Vikings and Cassel: $30 million big ones

[Taxed in Maine]

No offense, but my question is about who the hot (A.D. level) free agents are that the Patriots will miss out on. Lower level free agents will be available throughout the free agency period. I'm sorry if poor wording made it confusing.

OK fair enough. There probably isn't that big-time must have guy. But it does handcuff them in dealing with extensions and re-signs.

 

[Deus Irae]

OK fair enough. There probably isn't that big-time must have guy. But it does handcuff them in dealing with extensions and re-signs.

I agree. I just see the list of those players and sort of shrug with the "ehh" thought crossing my mind.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/203077-pats-offseason-review-free-agents.html

It's not that I don't like any of those players. It's just that I don't think any of them can't be replaced if they get signed before the Patriots move Cassel.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Let's hope Cassel "gets paid"!!!

If someone will guarentee him $30 million, that certainly means we aren't getting a 6th and 7th round pick.

Don't forget the whole QB development theory has been to develop QB's to trade for picks.

I also think that Cassel will be cooperative. Without the Pats, where is he today?

Also, if he works out a 5 year deal with another team, he could also look to be back here in his early 30's.

I doubt he would want to burn the ole' bridge.

 

[JSn]

Charley Walters is the "National Enquirer" of the St Paul Pioneer Press sports section, take what he writes with a huge grain of salt....he's wrong far more often than he's right.

The thing is...

..."A 'huge' grain of salt"?

hehe, superb comedic interlude.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I don't see Scott on that A.D. level either, although we can agree to disagree

As I posted elsewhere:

This Bart Scott?

Do not want.

 

[lamafist]

Peppers is a 4-3 DE, and wouldn't fit in New England.

That's just... wow. I don't even really know how to respond to a statement like that. Please explain to me how a freakishly fast and strong, dynamic edge-rusher who can rush both standing up and with his fingers in the dirt, who can back-pedal as fast as most LBs can run forwards, and is comfortable running with TE's, wouldn't fit into BB's defense?

He also may be franchised.

Suggs will be franchised again if need be, according to what I hear

Lewis is expected to be re-signed and has reportedly been close to a 5 year deal for some time.

Dawkins is 35 and is not an A.D. type signing at this point in his career.

Mike Brown isn't close to an A.D. signing.

I don't see Scott on that A.D. level either, although we can agree to disagree

Asomugha is one that I'd agree with you on, if I didn't think that he'll be franchised.

I just don't see the big deal about not having the money for the first week or so, since the Patriots generally don't seem to like jumping into that initial feeding frenzy anyway.

So some of these guys MIGHT be franchised, and some of them MIGHT re-sign, and some of them aren't quite as exciting as A.D. was.

Your point, exactly?

Do you think the Pats don't need to be aggressive this offseason to remain competitive? Our team may have gone 11-5, but we had one of the league's easiest schedules. BB was keeping our defense together with duct tape and chicken-wire this year. We have to proceed as if Rodney Harrison won't be back, we have to be prepared to greatly reduce the workload we expect from Vrabel and Bruschi, James Sanders as starting SS doesn't thrill anyone, and we don't have a single cornerback who I'd feel remotely comfortable with in terms of experience and durability.

I'm not predicting doom & gloom, I'm just saying that the Pats have their share of needs, and plenty of room to improve on defense, and can't afford to be passive by necessity this off-season.

 

[scout]

That's just... wow. I don't even really know how to respond to a statement like that. Please explain to me how a freakishly fast and strong, dynamic edge-rusher who can rush both standing up and with his fingers in the dirt, who can back-pedal as fast as most LBs can run forwards, and is comfortable running with TE's, wouldn't fit into BB's defense?

.

I was basically the same thing. I forgot what game it was, but I remember him snagging a pass and running like a RB the length of the field. Someone that fast and athletic can play LB for the Pats.