BradyToMoss07

who do you guys think the Pats will go after in free agency after this season? Seau, Bruschi, Samuel, Harrison could all be gone and I don't see any of the players on the current roster stepping into a starting role. Any ideas?

BradyManny

I think at least 2 out of 3 Seau, Bruschi, Harrison returns. I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't see those guys walking.

Asante, sure, he's gone.

Here's the first google link for 08 free agents:

http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html

Brady_12

I would be shocked if Harrison signs with anyone but the Pats.

As for free agents, I'd like to see Briggs but my guess is he'll be a bit too expensive.

stinkypete

Would love to see Karlos Dansby brought in

cstjohn17

Harrison is not a free agent, I think... unless he retires he will be back, I would put the odds very low that he does not return. Bruschi, love the guy but do we really want him back? Maybe in a p/t role.

This is about the best page for Patriot free agents.
http://www.patscap.com/patsfreeagency.html

sieglo

Bruschi and Harrison will both be back. I see Bruschi playing another 2-3 years at least.

primetime

Bruschi's done after this year. He's practically done right now. Victor Hobson is a UFA after this year, I believe. I'd love to see the Patriots bring him in as a replacement in the middle. He has had some good games against the Patriots in the past and is a prototypical 3-4 MLB.

Rob0729

If we win it all, I expect both Seau and Bruschi to retire. There isn't a dubt that Seau would retire if he won a Super Bowl, Bruschi has a slight chance of returning. Harrison could retire in that scenario too.

I really don't see the Pats paying Samuel what he can get on the open market. Unless he takes a discount, I see him gone.

Wilson could be resigned if he is willing to take a value deal and willing to be a rotational guy. He won't get a great deal here. Gay could get a good back up deal.

As for free agents, I think the Pats should target Dansby and Hobson for the middle. Maybe AD can convince Terrel Suggs to take a value deal (which would signal the end of Colvin potentially) to play for a contender. The Ravens will likely franchise him though.

I would love to see us sign Dallas Clark. He would really strengthen our offense and weaken the Colts. If they use the franchise tag on Bob Sanders, they may end up losing Clark.

If the Cowboys don't put a first round tender on Marion Barber (unlikely) I wouldn't mind signing him away since the worst we would give up is the 29th pick in the second round.

patsgo

lets wait until march

mgteich

I agree that these discussions will have relevance only after the Super Bowl. I would note that I don't think there are nay player who are "playing for the ring" and will retire if they get the ring, and play on if not.

The first phase of free agency will be after the Super Bowl and before free agency officially starts. It is in this time frame that we be negotiating with our own players. There are a couple of options to decide upon (Washington and Stallworth) and also we need to know who intends to retire. It is also the time to extend contracts if players are willing (Colvin).

This prepares us for the next phase, the first week of free agency. It is unlikely that we will be as active as last time. However, we have learned that make deals early really helps the rest of the offseason. I look for one or two players in that week, plus a couple of re-signings.

I ignore all free agent list from other teams until at least the first week of free agency. After all, most will re-sign with their teams.

We will also see if anyone makes a huge error is designating their RFA's. There are still teams like Miami able to make such errors, but they are rare.