Julius Peppers would love to play for the Patriots . That much remains true. But while there has been a report that the Patriots are primed to make a deal for the Carolina Panthers defensive end, they have yet to drop a dime to his agent, who at this stage would need to broker such a transaction. Carl Carey, who represents Peppers, indicated last night he had not yet been contacted by Patriots coach Bill Belichick, or any other member of the organization. He claimed several other teams have asked him to gauge Peppers' interest. Just not the Patriots. "No, they haven't been in touch," Carey said of the Pats, "but we have had preliminary discussions with GMs from other clubs in the league." While Belichick didn't comment on whether he had spoken to Carey, he did say on WEEI yesterday that in the cases of franchised players such as Peppers, he preferred dealing with the club, as opposed to an agent. Given Peppers has yet to sign his $16.68 million franchise tender, the Panthers cannot have conversations with other teams about him. Carey, however, can talk with teams and pursue a potential contract. After acknowledging there were no trade talks with the Panthers because there can't be, Belichick sounded as if he was nudging Peppers to sign the tender, saying he didn't like using an agent as a go-between. -- Boston Herald
Ben's Take: I've learned over the years not to believe anything Belichick says to the media. He's a spin doctoer who has created cheap copies in Mangini, Weis and McDaniels around football. Bottom line... If Peppers wants to play in New England, the trade happens! -- Ben Maller's NFL rumors
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
More New England Patriot Roster Moves...
Coming:
You've gotta hand it to the Patriots, they're always willing to stockpile receivers. A little more than a week after acquiring Greg Lewis to help replace the departed Jabar Gaffney, they added Joey Galloway to the mix on a one-year contract.
The Patriots officially announced the signing of cornerback Shawn Springs. Springs spent the past five seasons with the Washington Redskins after playing the previous seven with the Seattle Seahawks, who chose him with the third overall pick of the 1997 draft out of Ohio State. He has started 147 of his 157 games with 32 interceptions and six fumble recoveries.
The Patriots have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with free agent cornerback Leigh Bodden. The 27-year-old Bodden was released by the Detroit Lions on Feb. 9, after a season in which he had one interception -- although it was the only interception by a defensive back for the 0-16 Lions, who had just four all season. Bodden played last year for the Detroit Lions after spending his first five seasons with the Cleveland Browns, who signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent from Duquesne. Bodden had 13 interceptions and five fumble recoveries in 75 NFL games, 53 of them starts.
The Patriots have signed free agent offensive lineman Al Johnson. The 30-year-old Johnson is a veteran of six NFL seasons with the Cowboys, Cardinals and Miami Dolphins.
The Patriots made official the re-signing of nose tackle/defensive end Mike Wright, who received a four-year deal for about $7.5 million with playing time escalators that could increase the value of the deal by about $10 million.
The Patriots also re-signed offensive lineman Wesley Britt and safeties Ray Ventrone and Tank Williams.
The Patriots have signed a replacement for long snapper Lonie Paxton, who defected to Denver on the first day of free agency, signing a five-year, $5.38 million deal. New England announced today it has signed longtime Arizona Cardinals long snapper Nathan Hodel.
Going:
Larry Izzo, the Patriots' long-time special teams standout who played on all three of the franchise's Super Bowl champions, signed with the New York Jets.
The Patriots' signing of Shawn Springs probably signals the end of cornerback/safety Lewis Sanders career as a Patriot.
In the Works?
The trade that sent Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs appears to be only the first phase of some major wheeling and dealing by the New England Patriots this offseason. The second phase, NFL sources say, is likely to involve a trade that would send . . . Julius Peppers to the Patriots in exchange for the second-round pick (34th overall) they received from the Chiefs Feb. 28.
You've gotta hand it to the Patriots, they're always willing to stockpile receivers. A little more than a week after acquiring Greg Lewis to help replace the departed Jabar Gaffney, they added Joey Galloway to the mix on a one-year contract.
The Patriots officially announced the signing of cornerback Shawn Springs. Springs spent the past five seasons with the Washington Redskins after playing the previous seven with the Seattle Seahawks, who chose him with the third overall pick of the 1997 draft out of Ohio State. He has started 147 of his 157 games with 32 interceptions and six fumble recoveries.
The Patriots have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with free agent cornerback Leigh Bodden. The 27-year-old Bodden was released by the Detroit Lions on Feb. 9, after a season in which he had one interception -- although it was the only interception by a defensive back for the 0-16 Lions, who had just four all season. Bodden played last year for the Detroit Lions after spending his first five seasons with the Cleveland Browns, who signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent from Duquesne. Bodden had 13 interceptions and five fumble recoveries in 75 NFL games, 53 of them starts.
The Patriots have signed free agent offensive lineman Al Johnson. The 30-year-old Johnson is a veteran of six NFL seasons with the Cowboys, Cardinals and Miami Dolphins.
The Patriots made official the re-signing of nose tackle/defensive end Mike Wright, who received a four-year deal for about $7.5 million with playing time escalators that could increase the value of the deal by about $10 million.
The Patriots also re-signed offensive lineman Wesley Britt and safeties Ray Ventrone and Tank Williams.
The Patriots have signed a replacement for long snapper Lonie Paxton, who defected to Denver on the first day of free agency, signing a five-year, $5.38 million deal. New England announced today it has signed longtime Arizona Cardinals long snapper Nathan Hodel.
Going:
Larry Izzo, the Patriots' long-time special teams standout who played on all three of the franchise's Super Bowl champions, signed with the New York Jets.
The Patriots' signing of Shawn Springs probably signals the end of cornerback/safety Lewis Sanders career as a Patriot.
