Pats sign C Al Johnson, re-sign Tank Williams, Ventrone, and Britt

[Bostonian1962]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

Tony Sparano calls Al Johnson, "the smartest offensive lineman I've every coached". He coached Johnson in Dallas and ofcourse again in Miami. I believe he plays not only center, but both guard spots. The former 2nd round pick just turned 30. Seems like a solid enough move.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

I was very surprised by Ventrone last year. I had previously felt he was a JAG, but that kid really hit a new level on ST in 2008. Excellent signing - - especially in view of the Izzo departure.

I agree.

Mrs Bruschi will be exctatic that her new boy is signed. I'll admit I didn't see what she saw in him before 2008 (aside from the disgusting animal attraction female fans have for certain players) but he impressed me in camp and on the team last year. I can see why BB likes the kid. If he's cut by September, Mangini will sign him in Cleveland.

 

[Urgent]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

Al Johnson was in the same draft class with Dan Koppen; rated higher and much quicker.

It would be nice to have a true back-up center. He would compete with Hochstein and Yates for that spot, and should be an upgrade over Yates.

Williams, if healthy, can rotate at SS, but his range may well be limited after two years of knee injuries. Probably a long-shot, based on his injury history.

Britt looked very good in pre-season three years ago, then has consistently regressed. He looked awful this past year, and is a stretch to make the team.

Ventrone could be this year's Je'Rod Cherry (Pat's never won a Super Bowl without Je'Rod). Or he could be forced out if the Pats draft new safeties.

 

[Patjew]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

Very nice, solid signings. I'm excited for the Tank Era! I guess that means it may be even less likely for Rodney to return now?

 

[WhiZa]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

Very nice, solid signings. I'm excited for the Tank Era! I guess that means it may be even less likely for Rodney to return now?

I'm starting to think so. Rodney will be on the shadow roster. Maybe come in on a pinch and be the hero.

I see Tank as the wrapping up the open backup S position. Now there is no need to draft a S in day 1 imo.

 

[pats1]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

I'm starting to think so. Rodney will be on the shadow roster. Maybe come in on a pinch and be the hero.

I see Tank as the wrapping up the open backup S position. Now there is no need to draft a S in day 1 imo.

Huh? You currently have Meriweather, Sanders, Tank, Spann, Ventrone and possibly Springs if you consider him to be a Chad Scott/Lew Sanders type. Tank has no future with the Patriots. Spann and Ventrone are special teamers. A first-day (old school first 3 rounds) caliber safety is needed, because there is currently no depth at that position.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

We still should draft a safety. But, Tank Williams has not future with the patriots????????? What's that all about?

Huh? You currently have Meriweather, Sanders, Tank, Spann, Ventrone and possibly Springs if you consider him to be a Chad Scott/Lew Sanders type. Tank has no future with the Patriots. Spann and Ventrone are special teamers. A first-day (old school first 3 rounds) caliber safety is needed, because there is currently no depth at that position.

 

[APatrioticVirginian]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

Lets hope there is a tiger in Tank

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

I'm very excited about Williams. I mean, his name alone is so awesome. We have a guy named "Tank" on our team. As long as his on-field play is more like a military tank than a fish tank...

As long as it's not like Tank Johnson...................

 

[pats1]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

We still should draft a safety. But, Tank Williams has not future with the patriots????????? What's that all about?

Beyond this season. The Pats re-signing Tank doesn't preclude them from drafting a safety high. Tank is not the future at safety, and Sanders probably isn't either.

 

[Patjew]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

Beyond this season. The Pats re-signing Tank doesn't preclude them from drafting a safety high. Tank is not the future at safety, and Sanders probably isn't either.

Why? I don't get it.

 

[pats1]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

Why? I don't get it.

