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Well, this is my 2nd off-season review. Call it Pre-Draft review. For the purpose of this review, I am going to consider ERFA and RFA as part of the team. There have been several players released.
Here’s a re-cap.
Corey Dillon, Earl Charles, Zuriel Smith, Ray Ventrone, and Tebucky Jones have all been released.
Sean Bubin and Don Davis have retired.
Asante Samuel has been Franchised.
The Pats made a HUGE splash with the signing of Adalius Thomas. They then added to it with Kyle Brady (TE), Dante’ Stallworth (WR), Kelley Washington (WR) and Sammie Morris (RB). They also traded a 2nd and 7th round pick for Wes Welker (WR). Eddie Jackson (CB) was signed to a 2 year deal. The Pats must have liked what they saw in him because he’s going to be PUPed or IRed more than likely. Tory James (CB) was signed to a 1 year deal. He could be a reclamation project like Ty Poole and Chad Scott.
The Pats signed Billy Yates to a new 3 year deal and Heath Evans to a 2 year deal. The Pats re-signed Larry Izzo to a 1 year deal.
Please note: Draft options are ones in GENERAL and not MY picks.
QB - Brady, Cassel, - Cassel showed that he has real potential. The Pats went for several weeks last season without a veteran back-up until they brought in Vinny Testaverde. This will be Cassel’s 3rd year wth the team and could be his last depending on how he performs in pre-season. The Pats usually sign a youngster either as a UDFA or draft a QB late for TC. It will be interesting to see if Vinny returns for one more run or if the Patriots bring in a different veteran.
Free Agents: Vinny Testaverde (UFA)
RB – Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Sammie Morris– Big question marks here beyond Maroney. Corey Dillon was released on March 2nd and the Pats supposedly used the new CBA rule that allows them to treat Dillon as a June 1st release, hence pushing 2.5 mill of his cap hit into 2008. The Pats did save about 3.3 million on THIS year’s cap because of the move.
Kevin Faulk is on the wrong side of 30 now and he was injured again. When healthy, he’s one of the best 3rd down backs in the league. The problem is keeping him healthy.
Sammie Morris was signed. He’s a replacement for Patrick Pass and possibly Faulk. Honestly? I am still not comfortable with the depth here. As the play-offs showed us, having 4 RBs is almost a must.
I can definitely see the Pats drafting another RB. Brian Leonard is an intriguing prospect as the new hybrid back to Faulk. Leonard has different aspects to his game than Faulk, but might be a better compliment to Maroney because Leonard is known as a down-hill runner while Maroney clearly has the speed to get outside. Other players include Tony Hunt and Lorenzo Booker.
Free Agents: none
FB – Heath Evans, Quadtrine Hill – Evans is what he is. An average FB. He has average running skills and average to above average blocking skills. He has average receiving skills. Unfortunately, the Pats had to rely on him in a critical situation and Brady obviously didn’t trust him. People have mentioned that I am harsh on Evans, but I just call it like I see it. Maybe Evans will win me over in time.
Hill supposedly excels as a receiver out of the backfield and is a solid straight-line runner. He was brought in mid-season and the Pats liked enough of what they saw to keep him around.
Garrett Mills was mentioned as a possible FB/TE/H-back type player in the mold of Chris Cooley, but he red-shirted last season and will need to work through camp to get onto the roster.
I could see the Pats drafting Leonard to do work at both FB and RB and giving the Pats a lot more versatility out of the backfield.
Free Agents: Patrick Pass (UFA), Heath Evans (UFA- Signed a 2 yr extension)
O-Line – Matt Light, Nick Kaczur, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Russ Hochstein, Wesley Britt, Stephen Neal, Gene Mruczkowski, Billy Yates, Ryan O’Callaghan, Brian Barthelmes- 4 of the 5 starters seem to be set with Light, Mankins, Koppen and Neal from left to right. The question mark is RT where the Pats will have Kaczur, Britt, and O’Callaghan fighting it out next season. Hochstein continues to be a solid reserve.
The Pats have 11 O-linemen signed or probably tendered, including Yates and Mruczkowski. Many of whom are signed through 2009 With the re-signing of Yates and Hochstein on the roster, I doubt that the Pats will be drafting a C/G, unless they are planning on shipping Hochstein to Cleveland for a draft pick in 2008.
Look for a couple of JAG guards in free agency or UDFA. The Pats could surprise us if they look at Enoka Lucas or Doug Datish at center, Manuel Ramirez at Guard, and Allan Barbre at Tackle. A true surprise would be Joe Staley falling to 28 and the Pats taking him.
Free Agents: Billy Yates (RFA-resigned), Gene Mruczkowski (ERFA)
TE – Ben Watson, David Thomas, Kyle Brady, Garrett Mills, Matt Kranschick – Graham is gone. Kyle Brady has been signed to take his place. Brady is an excellent blocker with decent hands.
