June 5, 2009
The Patriots just made the second greatest move possible. The first would be re-signing Antowain Smith. But, well, yeah.
The Patriots have announced the signing of veteran running back Patrick Pass.
Patrick Pass: Hells yeah!
Pass, as you may remember, won three Super Bowls with the Patriots from 2000-2006. His rookie year he was purely a halfback, but he later bulked up and was actually the Patriots’ starting fullback for the 2004 Super Bowl season (and part of 2003).
Patrick Pass can do a little bit of everything. He can carry the ball on first and second downs as a tailback. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He can both return and cover kicks, play third down back, and even line up at fullback.
Pass most recently played for the Giants in 2007. He also played for the Texans.
Pass joins a backfield that includes Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Sammy Morris, and Kevin Faulk. While he may have a hard time making the 53, his versatility should give him an added boost.
The Patriots also announced the release of four players; Angelo Craig, Kenny Smith, Omar Cuff, and Marcus McClinton.
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Posted by Greg
May 27, 2009
The Patriots have made a move to upgrade their inside linebacking corps with the addition of inside linebacker Paris Lenon.
Lenon has spent his entire career as a 4-3 middle linebacker, so he will have to make the transition to 3-4 inside linebacker for the Patriots. Assuming he can make this transition, he could be a big boost for the Patriots. Lenon, 31, recorded 118 and 121 tackles in his last two seasons with the Lions, and can add sure tackling, experience, and smarts to the Patriots. Here is what ESPN’s Scouts Inc. had to say on Lenon prior to the 2008 season:
Lenon is a six year player coming off his best season as the second leading tackler for the Detroit defense. He has good height and has grown into his body nicely. He is a solid athlete, but not an explosive player. He runs well and shows good range in pursuit. He has burst to close and agility to slip blockers or change directions to get to the pile. He uses his hands well, while pursuing with proper angles to work through trash to stay in the fray. He is a solid wrap tackler, but needs to keep his pads over his feet better. He has improved his reactions and appears to be more instinctive over this past season. He has a good feel for route progressions and leveraging the ball as well as having enough athleticism to be an effective man coverage defender. He has worked himself into a starting position and should continue to improve given his intelligence, work ethic and durability.
While Lenon likely won’t be making any Pro Bowl appearances, he could easily push Bruschi and Guyton for playing time on the inside. And if things turn out well, he could be an option for 2010 if Bruschi does retire.
The Patriots hosted Lenon on a visit last week. Interestingly, they hosted former Rams inside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa this week as well. Although with the addition of Lenon, I wouldn’t expect the Patriots to add Tinoisamoa.
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Posted by Greg
April 30, 2009
The New England Patriots have completed a trade for Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ tight end Alex Smith. The trade is for an undisclosed 2010 draft pick, according to an announcement by the team.
This trade should be for a later pick, so I like it. Smith isn’t exactly known for his blocking (although he isn’t particularly bad in this area), but rather for his receiving. Smith, who went to college at Stanford, joins a tight end group that includes Ben Watson, Chris Baker, David Thomas, Brad Listorti, and Tyson DeVree. Baker and Watson presumably have their spots locked down, so Smith could compete with David Thomas for the 3rd tight end spot (although DeVree could make the roster as an h-back).
Interestingly, Smith’s contract expires after 2009, as with every other tight end on the Patriots roster minus Chris Baker. I assume the Patriots want to see if Smith, whose catch total has fallen in each of his four seasons, can show something more than say David Thomas, who has also been a relative disappointment considering his pass-catching ability.
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Posted by Greg
March 16, 2009
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reports:
The New England Patriots have announced a slew of transactions via an e-mail circulated moments ago.
Free-agent center Al Johnson has joined the team after spending the last month of 2008 with the Dolphins.
Also, four players have re-signed with the Pats: offensive lineman Wesley Britt, safety Ray Ventrone, safety Tank Williams, and defensive lineman Mike Wright.
Johnson was drafted by the Cowboys in 2003. He missed his rookie season due to an injury, but then started 15 games in 2004 and 16 in 2005.
After losing the starting job to Andre Gurode in 2006, Johnson signed with the Cardinals in 2007. He started 14 games in his first season with the team.
The Cardinals released Johnson from injured reserve in October 2008, and he signed with the Dolphins on November 29.
Al Johnson could become a key role player along the line for the Patriots in 2009 as he brings a good amount of experience and skill to the table. However, unless he can play multiple positions on the line, he shouldn’t be considered a lock to make the team.
Of the four players re-signed, the two big names are Tank Williams and Mike Wright. After being signed in Spring 2008, Tank Williams was having a strong pre-season and looked to be the fourth safety for the Patriots, before he went down with a season ending injury. Williams was actually playing inside linebacker at times, so if he is healthy for 2009, he could be a key role player. This signing could mean that Rodney Harrison is leaning towards retirement.
Mike Wright has been a nice role player for the Patriots along the defensive line since being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2005. Last year, Wright recorded 33 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Wright can play both defensive end and nose tackle. With Richard Seymour, Jarvis Green, and Vince Wilfork all expiring after 2009, the Pats may look for Wright to become the “4th man” along the line. Yesterday, ESPN first reported that the deal was 4 years at $7.5 million. Escalators and playing time incentives could push it up to another $10 million.
Wesley Britt is a massive 6-8, 320 pounds and has been with the Patriots for three years, playing in 16 games with two starts. Ray Ventrone, a hybrid safety/receiver and key special teams contributor, was an exclusive rights free agent.
