Jason La Canfora from NFL.com reported that the Chicago Bears are getting ready to make a run at two major free agents the Patriots also likely have their eyes on: Julius Peppers and Aaron Kampman. While the Bears have gotten a reputation for being “frugal” with the money they spend, like the Patriots, they are trying to make a run at grabbing a playmaker to man the defensive end position. The Pats are also looking for a pass rushing specialist, likely trying to convert a DE to outside linebacker. For over a year now, the Patriots have been linked to [...]

The Patriots announced today that they have signed WR David Patten. Patten, if you recall, was a Patriot during the Super Bowl years and had some pretty interesting games/plays during his stay here. He had the second triple score day in NFL history when in Indianapolis in 2001, he scored a receiving TD, a rushing TD, and a passing TD. Also in 2001, he “recovered” a fumble while being knocked unconscious in Buffalo. Most of his body laid out of bounds but his foot was on the football, thus recovering and downing his own fumble. He made big plays when [...]

Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke on the progress being made re-signing Vince Wilfork and Randy Moss’s comment that the Patriots “Don’t pay.” He also gave a slight indication on how the Patriots will handle spending in the upcoming uncapped year.

There’s been a lot talk recently about the release of LaDanian Tomlinson in San Diego and, just today, Brian Westbrook in Philly. The obvious question people are asking is, “Where will LT/Westbrook play this season?” There has already been talk on the Patriots message boards about the possibility of the Patriots trying to sign LT, and I’m sure talk will soon start about acquiring Brian Westbrook. As big as the names are, these players are not a fit or worth sinking a few million dollars into for the New England Patriots. Here’s why:

It’s certainly been a busy Monday in New England. Besides Vince Wilfork being hit with the franchise tag, Randy Moss indicated this weekend at a charity golf tournament that 2010 will probably be his final season as a Patriot. Here’s what Moss had to say:
“I don’t think they are going to extend my contract here.
I understand the beast, the nature of it. I think that just with what I think and what I know I don’t think they’re going to re-sign me back. So, after this season if there is not a lockout I’ll be looking for a new team.  [...]

It was only a matter of time, and it has finally happened: the New England Patriots slapped the franchise tag on nose tackle Vince Wilfork. The tag virtually guarantees that Wilfork will remain a Patriot in 2010, whether they are able to negotiate a long-term deal or not. Big Vince will earn, at a minimum, about $7 million this season according to the value of the tag. If another team wants to sign Wilfork away, it will cost them two first-round draft picks, a price too hefty to pay. Here is the statement from the Patriots, which does contain some [...]

The start of NFL free agency on March 5 is a mere two weeks away from today. The deadline for teams applying the franchise tag, Feb. 25, is less than one week away. This offseason is one of the more important offseasons in recent memory for the Patriots, as they transition from one decade to the next, and one core group of players to the next. The Pats are primed to make this a big one that could set them up for future success if they make the right decisions, and that starts with the upcoming franchise tag deadline. In [...]

Trade rumors are starting to heat up that Bill Belichick will make a play for Seahawks receiver and former Patriot Deion Branch. Branch, the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX, was traded to Seattle for a first round pick and the receiving corps wasn’t the same until Randy Moss and Wes Welker were acquired. However, after the record-breaking 2007 season, the offense hasn’t been able to find a third receiver to compliment Welker and Moss. At times this season, the offense was very predictable and couldn’t put a game away. Now, the Patriots likely won’t enter the 2010 season with Welker [...]

Last season, rumors rant rampant that the Patriots were going to trade for DE/OLB Julius Peppers to bolster a feeble pass rush. Of course, that never materialized and Peppers stayed in Carolina and posted a 10 1/2 sack season while the Patriots’ feeble pass rush remained feeble. Now, with Julius Peppers ready to hit free agency, the Patriots are again rumored to be among his suitors. Peppers would project to play OLB in the 3-4 scheme, something he hasn’t done playing DE in Carolina, but certainly a position he is athletically capable of playing. While most think he could transition [...]

Just when things are quiet throughout the NFL, the Crypt Keeper himself, Raiders owner Al Davis, continues his march towards the  “Worst Modern Era Owner” title with the re-signing of kicker Sebastian Janikowski. Keeping Janikowski is not a bad move. He is a good kicker with a big leg, and is coming off his best season in terms of field goal percentage (89.7%). However, the contract that he received, as a KICKER, is ridiculous. Couple that with the money the Raiders tied up with their punter, Shane Lechler, and it makes the contract ludicrous (which any Space Balls fan knows [...]