Tamper Time

The so-called “legal tampering period” is about to begin. Aqib Talib, Julian Edelman and LeGarrette Blount are about to find out what their markets are. I’m sure their agents have that full page ad in the Globe thanking the fans for all the love ready to go. Love, as we should all know by now, is never enough.

 

Talks between the Patriots and Talib and Edelman have been reported; I have to think Blount also knows what the Patriots are willing to pay. If I may risk the obvious, I’ll say all three will be offered more to play elsewhere in 2014. New England may be able to retain Blount but I’m playing Kelly Clarkson’s “Already Gone” for Talib and Edelman.

Talib will be limping off the field for Washington (where his former Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris is now working) or Oakland (which has $50m in cap space) next year. Jules will be texting his regrets and frustration to Tom Brady from Cleveland (desperately needs a reliable slot receiver) or Houston (where former Pats’ OC Bill O’Brien is the new HC) by midseason. It seems less likely that Blount will get a deal the Patriots couldn’t match; then again, there’s a lot of cap space out there.

Once again risking the obvious, don’t expect the Patriots to set the market/bid against themselves. Belichick has a number for Talib, Edelman and Blount and while he has praised all three players in the past, he won’t move off his number. He wouldn’t do it for Lawyer Milloy or Ty Law or Richard Seymour or Asante Samuel and he won’t do it now.

Someone’s got to go; so I’m already gone…

So, what will New England do to replace Talib, Edelman and Blount?

Quid Pro Talib

Finding a shutdown corner isn’t that easy. The Patriots would be better served adding to the pass rush than trying to replace Talib one for one. Unless we’re still holding onto those Darrelle Revis rumors, of course…

Darrelle Revis…

Okay, I’m back.

Where was I?

Oh, right.

I’d replace Talib with defensive linemen. Clearly, another cornerback would need to be added to the depth chart (Charles Tillman?) but beefing up the pass rush would alleviate the need for a shutdown corner.

We can hope Michael Buchanan progresses but adding a Jared Allen in free agency may be a necessity with or without Talib. The Patriots cannot afford to play Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich on 95%+ of defensive snaps in 2014. They need those two fresh and playing at a high level in the playoffs. Maybe Armond Armstead makes it onto the playing field and provides pressure up the middle this year but finding an athletic defensive tackle like the much mocked Ra’Shede Hageman could provide a much needed insurance policy.

Et tu, Jules?

As for Edelman, New England has plenty of options already on the roster. Granted, Danny Amendola did little to change his reputation as injury-prone in his first season with the Patriots but let’s not forget 2013 was the first year Julian Edelman played in all 16. We also shouldn’t forget Amendola played most of the year with a torn groin so toughness isn’t the issue. Aside from Amendola, there’s Josh Boyce and T.J. Moe on the depth chart. Amendola may wind up on the outside rather than the slot if Boyce progresses and Aaron Dobson’s foot is slow to heal.

Can anyone line up in the slot and catch 100 balls playing in the Patriots’ offense with Tom Brady pulling the trigger?

It looks to me like we’ll find out in 2014.

Blount Force Majeure

Blount plays an undervalued position in the current NFL and that could help New England retain his services. He’s also not much of a factor in the passing game which further diminishes his value. Am I talking myself into this? No, not really.

Someone will over overpay for Blount, too.

Remember all the things we wanted?

Now all our memories, they’re haunted.

We were always meant to say goodbye…

Thanks for 2013, gentlemen. It was a sweet, sweet ride.