With how Watson played, I definitely would have liked Graham back. Especially since neither can seem to stay on the field for more than a few games. Maybe a 3 man rotation with Thomas would have helped their longevity. I can only hope that K. Brady being the primary blocker can help with Watson not getting hurt.
There are some intriguing prospects in the draft. Those prospects include Dante’ Rosario, Michael Allan, and Ben Patrick.
Free Agents: Daniel Graham (UFA- Denver)
WR- Donte’ Stallworth, Wes Welker, Kelley Washington, Jabar Gaffney, Reche’ Caldwell, “BAM”Childress, Chad Jackson, Johnathan Smith, Kelvin Kight – Caldwell and Gaffney were the starters going into the off-season. Both took some time to get used to the system and both seemed to click in the play-offs until the Colts game where Caldwell had 1 major drop. Obviously, since both are on the last year of their 2 year deals, they are both fighting for a position on the team.
Wes Welker cost the Pats a 2nd and a 7th rounder and a lot of cash. However, he brings a LOT to the table. He’s a very good kick returner and a very good punt returner. With the Pats kick return and punt return blocking, Welker will be a very good #2 kick returner and primary punt returner. Welker is easily the #3 WR on the team.
Stallworth’s abilities mean he should be the primary receiver. He has the ability to stretch the field and make the catch. There are some injury concerns, but he passed his physical and that is a start.
Kelley Washington will be fighting for a job with Jabar Gaffney and Reche’ Caldwell. The #2, #4 and #5 jobs are all wide open.
Kelvin Kight beat out Bam Childress for a roster spot and it wasn’t until the end of the season that Bam was re-signed off the Pats practice squad.
Troy Brown is a UFA and recovering from injury. BB has all but said that #80 has a spot on the roster when he is ready so I expect Brown back at some point.
Previously, I said we should expect big things from Chad Jackson. However, that was before news of his ACL tear (of which there is no confirmation on the severity of it) was released. I won’t speculate one way or the other what Jackson will do.
That being said, I don’t believe it affects the Pats drafting strategy or free agency strategy because I felt they would bring in 1-3 via those avenues. They’ve brought in 3. So they may or may not draft someone like Jacoby Jones, Chanci Stuckey or Steve Smith. Chris Davis is another one that has been linked with the Pats. As has Tony Gonzalez.
Free Agents:Troy Brown (UFA), “Bam” Childress (ERFA), Kelvin Kight (ERFA-resigned)
Here’s a re-cap.
Corey Dillon, Earl Charles, Zuriel Smith, Ray Ventrone, and Tebucky Jones have all been released.
Sean Bubin and Don Davis have retired.
Asante Samuel has been Franchised.
The Pats made a HUGE splash with the signing of Adalius Thomas. They then added to it with Kyle Brady (TE), Dante’ Stallworth (WR), Kelley Washington (WR) and Sammie Morris (RB). They also traded a 2nd and 7th round pick for Wes Welker (WR). Eddie Jackson (CB) was signed to a 2 year deal. The Pats must have liked what they saw in him because he’s going to be PUPed or IRed more than likely. Tory James (CB) was signed to a 1 year deal. He could be a reclamation project like Ty Poole and Chad Scott.
The Pats signed Billy Yates to a new 3 year deal and Heath Evans to a 2 year deal. The Pats re-signed Larry Izzo to a 1 year deal.
Please note: Draft options are ones in GENERAL and not MY picks.
QB - Brady, Cassel, - Cassel showed that he has real potential. The Pats went for several weeks last season without a veteran back-up until they brought in Vinny Testaverde. This will be Cassel’s 3rd year wth the team and could be his last depending on how he performs in pre-season. The Pats usually sign a youngster either as a UDFA or draft a QB late for TC. It will be interesting to see if Vinny returns for one more run or if the Patriots bring in a different veteran.
Free Agents: Vinny Testaverde (UFA)
RB – Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Sammie Morris– Big question marks here beyond Maroney. Corey Dillon was released on March 2nd and the Pats supposedly used the new CBA rule that allows them to treat Dillon as a June 1st release, hence pushing 2.5 mill of his cap hit into 2008. The Pats did save about 3.3 million on THIS year’s cap because of the move.
Kevin Faulk is on the wrong side of 30 now and he was injured again. When healthy, he’s one of the best 3rd down backs in the league. The problem is keeping him healthy.
Sammie Morris was signed. He’s a replacement for Patrick Pass and possibly Faulk. Honestly? I am still not comfortable with the depth here. As the play-offs showed us, having 4 RBs is almost a must.
I can definitely see the Pats drafting another RB. Brian Leonard is an intriguing prospect as the new hybrid back to Faulk. Leonard has different aspects to his game than Faulk, but might be a better compliment to Maroney because Leonard is known as a down-hill runner while Maroney clearly has the speed to get outside. Other players include Tony Hunt and Lorenzo Booker.
