Box_O_Rocks

Miguel's roster page lists Spann as signed through 2010 - you and I can be confident that the Pats aren't underrating our lad.

NE isn't cap wealthy before the anticipated franchising of Cassel, and they'll need to do some serious work with some of the larger cap hits to create space. I don't expect NE to get into the bidding war for any of the higher end Safeties. There are a number of S needy teams in the league who would be competing for the top Safeties - I just don't expect NE to make a splash in Free Agency.

The Pats have the inside track for James Sanders, who may be willing to re-sign with the team prior to Free Agency because he will be the leading contender for the starting FS slot. Of course that also depends on what his agent is hearing regarding the market for his services (both Denver and Kansas City with their newly acquired Pats connections are expected to be in the market for Safety upgrades and SD is reported to need Safety help).

I'm expecting Lewis Sanders to be re-signed, he played well for the Pats and this team gives him his best chance to finish his career with a ring.

I expect the Pats to pick up a S in the mid-rounds of the draft and to bring in at least one more (or a CB conversion) as a late round/UDFA.

__________________
"Avert thine eyes! You're not hot enough to be looking at me."
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

billdog3484

i pray for a big playmaking safety in the first or second round. hopefully one will be available. i agree we have other needs too, but a top safety would be great

AzPatsFan

mgt,

Please review your Belichick history. He seldom has had a great CB; and let the good one go, when he wanted too much money.

On the other hand, he has almost always had a superior set of Safeties, in his entire tenure with the Patriots. I think he prizes excellent S play over great CB play.

If anything BB seems to prefer LOTS of above average CBs, in contrast to one or two great ones. It is probably even more true today with the widespread adoption of the Pats "Spread Offense". You need four or five good ones or you will get eaten alive. I think he thinks he is almost there, merely needing some experience for the newcomers. Hobbs, Wheatly, Wilhite and O'Neal, with Sanders, Richardson et al, in reserve is not full of HOF CBs, but all seem somewhat serviceable, even end of roster guys like Richardson.

I know all want to dump on Deltha O'Neal, but it is an entirely different thing to be matched up on the opponent's #1, as O'Neal did in his salad pro-bowl days; and lining up to shut down the #4 WR from the opponent's roster. He should do that in his sleep, (Sleep-walking what many accuse him of doing!)

There are not a lot of high CB talents there this year, but several 3-4 rounders. I imagine that is where Belerio will look for one.

I think that there are only a couple of Safeties in this draft, now that Mays and Rolle are not there; and a lot of earnest, very slow ones, like Nic Harris. Unless there are Combine miracle performances in the 40, the situation is that the Pats get one high; or draft suspects day two and hope.

Do you agree?

Jimke

You mention that Bill Belichick has seldom had great cornerbacks.
How about perennial All-Pro Ty Law from 2000-2004. Ty had a salary
of over 10 million dollars his last year with the Pats. His 2005
salary was to be even higher so there was no choice but to cut him.
Ty Poole was a good but not great cornerback from 2003-2005 but
was injured a lot his last two years. Fans on this forum argue about
whether Asante Samuel was a good or great cornerback. He played
from 2003-2007 and was both All-Pro and in the Pro Bowl in 2007. This
year he is in the Pro Bowl again.
I don't know if Bill Belichick now prefers lots of above average cornerbacks.
Are Jason Webster, Fernando Bryant, Deltha O'Neil, and Lewis Sanders
above average cornerbacks? The thing these players have in common
is that they came cheap. Even a Randall Gay quality cornerback costs
3-4 million dollars per season. These guys were veteran minimum.
The Patriots best bet is to draft and groom young cornerbacks.
This is their best chance to get a quality player at a reasonable
price.

mgteich

Ty Law sys hi. Milloy too. We've have a top corner until 2008. And Belichick is indeed willing to cut a top safety because he wasn't willing to pay.

I agree that if we are going to draft a safety it should be in the first two rounds.

patsfan55

Ty Law was not brought in by the Belioli regime, as for Asante well he was drafted in the fourth round. BB has never INVESTED in corners. I agree with AZ. I'm hoping we're able to bring Sean Jones in via fa. Sean Jones and Brandon Meriweather together would be sweet!

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


“My favorite ring? I've always said, you know, I always said the next one. The next one is the best,” Brady says.

mgteich

I think that Spann is only signed through 2009; see below form Miguel. I agree that Spann is thought highly of by Belichick. He always seems one of those final six at the bottom of the roster who seems to always find a way to contribute. Personally, I'd rather have Tank Williams as backup.

"January 1, 2009 update When Spann was elevated to the 2008 53-man roster on October
22nd, 2008, he signed a two-year deal that had as his 2009 salary as $460,000."

[QUOTE=Box_O_Rocks;1253805]Miguel's roster page lists Spann as signed through 2010 - you and I can be confident that the Pats aren't underrating our lad.

Ochmed Jones

Is Jones really a better option than resigning Sanders?