Tuesday, March 13, 2007
The New England Patriots Are Having The Best Off-Season Thus Far
NFL Off-Season: New England Patriots
The NFL Postseason is here and Free-Agent signings have begun. Let's start by taking a look at the Patriots.
The Patriots have surprised many people this offseason by being extremely aggressive at the very beginning of Free Agency. This is a bit different from the past.
Adalius Thomas: Thomas is a 29-year-old linebacker who has played 93 games since 2001, that's 16 each season except for only 13 in 2003. He averages 3.5 tackles per game and last year had 11 sacks. Adalius Thomas is a big, athletic guy who adapts well to different rolls and varying defensive schemes. He is a good tackler inside the box and is very quick. A drawback on Thomas is that he isn't that good coverage, which is an area the Pats need to address. Nonetheless, Thomas sures up an already solid linebacking core in New England. He joins Tedy Bruschi, Rosevelt Colvin, and Mike Vrabel in New England. Bruschi is rated as the 8th best LB in the NFL. Opposing teams will have even more of a challenge against the Patriots now that they have Thomas.
Thomas' Contract Details:
Signing bonus: $12 million in 2007.
Option bonus: $8 million payable in 2008, applied for cap reasons in equal $2 million increments in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Salaries: $900,000 in '07, $900,000 in '08, $1.9 million in '09, $4.9 million in '10 and $5.9 million in '11. Workout bonuses: $107,000 annually if he participates in the Patriots' offseason workout program in Foxboro.
Cap numbers: In succession, beginning this year, $3.4 million, $5.4 million, $6.4 million, $9.4 million, $10.4 million.
Donte' Stallworth: Stallworth seems to be the Patriots' #1 WR at tis point. He is extremely quick off the line of scrimmage and runs routes very well, characteristics the Pats look for. Sometimes, however, his effort is questioned. Also, there are drug related issues with Stallworth. This signing by the Patriots is intriguing mostly because of the structure of his contract. ESPN.com reports Stallworth must receive a total of $8million in bonuses if the Patriots want him in New Engalnd in 2008. Additionally, there are other incentives he would earn if the deal were to extend into 2008. In total, the second year of the contract would cost the Patriots $11 million. It is very likely that he will only be a Patriot for the 2007 season.
Kelley Washington: Washington is a 27-year-old receiver who has spent his career in Cincinatti behind a great corps of receivers. In Cincy, he was primarily a backup with limited catches, mainly because he played behind Chad Johnson and Chris Henry. He has some quickness and can perform well as a 4th or 5th option for the Patriots.
Wes Welker: In short, Welker is the equivalent of Troy Brown about 10 years ago. Welker is a solid slot receiver and became Miami's most dependable wide-out last season. He gives Tom Brady, ESPN's top-rated player, a go-to guy on offense. With the other additions the Patriots have made at WR, Welker should not be defended by top corners, so he should perform well as a Patriot.
Sammy Morris: The Patriots signed Morris to backup Laurence Marony after releasing Corey Dillon. Morris was a backup in Miami, but had a big in Miami versus the Patriots last season. Morris is very similar to Dillon in that he's a power runner who has the ability to break tackles for extra yards. His value on special teams and as a blocker were probably key factors in Bill Bellechick's and Scott Pioli's decision to sign him.
Kyle Brady: Brady is a seasoned veteran who the Patriots believe can be a solid blocker for the Pats' running backs. The Patriots need him to act as an extra lineman and that is really it. They have Ben Watson to catch passes and David Thomas ready to make significant contributions to the Patriot offense.
So far this offseason, the Patriots have addressed their most pressing needs by signing the best available linebacker (Thomas) and the best available receiver (Stallworth). They have positioned themselves nicely for the upcoming NFL Draft. The Patriots have the 24th and 28th overall picks in the first round. Patriots also have single picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds as well as two 6th round picks in this year's draft. The late picks are usually where the Patriots shine.
Notable Late-Round Picks:
Tom Brady (6th Round, 199th Overall)
Matt Cassel (Brady's backup, 7th Round, 230th Overall)
Tully Banta-Cain (7th Round, 239th Overall)
Dan Koppen (5th Round, 164th Overall)
David Givens (7th Round, 253rd Overall)
(1993) Troy Brown (8th Round, 198th Overall)
We'll see what the Patriots are able to do with the two first round picks and two sixth round picks. For whatever reason, the Patriots get steals in the 6th and 7th Round. Perhaps they gave up their next stud by trading the 7th round pick (along with a 2nd round pick) for Wes Welker.
The NFL Postseason is here and Free-Agent signings have begun. Let's start by taking a look at the Patriots.
