At Midnight, We Strike!

With Free Agency just a few hours away, the feeding frenzy is about to begin.

There are three ways NFL teams become stronger:

1. Re-signing their key players
2. Free Agency
3. NFL Draft

The Patriots did pretty well in all three categories in last season. Free Agency netted them LB Adalius Thomas (Ravens), RB Sammy Morris (Dolphins) and TE Kyle Brady (Jaguars).

Although the Patriots currently only have two of their 2007 drafted players still on the roster (Brandon Meriweather and Mike Richardson), trades from the draft also netted WR Wes Welker and Randy Moss, as well as the seventh pick overall in this years draft.

So where do the Patriots stand going into the 2008 season, which officially starts on Friday at 12:01 am?

Earlier in the week, the Patriots cut OLB Rosevelt Colvin, LB Oscar Lua, and S Eugene Wilson.

In the re-signing department, not too many deals have been completed. The 2007 WR corp that was stellar for Tom Brady is not under contract (WR Randy Moss, Kelley Washington, Donte Stallworth, or Jabar Gaffney). CB Asante Samuel talked the talk about being a Patriot again, but the money he seeks will make him walk. 100 Million is too much to be asking for, so it will be interesting to see what team ends up paying Samuel that kind of money. The Patriots also could not come to terms with Randell Gay, so Gay will test the open market as well.

For a team that was 35 seconds away from winning their fourth Super Bowl in seven years, this team looks to have many holes. WR, LB, and CB/S are all glaring concerns now. The Patriots could still come to terms with many players they know best, their own! Just because a player wants to test the market, does not mean he will get a better deal. Many just want to find out what their worth is to another team. Then again, 31 other NFL teams will also be cutting players, so there can be some bargains to be had.

The Patriots did get re-signed LB Tedy Bruschi to a multi-year contract today. At least the pump is now primed to retool for 2008...time for the Patriots to open their Wallets! (Patriots are about 23 million under the cap right now)

BTW, I think the Randy Moss deal is already done, but can't be announced until the 2008 season has officially started. Just my opionion though.

Let the retooling process begin!