Pats 2012 Free Agent Targets (All Positions)

Sciz said:

And after letting Samuel and Seymour go, we saw the Eagles put Samuel on the trade block after two years of his six year contract and the Raiders make Seymour the highest paid defender in the NFL. Looks like the Pats made the right move there. Something tells me they'll see things differently for Welker.

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depends on what your goals are.......seymour made more of a difference here than any other player

If you're going to start a thread do some homework. FIRST of all, they CHEAPED out on Goldson, they had him here, worked him out and let him leave after offering him a crappy contract. Then they cut both their safties. And yesterday they had Matthew Slater there. The FA crop is great, but the "Genius" won't pursue, anyone, he's so smart. Funny, he could have gone after Crennel, maybe Crennel was the reason the defense was good 2001-2004. Bill has gone Howard Hughes. Just trying to cuter and cuter on defense. Meanwhile, he has had one of the worst defenses in the NFL for two years now. Here are guys that should be on the radar. Doubtful they sign one.

Free Agents the Patriots should look at

1 Mario Williams DE Houston
2 Cortland Finnegan CB Green Bay
3 Wes Welker WR New England
4 Cliff Avril DE Lions
5 Brent Grimes CB Falcons
6 LaRon Landry S Redskins
7 Marques Colston WR Saints
8 Terrell Thomas CB Giants
9 Michael Griffin S Titans
10 Brandon Lloyd WR Rams
11 Lardarius Webb CB Ravens
12 Carlos Rogers CB 49'ers
13 Matt Roth DE Jaguars
14 Chris Hope S Titans
15 Anthony Spencer LB Cowboys
16 Bradie James LB Cowboys
17 Mario Manningham WR Giants
18 Barrett Ruud LB Bucs
19 Kroy Biermann DE Falcons
20 Israel Idonije DT Bears

LAndry use to be on my wish list wonder if he would be a good fit???

tricktak said:

1. Brandon Lloyd, WR- The best fit at wide receiver for the Patriots

2. Dashon Goldson, S- They were interested in him last season and he's been even better this year. Goldson is a great fit next to chung and automatically makes the secondary 10 times better.

3. Matt Forte, RB- They probably wouldn't have the money to go after Forte but if they are not comfortable with Vereen, Ridley or Woodhead then I could see them making a push for Forte. Green-Ellis will not be back, he'll ask for more than the Patriots think he's worth and if they're gonna spend that money on any free agent running back, it would be Forte, not Green-Ellis.

4. Eddie Royal, WR- If Lloyd is too expensive then Royal would be a high reward cheaper fallback option.

5. Wesley Woodyard, LB: The Broncos Special Teams captain who was been seeing a lot of time at linebacker this year having 76 tackles and 2 forced fumbles so far. He would be great linebacker depth and is a terrific special teams player something Belichick always loves.

6. Zackary Bowman, CB- Belichick has always liked Bowman and would be much better than guys like Molden and Phillip Adams. With Ras-I Dowling's status up in the air as well, Bowman would be a great signing for the Patriots.

7. Shaun Rogers, DT- Maybe a bit too similar to the Haynesworth signing but Rogers isn't nearly as bad and has actually been productive for the Saints this year. Rogers would be a nice fit next to Wilfork.


Obviously Resigning Welker, Andre Carter and Rob Ninkovich are big priorities too but I do not see BenJarvus Green-Ellis coming back to the Patriots. Some team is gonna pay him more money than he is worth.

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Outside of Forte all those players are JAGs. I appreciate your effort to find realistic options that offer 'value' to the Patriots but the worst defense in NFL history needs more than some suck ass scrap heap bums.

The Patriots offseason lists starts with Welker and then hopefully extends into an impact defensive player (either as a free agent or by trade).

cstjohn17 said:

Outside of Forte all those players are JAGs. I appreciate your effort to find realistic options that offer 'value' to the Patriots but the worst defense in NFL history needs more than some suck ass scrap heap bums.

