Focusing on 2008

by MaPatsFan on Feb 14, 2008 8:59 AM EST Comment 7 comments

Almost 2 weeks later and I still can't bear to watch NFL Network or ESPN. I had the misfortune of seeing Eli say, "I'm going to Disneyworld!!" and that was because I was too slow with the remote. In order to get my mind moving away from the ONE in the loss column, I'm trying to focus on the future, on 2008.

First and foremost, a few facts and some background reading:
Salary Cap: The Patriots have $10.93 million in cap space

Patriots Salaries: Here's a descending list of Patriots salaries

Free Agency: A list of free agents for 2008

Mock Draft: This Fantasy Football Mock Draft has some good info and is worthwhile background reading.

Here are my predictions of things to come, listed in no particular order:

Asante Samuel: No real surprise here, Gone. Already franchised for 2007 and ineligible for that "honor" in 2008, the Pats won't pay him what he's likely to demand as one of the premier corners in the league. Some are saying his payday will be decreased due to the "missed" interception near the end of the SB. Rubbish. That pass was out of his reach.

Randy Moss: He's shown himself to be one of the top WRs in the league and is the most likely candidate for the franchise tag. That tag will fetch him the average of the top 5 players in that position, a cool 7.84 million. This will give the Pats a year to work out a longer term contract if they choose that route. I think they will as Brady needs a target of his caliber. When he's catching balls, he's unbeatable. When he's not, he's drawing coverage.

Donte Stallworth: He has a relatively complex contract which will cost the Pats a $6 million option bonus due by February, 25 2008. I love Donte's post-catch abilities, but I just don't see the Pats ponying up the cash; my money's on letting his option pass so they can fix some other problems. In addition, I just don't think he was one of Brady's consistent/preferred targets.

Linebackers: Ahh yes, the "aging" linebacker core. Most of us don't want to admit it, but there is some truth to it. It hurts to say it because Tedy and Junior are the heart and sole of our defense, if not the team. Yeah, I know - 2 out of the 4 San Diego red zone stops were attributed to these guys, but I think we need some youngins who'll throw their bodies around with abandon. I say keep Junior and Tedy (if they choose to stay and I think they will) and trade down our first round 7th pick for some young meat in the LB area.

Wes Welker: No problems here; I just like writing about Wes!! He's the Troy Brown of the coming era. Mr. Patriot. He's EXACTLY the type of player who thrives in Belichick's system and I'm grateful he's on this team. I know everyone likes watching him catch passes, but take your eyes off of a Brady-to-Moss pass to focus on Welker and you'll see him throwing some incredible blocks.

Ok, done for now. Thoughts? Opinions? Please add issues/concerns I missed.

The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.

0 recs | Comment 7 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Kelly Washington

The Patriots have informed WR Kelley Washington that they don't plan to pick up his $4 million option bonus this spring.

No shocker here, but they are interested in bringing him back under a reworked deal. If they don't find common ground by Feb. 29, the special teams ace will become an unrestricted free agent.

I really hope they retain this guy. I loiked what he did on special teams but I also think they could use him on the WR roster. I thought for sure they would release Stallworth and keep him ...he has decent speed is "only" 28 and is 6'3 220 ponds...he's a big guy who I think could make a diffrence. I think he was under utilized last yr because of all the talent at WR.

Chad Jackson?? What are they gonna do with this kid??

Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated. - Sun Tzu

by OneMore on Feb 14, 2008 9:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I still...

have high hopes for Chad. He was an outstanding WR at Florida, and it has been said he has been working hard all season to get up to where he needs to be for the future, most importantly he has made friends with Moss, and has been picking his brain all year looking for advice. I just think he was too low on the depth chart this season with the wealth of talent at WR. I can see him filling in either the gafney or Stallworth (depending on Washington's status) roll next year. Having 2 incredibly fast WRs on the field at the same time with welker in the slot has some insane potential.

