Patriots Offseason Plans

[jsinger121]

Deion Branch is a no show at Patriots mini camp today

[Beckett95]

Daniel Graham, Jarvis Green, Dan Koppen, Brandon Gorin, Nick Kaczur, Artrell Hawkins, Hank Poteat, Rodney Harrison, and Patrick Pass didnt practice today do to injuries.

[riverside sluggers]

I cant wait to see this guy in action

 

rotoworld

Patriots agreed to terms with second-round WR Chad Jackson on a four-year contract.

After lighting up the NFL Combine this winter, Jackson lit up spring minicamps, showing he'll likely make a run at the starting spot opposite Deion Branch. Reche Caldwell will be his competition. Jackson is someone to watch in training camp and could be worth a late-round pick in re-draft fantasy leagues if he's starting.

[YanksHater213]

I was reading the opinion things on the 2nd page of the sports page in the Globe today, and the question was similar to "should the Pats give Deion Branch big money" or a long term contract or something to that affect, you get it though. All 3 said yes, and are basically agreeing with everything everyone is wanting right now, a long term extension for Branch. Well, we had a choice, give money to Givens or Branch, and we let Givens walk so its time to step up to the plate and give the former Super Bowl MVP what he deserves.

[jsinger121]

According to the Boston Globe Deion Branch will be a holdout come training camp.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

According to the Boston Globe Deion Branch will be a holdout come training camp.

Ya, that was kind of expected. On the plus side, the new guys will get more reps with Brady.

[schillingouttheks]

They didn't give Givens his money because they were waiting to pay Givens or Branch. Well, their choice is clear now. Pay the man and get him back here.

[Beckett95]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2553051

 

Hopefully Junior's still got some football left in him

[jsinger121]

I hope so too cause the LB core is thin right now.

[Dana Kiecker]

I just threw up in my mouth... this is awful.

 

Mr. Overated on the Pats?

[guapo34]

I just threw up in my mouth... this is awful.

 

Mr. Overated on the Pats?

 

How is this a bad thing? Our middle linebackers suck big time, and when we run the 3-4 we need two of them.

[Dana Kiecker]

Gee.. lets see..

 

He overruns plays constantly, either due to being an idiot or being uncoachable or both.

 

Which either makes it look like a great play when he guesse correct, but more often he is so far out of position you cant even find him. If you watch the game a little bit deeper and dont follow the balln this guy just runs around waiting for lightning to strike.

 

I think he sucks and actually did a little jig 3 days ago when he retired...

 

I am truly bummed out about it.

[guapo34]

But he can't possibly be worse than Monty Beisel, who might be hurt. Bruschi is also hurting. It is a move out of desperation if it becomes official, but its necessary. The real failure was not bringing someone else in during the offseason, but at this point he can't possibly hurt. If hes that bad they won't play him, unless they really don't have another choice.

 

Not every move is going to be bringing in a star player, or even an average player for that matter. That doesn't mean its not needed.

[Cocos Disciples]

After a retirement, Junior Seau could end it to sign a 1 year deal with the New England Patriots:

 

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Junior Seau is looking to join the New England Patriots, just three days after the San Diego Chargers threw him a lavish retirement party.

 

"Junior left a message for Chargers President Dean Spanos today alerting him that he may sign a contract and play for the New England Patriots," the Chargers said Thursday in a statement. "If, in fact, he chooses to continue his playing career, we wish him good health and the best of luck this season. Junior's place in the Chargers Hall of Fame awaits him when his career is over."

 

The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported on its Web site that Seau was heading to Boston for a tryout and could sign by the end of the week. Seau's agent, Marvin Demoff, did not return several calls from The Associated Press.

 

Reached in Chicago, where the Chargers will play the Bears on Friday night, Spanos declined comment. The Patriots did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but coach Bill Belichick recalled Monday that he got to know Seau in Hawaii in 1998 -- one of Seau's 12 Pro Bowl selections.

 

"He's always been a very energetic, high-energy type of player that has made a lot of big plays through his career," Belichick said when asked to comment on Seau's retirement. "He's had a good career, 16 years he's been playing, pretty good."

 

The Patriots are looking for linebackers because Tedy Bruschi has a broken hand and Willie McGinest, another mainstay of their three Super Bowl titles, signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. Chad Brown and Monte Beisel are also hurt.

 

Seau grew up in suburban San Diego and starred at Southern California before the Chargers took him fifth overall in the 1990 draft. He led San Diego to the 1995 Super Bowl -- its only appearance in the NFL title game -- but was cut loose in the spring of 2003.

 

He played three seasons in Miami before the Dolphins released him.

 

"It's pretty easy. When a team doesn't want you or need you, retire, buddy," he told a crowd of about 300 family, friends, players and team executives Monday at Chargers headquarters.

 

"I'm not retiring. I am graduating. Today is my graduation day. Retirement means that you'll just go ahead and live on your laurels and surf all day in Oceanside. It ain't going to happen."

 

Even as he announced his retirement, Seau said he was healthy and still able to play. Asked if his decision was irreversible, Seau said: "I can't answer that. I really can't.

 

"What situation can get me out of it? I don't know," he said. "If there's a need team out there, I'm definitely going to look at it. But we're almost halfway through training camp. I'm 37 years old."