The Patriots offseason lists starts with Welker and then hopefully extends into an impact defensive player (either as a free agent or by trade).

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Lloyd is not a JAG.

Darolyn72 said:

If you're going to start a thread do some homework. FIRST of all, they CHEAPED out on Goldson, they had him here, worked him out and let him leave after offering him a crappy contract. Then they cut both their safties. And yesterday they had Matthew Slater there. The FA crop is great, but the "Genius" won't pursue, anyone, he's so smart. Funny, he could have gone after Crennel, maybe Crennel was the reason the defense was good 2001-2004. Bill has gone Howard Hughes. Just trying to cuter and cuter on defense. Meanwhile, he has had one of the worst defenses in the NFL for two years now. Here are guys that should be on the radar. Doubtful they sign one.

Free Agents the Patriots should look at

1 Mario Williams DE Houston
2 Cortland Finnegan CB Green Bay
3 Wes Welker WR New England
4 Cliff Avril DE Lions
5 Brent Grimes CB Falcons
6 LaRon Landry S Redskins
7 Marques Colston WR Saints
8 Terrell Thomas CB Giants
9 Michael Griffin S Titans
10 Brandon Lloyd WR Rams
11 Lardarius Webb CB Ravens
12 Carlos Rogers CB 49'ers
13 Matt Roth DE Jaguars
14 Chris Hope S Titans
15 Anthony Spencer LB Cowboys
16 Bradie James LB Cowboys
17 Mario Manningham WR Giants
18 Barrett Ruud LB Bucs
19 Kroy Biermann DE Falcons
20 Israel Idonije DT Bears

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I didn't know cortland finnegan was on the packers, I thought he was on the titans. News to me lol jk.

Finnegan is a jerk but going after terrell thomas after coming off an acl injury could be good if we can get him for cheap. Many people thought he would have a breakout year but i bet the Giants wont let him get away. The guy is one of the best tackling corners in the game

Darolyn72 said:

If you're going to start a thread do some homework. FIRST of all, they CHEAPED out on Goldson, they had him here, worked him out and let him leave after offering him a crappy contract. Then they cut both their safties. And yesterday they had Matthew Slater there. The FA crop is great, but the "Genius" won't pursue, anyone, he's so smart. Funny, he could have gone after Crennel, maybe Crennel was the reason the defense was good 2001-2004. Bill has gone Howard Hughes. Just trying to cuter and cuter on defense. Meanwhile, he has had one of the worst defenses in the NFL for two years now. Here are guys that should be on the radar. Doubtful they sign one.

Free Agents the Patriots should look at

1 Mario Williams DE Houston
2 Cortland Finnegan CB Green Bay
3 Wes Welker WR New England
4 Cliff Avril DE Lions
5 Brent Grimes CB Falcons
6 LaRon Landry S Redskins
7 Marques Colston WR Saints
8 Terrell Thomas CB Giants
9 Michael Griffin S Titans
10 Brandon Lloyd WR Rams
11 Lardarius Webb CB Ravens
12 Carlos Rogers CB 49'ers
13 Matt Roth DE Jaguars
14 Chris Hope S Titans
15 Anthony Spencer LB Cowboys
16 Bradie James LB Cowboys
17 Mario Manningham WR Giants
18 Barrett Ruud LB Bucs
19 Kroy Biermann DE Falcons
20 Israel Idonije DT Bears

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Take your own advice...

And you're high if you think the Pats will even have an opportunity to sign some of the players you have listed. Most of those players aren't likely to be changing teams...

Darolyn72 said:

If you're going to start a thread do some homework. FIRST of all, they CHEAPED out on Goldson, they had him here, worked him out and let him leave after offering him a crappy contract. Then they cut both their safties. And yesterday they had Matthew Slater there. The FA crop is great, but the "Genius" won't pursue, anyone, he's so smart. Funny, he could have gone after Crennel, maybe Crennel was the reason the defense was good 2001-2004. Bill has gone Howard Hughes. Just trying to cuter and cuter on defense. Meanwhile, he has had one of the worst defenses in the NFL for two years now. Here are guys that should be on the radar. Doubtful they sign one.

