New England Patriots 2007 Offseason Thread

[Maroneyfor6]

I can add more stuff as it goes along.

LB Tully Banta-Cain declared free agent; WR Troy Brown declared free agent; LB Don Davis declared free agent; RB Heath Evans declared free agent; LB Barry Gardner declared free agent; TE Daniel Graham declared free agent; LB Larry Izzo declared free agent; CB Ray Mickens declared free agent; RB Patrick Pass declared free agent; LB Junior Seau declared free agent; QB Vinny Testaverde declared free agent; P Ken Walter declared free agent; RB Corey Dillon cut

Gotten from ESPN.com.

Making one of the boldest free agent strikes in franchise history, the Patriots [team stats] last night agreed in principle to a contract with former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas.

Terms were not immediately available, but the deal is expected to include between $15 million and $20 million of guaranteed money, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

Thomas was in town yesterday and has a physical scheduled for today. Assuming he passes, the deal could be announced by tonight.

The Patriots beat out the 49ers for the two-time Pro Bowler and jewel of the free agent class. The seven-year veteran is considered a prototypical fit for the Pats’ 3-4 system after playing several positions for the Ravens.



The exact terms of the deal surely will be huge.

Bills cornerback Nate Clements signed an eight-year, $80 million contract with the 49ers yesterday that includes $22 million in guaranteed money.

Those normally aren’t the kinds of numbers embraced by the Pats.

This year, however, appears different.

Team president Jonathan Kraft and owner Robert Kraft guaranteed they’d spend to the $109 million salary cap - they entered free agency with roughly $26 million to spend - and appear to be making good on their promise.

The addition of Thomas to an already formidable defense proves the Patriots are serious about reloading a roster that fell a minute shy of reaching its fourth Super Bowl in six years.

Nicknamed “Slash” for his ability to play any linebacker spot as well as defensive end, tackle, safety and even corner, the 6-foot-2, 270-pound Thomas made one Pro Bowl on special teams and another at linebacker in Baltimore. He recorded a career-high 11 sacks with 64 tackles last year and gives the Patriots an outstanding linebacking corps that includes Tedy Bruschi [stats], Mike Vrabel and Rosevelt Colvin.

Thomas is exactly what the Patriots draw up when they consider linebackers for their system. The 29-year-old - he turns 30 in August - has the size and speed to play off the line and is comfortable with a hand down. He can take on guards in the middle or torment quarterbacks as one of the best edge rushers in the business.

He’s also a worker.

Selected in the sixth round of the 2000 draft - 13 picks ahead of quarterback Tom Brady [stats] - Thomas steadily rose from special teams to starter. Initially stuck behind Peter Boulware and Michael McCrary on the Ravens’ depth chart, he spent the first four years of his career largely as a backup and special-teamer.

He earned All-Pro honors for his special teams coverage in 2003, then became a starter at linebacker in 2004. He has averaged 80 tackles and just more than nine sacks a year since.

Thomas made the Pro Bowl this year and spent a week with Patriots coach Bill Belichick in Hawaii, returning a fumble 70 yards for a touchdown in the AFC’s victory.

I hope this okay with Brady_Branch. :)

[Maroneyfor6]

Did anyone else notice Brady was looking a bit Brett Favreish during the playoffs? He wasn't really taking what the defense gave him, like Peyton Manning did in the Superbowl. Brady was forcing it and trying to win the game himself in a sense. He threw farther and less accurate, while Manning was doing these dumpy screen passings and hitches that the Pats usually do. I hope this gets corrected by next season.

[brady_branch]

I can add more stuff as it goes along.



Gotten from ESPN.com.



I hope this okay with Brady_Branch. :)

Cool, great. :happy:

Thomas was a great signing. So how does the linebacking corps look for next year? Well, Seau supposedly wants to return, and Vrabel and Colvin will be back. Along with Thomas, that makes four good LBs, even if they lose Banta-Cain. Anyone know anything about the Corey Dillon situation? I can understand them wanting to give Maroney the majority of the reps now, but IMO, Dillon still has some value.

