I know this may be a stretch, but what about going after Mario Williams?

[VrabelJr]

When has Jackson been a cancer?

At this point it's all speculation. But Williams makes sense for this defense regardless of system.

It wouldn't surprise me to see him sign here.

If he wants to win for a little less money he'll want to be here.

If not, It doesn't break my heart.

I'm from SD and VJax puts partying above the team. You can find him downtown at a club any day of the night. He also has two DUIs and many people find him to be a very one dimensional WR. Fortunately, that one dimension he excels at is something this offense badly needs.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

We are a Mario Williams type of player away from winning the S.B. I want Bill to go all out this year and put us over the hump of losing these big games. But, I'm dreaming...don't think we'll pay him for what he is asking, but who knows...maybe he'd take a little bit of a discount to play for a team that contends for the S.B every year.

note to self : majority of the nfl players are in it for the rings, not the money.

Most people here are enamored by the NAME. Look closely and his production has been declining year after year. When a team like Texans will rather sign Arian Foster, as opposed to keeping Super Mario, that says a lot

And to the last point, Texans have a very good team now, and in the weak AFC could easily contend for SB every year now that Steelers are geeting old, and Colts are done. That being the case Mario could easily say hell with it stay put enjoy no state Taxes of Texas ! If he is in it for the money, then he goes to Bengals or Bucs since both of them can throw a BOATLOAD of cash, not even remotely close to Pats.

I see 0.01% chance Mario lands here in NE. That's simply not how BB operates. His mantra is to scrounge the nfl scraps every year and see if he can get 3-5 hits for that 1 year, and add few more via draft. Next year, do same thing....cap control is key, and player value is set to Pats level, not market level...to prove my point, just look as Patriots players let go..

exhibit A : Ty Law
exhibit B : Adam Vinateri
exhibit C : Daniel Graham
exhibit D : Richard Seymour (traded before next contract)
exhibit E : Asante Samuel
exhibit F : Watson
exhibit G : Lawyer Milloy (cut)

On the other hand 2 major FA signings : Colvin, Adalius. That's all. 1 complete utter failure with Adalius, and Colvin had couple decent years, but mostly hurt

For the naysayers, Harrison was signed after he was cut, not as a FA. Moss and Welker, Dillon were trades

 

[Elijah T.]

I'm from SD and VJax puts partying above the team. You can find him downtown at a club any day of the night. He also has two DUIs and many people find him to be a very one dimensional WR. Fortunately, that one dimension he excels at is something this offense badly needs.

Ok, interesting. I can't say I'm surprised, I know he did have a DUI a year or so ago.

I'm sure BB will pass if he's a "me" guy.

Brandon Lloyd had that rap early in his career as well and will be going on his sixth team in ten years if he leaves the Rams. Not sure how team oriented he is.

My first choice is Marques Colston.

He runs all the routes and can get downfield, 6'4 225. Hard working and quiet. Just does his job. Reliable hands and consistent week to week.

He's underrated; there's nothing Larry Fitzgerald does that Colston can't do.

 

[dhamz]

When has Jackson been a cancer?

At this point it's all speculation. But Williams makes sense for this defense regardless of system.

It wouldn't surprise me to see him sign here.

If he wants to win for a little less money he'll want to be here.

If not, It doesn't break my heart.

I believe Jackson has multiple DUIs and if I am not mistaken at least one if not two of them came in the week of a playoff game.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

I'm from SD and VJax puts partying above the team. You can find him downtown at a club any day of the night. He also has two DUIs and many people find him to be a very one dimensional WR. Fortunately, that one dimension he excels at is something this offense badly needs.

Again, people hear VJAX, the NAME, and start gushing. His best year was in 2009 with 68 catches.......68 ! His next best season is 60 ! All the rest are like 27, 41, 59

You going to pay him 10+mill for that ? Not like he comes from a garbage team or division with tough defenses like KC, Broncos, Raiders. or that he can complain he's had garbage QB in Rivers.

