With the National Football League's free agency period set to start at midnight tonight, the New England Patriots find themselves not only courting their own players, but investigating their needs and deciphering who they would like to sign from other franchises.
Within their own roster, the Patriots will need to decide how to approach free agents such as wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, offensive linemen Russ Hochstein, Wesley Britt, Lonie Paxton and Mark LeVoir, defensive backs Rodney Harrison, James Sanders, Deltha O'Neal, Lewis Sanders and Raymond Ventrone, linebackers Larry Izzo, Pierre Woods, Junior Seau and Rosevelt Colvin and punter Chris Hanson.
Here are my educated guesses on what will happen with those fifteen impending free agents:
- Jabar Gaffney: wants to stay, took a discount to stay last season.
- Russ Hochstein: a valuable commodity as a back-up hybrid lineman and can occasionally be a spot-starter.
- Wesley Britt: a young, inexperienced lineman. His departure would not drive many to abandon the franchise.
- Lonie Paxton: arguably the best long snapper in the league. And while you laugh now, a long snapper is a position that you only notice when the person playing the role is struggling. New York Giants fans are holding back tears still thinking about Trey Junkin and the 2003 NFC Wild Card Game against the 49ers.
- Mark LeVoir: a mid-season acquisition to help an ailing offensive line. Like Britt, he could stay or could go, and few would even bat an eyelash.
- Rodney Harrison: he has been the anchor for the Patriots' secondary since arriving in 2003. He helped to nurture young talent like Eugene Wilson, James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather into solid professionals. He is oft-injured, and his quad injury against Denver last year might have been the one that ended his career. He'll most likely retire.
- James Sanders: he is developing into a formidable young safety. He's a ball-hawking, hard-hitting defensive back who will fetch a big contract from someone else. The Patriots won't want to match the big contract that he'll inevitably be offered.
- Deltha O'Neal: arriving prior to Week One, O'Neal made Patriots fans long for the glory days of Duane Starks. In summation: he is terrible and there is no chance he returns to Foxboro wearing a Patriots uniform.
- Lewis Sanders: an unheralded veteran talent who helped to guide Jonathan Wilhite and Terence Wheatley in their rookie seasons. He's a journeyman, and I expect him to find a new home in 2009.
- Raymond Ventrone: an option at safety, corner back, wide receiver and a valuable special teams commodity. His proficiency on special teams reminded me of Chris Akins, and aside from Kelley Washington, Ventrone was the second-best tackler on the kickoff/punt units.
- Larry Izzo: a three-time Pro Bowler as a special teamer, Izzo currently finds himself embroiled in the Greg Anderson-Barry Bonds steroids scandal. He'll probably retire, although his career is ending on a sour note.
- Pierre Woods: a solid option at linebacker, he can play outside or middle linebacker as a starter or backup. He had some key tackles in Super Bowl XLII and made a few solid hits in 2008. He'll stay, but only if the accompanying price tag is reasonable.
- Junior Seau: bound for retirement. Again. For the third consecutive season.
- Rosevelt Colvin: cut last April in a salary dump, Colvin landed in Houston during training camp, then was released prior to the start of the regular season. Following season-ending injuries to Tedy Bruschi and Adalius Thomas, Colvin got the call and played in the last four games of the season. If he can get a decent deal, he might stay, but he's got his rings, so he'll probably look for one last solid pay day.
- Chris Hanson: Why don't you have a seat? No, not that Chris Hanson. The Patriots' punter had some boomers in 2008, including a monster in the season opener against the Chiefs. The market for punters is awfully slim this off-season, so Hanson will probably just hang around for another year or two, unless the Patriots' Brain Trust decides that Southern Methodist's Thomas Morstead is worth a fifth or sixth-round draft pick in April.
Well that's it for the Patriots side of the fence. Later tonight, I'll dive into who I think the Pats might have their eyes on in free agency.
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