The Patriots have surprised many people this offseason by being extremely aggressive at the very beginning of Free Agency. This is a bit different from the past.
| Additions | Deletions |
| Adalius Thomas (LB) | Tully Banta-Cain (LB, UFA) |
| Donte Stallworth (WR) | Dan Graham (TE, UFA) |
| Kelley Washington (WR) | Corey Dillion (RB, Released) |
| Wes Welker (WR) | |
| Sammy Morris (RB) | |
| Kyle Brady (TE) |
Adalius Thomas: Thomas is a 29-year-old linebacker who has played 93 games since 2001, that's 16 each season except for only 13 in 2003. He averages 3.5 tackles per game and last year had 11 sacks. Adalius Thomas is a big, athletic guy who adapts well to different rolls and varying defensive schemes. He is a good tackler inside the box and is very quick. A drawback on Thomas is that he isn't that good coverage, which is an area the Pats need to address. Nonetheless, Thomas sures up an already solid linebacking core in New England. He joins Tedy Bruschi, Rosevelt Colvin, and Mike Vrabel in New England. Bruschi is rated as the 8th best LB in the NFL. Opposing teams will have even more of a challenge against the Patriots now that they have Thomas.
Thomas' Contract Details:
Signing bonus: $12 million in 2007.
Option bonus: $8 million payable in 2008, applied for cap reasons in equal $2 million increments in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Salaries: $900,000 in '07, $900,000 in '08, $1.9 million in '09, $4.9 million in '10 and $5.9 million in '11. Workout bonuses: $107,000 annually if he participates in the Patriots' offseason workout program in Foxboro.
Cap numbers: In succession, beginning this year, $3.4 million, $5.4 million, $6.4 million, $9.4 million, $10.4 million.
Donte' Stallworth: Stallworth seems to be the Patriots' #1 WR at tis point. He is extremely quick off the line of scrimmage and runs routes very well, characteristics the Pats look for. Sometimes, however, his effort is questioned. Also, there are drug related issues with Stallworth. This signing by the Patriots is intriguing mostly because of the structure of his contract. ESPN.com reports Stallworth must receive a total of $8million in bonuses if the Patriots want him in New Engalnd in 2008. Additionally, there are other incentives he would earn if the deal were to extend into 2008. In total, the second year of the contract would cost the Patriots $11 million. It is very likely that he will only be a Patriot for the 2007 season.
Kelley Washington: Washington is a 27-year-old receiver who has spent his career in Cincinatti behind a great corps of receivers. In Cincy, he was primarily a backup with limited catches, mainly because he played behind Chad Johnson and Chris Henry. He has some quickness and can perform well as a 4th or 5th option for the Patriots.
Wes Welker: In short, Welker is the equivalent of Troy Brown about 10 years ago. Welker is a solid slot receiver and became Miami's most dependable wide-out last season. He gives Tom Brady, ESPN's top-rated player, a go-to guy on offense. With the other additions the Patriots have made at WR, Welker should not be defended by top corners, so he should perform well as a Patriot.
Sammy Morris: The Patriots signed Morris to backup Laurence Marony after releasing Corey Dillon. Morris was a backup in Miami, but had a big in Miami versus the Patriots last season. Morris is very similar to Dillon in that he's a power runner who has the ability to break tackles for extra yards. His value on special teams and as a blocker were probably key factors in Bill Bellechick's and Scott Pioli's decision to sign him.
Kyle Brady: Brady is a seasoned veteran who the Patriots believe can be a solid blocker for the Pats' running backs. The Patriots need him to act as an extra lineman and that is really it. They have Ben Watson to catch passes and David Thomas ready to make significant contributions to the Patriot offense.
So far this offseason, the Patriots have addressed their most pressing needs by signing the best available linebacker (Thomas) and the best available receiver (Stallworth). They have positioned themselves nicely for the upcoming NFL Draft. The Patriots have the 24th and 28th overall picks in the first round. Patriots also have single picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds as well as two 6th round picks in this year's draft. The late picks are usually where the Patriots shine.
Notable Late-Round Picks:
Tom Brady (6th Round, 199th Overall)
Matt Cassel (Brady's backup, 7th Round, 230th Overall)
Tully Banta-Cain (7th Round, 239th Overall)
Dan Koppen (5th Round, 164th Overall)
David Givens (7th Round, 253rd Overall)
(1993) Troy Brown (8th Round, 198th Overall)
We'll see what the Patriots are able to do with the two first round picks and two sixth round picks. For whatever reason, the Patriots get steals in the 6th and 7th Round. Perhaps they gave up their next stud by trading the 7th round pick (along with a 2nd round pick) for Wes Welker.
2 Comments:
Yeah, it kind of feels like the Patriots are on a 'do anything that screws up the Dolphins' trip at the moment.
Obviously I was (still am) sick about losing Welker but what with the Morris and Washington (the day after he treid out for the Phish) signings, I''m beginning to take it personally.
arggghh... (gnashes teeth, pounds keyboard etc.)
I'm starting to feel like we'll never win the AFC East again.
The Pats have done a great job. These aren't #1 WR's by any stretch of the imagination but Tom Brady doesn't need a #1 WR. What he needs is a couple of #2 WR and he will finally have that in Welker and Stallworth.
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