2009 free agent targets

[Kontradiction]

channing crowder is one of the most underrated LB's in the game. the guy simply makes plays. would be shocked if miami let him go, but wouldnt be shocked if BB went after him

I don't think he's underrated. I think he's bad. As in bad ass.

 

[woolster22]

Still think the best route to go with our oline would be drafting a TRUE LT to protect the franchise, move Light-in-the-loafers to rt, and let kaczur duke it out with everyone else for rg. Seems to be the easiest way to get the most bang for what we have plus one, so to speak. CB is a problem, or the one that sticks out most as of late (could be mix of no rush and little talent in the def. backfield), and Delta O'No (as in O Nooo, dont throw at him!) needs the boot. also think picking up a monster at olb would be a good move, then you could swap vrabel and thomas around at ilb/olb and move back to the days of hiding things, guys prowling behind the dline, moving back n forth until the ball snaps. When was the last time we saw them do something besides lineup and go? What happened to the lbs stalking behind our vaunted dline, constantly changing the look and id assume making it a tad harder for the oline to get their blpcks straight pre snap? It seems like the coaching staff has lost ALOT of their creativity in the ast two years. Wasn't Capers (may be wrong, guy we signed to work with dbs in offseason, some had him pegged as hc material...) supposed to help out with that?

 

[amhunt2]

-Karlos Dansby - LB - young but experienced. Exactly what our defense needs. Played in the 34.

-Bertrand Berry - DL - veteran depth ?

-Terrell Suggs - LB - young with experience like Dansby. Sugg production has dropped every year he's been in the league.

-Chris Gamble - CB - we let Asante go because he was too much money. Gamble won't demand THAT much and would tighten our pass defense up.

-Dunta Robinson - CB - probably tired of losing in Houston and looking for change of scenery with a more winning team. I wonder what his price tag will be considering his injury history.

-Jabari Greer - CB - Starting #2 CB for the Bills. They used a first rounder and drafted Leodis McKelvin this year so they probably won't be willing to throw much money at Greer.

-Mark Columbo,Jordan Gross,Mark Tausher,Jon Runyan - RT - Kaczur isn't cutting it and either needs to be on the bench or moved inside to RG. I'd rather pick up a FreeAgent RT and draft defensively... take an old veteran so we can hold off using a draft pick on one for the next couple of years.

chris gamble will never happen. i'd love it too, but it wont. when was the last time we traded for a cb. a good one that is.

 

[captain stone]

A fine analysis!

Personally, I don't speculate about other team's free agents until they actually become free agents. Most end up being re-signed or tendered. And those stars who choose free agency usually do so because they want lots of money. I don't speculate about trading for other team's players until we know that they are available and at what price. This saves a lot of energy for me

I do speculate about our players who are free agents after this year or next. I presume that unrestricted free agents are gone until they re-sign. I assume that restricted free agents stay (as almost all we want do). This off-season we must deal with the fact that most of our defensive backs are free agents (O'neal, Sanders, Sanders and Harrison. In 2010, it is the year of the defensive linemen with Green, Seymor and Wilfork eligible for free agency. I would think we need to try to extend them after this season, if we wish to retain their services.

I take the same approach regarding RFAs & UFAs. It's just too early right now for me to daydream; I'm still trying to wake up from an 8-1/2 month nightmare.

 

[slash83]

FWIW, there was a BSPN article that basically says that off the field, Asomugha is like Adalius Thomas (e.g., very active in the Oakland community). It sounds like we'd be doing him a huge favor if Belioli replaced that awful black-and-silver uniform with a much better looking blue-and-silver one. [The question is--can they afford it?]

yes they can afford, if a team wants a player bad enough then can work around the cap so much these days.

 

[cstjohn17]

Crowder is not exactly Mensa material, and he's not exactly considered a great player by his fanbase:

That guy Channing Crowder.. - FinHeaven Forums

Channing Crowder is... - FinHeaven Forums

Channing Crowder - FinHeaven Forums

I don't want a mensa candidate at ILB. He has played well in the games I have watched, local fan bases are often the worst critics of their own team. No one kills Patriot players like Patsfans.com...

If Guyton comes on then their is no need to pay FA money for a ILB. Another name to watch is Barton from the Jets, he is steady, not flashy but plays with an edge. I don't think he will be that expensive and could be a good veteran presence with the youts.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Asomugha would be a wonderful pickup, but I think he's gonna get big $$ when he fits free agency. Will the Pats shell out for a CB?

