SeanBruschi54
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2005
- Messages
- 3,718
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Everyone has to start somewhere and this team starts with its own players first. You have to believe right now they are talking back and forth with several players and hope to bring some of them back while looking to upgrade others.
First off we have a total of 13 UFA.
Randy Moss, Asante Samuel, Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, Troy Brown, Rashaad Moore (sp), Chad Scott, Mel Mitchell, Jabar Gaffney, Randall Gay, Larry Izzo, Eugene Wilson and Lonnie Paxton.
Some are must haves some are upgradeable. Lets look at each individual player and see what he means to this club.
Randy Moss - Record setting WR with Tom Brady this past season. They connected on more passes and TD's than any other WR tandem in history. Do they play well together? Yes. Do they seem to have an ability to have a strong force together? Yes.
Moss has had a remarkable season and has said that he wants to remain a Patriot for the rest of his career. I believe the team honestly values him the same and they keep Moss. Probably not at top dollar but probably at reasonable dollar.
Asante Samuel - When you think of our backfield two names jump out at you. Harrison / Samuel. Ones a hard hitting veteran the other is a young play maker who has been labeled one of the top 3 CB's in the league today. Say what you want about Samuel but the guy has been consistent as consistent can be for our team. He covers, tackles, reads the QB, defends and intercepts all at a high level. He would be a key figure for our team in the future the way Ty Law was or the way Champ Bailey has been in Denver. BUT the only dilemma is the price tag that Asante labels himself with. If the price tag were a 20+ million 7 year deal do you make that type of deal and hurt your teams cap for years to come or do you find a cheaper lesser player on the open market/draft? This is the real big decision for his management this off-season and this love alone will dictate the rest of our offseason. We lose Asante then we go after CB's in the draft and in FA. If we keep him then we focus in the LB unit. Tom Curran and Felger both seem to think the Patriots WILL keep Asante.
Tedy Bruschi/ Junior Seau - At this stage of their careers they both are pretty much the same. Tedy gives you a bit more then Junior can but neither of them can fully play an entire season anymore nor should they. As rotational players i believe they both can still play but as starters i will pass. Once again Tom Curran believes both players will come back if not Seau then absolutely Bruschi. I honestly dont believe anybody on this board can complain with the talent that these two players can produce on a situational basis.
Troy Brown - Great player for us in the past but is past the point where we can actually use him in a game. Troy has been great but he just cant do it anymore. More than likely will retire.
Rashad Moore - Nothing more than depth for Wilfork Semour Warren Green and Wright can be replaced with a cheaper alternative if need be.
Chad Scott / Mel Mitchell - I dont think Chad Scott can offer anything more than Safety depth at this point. Mel Mitchell can only add ST's help. I could see Scott being brought back but the cost might be too high even at the vet min. Mel can be replaced on ST's by Ventrone or another depth player. I dont think he's worth the roster spot or money.
Jabar Gaffney - Has really come on for this team again late in the year. He actually at the end of the year replaced Donte Stallworth in many formations and plays. Every week his number of plays he was in seemed to improve. Always caught the ball when needed and gave the little extra for a few more yards. Reminds me of a weaker (only in stregth) version of David Givens with his ability. I would like to see Donte released maybe brought back on a cheaper deal but i believe that Gaffney can give you more than what Stallworth offered but at a very discounted rate.
Randall Gay - The only way i see Gay coming back to this team is if Asante is not resigned. Then they would bring him back for some consistency in the backfield so there isn't much turnover at the position. I think Gay is a fine nickel corner but not a guy you want to leave on the outside for several games, and yes i remember 2004 and remember Gay through some games being killed especially in the postseason. I also dont think this club thinks hes very durable even as a part time player.
Larry Izzo - Special teams captain who probably was the 3rd or 4th best STer on our roster last year. (Listing Washington, Woods and EA better than him) Very high priced at this point in his career with vet min and maybe could use some change. Would i mind if he returned? No but i think there is better value available.
Eugene Wilson - Under no circumstances do i think he should be retained. Even at depth he is not very dependable. Was torched by almost any slot receiver another team faced including Matt Jones of the Jaguars, AKA laughing stock of the WR NFL. Injured to often, cant tackle well anymore, doesn't have his big hits in him anymore either. All together its as if he dropped off as a player.
Lonnie Paxton - As consistent as you can get on Long snapping and all around ST's play. Has never botched a snap in his career in NE. I think he is retained even if the minimum is 700,000 + is more than likely better than many alternatives.