[schillingouttheks]

After a retirement' date=' Junior Seau could end it to sign a 1 year deal with the New England Patriots:[/quote']

That's what the last few posts have been about.

[Cocos Disciples]

Whoopsies.

[riverside sluggers]

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=179281&format=&page=2

 

It will cost $7.9 million to place the franchise tag on Assant Samuel, for Daniel Graham it will cost $4.31 million

 

Dillon's future is in doubt with the Pats Id really like to see him come back for one more season to complement the young running back Laurence Maroney

[jacksonianmarch]

Moroney is a very promising back. He earned the starting spot and he earned the lions share of the carries. Dillon is no longer needed. Asante is a necessity.

[jacksonianmarch]

to be honest with you, I think Moroney is a Steven Jackson style back, very powerful, very quick and very fast. He will be one of the top 5 backs in the game when all is said and done. I like the kid a lot.

[riverside sluggers]

True Jacksonian. Just from a Pats' fan perspective, ah just hard to see a player I respect go onto a new team. No doubt I want to see Maroney establish himself as the Pats main running back hopefully for the next 10 years or so

 

--

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=180801

The Pats will have $30 million under the cap and Robert Kraft has promised to spend to the cap this time around. Not saying I fully believe him but have trust in the Pats FO to do whats right for 2007. The Pats will be looking for impact players such as Raven's linebacker Adalius Thomas. Also of note the Patriots will have 12 draft picks, two of which come in the 1st round

[BSN07]

I wish the trade some of those pics and move up in the draft to get Calvin Johnson(fat chance) but that be so nice to have a talented dominating #1 reciever for a change. I think there first pick if he is still there will be the LB from Penn state, I can't spell his name so I won't even attempt it it starts with a P. I think there later 1st rounder will get them one of the top 5 recievers that slips threw the first round. Ted Ginn JR is a possiblity along with the WR from USC, Edwards. ESPN's Mel Kiper JR thinks these two will fall to the late 1ST round.

 

Asante is a must sign, he looks to be the heir to Ty Law, and thats saying something. With the O line and D line full of players signed for the next few years I expect most the draft pics/FA will be WR, DEF secondary and LB's.

[TheKilo]

They need to get younger at linebacker. And get people who can actually catch.

 

 

I mean....they need to draft o-linemen and a tight end!

[riverside sluggers]

The offensive line they have good depth. Linebackers I def agree they have to get younger, def help is needed in the secondary & wide receivers departments

[TheKilo]

The offensive line they have good depth. Linebackers I def agree they have to get younger' date=' def help is needed in the secondary & wide receivers departments[/quote']

 

 

 

pssst....joke.

[CrespoBlows]

They don't need any serious upgrades. They were a blown call away from winning the Super Bowl.

 

They do need to go get some youth at linebacker this year, and they probably need to retain Samuel, or they can do the Bucs a favor and flip us a second round pick for Brian Kelly.

 

The WR corp is fine. As long as #12 is still throwing the ball, they can make up the shortcomings in the WR department. If Ted Ginn is available that late, I'd take him.

[riverside sluggers]

The Patriots designated CB Asante Samuel as their franchise player Friday, guaranteeing him $7.79 million for 2007.

 

Samuel is still free to sign an offer sheet with another team, but New England can match the offer or decide to take two first-round picks in return for letting him go. The Patriots apparently felt it was more important to keep Samuel than TE Daniel Graham, who they may lose to free agency.

 

This was a no brainer You cant let Samuel go while the secondary is still in rebuilding mode. And Graham, eh his best use for the Patriots was blocking... and the Pats can easily find someone who can do just as good a job. Graham will probably end up signing with a team like the Broncos. The Pats entering the 2007 season could have a nice toght end duo of Benjamin Watson/David Thomas

[NateGrey]

..

Stallworth?

 

http://images.nfl.com/photos/img9651031.jpg

 

Asked about other situations, Stallworth said: "There's New England, obviously being able to play in an organization like that, similar to the Eagles, who have definitely won a lot of games in the past. San Francisco, young and upcoming team, has a good young quarterback [Alex Smith], and Norv Turner is still the offensive coordinator there, that helps... And Miami, the GM there was a guy who drafted me in New Orleans, Randy Mueller, and we've always had a real good relationship. But as far as actually picking a team, Philly is definitely No. 1 right now."

 

.....

> http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/16702535.htm

.....

 

 

.. Yes/No? .. :dunno: ..

[See Red]

This was a no brainer You cant let Samuel go while the secondary is still in rebuilding mode. And Graham' date=' eh his best use for the Patriots was blocking... and the Pats can easily find someone who can do just as good a job. Graham will probably end up signing with a team like the Broncos. The Pats entering the 2007 season could have a nice toght end duo of Benjamin Watson/David Thomas[/quote']

 

I don't know if the Broncos would go after a TE with the chemistry that Jay Cutler and Scheffler showed at the end of last season... particularly when we need help in other areas.

[See Red]

Corey Dillon will ask the Patriots to be released so he can walk away from the game.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2776090

[riverside sluggers]

Wow, retirement? Thanks for the memories Dillon