Free Agency is going to play Huge Role in Pats Draft Strategy

[PatsFan2]

This Group 2008 FA's is a very good one, you can target a player or players at a certain position and fill a glaring need. I know most would love for us to Draft a young LB early but we haven't seen that YET in the BB tenure and i am not expecting it now...especially with our High First Rounder.

http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html

Top 2008 Free Agent LB's


-Lance Briggs, UFA, Chicago Bears-
Since 2004, Briggs has been a standout linebacker for the Bears. He’s overshadowed by Brian Urlacher much of the time, but Briggs gets the job done as is evidenced by the fact that he’s totaled more than 100 tackles in each of the past three seasons and that he’s added four sacks and five interceptions over that time. This season, he’s made 95 total tackles, along with two sacks and two forced fumbles. Teams are going to line up to try and entice Briggs to come play for them, and whichever team lands him will be adding one of the top weak-side defenders in the league. The chances of Briggs leaving seem good.

-Karlos Dansby, UFA, Arizona Cardinals-
Dansby may very well end up being the cream of the crop in terms of linebackers during the next free agency period. He has excellent size and is coming into his own as a top level defensive player. He’s only 26 years old and has three consecutive seasons of 80 or more tackles, including this season in which he has totaled 95 tackles. He collected three interceptions in ’05, has collected three more this season, and had an impressive eight sacks in ’06. He has four forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks this season. Being young, strong, and talented should land him a large contract, and the Cardinals could be the team locking him up very soon.

-Kawika Mitchell UFA New York Giants-
Mitchell tallied seasons of 105 tackles and 104 tackles in Kansas City prior to this season. Mitchell is now playing for a Giants team that has some decent depth at linebacker and has improved their defensive play over the course of the season, so he hasn’t been asked to post similar totals. However, he’s still been able to make 69 total tackles, force a fumble, record 1.5 sacks, and return an interception for a score to help the Giants secure a playoff spot. Mitchell may not be the biggest prize as a free agent, but if he doesn’t stay in New York, he will be a solid addition for any team that needs linebacker help

Again we know how BB feels about seasoned LB's, those three guys are well seasoned and any one of them would fit right into our system. What do you guys think?

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Free Agency is going to play Huge Role is Pats Draft Strategy

Mitchell is interesting - I think Al Wilson could be a possibility too, he's been cleared to return to the field.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Re: Free Agency is going to play Huge Role is Pats Draft Strategy

I'm not sure if Briggs fits what they do here. Ofcourse I'm speaking out of my hole because I haven't seen a whole lot of him in 3-4 sets at Chicago. That doesn't mean he couldn't fit here. He is certainly athletic and shows good instincts which go a long way. I don't know, I'm glad I'm not in charge.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Re: Free Agency is going to play Huge Role is Pats Draft Strategy

I think it is more about our free agents.

Moss
Gafney
Samuel
Gay
Wilson
Paxson
Mitchell
C Scott
Wrigt (RFA)
Bruschi
Seau
Izzo
T Brown

I think that what BB and the players decide to do will dictate how our offseason goes.

If Bruschi and Seau retire, where does that leave us at ILB?

If we can not resign Moss and Samuel leaves, we suddenly have some extra cap space, but have two massive holes on the team. And while it is possible to sign a Trufant or Asomugha and not have a noticable drop off in play at the CB position, how do you replace a Moss and all the pressure he puts on an opposing defense?

So which players would you resign and which would you let walk and which do you think ride off into the sunset?

 

[Jimke]

Re: Free Agency is going to play Huge Role is Pats Draft Strategy

I think it is more about our free agents.

Moss
Gafney
Samuel
Gay
Wilson
Paxson
Mitchell
C Scott
Wrigt (RFA)
Bruschi
Seau
Izzo
T Brown

I think that what BB and the players decide to do will dictate how our offseason goes.

If Bruschi and Seau retire, where does that leave us at ILB?

