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Jason Cole tweeted yesterday that the Patriots, Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Philadelphia Eagles all have interest in Bryant. The Seahawks and 49ers are looking for more pass rushers, as both teams brought in veterans Cullen Jenkins and John Abraham for workouts. The Raiders would like to keep Bryant, and they also once brought in Jenkins for a workout. The Eagles were the team that released Jenkins, and they interested in 49ers DL Ricky Jean-Francois so there is an opening for them as far as interior pass rushers go. As for the Jaguars, they could always use another talented, veteran defensive player.

The Patriots are an especially interesting team in this, and that’s not just because I cover the Pats and most of my readers care about them. Bryant has been viewed as a great fit for the Patriots by multiple Pats fans and writers, and that’s because he would be a great fit for the need they have at defensive tackle. The Pats pass rush could use some upgrading, and that is especially true for the interior pass rush.

While Bryant isn’t the best run-stuffer around, he’s decent in that regard too. However, what the Patriots need above all else is pass rushing, because guys like Vince Wilfork and Kyle Love can already play the run well (the former much better than the latter, at that). Bryant is one of the best pass rushing DTs in the game, as he consistently disrupts the interior and brings consistent pressure. For the Patriots, consistent pressure on the QB can be hard to come by.

The former Harvard grad was recently arrested in South Beach, but that was a very minor offense that won’t (it certainly doesn’t look like it) affect his free agent market. I am glad the Patriots are showing interest in Bryant, because he could be a very good signing for them. By the way, there are five other teams interested besides the Pats and Raiders, because the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported earlier this week that the Cleveland Browns have interest. The Raiders will most likely not be able to keep Bryant, but he might not be the best fit in the Browns 3-4. Well, it could work out to a great effect if he can transition to the 3-4 DE slot seamlessly.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

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Desmond Bryant is a potential New England Patriots target this offseason, because the Pats have a need for a DT who can rush the passer and push the pocket; they already have great run-stopping talent on the inside. The Pats pass rush needs improving, and even signing CFL star Armond Armstead isn’t enough.

Bryant may “only” be decent against the run, but the Raiders DT is a terrific pass rusher and one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL. One of the top five impending free agent defensive tackles, many people believe that signing Desmond Bryant would make a lot of sense for the New England Patriots- I agree with that.

It is extremely surprising to hear that it was this “Dez” Bryant who was arrested in Miami, because Desmond Bryant is a Harvard grad and is well-regarded for his character. We’ll see how this arrest affects Bryant’s free agent stock, but I highly doubt it will affect his standing with the New England Patriots if the Pats are interested. It could affect his standing with other teams, but I doubt it will do any significant damage for his free agent stock.

Bryant’s bail is reportedly set at $1,000, so it sounds like this criminal mischief charge was basically nothing; just random stuff that happens to NFL players in Miami. Honestly, it doesn’t sound like a big deal. By the way, I feel really bad for the Cowboys Dez Bryant; people are always jumping at him when stuff like this happens. But hey, he has earned that reputation to a certain extent.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

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Knapp did a putrid job as the offensive coordinator of the Raiders last season in leading a 4-12 team and one of the worst offenses in the NFL. He made Dennis Allen look awful in his first year as a head coach, and his scheme blocking completely messed up Darren McFadden. Knapp, at least to me from the outside, seemed a little too stubborn as far as changing the scheme goes for his own good. It was either going to be Knapp being fired from the Oakland Raiders or star running back Darren McFadden would leave the team. I would also take a starting RB over a poor OC any day of the week. Especially on Black Monday.

The Raiders were 21st in the league with just 300 first downs, averaged a poor 3.8 yards per carry on the ground, and they threw the ball far too often and put too much pressure on Carson Palmer‘s veteran- and tiring- arm. None of that brings success, and the Raiders were actually fairly average as a passing offense due to Palmer. Knapp wasn’t a complete failure, but he did fail to bring some semblance of consistency with the running game and focused far too much on throwing the ball. You need balance to be successful on offense, and the Raiders 4-12 record shows that they weren’t exactly successful.

The Raiders offense digressed from last season, and Knapp’s insane stubborness in keeping the zone-blocking scheme and not wanting to run the football is a big reason why. Good riddance for the Raiders, I say.

Now who replaces Knapp? Does Norv Turner stay in the division and go to a rival to call plays on offense and stick it to the San Diego Chargers? That would give the Raiders a head coach and two coordinators who used to coach for rival teams.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.