Patriots off season moves I would like to see

I commented on your Gholston article already, but yeah basically my opinion is we certainly have room for some experimentation at OLB, so if they see something they like I think they should bring him in for camp at least, give him a shot to prove himself.

I would love to have Fitzgerald, but I think his price would be way out of our budget. Not only would we have to pay out >10 million a year, but we’d also have to trade considerable draft resources to wrestle him out of ARI when he has one year left on his contract. Long shot at best.

I’d definitely like to see the Pats address OT in this draft. Light and Vollumer were both 2nd round picks, and Mankins was a first, so it’s not uncommon for us to use high picks on O-line. I would like to see them bring back Light IF we can get him for something like 8-10 mil over 2 years, it’ll be interesting to see how much he asks for. He’s a solid starter who has a couple good years left, and I’d be happy with a contract that reflects that. If he leaves, OT becomes a more immediate need, but I’d like him to stay a little longer so we could ease a rookie in.

I want to see Mankins resigned also, but I don’t expect the Pats to increase their offer that much. The deal on the table would make him the 3rd highest paid interior lineman in the league, but he wants to be #1 and there’s some bad blood. Hope they can work it out.

The Pats will move up from time to time. They’re philosophy is to get the players they want, but to get them no earlier than the draft pick they’re ‘worth’. If they think they can get a guy later, or that he’s not worth what it’ll cost to get him, they’ll move back. But if he is worth it, they’ll get him at the last possible moment. They traded up a mere two spots to get Gronkowski last year, trading up to right in front of the Ravens, who were looking for a TE. He was worth that pick, so they paid the price to go get him. I think they could trade up to get a guy like Quinn or Aldon Smith, who in my opinion are top OLB prospects, but only if those guys fall far enough down the board that they’re ‘worth’ trading up for. If Quinn is available at 9, or at 12, whatever his value is, I can see the Pats going to get him.

I want another corner, but maybe not until the 3rd round. Keep in mind Leigh Bodden will be returning this year, and he’s a very capable starting corner. I don’t think we need to use a very high pick to address that position unless a very good player is available.

I would like to see us add a decent runningback in the middle of the draft or FA, not a superstar but someone who can take a few carries a game and be productive. As for receiver, I’d like to see someone over 6 feet, but only at the right price. Sidney might be expensive. We do have a couple young guys (Tate and Price) with great speed, both about 6’, who could stretch the field a bit, I want to see how they develop this year.

I remember hearing that his problem was that once he got his fat contract, he stopped being the gym freak that landed him that deal in the first place. If he’s still in shape, I’d take a flier on him, but if not, no thanks. In the end, however, I suspect some other team will overpay for him because of the name recognition and first round glow that’s not totally worn off yet.