Free Agency/Trade Market

[Razor]

Originally Posted by Nalej

Sign Wallace... give up a first.
Sign Moss.
Take over the world.

Stop putting these ideas in my head! I'll be devastated once this doesn't happen now..

[Nalej]

We can all dream... up to the point that it doesn't happen

[AntoinCD]

OLB:

1. Ahmad Brooks-Isn't the world's greatest pass rusher but is solid and can set the edge and play in coverage. Would be a big upgrade over Rob Ninkovich. My guess is San Francisco offer a high enough contract to keep him.

2. Cliff Avril-May also be looked at as a DE depending on which scheme BB wants to run. Struggles head up against OTs in the run game so getting him outside may help. Interesting.

3. Jarret Johnson-Solid at most things but not great at any of them. Despite playing opposite Terrell Suggs and having Haloti Ngata up front he never really makes opposing teams pay.

4. Manny Lawson-Can't rush the passer well can play in coverage and stop the run. Intriguing due to physical skillset but will probably stay in Cincinnati.

5. Robert Mathis-Doesn't have the length required to play OLB in BB's scheme but he can rush the passer. Another guy who would be looked at as a DE as well.

Really it's not a great year to be looking a pass rusher at OLB, either through FA or in the draft.

[Vaylor]

If that is the best that is available, then I would rather just keep Mark Anderson.

[Nalej]

I think keeping M. Anderson is a priority, regardless of who else we may be looking at to play OLB for us.
I'd like A. Brooks but probably not at the salary the 49ers sign him back to.
J. Johnson seems destined for Indy as well. Avrill might get franchised.
M. Lawson, same as Brooks.
Not sure how good Mathis is at setting edge. If he cant, BB won't even consider him.

I'm all for drafting a guy early... Like we don't do every year.

[descendency]

Mathis is a pure 43 DE. He doesn't belong in NE. If we made an offer to him it would be as a rush specialist, which will be too low of a contract for him.

[FlyingElvis]

PFW with a solid writeup on WRs this offseason. There's also this gem about the Pats season / overachieving that I thought was spot onl.

I'd link it but I'm too lazy and it's directly from the Pats site anyway.

Originally Posted by Paul Perillo

Q: When compared with the 2010 squad that (overall may have been better than the 2011 team) fizzled and died against the Jets, do you feel that the 2011 team vastly overachieved? I mean having the 31st overall defense and not much in the way of wide receivers (excluding Welker)? Josh Strzeszkowski

A: On paper I believe the 2011 team overachieved because what I saw didn't necessarily coincide with a Super Bowl team. But in reality, I don't believe it overachieved based on the opponents it went up against. The AFC was quite down in 2011 and the Patriots took advantage of that. Indy obviously was out of the picture when it lost Manning. The Jets completely imploded and were not a threat from the start of December on, leaving them out of the playoffs. And San Diego struggled through yet another underachieving season. That took three potential contenders out of the picture. In their place stood Cincinnati with a rookie quarterback, Denver with a fullback playing quarterback and Houston with a third-string rookie playing quarterback. None stood a chance of matching up with the Patriots in the playoffs. Pittsburgh was formidable until Ben Roethlisberger suffered a high ankle sprain, the same injury that effectively took Gronkowski out of the Super Bowl for the Patriots. The Steelers were out. So, that left Baltimore and obviously the Patriots had all they could handle with the Ravens, surviving on a dropped touchdown pass followed by a missed chip shot. That marked the Patriots first and only win of the year against a team with a winning record. So while it may be considered overachieving to get to the Super Bowl, New England was favored to win 18 of their 19 games (at the Jets was the only exception) in 2011 so clearly most felt they were better than the teams they played.

[Razor]

I just remembered that Adam Carriker is a FA. He fits what BB likes at DE standing 6'6" 315 lbs. He was a first rounder who really disappointed the first two years of his career but has really played well the last two years in Washington. I'd think that he could play two-gap DE in BB's system just given his size and strength. Definitely someone to look out for...

[Nalej]

Good call!

[cmarq83]

Originally Posted by Razor

I just remembered that Adam Carriker is a FA. He fits what BB likes at DE standing 6'6" 315 lbs. He was a first rounder who really disappointed the first two years of his career but has really played well the last two years in Washington. I'd think that he could play two-gap DE in BB's system just given his size and strength. Definitely someone to look out for...

So the Adam Carriker rumors are starting again. Should I bring up Matt Roth if we're going down that road? :)

[Razor]

Originally Posted by cmarq83

So the Adam Carriker rumors are starting again. Should I bring up Matt Roth if we're going down that road? :)

The main difference here is that Carriker actually has talent. ;) Also, BB seems to like first rounders of the past...

[BradysKnee]

Mike Wright cut as expected, clearing up 2 mil cap.

[Razor]

Originally Posted by BradysKnee

Mike Wright cut as expected, clearing up 2 mil cap.

$2.1 mil actually. Plus Rich Orhberger got cut as well. What a wasted pick he turned out to be..

[BradysKnee]

Originally Posted by Razor

$2.1 mil actually. Plus Rich Orhberger got cut as well. What a wasted pick he turned out to be..

Yeah disappointing to see Wright go, he was coming along if it wasn't for the concussions.

[nepg]

Originally Posted by Razor

$2.1 mil actually. Plus Rich Orhberger got cut as well. What a wasted pick he turned out to be..

He's like the only pick from that draft outside of Meriweather that was of any value for a long time. Ohrnberger was solid depth.

[Jcn92]

Not sure if this has been discussed already, but two guys I would really like to come to New England via free agency are Reggie Wayne and Mario Williams. Damien Woody has stated that Belichick really likes Wayne and admires his play. They are 20 m under the cap so I don't know how doable all of this is. But these are the two names in free agency that I would like to see the Pats active with the most. I would rather see Williams at LB than Tracy White. And of course, bringing Wes back would be at the top of my list as well.

[Razor]

Some of you guys got what you asked for. The Patriots have reportedly signed Gaffney.

[Blackluck]

We've signed Addai. Not surprising, expected a veteran back. At least he can pass protect.

[ElectricEye]

Multiple reports surfacing that we've signed Brandon Bolden too.

[nepg]

Addai could fit in well with the group they already have.

[Don Vito]

Originally Posted by ElectricEye

Multiple reports surfacing that we've signed Brandon Bolden too.

Championship!

Bolden could stick around on the PS. He is pretty well rounded and volunteered to cover kicks this year when we had some injuries, strikes me as a guy who has the potential to stick on for a UDFA.

[Razor]

So, if Antoin Cason becomes a free agent, do the Patriots pursue him? I was a fan of his coming out, so I hope BB will make an offer.

[proshoota25]

Originally Posted by Razor

So, if Antoin Cason becomes a free agent, do the Patriots pursue him? I was a fan of his coming out, so I hope BB will make an offer.

i hope so. me and matt jones have talked about this at length, i would def offer something for him. he's a perfect fit imo

[AntoinCD]

It will all depend on his market. If Talib, Sean Smith etc get big deals then it pushes Cason's value way up too. Ideally the Pats could tag Talib and get another CB for a lowish contract

[FlyingElvis]

Cason is a solid CB that I'd be happy to see in a Pats uni.