OFFENSE
RETAINED: Vollmer, Edelman
NOT RETAINED: Welker, Lloyd, Branch, Woodhead, Thomas
FREE AGENT ADDITIONS: Amendola, Jenkins, Washington, Svitek, (Blount)
In the end, Jenkins, Washington, and Svitek took the roster spots of Branch, Woodhead, and Thomas. This isn't bad. Amendola replaced Welker and Lloyd. That sux.
I don't think that we did well in these changes. It doesn't mean that it can't work. Vereen might step up, or not. Perhaps the rookie wide receivers will be productive (seems unlikely).
We certainly celebrate the better health of the offensive line (our #2 strength).
BTW, the idea that Welker was cut a year "early" implies that he will collapse this year. That seems unlikely. Even at 80%, he is much better than anything that we have.
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DEFENSE
RETAINED: Talib, Arrington, Cole
NOT RETAINED: Love, Deaderick, Chung
NEW FA's: Kelly, Armstead, Wilson, (Benard)
Then free agents are likely to be upgrades, although it is unlikely that we "hit" on all three. We hope to see improvement from last year's rookies. Also, we hope for better health from
Dowling and Fletcher.
SIDE NOTE
Blount and Benard may or may not make the team. In any case, they would replace a player who on the team last year if they make the 53.
Finally, I didn't list rookies. Given the positions, I don't EXPECT immediate production, although one or two COULD produce. As the Bill's have taught us, we don't count on non-1st round rookies, and sometimes are pleasantly surprised.
I disagree about FA retention.
2013 Siginings
Talib - Great signing
Volmer - Great signing
Wilson - Good signing
Amendola - Great signing assuming he stays healthy
Edelman - Good signing for short money
Arrington - Fair signing - On paper it looks like the pats over paid him. However, good nickle backs are becoming more important since the offensive rule changes.
Washington - Good signing
2013 FA Losses
Lloyd - He had good production but was high maintenance in the locker room and is a soft receiver (avoids contact, slides to the ground etc.). Brady has a history of making average receivers look good. I suspect that will happen this year.
Welker - Belichick and CO have a history of letting go of players a year to soon rather than late. Letting go of Welker has the potential to come back and bite the Pats in the ass. However, this move could also force Brady to spread the ball around more because his security blanket is gone. I am a huge Welker fan and will miss his contributions to the team. Time will tell if letting him go was the right move.
Chung - Not going to be missed
Woodhead - Great change of pace back who could be relied upon in clutch situations. The door is open for Vereen and Washington to take his snaps. My feeling is the Pats are confident that Vereen is ready to take Woodheads place.