He held out a long time for money. He was suspended in 2010 for his 2nd DUI; first one in 2009 - not like he was a 20 year old kid at the time that one could excuse it. His priorities are not part of the Patriots way. did we not learn it this year from Haynesworth experiment ??????????????

I mean put the pipe down if you think guys like VJAX, Mario are coming here. I dont know why this sudden affliction with every big FA BB will run out to sign and max his cap.

with 5 picks in Top 3 rounds they will need 5-6mill just to sign the rookies, at least those that they select. plus Welker and host of others to sign

 

[DonBlackmon55]

Ok, interesting. I can't say I'm surprised, I know he did have a DUI a year or so ago.

I'm sure BB will pass if he's a "me" guy.

Brandon Lloyd had that rap early in his career as well and will be going on his sixth team in ten years if he leaves the Rams. Not sure how team oriented he is.

My first choice is Marques Colston.

He runs all the routes and can get downfield, 6'4 225. Hard working and quiet. Just does his job. Reliable hands and consistent week to week.

He's underrated; there's nothing Larry Fitzgerald does that Colston can't do.

Colston is far better choice. Same age as Jackson , 29 , tall and athletic but much more of a team player with no baggage. Another 7th rd pick who worked hard to make it.

I would fork the $$ for Colston over VJAX, Bowe or Lloyd. You know with Colston you are getting a proven, smart, hardworking player, that comes from a winning system and QB(Brees) and he has backed it up year after year quietly for last 6 years

He is the quietest, unassuming WR superstar. Can put him down for 80+ catches and 1100 yards every year like clockwork. Pretty impressive coming from a Saints system loaded with Offensive threats for last 5 years.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Colston is far better choice. Same age as Jackson , 29 , tall and athletic but much more of a team player with no baggage. Another 7th rd pick who worked hard to make it.

I would fork the $$ for Colston over VJAX, Bowe or Lloyd. You know with Colston you are getting a proven, smart, hardworking player, that comes from a winning system and QB(Brees) and he has backed it up year after year quietly for last 6 years

He is the quietest, unassuming WR superstar. Can put him down for 80+ catches and 1100 yards every year like clockwork. Pretty impressive coming from a Saints system loaded with Offensive threats for last 5 years.

Colston was our David Givens

 

[DonBlackmon55]

Colston was our David Givens

You do mean in the round selected. Outside of that no comparison. Marques Colston is forming a HOF career

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I don't think we can afford someone of William's caliber unfortunately. We have to extend Welker + we have potentially 4 picks in the first two rounds.

2011 draft pick cap hits:
Nate Solder (17) = $1.315M
Ras-I Dowling (33) = $964K
Shane Vereen (56) = $629K
Stevan Ridley (73) = $537K
Ryan Mallett (74) = $537K

Total: $3.98M

Four draft picks in the first two rounds won't cost the Pats a ton.

 

[makoute]

Colston is far better choice. Same age as Jackson , 29 , tall and athletic but much more of a team player with no baggage. Another 7th rd pick who worked hard to make it.

I would fork the $$ for Colston over VJAX, Bowe or Lloyd. You know with Colston you are getting a proven, smart, hardworking player, that comes from a winning system and QB(Brees) and he has backed it up year after year quietly for last 6 years

He is the quietest, unassuming WR superstar. Can put him down for 80+ catches and 1100 yards every year like clockwork. Pretty impressive coming from a Saints system loaded with Offensive threats for last 5 years.

I agree, I think Colston would be the best choice, and the more attainable player, and he probably would be a better fit for the Pats system.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

PFW: Mario Williams?

pro football weekly discusses Mario Williams, the logic behind it, and the Texans cap issues that might let him go

ProFootballWeekly.com - Patriots could make run at Texans' Williams

 

[SeymourTrophies]

While I was distraught when the seymour deal happened, I don't think it was the wrong thing to do in hindsight. Seymour makes 13 mil per year now, and he's not young. Other than that, I agree with the writer and his reasoning. BB is not going to be here forever, and he was rumored to be interested in Peppers. Williams is a younger, less dominant, more versatile version.