I thought that Jabar Gafney was a UFA this year, but I can't seem to find his contract details anywhere. Stallworth would be a great player to keep, but I can't see them spending that option money on him. We have to reserve a large pool of cash for our number 7 pick this year. I hope they take a really good CB with that pick. There are 2 or 3 out there that would warrent a number 7 pick.

I agree with all of your assessments above, and I think Moss will reach a 5-year kind of deal with the pats that will be incentive laden; with a large signing bonus, but a relatively small base salary. Moss wants to stay in NE, and knows it is his best chance at a SB ring, and a first-ballet spot in Canton. I also think he loves having Brady throw to him, and just LIKES being a Patriot. When all the Pats stood behind him with his legal problems in Florida, I think that did more to win his re-sign then anything else. He has never really had much support from friends/teamates in his career, and I think he was a bit overwhelmed by the Pats, and wants to show them they were correct in supporting him.

As far as Washington goes... I know he was a decent WR in his life, but he was a MONSTER ST player this year. He likely will cost too much to sign up just for ST, and if Stallworth is allowed to leave, it might be worth having him as a 4th/5th WR and core ST player, depending on the money he is looking for.

by Ogor on Feb 14, 2008 1:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Free agents

This site is awesome for free agent and salary cap info about the Patriots.
http://www.patscap.com/patsfreeagency.html

On Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/02/05/after_loss_come_more_decisions?mo de=PF

WIDE RECEIVER
Players: Randy Moss (free agent), Jabar Gaffney (free agent), Troy Brown (free agent), Donte' Stallworth (2012), Kelley Washington (2011), Wes Welker (2011), Chad Jackson (2009).

Forecast: It starts with Moss. While he has said he would like to return, it will be actions, not words, that determine whether he stays. The question will be how long the Patriots are willing to commit to him; there are varied opinions on whether Moss would be a different player if he gets a large payday instead of playing with something to prove. Stallworth ($8 million) and Washington ($4 million) have big option bonuses due that likely won't be paid, making them free agents. They could return with different deals. Gaffney has re-established himself in the NFL and, like Moss, has stated that he'd like to return. Again, it will come down to actions, not words. Brown could be looking at retirement.

Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated. - Sun Tzu

by OneMore on Feb 14, 2008 2:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rumor is...

...the Dolphins are going to cut Zach Thomas. If he'd take a below-market value contract, I'd love to see him in a Pats uniform next season. The Pats will still need to draft a young LB, but Thomas would be able to contribute more next year than any of the rookies available in the draft.

by RSNexile on Feb 14, 2008 2:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

Also, from anohter article: Stay aggressive but intelligent in the trade and free-agent market. Moss, Welker and Thomas all were brilliant offseason acquisitions. Among the "Patriots-type" players likely to be available are Cowboys safety Ken Hamlin, Cardinals linebacker Calvin Pace and someone they saw too much of Sunday, Giants linebacker Kawika Mitchell. The Patriots signed Welker because they admired his play against them with the Dolphins, and New England should strongly consider signing Mitchell for the same reason. Mitchell has played both inside and outside linebacker, and he is a good blitzer, so he would be nice cog for the 3-4.

by Gregory Pratt on Feb 14, 2008 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ya know...

I almost posted about that, but thought it was just too good of a situation to be true. I know Thomas thinks the world of the pats organization, and he would be a great stop gap until we could get some of the young LBs up to speed. i was really hoping that Ohio State's James Laurinaitis would have declared a year early and fallen into our laps. Now it looks like that pick is best used on an elite college corner and we go shopping in later rounds for some LBs.

Also, an update, Thomas has indead been cut. I bet Belichick has already called him, I would not be surprised to hear he is in for a visit in the next few days.

by Ogor on Feb 15, 2008 11:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry...

I hit return before I pasted in the quotes:

A source told ESPN.com that retirement is a possibility and Thomas will play again only if he can join a team that he views as having a legitimate shot at winning a Super Bowl.

"I am healthy and look forward to playing in 2008 but will always consider myself a Miami Dolphin," Thomas said.

by Ogor on Feb 15, 2008 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs