If you had 1 big name in FA to sign for 2008 to play for the Patriots,who is it?

[PATRIOT64]

Play the FO and what player you would put on top of your list (of course some of the key guys we have are unsigned right now but guess who will be gone) and then make your pick figuring the hole in that area to fill or a player you want released and replaced by.

 

[eom]

randy moss

 

[PATRIOT64]

randy moss

Shall I say NOT with the 2007 Patriots roster,Another teams guy....

 

[#12]

Maybe it's wishful thinking but seeing Briggs play here in Chicago REALLY makes me want him to sign with NE...don't know if it's possible though...

 

[D-cleater]

The guy from the Raiders. I think he'll come for around the same price as Trufant, but he's got more potential. He would be a great addition and I'm not super impressed with the DB's we drafted since 2003. Jury is still out on Merriweather, but I could live with Ken Hamlin as well.

I stick with the school of thought that Briggs is not the best fit for our system, at least for the price he'd be asking. I really want to see us draft a high round LB. Just once.

 

[SoCal Pmen]

Assuming we retain all our free agent players it would be Lance Briggs. If Samuel is gone, then Marcus Trufant.

 

[nittanylions52]

The guy from the Raiders. I think he'll come for around the same price as Trufant, but he's got more potential. He would be a great addition and I'm not super impressed with the DB's we drafted since 2003. Jury is still out on Merriweather, but I could live with Ken Hamlin as well.

I stick with the school of thought that Briggs is not the best fit for our system, at least for the price he'd be asking. I really want to see us draft a high round LB. Just once.

As long as Asomugha doesn't get franchised. I'm hoping he doesn't, but it's likely the Raiders will franchise him.

 

[SeymourTrophies]

Asomugha and it's not close. The guy practically is champ bailey. 6' 2'' 210, he won't be pushed around by anyone, and he's a shutdown corner. Briggs is a 4-3 guy who has clearly stated he has no interest in playing in the 3-4. Dansby would be a more interesting option because he can play inside or outside and has great size and mobility. I would take Dansby who shines on a bad defense over a guy who is a product of the system.

We're unlikey to get any of those three though.

 

[#12]

On the other hand a 6'2 corner would be a nice sight to see in our secondary...but i still think briggs would be a hell of a player in our 3-4 D. I did not know he had stated he didn't want to play in that formation, but hopefully if we get the chance to get him he changes his mind...

 

[JoePats]

Asomugha and it's not close. The guy practically is champ bailey. 6' 2'' 210, he won't be pushed around by anyone, and he's a shutdown corner. Briggs is a 4-3 guy who has clearly stated he has no interest in playing in the 3-4. Dansby would be a more interesting option because he can play inside or outside and has great size and mobility. I would take Dansby who shines on a bad defense over a guy who is a product of the system.

We're unlikey to get any of those three though.

I agree on Asomugha, but Briggs has been linked to San Fran, a 3-4 team.

 

[PATRIOT64]

On the other hand a 6'2 corner would be a nice sight to see in our secondary...but i still think briggs would be a hell of a player in our 3-4 D. I did not know he had stated he didn't want to play in that formation, but hopefully if we get the chance to get him he changes his mind...

Wasn't Roman Phifer a guy that was not comfortable or happy as a LB in the 3-4 but adjusted in NE and had a superb short career here?

 

[#12]

Wasn't Roman Phifer a guy that was not comfortable or happy as a LB in the 3-4 but adjusted in NE and had a superb short career here?

Not sure if he wasn't happy switching, but you're right, he adjusted well from the 4-3 to the 3-4 (though I guess he had already played for BB as a Jet before he came to the Pats, so he might have understood Bill's defensive philosophy better than most). I do think Briggs would also adjust well to the 3-4 if he was willing.

 

[mgteich]

I wouldn't sign any big name free agents.

 

[PATRIOT64]

I wouldn't sign any big name free agents.

So you are happy with the senior citizens at ILB or what is going to become a gaping hole at corner and on the other side is a very erratic Hobbs?

Then either you are expecting a guy off the bottom of the scrap heap to produce instantly in the system or you are expecting a rebuilding stage for the Patriots defense that may interfer with SB 44 hopes.

You can't be serious that you are happy with the ILB situation or soon to be corner spots are you or are you expecting countless studs to come in and start immediately because without a big name FA in either area this team could be in trouble unless a rookie becomes super great and quickly because Bruschi and Seau have seen thier best days and another year probably slows them down even more so.

Without a big name ILB or corner it may not be a pretty 2008,At least from a defensive standpoint unless like I said an NFL rookie stud is born in NE instantly.

OR maybe you are comfortable with Woods and Alexander at the position for depth or even for one to start,I know I am not since I have not seen much from either except on ST.

 

[SeymourTrophies]

I agree on Asomugha, but Briggs has been linked to San Fran, a 3-4 team.

I was more interested in Asomugha because of the kind of talent he is, and how much of a gap there is between him and the next guy in line. Meanwhile, there isn't too much of a gap if any between Briggs and Dansby or Suggs. Asomugha won't hit the open market, but if he did he wouldn't come to us in all likelihood. It sure would drag down that asking price for Samuel since Samuel wouldn't be the #1 guy on the market though.

 

[khayos]

Where's the Karlos Dansby fanclub?

 

[PATRIOT64]

Where's the Karlos Dansby fanclub?

My thread comes from ESPNs list of top 25 FAs,Dansby is not among the 25 ...and I don't know why.

 

[PATRIOT64]

I was more interested in Asomugha because of the kind of talent he is, and how much of a gap there is between him and the next guy in line. Meanwhile, there isn't too much of a gap if any between Briggs and Dansby or Suggs. Asomugha won't hit the open market, but if he did he wouldn't come to us in all likelihood. It sure would drag down that asking price for Samuel since Samuel wouldn't be the #1 guy on the market though.

Suggs is all but GUARANTEED Franchised by the Ravens so say goodbye to him in another uniform till at least 2009

 

[tombonneau]

So you are happy with the senior citizens at ILB or what is going to become a gaping hole at corner and on the other side is a very erratic Hobbs?

Then either you are expecting a guy off the bottom of the scrap heap to produce instantly in the system or you are expecting a rebuilding stage for the Patriots defense that may interfer with SB 44 hopes.

You can't be serious that you are happy with the ILB situation or soon to be corner spots are you or are you expecting countless studs to come in and start immediately because without a big name FA in either area this team could be in trouble unless a rookie becomes super great and quickly because Bruschi and Seau have seen thier best days and another year probably slows them down even more so.

Without a big name ILB or corner it may not be a pretty 2008,At least from a defensive standpoint unless like I said an NFL rookie stud is born in NE instantly.

OR maybe you are comfortable with Woods and Alexander at the position for depth or even for one to start,I know I am not since I have not seen much from either except on ST.

Or maybe he just thinks the Pats won't sign any BIG NAME free agents. Just because the team doesn't make a splash for a big name doesn't mean they won't be a player in FA. Let's not forget how this team and its first championship were built.

I think if NE can hit a home run with a couple middle-of-the-road FAs and has a good draft they will shore up their deficiencies just fine.

Just because they don't plug potential holes at CB and/or ILB with a superstar doesn't mean they won't solve the problem.

 

[tombonneau]

Oh, and I vote for the Raiders CB (won't even try to butcher his name). I think he is close to Asante's talent but won't come close to Asante's cost.

Unfortunately, as others stated, there is a good chance he will be franchise tagged. But it's Al Davis, so who knows ...