micronin127

I would start by getting an offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator with a strong preference for Charlie Weis and Dick Jauron. Coaching staff is one area that doesn't count against the cap and the team should simply assemble the best staff possible.

I would sign Wilfork, if possible, and franchise him if he won't come to terms.

I would re-up Brady.

I would let Randy Moss play out his contract year. I would be interested in resigning him if he puts up the numbers next year, but can't see the rush to lock him up right now like I see with Brady.

I would try to sign Stephen Gostkowski long term, but certainly offer him the highest tender possible as a 5th year RFA.

Ditto for Logan Mankins.

I would look to sign physical players on the defensive front 7 and would target Casey Hampton and Julius Peppers. If you get Hampton, you can slide Wilfork out to DE like they did against Miami. Peppers would play 3-4 OLB like McGinest used to play and let him line up on either side. Franchise and trade options might be available with players like Darnell Dockett.

I would upgrade the offensive line as best you can and that might mean letting players go who are only slightly above average like Koppen and Neal.

I would try to resign Leigh Bodden as he is at minimum a #2 CB. Darius Butler is at minimum a #2 CB as well though he is a superior nickel corner. Still seeking a #1 CB with some height who can match up with Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall.

I would trade for Brandon Marshall if he is available for a #1 pick. I would trade for Anquan Boldin if he is available for a #2 pick. Strong preference for Marshall. It would really open things up for everyone, especially Moss.

I would resign Maroney, but would also get him some help by pursuing a fullback. Are there any Sam Gash/Kevin Turner players available as free agents or in the draft. I would also look to draft a RB.

There will be players available, like Ogunleye, from Chicago. But these guys might have seen their best days already.

I just don't want to feel like we are a soft team anymore. They will need some physical players especially on the defensive front, but also on the offensive line, to really control the line of scrimmage.

Jimke

Incidentally, I do think you are correct.

ctpatsfan77

Agreed. Even a second-rounder might not sway McDaniels and/or Jones from trying to get their paws on the Ghost.

I'm sure we'll see some action on the line, but no massive overhauls.

The Pats probably have a better chance of landing TO than making either of those trades.

Maroney's still under contract in 2010.

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upstater1

If we finish in the top 8, a lot of those free agent dreams go up in smoke.

12to81

Don't be such a douche and have some fun, man. Remember football is a game.

micronin127

I thought that the FA restrictions in an uncapped year only applied to the top 4....

Uncapped years would actually limit free agency

Excerpt from Pat Kirwan's article linked above.

Top 4 has more restrictions than top 8, so I see your point as to limiting the signing of several free agents, but they might be able to bring in 1 or 2. I also think that if a team will trade with us that we have the ammunition to do that too with a 1st and 3 2nds. We gave up our 3rd for Burgess.

Boots Electric

(All of this is assuming next year is uncapped)

Hard to see what we can do. Peppers will be pricey. I'll say that right now. There are a couple of interesting linebackers in the Draft. Brandon Spikes and Rolando McClain (if he decides to enter). Also, Shawne Merriman and Derrick Johnson are interesting choices at the linebacker position in this coming free agency. Aaron Kampman as well is very interesting.

As far as getting free agent WRs in 2010, the most the Patriots can aspire to is Kevin Walter of the Texans. Maybe Malcolm Floyd (doubtful though seeing as they cut Chambers to use Floyd). The Broncos will not let Marshall go, the Chargers will not let Jackson go, and the Cowboys will not let Austin go. Jordan Shipley and Golden Tate are also interesting choices to add to a young WR core with Tate, Edelman, and the developing Stanback and veteran guys like Moss and Welker. Julio Jones in 2011!

Maroney is here to stay but what happens to Morris and Taylor? I think Morris will be gone. Taylor is still a question mark. Chester Taylor is a free agent. A good RB who can catch out of the backfield. Problem is that who knows if A.) Minnesota will want to keep him or B.) Because of his past success, he will want to go somewhere where he is the main attraction.

Now, as far as a CB goes. Well, there are some options. One is Marlin Jackson. Him and Bethea are FAs and I doubt they will chose Jackson over Bethea. Dunta Robinson and Carlos Rogers are other FA corners but there is a possibility of getting Al Harris. If next year is uncapped, he might be released given the better play of their other DBs and they have a youth movement going on there. Or the Patriots could trade a 2nd round draft pick (acquired from Jacksonville or Tennessee) for Harris. His injury this year is worrisome, but he is a veteran player and a great CB.

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mb6592

This team is the anywhere from the 4th-8th best team in the league with all those players right now. How exactly are you ensuring that BB and Brady go out with a bang by signing them?

upstater1

Because of the salary cap relief.

In other words, this gives you a ton of flexibility each year, if you compare the avg. cost of the contract to the actual cost, it allows you to pay for two extra Pro Bowl-level players that you would not be able to afford otherwise.

Brarrell

you're waisting your breath the Krafts will not spend any bonus money "their money", as far as I'm concerned not signing Asante and trading Seymour for a pick two years from now because there will be a new CBA confirmed everything I suspected about the Krafts. Make no mistake they give BB a budget every year including bonus money to be spent the reason they love BB is because he has brought them 3 titles and the system is predicated on being able to let go players who have played themselves into big contracts and replace with draft picks. This worked early in the dynasty like the trade of Tbucky Jones but now it's evening out the drafts haven't been that good lately and once again they have been exposed trading 1st round picks for 2nd round picks why so they don't have to pay bonus money. How else can you explain trading Cassel for a 2nd round pick when you could have gotten a 1st and 3rd from Tampa or Denver and to boot threw in Vraibel. I drank the kool-aid for a long time but I have taken a step back and started looking at this since the Branch debacle.