In the Works?
The trade that sent Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs appears to be only the first phase of some major wheeling and dealing by the New England Patriots this offseason. The second phase, NFL sources say, is likely to involve a trade that would send . . . Julius Peppers to the Patriots in exchange for the second-round pick (34th overall) they received from the Chiefs Feb. 28.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Patriot Roster Moves
The Patriots keep busy during the Free Agency period...
Coming:
Free-agent cornerback Shawn Springs is expected to sign with the Patriots. The 33-year-old Springs would address one of the Patriots' more pressing needs which is cornerback help. Springs (6-0, 207) is a 12-year veteran who was released by the Redskins last week after Washington re-signed DeAngelo Hall. More to follow on this one.
The Patriots have acquired Receiver Greg Lewis from the Philadelphia Eagles. Trade compensation according to league sources, the Patriots give up a 2009 fifth-round pick and, in return, receive Lewis and a 2010 seventh-round pick. One part of this deal that was surely enticing to the Patriots is the economic aspect of it. Lewis, 29 is signed for the next three seasons at reasonable prices -- $650,000 (2009), $670,000 (2010) and $725,000 (2011) -- and the Patriots inherit that contract.
The Patriots formally announced the signings of linebacker Eric Alexander and safety James Sanders.
The Patriots announced that they have re-signed punter Chris Hanson. Hanson joins Tom Malone on the roster at punter. He finished last season strong, delivering one of his finest performances in the wind-blown finale at Buffalo.
Going:
Fullback Heath Evans, who has been a steady presence for the Patriots over the last three-plus seasons, agreed to terms on a deal with the New Orleans Saints. The Patriots presumably wanted Evans to return, but were likely only willing to extend themselves to a certain point. The Saints stretched them to an area they must have not wanted to go.
The Broncos have reached an agreement with Patriots free-agent running back LaMont Jordan. Jordan would be the third Patriot that former New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has plucked from his old team, joining long-snapper Lonie Paxton and wide receiver Jabar Gaffney.
The Patriots have waived outside linebacker Darrell Robertson.
Visits:
Cornerback Chris Carr
Quarterback Patrick Ramsey
Reciever Joey Galloway
Center Al Johnson
Coming:
Free-agent cornerback Shawn Springs is expected to sign with the Patriots. The 33-year-old Springs would address one of the Patriots' more pressing needs which is cornerback help. Springs (6-0, 207) is a 12-year veteran who was released by the Redskins last week after Washington re-signed DeAngelo Hall. More to follow on this one.
The Patriots have acquired Receiver Greg Lewis from the Philadelphia Eagles. Trade compensation according to league sources, the Patriots give up a 2009 fifth-round pick and, in return, receive Lewis and a 2010 seventh-round pick. One part of this deal that was surely enticing to the Patriots is the economic aspect of it. Lewis, 29 is signed for the next three seasons at reasonable prices -- $650,000 (2009), $670,000 (2010) and $725,000 (2011) -- and the Patriots inherit that contract.
The Patriots formally announced the signings of linebacker Eric Alexander and safety James Sanders.
The Patriots announced that they have re-signed punter Chris Hanson. Hanson joins Tom Malone on the roster at punter. He finished last season strong, delivering one of his finest performances in the wind-blown finale at Buffalo.
Going:
Fullback Heath Evans, who has been a steady presence for the Patriots over the last three-plus seasons, agreed to terms on a deal with the New Orleans Saints. The Patriots presumably wanted Evans to return, but were likely only willing to extend themselves to a certain point. The Saints stretched them to an area they must have not wanted to go.
The Broncos have reached an agreement with Patriots free-agent running back LaMont Jordan. Jordan would be the third Patriot that former New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has plucked from his old team, joining long-snapper Lonie Paxton and wide receiver Jabar Gaffney.
The Patriots have waived outside linebacker Darrell Robertson.
Visits:
Cornerback Chris Carr
Quarterback Patrick Ramsey
Reciever Joey Galloway
Center Al Johnson
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Patriots James Sanders agrees to terms
Adam Caplan, of Scout.com, reports New England Patriots have agreed to terms with unrestricted free-agent SS James Sanders (Patriots) on a three-year deal worth $9 million. Sanders, 25, turned down more money elsewhere to return to the Patriots.
In the past, Sanders has been credited by Patriots coaches with aiding the overall communication of the secondary, as his knowledge of the overall defense is considered valuable. He is a projected starter at safety for 2009 alongside Brandon Meriweather.
Consider this a band-aid...the Patriots will still be bringing in other players for the secondary. The Patriots have arranged a free-agent visit with CB Shawn Springs, who was released by the Redskins after five seasons. The Patriots also hosted free-agent CB Leigh Bodden on Friday. The sides did not reach a contract agreement though.
In the past, Sanders has been credited by Patriots coaches with aiding the overall communication of the secondary, as his knowledge of the overall defense is considered valuable. He is a projected starter at safety for 2009 alongside Brandon Meriweather.
Consider this a band-aid...the Patriots will still be bringing in other players for the secondary. The Patriots have arranged a free-agent visit with CB Shawn Springs, who was released by the Redskins after five seasons. The Patriots also hosted free-agent CB Leigh Bodden on Friday. The sides did not reach a contract agreement though.
Bruschi not happy Pats traded Vrabel
Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi responded via email last night to the trade of fellow linebacker Mike Vrabel, one of his closest friends on the team, and someone he shared three Super Bowl championships. Here's what he wrote: "We've lost perhaps our best all around football player. Defense, offense, special teams, Vrabes did it all. His intelligence and on field adjustments can not be replaced. This team has just changed immensely. " -- Boston Herald
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