How early can the Sox pick up Lackey’s option? If they do it now, does it help against the luxury tax? It’d be a difference of 3M per year.

Insurance should pay all or most of Lackeys salary. That is 16 million freed up, if that is the case.The Sox don’t talk about this.

A great move for Tampa. They now project as a 2nd place team,making the playoffs. One of these years, those good picthers will take them all the way. Theo has utterly destroyed the Cubs. Instead of keeping the few good players they had, and building around them, he is sweeping everyone out.
I wonder if Cubs fans are as excited as they where, when Theo took over?

Pena. This is a local guy who was cut by the Sox after ’06. He goes on to hit 41 HRs and over 100 RBI for the  Rays. Another briliant move by Theo.

Wasn’t Maroney our last 1st Rnd running back? Lets pass on that idea.  I say go after Cedric Benson. Last time a Cincy back worked out well for us (Cory Dillon). As far as Jacobs goes,,,, man, he just doesn’t fit here, unless he leaves his opinions in NY, but you know that wont happen. We should spend both our 1st Rdrs on “2″ DE/OLB.  by doing that, we should come out with at least 1 stud?

I agree, I think the combination of Vareen and Ridley will be adequate enough we have recently used the pass to set up the run anyways. It is interesting to note though that if vareen has any ability in pass blocking he could likely see substantial time as he is an excellent out of the backfield back with great speed on the edges.

Ridley fumbles and vereen can’t stay on the field so we let a total opposite of those two go. I don’t like it but somehow bb gets it to work, just not well enough to win the big one. I’d take any of the FA except Jacobs.

Pats will sign a FA RB in the near future. Not sure who.

I never understood BJGE as the Pats lead back. His pass protection is superb, but you know he’s not going to be catching the ball, and all they do is pass. Woodhead is a poor man’s Ray Rice – phenomenal pass catcher and shifty between the tackles, taking advantage of his small size. We really don’t need any help here – especially with Brady as our 4th and inches back (eh Ravens?)

 Looking at the Pats, I realize that the SOP is to avoid big splashes in FA, however I would like to forward one idea. Matt Forte, yes he is franchised but he was tendered only at a franchise level not exclusive rights like Brees. Yes it will cost two 1st round picks, one this year one next, but with the way BB trades for them is this not a small price to pay. Forte is a beast who may be open to the possibilities of coming to a perenial contender verses playing for a team that seems lost. The Bears have consistently dropped the ball on handing out the type of contract the man has earned year in year out. Signing this player will shore up the running game for years and make this offense  pretty much unstoppable. Just wondering …

Hi Mary,
I’d like to get him too, but I’d never give up two first round picks for him. He and the Bears will not work it out.  My bet is he can be had for just one first.

Ridley had two fumbles (albeit the last game of the reg season and a playoff game)… but it’s still hardly alarming when considering he was a rookie. BJGE is a rare RB when it comes to protecting the football.  

Ridley had two fumbles (albeit the last game of the reg season and a playoff game)… but it’s still hardly alarming when considering he was a rookie. BJGE is a rare RB when it comes to protecting the football.  

Well I like both Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen obviously neither has had enough carries but have showed alot when they were in there, Im thinking that maybe we’ll sign an older back and some free agents for insurance , competition etc and draft one somewhere along the line.

I really think that our offense runs better and obviously puts less rush pressure on Brady when we can run pass action  check out http://www.atomictickets.com  My question is do you think the Pats should go after a proven back and if so who are you thinking ???

 Not wanting to give up two either but thats the cost of a franchise designation. Idaily they do a sign and trade, then we could watch the collective grimace from Gotham City and the Y-E-T-S yets yets yets and the Tebowmaniacs.

I’d like to see the Pats go get Jonathan Stewart from Carolina. I don’t see Carolina keeping Williams, Stewart, and Tolbert. Stewart would be a great veteran presence in the backfield.

We still need a veteran rb I like Justin Forsett RB Seattle other free agents I like still available
are Dave Tollefson DE Giants, Reggie Smith S 49ers, Todd McClure C Falcons and Derek Landri DT Eagles.Pats Mock Draft 34.0 1 Nick Perry DE USC 1 Dont’a Hightower LB Alabama
2 Lamar Miller RB Miami 2 Shea McClellin DE/OLB Boise St. 3 Lucas Nix OL Pittsburgh
4 Brandon Hardin S Oregon St.Pats are Playmakers to defense and Offense.Great Job by Pats positioning themselves very good for draft.

