In this episode, we discussed the many moves the Patriots have made since Free Agency opened for the 2016 season.
Artie Burns from Miami is a kind of under-the-radar player despite playing for the “U” He’s a supremely talented athlete who ran track as well as playing football. Posessing ideal size at 6’0 and 193 pounds, he has the frame to add some weight without losing any of his athleticism
Tom Brady cracks joke about Von Miller while on horseback riding trip.
Garrett has a long stride to speed by opponents but the size and physicality to win jump balls and be able to bring down balls in traffic. Possesses very good hands, timing on his jumps and has the quickness at the line where he can beat man coverage
Howard has the proto-typical size of an NFL power back at 6’0, 230 and has a thick, powerful build. He has good vision and will follow his blockers to daylight and has decent lateral agility for a big man.
Jonathan Williams from Arkansas is a power back who fits the Patriots needs perfectly. Powerfully built at 5’11, 220, he has quick feet to avoid tacklers but is at his best when running north-south. Prior to his injury in August that caused him to miss the entire season, he had a very solid 2014 season. Running in the tough SEC, Williams averaged 91.5 yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry for the Razorbacks.
Here’s a quick rundown of this morning’s news on this Monday for March 21st, 2016.
Belichick then got TE Marcellus Bennett and a 6th round pick from the Bears for a 4th round pick. Bennett is a dynamic tight end who should pair well with Rob Gronkowski and give Tom Brady big targets in the red zone as well as excellent blockers in the running game. Bennett caught 90 passes two years ago but was injured in 2015.
Dixon is not the biggest back at 5’10, 215 but he’s not afraid to and is effective running between the tackles. In his four years at La. Tech he had a combined 87 touchdowns, (72 rushing and 15 receiving) and is very effective after first contact. He averaged 3.3 yards after contact despite only averaging 1.7 before contact due to his being keyed on
McClellin was originally drafted by the Bears in the first round of the 2012 draft from Boise State with the 19th overall and used as a defensive end. He was reportedly on the Patriots radar in the draft but the Bears selected him two picks before New England selected Chandler Jones.
With reports that the Bears and Bennett were heading for a split, it now appears that the two teams have made the deal for only draft considerations. Reports are surfacing that the teams will also swap draft picks. Schefter is reporting that the teams will swap mid-to-late draft picks.
Adding Long was a master stroke by Bill Belichick as within hours he was able to swing a trade for DE Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals for a 2nd round draft pick as well as G Jonathan Cooper and then add Long to replace Jones on the roster.
Chandler Jones thanks Patriots organization following trade to Cardinals, teammates react on social media.
Patriots safety Nate Ebner to take leave of absence in effort to make US Olympic Rugby team.
Regardless, the trade is a win-win for both teams, Arizona is looking for a pass rusher having Dwight Freeney now a free agent and the Patriots have questions with the offensive line and have lost their 1st round draft pick with Deflategate sanctions.