2010 Patriots Off Season Thread.

[BSN07]

Brandon Graham or Sergio Kindle I think are more likely to be the Pats 1st pick. I don't see Bryant falling that far. I would be surprised if he got past Denver at #11. If he manages to drop past that I still think there would be 4 or 5 teams ahead of the Pats that would take him. And that's not even considering some team that might feel froggy and leap some teams to get into position to draft Bryant. But if by some odd accurance he does drop that far, I think the Pats have to take him.

[riverside sluggers]

Sammy Morris said Tuesday that he has no plans on retiring any time soon.

Morris is 33 and entering his 11th NFL campaign, but he's had 100+ carries in a season just twice. He'll be a free agent after this season, but for now Morris is part of the Patriots' running back committee.

Source: Boston Globe

 

The Providence Journal confirms that coach Bill Belichick "became concerned" about Laurence Maroney's fumbles in crucial situations late last season.

Though Belichick was typically taciturn on the issue, Maroney was sent to the bench in Week 16, deactivated in Week 17, and saw just one carry in the Wild Card loss to the Ravens. With Maroney, Sammy Morris, and Fred Taylor all in the final year of their contracts, the Pats could select a running back of the future with one of their three second-round picks.

Source: Providence Journal

 

A league source tells WEEI.com in Boston that the Patriots "love" Penn State DL Jared Odrick.

Odrick has drawn comparisons to Richard Seymour for his size and athleticism. Like Seymour, Odrick can also play defensive end in a 3-4 or tackle in a 4-3. He's projected to go in the last half of the first round, so he could be available when the Pats pick at No. 22.

Source: WEEI.com

 

Patriots coach Bill Belichick and head of personnel Nick Caserio met with Florida QB Tim Tebow Monday night in Boston.

Tebow had been in Buffalo on Sunday and is scheduled to visit the Redskins and Browns next week. With three second-round picks and a recent history of thinking outside the box on draft day, the Patriots have a realistic shot to land Tebow next month.

Patriots beat reporter Albert Breer believes that the team sent officials to Monday's Oklahoma Pro Day with eyes on TE Jermaine Gresham.

Gresham worked out at OU's official Pro Day earlier this month, but was among the four receivers Sam Bradford threw to on Monday. He looks to be fully recovered from the knee injury that cost him all of 2009. The Patriots are in the market for a pass-catching tight end after losing Ben Watson.

[mtbykr]

The pats have zero interest in Tebow. It would take a few years to get Tebow to the point that Brian Hoyer is now. He never took a snap from center his whole collegiate career...they will have to work on the basics with him before anything else. BB made sure everyone saw them by going to the north end with Tebow. Usually when BB wants someone they don't do that, my guess is he was doing his buddy Meyer a favor in getting Tebow some exposure.....and probably jump up his draft status if other teams think the pats are interested in him. Someone is sure to take a flyer on Tebow in the first 2 rounds, and I don't see the pats doing that. I could see them grabbing him if he's available in the late rounds, but he won't be there.

 

There is a lot of interest in the 2nd round this year as deep as it is....and the pats have 3 2nd rounders. I just hope they use them instead of trading down for more pics. This could be a key draft for the pats for years to come!

[riverside sluggers]

Patriots agreed to terms with DL Damione Lewis, formerly of the Panthers.

Lewis, 32, has been a one-gap defensive tackle throughout his career and had a mere half-sack in 16 starts last year. In New England, he'll likely back up Ty Warren at right defensive end and play tackle when the Pats go 4-3.

[riverside sluggers]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AjDVGLyyLJ6VMDFmLGOA0HNDubYF?slug=nfp-dez_bryant_visits_the_patriots_html-201048

 

Dez Bryant visits the Patriots. Man this kid is ripped

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/nfp/05/fullj.351233a1f88b62c4ef952bf29cf69d8d/nfp-dez_bryant_visits_the_patr0.jpg?x=272&y=360&xc=1&yc=1&wc=272&hc=360&q=100&sig=j6xWUEZQy829uJvaASkXcw--

[msubulldogs21]

We can only pray he falls that low. I doubt it though.

[riverside sluggers]

Thats at least 2 off the list before the 22nd pick

 

Multiple sources tell the Florida Times Union that Dez Bryant has been removed from the Jaguars' draft board due to character concerns.