Free Agents the Patriots should look at

1 Mario Williams DE Houston
2 Cortland Finnegan CB Green Bay
3 Wes Welker WR New England
4 Cliff Avril DE Lions
5 Brent Grimes CB Falcons
6 LaRon Landry S Redskins
7 Marques Colston WR Saints
8 Terrell Thomas CB Giants
9 Michael Griffin S Titans
10 Brandon Lloyd WR Rams
11 Lardarius Webb CB Ravens
12 Carlos Rogers CB 49'ers
13 Matt Roth DE Jaguars
14 Chris Hope S Titans
15 Anthony Spencer LB Cowboys
16 Bradie James LB Cowboys
17 Mario Manningham WR Giants
18 Barrett Ruud LB Bucs
19 Kroy Biermann DE Falcons
20 Israel Idonije DT Bears

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Grimes is better than Finnegan and there's no way they'll pay Mario Williams, they'll bring back Andre Carter. Carlos Rogers would be a good target as well as Josh Morgan.

cstjohn17 said:

Outside of Forte all those players are JAGs. I appreciate your effort to find realistic options that offer 'value' to the Patriots but the worst defense in NFL history needs more than some suck ass scrap heap bums.

The Patriots offseason lists starts with Welker and then hopefully extends into an impact defensive player (either as a free agent or by trade).

Click to expand...

scrap heap bums? Lloyd has become a pro bowl receiver, Forte is an all pro running back and arguably the best in the NFL and Dashon Goldson has been the 49ers best defensive player next to Patrick Willis this year and will be a pro bowler.

b72s said:

LAndry use to be on my wish list wonder if he would be a good fit???

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He has long term injury concerns (Achilles) and I'm guessing he'll never play a full season again.

jeffbiologist said:

WOW--who would have guessed someone else would have suggested WESLEY WOODYARD?? He was my binky in the draft a few years ago and after coming in 2nd to Mayo in tackles in the ACC AND posting the 2nd fastest 40 time to....Gary Guyton.....he went UNDRAFTED! Made the team and a few years later is a starting LB for a good defense in Denver. He is a tackling machine and always around the ball, kinda like Cunningham in college. He is "too small" for the pats LB corp...but lets face it, he can play anywhere why not here?

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you think this is weird for you? Facebook used to request I be friends with Woodyard. Maybe I should go track him down and recruit him.

Could see the Pats trying to bring in Reggie Wayne. BB has a great deal of respect for him and specifically sought him out after Sunday's game to shake his hand.

tricktak said:

scrap heap bums? Lloyd has become a pro bowl receiver, Forte is an all pro running back and arguably the best in the NFL and Dashon Goldson has been the 49ers best defensive player next to Patrick Willis this year and will be a pro bowler.

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Forte, yes good player (as I said)

Lloyd, pretty good WR who was traded midseason for a 5th round draft pick. Not exactly Calvin Johnson or Greg Jennings.

Goldson. I will take your word for it. Franklin and McDonald are pretty good too.


I used some creative license and hyperbole to make a point. The Patriots are pretty much set on offense (assuming Welker is signed) but none of the players below would significantly help their defense.

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1. Brandon Lloyd, WR- The best fit at wide receiver for the Patriots

2. Dashon Goldson, S- They were interested in him last season and he's been even better this year. Goldson is a great fit next to chung and automatically makes the secondary 10 times better.

3. Matt Forte, RB- They probably wouldn't have the money to go after Forte but if they are not comfortable with Vereen, Ridley or Woodhead then I could see them making a push for Forte. Green-Ellis will not be back, he'll ask for more than the Patriots think he's worth and if they're gonna spend that money on any free agent running back, it would be Forte, not Green-Ellis.

