With the mad amounts of cap money available, there are few potential bargains available on the free agent market, and, as we all know, the New England Patriots were built upon the backs of bargain free agents. John Clayton over at ESPN.com looks at a few of who are available. I thought I would review them as how they may fit in Red, White (Silver), and Blue in 2007:
1. T.J. Duckett - RB: I love the idea of Duckett in New England to replace Corey Dillon. Not since the days the Patriots of the early nineties running out Marion Butts and Sam Gash in the same backfield was the English language in such dire straights (The Patriots have Gash’n’Butts in the backfield). With Duckett, after every score, I can start texting everyone: F$##&@ it, just give it to Duckett!
2. Hank Fraley - C: Not applicable. Dan Koppen is going nowhere anytime soon.
3. Kevin Kaesviharn - S: Intriguing, as another coverage safety would be nice, but I doubt that any safety in New England will be paid more than Rodney Harrison, especially with Eugene Wilson in the final year of his contract.
4. Kelley Washington - WR: I could refer to him as Wash, which would delight the Firefly/Serenity fan in me to no small amount; however, big receivers do not have a good track record in the Bill Belichick offense.
5. Eric Johnson - TE: On the assumption that Dan Graham is a goner, this makes sense. I sort of remember Belichick gushing about Johnson once upon a time, but I am waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too lazy to look it up. More likely would be the return of a known quantity for a year as a third TE: the ever-popular, recently cut, lady-killer Christian Fauria.
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The most prolific, hustling, and knowledgeable football writer west of Mike Reiss is at ESPN.com, the redoubtable Len Pasquarelli. Big Len checks in with a look at the top Free Agents, and I thought I would play Scott Pioli and determine who other than T.J. Duckett and Christian Fauria could end up in beautiful downtown Foxboro in the fall.
* I have waxed poetic recently about the perfect fit that Adalius Thomas would be in a Belichick defense, so I will try not to rattle on about him. Amazing speed, smarts, and versatility make him the kind of linebacker Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli dream about at night.
* London Fletcher-Baker would be a stop-gap at linebacker, but the money will likely get out of control. He would be a great two year option to phase out Teddy Bruschi and develop a first day ILB pick.
* Ahman Green would be a cheaper Corey Dillon, no?
* Nick Harper would be a great nickel corner. I just question if after so many years in Indy, if he can adapt to the New England defense, which is night-and-day from the Dungy D.
* Napoleon Harris could fit in New England with the 3-4 defense exposure he had in Oakland under Rex Ryan. A steady veteran who can play inside and outside seems like a fit.
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1. T.J. Duckett - RB: I love the idea of Duckett in New England to replace Corey Dillon. Not since the days the Patriots of the early nineties running out Marion Butts and Sam Gash in the same backfield was the English language in such dire straights (The Patriots have Gash’n’Butts in the backfield). With Duckett, after every score, I can start texting everyone: F$##&@ it, just give it to Duckett!
2. Hank Fraley - C: Not applicable. Dan Koppen is going nowhere anytime soon.
3. Kevin Kaesviharn - S: Intriguing, as another coverage safety would be nice, but I doubt that any safety in New England will be paid more than Rodney Harrison, especially with Eugene Wilson in the final year of his contract.
4. Kelley Washington - WR: I could refer to him as Wash, which would delight the Firefly/Serenity fan in me to no small amount; however, big receivers do not have a good track record in the Bill Belichick offense.
5. Eric Johnson - TE: On the assumption that Dan Graham is a goner, this makes sense. I sort of remember Belichick gushing about Johnson once upon a time, but I am waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too lazy to look it up. More likely would be the return of a known quantity for a year as a third TE: the ever-popular, recently cut, lady-killer Christian Fauria.
* * *
The most prolific, hustling, and knowledgeable football writer west of Mike Reiss is at ESPN.com, the redoubtable Len Pasquarelli. Big Len checks in with a look at the top Free Agents, and I thought I would play Scott Pioli and determine who other than T.J. Duckett and Christian Fauria could end up in beautiful downtown Foxboro in the fall.
* I have waxed poetic recently about the perfect fit that Adalius Thomas would be in a Belichick defense, so I will try not to rattle on about him. Amazing speed, smarts, and versatility make him the kind of linebacker Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli dream about at night.
* London Fletcher-Baker would be a stop-gap at linebacker, but the money will likely get out of control. He would be a great two year option to phase out Teddy Bruschi and develop a first day ILB pick.
* Ahman Green would be a cheaper Corey Dillon, no?
* Nick Harper would be a great nickel corner. I just question if after so many years in Indy, if he can adapt to the New England defense, which is night-and-day from the Dungy D.
* Napoleon Harris could fit in New England with the 3-4 defense exposure he had in Oakland under Rex Ryan. A steady veteran who can play inside and outside seems like a fit.
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