Patriots 2005 Season Discussion

In the second round, the Pats traded their pick to the Ravens for the Ravens' third-round pick (#84 overall), a sixth-round pick, and the Ravens' third-round pick next year. Just Belichick stockpiling middle to late-round picks again, as he always does.

 

Third round...

#84 overall: Ellis Hobbs III, CB, Iowa St.
#100 overall: Nick Kaczur, G, Toledo

Still no sign of a linebacker, but Hobbs should do well with the coaching he'll get here, so I'll call him a good corner for now.

 

Here's how Day 2 of the draft shook out for the Pats...

4th round, #133 overall: James Sanders (SS, Fresno St.)
5th round, #170 overall: Ryan Claridge (OLB, UNLV)
7th round, #230 overall: Matt Cassell (QB, USC)
7th round, #255 overall: Andy Stokes (TE, William Penn)*

"Trader Bill" was very active on Day 2. First, the Patriots sent a 5th round pick (#145 overall) and their own 6th round pick (#206 overall) to the Lions for the Lions' 4th round pick next year. Then, they sent the 6th round pick from the Ravens (#195 overall) and their regular 7th round pick (32nd in the round, #246 overall) to the Packers for the first pick in the 6th round (#175 overall), which was then shipped to the Raiders for what turned out to be the Matt Cassell pick plus other, as yet unannounced, considerations.

Belichick said on WEEI Friday that he didn't think this draft was high-quality overall, so he was trying to move down, but might have been stuck choosing a few players because of the number of other teams also looking to trade down. If one of the guards that the Patriots picked can be moved to tackle, and the cornerback and linebacker turn out to be decent NFL players, then I'll call this draft a success.

* Because this player was the very last player to be drafted, he will be known as "Mr. Irrelevant 2005".

 

I heard about him on the radio this morning. He'll be receiving a trophy that's the opposite of the Heisman, I think it's called the "Lowman Trophy" .

 

Had to edit my last message. Found out this morning that it wasn't the Penn that Andy Stokes comes from, but rather William Penn, an NAIA school in Iowa.

 

The Patriots continued to add depth to the secondary today by signing former Pittsburgh Steelers CB Chad Scott. Scott has been injury-prone in his career, but played 6 games with the highest-rated defense in the NFL last season before suffering a quad injury.

There are also reports that Houston Texans DB Aaron Glenn has received permission to seek a trade to any of three teams, including the Patriots. However, it appears at this time that the Dallas Cowboys have the inside track for his services.

 

According to a report by ESPN's Len Pasquarelli, Doug Flutie is coming home! Of course, he'll only be a backup to Tom Brady, but the deal virtually guarantees that the 1984 Heisman Trophy winner for Boston College will end his playing career as a Patriot.

 

The news that Flutie will be coming back to NE is great! The season opener will be absolutely insane when they announce the team onto the field.

The question that I have is what will this do to Cassell and Davey? The Pats don't need 3 back-ups and I would think that Flutie is in for sure so will they keep Davey and use Cassell for trade bait or maybe it's going to be the other way around .

 

Two stories:

First, the Globe reported that the Patriots have signed former Seahawk and Steeler linebacker Chad Brown to a two-year contract, thereby continuing to add depth at that position.

Second, and perhaps more important for the Patriots long-term, ESPN's Len Pasquarelli has reported that the Patriots have finally come to terms with quarterback Tom Brady on a new six-year deal worth close to $60M. The deal includes a $14.5M signing bonus and a $12M option bonus due next spring. Brady will make a peak base salary of $6M in 2007, and there are $3M roster bonuses in each of the final 3 years of the deal.

 

Brown is a nice addition, but I think he's gonna have a hard time finding playing time, what with Colvin, Vrabel and McGinest ahead of him. Then again, maybe they'll move him inside, especially if Bruschi isn't gonna play.

 

The news about the new contract for Brady is very good news indeed! Six more years with Brady at the helm sounds good to me.

The addition of Brown to the LB core is probably just some insurance incase Bruschi can't play or is only available to play for a few games here and there.

 

I initially wasn't aware that Brown could play inside - but I guess he has played there before, even though he's made his mark on the outside.

 

Tom Brady needed a pay cut since he is such a "Team Player".

Wouldn't be funny if Ty Law was a Dolphin?

See ya when the season kicks off....

 

Tom Brady needed a pay cut since he is such a "Team Player".

Uhhhh.... OK .

Wouldn't be funny if Ty Law was a Dolphin?

Yes it would be funny, because then he would have ended up in the same situation as Lawyer Milloy. A quality player who got the big $$$ contract he wanted but will be stuck on a -.500 team for the next 3-4 years.

See ya when the season kicks off....

Thanks for the warning .

 

The Herald reported today that CB Otis Smith (yes, O-T-I-S) signed one of those quickie contracts this week that allowed him to retire as a Patriot. Nice gesture by the team, I'd say.

 

Troy Brown is coming back!

 

Indeed he is! The Herald reported today that he (Troy Brown) signed a 1-year contract worth just under $1M.

 

I'm glad he's not just lingering around in limbo anymore. He deserves a chance to play one more year if he wants to and I'm glad it's going to be in NE.

 

The Herald reported today that safety Antuan Edwards was signed to a one-year contract. Edwards also has experience at cornerback, but it is felt that his best fit with the Patriots is at safety. A former first-round pick of the Packers, he split time with the Dolphins and Rams last season.

 

The Herald's Michael Felger reported today that Tedy Bruschi will sit out minicamp, which runs from tomorrow through Saturday. He says, however, that Bruschi is taking his time deciding if he will play this season, and that nothing will be made official until training camp opens next month, when the Patriots must either include Bruschi on the 80-man roster or put him on either the non-football injury list or the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

 

In something of a surprise, All-Pro DE Richard Seymour was a no-show on the first day of minicamp today. Bill Belichick didn't say much about this development except that Seymour's absence was unexcused. It is widely speculated, however, that Seymour is holding out in order to get his contract, which has two years remaining, renegotiated.

 

This is not a smart move on the part of Richard Seymour. The Pats have always done a good job of taking care of their guys but if there's another thing that the Pats do a good job of it's finding talent in the least likely of places. Even though he's one of the best in the game the bottom line is that he can be replaced, and if he continues to burn bridges with the front office it could come back to haunt him. Sure he deserves a contract that will make him happy but if he pushes too far he'll end up like Milloy, with a contract that has the big $$$ but from a team that struggles to stay above .500%.

 

The 2004 Patriots, in what has seemed to become an annual event, received their Super Bowl rings in a ceremony @ owner Robert Kraft's house last night. As a hopeful sign, DE Richard Seymour was present at the ceremony.

 

As a hopeful sign, DE Richard Seymour was present at the ceremony.

Who wouldn't show up to get one of these.

 

Mike Reiss of the MetroWest Daily News reported today that the Patriots have agreed to a one-year, $600K contract with running back/return specialist Chad Morton. With kickoff return specialist Bethel Johnson reportedly injured, this signing adds depth to the return corps with just more than a month remaining until training camp opens.