VJCPatriot
Pro Bowl Player
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- Apr 28, 2006
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So assuming that a deal gets done in time, and this is a big assumption, Wednesday looks to be the biggest free agent haul in NFL history. Teams have been unable to make moves for over 5 months. And although the draft preceded free agency, rookies are notoriously unknown quantities. Teams still have a lot of holes to fill. 7 teams will be looking to get under the cap, so look for a lot of veterans to be released into the pool as well. Who do you have targetted for the Pats in free agency?
Here are some guys to look for:
Top 50 – NFL Free Agents 2011
1. Sidney Rice WR. This guy can be a stud stretch the field, 1000 yard receiver annually for Brady. The Pats WR corp is already very good. But they still lack the consistent field stretcher. So far Brandon Tate has not been the answer here.
2. Ray Edwards DE/OLB. Edwards could help boost an anemic pass rush and is also a solid run defender. The question is how well will he transition to playing 3-4 OLB for us. We got one guy already from the Ravens system who didn't pan out so well in AD. Is the second time a charm or do the Pats brass feel snakebit?
3. Cullen Jenkins DE. Jenkins could solidfy the defensive line. The problem is that for a DE he is slightly short in the Pats system at 6'2 and the Pats might already have Stroud penciled in for a starting position.
4. Eric Weddle S. Weddle can cover over the middle. This has been one of the flaws in the Pats defense. Time and time again they give up the big 3rd down play in the middle because they don't have the athletes to contain against these plays. Of course zones tend to leave predictable spots to attack but lack of talent may play into this. On the other hand Dowling may have been drafted to directly address this need already.
5. Manny Lawson OLB. The Pats passed over Lawson in the draft, but now he has a chance to come on down to New England as a free agent. Can the rangy Lawson make an impact on the Pats defense or would he flounder as many LBers have before to absorb the Pats complex defensive system?
Here are some guys to look for:
Top 50 – NFL Free Agents 2011
1. Sidney Rice WR. This guy can be a stud stretch the field, 1000 yard receiver annually for Brady. The Pats WR corp is already very good. But they still lack the consistent field stretcher. So far Brandon Tate has not been the answer here.
2. Ray Edwards DE/OLB. Edwards could help boost an anemic pass rush and is also a solid run defender. The question is how well will he transition to playing 3-4 OLB for us. We got one guy already from the Ravens system who didn't pan out so well in AD. Is the second time a charm or do the Pats brass feel snakebit?
3. Cullen Jenkins DE. Jenkins could solidfy the defensive line. The problem is that for a DE he is slightly short in the Pats system at 6'2 and the Pats might already have Stroud penciled in for a starting position.
4. Eric Weddle S. Weddle can cover over the middle. This has been one of the flaws in the Pats defense. Time and time again they give up the big 3rd down play in the middle because they don't have the athletes to contain against these plays. Of course zones tend to leave predictable spots to attack but lack of talent may play into this. On the other hand Dowling may have been drafted to directly address this need already.
5. Manny Lawson OLB. The Pats passed over Lawson in the draft, but now he has a chance to come on down to New England as a free agent. Can the rangy Lawson make an impact on the Pats defense or would he flounder as many LBers have before to absorb the Pats complex defensive system?
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