New England Patriots Links 3/09/10 - Pats May Be Close To Signing Bodden, Fells

by Marima on Mar 9, 2010 9:57 AM EST in New England Patriots News

Leigh Bodden will be making his decision sometime today.

Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) Pats continuing to be aggressive.

According to Adam Schefter, the Patriots are closing in on a deal with free agent tight end Daniel Fells.

The 6’4", 272-pound Fells caught 21 passes for 273 yards with three touchdowns in 2009 for the St. Louis Rams. A three-year veteran out of California-Davis, Fells is used primarily as a blocker.

Mike Reiss analyzes why a proposed Anquan Boldin trade wasn't in the cards.

"In New England, a big consideration is always the locker room," noted former NFL front-office executive Mike Lombardi, now a regular on NFL Network who also writes for the Web site National Football Post.

In the end, locker-room considerations were probably the biggest factor that squashed the possibility of Boldin coming to the Patriots.

Had they traded for Boldin and signed him to such a rich extension, they risked creating friction with someone like Welker, who prior to his injury was making a strong case for a potential pay raise over the $1.9 million he is due to earn in 2010. A team has to be careful bringing in a player from the outside and paying him an average of $8 million per season when the NFL's most productive receiver over the last three years is already on the roster and scheduled to earn one-quarter of that.

More than Welker himself, signing any player from elsewhere and making him one of the highest paid players on the club before he plays a down in a Patriots uniform can send a mixed message to others. Players keep score in the locker room, and if the Patriots didn't have veterans like Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, Mike Vrabel and Rosevelt Colvin at linebacker, they probably wouldn't have done it for Adalius Thomas in 2007, which is the only time they've really made such a signing in recent years.

That's probably why, assuming the reports are correct, the Patriots' interest in Boldin was tied to him playing out the final year of his contract.

TEAM TALK

Patriots.com has collected a wide-ranging sample of what the "experts" are predicting the Patriots will do in the first round come draft weekend. Most of the usual suspects listed.
Patriots Today - Comments from the Combine. (4.45 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

Mike Reiss notes free-agent TE Daniel Fells visited with the Patriots on Monday.
Mike Reiss quotes Adam Schefter that the Patriots reached an agreement in principle with CB Leigh Bodden on Monday and offers his analysis of the agreement which would be a win-win for both sides.
Albert Breer notes the uncertainty of Bodden's fate. His decision will come sometime today.
Tom E. Curran notes the confusion regarding Leigh Bodden is the fault of Alvin Keels. Keels, also the agent of Bengals '09 draft pick Andre Smith, "could screw up a one-car funeral."
Mike Reiss notes the Patriots are scheduled to host veteran TE Alge Crumpler on a free agent visit at Gillette this week.
Mike Reiss reports the Patriots hosted free-agent linebacker Marques Murrell at Gillette Stadium yesterday.
Chris Gasper notes the Patriots' focus in the first foray of free agency was on taking care of their own, building, or rebuilding, from within.
WEEI offers the transcript of Peter King on the Dennis & Callahan show. King thinks the Pats should have pursued Boldin.
Ian Rapoport checks in on one of the more peculiar draft prospects around, DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss).
Mike Reiss notes the Patriots currently field the NFL's oldest offensive unit with an average age of 27.9, and need to infuse some youth this offseason.
Tom E. Curran feels the Patriots air of infallibility is waning. For the first time since 2000 their roster is a disheartening mix of the aged, the underachieving, the young and the overmatched.
Tom E. Curran reports the Patriots have not yet extended an offer to Kevin Faulk.
Mike Reiss reports DE Jarvis Green is in Denver for a free-agent visit with the Broncos today.
Jeff Howe breaks down the Patriots 2000 draft, with the selection of Tom Brady making it one to remember. Check here for links to the full Belichick-era Draft series.

NATIONAL NEWS

Tedy Bruschi (ESPNBoston) checked in on the Patriots' moves so far in free agency, saying they need to add players externally to fill holes. (Plus 50 second video clip.)
Clark Judge (CBS Sports) Patriots needs: Former elites have plenty of holes. They better score big with their many picks if they intend to keep their grip on the AFC East.
Tim Graham (ESPN) Bodden's agent is saying the New England deal is not signed, despite reports of an agreement in principle, plus other Patriots news.
Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Active teams in free agency can reevaluate draft strategies.
Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) Tuesday's pro day workouts. It's a big day around the country as several prospects are set to perform for NFL personnel.
NFL.com Pro day workout schedules and analysis.
Mike Mayock (NFL.com) With Combine over, some players moving up prospect rankings.
Dan Majors (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Police to interview Roethlisberger, 7 others. QB's lawyer sees 'no criminal activity'; DNA test sought.
Vic Carucci (NFL.com) Latest accusation against Roethlisberger sounds unsettling alarm.
Gary Myers (NY Daily News) Ben Roethlisberger's stupid behavior justifies NY Giants' choice in 2004 draft.
Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Free-agency winners & losers. Why the Jets are losers with the Cromartie pickup.
Gary Myers (NY Daily News) Players love Jets head coach Rex Ryan, but he faces big test with Antonio Cromartie.
Paul Schwartz (NY Post) Jim Sorgi will not be doing for the Giants what he did with the Colts: back up a Manning at quarterback.
Michael Lombardi (Nat'l Football Post) Bengals won’t spend to get Marshall. Also, Tebow starts private workouts, Sorgi has info, plus more notes.

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Bravo!

by Richard Hill on Mar 9, 2010 10:08 AM EST reply actions

Fells?

