Patriots Links for Friday, 11/30

by MichaelMcCoy on Nov 30, 2007 11:03 AM EST

If anyone is interested, the Patriots are auctioning off a Massachusetts license plate with simply "56" on it. This, of course, is the number worn by former Pats linebacker and current member of the Patriots Hall of Fame Andre Tippett.

I know everybody has already heard, but this is one of the best analyses of how the Patriots defense might adjust with the loss of Rosevelt Colvin. Matt Venables claims that moving Adalius Thomas to OLB will increase his ability to make big plays:

Although he was effective on the inside, Thomas was was not performing up to the expectations the fans and media had placed upon him. That changed in week 11 against the Bills when he started at outside linebacker. On the second play from scrimmage, he brought quarterback J.P. Losman down for his first of two-and-a-half sacks on the day, bringing his season total to three.

The difference in performance is easy to explain: Thomas hasn't displayed the ability to get to the quarterback when blitzing up the middle. In a 3-4 scheme, he has only 3 defensive linemen to help open holes, causing him to meet offensive guards head-on which limited his play-making ability. However, Thomas has incredible speed which allows him to blitz from the outside with minimal contact on his way to the QB.

With the Globe, Christopher L. Gasper has a column on the impending free agency of Asante Samuel, and notes that he is due for a big pay day, as he has a league-best 6 INTs. Michael Felger with the Herald has a similar column that also considers Randy Moss's free agency.

Gasper also has a notes column up today, including notes on Brian Billick's recent praise of Randy Moss, the return of Troy Brown, and the injuries to Kevin Faulk and Eugene Wilson. Karen Guregian with the Herald has a similar story about Billick's comments on Moss.

Mike Reiss has an update to his blog that focuses on the Patriots team statistics and how they rank against the rest of the league.

Guregian also has an article speculating who might be the 21st Patriot player to score a TD this year, which would tie an NFL record for a single season. The favorite would seem to be Troy Brown, Guregian says not to count out Tedy Bruschi, Chad Jackson, and even Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren.

The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.

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Comments

The Fleger article...

The contract one was one of the most interesting to me. I would love to see them keep both Samuel and Moss for the long term. Personally, I don't see it happening tho. Samuel wants to get paid, and I think the price tag will be too much for Bill and Scott to swallow. If he does leave, it will hurt. I like Hobbs, but he hasn't been a true shutdown corner yet. Gay has been a disappointment since his injury, and I am not sure Andrews can be a full time CB.

Moss on the other hand gets paid in my opinion. I think he takes a deal for 8 mil a year for 3 years with incentives with 12 mil guaranteed. Stallworth on the other hand I think will be either let go, or will have to do an entire new deal with a lot less money, more like 2-3 mil a year. I think the Pats will let him go, and use Jackson on the other side as a burner to replace him. I hate to see him go, I think Stallworth is a great play maker, and would love to keep him, I just don't see it happening.

The other question is what about Wilson? If I recall his contract is due this year. I think they let him go. Sanders has been solid, if not good as the free safety, and Rodney has some time left in his motor. Merriweather I think will be a decent replacement to move to free safety once Rodney is gone, with Sanders taking over for Rodney.

Ohhh and as for the picks.... I would love to see the pats trade down into the low to mid teens, but... who would trade with them? A top 5 would be worth 2 mid-teens picks, so its basically this year and next year for any team that will trade, and it will come down to who is available and who wants one of those players. I personally think we will be "stuck" with the pick, or get less value then it is worth for the pick. Then again, crazier things have happened.

by Ogor on Nov 30, 2007 9:27 PM EST reply actions