...does anyone truly think that Sanders and/or Williams will be core members of the Patriots secondary two, three years down the road? IMO, Sanders is keeping the seat warm for someone like a Meriweather to come in and be that "safety of the future" alongside, well, Meriweather. Tank is just another piece of depth, another piece of competition for this season. My expectations for him are low. Ideally, you'd like to see the Pats pick up a Chung-type soon in the draft, and have Sanders in time be relegated to a swing safety role a la Meriweather in 2007. Then you'd have Meriweather and a Chung-type as your two main forces at safety for the foreseeable future. Again, Tank is just that suitable short-term backup; I wouldn't even consider him a lock to make the team at this point.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

As much as you and DW would like it to be the case, James Sanders is not being paid what he is to be a backup.

...does anyone truly think that Sanders and/or Williams will be core members of the Patriots secondary two, three years down the road? IMO, Sanders is keeping the seat warm for someone like a Meriweather to come in and be that "safety of the future" alongside, well, Meriweather. Tank is just another piece of depth, another piece of competition for this season. My expectations for him are low. Ideally, you'd like to see the Pats pick up a Chung-type soon in the draft, and have Sanders in time be relegated to a swing safety role a la Meriweather in 2007. Then you'd have Meriweather and a Chung-type as your two main forces at safety for the foreseeable future. Again, Tank is just that suitable short-term backup; I wouldn't even consider him a lock to make the team at this point.

 

[pats1]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

As much as you and DW would like it to be the case, James Sanders is not being paid what he is to be a backup.

Would you consider 2007's Meriweather to be a backup? I think that 3rd safety/nickelback position can very much be considered a starting job in today's NFL.

Besides, Sanders only signed a 3-year, $9M deal. $3M/year to be a third safety isn't unheard of, especially when you consider either an uncapped year or another sizable cap increase in 2010.

Sanders is a rangy guy who could potentially still line up with Meriweather in most sub packages as a third safety, playing the deep zones. Then you have a more in-the-box type of guy - Rodney formerly, Tank now, and potentially a draft pick in the future (albeit with the range to play deep on regular downs, like the old Rodney) - as your other safety.

 

[Urgent]

Tank Williams has a total of 18 tackles the past three years combined.

Even in pre-season of last year, Tank was basically being used in sub-packages as a linebacker on passing downs. He was being used as a passing down specialist in specific packages. He did not appear to be heading toward a regular safety role.

That was before another injury.

It would be great if the healthy 2003 safety walked through that door. But after missing two complete seasons and portions of two others, and his role as a hybrid coverage linebacker, I don't expect the Patriots are grooming Williams for an important role over the long term.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Well, to borrow from the draft forum, Al Johnson does have the standard hair color and ugly beard potential. . . .

 

[mgteich]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

1) I agree that nickel backs should be considered starters. We need five corners: 3 starters, a dime back, and a backup.

2) Please list all the backup safeties who make $3M a year. I don't think there are many.

3) We have used our third safety instead of a nickel back or instead of a dime back in the past. That was a deficiency in our corners, not because backup safeties are starters. We should be able to have strong nickel backs. The dime back can indeed be a safety if necessary, but that is NOT a starting position.

4) I agree that we should draft a safety in the 2nd. The strongest argument for this is that the safety prospects are so good. For 2009, we could be fine with Williams and Springs. However, the time is now to draft a safety. However, I don't expect him to start this year, or likely next.

Would you consider 2007's Meriweather to be a backup? I think that 3rd safety/nickelback position can very much be considered a starting job in today's NFL.

Besides, Sanders only signed a 3-year, $9M deal. $3M/year to be a third safety isn't unheard of, especially when you consider either an uncapped year or another sizable cap increase in 2010.

Sanders is a rangy guy who could potentially still line up with Meriweather in most sub packages as a third safety, playing the deep zones. Then you have a more in-the-box type of guy - Rodney formerly, Tank now, and potentially a draft pick in the future (albeit with the range to play deep on regular downs, like the old Rodney) - as your other safety.

 

[notex]

Re: Pats Announce Some More Signings...

Cowboys, Giants, Redskins & Yankees are right there too.

Jets and Texans right there as well

 

[PATRIOT64]

IMO Don Johnson from Miami Vice fame has a better chance than Al Johnson in making the team

 

[Deus Irae]

IMO Don Johnson from Miami Vice fame has a better chance than Al Johnson in making the team

Well, none of the 4 players are what I'd consider to be locks to make the team.