Reiss: Pats to bring back Izzo

[DaBruinz]

I don't think this is a surprise to anyone.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/02/larry_izzo_set.html

Larry Izzo set for return
Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff
February 22, 2008 12:01 AM

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Patriots have retained a core special teams performer as veteran Larry Izzo has agreed to a deal for 2008.

“Larry will be back with the team,” agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed at the combine Thursday. “He’s had a great career there. He loves the coaches and the continuity, just everything about the situation.”

Izzo is one of 12 players whose contracts expired after the 2007 season. His return could also sway a potential decision by free-agent Zach Thomas, who visited the Patriots on Monday. Izzo and Thomas are close friends from their days together with the Dolphins.

Izzo has served as the Patriots' special teams captain from 2001-2007. The 2008 season will be his 13th in the NFL.

 

[mike100915]

Re: Per Reiss: Pats to bring back Izzo

No big deal....He must have the Patriots record for Special Teams penalties. Honestly, other then a good team guy, is he still that important?

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

Re: Per Reiss: Pats to bring back Izzo

I guess is just like Parcells in this respect...
VERY loyal to his veterans... who play for the minimum that is.

We couldn't bring in some 6-7th rd. pick with speed and aggression to play izzo's spot on ST???

Somebody bigger, faster, and stronger.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Re: Per Reiss: Pats to bring back Izzo

MODS - Merge? Another thread already there on the subject.

Thanks,

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Per Reiss: Pats to bring back Izzo

I guess is just like Parcells in this respect...
VERY loyal to his veterans... who play for the minimum that is.

We couldn't bring in some 6-7th rd. pick with speed and aggression to play izzo's spot on ST???

Somebody bigger, faster, and stronger.

What about Eckel and Ventrone, for that matter? [Didn't Bubba bust a wedge on a KO?]

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Per Reiss: Pats to bring back Izzo

I don't get why they just never gave Izzo a multiyear deal for the veteran minimum and some kind of bonus. It would save those of us who sit worried every offseason that we are going to lose the guy.

 

[pats1]

Re: Per Reiss: Pats to bring back Izzo

MODS - Merge? Another thread already there on the subject.

Thanks,

Where?!?!?

 

[satz]

Re: Per Reiss: Pats to bring back Izzo

We couldn't bring in some 6-7th rd. pick with speed and aggression to play izzo's spot on ST???

Somebody bigger, faster, and stronger.

Every year especially the colts get alot of 6th and 7th round guys....man i would hate to see our spl teams as bad that.

 

[Handel]

Re: Per Reiss: Pats to bring back Izzo

Signing a contract does not guarantee a roster spot. He will have to compete during the training camp.

 

[Rob0729]

Why all the Izzo hate? The guy is still a pretty good special teamer and we still have one of the better coverage units in football.

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Per Reiss: Pats to bring back Izzo

Signing a contract does not guarantee a roster spot. He will have to compete during the training camp.

He's the ST captain, it's very unlikely he'll be released in August.

 

[unoriginal]

Why all the Izzo hate? The guy is still a pretty good special teamer and we still have one of the better coverage units in football.

The chickens are restless and want to see blood.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

The chickens are restless and want to see blood.

chickens huh, that's pretty original
I think we can do better than a 33 yr. old 5"10 230 lb. who does nothing but play on KO, KR, Punt, and PR.

 

[Rob0729]

The chickens are restless and want to see blood.

If people are upset about us resigning Izzo, I can't wait to see what this board looks like in the off chance we resign Eugene Wilson. This board could implode on itself.

 

[unoriginal]

chickens huh, that's pretty original
I think we can do better than a 33 yr. old 5"10 230 lb. who does nothing but play on KO, KR, Punt, and PR.

I think we could go right down the roster and find 45 or so slots where we could do better.

If people are upset about us resigning Izzo, I can't wait to see what this board looks like in the off chance we resign Eugene Wilson. This board could implode on itself.

Well, who knows if they will, but if they do, then I'd have to say:

I think we can do better than a 27 yr. old 5' 10" 200 lb. safety who does nothing but play on ST and in the dime.

 

[captain stone]

This re-signing better not prevent the FO from adding youth, size, speed, and esp. talent, to the LB corps. I'll have a haht attack if I see another season start with Izzo, Alexander, (Mays - thank you Bungals), Woods and Chad Brown as our backups.

 

[patsfan55]

Why all the Izzo hate? The guy is still a pretty good special teamer and we still have one of the better coverage units in football.

cuz he cant play with the regular defense AT ALL
anyone remember that game the chargers killed us a couple yrs ago, and izzo was in on the goal line defense, honestly my mailman could have attempted to seal the edge of faster vs tomlinson

 

[BradyFTW!]

In practice, I really don't even consider Izzo a linebacker. When's the last time he saw a snap in-game at the position? Given that, I doubt that the team's plans on addressing the linebacker position are impacted in any substantial way by this move.

 

[BradyFTW!]

cuz he cant play with the regular defense AT ALL
anyone remember that game the chargers killed us a couple yrs ago, and izzo was in on the goal line defense, honestly my mailman could have attempted to seal the edge of faster vs tomlinson

Any time your 7th linebacker is trying to seal the edge against tomlinson you're probably screwed.

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

Re: Per Reiss: Pats to bring back Izzo

No big deal....He must have the Patriots record for Special Teams penalties. Honestly, other then a good team guy, is he still that important?

If you want Zach Thomas on this team, he is.

Izzo & Thomas were roomates and best friends when they both played for the Fish. They lived a couple of blocks from my house in an upscale aprtment complex called St. Tropez. Both attended my church (St. Gregory's), too, like good Catholics, showing up for the big holidays!

If the Pats re-signed Izzo it could have to do with his being here factoring into Thomas' decision to come.

Just a thought...