Replacing or Re-signing Our Free Agents

[mgteich]

In the end, we need to replace what we lose, as the youngsters get better. My conclusion is that we are in very good shape indeed.

LET'S RE-SIGN THESE FIVE QUICKLY
Moss
Gaffney
Washington
Paxton
Seau

At that point, I believe that we would be as good as in 2007 at almost all positions. After all, Colvin and Morris are back. We would still need depth at LB (a replacement for Bruschi), and perhaps an upgrade at RT or RG, but that's relatively minor stuff. Lua, Woods and Alexander MIGHT get some backup reps after all, and one of them could step up to be a top backup. We do have Hochstein and Yates as backup guards, and Britt and O'Callaghan as backup tackles. That's better than most backups in the league.
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The exception to being OK of course is the defensive backfield.
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THE DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD LOSSES
CB Samuel
CB Gay
CB C. Scott (Richardson could take this spot)
S Wilson (we need a fourth safety who can actually play safety; Wilson as #4 is OK)
S/ST Mitchell (one of Andrews and Ventrone could file this spot)
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BOTTOM LINE
If we get the first set re-signed, we will have the whole off-season to focus on replacing Samuel and Gay. We could re-sign one of the two; we could trade for a corner (that worked sooooo well last time); and/or we could draft corners.

 

[Jimke]

I essentially agree with you. The Pats especially have to re-sign

Moss and Gaffney to solidify their receiving corps. Then, they can

concentrate on defense. They may need a starting middle linebacker

and will definitely need a starting cornerback and a nickle back.