World in danger massive earthquake

The most earthshattering news of the week - you better sit down. The Patriots signed Eddie Jackson.

Washington is a Patriot!

Former Bengals wide receiver Kelley Washington signed with the Patriots today. From what I know about him he's sort of slow, tall, can make tough catches over the middle, get injured, create touchdowns or just sit on the sideline a be a backup. I really don't see Washington playing a huge role in the Patriots offence this year. However, he can be expected to have somewhere around 25 to 45 receptions for anywhere between 450 to 600 yards and 6 touchdowns (his greatest strength is using his size in the red zone). Overall this is almost risk free signing for the Pats because if he doesn't turn out it's not like they have a lot invested in him - sort of like the Reche Caldwell situation last year - all there really is - is upside. If Kelley doesn't produce or gets injured and never plays - oh well. But on the other hand if he does really great and has a fantastic season like Caldwell had last year - Oh Yeah!!

Stallworth is a Patriot!

The Patriots offseason free agent spending splurge continued today as the Patriots added another high profile player to the team in the form of wide receiver Donté Stallworth. Last year Stallworth played with the Philadelphia Eagles after being traded from the Saints before the 2006 season. He had a relatively productive year with 38 receptions for 725 yards (19.1 yards per catch) and 5 touchdowns. The only really possible downside to Donte is his propensity to get injured. I'm actually not sure if he's played a full season without missing any starts; but remember - David Givens and Deion Branch were also injure prone as well but they both managed to be impact players well they were here. The deal that the Pats signed Stallworth to may be up to 6 years long.

One reason why the Patriots ended up signing Stallworth had to be the deep threat element that he brings. Currently, no wide receiver on the Pat's roster (with the exception of Chad Jackson when he's not in a wheelchair) strikes fear in hearts of DB's or opposing coach's that a Pat's wideout may burn them on a deep bomb. Three to two years ago Beathal Johnson, Ardra Davis or Deion Branch provided this element for teams to worry about. Last year however - the Patriots best option to go deep to was Reche Caldwell.... And Caldwell isn't considered exactly fast so.... In a nutshell - The Patriots didn't have a deep threat so went out and got one. Having one last year would have helped a lot - but that's the past - the time to solve the problem was now - and the Patriots did just that.

Stallworth a Patriot?

Donte' Stallworth may be coming to the Patriots. Will wonders never cease? If the Patriots had had Stallworth in the AFC Championship game vs. the Colts the Pats would have run away with the game. The Colts were consistently able to play their safety's way too close to the line of scrimmage the whole game. That meant that pulling off successful screen plays and running the ball became harder because there were really almost 11 guys in the 15 yard box. A deep threat would have kept the Colts from doing that. Should've, could've, would've....

Stallworth at the right price would be a great addition to the Patriots. However, if they don't get him the draft is loaded with guys like Ted Gunn from Ohio State that can give defensive coordinators nightmares so it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Welker is a Patriot!

At the price of the Patriots second and seventh 2007 round draft picks Wes Welker is now part of the Pats. He's a special teams monster - in one game vs the Patriots in 2004 he filled in for the Fins as a kicker (doing all the kickoffs, extra points and field goals 1 for 1) and also returned punts and kicks.... Maybe the Patriots want Gostkowski to have some competition for the kicking job in training camp..... who knows?

Last year Welker had a great season receiving with 67 receptions for over 650 yards and showed a lot of upside and untapped potential (there's a world of difference between having Joey Harrington throwing to you and Tom Brady tossing footballs your way). I believe he'll fit well into the Patriots system and should be a huge boost to the receiver position for the Patriots. Tom Brady has to be a happy guy.

Thomas is a Patriot!

Adalius Thomas has signed with the Patriots! Kyle Brady also appears to have signed a deal with the Pat's..... Yes!

5:15 Update: Not only did the Patriots sign Thomas & Brady - to cap off today the Pat's made Miami RB Sammy Morris a Patriot as well.... Busy, busy, busy.... And that's not all, apparently the Patriots are also intensely interested in stealing restricted free agent wide receiver Wes Welker... Here's a wrap-up of the signings so far.

Patriots Free Agency Preview

The NFL's free agency period began today and it's been interesting to watch teams throwing money around like Congress. So far the Patriots haven't signed anyone new (they resigned Heath Evans and Billy Yates) but with over $25 million in cap space just sitting there waiting to be used - don't expect the Pat's to be frugal. The Patriots greatest positional needs currently are Linebacker, Backup Running Back, (one) Blocking Tight End and Wide Receiver. These are all areas that the Pat's must address either in the draft or free agency.

The greatest need the Patriots have is at the wide receiver position. The draft offers better options for getting a decent playmaking receiver since the best players from the position this year in free agency are all 2d wide receivers at best and there is no #1 type wide receiver available. For example Drew Bennett from the Tenn. Titians is considered in the top 5 of the wideouts available to sign. However - last year Bennett had a grand total of 46 receptions for a average 750 plus yards. And he's in the top five....

Strategy for the Patriots - wait till the draft to get a playmaking receiver. However the Patriots should take a look at players like Dennis Northcutt or Kelley Washington that won't break the bank and would be good targets for Brady and most of all improve the team.

The 2d greatest need for the Patriots is at the linebacker position. Every year the Patriots won the Super Bowl they had an enormously amount of talent at this position. However, due to retirements, free agency losses, and the fact the players that we have are just plan getting old this group of linebackers that once were the strongest part of the team now is a liability. Free agency offers a few very good options for the Patriots to improve this position of the team - Adalius Thomas could just by himself, have a major impact on the team and would be a perfect pickup.

Strategy for the Patriots - get Thomas and perhaps a good part time linebacker such as the one that was on the Patriots last year Junior Seau. Before he broke his arm in the game vs. the Bears Seau was on fire and 2d on the team in tackles. Bringing with back would help the team against the run and make it so Mike Vrabel could play outside LB more often.

Other needs in a nutshell

Backup Running Back - now that Corey Dillion is gone the Patriots need someone to handle to football when Laurence Maroney is taking a breather. Sammy Morris' name has been brought up as a candidate for this position and he may suit it well. I'm not exactly an expert on this though so I really have no idea.

Blocking Tight End - The loss of Daniel Graham creates a position in need of being filled. As a Patriot Daniel Graham probobly dropped as many pass' as he caught but he had incredible blocking skills. To whom will the TE blocking duties now pass? Right now it looks pretty clear. As Belichick favorite, the question is whether Kyle Brady will sign with the Pats this week or next week....

Punter - the Patriots should resign punter Todd Sauerbrun. Josh Miller isn't bad but Sauerbrun is better.

And why not bring along Vinny Testaverde for another try at a Super Bowl ring?