PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

2014 free agency

Taking stock of Patriots’ salary cap – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

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Taking stock of Patriots’ salary cap – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

Good update, I think something internal has to happen with one of the situations laid out by Reiss here. Wilfork is likely seeing what other teams might be willing to pay him and should make a decision soon I’d guess.

I do wonder how that whole mechanism is working. Do the Pats have to give him permission to talk to other teams? Or is Vince just stewing and the Pats are just sitting and letting him stew. I’d guess they’re letting him see what’s out there.

Adrian Wilson is an interesting guy to watch, and not just because he’s sitting on No. 24 as the Patriots still haven’t given Revis a number in their presale of his jersey.

Expect something to happen on this front in the next two days…

Patriots sign Brandon LaFell to a three-year deal

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The Patriots added another receiver Saturday after Julian Edelman, locking up Brandon LaFell to a three-year deal.

After a hot streak seems like there are plenty of Pats fans lukewarm on this signing, but I just see it as business as usual. Another mid-range vet who will be given a chance to compete. Sometimes those players actually are just JAGs, other times they turn into Ninkovich.

You can never tell who will blossom under elite coaching and elite quarterback play. But LaFell has good size and has improved in each of his four seasons.

It’s about competition and depth. How will it turn out? We’ll find out in August.

Brandon Browner signs 3-year deal with Patriots

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It’s finally official!

Between Revis and Browner, it’s hard to remember a more exciting time in the Patriots secondary. Who knows how it will all come together, with Browner out the first four games, serving his suspension, but after that the Pats have incredible versatility and depth in their secondary now and have the ability to matchup with any offense.

The days of having only cornerbacks under 5’10" are over!

Patriots hosting collection of Free Agents on Wednesday

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As the fallout from Aqib Talib signing in Denver settles, the Pats are regrouping in Foxboro by hosting a number of free agents that all fit their traditional free agency modus operandi – mid-range vets who shouldn’t break the bank and might blossom in an environment like New England.

The list:

  • Matt Shaughnessy, DE/OLB
  • Shelley Smith, OL
  • Wesley Woodyard, LB
  • Brandon Lafell, WR
  • Phil Costa, OL

All of these players are in-line with the needs the Pats have to shore up in free agency. Shaunghnessy is a potential rotational third defensive end in the Rob Ninkovich mold who can help take some of the heat off of Ninkovich and Chandler Jones. He is an Andre Carter upgrade.

Smith and Costa are experienced interior linemen who would provide depth and competition at the center and guard spots. Those are big needs and were areas of weakness for the Pats this past season.

Lafell has good size and has been trending upward in four seasons in Carolina. His ceiling and floor could be anywhere from starting to camp fodder, but he’ll be given a fair chance to compete.

Woodyard was a captain and is smaller than the Pats have traditionally wanted from their linebackers. He has upside and can play in space and would bring a new element to the Patriots linebacking corps. He is a Dane Fletcher upgrade, at least on the defense but not special teams.

This is how the Patriots operate. They fill their holes with veteran free agents that don’t break the bank. Sometimes those guys end up being Rob Ninkovich or Mike Vrabel. Other times they don’t make it out of camp. 

But it’s all part of the process of eliminating needs before the draft and building a roster that is solid from top-to-bottom.

And who knows, there might even be a splash move or two coming later today.

Thoughts from the free-agent trail – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN

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Thoughts from the free-agent trail – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN

Good summation of where we’re at so far in the “legal tampering period”. If the Pats are able to get a second round pick for Mallett I don’t know how they can turn that down.

As for Talib and Edelman, the market’s going to dictate what happens. But the Pats are experts at knowing what kind of offers will be out there and I’d bet they have competitive contracts on the table for both.

With the Redskins allegedly interested in Talib it makes me think he could be gone. They could offer him more than he could turn down.

Counting down the top NFL free agents of 2014, from 100-51 | The MMQB with Peter King

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Counting down the top NFL free agents of 2014, from 100-51 | The MMQB with Peter King

Bedard has Garrett Graham (TE/Hou), Jared Allen (DE/Minn) and LeGarrette Blount (RB/NE) as the best Pats fits. All make good sense to me. Tight end and defensive end must be addressed in free agency, you’re not going to find immediate assured help at those spots in the draft.