 

[mmasterkillah]

Terrell Suggs would be an amazing addition for our 3-4 defense, filling in where Willie and Rosie left off.

I have a feeling Gamble would fare well in our zone schemes as he has proven time and time again he is a great playmaker. While he may get beaten on occasion, I would say he is the best athlete in the Panthers secondary by far. He isn't very physical, but he has good size as well.

Karlos Dansby is another interesting mention. He is big, fast and versatile (able to play both inside and outside in the 3-4). While I really like Karlos, I have a feeling somebody will overpay for him. He is not the most fundamentally sound tackler or cover guy, but he is able to make up for it with his athleticism and intensity.

Asomugha won't happen, as he is far too expensive. Though I believe he is a top 3 CB in the L with his amazing size to go along with his talent.

Jabari Greer could be an option, but I'm not sure he is much of an upgrade... I'd prefer a youth movement.

Jordan Gross will be far too expensive if he even hits the market.

Colombo is a mauler, but I'm not sure he is the type of athlete the Pats like at T. Plus, he finally has had some serious success in big D.

Runyan has had a pretty good career, but as he is getting older, I'm not sure I'd count on him for too much.

Crowder is a really hard-nosed player whom I'd love to watch on the Pats (assuming he isn't as dumb as some of his past comments have pointed to).

Dunta Robinson might be a steal because of his injury problems and the fact he hasn't really improved throughout his career. Winning would probably be appealing to him as well.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Asomugha would be a wonderful pickup, but I think he's gonna get big $$ when he fits free agency. Will the Pats shell out for a CB?

He is the only FA on the list, I would want the Pats to sign. Well worth more than Samuel got.

All other holes, except punter needto be filled through he draft.

The most important thing BB can do is give the doctors whatever they ned to get Brady healthy.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Here's how it's going down. First, most of the free agents listed above won't even be able to get away from their former teams because of the stupid franchise tag (something the league needs to get rid of). Those players I'm talking about are Terrell Suggs and Nnamdi Asomugha. I would love to have both on the Pats but that's not going to happen. However, Chris Gamble would be an instant upgrade over Deltha O'Neal but he could get franshised as well. At this point, anybody would be an upgrade over O'Neal. Depending on how well Guyton develops, Channing Crowder would be a great candidate to replace Teddy Bruschi. As far as the O-line goes, Mark Tauscher would be a great addition to the right side of the line.

After 5 games this season, it's pretty clear where the Pats need to make upgrades for the following season. First, the Pats need to upgrade the O-line if they want to keep Brady upright for next season. Glaring holes that need to be addressed immediately are the RG, RT and many may argue that Light and Koppen are losing it.

Like I said last offseason, the Pats needed a pass rushing LB to compliment Adalius Thomas but they didn't get my memo. So for this offseason, this pass rushing LB could be Crable, a draft pick or Terrell Suggs if he's available. As much as Vrabel has been a great player for the Pats, his time looks to be running out.

Next, as I said earlier, they need to replace Bruschi. This player will be Guyton, draft pick or FA (Crowder?).

Last but not least, the secondary. When Ellis Hobbs is the best DB in your secondary, there's a problem. O'Neal needs to take a hike, Harrison is in denial and needs to retire and James Sanders doesn't make any plays. Despite some early blown coverages, Merriweather will soon become the best player in the secondary.


Let's recap:

THEARCHIVES says the Pats need the following in order of importance:

RT
RG
pass rushing LB
ILB
CB
S

 

[BradyManny]

Offensive Line thoughts...

After some further review, I'm hoping the Pats make a run at Colombo or Gross. Upgrading RT immediately would allow them to use their first rounder on defense, which worked beautifully this year, I'd love to do it again.

Furthermore, a known commodity at RT would have many benefits. For one, Kaczur has looked a little subpar this season, and in general has been the weakest, albeit an adequate, piece of the line. If that trend doesn't turn around, we could use an upgrade. But an added bonus is he could be worked out at guard over the offseason and provide depth there, and be an instant upgrade as an OT backup.

Long term, they need to draft a Neal replacement, so I'd spend a round 2 or 3 pick on an OG. And also thinking long term, taking an OT in rounds 2-5.

 

[Brady_Moss]

Kellen Winslow-TE-Browns Oct. 21 - 11:33 pm et

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports Kellen Winslow was shopped by the Browns before the trade deadline.

