A lot of people don't care much about Free Agency, thinking their team will get what they need in the Draft alone. Where this logic comes from, I don't know. But it's most definitely not completely true. Sure, you can find some gems each draft, but the real assurance in choosing players comes from Free Agency. So here's a list of Free Agents NE should go ahead and take after (In no particular order):
1) Mario Williams, DE/OLB, Houston
We all know Mario is a monster. And he's a great edge rusher. What is one of NE's major priorities? Pass rush. So hey, why not chase one of the best in the biz? Mario Williams is a very proven pass rusher, and I think the Texans don't want him anymore when they have JJ Watt and several other good defensive lineman. So he could be very good for the Patriots if they went after him.
2) Cortland Finnegan, CB, Tennessee
Sure he's gotten in a few fights before, most famously the fight with Houston's Andre Johnson. But hey, New England has shown that they can tame wild beasts (Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco). Finnegan is an underdog, no matter who he's lining up against, so he's always got that fire in him. He's aggressive. He hits guys. And most importantly, he's a pretty dang good cover CB. And he already said that if New England offered him a contract, he'd love to join the team. Sounds like a good plan to me.
3) Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona
In 2011, this Defensive End from the Cardinals had 72 tackles, and 8 sacks, as well as an interception and 2 forced fumbles. Not too shabby. And he's got some good size to him too, at 6 feet, 8 inches, and 300 pounds. He meets Belichick's requirements for D-Line, that's for sure. He's one guy that probably goes under a lot of people's radar, since he isn't a household name, but he can definitely be huge for the New England Patriots.
4) Cliff Avril, DE, Detroit
This guy is one of the great D-Lineman of the Detroit Lions, and at 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and 260 pounds, he's a quick guy that can get to the QB (11 sacks in 2011). He's also young, but has experience. Something New England could use on that defense. New England's defense is known for getting turnovers, and Avril got 6 forced fumbles in 2011, which is pretty good. He could definitely fit in in New England and get out there to start making plays early if NE signs him.
5) Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego
Here we have a household name. Vincent Jackson. He's a WR that Tom Brady would love to have, and that New England needs. Sure Ochocinco didn't have a great year, but I think Ochocinco should stay in NE at least for training camp and see how it goes. Restructure his contract for less money. Then put Ochocinco outside, Jackson outside, and everybody's favorite White Wes Welkah in the slot? With Hernandez and Gronkowski too? Oh man, would that be an offense for the ages or what? Jackson is a big bodied WR, that would be great in the Red Zone, and he can stretch the field vertically, allowing Welker to make his dough underneath. It would be like 2007 all over again!
6) Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans
This guy is a good WR with size and speed. 6 feet, 3 inches, 225 pounds. In 2011, he caught 80 balls for 1,143 yards and reeled in 8 touchdowns, while getting 55 first downs. He could also help stretch the field for the Patriots, and get defenses scared of our deep ball again. Spread those defenses out a bit more so Welker's job isn't so hard. NE has been lacking WRs since the start of the 2010 season when Randy Moss left the Patriots. Since then, everything has been on Welker's shoulders to carry the receivers corps. And he's done a good job at that, but a tall receiver is definitely a major priority in Foxboro, and Colston fits that.
7) John Abraham, DE, Atlanta
This guy is known pretty well throughout the NFL as a great pass rusher, with 9.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 2011. And I'm sure he's tired of not getting anything in the postseason in Atlanta. He's nearing the end of his career at 34 years old, and he wants a ring on his hand. He doesn't have one yet. So I think he'd definitely take a little pay cut to come to the reigning AFC Champions and give that SB trip another go. He's got a much higher chance of getting some bling in New England than he does in Atlanta, despite Atlanta's good Offense and Defense. So I think he could be a nice addition for a season, but not more. He could be like Andre Carter was for New England in 2011. A man nearing retirement, who's a bit old, but still has what it takes for just a bit longer, and wants a ring more than anything.
8) Brent Grimes, CB, Atlanta
This guy may not seem too flashy out there, only hauling in 1 interception in 2011, but he can be good for New England, who's very short at Corner Back, and hasn't had a great SB since Asante Samuel. Grimes isn't too good on paper, but he's not too shabby when you watch him play. He could help out a lot in the young, inexperienced secondary of the Pats.
9) DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadephia
After being benched by his coach Andy Reid for a game during the 2011 season, it seems that the Eagles may not even negotiate with DeSean. He's known for showboating and being about as flashy and cocky as Primetime was, but he's got Wes Welker quickness and Randy Moss speed. He's a freak of nature. He does have attitude problems, but I'm sure Belichick could get him whipped into shape in no time. He's an incredibly skilled WR, Adding him to Brady's arsenal of weapons could be great, if he's willing to take a pay cut to come here. And I think, like most players, he would be.
10) Steve Johnson, WR, Buffalo
Bill Belichick is notorious for trading for players who he can't figure out how to beat (see Wes Welker), and Johnson is no exception. He's big, and not only would BB not have to deal with him anymore, he'd become a great asset. He's got size and speed, and he may not be a Randy Moss, he certainly has what it takes to play elite football. With a QB like Brady throwing to him, he could be huge for us.
11) LaRon Landry, S, Washington
Did anybody just have flashbacks of Rodney Harrison? Thought so. Landry is a great safety from Washington, who's notorious for hitting. Again, Rodney Harrison anybody? He's exactly what New England's defense needs in the secondary. Somebody who knows what's up (5 years experience), and he's tall. New England needs tall DBs, because it seems every single WR over 6 feet, 3 inches just eats this secondary for breakfast. New England wants teams to be afraid of playing us again. And I think Landry could be a big part of that.
12) Jarret Johnson, LB, Baltimore
This guy is kind of like the unknown man on the Ravens linebacking coprs. But coaches playing him always know who he is. He had 56 tackles in 2011, as well as 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He bring experience to the table, as he's been in the NFL for 9 years. He knows what teams like to do, and he could be another key factor of this New England defense.
13) Brandon Lloyd, WR, St Louis
Lloyd is a very athletic WR who seems to very much enjoy working with New England's soon to be Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels. They were on the same team in Denver, when McDaniels took Lloyd as a free agent, and when McDaniels was fired and went on to be the OC of the St. Louis Rams, Lloyd soon followed in a trade. Lloyd says he would love to go to play up in Foxboro, and there's no reason not to believe him. He had 70 catches for 966 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2011, with Sam Bradford as the one tossing him the ball. Not shabby at all. Lloyd could definitely be a nice addition to the Patriots one-man-show WR corps.
14) Tyvon Branch, S, Oakland
Branch, a 6 feet, 0 inch safety from the Raiders, had a pretty nice 2011 season with 109 tackles, a sack, and an interception, as well as a fumble recovery. He has some height to him at six feet tall, and that is big for the Pats (no pun intended). Height and experience is necessary in New England's poor secondary. Branch brings both. That's why I think he could find himself with a Flying Elvis on his helmet pretty soon.
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