Dan Pires thinks Pats may sign Grady Jackson [merged]

[BPF]

Seems like speculation on Pires part but I don't see this happening at all, Grady Jackson is 35 and has a real big lazy streak. I prefer some LB help (Hobson, Haggans, Morgan, Seward, etc) or CB additions (Law, Dyson, Fisher, Kelly, Hill, etc).

DL should not be an area of concern for us, with the exception of later in the draft or if a stud like Dorsey or Long fall to #7. Thoughts??

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080305/SPORTS/803050416

BIG BODY
Don't be surprised to see veteran nose tackle Grady Jackson, aka Ted Washington Light, in a Pats uniform. The 11-year veteran and unrestricted free agent wide body is still capable of being a force in the middle. He's also could be brought in for another reason - to help motivate contract talks between starter Vince Wilfork, who has two seasons left on his current deal, and the team. The Patriots, after all, are expecting some turbulence when it comes to talking dollars with Wilfork, who would be highly-coveted by more than a few teams assuming he hits free agency.

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Big Body addition??

I have no opinion on Jackson in particular but I've wanted a big, strong, old guy to back up Vince for a couple of season now. A guy who can be tough in the middle for a series or two if Vince needs a breather or even be tough against the run for a game or two if Vince gets hurt. I'm not thrilled with the likes of Mike Wright and LeKevin Smith being that guy.

 

[upstater1]

Re: Big Body addition??

My concern with this report is that Pires knows the Patriots lockerroom.

 

[Seneschal2]

Re: Big Body addition??

I have no opinion on Jackson in particular but I've wanted a big, strong, old guy to back up Vince for a couple of season now. A guy who can be tough in the middle for a series or two if Vince needs a breather or even be tough against the run for a game or two if Vince gets hurt. I'm not thrilled with the likes of Mike Wright and LeKevin Smith being that guy.

Similar feelings here. Signing him would free up a draft pick that we could use on a player like Ahtyba Rubin DT Iowa State.

 

[BPF]

Re: Big Body addition??

One of the CB's is gone:

www.profootballtalk.com

POSTED 10:04 a.m. EST, March 5, 2008

FISHER IS STILL A LION

Last month, the Detroit Lions dumped veteran cornerback Fernando Bryant. Now, they've decided to keep a guy whom they signed a year ago.

A league source tells us that Travis Fisher has agreed to terms with the Lions. He'll receive $9 million over three years, and he's due to earn $4.25 million in 2008.

Fisher was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2002, and spent five seasons there before jumping to the Lions.

 

[patsfanofNC12]

Re: Big Body addition??

I wouldn't be dissapointed if he comes here, would be good to give Vince a break every now and then, plus if he could help contract talks that would be great.

 

[mojocaster.com]

Re: Big Body addition??

What's the downside, as long as the money makes sense?

 

[BPF]

Re: Big Body addition??

What's the downside, as long as the money makes sense?

Cap room, only $4 mil+/- left.

 

[DefenseRules]

Re: Big Body addition??

Cap room, only $4 mil+/- left.

They will find the cap room if they need it. They will probably do some minor contract restructurings if they need to.

This rumor appears to have some legs. The guys at Patriots Insiders are saying that their sources are hearing that the Pats do have interest in him, FWIW.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Re: Big Body addition??

You dont want to run out of cap room too early in the process. With teams picking up player A they then can cut player B, who we might want. We cant run out of $$, so this "middle period" of FA(after the first weekend, before the last week) is a waiting game. Problem is if we find someone good we want, the next significant guy on our cut list(call it restructure if you want) is Rodney...

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I really can't see them being interested in Jackson at all.

However I could see BB using our 2nd round pick to take NT Red Bryant of Texas A&M and having Bryant learn the system and get some reps for a few years as we wait for the Wilfork deal to settle out. (ala M. Hill)

 

[DefenseRules]

Re: Big Body addition??

FWIW...Patriots Insiders has a rumor out that they are hearing that we are also interested in Haggans too. We shall see.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Dan Pires thinks Pats may sign Grady Jackson

http://blogs.southcoasttoday.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?webtag=nbpatriots

Don't be surprised to see veteran nose tackle Grady Jackson, aka Ted Washington Light, in a Pats uniform. The 11-year veteran and unrestricted free agent wide body is still capable of being a force in the middle. He's also could be brought in for another reason - to help motivate contract talks between starter Vince Wilfork, who has two seasons left on his current deal, and the team. The Patriots, after all, are expecting some turbulence when it comes to talking dollars with Wilfork, who would be highly-coveted by more than a few teams assuming he hits free agency.

Wouldnt really be a bad idea for a backup.

 

[patpatriot]

Re: Dan Pires thinks Pats may sign Grady Jackson

I'm going to love to find out how all these signings help us in the area of needing to replace/upgrade the CB/LB positions?

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Dan Pires thinks Pats may sign Grady Jackson

I'm going to love to find out how all these signings help us in the area of needing to replace/upgrade the CB/LB positions?

It'll get taken care of. Don't think one dimensionally, just because we need a CB doesn't mean we can't sign a backup NT.

 

[3rd & Long]

Re: Big Body addition??

Yeah, I'm sure that bringing in a 35 year old is going to motivate Wilfork to sign a contract. I'm sure that would scare the hell out of him.

 

[DefenseRules]

Re: Big Body addition??

Yeah, I'm sure that bringing in a 35 year old is going to motivate Wilfork to sign a contract. I'm sure that would scare the hell out of him.

LOL, good point.

He's 35 eh? Jeez, now I really hope that this is false. We don't need more 30 something players in our front seven.

 

[patpatriot]

Re: Big Body addition??

Silly thread. We have plenty of DLs and don't need Grady or any other washed up former 3-technique guys.

 

[fgssand]

Re: Big Body addition??

Seems to me NE will take good care of Big Vince. Precedent has already been set and it is in the best interest of the team and Vince to get things done - sooner, rather than later.

Giving Vince his big payday now avoids potential franchise tag and gets him his money now as opposed to potential negotiations that could lead to franchise tags etc etc.

If everybody stays calm and reasonable - this should get done with no problem.

I do not see how Grady Jackson would have any effect on Vince;s deal -[ but I would like to see him as a back up.