Rob Gronkowski had surgery on ankle. The 2012 season has begun. Time to get back on the pony. We'll get on the horse later; we can just start with a pony for now.
I know I’m a little late to the whole Rob Gronkowski Dancegate controversy (it deserves a “gate” suffix at this point, doesn’t it?), but I have to say, the dude is really a bad dancer even by white boy standards. Surprising, given his athleticism on the field. Still, he seemed quite passionate about it. Maybe he was working something out. Something frustrating.
Or maybe he’s just a really bad dancer.
Yeah, that’s probably it.
Anyway, it’s time to look ahead to the 2012 season. The Patriots are significantly under the salary cap and well stocked with draft picks, per usual. The team that fell just a few plays short in the Super Bowl has a chance to get younger and more lethal. We may have forgotten this for a few days last week but it’s been pretty damned good to be a Patriots fan the last decade and the future looks so bright I’m wearing sunglasses as I write this (you know, figuratively speaking). It’s been great riding with Belichick and Brady and it ain’t over yet. Our team will be in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy again next year.
Now, I was never one of the “Bring Back Randy” crowd and I applauded the Patriots ability to manufacture big plays in 2011 but I do believe the Patriots offense needs a big play threat at either wide receiver or running back. The defense could use a playmaker as well. Too much still depends on Brady. The 2011 Patriots reminded me of the first three John Elway Super Bowl teams; Elway carried those Broncos teams on his back to the championship where they got thrashed by better teams. (Sammy Winder = BenJarvus Green-Ellis.) Elway needed Terrell Davis. Brady needs another Corey Dillon.
I know, I know. When you lose the Super Bowl by a couple of plays, it’s easy to think the addition of a playmaker or two might push you over the top. It’s math! And math don’t lie (and I love that about math). So let’s go to Super Bowl XLVII! It was so much fun the last time…
Let’s play GM!
Obviously, Wes Welker has to be a priority. I’d like to keep Mark Anderson and Andre Carter, Matthew Slater, Dan Koppen, Dan Connolly and definitely Kyle Love – at the right price. Sure, I’d keep some of the other Patriots free agents (BJGE, Deion Branch and Brian Hoyer if I’m not happy with Ryan Mallett’s progress) but only at cap friendly – perhaps cap best friendly with benefits – deals.
Okay, the Patriots have cap room but they’re likely going to be outbid for the likes of Texans DE and former #1 Pick Mario Williams or Chiefs DB Brandon Carr (either of whom would look awesome in a Patriots’ uniform). I’m intrigued by DeSean Jackson’s talent and I wonder if Tom Brady and Josh McDaniels could get through to him but again, I can’t see the Patriots overpaying for Jackson. Too bad. He would be a huge upgrade over Deion Branch. Remember when Branch was young, his first time around with the Pats, running those deep skinny post routes? Jackson would be that and more.
Fun to think of…
I also can’t imagine Ray Rice leaving the Ravens to play for the Patriots, but Rice would be that one player that would re-establish the Patriots as odds on Super Bowl favorites. Tom Brady with a running game? Tom Brady with a play action fake to Ray Rice? (The answer to that one is “Touchdown to Gronkowski.”) Tom Brady throwing screen passes to Ray Rice? Yeah, Super Bowl favorites.
Definitely fun to think of…
It could happen!
Okay, probably not.
Stating the Obvious
There’s no better free agent fit for New England than Oakland safety Tyvon Branch. Safety was one of – if not the – weakest positions for the Patriots defense in 2011. Branch represents an instant solution to perhaps the Patriots biggest need. He’s a proven, quality NFL player and he’s only 26. Let’s do this!
The Bill Belichick Guy
Assuming the Patriots don’t bring back Gerard Warren and Shaun Ellis, look for Bill Belichick to sign Jaguars DE Jeremy Mincey. He’s a solid veteran who has been playing for a losing Jacksonville franchise so playing for a winner should be attractive to Mincey. He had 8 sacks and 4 forced fumbles last year; he’s a former Urban Meyer guy at Florida. Huge upset if the Patriots don’t sign Mincey.
If the Patriots wind up with Tyvon Branch and Jeremy Mincey while re-signing Welker & Co. they would have done a solid job in free agency.
If they could find some way to bring in Ray Rice, then…
Might as well dream big!
Not the Sexy
How about Colts WR Pierre Garcon? An upgrade over Branch. The Patriots are not a Pierre Garcon away from the Lombardi Trophy, of course, but I’d rather sign Garcon than Reggie Wayne (been there, done that with Ochocinco). Garcon is young, he played with Peyton Manning (so we can assume he’s a solid route runner) and he caught 70 passes with Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky pulling the trigger last year. Intriguing, but definitely not the sexy like DeSean Jackson.
Do you believe Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch is only 26? Don’t you instantly think of Corey Dillon? Hard to know how much tread is left on the tires with Lynch and his lifetime average per carry is a less than impressive 4.0. The more I think of it the more I’d rather re-sign BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
Free Agent Signing That Will Bum Me Out
I don’t want to see Cowboys OLB Anthony Spencer in a Patriots uniform next year. He’s got Cowboys stink on him! Who knows how much of that “there’s always a way to lose this thing” attitude has rubbed off on him?
I don’t watch enough college ball to know more than what the mock drafts tell me. Having said that, after scanning the early mocks, here are the names I will be waiting and hoping to hear…
· Mohammed Sanu, WR, Rutgers – A potential play-maker the Patriots could use plus the Rutgers connection. Do they like him enough for the 31st pick? The Patriots would never give up what it would take to get to Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon, the rock star WR in this year’s draft but Sanu might do in the long run.
· Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama – The Pats need a home run hitter and having one at running back might be better than a deep threat at wide receiver. Unlikely to be available, unlikely to be picked – despite the Nick Saban connection.
· Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama – Bill Belichick loves him some defensive linemen and also, Saban connection. Likely long gone before the Pats pick.
· Mark Barron, SS, Alabama – Position of need, Saban connection.
· Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama – Position of need, Saban connection.
· Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor – Stretches the defense! And not very big. For some reason the Patriots like that.
· Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina – Played for the old ball coach.
I’m sure this list will change post-Combine following a freak 40 time.
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