It could be more likely we make a move where the structure is such that Williams sees mucho dinero the year of the cap hike. 160 mil still leaves room for re-signing TEs and the deserving defensive players in the next couple years.

 

[bucky]

exhibit A : Ty Law
exhibit B : Adam Vinateri
exhibit C : Daniel Graham
exhibit D : Richard Seymour (traded before next contract)
exhibit E : Asante Samuel
exhibit F : Watson
exhibit G : Lawyer Milloy (cut)

I think you're right on the money w/regard to players who want to break the bank. However, what makes you think Williams wants to break the bank? AD and Colvin both came here for good contracts, but neither was a ground-breaking contract like Peppers' or Haynesworth's. If Williams is willing to leave some money on the table to come here (just like Colvin and AD), I can definitely see it happening.

I don't think this is necessarily an either/or choice, but I would take Williams over Welker even though I love Wes.

 

[Marqui]

Williams should be the Pats #1 priority this offseason imo.

 

[Patriot Missile]

]I don't think this is necessarily an either/or choice, but I would take Williams over Welker even though I love Wes.

I'll take them both.

I don't understand why someone would not want a 27 year old super star who dictates blocking assignments and schemes while taking up blockers to free up the rest of the line. A versatile player that can play 4-3, 3-4 end as well as play OLB. I laugh when I think of the chances of improving the pass rush through the draft. It really is a crap shoot.

Want to predict which rookies will be busts? Look at pass rushers

 

[Bostonian1962]

Perfect fit and, if we hit in the draft, you could argue we could let Anderson and Carter walk....but we need to focus on Welker, Koppen and Green-Ellis first. I'd also like to see Ihedigbo and Connolly re-signed.

Can we afford him? Probably. We have $20 million of free cap space...but if Carter and Anderson are deemed good to go, and I think Anderson would be a great situational rusher once again for us, then I struggle to see Belichick reaching.

Williams has shown great versatility in moving from a DE to OLB in different schemes...if the Pats want to continue a hybrid, you'd argue this guy could be perfect with his experience.

They'll probably tag him and get one good year out of him at least. Doubt we can snag this guy.

I would not include Koppen as a must re-sign player. Frankly, I prefer Connolly.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Connolly > Koppen.

The Pats need to do their due diligence with Mario Williams. 26 years old. 53 sacks and 11 forced fumbles in 82 games...wow.

How much money is dependent on how well he has recovered from the torn pectoral.

 

[upstater1]

Overlooked: the salary cap is going to ramp up exponentially.

Push $$$ into the future and you'll be alright.

 

[JackBauer]

He's underrated; there's nothing Larry Fitzgerald does that Colston can't do.

Only difference being Fitzgerald is a significantly better player.

Marques Colston is forming a HOF career

I like Colston, too, but let's not be ridiculous.

 

[signbabybrady]

I will put this in the gimme gimme gimme I want I need but I totally understand why it wouldnt happen category.

Simple who would not want a player of his caliber money aside. And maybe somehow BB thinks he is worth the money and/or Mario takes a little less to come here and that would be absofreakinglutely amazing but I doubt it.

IMO spending priorities should continue to be internal on guys like Wes, BJGE, and to lesser extents Branch, Carter, Light, Waters, .....

You should be looking for one or two bigger name FA hopefully a Safety or CB and WR. And then a bunch of middle tier FA to fill in depth on the OL, maybe one more WR, and one each on D (DL,LB,CB, S).

Your not going to get all of the above through FAency but you still have a plethera of draft picks.

If somehow you went the Mario route you would likely lose out on a few of your own guys and would have less to shop for other FA with and would be relying very heavy on the draft to fill the other holes. Which honestly might be a better route but relies on actually being able to win the mario sweepstakes.

Mario and Wes would pretty much dry up all FA money heck you might not even be able to do both. obviously things would be real tight but I think you could still fit Branch, Waters, Light, and Carter in so long as they want back here and not last bigger pay days. I dont think this leaves much for any other FAs though no DB help, no WR (maybe Lloyd if he truly is following McD). Leaving a lot to be filled through the Draft and through vet or vlose to vet min FA.