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Posted by Greg
March 11, 2009
The Patriots have found a replacement for recently departed long snapper Lonnie Paxton. Today, the Patriots announced the signing of former Arizona Cardinal Nathan Hodel. Hodel has long-snapped for the Cardinals since 2002, and has never missed a snap. He’s also never missed a game.
Pretty good stuff if you ask me.
Now, I never want to hear his name again. Seriously.
If we don't get used to this guy, it's a good thing.
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Posted by Greg
March 5, 2009
The Patriots have just filled a void at receiver by acquiring wide receiver Greg Lewis. Adam Schefter was the first to report the trade. It will most likely be for a conditional draft pick.
I might be in the minority, but I really like this trade. It probably won’t be for more than a fifth round pick, so it’s low risk. Lewis is a speedy guy who doesn’t have the greatest hands, but runs decent routes to get open. I think he is a viable replacement to Jabar Gaffney, and worst case, is the 4th or 5th target.
You might remember that Lewis has had a knack of torching the Patriots. In 2007, he had 88 yards and two touchdowns against the Pats. And in Super Bowl XXXIX he had 4 catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. If he can play anywhere close to how he has played against us, Lewis could be a surprise to some people.
Yep, that was the play.
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Posted by Greg
March 5, 2009
Shalise Manza Young of the Providence Journal reports:
Veteran free agent CB Shawn Springs is expected to sign with the New England Patriots, after visiting with both the Pats and Eagles this week.
(It was reported that Springs was to visit Foxboro on Sunday, but he was delayed by the snow storm that hit the East Coast.)
The former first-round pick was released by the Washington Redskins last week in a salary-cap move. The 6-foot, 207-pound former first-round pick has played 11 seasons.
This is certainly a big move for the Patriots. The Pats will line up Springs next to Ellis Hobbs as our starting cornerbacks, with Jonathan Wilhite and Terrence Wheatley mixing it up in nickel and dime packages.
Very solid signing in my opinion. While Springs might not have the youth of say a Leigh Bodden, he has the size, physicality, and instincts to excel in the Patriots system. He reminds me a lot of Ty Law with his bump and run style, good ball skills, and insincts.
I still wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots picked up another cornerback. Whether it be a Chris Carr, or a rookie. Still, the Patriots cornerback corps looks a whole lot better than it did it 2008 already.
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Posted by Greg
March 2, 2009
The Patriots have announced that they have re-signed center/guard/fullback/long snapper Russ Hochstein to a one year contract.
To me, this is a big signing, as Hochstein brings some really good versatility to the table. His role as a lead blocker late in the season really helped the Patriots secure some wins by pounding the ball. He has also been a valuable reserve lineman, playing multiple positions.
Solid, solid signing. Now just give me back Heath Evans and Rodney Harrison and I’ll be happy.
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Posted by Greg
March 1, 2009
The Patriots have re-signed starting safety James Sanders to a three year contract, Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe reports:
The Patriots have agreed to terms with safety James Sanders on a three-year contract.
Sanders, 25, turned down more money elsewhere to return to the Patriots.
Sanders’ agent, Steve Feldman, confirmed the agreement.
“It gives him a chance to grow and become a playmaker,” Feldman said. “He stays in the same system with a championship team. They know him. He knows them. It was the right fit.”
In my opinion, this is a very solid move. I believe that Sanders is very underrated by Patriots fans. While he may not be the best in coverage, and can sometimes let up big plays by taking bad angles, overall, he is a very solid starter. He is a solid tackler in the open field, is a very smart football player, leads by example, and is just fast enough to stick with receivers and quick tight ends. He is a very good team player, and clearly wants to win, symbolized by the fact that he turned down more money to stick with the Patriots. Sanders is only 25, and will be 28 at the end of this deal (meaning he can still improve his game and receive a big contract in three years).
However, the Patriots still do need to pick up another safety or two. Whether it means re-signing Rodney Harrison or Tank Williams, or drafting a true strong safety like Nic Harris. However, the Patriots clearly have two very good starters at safety in Brandon Meriweather and James Sanders.
Photo Courtesy New York Times
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Posted by Greg
February 28, 2009
Adam Schefter is reporting that Matt Cassel has been traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Links:
National Football Post
NFL.com
I’m assuming that the trade is a compensation will be a combination of Cassel and Vrabel. I think this means we will get the third overall pick (Jason Smith, Michael Crabtree, Aaron Curry, Eugene Monroe anybody?). However, terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
Personally, I’m really going to miss Matt Cassel. Deep in my heart, I really wanted him as quarterback of the future. He was really fun the progress throughout 2008, and he had been one of my favorites ever since 2005. I wish him the best of luck on the rest of his NFL career, and hope that one day, after Brady that retires, that maybe he will return. Until then.
Update: Number 3 pick not involved. Looks like it will be #34 plus a conditional next year.
Update 2: Looks like it’s just a 2nd round pick, 34th overall. Wow. That sucks. I wouldn’t have given up 34th overall for just Mike Vrabel yet alone Matt Cassel. Mike Vrabel was the leader of the Pats defense, and Matt Cassel has a very promising future. Maybe I’ taking it personal since the two of them were my favorite Patriots, but I really just feel like we could have got an extra pick or two and kept Vrabel.
On a positive note, the Patriots now hold the 23rd, 34th, 47th, and 59th picks in the draft. They also have approximately $20 million or more in cap space. Dang.
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Posted by Greg
