Pats Moves

With NFL free agency off to an exciting start, I thought that I would take a look at some of the moves that the Patriots have made so far. That said, I know a lot of people are sad to see Mike Vrabel go but lets see where this is headed - a lot of people are thinking this is setting up another big move. Even if nothing else comes of it I still don't think it is a bad move. Vrabel's numbers have been on the decline the last few years, he's still solid, but he isn't getting any younger. This saves the Pats $4.3 million against the cap (it isn't a lot) which is money that they can spend elsewhere. I think Pierre Woods, Shawn Crabble, and Tully Banta-Cain will do just fine filling in. I especially like Crabble and hope he stays healthy this season. The Pats will also try draft a linebacker and with Mayo leading the way combined with the aforementioned players, a positon that was a problem a season or two ago looks to be getting younger and much improved.

The signing of Fred Taylor gives the Pats more running back depth which you can never have too much of. I think people should stop comparing this to getting Corey Dillon - Dillon rushed for over 1,500 yards his first season in New England and while Taylor won't rush for half of that's fine because he isn't being brought in to be the main back. With Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and now Taylor the Pats have the most depth at running back in recent memory. They will all split carries which means more fresh legs come playoff time. All around this is just a great signing.

Signing Chris Baker will hopefully give the Pats a tight end that will produce. Ben Watson and David Thomas are both free agents after this upcoming season and I don't expect Watson to be around after that. I think Thomas will have the chance to stick around if he improves and doesn't continue to cost them games with stupid penalties. At least with the Baker signing we won't have to listen to stories during training camp about how Ben Watson is "going to break out this year."

We are less than 48 hours into free agency and it has been eventful so far and with players coming in and out of Foxboro (Leigh Bodden please sign here) it should be an eventful March leading up to the draft in April.