The Patriots have started to address their needs on defense by signing a solid defensive line prospect in former Bengals DE Jonathan Fanene while checking out top safety free agent LaRon Landry; they have started to finalize their special teams unit with new contracts to Matthew Slater, Tracy White, and Niko Koutouvides. Now, the Patriots front office is looking to shape up the team's offensive attack.
Reports are surfacing that the Patriots are bringing in former Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez in for a visit. Gonzalez was the Colts slot receiver, with the size (6-0, 195) to move to the outside. He had an strong impact for the Colts as a rookie in 2007, before being elevated to the third receiver as a sophomore. In his third season, he injured his right knee to end his season and in his fourth season, he suffered a season ending injury to his left knee. In this past season, Gonzalez was unable to make it on the field.
Gonzalez was one of the more highly rated receivers by Football Outsiders due to his sure hands and his high level of impact in a few snaps. The Patriots are most likely performing their due diligence on a player who has suffered injury, but its a promising sign that the team is looking at receiver options. If Gonzalez is healthy, he could add value as a possible #3 receiver; if not, then he wouldn't be worth a contract.
---
In addition to the interest in Gonzalez, current St. Louis Rams receiver (2nd round tender) Danny Amendola has been spotted in the Boston area. Note that "The Place" is a club in Boston and that Amendola has family in the area- so this could honestly be nothing. However, it's a receiver in the Boston area so I'm sure Bill Belichick was having a secret meeting with Amendola at the club in order to remove suspicion.
Amendola is a 5-11, 183 lbs Wes Welker clone (no, seriously. Successful Texas Tech slot receiver/punt returner with limited combine athleticism, UDFA, stints with two teams before joining their current team and posting a high level of success. Yeah), but missed the majority of the 2011 season due to a triceps injury.
With a 2nd round tender, the Patriots may not be interested in making a deal and Amendola could totally just be partying in Boston.