NFL Unlocked

Yay I can talk about football again! With the NFL lockout negotiations finally coming to a conclusion after 132 very long days, teams can start negotiations with the unrestricted free agents and can officially sign them this coming Friday. With preseason quickly approaching (first game is August 11th), teams are in a frenzy trying to fill the voids in their depth charts with stars, so rumors are being tracked frequently and acquisitions/trades are happening fast. Some of the biggest names in this year's free agent market include Nnamdi Asomugha, Antonio Cromartie, Sydney Rice, Santonio Holmes, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Braylon Edwards. Now even though the market has only been open for one full day (Wednesday being the second), there have been a lot of well-known players being traded and cut. Vince Young is rumored to be cut come Thursday, Matt Hasselbeck signed with the Tennessee Titans, Donovan McNabb will most likely be signed by the end of today with the Minnesota Vikings, Donte Stallworth signed with the Washington Redskins today, and Takeo Spikes moved from San Francisco to San Diago.

Let's look back at the Patriots 2010-2011 season; great team, great chemistry, QB stud, head coach mastermind. Things like that can only get you through the regular season. Entering the postseason like usual, the Patriots found themselves with a bye for the first round and ended up facing the New York Jets (I really don't like them) in the second. Let's just say the game could have gone a bit better. The Jets exposed a young DB group, a slow offensive, defensive, and linebacker line, a lack of a rushing game, and were able to double short routes because there was no deep threat in the wideouts. Being the smart man that he is, Belichick addressed some of these needs in the 2011 draft by selecting tackle Nate Solder, cornerback Ras-I Dowling, and runningbacks Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley. Unfortunately, most rookies that aren't quarterbacks don't make team changing impacts their first year in the league. That's why the Patriots desperately need to make moves within this market and fast.

Here are my thoughts on possible targets for the New England Patriots within the free agent market:

OLB Matt Roth, Cleveland Browns
Why: He was drafted by Nick Saban back in 2005 to Miami so he would be able to adjust to the scheme that Belichick has easily. Solid OLB who doesn't kill you with speed but finds a lot of holes in offensive lines.

DE Marcus Spears, Dallas Cowboys
Why: Even though he has been a huge letdown since being drafted in the first-round of 2005, Spears is a big boy with quick hands to plug up running lanes.

WR Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings
Why: Tall, lanky, fast. He's a wide receiver who can really stretch the field and provide a deep threat for Brady.

DE Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants
Why: From Boston College, Kiwanuka is a bull-rush type lineman who muscles his way through lines to get at the QB and RB.

ILB Barrett Rudd, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Why: A very quick and smart linebacker. Has great coverage and can make changes on the field.

WR Braylon Edwards, New York Jets
Why: Even though I really don't like him and think he is pretty washed up (he's 29), we need someone with his talent that badly. He's a tall receiver with average hands but is always a threat to have a big game (thanks for ruining my fantasy team last season).

S Donte Whitner, Buffalo Bills
Why: Even though the Patriots don't really need a saftey, Whitner is a solid player that flies under the radar. QBs always make sure they know where he is on the field and only throw at him when necessary.