A Browns source also revealed to SI's Peter King that Bryant is no longer on Cleveland's draft board. The Jaguars have a history of drafting bad seeds at wide receiver (Matt Jones, Reggie Williams), and don't want to repeat the mistake, even if Bryant is a far superior talent to both. The Jags are supposed to have more interest in high character guys like Riley Cooper (Florida), Taylor Price (Ohio), and Eric Decker (Minnesota) in the middle rounds.

The Patriots will "send a contingent" to work out Ole Miss RB Dexter McCluster in his hometown of Largo, FL eight days before the draft.

This reeks of smokescreen. McCluster played extensively all four years, so we can't imagine there's much the Patriots don't know about his style of play or performance. McCluster is a late second- to third-round prospect.

[msubulldogs21]

Call me crazy but I could see McCluster being a Maurice Jones-Drew type. He is legit.

[SoxSport]

We'll see how things go in the Draft, but it's a little disturbing to see the Jets and the Dolphins improving themselves in the pre-season with trades and signings--and the Patriots treading water mainly signing their own.

 

The cap picture is very complicated in the NFL right now, so it's hard to judge whether Kraft is missing an opportunity to load up on big ticket players other teams are signing. As I understand it, money spent now is money that can't be spent later. If that's the case, it makes sense to show fiscal restraint. But the way things are going now, the Jets--which are the media's team anyways--will probably be the Division favorites pre-season and maybe the Dolphins 2nd. The Patriots are just getting older--so far.

[TheMino007]

I'm not high on the Jets. Lets not forget they had to beat two teams who rested their starters to get into the playoffs last year. The key part of their offense, the running game, has take a big hit with the loss of Thomas and maybe Washington. Sanchez will have to step up and hope his WR's don't blow it, b/c the Jets WR's consist of a guy who is missing a fourth of year, a guy who leads the league in drops every year, and Cotchery.

[SCM33]

Very.....Very disappointed with day one. WTF is going on at patriot place? Could of had Dez Bryant, who would have been Moss's replacement. Instead, they trade out of their two first round pics (we essentially got NOTHING!!!!!!! out of the Matt Cassell trade) and pick an undersized CB with a strong special teams background. There were two solid pass rushers left on the board when we drafted our first pick. Hey kid, good luck covering WR's when the opposing QB has 5 seconds to throw the ball.

 

Enough with the ******** "value" player personnel decisions. Enough of these "value" players give you a value oriented club. They give you an average club. Start spending some f***ing money, and start bringing in players who can play.

[riverside sluggers]

Patriots selected Michigan P Zoltan Mesko with the No. 150 overall pick in the 2010 draft.

The position has plagued the Pats for years, so they spent a fifth-round pick to grab the draft's best leg. Mesko, a native of Romania, is the son of a professional bowler. Built like a linebacker (6'4/240), "The Zoltan" posted 16 reps of 225 pounds at the Combine in February.

 

Damn this is one big dude to be the punter

[jacksonianmarch]

I'm not high on the Jets. Lets not forget they had to beat two teams who rested their starters to get into the playoffs last year. The key part of their offense' date=' the running game, has take a big hit with the loss of Thomas and maybe Washington. Sanchez will have to step up and hope his WR's don't blow it, b/c the Jets WR's consist of a guy who is missing a fourth of year, a guy who leads the league in drops every year, and Cotchery.[/quote']

 

The Jets' strength isnt the personnell in the backfield, it is the personnell in the trenches. Their O line was scary good. If they can patch the hole left by Faneca, they could put Maroney in their backfield and watch him rush for 1200 yds

[TheMino007]

No lol, Maroney would find a way to dance to the left of the right of the hole opened up by the O-Line.

[jacksonianmarch]

I never understood why he sucked so bad. Fast as lightning, strong as an ox. He is just a moron behind a line

[TheMino007]

He just doesn't have the football smarts

[BSN07]

Any chance the Pats and G-men work out something for Osi? He does appear to be a little more expendable after the draft. Just a thought.

[riverside sluggers]

Earlier in the offseason, hid old buddy Bart Scott said that he wanted to be on the NY Jets.

 

Patriots released OLB Adalius Thomas.

It was only a matter of time after Thomas fell firmly into coach Bill Belichick's doghouse. The Patriots were unhappy with his play on the field, before Thomas became a surprise disruption off of it. Though he turns 33 before the season and has likely lost a step, Thomas will attract significant interest on the open market. He can still rush the quarterback.

