- Joined
- Jul 11, 2005
- Messages
- 15,519
- Reaction score
- 27,516
.....so good .....in a kind of low key, low risk kind of way. We were certainly more active that I thought we'd be this early in the process. So here is were we are right now.
Signings – Ours
Wes Welker - WR/PR
Impact – We retain the most productive WR in the league for the last 5 years. It was pretty much no brainer. The real question is how long can he keep doing it, given his stature, age, and the amount of pounding he's taken constantly catching balls primarily in the middle of the field. My guess is he peaked last season, but is likely to have 2 more productive if declining years. IMHO any LT contract should be front loaded, so the team will be protected when he “hits the wall”
Tracey White – ST/LB
Impact – This generation's Larry Izzo – Glad to have him back. BUT, he should never be on the field for a regular defense except in the most dire emergency
Matthew Slater – ST/WR/DB
Impact - Maybe I'm wrong and HE'S this generation's Larry Izzo – An all pro quality special teamer, his versatility to play WR and DB in emergencies just adds to his value BUT like White, ONLY in emergencies
Dan Connolly – C/G
Impact – He was more than adequate as the Pats C last season and in my eyes earned the right to be the starter this season. I thought he was stronger at setting the middle of the pass protection. Less effective as a run blocker, But in situation where you have to pick one of 2 good players, I go younger and bigger. - The Dan Koppen era is over. Thanks for your contribution And the beer is on me over at Mary Anne's
(disclaimer:- In the interest of full disclosure, it should be noted that I said the same thing about Matt Light after the Draft)
Signings – Theirs
Brandon Lloyd - WR
Impact – I think its going to be less than you think. He can have a great year (ie 55 catches, 800 yds, and 7 TD's) but I think most of that production is just going to reduce the catches and yds from the other mjor targets The reality is that it is highly unlikely that the Pats with throw for 5,200 yds next season. Lloyd's value is that he can offer a different kind of WR threat to the defenses we face. That he can be the guy who can beat physical press coverage constantly.. Hopefully he can “stretch the defense” as well, but I'm not sure he's that kind of receiver.
The other impact is since Ocho is under contract at a reduced rate, as well as the additions of Lloyd, Gonsales, and likely a WR in the 2nd or 3rd round, Deion Branch won't be offered a contract.
Anthony Gonsales – WR -
Impact – I think this is just a shot in the dark. He was a low first round talent, who hasn't been able to stay on the field for the last 2 seasons. Low risk – If he makes the team he vastly improves the quality of the depth at WR - He could be the guy who causes Branch not to get a contract and the guy who make Edelman fight for his roster spot.. He just as easily could be released after OTA's
Jonathan Fanene – DL/interior pass rusher.
Impact – Critical need, imho. I was happy to see BB address this first. This guy is one of many additions we've made so far, who we have to keep adding the term “when healthy”.when describing them. But he seems to be “the Mike Wright replacement”. A role player who can create inside pressure that we sorely missed after Wright and Pryor went down. He will also cut down on Wilfolk's snaps, which will be important for the playoffs. Seems like typical no-name mid level signing that often turns out well for the Pats
Trevor Scott – DE/OLB -
Impact – the ESPN reporter who covers the AFCW thought that in a couple of years people would look back at this as a “steal”. Coming into the league the kid showed he HAD a great burst,and was a natural pass rusher. But due to injury he hasn't done much the last two years. Again, “if healthy” he adds to the potential outside pass rush, DE/OLB depth and is insurance in case we can't afford to resign Mark Anderson.
Steve Gregory FS/ST
Impact – Again, another guy that when you first hear about the signing, you scratch your head and go “who???”. Just another no-name who looks better and better the more you read about him. He eases my pain from not signing Richard Marshall ,,,,a bit. At best he becomes the answer at FS. At worse he excels at ST's, adds safety depth, and helps in certain sub-coverages, To put it in financial terms he's either a over paid DB back up and ST's ace, or he's an underpaid starting FS.
At this point, its comforting to see SD fans' mostly positive comments about him. And that in the worst scenario, he's a huge upgrade over what we had back there last year. This was a good start at upgrading the Safety position, but hopefully its just a start. BTW-this move also makes it unlikely that Devon McCourty will be permanently moved to S anytime soon.
Marcus Harrison – DT -
Impact – Probably none – this poor kid didn't even get his own thread on the board.- normally I would say that since we had him and already and cut him this is the kind of signing that smacks of “camp fodder”. However, the fact that BB reached out to him so soon in the process, makes me think there's more to this. But then again.....maybe not. The competition for jobs on the DL is going to be FIERCE.
