New England Patriots Links 3/05/10 - Free Agency Begins the NFL's 'Final League Year'
by Marima on Mar 5, 2010 11:07 AM EST
in New England Patriots News
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Albert Breer updates the status of the Patriots free agent situation as of 2am this morning:
[The] Patriots have been talking contract with a slew of their unrestricted free agents over the last 24 hours. But one player has been more in demand than all the others, and that player is Leigh Bodden.
I'm told Bodden got strong, immediate interest right at midnight, and that the Patriots were negotiating with him to and through the deadline. Something still could get done. I couldn't nail down the teams, specifically, but our pal Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times did a nice job gathering that info, identifying Seattle, Houston and Pittsburgh as potential landing spots.
Outside of that, I'm pretty sure the door is still open with all their restricted free agents, although it has to be considered an upset that Kevin Faulk -- whose contract talks have been ongoing for a few weeks -- remains unsigned.
Mike Reiss offers a Patriots free agent snapshot.
Tully Banta-Cain -- This is a case where the team and player is a good match and the sides have been building momentum toward a deal.
Leigh Bodden -- The market will ultimately dictate the final outcome, but the eight-year veteran will continue to talk to the Patriots.
Derrick Burgess -- Veteran nickel rusher could return based on the uncertainty at the position, but it wouldn't be a big deal.
Kevin Faulk -- It's hard to imagine the veteran running back playing elsewhere, although he might want to see his market value before signing a deal.
Jarvis Green -- Defensive lineman plans to test the free-agent market and it looks like both sides are eyeing a fresh start.
Chris Hanson -- Patriots seem to be exploring other options at the position at this time.
Stephen Neal -- Starting right guard has gotten lost in the shuffle a bit. While his agent said he planned to test the market, Neal is happy in New England and that makes his return a strong possibility.
Benjamin Watson -- Tight end should draw interest around the league. The crop of free-agent tight ends is not strong.
Vince Wilfork -- The sides have been close to a deal and perhaps the start of the 2010 league year, without a salary cap, is what pushes them through the finish line.
TEAM TALK
- PFW staff Free Agent Previews: Specialists.
- Patriots offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer visits Vincent M. Igo Elementary School in Foxboro to speak with students, answer questions, and share his experience as a native of Germany coming to the United States to play football.
- Scott Barboza reports wheelchair-bound Steven Bradley's visit to Gillette Stadium offered a lifetime of memories and a chance to escape the rigors of everyday life.
LOCAL LINKS
- The Herald says a source told them that the Patriots have an offer on the table for Julius Peppers.
- Ian Rapoport notes eight contributing free agents will hit the open market with Faulk and Neal wanting to return. Green, Hanson and Watson won't likely be back.
- Shalise Manza Young reports the NFL without a salary cap brings a world of possibilities for the Patriots, who have the right currency to make some deals.
- Christopher Price analyzes the Patriots' tenders of Logan Mankins, Stephen Gostkowski and Pierre Woods.
- Mike Reiss says Thursday's surprising release of veteran tight end Chris Baker highlights how 2009 was a rough year for the Patriots when it came to pro scouting.
- Albert Breer talks about how to replace Chris Baker, after he was unexpectedly cut.
- Jeff Howe notes the Patriots will have to take advantage of the deep tight end draft pool.
- Albert Breer looks at which unrestricted free agents the Patriots might consider.
- Jeff Howe feels the Patriots are likely to focus on their own free agents instead of the high-priced Peppers or Dansby.
- Albert Breer discusses the unchartered waters of the NFL's 'final league year'. He answers some frequently asked questions about what's ahead for the NFL.
- Albert Breer reports the Jets screw the NFL rules by signing CB Antonio Cromartie an hour before the start of free agency.
- Mike Reiss notes the Jets' trade for Cromartie has a trickle-down effect.
- Tom E. Curran offers his Patriots free agent outlook: Defensive Line, Outside Linebackers, Inside Linebackers, and CBs and Safeties.
- Christopher Price lists Belichick's five best free-agent decisions. Hard to argue with Anthony Pleasant, Antowaine Smith, Rosevelt Colvin, Mike Vrabel, and Rodney Harrison.
- Albert Breer notes the Bears' quick action in free agency, with Lovie Smith flying to Charlotte to bring Julius Peppers back to Chicago.
- DJ Bean looks at pass-rush specialist Ricky Sapp (Clemson) as a possible fit for the Patriots with the number 22 pick.
- Jeff Howe's NFL Mock Draft III has the Patriots picking DE Carlos Dunlap (Florida).
NATIONAL NEWS
- NFL free-agency blog (Fox Sports) NFL Buzz: Latest free-agency updates.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Neal, Mangold offer inside pass protection.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) The flipside of Cromartie's upside.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Pats losing benefit of doubt on FA pickups.
- Len Pasquarelli (ESPN) There are some alternative pass-rushers who won't cost a franchise nearly as much money as Julius Peppers.
- Scout.com (Fox Sports) 2010 Mock Draft Muncher: Views the most popular selections for each team.
- Don Banks (SI) Top NFL free agents: Where they will sign versus where they should.
- John Clayton (ESPN) Free agency: Be passive, or aggressive?
