Pats close to signing someone!!!

[drew4008]

Probably shouldn't get too excited though...

ESPN.com's John Clayton reports the New England Patriots are talking with free agent S Mel Mitchell (Saints) and they are expected to sign him to a one-year contract next week. Mitchell is a great special teams player, but he is looking for an opportunity more than money in his deal.

 

[PatsSaintsSox]

Probably shouldn't get too excited though...

ESPN.com's John Clayton reports the New England Patriots are talking with free agent S Mel Mitchell (Saints) and they are expected to sign him to a one-year contract next week. Mitchell is a great special teams player, but he is looking for an opportunity more than money in his deal.

Mel Mitchell is a good signing he is underrated, he is a solid backup DB...

 

[Pats726]

Can he bring Stallworth with him??? Not bad...

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Our special teams has seen a bit of a dropoff in the past couple of seasons so anyone we sign to strengthen that unit is a good signing IMO.

 

[BelichickFan]

Belichick tried to sign him a year or two ago, he seems to like the guy.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Pretty much sent out a clear signal that Stone is not an option anymore.

Mel will be a solid special teams player.

 

[PatsSaintsSox]

He is def. worth a one year deal...

 

[mgteich]

Just bb and pioli going about their business, one step at a time. We need a veteran backup safety who is a solid special teamer. And yes, he would be competing with Stone for a spot, if he is re-signed.

 

[IcyPatriot]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2002/draft/players/23210.html
[font=arial,helvetica]Mel Mitchell | S | Western Kentucky | Gateway Conference [/font]
[font=arial,helvetica]Selected by [font=arial,helvetica]New Orleans Saints[/font] in [font=arial,helvetica]round 5[/font], pick 15 (150 overall) [/font][font=arial,helvetica]H[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica]eight [/font][font=arial,helvetica]Weight [/font][font=arial,helvetica]40 [/font][font=arial,helvetica]G[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica]rade [/font][font=arial,helvetica]6'1............ [/font][font=arial,helvetica]220 .............[/font][font=arial,helvetica]4.51 ...............Grade:[/font][font=arial,helvetica]3.54[/font]

[font=arial,helvetica] [/font][font=arial,helvetica]Prop 48 player academically ineligible to see action in 1998. All-Conference selection the past three years, most recently totaling 116/3/8 on defense last year, while averaging 10/29.5/1 returning kicks. Defensive totals the prior year were 98/3/8, averaging 10/27.5/1 returning kicks. Registered 74/1/4 as a redshirt sophomore and has seen action at both free and strong safety. Productive defensive back that could potentially turn into a solid pro. Reads the action, moves well laterally and displays sideline-to-sideline range. Works well with his corners, keeps the play in front of him and displays a burst of closing speed bearing down on the action. Consistently gets a hand in to deflect away the pass and always around the ball. Effective special teams player both as a return specialist as well as covering kicks or punts. Occasionally bites on the play-action pass, lacks the closing and recovery speed and does not always time or anticipate his pass defenses well. Improved his cover skills last season and his best football is ahead of him. Ran well in individual workouts and may have moved himself into the middle of the draft. Mid Fifth Round.

[/font]

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Two things that I like are his size (220 pounds) and the fact he's under 30. This could be an intersting reclamation project for BB.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Pretty much sent out a clear signal that Stone is not an option anymore.

Mel will be a solid special teams player.

I don't get that vibe at all. Stone outplayed Izzo and Chatham in less than half a season on ST. The Pats offered Mike Stone a contract and he said he wanted to look, since he'd like to play regular D; he said that when he originally came last year. He was beaten out by Artrell and threatened by Harrison's return in that wish.

We need to rebuild the ST; Izzo 's play has fallen off and he's past thirty ansd so is Don Davis. If Stone can't find work as a regular safety I'm sure the Pats would take the 28 year vet back as they offered to do so. Strong Safeties and small LBs both bring similar talents to ST. And Stone is a good STand BB recognized that.

 

[patsfan55]

if he sticks, someone will lose a job
don davis
larry izzo
artrell hawkins
james sanders
guss scott

 

[AzPatsFan]

A good foundation...

He and Stone would create a pretty good foundation for a rebuilt ST. Both in their mid twenties and both with size, speed and nastiness...

Reminds me of the Corwin Brown and Larry Whigham tandem of ten years ago, or the Jerod Cherry and Larry Izzo tandem of five years ago.

We ahve spoken of the teasm rebuilding of the LB corps after finishing the D-line and then O-line last season. The Specailsits are getting long in the tooth and have fallen off. Time to rebuild there and maybe AV walking, Stone and Martinez are steps along the way...

BB and SP methodically and throughly at work.