Signings – Ours
Wes Welker - WR/PR
Impact – We retain the most productive WR in the league for the last 5 years. It was pretty much no brainer. The real question is how long can he keep doing it, given his stature, age, and the amount of pounding he's taken constantly catching balls primarily in the middle of the field. My guess is he peaked last season, but is likely to have 2 more productive if declining years. IMHO any LT contract should be front loaded, so the team will be protected when he “hits the wall”
Tracey White – ST/LB
Impact – This generation's Larry Izzo – Glad to have him back. BUT, he should never be on the field for a regular defense except in the most dire emergency
Matthew Slater – ST/WR/DB
Impact - Maybe I'm wrong and HE'S this generation's Larry Izzo – An all pro quality special teamer, his versatility to play WR and DB in emergencies just adds to his value BUT like White, ONLY in emergencies
Dan Connolly – C/G
Impact – He was more than adequate as the Pats C last season and in my eyes earned the right to be the starter this season. I thought he was stronger at setting the middle of the pass protection. Less effective as a run blocker, But in situation where you have to pick one of 2 good players, I go younger and bigger. - The Dan Koppen era is over. Thanks for your contribution And the beer is on me over at Mary Anne's
(disclaimer:- In the interest of full disclosure, it should be noted that I said the same thing about Matt Light after the Draft)
Signings – Theirs
Brandon Lloyd - WR
Impact – I think its going to be less than you think. He can have a great year (ie 55 catches, 800 yds, and 7 TD's) but I think most of that production is just going to reduce the catches and yds from the other mjor targets The reality is that it is highly unlikely that the Pats with throw for 5,200 yds next season. Lloyd's value is that he can offer a different kind of WR threat to the defenses we face. That he can be the guy who can beat physical press coverage constantly.. Hopefully he can “stretch the defense” as well, but I'm not sure he's that kind of receiver.
The other impact is since Ocho is under contract at a reduced rate, as well as the additions of Lloyd, Gonsales, and likely a WR in the 2nd or 3rd round, Deion Branch won't be offered a contract.
Anthony Gonsales – WR -
Impact – I think this is just a shot in the dark. He was a low first round talent, who hasn't been able to stay on the field for the last 2 seasons. Low risk – If he makes the team he vastly improves the quality of the depth at WR - He could be the guy who causes Branch not to get a contract and the guy who make Edelman fight for his roster spot.. He just as easily could be released after OTA's
Jonathan Fanene – DL/interior pass rusher.
Impact – Critical need, imho. I was happy to see BB address this first. This guy is one of many additions we've made so far, who we have to keep adding the term “when healthy”.when describing them. But he seems to be “the Mike Wright replacement”. A role player who can create inside pressure that we sorely missed after Wright and Pryor went down. He will also cut down on Wilfolk's snaps, which will be important for the playoffs. Seems like typical no-name mid level signing that often turns out well for the Pats
Trevor Scott – DE/OLB -
Impact – the ESPN reporter who covers the AFCW thought that in a couple of years people would look back at this as a “steal”. Coming into the league the kid showed he HAD a great burst,and was a natural pass rusher. But due to injury he hasn't done much the last two years. Again, “if healthy” he adds to the potential outside pass rush, DE/OLB depth and is insurance in case we can't afford to resign Mark Anderson.
Steve Gregory FS/ST
Impact – Again, another guy that when you first hear about the signing, you scratch your head and go “who???”. Just another no-name who looks better and better the more you read about him. He eases my pain from not signing Richard Marshall ,,,,a bit. At best he becomes the answer at FS. At worse he excels at ST's, adds safety depth, and helps in certain sub-coverages, To put it in financial terms he's either a over paid DB back up and ST's ace, or he's an underpaid starting FS.
At this point, its comforting to see SD fans' mostly positive comments about him. And that in the worst scenario, he's a huge upgrade over what we had back there last year. This was a good start at upgrading the Safety position, but hopefully its just a start. BTW-this move also makes it unlikely that Devon McCourty will be permanently moved to S anytime soon.
Marcus Harrison – DT -
Impact – Probably none – this poor kid didn't even get his own thread on the board.- normally I would say that since we had him and already and cut him this is the kind of signing that smacks of “camp fodder”. However, the fact that BB reached out to him so soon in the process, makes me think there's more to this. But then again.....maybe not. The competition for jobs on the DL is going to be FIERCE.