Free Agents: none
FB – Heath Evans, Quadtrine Hill – Evans is what he is. An average FB. He has average running skills and average to above average blocking skills. He has average receiving skills. Unfortunately, the Pats had to rely on him in a critical situation and Brady obviously didn’t trust him. People have mentioned that I am harsh on Evans, but I just call it like I see it. Maybe Evans will win me over in time.
Hill supposedly excels as a receiver out of the backfield and is a solid straight-line runner. He was brought in mid-season and the Pats liked enough of what they saw to keep him around.
Garrett Mills was mentioned as a possible FB/TE/H-back type player in the mold of Chris Cooley, but he red-shirted last season and will need to work through camp to get onto the roster.
I could see the Pats drafting Leonard to do work at both FB and RB and giving the Pats a lot more versatility out of the backfield.
Free Agents: Patrick Pass (UFA), Heath Evans (UFA- Signed a 2 yr extension)
O-Line – Matt Light, Nick Kaczur, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Russ Hochstein, Wesley Britt, Stephen Neal, Gene Mruczkowski, Billy Yates, Ryan O’Callaghan, Brian Barthelmes- 4 of the 5 starters seem to be set with Light, Mankins, Koppen and Neal from left to right. The question mark is RT where the Pats will have Kaczur, Britt, and O’Callaghan fighting it out next season. Hochstein continues to be a solid reserve.
The Pats have 11 O-linemen signed or probably tendered, including Yates and Mruczkowski. Many of whom are signed through 2009 With the re-signing of Yates and Hochstein on the roster, I doubt that the Pats will be drafting a C/G, unless they are planning on shipping Hochstein to Cleveland for a draft pick in 2008.
Look for a couple of JAG guards in free agency or UDFA. The Pats could surprise us if they look at Enoka Lucas or Doug Datish at center, Manuel Ramirez at Guard, and Allan Barbre at Tackle. A true surprise would be Joe Staley falling to 28 and the Pats taking him.
Free Agents: Billy Yates (RFA-resigned), Gene Mruczkowski (ERFA)
TE – Ben Watson, David Thomas, Kyle Brady, Garrett Mills, Matt Kranschick – Graham is gone. Kyle Brady has been signed to take his place. Brady is an excellent blocker with decent hands.
With how Watson played, I definitely would have liked Graham back. Especially since neither can seem to stay on the field for more than a few games. Maybe a 3 man rotation with Thomas would have helped their longevity. I can only hope that K. Brady being the primary blocker can help with Watson not getting hurt.
There are some intriguing prospects in the draft. Those prospects include Dante’ Rosario, Michael Allan, and Ben Patrick.
Free Agents: Daniel Graham (UFA- Denver)
WR- Donte’ Stallworth, Wes Welker, Kelley Washington, Jabar Gaffney, Reche’ Caldwell, “BAM”Childress, Chad Jackson, Johnathan Smith, Kelvin Kight – Caldwell and Gaffney were the starters going into the off-season. Both took some time to get used to the system and both seemed to click in the play-offs until the Colts game where Caldwell had 1 major drop. Obviously, since both are on the last year of their 2 year deals, they are both fighting for a position on the team.
Wes Welker cost the Pats a 2nd and a 7th rounder and a lot of cash. However, he brings a LOT to the table. He’s a very good kick returner and a very good punt returner. With the Pats kick return and punt return blocking, Welker will be a very good #2 kick returner and primary punt returner. Welker is easily the #3 WR on the team.
Stallworth’s abilities mean he should be the primary receiver. He has the ability to stretch the field and make the catch. There are some injury concerns, but he passed his physical and that is a start.
Kelley Washington will be fighting for a job with Jabar Gaffney and Reche’ Caldwell. The #2, #4 and #5 jobs are all wide open.
Kelvin Kight beat out Bam Childress for a roster spot and it wasn’t until the end of the season that Bam was re-signed off the Pats practice squad.
Troy Brown is a UFA and recovering from injury. BB has all but said that #80 has a spot on the roster when he is ready so I expect Brown back at some point.
Previously, I said we should expect big things from Chad Jackson. However, that was before news of his ACL tear (of which there is no confirmation on the severity of it) was released. I won’t speculate one way or the other what Jackson will do.
That being said, I don’t believe it affects the Pats drafting strategy or free agency strategy because I felt they would bring in 1-3 via those avenues. They’ve brought in 3. So they may or may not draft someone like Jacoby Jones, Chanci Stuckey or Steve Smith. Chris Davis is another one that has been linked with the Pats. As has Tony Gonzalez.
Free Agents:Troy Brown (UFA), “Bam” Childress (ERFA), Kelvin Kight (ERFA-resigned)