A couple more things that stood out to me: both Pass and Evans declared free agency. Anyone else think that this means the Pats might draft Brian Leonard of Rutgers this year?

A couple more random observations: Graham declared free agency as well, though hopefully they'll re-sign him. However, David Thomas may be ready to step in as the second TE, so this wouldn't be too much of a loss.

Did anyone else notice Brady was looking a bit Brett Favreish during the playoffs? He wasn't really taking what the defense gave him, like Peyton Manning did in the Superbowl. Brady was forcing it and trying to win the game himself in a sense. He threw farther and less accurate, while Manning was doing these dumpy screen passings and hitches that the Pats usually do. I hope this gets corrected by next season.

I agree, he looked like Peyton Manning out there (just cause he wins a Super Bowl doesn't mean he's good in the playoffs). He did really turn it on toward the end of each half in every game, and was great in the first half of the Indianapolis game.

[brady_branch]

Changed the name to make it more official. ;)

[Maroneyfor6]

Also Signed G Steve Yates, RB Sammy Morris, QB Kyle Brady.

[Maroneyfor6]

Sammy Morris on Wikipedia:

Morris was drafted in the fifth-round (156th overall) by the Buffalo Bills in the 2000 NFL Draft. During his stint with the Bills, Morris was a backup to the likes of Antowain Smith and Travis Henry. He used his natual physical ability to excel on special teams and played a vital role in the Bills special teams during his tenure there. He was also a third-down back and excelled in pass protection.

Morris signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins in 2004, and though he was expected to be a fullback he ended up being the team's leading rusher following the abrupt retirement of Ricky Williams. He backed up rookie running back Ronnie Brown in 2005.

On September 1, 2006 Morris was suspended for the first four games of the regular season. He violated the league's steroid policy, stemming from him taking a banned substance, pseudoephedrine, in the over-the-counter medicine Sudafed. Upon his returned, he resumed his role as the team's top backup running back.

On March 3, 2007 the New England Patriots signed Morris to a four-year, $7 million contract. He is expected to backup starting running back Laurence Maroney as well as contribute on special teams, where he excelled with the Dolphins.

Not a bad aquisistion, imo.

[brady_branch]

Not bad at all. Still need a fullback, though.

[Maroneyfor6]

I am pretty pleased with Gostowski. He handled pressure situations very well, and only made a few mistakes (probably from being a rookie :nod: ). Hope he becomes our next Vinitari.

Our WR posistion is a little shaky, the only reason is wasn't god awful is because Belichek worked with Gaffeny and Caldwell, who wouldv'e been chumps on any other team. Also Chad Jackson, their draft pick, didn't show me anything worthwhile other than being a huge guys with tons of atheletic ability, lets hope he pans out. Sad to see Troy Brown go, he will always be my favorite Patriot.

Hopefully Morris becomes a great FB, allowing Maroeny to reach his full potential.

[brady_branch]

Stickying.

BTW, Morris isn't a FB. He's more of a backup HB. I'm really pulling for the Pats to draft Brian Leonard.

[efin98]

Not bad at all. Still need a fullback, though.

They don't need one, they resigned Heath Evens the day they released Dillon.

[brady_branch]

Ah. Missed that, but now I found it. Smart move.

[efin98]

Ah. Missed that, but now I found it. Smart move.

There was no way they would let him go after they lost Sam Gash nine years ago, They don't make the same mistake twice.

[C. Snake]

Looks like our boy Dillion will try to sign with the Bills. They grow up so fast. :cry:

[C. Snake]

They don't need one, they resigned Heath Evens the day they released Dillon.

A good move.

Also Signed RB Sammy Morris

Another good move. I just hope he can take the pressure of a championship race, even if he is only backing up.

[C. Snake]

We offically re-signed Larry Izzo yesterday:

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=24366&pcid=47

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots re-signed unrestricted free agent linebacker and special teams captain Larry Izzo today. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Izzo was named to the Pro Bowl as the AFC’s special teams player following the 2000, 2002 and 2004 seasons.

Izzo, 32, is a veteran of 11 NFL seasons and has spent the last six seasons with the Patriots (2001-06) after beginning his career with the Miami Dolphins (1996-2000). The 5-foot-10-inch, 228-pounder has served as the Patriots’ special teams captain in each of his six seasons in New England.