Tell me about him. And what’s going on with Moss and Watson?

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by Farorefox on Mar 9, 2010 10:38 AM EST reply actions

Rams 6-4 270

2009 Stats: 21 Rec, 13 Yard Ave, 13 1st D, 3 TD

Looks like a veteran blocker who can catch. No breakaway speed (4.59), but tall and a big body.

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 9, 2010 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

I don't know where you got 4.59 from

He ran 4.9 at the combine in 2006.

by RSNexile on Mar 9, 2010 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

Dislexia

Wikipedia said 4.95 and I typed 4.59. Next time I cut and paste….

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 9, 2010 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

No problem

His college profile had him running 4.73 on campus. I figure that probably translates to around 4.9 in reality. That’s decent speed for an offensive lineman, but a little slow for a TE.

by RSNexile on Mar 9, 2010 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

The dude has some size to him.

Good height and weight. If he blocks most of the time and catches occasionally he’ll still be a matchup problem.

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 9, 2010 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

True, but I'd rather have a TE with a little more balance

He’s fine as a second TE, but we need someone better to be the first string.

by RSNexile on Mar 9, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

True

When we are grabbing a guy to be a blocking TE though it’s nice if he can block. This guy could work in a 2 TE set. Our catching TE swings out most of the time, but occasionally the threat could come from Fells. If nothing else, it keeps the LB who’s watching them from cheating to one side.

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 9, 2010 2:34 PM EST up reply actions

I'd like to see the Pats take Dorin Dickerson in the 4th round

as more of a WR, who occasionally plays blocking fullback. I don’t see him playing TE in the NFL at his weight, or lack there of (like 225 or there abouts), but with a 4.4 40 time and 6’2, with good hands. What’s not to like about this guy. He could stretch the field with that kind of speed at the #2 WR spot.

by Ozstryker on Mar 9, 2010 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

225 is way light for a full-back or Tight-End, but a decent size for a blocking WR

Tight-Ends Weight: Average (254.7 lbs) Std Dev (7.1)

That’s over 4 standard deviations on the light side.

He’d need to bulk up to be a Tight-End.

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 9, 2010 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

Fells: Solid blocker, decent but not great pass catcher. Slow. Seems somewhat injury prone — IR last year and broke an ankle as a senior at UC-Davis.

Moss: under contract for 2010.

Watson: visiting with Seattle and Cleveland, not likely to return.

by RSNexile on Mar 9, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions

Moss is under contract for another year - although they may do something with him around the time they resign Brady.

I assume they’ve made Watson a deal, but it has been all quiet on the Watson front.

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 9, 2010 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

Watson is still visiting other teams

so no deal there with anyone yet. I say if Rob Gronkowski is still around at pick 53, the Pats should take him. There seemed to be a lot of good hands TEs at the combine workouts, so picking up 2 of them in the middle rounds seems plausible.

by Ozstryker on Mar 9, 2010 3:47 PM EST up reply actions

So was Bodden...

I wondered if cutting Baker was a sign of progress on the Watson front – it just seems odd to cut the guy who was the heir apparent and such a good trooper in terms of blocking, film study, locker room influence, etc.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Mar 9, 2010 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

If Bodden signs

I’ll be a very happy camper. Based on how their play improved over the course of the season, I’d say that that unit, intact, ranks in the top 4 or 5 across the NFL. If we add an edge rusher (or if Crable or whatsisface proves out), then I think we’re back in business on the defensive side of the ball — particularly if we keep Jarvis.

Offensively, I really have only one wish: someone who can stretch the field across from Moss.

As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead

by JohnHannahRules on Mar 9, 2010 10:41 AM EST reply actions

I'd really like to see Crable make it to the regular season. Just to find out IF he can play.

C’mon Shawn, pain is nothing more than weakness leaving the body. Let’s go!

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 9, 2010 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

I think Crable needs to workout with a Pilates instructor

to strengthen his weak inner leg / groin muscles. If he can’t make it through this preseason without injuring his legs in one fashion or another, he needs to be cut. No more IR if he can’t get his sh!t together. Take up tennis or something to make lateral leg muscles strong, knucklehead!!

by Ozstryker on Mar 9, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

I'd like the Pats to sign D Sharper from the Saints

to a 2 year deal, at Safety. Why? He had 71 tackles, 9 interceptions (tied w Samuals), and 15 passes deflected. Sure he’s 34, but that is great production, and he could probably be had for less than the $5 mil/yr they’re paying S Springs, or the same money anyway, for a more productive player. They may have to bump one of the less productive corners, like Wheatley, to make space, but … do it, do it!!!

by Ozstryker on Mar 9, 2010 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

actually Sharper is a FA

so it would not cost anything but the salary to sign him. C’mon Pats. Sign him up. He’s one of the best in the league. Sign Bodden too. C’mon Bodden, sign that offer.

by Ozstryker on Mar 9, 2010 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

Some of the headlines are funny.

At this point last year, they were saying how the Pats could field a team and wipe up the league without the draft. And the Pats hadn’t gone to the playoffs.

Now the Pats are frail and breakable with virtually the same team that did go to the playoffs.

Forget the extremes, the truth usually lies somewhere in between.

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 9, 2010 11:20 AM EST reply actions

The question with Crumpler, beyond his age, is whether his drop off in production is because of the Titans scheme

or because he is losing ability. He took a pretty steep nose dive after leaving the Falcons. Of course, since we don’t actually pass to our tight-ends, what does it matter?

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 9, 2010 11:26 AM EST reply actions