PatsBlog: A Patriots Blog

ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson lists the Patriots as a potential suitor for the services of Oakland running back Lamont Jordan.

One of the more interesting player situations in the league is LaMont Jordan’s in Oakland. The team held him out of its minicamp in early June and he has been expected to be released because of a high salary and a surplus of running backs in the Oakland backfield.

Despite being held out of the minicamp, Jordan remains Oakland property a month later. Oakland wants to trade Jordan but the market may be small with Chicago, New Orleans and New England as potential suitors.

If the Raiders can’t swing a trade for Jordan before training camp starts it will be interesting to see if he is allowed to practice during training camp. Jordan, who has been very professional during this time, will likely urge the team for his release if the situation isn’t resolved by late this month.

I could see why Jordan makes sense.  He is a bruising runner with good agility,  Sammy Morris is questionable coming off injury, and he would hypothetically make a good change-of-pace to Maroney.  However, he has slowed down the past few years in Oakland, injuries being the main factor.  You have to wonder if the Patriots would pursue someone who’s struggled so much recently.

With things really slow, we finally got a couple of nuggets, both of which seem to be good news.

First, ESPN’s John Clayton is reporting that he expects Junior Seau to resign with the Patriots before training camp:

There was one name I forgot the other day in trying to figure out the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2013. Brett Favre, Warren Sapp, Michael Strahan and Jonathan Ogden are possible first-ballot Hall of Famers. I forgot Larry Allen, who has yet to announce his retirement, but most people believe he will retire. Allen has been the league’s most dominating guard for more than a decade. Then there’s Bryant Young of the 49ers and Steve McNair of the Titans and Ravens. Someone also brought up Junior Seau, who is perhaps the most dominating linebacker over the past two decades. Fortunately, Seau will probably re-sign with the Patriots before camp begins. As a Hall of Fame voter, I would like to see Seau stay in football another year. We can only vote in five modern-day players in 2013. Our cup runneth over.

Also, free agent tackle Barry Simms visited with the Patriots last this week.  He’s visited three other teams, including the Ravens, and he expects to make a decision on where to sign later any day now.  Any Patriots fan should welcome a Barry Simms signing, as I think he could compete for starting right tackle.

When the Patriots take the field for mini-camp today, they will be joined by one new face.  His name is Oliver Ross.

The Patriots signed the 33 year old swing tackle to a one-year contract Monday, bolstering depth at the tackle spot.  Ross, who has spent time with the Cowboys, Eagles, Steelers, and Cardinals, missed all of 2007 with a torn left tricep.

The 6′4″ 330 lb tackle has spent time at both the right and left tackle spots during his career.  However, he is a more natural fit at right tackle.  He could go anywhere from being cut to be a key reserve or even a starter next year.  He will compete with Wesley Britt, Ryan O’Callaghan, and returning starter Nick Kazcur for playing time.

Colvin Weighing His Options

This week, former Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin visited with the Houston Texans.  Although he left without a contract, the Texans seemed to be quite interested.  The Colts, Browns, and Jets also seem to have some level of interest as well.

All in all, it seems that a Rosevelt Colvin return is becoming more and more unlikely.

Dragosavich Released

Patriots’ rookie punter Mike Dragosavich has been realeased.  Dragosavich, a North Dakota State product, was widely considered the best available punter in April’s draft.  Although I was looking forwards to seeing Dragosavich play, it was rediculous to think that the Patriots would bring three punters to camp, considering the new roster limit of 80.

According to Adam Schefter, the Patriots hosted free agent running back Kevin Jones on a visit last week:

Last week, New England very quietly hosted a visit -– and no team can do things as quietly as the Patriots — with former Lions running back Kevin Jones, whom Detroit released in March.

Jones appears to be a couple of months away from recovering from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered late last season, but he is far enough along that the Patriots brought him in for a look.

I think it would be a great decision to sign Jones.  Yes, he is coming off injury.  However, he still has great potential, and at 5′11″, 225 lbs, could be the perfect compliment to Laurence Maroney.

According to ESPN.com’s Michael Smith, the Patriots have inquired about Virginia defensive end / outside linebacker Chris Long.

The trade would likely be the seventh pick, and the 63rd or 69th. 

If the Patriots could pull off this trade, I say due it.

This is one of those rumors that just won’t die.  According to the Nashville City Paper:

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the suspension of Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones.

Though time may be running out for Jones to move his career to Dallas - where he has lobbied for a job - he appears to be getting signs of interest from the New England Patriots.

According to sources, the Pats have contacted the Titans about Jones behind the scenes, but have yet to enter into any formal negotiations. That is something that could materialize near draft time, depending on what happens with talks with the Cowboys.

Again, I’m not sure I understand this.  But it really depends on the risk factor.  How much would the Patriots have to give up to get him?  If it’s a sixth or seventh round pick, I say go for it.  Anything more, and it’s too much of a risk.

The Patriots continue to stockpile pre-draft visits.  On Wednesday, the Patriots hosted Outside Linebacker Vernon Gholston.   Gholston played defensive end in college, but would make the shift to outside linebacker if drafted by a 3-4 team like the Patriots.

The Patriots also scheduled pre-draft visits with Auburn cornerback Patrick Lee and Oklahoma inside linebacker Curtis Lofton.  Lofton is a guy I really like.  If we got a pick in the 30-45 range, I think that the Patriots should take a strong look at him.  He’s played outside and middle linebacker for Oklahoma, but would presumably be a good fit at inside linebacker for the Patriots.

Also, Jerod Mayo is scheduled for a pre-draft visit to the Patriots, according to his agent.  Mayo has been flying up the boards as of late, and is looking like he will land in the mid to late first round.  Mayo would project as an inside linebacker for the Patriots.

Rotoworld reports:

NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reports that the Patriots will host CBs Leodis McKelvin, Antoine Cason, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, and Aquib Talib this week.

Keith Rivers and Glenn Dorsey are also visiting Foxborough as the Pats’ visits have a decididly defensive feel. Still we wouldn’t rule out the Patriots beefing up their lines. Sedrick Ellis and Branden Albert are two popular possibilties.