If we can not resign Moss and Samuel leaves, we suddenly have some extra cap space, but have two massive holes on the team. And while it is possible to sign a Trufant or Asomugha and not have a noticable drop off in play at the CB position, how do you replace a Moss and all the pressure he puts on an opposing defense?

So which players would you resign and which would you let walk and which do you think ride off into the sunset?

We should also mention Stallworth who is due a large bonus.

I would like to see the Pats try to re-sign Moss, Gaffney, Samuel, and

Paxton. Bruschi and Izzo will probably re-sign if they don't decide to

retire. Wright will be given the same tender as Gay received last year.

I expect the Pats to re-sign Moss, Paxton, and Wright plus Bruschi and

Izzo if they choose to play another year. I expect the rest of your list

plus Stallworth and Washington to test the market.

 

[sebman2112]

This Group 2008 FA's is a very good one, you can target a player or players at a certain position and fill a glaring need. I know most would love for us to Draft a young LB early but we haven't seen that YET in the BB tenure and i am not expecting it now...especially with our High First Rounder.

http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html

Top 2008 Free Agent LB's


-Lance Briggs, UFA, Chicago Bears-
Since 2004, Briggs has been a standout linebacker for the Bears. He’s overshadowed by Brian Urlacher much of the time, but Briggs gets the job done as is evidenced by the fact that he’s totaled more than 100 tackles in each of the past three seasons and that he’s added four sacks and five interceptions over that time. This season, he’s made 95 total tackles, along with two sacks and two forced fumbles. Teams are going to line up to try and entice Briggs to come play for them, and whichever team lands him will be adding one of the top weak-side defenders in the league. The chances of Briggs leaving seem good.

-Karlos Dansby, UFA, Arizona Cardinals-
Dansby may very well end up being the cream of the crop in terms of linebackers during the next free agency period. He has excellent size and is coming into his own as a top level defensive player. He’s only 26 years old and has three consecutive seasons of 80 or more tackles, including this season in which he has totaled 95 tackles. He collected three interceptions in ’05, has collected three more this season, and had an impressive eight sacks in ’06. He has four forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks this season. Being young, strong, and talented should land him a large contract, and the Cardinals could be the team locking him up very soon.

-Kawika Mitchell UFA New York Giants-
Mitchell tallied seasons of 105 tackles and 104 tackles in Kansas City prior to this season. Mitchell is now playing for a Giants team that has some decent depth at linebacker and has improved their defensive play over the course of the season, so he hasn’t been asked to post similar totals. However, he’s still been able to make 69 total tackles, force a fumble, record 1.5 sacks, and return an interception for a score to help the Giants secure a playoff spot. Mitchell may not be the biggest prize as a free agent, but if he doesn’t stay in New York, he will be a solid addition for any team that needs linebacker help

Again we know how BB feels about seasoned LB's, those three guys are well seasoned and any one of them would fit right into our system. What do you guys think?

You've got to add Victor Hobson to that list, especially at 3-4 ILB. He's one of the few available free agents with experience in a simular system. I do think Mitchell could be an option, but I've previously thought NE would look at him......they didn't.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

IMO, this is Izzo's last year with us. There are other standouts on ST this year and he provides zero depth defensively. If we ever need to have him playing reg. defense for us - heaven help us.

 

[patman52]

I agree with this being Izzo last year. Washington I think will take his spot.
This frees up a space for Lua or a LB pick this year to to take new place on the roster.

Sam Williams from Oakland to me is another intiguing option. Got hurt lost his spot. Similar to A Thomas in that he is a physical freak.

 

[jeffbiologist]

You forgot Colvin too

Colvin is under contract but his injury status and his HUGE cap number will make it the 2nd most important issue behind Moss' resigning. Colvin was part of our amazing 6 linebackers a couple years ago. We lost McGinest, and the shuffling hasnt stopped. Versitility is great, but it may be taking away from our pass rush. I see Vrabel as an all pro this year, the only year in the last 3 we left him alone out there. Continuity with the ILBs is important, I can see BB approaching at least one of ours and asking him to stay on when the other retires. We may be down to Vrabel and Thomas from those 6 awesome backers....and we have suffered with Thomas outside.
I would bet money we find a FA ILB and do something in the draft to find a OLB/ pass rusher in the first round(wouldnt be surprised to see em trade up).

