Do you want a big time free agent?

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

I'd personally love to add Mario Williams but it isn't a must have at all costs type of feeling. A lot of it depends on if/who we re-sign, hopefully, before free agency starts. If bringing back guys like Connoly and Anderson costs more than expected, or we enter free agency without a single player re-signed, I'm less stoked about spending a ton of money on Mario.

I do think the Pats will be very interested in him and I also think he would be willing to sign with us for less money over a bad team for a little more. Again though, it really starts with bringing some key players back and if we are able to sign him, still having the money to add talent and depth at other spots. I don't look at any free agent, whether it be Mario, Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks or RFAs like Mike Wallace or Lardarius Webb, envision their potential signing and think "Done! Now for the draft!" We certainly aren't one player away and no free agent we bring in will by himself make us Super Bowl bound. Guys like Mario though could be a difference maker in the end, when added to a good, deep team. If we can somehow accomplish both, bringing in a stud while not totally sacrificing our overall depth, that would be an awesome thing.

 

[EJ Blitz]

I'd like them to sign starting caliber players to begin with, because I think a few guys that get an abundant amount of snaps in New England wouldn't even be able to step on the field based on some other defenses. But that's just my opinion. This team needs depth, period.

With that being said, I think Mario's versatility would be perfect for this shenanigans defense that cannot be defined. If they're going to spend major bucks, it needs to be defense.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I'd rather see Bill surprise us like he used to with undiscovered gems or supposedly over the hill or washed up jags who are reasonable priced and turn out to be effing pro bowl caliber playmakers...

But that's probably just me.

 

[Jangles]

I'd rather see Bill surprise us like he used to with undiscovered gems or supposedly over the hill or washed up jags who are reasonable priced and turn out to be effing pro bowl caliber playmakers...

But that's probably just me.

I agree

we need a few more difference makers like Ellis, and Ocho

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I was thinking more along the lines of Vrabel and Harrison and Welker... Guys other teams had no use for or had given up on who somehow flourished in this system.

 

[Jangles]

lol I was just kidding

I guess some fans might want Bill to go all in just to see that he did. If Bill signed Mario, and it didn't work out, well spit. There wasn't anything to suggest he would be anything short of great. However, with the constant bargain bin shopping, it's frustrating when he misses because there were other, albeit more expensive options out there.

 

[NewFeep]

I was thinking more along the lines of Vrabel and Harrison and Welker... Guys other teams had no use for or had given up on who somehow flourished in this system.

Wholeheartedly agree.... I can think of several names to add to your list starting with......

Oh i don't know.... Like Corey Dillon.

 

[Jangles]

Joey Galloway

 

[supafly]

lol I was just kidding

I guess some fans might want Bill to go all in just to see that he did. If Bill signed Mario, and it didn't work out, well spit. There wasn't anything to suggest he would be anything short of great. However, with the constant bargain bin shopping, it's frustrating when he misses because there were other, albeit more expensive options out there.

Fortunately for our particular team, we live in the era of the salary cap and have had great success managing said cap. It's one of the aspects that allows our team to be able to constantly compete at a high level.

So, just remember that with every moment of frustration with a BB "miss" in the bargain bin, someone likely just overpaid and got 'had' once again. A lot of these players do end up being stars like Peppers etc, but it's all about building an entire team; Slots 1-53.

 

[supafly]

One more thing to keep in mind is that there are supposedly over 600 free agents this year alone. While only a small percentage will end up on the top 50/top 100 lists, there are still many players out there that can immediately come in and contribute at a much lesser cost.

I'd be all for a big FA signing here, IF that's what Belichick thinks is needed to continue to compete at a high level. It's nothing but a guessing game for us as fans, b/c we just don't know how he feels about developmental players coming up on the practice squad, or any of the other 100 intangibles that need to be looked at closely.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'd personally love to add Mario Williams but it isn't a must have at all costs type of feeling. A lot of it depends on if/who we re-sign, hopefully, before free agency starts. If bringing back guys like Connoly and Anderson costs more than expected, or we enter free agency without a single player re-signed, I'm less stoked about spending a ton of money on Mario.

I do think the Pats will be very interested in him and I also think he would be willing to sign with us for less money over a bad team for a little more. Again though, it really starts with bringing some key players back and if we are able to sign him, still having the money to add talent and depth at other spots. I don't look at any free agent, whether it be Mario, Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks or RFAs like Mike Wallace or Lardarius Webb, envision their potential signing and think "Done! Now for the draft!" We certainly aren't one player away and no free agent we bring in will by himself make us Super Bowl bound. Guys like Mario though could be a difference maker in the end, when added to a good, deep team. If we can somehow accomplish both, bringing in a stud while not totally sacrificing our overall depth, that would be an awesome thing.

It always depends on what's meant by big time. Would I be happy with Wallace? Absolutely. Would I be happy with Nicks? Yes, but not at the price he'll command. Would I be happy with Williams? Probably not, as he's likely to be overpaid no matter how well he plays after signing (see Peppers, Julius).

This is an excellent year for 2nd and 3rd tier free agents, because of the vast number that will be available. There will probably also be some more players getting cut loose by their teams, since the cap basically went nowhere. Other than the WR position and possibly a safety, I'd start there before looking at big ticket players this season.

 

[smg93]

Knee jerk reaction would be for me to want to see how BB could fit in a Mario Williams in the Pats D. But...

I look at last year and the big name on D that they added (I know it was a trade and not via FA but that's not the point) didn't pan out and was released while sleeper FA's (at least compared to that other guy) such as Mark Anderson and Andre Carter proved to be so effective.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Only mario williams..


and lloyd

 

[Wilfork#75]

I would only go after Mario, I have no interest in any of the other big names

 

[ATippett56]

Big time free agent?

That depends whether you consider Richard Marshall a big time free agent?

Defensive Unrestricted Free Agents

Richard Marshall
Cory Redding
Andre Carter

The rest of the holes in the New England Patriots defense can be filled via the 2012 NFL Draft.