[rhet]

Earlier in the offseason' date=' hid old buddy Bart Scott said that he wanted to be on the NY Jets.[/quote']

 

He'll play awesomely for the Jets.

[jacksonianmarch]

Any chance the Pats and G-men work out something for Osi? He does appear to be a little more expendable after the draft. Just a thought.

 

He isnt any more expendable after the draft than he was before it. Pierre Paul is a development pick, he wont make a meaningful contribution in 2010 barring some crazy breakout. Osi will be a starter in their scheme with Kiwanuka as the hybrid and Tuck taking some of his snaps as an interior lineman

[riverside sluggers]

Three NFL sources tell the Boston Globe that Aaron Hernandez fell to the fourth round of the draft because he tested positive for marijuana on "multiple" occasions at Florida.

Hernandez began draft season as a borderline first-round prospect, but plummeted to No. 113 overall. "He admits to it," said one longtime NFL executive who interviewed the explosive tight end. Hernandez did pass his drug test at February's Combine, so the Patriots felt comfortable snapping him up. He won't begin his career in the league's substance abuse program.

 

The only reason why his stock fell that much is because he did pot? Its not like he was doing cocaine or meth

[WhiskeyBreath]

He isnt any more expendable after the draft than he was before it. Pierre Paul is a development pick' date=' he wont make a meaningful contribution in 2010 barring some crazy breakout. Osi will be a starter in their scheme with Kiwanuka as the hybrid and Tuck taking some of his snaps as an interior lineman[/quote']

 

I wouldn't really call him a starter. He's going to be in their deep DE rotation.

[NateGrey]

Sport Science video: Devin McCourty

 

 

> http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4677760/sport-science-video-devin-mccourty

 

 

 

 

[riverside sluggers]

The Patriots will receive the Saints' 2011 sixth-round pick as a result of David Thomas meeting performance-related benchmarks following his trade out of New England last offseason.

The trade was initially for a conditional 2011 seventh-round pick. Thomas went on to have a career year, catching 35 passes for 356 yards and a TD in 15 appearances. The Patriots are loaded up with 2011 picks. They have ten, including two first-rounders and a pair of second-round selections.

[mtbykr]

-Welker is progressing nicely, hard to say how he will be this year if he get's back at all

 

-Pats re-signed Burgess to a one year deal

 

-Crable looks great and is finally healthy...He was a 3rd round pick a few years ago and has spent the last 2 years on IR, he could play a big role this year!

[TheMino007]

Burgess is a head scratchier, but I guess he was depth move since the only guy we got over there is the guy we just drafted, Cunningham. I think Welker will be back by week 8-10, but this whole year will merely be a rehab for him, and he won't be the same player. I think next year is the big year to determine if he'll ever be the same again. McKenize is healthier too after missing all of last year. So lets see what depth guys like him and Crable can bring to the table. Also, we need more WR depth, hopefully after an injury plagued year Brandon Tate and can fill that role. Still, we lack a number 2 WR in Welker's absence, and I'm not sold on the pass rush yet. Also, who is our 2nd CB? Springs? Old. Whilite? Ew and hell no. Its not gonna be Butler or McCourty........

[mtbykr]

From everything I am reading it very well could be Butler as our #2 CB, with McCourty playing in nickel and dime situations

[TheMino007]

Butler as our number two is gross.

[mtbykr]

Pats released CB Shawn Springs today

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4678600/patriots-release-cb-shawn-springs

 

 

The Patriots announced that veteran cornerback Shawn Springs has been released today.

 

Springs, who inked a three-year deal last April, was one of the team’s bigger free-agent signings last offseason but he never fully emerged as the team hoped.

 

The selection of cornerback Devin McCourty in the first round of the draft in April might have had something to do with releasing Springs now. The Patriots have Leigh Bodden returning as one starter and Darius Butler, McCourty, Terrene Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite are top candidates to start opposite of Bodden.

 

A league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the Patriots have not ruled out re-signing Springs but for now the two sides are going their own ways.

 

Springs represents another free-agent mistake by Patriots from last offseason, joining tight end Chris Baker and wide receiver Joey Galloway.

[TheMino007]

Move had to be done. The Pats need to get the lockeroom back and need to cut ties with any cancers or under performers.