 

[dryheat44]

He's an OLB, but I think Danny Clark is also a free agent this year. I didn't notice him in Houston last year, but he had some nice seasons in Oakland previously.

And I (mercifully) only watched 1 Rams game this year, but Brandon Chillar was showing up every play.

 

[Cannon Arm]

Re: You forgot Colvin too

I would bet money we find a FA ILB and do something in the draft to find a OLB/ pass rusher in the first round(wouldnt be surprised to see em trade up).

Connor and Rivers and Groves aren't worth picking at 7, considering the risk. They sure aren't worth trading up for. LB is just not a position of quality in this draft, based on every scouting report I've seen. There's not a Patrick Willis 3-4 LB guy available. We can probably get someone worth taking a shot on in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, though.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Here's an interesting tidbit from GBDN:

Lions to shop big, big DT… According to published reports in Detroit, the Lions are prepared to move on without Pro Bowl DT Shaun Rogers. The Lions will reportedly release Rogers if they can’t find a trade partner before the draft. And finding someone to take on Rogers’ $16M-plus cap figure for the next couple of years likely isn’t going to be easy. While still a productive player - he had 7 sacks in 2007 as a aprt-time player, Rogers, whose weight has been known to balloon up close to 400 pounds, has cartilage issues in his knees and ankles. Rogers was also suspended four games for violating the league's drug policy for testing positive for an illegal dietary supplement in 2006. Another strike, and he faces an eight-game suspension. The Lions are believed to be asking for a late first day pick for Rogers but likely will settle for just about anything they can get.


Rodgers is enromous, BUT he is one of those guys who if he decides to play full out, he can absolutely dominate a game. His problem is he is stuck in Detroit! If they end up releasing him (no way the Pats take him at 16mil for two years), but if the Lions release him, he might agree to take less to actually win a few games. He would be a perfect back-up for Vince, and would allow Vince to take a few more "breathers". Again, I'm not saying to spent big bucks on him, but for the right price, he is one of those guys, that when he decides to play, can really dominate.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Obviously I meant trading up to get Long if he drops to the Chiefs at 6. If the Chiefs are at 4 I see Dallas trading up. Question is, who is Miami trading down to?? Rodgers is a beast, I see him going to maybe Baltimore or Cleveland.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

Obviously I meant trading up to get Long if he drops to the Chiefs at 6. If the Chiefs are at 4 I see Dallas trading up. Question is, who is Miami trading down to?? Rodgers is a beast, I see him going to maybe Baltimore or Cleveland.

Don't forget the Jests.

 

[mgteich]

Re: You forgot Colvin too

Colvin is owed $5.5M in new money, not a problem IMHO. He is likely to restructure and extend. If either Bruschi or Seau stays, I think that we are ready to go with ONE addition, either a top 100 in the draft or from free agency. We have Alexander, Woods and Lua as backups going into camp.

Colvin is under contract but his injury status and his HUGE cap number will make it the 2nd most important issue behind Moss' resigning. Colvin was part of our amazing 6 linebackers a couple years ago. We lost McGinest, and the shuffling hasnt stopped. Versitility is great, but it may be taking away from our pass rush. I see Vrabel as an all pro this year, the only year in the last 3 we left him alone out there. Continuity with the ILBs is important, I can see BB approaching at least one of ours and asking him to stay on when the other retires. We may be down to Vrabel and Thomas from those 6 awesome backers....and we have suffered with Thomas outside.
I would bet money we find a FA ILB and do something in the draft to find a OLB/ pass rusher in the first round(wouldnt be surprised to see em trade up).