Thanks for reading feedback is appreciated.
First off we have a total of 13 UFA.
Randy Moss, Asante Samuel, Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, Troy Brown, Rashaad Moore (sp), Chad Scott, Mel Mitchell, Jabar Gaffney, Randall Gay, Larry Izzo, Eugene Wilson and Lonnie Paxton.
Some are must haves some are upgradeable. Lets look at each individual player and see what he means to this club.
Randy Moss - Record setting WR with Tom Brady this past season. They connected on more passes and TD's than any other WR tandem in history. Do they play well together? Yes. Do they seem to have an ability to have a strong force together? Yes.
Moss has had a remarkable season and has said that he wants to remain a Patriot for the rest of his career. I believe the team honestly values him the same and they keep Moss. Probably not at top dollar but probably at reasonable dollar.
Asante Samuel - When you think of our backfield two names jump out at you. Harrison / Samuel. Ones a hard hitting veteran the other is a young play maker who has been labeled one of the top 3 CB's in the league today. Say what you want about Samuel but the guy has been consistent as consistent can be for our team. He covers, tackles, reads the QB, defends and intercepts all at a high level. He would be a key figure for our team in the future the way Ty Law was or the way Champ Bailey has been in Denver. BUT the only dilemma is the price tag that Asante labels himself with. If the price tag were a 20+ million 7 year deal do you make that type of deal and hurt your teams cap for years to come or do you find a cheaper lesser player on the open market/draft? This is the real big decision for his management this off-season and this love alone will dictate the rest of our offseason. We lose Asante then we go after CB's in the draft and in FA. If we keep him then we focus in the LB unit. Tom Curran and Felger both seem to think the Patriots WILL keep Asante.
Tedy Bruschi/ Junior Seau - At this stage of their careers they both are pretty much the same. Tedy gives you a bit more then Junior can but neither of them can fully play an entire season anymore nor should they. As rotational players i believe they both can still play but as starters i will pass. Once again Tom Curran believes both players will come back if not Seau then absolutely Bruschi. I honestly dont believe anybody on this board can complain with the talent that these two players can produce on a situational basis.
Troy Brown - Great player for us in the past but is past the point where we can actually use him in a game. Troy has been great but he just cant do it anymore. More than likely will retire.
Rashad Moore - Nothing more than depth for Wilfork Semour Warren Green and Wright can be replaced with a cheaper alternative if need be.
Chad Scott / Mel Mitchell - I dont think Chad Scott can offer anything more than Safety depth at this point. Mel Mitchell can only add ST's help. I could see Scott being brought back but the cost might be too high even at the vet min. Mel can be replaced on ST's by Ventrone or another depth player. I dont think he's worth the roster spot or money.
Jabar Gaffney - Has really come on for this team again late in the year. He actually at the end of the year replaced Donte Stallworth in many formations and plays. Every week his number of plays he was in seemed to improve. Always caught the ball when needed and gave the little extra for a few more yards. Reminds me of a weaker (only in stregth) version of David Givens with his ability. I would like to see Donte released maybe brought back on a cheaper deal but i believe that Gaffney can give you more than what Stallworth offered but at a very discounted rate.
Randall Gay - The only way i see Gay coming back to this team is if Asante is not resigned. Then they would bring him back for some consistency in the backfield so there isn't much turnover at the position. I think Gay is a fine nickel corner but not a guy you want to leave on the outside for several games, and yes i remember 2004 and remember Gay through some games being killed especially in the postseason. I also dont think this club thinks hes very durable even as a part time player.
Larry Izzo - Special teams captain who probably was the 3rd or 4th best STer on our roster last year. (Listing Washington, Woods and EA better than him) Very high priced at this point in his career with vet min and maybe could use some change. Would i mind if he returned? No but i think there is better value available.
Eugene Wilson - Under no circumstances do i think he should be retained. Even at depth he is not very dependable. Was torched by almost any slot receiver another team faced including Matt Jones of the Jaguars, AKA laughing stock of the WR NFL. Injured to often, cant tackle well anymore, doesn't have his big hits in him anymore either. All together its as if he dropped off as a player.
Lonnie Paxton - As consistent as you can get on Long snapping and all around ST's play. Has never botched a snap in his career in NE. I think he is retained even if the minimum is 700,000 + is more than likely better than many alternatives.
Thanks for reading feedback is appreciated.