they'll trade down and look to get a low first and possibly another third- or fourth-round pick in return.
Donte Stallworth - Here's a guy that was a part of the tornado of pickups last year for the Patriots. One unimpressive year with New England, and now he's off to Cleveland to play for the Browns. He might have had more of an impact in the Pats' offense had they not also acquired the services of Randy Moss and Wes Welker. He's entering a somewhat similar situation in Cleveland, where the Browns already have a proven No. 1 guy in Braylon Edwards. This does not hurt the Patriots too much, unless Moss leaves, which I'll get to in a moment.
Eugene Wilson - Wilson was the starting free safety on two of the Patriots' Super Bowl teams. He wasn't remarkable, but he got the job done. He then had some injury problems and lost his starting job to James Sanders in the meantime.
Wilson visited with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last night and is set to meet with the Steelers today, the Jets tomorrow and may visit Tennessee before the week is done.
Kyle Brady - Brady was another acquisition in last year's free-agent whirlwind. While he hasn't landed with a new team yet, he has been released by the Patriots, and it is likely that he will miss training camp with whichever team decides to pick him up due to a shoulder injury.
Tedy Bruschi - Bruschi has been resigned to a two-year deal in New England. I'm expecting Bruschi to be more of a locker-room presence than anything else, though. The Pats' defensive coaches have to be well aware that it's time to get some younger guys in there for experience. Bruschi will play a big part in their development.
Randy Moss - In my opinion, Moss and the Patriots have known for quite a while that he would not return for a second season. The Patriots will not pay anyone what Moss is worth. They know it, and he knows it. There will be no hard feelings there, I mean, after all, how can there be? Moss' career was revived in New England, and he helped the Patriots complete what was almost an undefeated season.
But this is a business, and Moss is about to land a contract that will make him one of the richest men in the NFL. The only question is... who has the cap space? So far, there are rumors of Dallas and Green Bay showing interest, and Moss has expressed an interest in reuniting with Daunte Culpepper, who is also a free agent.
No matter how the cards fall in the coming weeks in New England, it will be interesting to see how they handle the turnover.
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