NFL Lockout Nearly Over: Who Are the Patriots' Free Agents?

by Greg Knopping on Jul 25, 2011 11:01 AM EDT in Opinion/Analysis

With news that the NFL owners and the NFLPA executive committee reached an agreement on the remaining CBA Issues late last night/early this morning, I thought now would be a good time to review who the Patriots' own free agents are, considering that teams could very well be allowed to re-sign them beginning this aftrernoon.

Here are Patriots free agents that are either received the franchise tag or are restricted or exclusive-rights free agents (or had that status earlier this offseason):

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB #42 (Restricted): expected to sign 2nd roundtender
Kyle Arrington, CB #27 (ERFA): signing is a mere formality
Josh Barrett, S, #45 (RFA): Signed two year extension in February
Jarrad Page, S, #44 (RFA): Was a restricted free agent under 2010 rules, but should be unrestricted now. Still, I would expect the Patriots to try to re-sign him considering the 2nd round tender he was given.
Logan Mankins, G, #70 (Franchise Tag): Unlikely to go anywhere in 2011 due to franchise designation, but an extension appears pretty unlikely.

Here are Patriots free agents that are unrestricted:

Kevin Faulk, RB, #33: Veteran back wants to return and likely to be re-signed soon to compete for a spot
Sammy Morris, RB, #34: If Faulk doesn't come back, Morris is a good jack-of-all-trades that could still get a flier in training camp despite his age.
Fred Taylor, RB #21: Likely to retire, and if not is still unlikely to return to the Pats
Matt Light, LT, #72: One of the Patriots biggest free agents, Light could return to the Pats on a two year deal, or could look to see where the market brings him.
Gerard Warren, DL, #92: The big-bodied defensive lineman may not return due to the return of Ty Warren and the signing of Marcus Stroud.
Brandon McGowan, S, #30: It's hard to know what to predict with McGowan. I think he could be back depending on what happens with Jarrad Page (although I see Page as the priority).
Quinn Ojinnaka, T, #69: Could be back on a short term deal. Saw time as a reserve lineman and special teamer in 2010.
Tracy White, LB, #58: Phenomenal special teams player that looks very likely to get a new deal from the Pats at age 30.
Shayne Graham, K, #5: With Stephen Gostkowski returning, Shayne Graham likely will not.

So there you have it for the Patriots free agents. I'm not sure how many deals will actually be consummated today, but with players able to talk to other teams, they should get some idea of their market value. Still, I could see players such as Kevin Faulk and Tracy White re-signing at some point today.

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I think Shayne Graham will get a camp contract.

We don’t know how good Gostkowski’s leg is going to be, so they will likely buy some camp insurance. If the Ghost looks good, Graham will hit the road. If not, Stephen gets Foxboro flu, and more time to rehab.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 25, 2011 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Nah, kickers are a dime a dozen

No reason to waste a roster spot on a guy you know you are going to cut.

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by totheights on Jul 25, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I bet Gerard Warren stays, at least for camp

Until they are sure that all the injured guys (Ty, Brace, Mike Wright) are fully recovered.

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Jul 25, 2011 12:26 PM EDT reply actions

With the camp roster now pushed to 90, there will be room for quite a few stop gap players.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 25, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm hoping he stays

He played surprisingly well last year

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 25, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

He is undoubtedly good enough to make the 53 for most NFL teams

And he is smart enough to know that his chances aren’t that good to make the 53 for the Patriots. Therefore, I see him going elsewhere, although you never know.

by Greg Knopping on Jul 25, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Time to part ways with Faulk. The PATS backfield needs to go the youth route like other positions have done. BJGE, Woodhead, and the two rookies should be the RB core.

I’d prefer four TE’s instead of five RB’s. Let the rookie TE learn from Crumpler and see action this season.

Adding a high end WR would be nice:

Moss = NO
T.O. = NO (injured)
Burress = ?
Ocho = YES, provided Cincinnati’s compensation requirements are reasonable

by OneOpinion on Jul 25, 2011 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

Even with his age and the injury. You keep a Kevin Faulk. He is the kind of player that you don’t let him go. He does so much that you must keep him.

by Patriots12 on Jul 25, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I watched him running sprints this spring and his knee wasn’t slowing him down any. He’ll come to camp ready to go and if he makes the roster it will be because he earned it and felt confident in his ability to contribute to the team this season.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 25, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

This.

No way there are 53 guys that are more valuable to the team than Kevin Faulk.

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Jul 25, 2011 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

They're releasing 85, apparently.

And Faulk stays. He gets tobdecide when it’s time.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Jul 25, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Sign:
Lawfirm
Arrington
Page
Mankins
Light
White

Let everyone else walk.

Stanley Cup of Chowder - Read this Bruins blog NOW!
My Twitter @totheights

by totheights on Jul 25, 2011 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

I just think the running attack will benefit far more with the rookie TE as the third in their blocking TE rotation ( Crumpler, Gronk, Rookie). And, in my view, blocking is far more impacting on the PAT’s running game results than Faulk will ever be. In fact, I believe that all four of the RB’s I propose that they keep (BJGE, Woodhead, two rookies) are “O”-line dependent (with TE assistance) for their success.

Faulk has been fantastic, but his time is over. Woodhead has taken over his position.

by OneOpinion on Jul 25, 2011 9:16 PM EDT reply actions