Pats Needs/Possible Answers From PatriotsInsider.com (no subscription needed)

[Jimke]

Former defensive co-ordinator, Eric Mangini, brought up an interesting

point regarding the Patriots. The Pats don't like to sign free agents to

salaries higher than established players on their roster. The trouble with

this philosophy is these players were signed a couple of years ago before

the salary cap escalated. In essence, the Pats want to sign new players

at the salary levels that were in effect two yeas ago.

 

[Clonamery]

Former defensive co-ordinator, Eric Mangini, brought up an interesting

point regarding the Patriots. The Pats don't like to sign free agents to

salaries higher than established players on their roster. The trouble with

this philosophy is these players were signed a couple of years ago before

the salary cap escalated. In essence, the Pats want to sign new players

at the salary levels that were in effect two yeas ago.

What is it, one of them glass is half-full days?

 

[salty]

EXACTLY
which is why i wouldnt mind a run at stallworth, engram, curtis and others
honestly, im not a big fan of bennet's
i def wouldnt mind drafting a wr high, but it wouldnt solve our current probs

i wouldnt mind a depth chart like this:
fa, gaffney, caldwell, draft pick, troy brown, chad jackson

Well Bennett happens to top my wish list among possible free agent acquisitions at WR. He's clearly a downfield threat, as he has average 14.6 yards per catch during his career. Also, he's 6'5", so even though throwing up jump balls is not exactly Brady's style, it might give us a few more options in the passing game.

I'd go for Curtis as well, and I could settle for Stalworth since he does provide a deep threat, even though I think he is inconsistent and probably injury prone. But Stalworth will almost definitely cost too much. Engram could be a possibility, but unless Troy Brown retires, we've already got a steady old veteran in the corps.

I think drafting a WR could be a good idea for the future, but I wouldn't want the Pats to do it in the first round. The most important thing in the draft this year is to get younger and faster on defense.

 

[Jimke]

Mike Reiss has a pretty good post. He has listed the top ten free

agent signings by the Pats. All are 2003 and before. Tomorrow, he will

list the worst signings. I think they will point out what I have

been harping about. The Pats should get cracking and sign a

few good men this free agency.