- Clifton Brown, Dennis Dillon & Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Free agent roundtable: Tackling five key questions.
- Paul Kuharsky (ESPN) How to court a free agent.
- KCChiefs.com Chiefs sign LB Mike Vrabel to contract extension.
- Jeffri Chadiha (ESPN) Restricted FAs bear brunt of labor pact.
- Robert Boland (Nat'l Football Post) What if there is no lockout?
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Just run at Cromartie. He's too much of a wuss to try to tackle.
Pick routes, multiple receivers, screens. Don’t know. If anyone can Hoodie can.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 5, 2010 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
..
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.....159 mph is my top speed..will top that this spring
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
(formerly mathew.40)
by NinjaZX6R on Mar 5, 2010 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
...
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.....159 mph is my top speed..will top that this spring
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
(formerly mathew.40)
Dude doesn't like to drop his shoulder.
Welker will make you. Edelman will make you. Not worried so far.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 5, 2010 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
Outstanding find
Guess we shouldn’t be too intimidated then, lol. Too bad he doesn’t like to get his uniform dirty. But once the receiver was in the end-zone, Cromartie gave him a mean shoulder bump.
Keep the faith!
It looked better than saying "Good Job" and giving him a fist bump.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 5, 2010 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
he should have that same approach to when it comes to women
dude has 7 kids in 5 states and he is 25 yrs old….thats a LOT of child support since he makes a lot in the NFL.
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.....159 mph is my top speed..will top that this spring
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
(formerly mathew.40)
We just need to get some receivers first.
Cupboards a little bare. Sure we got some guys, but Welker’s hurt, and Moss is the only other guy that’s comfortable in his big receiver’s pants. Edelman may be ready for his big boy trousers, but the rest of the guys are in training pants.
We need to go back to the philosophy that the best receiver is the open one. If Moss is that guy then fine, but if he’s on Revis’ island, then we need guys who can catch and run routes out there. It would also be pretty swell if some of those guys were tight ends. A guy can dream can’t he?
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 5, 2010 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
I'd be afraid if this was 2007
but Cromartie is a shell of his 2007 season. People have figured out how to beat him and that he jumps routes too often and is prone is alot of mistakes. Think of him as Asante Samuel lite.
But with Kick Return skills...
I don’t like the idea of the Jets with Leon Washington AND Antonio Cromartie being able to return kickoffs. Can steal Washington, plz?
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Screens!
This might be a good thing, weirdly enough. The Pats didn’t throw to their TEs and RBs enough last year, and barely used screens. Against two of the better coverage CBs around, they’re going to be forced into doing something else – I smell screens!
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Cromartie doesn't worry me, its that the Pats have no-one signed
I have the utmost trust in the wise Hooded One and his stormtroopers but the media silence out of Foxboro is killing me. I know they don’t make anytihng public apart from Adalius imploding but while other teams are signing Peppers, Bosh, and we have no tight ends and Faulk isn’t signed I’m worried. But what makes me warm and fuzzy is that the Raiders are out there-somehow the pats will screw them
Yep I hear the Raiders still have draft picks in 2015....
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 5, 2010 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
The do have a corner
I hear the corner is pretty good. I’m sure they have some second round picks too and a 3rd they got from us
by berkshirebandit on Mar 5, 2010 1:30 PM EST up reply actions
if you are talking about chris johnson
he is not bad. he’s good, but just gets picked on too much.
Sign
WIlfork and Faulk. It would be nice to keep Bodden and now it seems necessary to resign Watson since Baker was cut.
We need Vince and I want to see Faulk end his career where he started it.
really?
Potential free-agent-to-be Stephen Neal was ranked as the fourth-best guard at pass-protecting
i like Neal but really???
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.....159 mph is my top speed..will top that this spring
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
(formerly mathew.40)
Of course he was...
Why would you worry about running into Neal when you can just slide through the revolving door that is Kaczur?
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Peppers is signed
I don’t know if it is more than a rumor but my friend just called to glaot over the fact the da bears signed Peppers for 6 years at 72 mil with 40 mil guaranteed. I hope he has fun being on the field all the time w all the picks that Cutler throws
He'd make a pretty interesting Mike Vrabel-type pass-catcher
He’s bigger and quicker thank Vrabel. And don’t rule it out – remember, this is the team that has used Devin Hester as a WR and CB and Rex Grossman as a QB. Bahaha.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
question: why no buzz about Walter
If anything, the experiments the last couple years at us finding a #2 WR opposite Moss have shown that we don’t need a speed demon, we need someone who is dependable, who can run routes, and catch the ball. Basically, a #2 that understands how to feed off the defense worrying about WR #1 and take advantage of that to get open.
This is exactly what Walter has done down in Texas. I don’t understand why we (seemingly) aren’t making a serious attempt to get him.
I wonder if Hoodie wants to trade for a WR instead...
He’s done wonders with Welker and Moss, I wouldn’t put it past him to trade for another guy as opposed to duking it out with other teams in free agency. Remember, this is a ridiculous free agent pool – everyone wants to reap the rewards of the uncapped season, players in particular. It might be better to trade for a guy with an existing, non-ridiculous contract to fill out the WR corps.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
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