The public dispute between Winslow and the team is just one of the factors leading to the Pro Bowl tight end being dangled. He's also seeking a new contract while the Browns selected Martin Rucker in the 2008 draft as their future tight end. Combined with James Walker's ESPN report, it leads one to believe that the Browns will make Winslow available again this offseason.
Source: NFL.com



maybe we can make a trade for KW2 in the 09 offseason

 

[DaBruinz]

Kellen Winslow-TE-Browns Oct. 21 - 11:33 pm et

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports Kellen Winslow was shopped by the Browns before the trade deadline.

The public dispute between Winslow and the team is just one of the factors leading to the Pro Bowl tight end being dangled. He's also seeking a new contract while the Browns selected Martin Rucker in the 2008 draft as their future tight end. Combined with James Walker's ESPN report, it leads one to believe that the Browns will make Winslow available again this offseason.
Source: NFL.com



maybe we can make a trade for KW2 in the 09 offseason

People on here are complaining about Maroney being injury prone and you want to bring in a guy who has had more injuries than Maroney? No thanks.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

After some further review, I'm hoping the Pats make a run at Colombo or Gross. Upgrading RT immediately would allow them to use their first rounder on defense, which worked beautifully this year, I'd love to do it again.QUOTE]

Purdue has a massive ROT (6'6" and about 320 lbs.) Sean Seaster that has tons of experience blocking for the pass and can drive block better than Kazcur can.

Oregon has an OT that would be perfect for our OL in Unger. His size e is comparable to Light, 6'3" and about 305 lbs. He had a great game against USC and has a little nastiness to his game.

I think Gross is older and starting to break down some. Columbo on the other hand has a huge injury history, but has managed to stay on the field in Dallas.

I would prefer using a draft pick to signing a veteran.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Kellen Winslow-TE-Browns Oct. 21 - 11:33 pm et

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports Kellen Winslow was shopped by the Browns before the trade deadline.

The public dispute between Winslow and the team is just one of the factors leading to the Pro Bowl tight end being dangled. He's also seeking a new contract while the Browns selected Martin Rucker in the 2008 draft as their future tight end. Combined with James Walker's ESPN report, it leads one to believe that the Browns will make Winslow available again this offseason.
Source: NFL.com



maybe we can make a trade for KW2 in the 09 offseason

I'd rather go 0-16 than have Soulja Boy(remember his comments at the U?) on my team. He is the epitome of what
I can't stand about the modern athlete. Well, maybe 2nd behind Manny. Not to digress.
Gets hurt and doesn't play for a coupld of years. Cashes the signing bonus
and salary without batting an eye. One of injuries an off-field incident. hot-dogging
on a motorcycle. Now he has a decent year or two and wants to get paid.
Get lost punk!

 

[JoeSixPat]

Here is the cap hits for 2009, we have about 24 million with about 37 players under contract.

http://www.patscap.com/futureyears.html

It's fine to specualte who we could be after and who would fit our schemes.

But as everyone knows, BB has shown pretty good loyalty to the guys who have been around for a while, and has been ruthless in getting rid of some vets as well.

So nothing will surprise me at all.

Money is no object here - there's an infinite number of ways to fit in salaries guranteed money into the cap in the first year - not to mention the opportunities to dump salary and find cap space with other moves.

My guess is that they've never been shy about spending money on the right guys to protect Brady on the OL

CB might be a different matter where they might find that the right system player need not command big bucks.

 

[patsfaninpa]

With the salary cap as high as it is now. Teams can keep the players
they really want. Not a heckuva lot out there any more. I'd love to fill 3
positions with veterans. A safety, ilb and RT. They aren't the glamour positions
which demand a lot of money like; CB,DE,WR,ETC. So, maybe we can fill our
needs. I'd like to get back to the basics in the draft. What made us a great
team. Let's draft some linemen ol and dl.

 

[OhExaulted1]

For the love of GOD people, why have you forsaken Adam Seward?

 

[swheeler23]

So nobody thinks the Patriots should go after a Qb? Who knows when Brady will be ready. Cassel is a free agent. If the Patriots go deep in the playoffs Cassel will be an expensive pickup unless they sign him before the season is up.

 

[spacecrime]

So nobody thinks the Patriots should go after a Qb? Who knows when Brady will be ready. Cassel is a free agent. If the Patriots go deep in the playoffs Cassel will be an expensive pickup unless they sign him before the season is up.

If Cassel takes the Patriots deep into the playoffs, wouldn't you rather have him than a castoff from another team?

Pats have O'Connell and if there is any hint that Brady won't be ready, they'll resign Cassel. I'd like to see them resign him now.