The Fort Belvoir, Va. native has played in 156 career regular-season games and has recorded 229 career special teams tackles in addition to 18 stops (17 solo) in defensive play. Izzo has also recorded an interception, three passes defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in his career. He has appeared in 18 playoff contests, including each of the Patriots’ three Super Bowl victories, and has recorded 21 postseason special teams tackles.

Izzo has led his team or tied for the team lead in special teams tackles in seven of his last eight seasons.


A great move. I think Thomas and Izzo will make a perfect LB combo.

[efin98]

We offically re-signed Larry Izzo yesterday:

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=24366&pcid=47



A great move. I think Thomas and Izzo will make a perfect LB combo.

He's normally a special teams player, his impact on defense will be limited at best. He will definitely have an impact, but not what you are expecting.

[brady_branch]

He's one of the best special-teamers out there as far as tackling goes. Very underrated part of a team, IMO.

[efin98]

He's one of the best special-teamers out there as far as tackling goes. Very underrated part of a team, IMO.

Underrated by whom?

He's the captain of the special teams, the media loves him and respects him, the team is nuts about his play, he has made so many plays on special teams and on defense(when he is actually involved on a play) to fill up several hours of game film, and on top of that he is a three time Pro Bowler

He isn't underrated by anyone who has ever seen him play.

[brady_branch]

I was referring to kick coverage teams as a whole.

[efin98]

I was referring to kick coverage teams as a whole.

As a whole it's overrated. As an individual he is underrated.

[efin98]

They have done it again: the Patriots yesterday went out and signed Bengals WR Kelley Washington to a five year contract.

That's the fourth offensive player signed signed this offseason, not counting Heath Evens. They should have a great offense next year, now they need another DB and LB to bolster the defense.

[Maroneyfor6]

Patriots sign veteran (37) LB Chad Brown:

Chad Brown - Another Steal for the Patriots
By Doug Farrar, Seahawks.net

As reported by Mike Sando of the Tacoma News Tribune (and confirmed by New England reporter Mike Reiss of the Metro West Daily News), the New England Patriots have once again shown their mastery of the NFL’s financial constraints and complexities. The latest player to fall under the spell of Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli is former Seahawks OLB Chad Brown.

Brown reportedly refused an offer from the Seahawks to restructure his contract - an offer that would have paid him approximately $1 million plus incentives for the 2005 season. But as these reports show, Brown’s deal with New England is for two years and $2.35 million, with a $485,000 signing bonus. Brown's base salaries are $765,000 in 2005 and $800,000 in 2006, In addition, the Patriots will pay Brown a $100,000 roster bonus in 2005 and a $200,000 roster bonus in 2006. According to Reiss, Brown's salary cap hit for 2005 is $1.1 million. There are also unspecified incentives, which could conceivably spike the total deal to the $4 million total that had been previously reported by Seahawks.NET and several other news sources.


Chad Brown
When asked why he accepted the Patriots' offer amidst so much interest (he was being courted by Pittsburgh, Denver and New Orleans as well), Brown cited Belichick's creativity. He also said that he is up to the challenge of learning the complex schemes the Patriots use to confuse the rest of the NFL into submission. "I've played in a 3-4, I've played in a 4-3 and I've played end in the nickel and linebacker in the nickel," Brown told Reiss. "In my conversation with Coach Belichick, I was definitely under the impression that I would get to play a few different spots and that's a role I'm very comfortable in."

"I know the Patriots are inventive, but I can't imagine a role, or a coverage or style of play that I haven't played before," he said. "Some of the terminology might be different, but other than bridging the language difference, I don't see much of a problem."

Seattle's defense, ranked 26 th in the NFL last season and mired in a sea of sameness from a playbook perspective, may have been unacceptable to a man who former Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter Les Carpenter once called "one of the smartest players I've ever met."

The Patriot Way, lined with Lombardi trophies as it is, now has another talented player in its ranks – another player who accepted less money to play in New England than he may have received elsewhere.

