What's Next in Free Agency?
The Patriots locked up some very solid roster spots with some very unexciting 2-tier signings. I think that each player is going to contribute to the team at a level that is above what they will be paid. The team did not overpay for any of these guys because of the psychology of the signings.
The staff went after three guys aggressively, offering them 3-yr contracts. DT- Jonathan Fanene, S/ST- Steve Gregory, and WR/S/ST- Matthew Slater. Slater is a returning veteran to the squad, and his signing was imminent. The other two guys come from out of nowhere.
The Patriots went completely off the radar, and in the process got some good value by signing a guy when he feels undervalued because he is not getting any calls from teams. The guys that really want to shop the market for the last dollar are not going to sign immediately anyway. I like the strategy, but I think they can do more with some of their own free agents.
I think that the team wants their bubble free agents to shop the market, but it can be risky to let them test the waters for too long. Reports are that contract talks have been "ongoing" with BGJE, and I expect this to continue for as long as possible. Do not lose contact because familiarity and living situation are big factors that can drive a guy to take a hometown discount.
The Patriots also extended the contracts of Niko Koutovides and Tracy White for 1-yr. The team also signed former Bears DT- Marcus Harrison to a 1-yr deal.
Harrison, 27, was originally drafted in 2008 by the Chicago Bears in the third round (90th overall) out of Arkansas. During his 37 career games over three seasons with the Bears, Harrison amassed 55 tackles, 3.0 sacks and three passes defensed. The 6-3, 316 pound lineman was released by Chicago on Sept. 3, 2011. He was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on Oct. 14, 2011 before being released the next day.
Harrison figures to be part of the DL rotation, but his signing does not bolster the pass rush significantly. He is on a 1-year deal because he is a serious unknown. He has not done anything significant in the NFL, and his selection in the third round could be considered a bust.
I think that the Patriots figure to be a strong player for Brandon Lloyd, but they must contend with the 49ers. Therefore this might have to wait until after the Peyton Manning Sweepstakes. The Patriots are currently hosting S La'ron Landry, and that could be the signing that fans are looking for. Nevertheless, I expect the Patriots to pursue their own free agents such as BJGE, Mark Anderson, and Dan Connolly this coming week.
The staff went after three guys aggressively, offering them 3-yr contracts. DT- Jonathan Fanene, S/ST- Steve Gregory, and WR/S/ST- Matthew Slater. Slater is a returning veteran to the squad, and his signing was imminent. The other two guys come from out of nowhere.
The Patriots went completely off the radar, and in the process got some good value by signing a guy when he feels undervalued because he is not getting any calls from teams. The guys that really want to shop the market for the last dollar are not going to sign immediately anyway. I like the strategy, but I think they can do more with some of their own free agents.
I think that the team wants their bubble free agents to shop the market, but it can be risky to let them test the waters for too long. Reports are that contract talks have been "ongoing" with BGJE, and I expect this to continue for as long as possible. Do not lose contact because familiarity and living situation are big factors that can drive a guy to take a hometown discount.
The Patriots also extended the contracts of Niko Koutovides and Tracy White for 1-yr. The team also signed former Bears DT- Marcus Harrison to a 1-yr deal.
Harrison, 27, was originally drafted in 2008 by the Chicago Bears in the third round (90th overall) out of Arkansas. During his 37 career games over three seasons with the Bears, Harrison amassed 55 tackles, 3.0 sacks and three passes defensed. The 6-3, 316 pound lineman was released by Chicago on Sept. 3, 2011. He was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on Oct. 14, 2011 before being released the next day.
Harrison figures to be part of the DL rotation, but his signing does not bolster the pass rush significantly. He is on a 1-year deal because he is a serious unknown. He has not done anything significant in the NFL, and his selection in the third round could be considered a bust.
I think that the Patriots figure to be a strong player for Brandon Lloyd, but they must contend with the 49ers. Therefore this might have to wait until after the Peyton Manning Sweepstakes. The Patriots are currently hosting S La'ron Landry, and that could be the signing that fans are looking for. Nevertheless, I expect the Patriots to pursue their own free agents such as BJGE, Mark Anderson, and Dan Connolly this coming week.
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