Patriots Re-Sign Brandon McGowan and Tracy White

by Greg Knopping on Jul 30, 2011 6:54 PM EDT in New England Patriots News

The Patriots have continued to bring back some of their own free agents, re-signing safety Brandon McGowan and linebacker Tracy White to undisclosed contracts. The team also released rookie free agent linebacker Anthony Leonard.

Personally, I'm a fan of both of these re-signings. Tracy White is a top special teams player. The Patriots acquired him from the Eagles before the start of the 2010 season, and he immediately stepped in as an impact special teams player. While a rookie like Jeff Tarpinian could potentially challenge White for his spot, I would expect White to make the roster as a special teams leader this season. I think most fans expected White to be back in the fold.

The re-signing of Brandon McGowan isn't surprising, but wasn't necessarily an expected move. McGowan had a very strong start in 2009, supplanting James Sanders as starting free safety and becoming a tackling machine. However, he sort of fell off the ledge late that year and missed the entire 2010 season due to injury. However, many young Patriots have cited McGowan as a leader for them, and I think he could be the fourth safety this season for the Patriots (or possibly competing with James Sanders for one roster spot). McGowan's re-signing could also signal the end of the Jarrad Page era in New England, although the Patriots do value his services.

Both McGowan and White will have to wait until August 4th to practice, under the new CBA rules.

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Eagles sign Cullen Jenkins

To go along with the additions of Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Rodgers-Cromartie, Vince Young and a 2nd Round pick….

by beantownboy171 on Jul 30, 2011 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

and a 5th round pick. lol

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Jul 30, 2011 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Page > McGowan

by quadruple option on Jul 30, 2011 7:32 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, except McGowan is signed.

Right now he’s the bird in the hand.

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 30, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I like McGowan. But I think he is there for competition.

I doubt he takes out Sanders, who knows the system more. But hey, anything is possible. If he is healthy though, then I would welcome the depth, and hopefully he can teach chung how to cover TEs. lol

by Jack'sAxe on Jul 30, 2011 7:35 PM EDT reply actions

Sanders > McGowan

The problem with McGowan is that by midseason he was lethal [b]to[/b] the Pats’ pass D in 2009.

by ctpatsfan77 on Jul 30, 2011 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

New rules

So they changed the rules so now kickers are ten yards closer to kicking off for a touchback. I think Gostkowski should be able to kick for a touchback every time now. That kind of negates the importance of the kickoff coverage team. While Matthew Slater and Tracy White were on more special teams units than kickoff coverage, I think kickoff coverage was probably their most important role. Do other people think that with the change of the rules, the patriots might adjust their roster to not include people such as White and Slater whose only value appears to be on special teams? I could see keeping a returner who only contributed on special teams, but I am not sure if we need White and Slater anymore. Thoughts?