Stephen Neal and Bingo Close to Re-Signing ?

[BelichickFan]

So says Curran :

http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/projo_20060323_23patsjo.d9c9c5f.html

"Meanwhile, sources indicated that the team is close to re-signing free agent right guard Stephen Neal and veteran wide receiver Troy Brown."

 

[BionicPatriot]

It figures, no one wants either. Neal is fine, nothing great, digressed in 05, but I like him, keep the OL intact. And Brown can hang em up as a Patriot. Wouldn't shock me at all.

 

[BelichickFan]

It figures, no one wants either. Neal is fine, nothing great, digressed in 05, but I like him, keep the OL intact.

Neal was a disappointment but he's decent enough that with a better RT our right side would be OK. Hopefully Kaczur can be that (if he's not needed on the left side) but if he's more of a swing tackle backup, we're still just one draft pick away from a better OL as opposed to two if we had to re-sign Neal also.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Neal was a disappointment but he's decent enough that with a better RT our right side would be OK. Hopefully Kaczur can be that (if he's not needed on the left side) but if he's more of a swing tackle backup, we're still just one draft pick away from a better OL as opposed to two if we had to re-sign Neal also.

I think we're all set on the OL, the left side is fine, Koppen is fine, and I don't think KAzcur is bad at all? We have more important needs. But like I said, Neal would be fine coming back.

 

[BelichickFan]

I don't think Kazcur is bad at all?

For having to play LT I thought he did fine and should be better in his second year on the right side. I'm just a little concerned about Felger's totally out of left field report that Kaczur didn't play in the Denver playoff game because he wasn't preparing appropriately (the wording suggested he was enjoying the nightlife too much, although he didn't come out and say that) as opposed to the shoulder injury. I have never heard any other such report but it nags at me when planning on him as the RT just in case it's true.

 

[BionicPatriot]

For having to play LT I thought he did fine and should be better in his second year on the right side. I'm just a little concerned about Felger's totally out of left field report that Kaczur didn't play in the Denver playoff game because he wasn't preparing appropriately (the wording suggested he was enjoying the nightlife too much, although he didn't come out and say that) as opposed to the shoulder injury. I have never heard any other such report but it nags at me when planning on him as the RT just in case it's true.

I don't think it'll be any big deal. I do remember he suffered an injury though. I think we're fine along the OL.

 

[DarrylS]

Neal has a tremendous upside and work ethic, every year has gotten better and the type of player who flourishes in this system...as far as Troy goes would love to see him retire here and get his due as the consummate Patriot...

 

[patsfan55]

i like neal
but he really didnt have a spectacular yr last yr
i thought he was gonna make a bigger jump
i like the idea of re-signing him if he doesnt cost a whole lot
but all together the oline looked very unspectacular last yr, even before light and koppen got hurt

if we re-sign neal we could have this:
light, mankins, koppen, neal, kaczur
that looks pretty good on paper, but so did the start of last yr, and as i said they really did not perform all that well
brady was pressured A LOT last yr, and the running game had nowhere to go

so while i like neal, and id like the re-signing im still cautiously optimistic about the oline

 

[jczxohn1]

I thought Neal had a case of the sophomore jinx, as it was only his 2nd full season.Kind of like a pitcher going through the league for the 2nd time. Always thought he just wanted to look around and appreciated Dante's tutelage. I'd welcome Troy back. Guess his kids like their schools.

 

[oldrover]

Wonder if this flurry of re-sign activity has anything to do with them screwing up the AV deal?

 

[dryheat44]

Wonder if this flurry of re-sign activity has anything to do with them screwing up the AV deal?

I was wondering why Troy would even consider leaving. Heck, he's our #3 WR as of now. Would he be that high on the depth chart of many other teams?

 

[marty]

Wonder if this flurry of re-sign activity has anything to do with them screwing up the AV deal?

Since the AV deal didn't get "screwed up" I'd say not. This is about the time the Pats have historically gotten more signed. They wait till the franctic flurry subsides, where all the agents make boatloads of money and then they "get busy". Hey, some of the Pat FA's make out great in FA. They find teams that are desperate for thier skills/leadership etc. Other Pat FA's find out that the Pats offer is just about the same as other teams, and re-sign back with the Pat's. I for one like the way the Pats handle this FA timeframe. But when I go to Vegas next month, I'm taking Miguel, not Kraft!

 

[shmessy]

He lost Koppen to the left of him and had the revolving door of Ashworth-Kazcur-Gorin to the right. Methinks he had to cover for a lot last year.

 

[marty]

I was wondering why Troy would even consider leaving. Heck, he's our #3 WR as of now. Would he be that high on the depth chart of many other teams?

Well I'd guess that since the market for WR's pretty much stinks this year, that Troy figured he should take another look around? I'm thinking that if he can't find that last offer with another team, that he may retire. If the pat's sign another FA WR, I could see Troy dropping to 4th, and he may have too much pride for that?
I'd love to see him retire here!!

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Since the AV deal didn't get "screwed up" I'd say not. This is about the time the Pats have historically gotten more signed. They wait till the franctic flurry subsides, where all the agents make boatloads of money and then they "get busy". Hey, some of the Pat FA's make out great in FA. They find teams that are desperate for thier skills/leadership etc. Other Pat FA's find out that the Pats offer is just about the same as other teams, and re-sign back with the Pat's. I for one like the way the Pats handle this FA timeframe. But when I go to Vegas next month, I'm taking Miguel, not Kraft!

Funny I'm going back to Vegas in May. In July of 2002, a buddy went to Vegas and I gave him $50 to put on the Pats to win the Superbowl. I got 9-1 odds, I flew out to Vegas to cash that ticket in person. I wonder what odds I will get this time.

I can only hope that all the nay sayers make there way to the Sportsbook. Anyone know what the current odds are? The Pats will be a better tema than last year, just by getting helathy again. Watch what BB does, after all the hype and panic is over, the Pats will still have the best TEAM in the NFL.

 

[fgssand]

The only way it will matter to the press and the naysayers in here will be if they do not sign. Then - Stephen Neal will become the best young guard in football and it will be a disgrace for the Patriots to have let Troy Brown go.

Personally, I like them both and hope they stay, but, it would be a case of my not really knowing how to judge young talent and a huge dose of sentimentality - fortunately, the Pats know such things.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

It's hard to say Neal has a lot of "upside." He turns 30 in October...

 

[Pats726]

I think both would be good for the team...
Troy is like a coach on the field..and it would be great if he retired here..and may even step into coaching. THAT would be great for him and the team. He is dependable and can do a lot. I don't care if he wa sthe 4th WR ven..in a clutch 3rd down play, TB is there, catching it. His punt returns are also valuable and he would help a young one move into that as well. Vets like Troy are alwasy needed. BB likes having Troy here as well.
Neal does have upside even at 30. He hasn't played football and is still learning. He also is very athletic and that helps a lot. Again, get him signed and help solidify the O line. If it was a choice of him and Ashworth, I'd take SN before.
A really good pair of signings...and it is week two and usually the Pats have signed players at this point.

 

[PatsFan37]

It's hard to say Neal has a lot of "upside." He turns 30 in October...

Not a lot, but some. OL is a position guys play into their mid-30's, unlike CB and RB, and he doesn't have a lot of football wear-and-tear, assuming his shoulders have healed up properly. He's probably on the upswing for a least a couple more years, then steady for a couple more. OL is so much more about savvy than the faster skill positions.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re signing these 2 would be very good news.
It would go a long way towards filling those supposedly "gaping" holes. lol
let's hope it's true.