In the past 24 hours there have been a few transactions across the NFL involving both Patriots' players and players who the Patriots have been rumored to be interested in. Here is my take on these players and the Patriots.
First off, Vince Wilfork is staying a Patriot and I am happy. In my opinion, what we've heard about the contract sounds like a good deal for both Wilfork and the Patriots. In essence Wilfork is getting the money he was due to get this year, it's just spread out in various bonuses to help this year's cap space. The setup of the final two years of the contract helps the Patriots several ways. One way is that if Wilfork returns back to form then they have him locked up for another two years without having to delve back into contract discussions. Conversely, if he can't bounce back from the injury they don't have to worry about it messing with their cap space too much down the line. In the long run, if Wilfork plays the next three years for the Patriots he'll pretty much get paid the base salary he was scheduled to make this year for an additional two years.
Today the Patriots resigned center Ryan Wendell for a two year deal. I am surprised this contract took so long to happen. I wonder if it had something to do with getting Wilforks' deal worked out. There are still several centers available in free agency including Brian De La Puente who supposedly met with the Patriots last week. De La Puente will probably fetch a much higher price tag than Wendell did. I also wouldn't have been surprised to see if the Patriots had made a run at former center Dan Koppen. Although Koppen is now retired and spent all of this past season on the IR list with a torn Achilles, he still could have brought some value to the team. After playing with the Patriots from 2003 to 2011, Koppen made his way to Denver to snap the ball to Peyton Manning. If something happens to Wendell this season, I bet Koppen gets the call to step in and help, after all he lives in Rhode Island.
Today the Patriots resigned center Ryan Wendell for a two year deal. I am surprised this contract took so long to happen. I wonder if it had something to do with getting Wilforks' deal worked out. There are still several centers available in free agency including Brian De La Puente who supposedly met with the Patriots last week. De La Puente will probably fetch a much higher price tag than Wendell did. I also wouldn't have been surprised to see if the Patriots had made a run at former center Dan Koppen. Although Koppen is now retired and spent all of this past season on the IR list with a torn Achilles, he still could have brought some value to the team. After playing with the Patriots from 2003 to 2011, Koppen made his way to Denver to snap the ball to Peyton Manning. If something happens to Wendell this season, I bet Koppen gets the call to step in and help, after all he lives in Rhode Island.
LeGarrette Blount will not be racking up the yards for the Patriots next season as he signed a two year deal with the Steelers today. While I liked having Blount on the team and thought he was a great addition, he will probably get a lot more touches in Pittsburgh.
Personally, I hope the Patriots do not make any actions towards signing DeSean Jackson. A few weeks ago I was interested in him for the sole purpose of dealing Danny Amendola and then using him as trade bait with another team. Obviously, none of that makes sense anymore since the Eagles ended up cutting him. While Jackson may be a great athlete, he doesn't fit the Patriots' needs. In addition to not wanting to bring in a guy with character problems, the Patriots really don't need a high priced guy to go deep for Brady.
Personally, I hope the Patriots do not make any actions towards signing DeSean Jackson. A few weeks ago I was interested in him for the sole purpose of dealing Danny Amendola and then using him as trade bait with another team. Obviously, none of that makes sense anymore since the Eagles ended up cutting him. While Jackson may be a great athlete, he doesn't fit the Patriots' needs. In addition to not wanting to bring in a guy with character problems, the Patriots really don't need a high priced guy to go deep for Brady.
RSS Feed