4. Eddie Royal, WR- If Lloyd is too expensive then Royal would be a high reward cheaper fallback option.

5. Wesley Woodyard, LB: The Broncos Special Teams captain who was been seeing a lot of time at linebacker this year having 76 tackles and 2 forced fumbles so far. He would be great linebacker depth and is a terrific special teams player something Belichick always loves.

6. Zackary Bowman, CB- Belichick has always liked Bowman and would be much better than guys like Molden and Phillip Adams. With Ras-I Dowling's status up in the air as well, Bowman would be a great signing for the Patriots.

7. Shaun Rogers, DT- Maybe a bit too similar to the Haynesworth signing but Rogers isn't nearly as bad and has actually been productive for the Saints this year. Rogers would be a nice fit next to Wilfork.

Who said this list was JAGS? Goldson and Carlos Rogers are a part of one of the best secondaries in the NFL. Listen, the Pats defense is horrible. You improve it one or two ways. You go out and sign the big stud, probably Mario Williams in this case or you fit in pieces.

Oh, and you have to draft players, which I am not confident they can do. Its kind of like a bullpen, you go out sign some players and some will hit, some will get hurt and some will miss. New TV contracts, salary cap will be going up because its based on a % of the income pie. So this would be a good offseason to spend. I would also lock up Gronk, Welker and Mayo longer term.

They need a veteran safety next to Chung. They need another veteran corner, they need to draft one in the first 2 rounds and they need McCourty to play better. They need a pass rusher/linebacker.


7 Guys I would target, maybe you get 3. This includes re-signing Carter.

1) Israel Idonije, having a huge year. Great next to Vince.
2) Michael Griffin, although I doubt the Titans let him walk.
3) Dashon Goldson, although I doubt he leaves now that's he's on a winner
4) Carlos Rogers, he's up in down, but they need a player at CB.
5) Marques Colston - Lloyd won't be cheap, they need a guy to run down the field
6) Kroy Biermann - Can rush the passer, won't break the bank
7) Ruud, Spencer, James - depending on what they do in the draft

Then on Offense, they are in great shape with Cannon, Solder and Waters one more year.

They need Welker, Branch as a 4th Wide out, a Deep runner, veteran running back for depth.

1st pick I would trade up to get one of the Bama safeties or a pass rusher. Second round Linebacker you can develop. Then I always rounds 3-5 are depth guys.

Football is like baseball in that you need to be strong up the middle. NT, MLB, Safety, and edge rusher/play making corner

Balt - Ngati, Lewis, Reed, Suggs
GB - Raji, Hawk, Matthews, Woodson
Jets - need a NT, but they still have Harris, Revis
Texans - Ryans, Cushing, Barwin, Joseph

Pats have - Vince and Mayo and not much else. Carter has played great, but he's not impactful in every game. If Haynesworth had done the job, he would have been EVEN better.

That being said, they did nothing this offseason but bring in retreads. Waters was low risk and he's been great, Carter was a surprise. I expect the same. The Pats better get used to the fact that there are teams in the AFC much more desperate than they are for a title. They will spend money to do it. The Salary cap is crap with all the TV money flowing in. Plus you have to spend to 90%, time to get moving.

Robert Mathis, would be an upgrade. Carter and Anderson are both free agents, if all three are signed it is a nice little rotation.

Another guy I just noticed whose a free agent after the year is Adam Carriker. He has pretty good numbers this year with 25 tackles and 5 sacks for a good Redskins defense.

Is Adam Seward's contract up at the end of the year?

Stevie Johnson (hoping he matures and stays focused). The man torched Revis Island.

edit: Manningham and Meacham as well.

Stevie Johnson sux. Watch another game besides the Pats once in awhile. He dropped a TD to lose the Steelers game last year. He single-handley lost the Jets game with a penalty and two dropped TD's.