Acquire a big power back, revive the two headed monster. Hopefully Ridley is going to get this fumble history under control, if not eliminated entirely, if not, we’re in big trouble. As an analyst said the other day, “what do you do when Brady’s off?” He has had one bad quarter, two or more in a game when mechanics are off.  All the variety at reciever wont do much good then, obviously.Bring in a load at the rb position, someone who can close out a game.

I hate to say it, but they really need a big, powerful, goal line type back..Unfortunately, Brandon Jacobs would be perfect for that role.. I don’t like the guy personally, but they really need a smash mouth type back!!  Vereen and Woody definitely do not fit that role, and Ridley may not be able to hold onto the ball well enough, although he will probably make a nice back between the 20 yard lines..I saw Vereen in college, and he is better suited as a pass catchger out of the backfield..  I love the Forte idea, but I think his price will be way to high, if Chicago would even move him.  Benson is done I think, and he had MAJOR fumble issues last year.. Too bad Marion Barber retired, because he is a great goal line option, and he is only 28!!!  Can’t see them using a number 1 on a running back, but maybe a 2nd rounder.  Please BB, use your 1st 4 picks this year, you need them!!!

That’s exactly what they need, not necessarily one of the top 3  at the position, but a “load” who can bring it.  They haven’t had anything like a load since Corey Dillon, which, incidentally, was the last time they won it all.. And incidentally, Brady was alot better, stronger, more consistent ,and accurate than his game now. I don’t care how the league is going, downplaying this aspect of offense, the pats should think outside the box and the idea that it’s only a passing league now and establish a trend of thier own. Get a powerful guy who will keep the d on the field halfway thru the fourth, control the clock and prevent Brady from forcing his increasingly bad passes late.

so, does this deal make him more tradeable?

 So instead of $6 million a TD, he now gets $3 million? 

he still looks quick out there….creating separation whenever they show replays.  I wouldn’t give up on him either, just needs brady’s trust.  His numbers were ridiculous in Cincinnati, breaking records left and right, all coming from a slightly above average QB.  I hope it does work.

 Sounds reasonable.

his numbers looked good in cin because he was freelancing not route running. the pats have precise routes not just run around to get open.very clear ocho not a route runner.

Are the Patriots Settling for Mediocrity?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-11127448

Poor guy is only earning a million dollars?   Wow.   That’s one heck of a sacrifice.   He’ll barely be able to feed himself on that.

Can’t help but respect him for doing this. Restructuring is something Patriots players frequently do (Brady!) and to see him do it shows a commitment. He knows here’s a good chance to win, but now he knows he’s got a battle for a roster spot. Hope he makes an impression come Fall. 

I love the competition that BB has created at the WR spot.  Chad is a smart guy.  He knows that the money he agreed to with the Pats is about all he would get on the open market.  Hopefully being in the system for a year will benefit CJ, if not then he gets dumped.  Because of the restructured deal, it is yet another low-risk deal for BB and the Pats.  Personally, I’m glad he will be back in camp to compete for a job.  I’d feel even better if I learned that CJ is planning on hooking up with Brady this off-season for some extra work…

Nice to see him take less money and free up more cap space, he’ll get his chance tofight for a wideout spot during training camp and only the best of the widouts will stay, its a win win ethier way.  the one thing that bothers me is way hasnt Welker signed his tender?  i for one think he’s not worth 9mil but i would still like him to be here.( I think he’s worth 3 years 21mil).  but again im loving all of the compition BB is getting for the wideout it will be interesting to see who gets the two spots(welker goes back to slot).

Lets put it this way….he cannot play any worse. Will he be good enough to make the team with the stiff conpetition this year? Chemistry is everything with Brady….not sure Ocho has it.

Yes actually he made a huge sacrifice!!  The guy was slated to make 3 million bucks this year, and he gave back 2 million of those dollars to stay with the team!! Considering the guy has been known in the past to be selfish, and all about himself, this consession really surprises me.  Even though he had a bad year last year, I’m sure there is a team or two that would be willing to pay him 3 or 4 million to see if he can thrive again in a less complex offense, which I think he would. The guy is used to making several million bucks, so a 1 million dollar deal is chump change for the guy, sad to say.  I hope he comes back strong, just to stick it in everyones ear!!