Brown originally signed a six-year, $24 million contract with the Seahawks in 1997 and re-signed with the team in 2002 for five more years and $28.5 million. He was scheduled to make $4.2 million with the Seahawks in 2005, but his age (he will turn 35 in July) and recent injury history (he played in only 13 games over the last two seasons) had Seattle thinking about restructuring his contract. When Brown balked at Seattle’s offer, the Seahawks decided to release him and use the immediate $2.37 million in cap relief to assist them in signing former Texans linebacker Jamie Sharper and former Titans cornerback Andre Dyson.

Brown has but three playoff losses to show for his eight-year term in Seattle. In those eight years, Brown played in 107 games — starting 106 — and recorded 745 tackles (586 solo), 31 passes defensed, 48 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries, and 3 interceptions.

If he can stay healthy, Chad Brown will provide a stellar pass rush presence to a team that already has terrorized its share of quarterbacks. Brown acknowledged the concerns regarding his injury history, but he also mentioned that he’s ready to let it fly in his new home. "Obviously, I missed some time last season with a broken leg, but I think a broken leg is different than say a damaged knee or a disc in the back that is going to slow you down over time. The bone is healed and I missed (nine games), so I actually feel fresher, stronger and in better shape than I did at this point last offseason. I feel fantastic. I'm truly ready to go."

If this is the case, the New England Patriots' ubergenius Belichick and twice-consecutive NFL Executive of the Year Pioli - may have outdone even themselves. And Chad Brown may be well on his way to the Super Bowl ring that has eluded him throughout his 12-year NFL career.

:clap:

[Maroneyfor6]

New England Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel says he won't show up for the team's mandatory minicamp, starting Tuesday. Or training camp this summer. Or the first 10 weeks of regular season games.

"I'm not coming to camp," he told the newspaper. "I'm not showing up until the 10th week [of the season]. I feel unappreciated. The way they're treating me is just wrong."

Samuel has yet to sign the one-year, $7.79 million contract he was tendered when the Patriots franchised him, so he is technically not under contract and cannot be fined for missing minicamp. Under the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the players union, if a deal isn't reached by the afternoon of July 15, he can sign only a one-year deal and cannot have his contract extended until the regular season ends.

If he shows up for Week 10, Samuel will receive a pro-rated portion of that $7.79 million salary. If he sits out the entire year, he'll get nothing -- and the Patriots will be able to put the franchise tag on him again for 2008.

"He's not coming to camp until a contract resolution can be reached," his agent, Alonzo Shavers, told the Boston Herald on Monday. "Nothing more can be said. His status has not changed. There has been no movement toward a deal."

Samuel is looking for a richer contract after a breakout 2006 season, in which he had 10 interceptions and 65 tackles and became considered one of the NFL's elite cornerbacks.

His teammates said Monday they are ready to move ahead, with or without Samuel.

"If he doesn't come [to minicamp], we have to move on," nose tackle Vince Wilfork told the Globe. "I would love to have him here, but on the same token, we have to move on."

"Asante has enough experience to realize that this is a business and it's not personal," added safety Rodney Harrison. "Coach [Bill] Belichick and Mr. [Robert] Kraft, they're going to do what is in the best interests of this team. .. At the same time, we do miss Asante. He's a good guy, a great player, and we miss having him back. Hopefully, in the near future, they can work things out and he'll be here."

The secondary seems to be our weaker point going into this season. We have a good passing offense with all the new WR pickups, above average run offense with Maroney and our good line. LB loaded with veterans (Bruschi, Colvin, Vrabel, Thomas, Brown, Seau), our D-line will be good as always, with Seymour and Wilfork. We need to get Samuel to get this team together. :goteam:

[brady_branch]

I'm not sure what can be done in this situation. They've already franchised him, I don't think they can just pull the tag off. As to the secondary, I think it should be fine. Harrison's coming back, and it wasn't that bad last year without him (though that may have been in part because of Samuel), so I'm not really worried.

[C. Snake]

I'm not that concerned either, brady. Asante is nice to have, but not neccasary to a winning team, IMO.

[brady_branch]

Unstickying and closing due to offseason being over. Preseason thread will be up momentarily.